"Roger! Roger! Protective Protocols Engaged."

"Weapon systems online! Stand down masked citizen!"

This 57mm tall resin multi-part model of Big Bot is manufactured by "Kitbash Games", and was produced as part of the company's highly successful Supers Unlimited Teamstarter 1: Aegis "Kickstarter" campaign in October 2020. Originally built by Robokid's parents and later transformed into a "self-aware robotic protector" by the boy-genius engineer, I actually plan to use the sculpt as a British super-hero known as Tin-Man for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign utilising some homemade rules.

The mechanical construct was first assembled using several pins and plenty of super-glue, before being undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black. The entire ensemble was then given a double-layer of "Vallejo" Gunmetal, thoroughly shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and heavily dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal.

Tin-Man helps the Soviets in their battle against the Axis forces on the Eastern Front

I had initially planned on making the super-strong robot extremely rusty, and a far cry from the colourful blue and red palette used in it's 'official' illustrations. However, having already applied a somewhat 'distressed' colour scheme to my Battle Engine, I thought I'd instead take the opportunity to paint the figure up as one of my self-created comic strip characters known as Tin-Man; who in the July 2014 adventure "The Guernsey Guerilla" actually travels back in time to the Second World War so as to defeat the Teutonic terror, Zitadelle.

This meant I needed to somewhat haphazardly 'pick out' various armour plates, limbs, gears and even the mechanoid's chin with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and Brass. These numerous areas were subsequently washed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and 'highlighted' with a carefully-placed application of (more) "Vallejo" Brass.

"Yes, Sir. Theta Section, quickly."

As the final steps I 'tidied up' the robot's joints with pure "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and dotted its eyes with a mixture of "Vallejo" Turquoise and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. I had actually contemplated using a red paint for this job, but felt the light(ish) piercing blue made the super-hero appear much more friendly...

Having completed Big Bot, I also found the time to also complete a FedSec Trooper by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". I actually swapped out the goon's gas-mask wearing head for a balaclava one instead, and pigmented him to represent one of Supreme Commander Servalan's minions from the BBC television series "Blake's Seven".

“I Am A Hacker Housed In A Fully-Armed Mobile Weapon-System."

"Your move, little man!”

This 41mm tall resin model of Battle Engine is produced by "Kitbash Games", and was bought following their highly successful "Supers Unlimited" Miniatures "Kickstarter" in August 2019. Described as a villainous "ghost who surfed in the shadows of the dark web. with many incredible feats attributed to him by his hacker callsign". I actually plan to use the casting as a robotic Allied super-hero known as Mark One for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign utilising some homemade rules.

Having super-glued Enrique Messi onto a 28mm lipped base, I first primed him with a double layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey before shading the "hacktivist" in "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. I then applied a dry-brush of "Vallejo" Gunmetal to parts of the figure, such as its armour plating, limbs and head, in order to suggest some significant weathering had taken place on those areas.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - Two FedSec Troopers 'converted' with Balaclava heads

I continued to 'distress' the entire model by drenching it in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and sporadically dabbed its joints in "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash. Once applied, these techniques really had made quite a mess of the miniature, so I blended them all together with a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Grey. This was somewhat delicately done as I wanted to ensure that some of the previously-used "Vallejo" Gunmetal still shone through so as to give Battle Engine a slight metallic sheen.

As a final step I 'picked out' all of the armoured suit's shoulder missiles (both front and back) with a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, as well as dotted the sculpt's two eyes with some "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. I had also wanted to apply a decal depicting either an Allied Star or American flag to the model, so as to better tie-in with my own background for the automaton. But despite owning several such transfers which were small enough, ultimately failed to locate a sizeable enough flat surface.

"North Star Military Figures" WIPs - This "Frostgrave" bear has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

Alongside pigmenting Battle Engine, I have also found the time to assemble the last two of my FedSec Troopers by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". These jumpsuit-fitted minions actually come complete with a gas-mask wearing head. However, as I wanted them to represent the Federation Death Squad lead by Section Leader Klegg (from the late Seventies BBC television series "Blake's Seven), I have fitted them with some balaclava heads instead.

Lastly, I've managed to base a somewhat large Bear rearing to attack by "North Star Military Figures". This particular sculpt has been added to the company's Frostgrave Extras rage, and has already had its basic stages completed in preparation for next month's big painting push into Joseph A. McCullough's frozen ruins of Felsted...

"Henry Made Himself A Sleek Costume..."

"...And based on the bioluminescent ability he had acquired, called himself Lightning Bug!"

This 32mm tall resin model of Lightning Bug is manufactured by "Kitbash Games", and was produced as part of the company's highly successful "Supers Unlimited" Miniatures "Kickstarter" in August 2019. Described as "a maverick scientist, specializing in entomology, genetics and biochemistry", I actually plan to use the sculpt as a Soviet super-hero known as the Bolshevik Bug for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign utilising some homemade rules.

Having attached Henry Harold Harlan onto a 28mm lipped base, I undercoated the figure with two layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and then, in a departure from my usual painting process, set about 'picking out' his armoured boots, gloves, chest emblem and eye goggles with a combination of Heavy Sienna and Brass. These areas were subsequently shaded using "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna.

Kitbash Games" WIPs - Big Bot, Battle Engine and N-Rage

I made this change to my usual methodology because in the past I have disconcertingly found the "Vallejo" metallic paints tend to deposit a few noticeable flecks of colour over the rest of my models whenever they are used for dry-brushing. As a result, I have always had to go back and 'touch up' the contaminated areas, somewhat duplicating my effort to get the miniature finished.

On this occasion however, I simply needed to tidy up the "Vallejo" Heavy Red prime and apply a wash of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson to the figure in order for the descendant of Insectman to be completed. Those familiar with the "Supers Unlimited" range will also have noted my divergence from the Lightning Bug's 'official' black and electric blue palette for one much more in keeping with my incarnation's Eastern Bloc background.

"Attention, please. This is base control, red alert!"

Alongside the third of my Soviet super-soldiers I have also been making some significant progress on three more "Kitbash Games" models, namely Big Bot, Battle Engine and N-Rage. All three of these excellent sculpts will be repurposed for my Weird War Two campaign, providing the British, American and German forces with the notable battlefield legends Tin-Man, Mark One and Nuklearmann. 

In addition, I've provided some tender loving care to a few of my previously pigmented "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" miniatures following their recent exploits on my tabletop. To be fair, the FedSec Troopers simply had their headgear repainted with Vallejo” Heavy Khaki and some long-lost “Citadel” Thrakka Green, after I found the new alternative shade, Biel-Tan Green, to simply be too dark. Whilst, the Spawn's numerous chips were probably caused during its transportation to different gaming venues as opposed to being damaged through mishandling during an actual scenario...

"This Horned Urz Cub..."

"...Has to be restrained with a zencollar and muzzle for safety."

This 28mm scale metal model of a Horned Urz Cub is sold by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought as part of their Alien Pets 2 deal. Sculpted by Andrew May, and originally produced as a freebie to all backers of the company's Colony 87 - The Third Wave - 28mm Sci-Fi Civilians Kickstarter, the creature is designed to be used with the company's other "Colony 87" sci-fi civilian miniatures "for any RPGs and tabletop wargames."

Over twenty foot tall when fully grown, the prized extra-terrestrial bear was initially undercoated using "Vallejo" Heavy Brown, before dabbing the creature's fur in "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna using a piece of torn foam. The entire animal was then washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Brown.

"North Star Military Figures" WIPs - The two Shrieking Wolves have been primed, shaded and 'distressed' 

The ferocious predator's zencollar and muzzle were 'picked out' using a combination of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and "Vallejo" Gunmetal. This restraining device was later shaded in "Citadel" Abaddon Black and carefully highlighted with a touch more "Vallejo" Gunmetal. Finally, the Horned Urz's eyes were spotted with a couple of dabs of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and later washed using a little "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

Stepping away from the dizzying heights of "Colony 87" and making a frosty return to the snow-laden ruins of Felsted, I have spent some considerable time recently rummaging through my collection of unpainted models looking for a number of old "Frostgrave" miniatures I own by "North Star Military Figures". It's true that I intend to allocate this fantasy skirmish rule-set's second edition a considerable consignment of my valuable hobby-time over the next few months, in the hopes of pigmenting both a sizeable bestiary and some adventurous warbands.

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - Big Bot and The Shark are slowly having their details 'picked out'

However, I have also been spurred on by the announcement of it's science-fiction sequel "Stargrave" and the somewhat imminent release of a whole raft of new sculpts to specifically support it. This year I am absolutely determined to see through my New Year pledge of painting at least two models for every new one bought, so with this in mind, I thought I'd best get cracking on churning my way through my "North Star Military Figures" backlog; especially as I'm aware that the Nottingham-based company has already announced they'll be producing three twenty-figure strong boxes of plastic multi-part miniatures to go alongside their official metal range.

In addition, I've been plugging away at some more of my "Supers Unlimited" resin heroes by "Kitbash Games". such as Big Bot and the long-neglected Shark. I've still got quite a few of these super-heroes and villains to finish before I dare visit the manufacturer's store again, but hope to 'break the back' of this particular pile of shame by the end of next month...

"The Enforcers Are The Paladins’ Standard Infantry Branch."

"Trained and equipped to fight in coordination with the Iron Star Alliance’s Warcasters."

These three 35mm scale metal Paladin Enforcers are produced by “Privateer Press” and can be found inside the Iron Star Alliance Command Group Starter Set for Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika. The multi-part figures carry "an assault rifle with a bayonet" and are able to "attack with both weapons simultaneously in a blur of violence and firepower."

Having either pinned or super-glued the trio's weapon arms (and one leg) in place, each miniature was primed in "Citadel" Abaddon Black before being treated to a double-helping of "Vallejo" Gunmetal. They were then shaded using "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal using a large make-up blusher brush.

"The Paladins are the federation’s military elite."

Sticking with the somewhat 'clean' metallic look of their leader's previously painted mechanically enhanced compound armour, I patiently 'picked out' a number of details on each sculpt with a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black. This included the Enforcers' knee-pads, central chest plate, elbow-pads, and the majority of their assault rifles.

In addition, I applied a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna over each soldier's spats, shoulder-pads, face-plate, and thigh-joints. These areas were later given a coat of "Vallejo" Brass, a dash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and some delicate dry-brushing with a smidge more "Vallejo" Brass so as to bring back some of their shine after being shaded.

"We have a firm location reading and an accurate track."

Lastly, I painted part of each Paladin's Arc receiver with "Vallejo" Brass and washed them with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. I was planning on also applying a combination of "Vallejo" Turquoise and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade to my Iron Star Alliance warriors, as I had done on their Paladin Commander. However, much to my disappointment I found that none of the three figures were wearing any cloth garments whatsoever.

With over half of my Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika miniatures now finished, I have also completed another of my old 28mm FedSec Troopers made by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio”. This gas-mask wearing figure comes from their now out-of-production Federated Security Starter Set and was painted up to be one of Supreme Commander Servalan's goons from the BBC science fiction television series “Blake’s Seven”.

"Blake's Seven" 28mm Battle Report: Servalan & Travis Verses The Mutant Menace II

THE FEDERATION RETURN TO XK-72 AND ITS INFESTATION OF MUTANT MONSTERS

This game was played using some homemade rules (M.I.S.S.) so as to allow us to play through a lengthy campaign utilising many of my painted FedSec Trooper miniatures by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio", and took place upon a small(ish) layout made up of old "Alien Verses Predator: The Hunt Begins" cardboard tiles.

“The story so far… Supreme Commander Servalan and Space Commander Travis have boarded the apparently abandoned Federation medical facility XK-72 to discover that the scientists there have been infected by a mutating space plague. Desperate to recover all the space-station's advanced technology, the pair attempt to restore full power back to its computer banks and operating systems."

THE TABLETOP - THE ABANDONED FEDERATION MEDICAL FACILITY XK-72

Servalan, Section Leader Klegg and the five-man strong Charlie Squad would enter the medical facility from its south-western airlock. Whilst Travis, Alpha Squad and Bravo Squad would start their exploration of XK-72 from the installation's south-eastern airlock. Any mutants, deformed scientists or even worse horrors would either emerge from an air ventilator shaft located in the Central Corridor or Northern Corridor.

The scenario selected was "Reconnect", which meant that the Federation forces had twelve turns in which to locate both the space station's power socket and its missing circuitry, and then bring the circuitry back to the power socket's location. These objectives would only be revealed once a unit had spent a turn examining one of five potential locations for them.

THE FEDERATION FORCES SPLIT UP TO COVER MORE GROUND

Eager to reconnoitre the Bridge but mindful that they might need plenty of guns owing to its close proximity to an air ventilator shaft, Space Commander Travis and Alpha Squad headed west down the Central Corridor. Bravo Squad however, moved north up the East Wing towards the East Storeroom. On the other side of XK-72, Servalan and Klegg made their way north up the West Wing, whilst Charlie Squad turned into the Central Corridor to give Travis some additional covering fire if needed.

To the north the Federation troopers all heard something very large and probably truly terrifying making its way down the Northern Corridor. Whatever the behemoth was, it sounded like it was heading east towards the north end of the East Wing. To make matters worse though a mutant emerged into the Central Corridor, right in between Alpha Squad and Charlie Squad's positions.

SOMETHING LARGE IS HEARD LURKING AT THE NORTHERN END OF XL-72

Travis immediately opened fire on the mutant before him, and despite the monster's formidable mass, managed to twice wound it. The creature was clearly injured by the Space Commander's attack, and resultantly fell to the floor dead, once it was targeted by the mass firepower of both Alpha Squad and Bravo Squad. Servalan and Klegg continued to hurry towards the West Storeroom, with Charlie Squad remaining in situ to support Travis should another mutant appear.

Unfortunately for the Federation forces, all the noise of their firing did indeed attraction a second mutant to emerge from the air ventilator shaft in Central Corridor. Whilst the behemoth at the north end of the medical facility fully appeared at the top end of the East Wing. Bravo Squad immediately started firing at the hulking monstrosity, but their terror at the brute's size got the better of their aim, and they all missed.

SERVALAN REACHES THE WEST STOREROOM AS TRAVIS BATTLES A MUTANT

Space Commander Travis meanwhile, wounded the mutant near him with his mutoid hand-blaster. However, despite Alpha Squad and Charlie Squad's best efforts, the creature refused to die. Somewhat more encouraging though was Servalan's success at locating the space station's power socket in the West Storeroom, meaning her expedition needed to only find its missing circuitry and return it to the device in the storeroom for the mission to be a success.

Eager to explore Engine Room One, the Supreme Commander hurried after Section Leader Klegg, who, having opened to the door to the West Storeroom, was now scouting out the northern end of the West Wing. Further south, Travis decided to let his men tackle the injured mutant near him, and made his way up to the Bridge's closed door. Behind him, Charlie Squad ineffectively charged into the mutant, and failed to even wound the creature with their rifle butts.

TRAVIS REACHES THE BRIDGE AS SERVALAN PUSHES FURTHER NORTH

Alpha Squad and Bravo Squad opened fire on the behemoth slowly approaching them down the East Wing. The monstrosity had completely cut off the Federation Troopers' access to the East Storeroom. Their combined fire managed to wound the monstrosity only once though. To make matters worse, all their shooting attracted the attention of another mutant to the Central Corridor, and this one immediately attacked Charlie Squad - wiping the entire five-man team out with the help of the injured mutant they were already engaged with.

Rounding the corner into the Northern Corridor, Klegg came to an abrupt halt as he witnessed a mutant emerge from its air ventilator. The creature instantly started moving towards the Section Leader, who frantically fired at it, giving it one wound. Servalan appeared behind him, ready to bring her own weapon into play if given the chance.

THE MUTANTS ATTACK SPACE COMMANDER TRAVIS OUTSIDE THE BRIDGE

Travis too was in trouble, as the pair of mutants near him attacked, gravely wounding the Space Commander, and bringing him close to death's door. Turning their attention away from the behemoth moving down the East Wing, Alpha Squad desperately charged the injured mutant attacking their senior officer, and managed to batter the brute into near submission. A moment later and a vicious chop from Travis saw it dead. The Federation forces were slowly clearing the Central Corridor.

Alpha Squad and Bravo Squad then brought their rifle butts down upon the remaining mutant in the Central Corridor, and once again Travis was able to deliver a coup de grâce upon another of the medical facility's disfigured inhabitants. Servalan and Travis were also enjoying plenty of success with their attack upon the mutant before them in the Northern Corridor, as they almost killed their green bulbous opponent with some withering fire.

MORE AND MORE MUTANTS START TO APPEAR INSIDE THE SPACE STATION

Unfortunately for the Supreme Commander and her Section Leader, the mutant wasn't quite dead, and the sound of their blasters caused a mutated scientist to emerge from the nearby ventilator shaft. This jump-suit wearing partial-cadaver shuffled behind the badly-injured mutant towards its aghast prey. To the south, the behemoth finally reached the eastern end of the Central Corridor, which Bravo Squad had already wisely vacated.

Sensing that her position was precarious at best, Servalan fled south back down the West Wing, heading towards the evacuation point. Behind her Klegg screamed in terror as both the mutant and heavily-infected scientist tore him to pieces. The Federation forces holding the Central Corridor weren't faring much better either, as the behemoth  almost came within touching distance of Bravo Squad.

KLEGG FALLS PROTECTING HIS SUPREME COMMANDER FROM TWO MUTANTS

Ordering his men to stand their ground, Travis raced into the Bridge, desperately hoping to find the missing circuitry needed to complete his mission. Outside, Alpha Squad and Bravo Squad repositioned themselves to assail the behemoth with their combined firepower should they be given the opportunity.

THE SURVIVING FEDERATION FORCES RETREAT EMPTY-HANDED

With a curse, Travis realised the Bridge was a red herring, and knowing that a fight against the behemoth, even with two full squads of troopers, would be a difficult challenge, gave the order for his men to retire to the south-western extraction point. The Space Commander nimbly fled the Bridge just as the behemoth approached its now open doorway, and by the time he reached the relative safety of the airlock saw that Servalan was already admonishing Alpha Squad and Beta Squad for their mission's failure...

“Can You Alphamaniacs Smell What The Alpha Male Is Cooking?

"Woo! Oh yeah!"

This 36mm tall resin model of Alpha Male is produced by "Kitbash Games", and was bought as part of my pledge from their highly successful "Supers Unlimited" Miniatures "Kickstarter" in August 2019. Transformed overnight with a physical prowess to match his larger-than-life wrestling character, I actually plan to use the casting as a Third Reich super-villain known as Áchtung for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign utilising some homemade rules.

Having super-glued Albert Mannheim onto a 28mm lipped base, I first primed him with a double layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone before shading "the bad-boy" in "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. I then applied some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the big star's boots, lengthy hair, moustache, prominent eyebrows and leather belt, as well as delicately dry-brushed his laces with some "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal.

"Privateer Press" WIPs - The Paladin Enforcer is slowly having all his detail 'picked out'

The wrestling heel's toe-caps, belt emblem and spikes were given a 'lick' of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst his trousers were treated to a combination of "Vallejo" German Fieldgrey WWII and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green so as to help tie-in the figure with my Weird War Two setting.

I also picked out the heavily-muscled maniac's gold bracelet using some "Vallejo" Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. One particularly noticeable mistake I did make was to 'pick out' both of Mannheim's eyes, whereas the actual sculpt shows him winking with one eye closed. Fortunately, I didn't actually like the look of that facial expression, so having painstakingly 'dotted' both eyes I wasn't going to go back and paint over one socket with "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone.

"Frostgrave: Ghost Archipelago" WIPs - The Shark's watery base has been sculpted and painted

With another of my "Kitbash Games" super-villains completed I've continued to make some excellent progress on my Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika. Iron Star Alliance Starter Set, to the point where I've almost finished all three of its Paladin Enforcers. Despite some 'build-issues' with the multi-part metal miniatures, I've been rather enjoying these "Privateer Press" sculpts, and resultantly even ordered a second unit to add to my force from "Firestorm Games".

Slightly left-field has been my decision to pigment a few old Frostgrave: Ghost Archipelago animals and monsters I recently found. I'm not necessarily planning on playing the fantasy wargame in the lost isles, but, having never fully-painted a water-based miniature before - at least not one where I'd need to sculpt the waves on its stand - I thought I'd give the resin Shark maw by "North Star Military Figures" a go...

"It Remains Unknown If This Sentient Fungus..."

"...Is a native or mutation triggered by hazardous wasters."

This 28mm scale white metal model of an Ambulatory Fungoid is sold by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought alongside a Horned Urz cub as part of their Alien Pets 2 deal. Sculpted by Andrew May, and originally produced as a freebie to all backers of the company's Colony 87 - The Third Wave - 28mm Sci-Fi Civilians Kickstarter, the creature is designed to be used with the company's other "Colony 87" sci-fi civilian miniatures "for any RPGs and tabletop wargames."

"Growing in the vast labyrinth of tunnels, sewers, Maran-Tchi cysts and chambers below the outpost", the alien was initially undercoated using "Vallejo" Sombre Grey before being shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Sombre Grey. I then painted the walking mushroom's top with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and sporadically spotted its irregular lumps with some White using a piece of torn foam.

"Privateer Press" WIPs - The Paladin Enforcer is slowly having all his detail 'picked out'

This entire area was subsequently shaded with plenty of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson and its spots reapplied with more "Vallejo" White over the same bumps as before. This gave the impressive of some dots slowly emerging alongside others which were already fully-visible. As a final step I 'picked out' the Fungoid's numerous eyes with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green.

With the latest of my "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" alien pets finished I have managed to keep my momentum going with the three Paladin Enforcers I'm currently pigmenting for "Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika". These multi-part metal miniatures by "Privateer Press" were a little fiddly to assemble, but now they've been primed, shaded and dry-brushed I'm hoping to now be on the home straight to getting my Iron Star Alliance Starter Set completed before the end of the month.

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - Lightning Bug has had all his "Vallejo" Brass shaded and dry-brushed

In addition, I have tried to dedicate some hobby-time to getting my Lightning Bug by "Kitbash Games" ready for the tabletop. The somewhat small resin super-hero was actually released as part of the manufacturer's first "Supers Unlimited" Kickstarter. However I have waited until recently to purchase the fellow after some casting failures saw its sculpt get revised to be both "slightly bulkier and approximately 1 or 2mm taller in relative terms."

As with so many of the figures from this range I have also decided to steer well away from both the 'official' character and colour scheme, so as to use my miniature as part of a Weird War Two campaign I have planned using some homemade rules. To this end, I won't be giving the model a predominantly black costume, but rather a red and brass one in order to better represent the Soviet splendour of the Bolshevik Bug...

"Fearless And Eager To Prove Themselves In Combat."

"The young officers who command the Paladin forces in battle lead from the front."

This 35mm scale metal miniature of a Paladin Commander is produced by “Privateer Press” and can be found inside the Iron Star Alliance Command Group Starter Set for Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika. The three-piece figure comes "armed with a shoulder-mounted, self-targeting pulse cannon and wrist-mounted fusion sword", and "can attack with both its melee and ranged weapons in the same activation."

Having pinned and simultaneously super-glued the solo unit's cannon and shield in place, the entire assembly was primed in "Citadel" Abaddon Black before being treated to a coat or two of "Vallejo" Gunmetal. It was then shaded using "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal using a large make-up blusher brush.

"Privateer Press" WIPs - The Paladin Enforcer is slowly having all his detail 'picked out'

I had originally intended to make all my Iron Star Alliance miniatures appear somewhat rusty and battered from their "aggressive expansion throughout the galaxy". But in the end decided to predominantly keep the somewhat 'clean' look of their metallic armour, and instead simply 'pick out' some of their more apparent details. As a result I applied "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the Commander's knee-pads, central chest plate, elbow-pads, and repulsor shield. 

In addition, I layered equipment and weaponry such as the model's spats, shoulder-pads, face-plate, pulse-cannon and fusion-sword with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, and later gave them a 'lick' of Brass followed by a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. These areas were later delicately dry-brushed with a touch more "Vallejo" Brass to try and bring back some of their shine after being shaded.

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - Doc Cosmos, Alpha Male and Lightning Bug

Lastly, in an effort to somewhat further break-up all the metallic pigments on show, I applied some "Vallejo" Turquoise to my Iron Star Alliance leader's loincloth and washed it with "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. I also decided to paint the garment's elaborate rear clasp with a combination of "Vallejo" Brass and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to make it look even more ornate.

With the first of my Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika miniatures finished, and work on three Paladin Enforcers well on their way too, I've made a bit more progress on some of my "Supers Unlimited" resin figures. These costumed vigilantes by "Kitbash Games" are in various states on completion, with characters such as Doc Cosmos being 'taken back' to an early stage courtesy of a re-priming, whilst those like Alpha Male are very close to being given a protective coat of "Vallejo" Matt varnish...

"Although Rarely Seen..."

"...At least one colony of white gorilla calls the city home."

This 38mm tall metal models of a White Gorilla is manufactured by “North Star Military Figures” and can be bought as code FGV311 from their “Frostgrave" Range. Known to leave their nest deep with the ruins of the Frozen City in order to hunt, these formidably-sized animals "are not above eating human flesh."

The figure was initially primed "Vallejo" White, drenched in Pale Grey and dry-brushed in (more) White. I then set about painting all of the creature's flesh, such as its face, chest, hands and feet in "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone. To be honest I actually struggled with this task as the 'official' paint-job suggested that the brute had a bare knee and patches of skin under its arms.

"The females and young generally stay inside a nest..."

However, I simply couldn't find any of this detail on the actual sculpt itself, so in the end simply settled for my gorilla having a somewhat symmetrical bare chest, In addition, because I wanted the ape to look especially dirty and dishevelled, I decided against giving its flesh a light(ish) colour and instead shaded it using "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

The random encounter's claws were treated to some "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and it's dubiously elongated fangs 'picked out' using a combination of "Vallejo" White and a double-helping of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Finally the beast's tongue was pigmented with "Vallejo" Heavy Red and later darkened down using even more "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Halt. This area is under maximum security and totally off limits."

Due to my somewhat intense dislike for the both the figure's bizarre head and pose, it has actually taken more than two years to actually get this "Nfumu Ngui" in a position where it can 'grace' my tabletop. Fortunately though, its completion has tied in quite wonderfully with the “Neglected But Not Forgotten” Painting Challenge over on "Ann's Immaterium" blog, so has duly been submitted as an entry.

With another animal ticked off my "Frostgrave" Bestiary list, I have also finished pigmenting another of my old 28mm FedSec Troopers made by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio”. I got this figure from their now out-of-production Federated Security Starter Set and painted him up so as to be a 'dead-ringer' for a Federation trooper from the BBC science fiction television series “Blake’s Seven”.

'The Curious Karakulak.'

"A non-sentient species of omnivorous and gregarious canids."

This 28mm scale metal model of a Karakulak is sold by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought as part of their Alien Pets deal. The animal is 26mm in length and is designed to be used with the company's other "Colony 87" sci-fi civilian miniatures "for any RPGs and tabletop wargames."

The extra-terrestrial fox was initially undercoated using "Vallejo" White, before being washed in some quite heavily watered-down "Citadel" Druchii Violet and dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" White. I then set about pigmenting the creature's toes and nose with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before finishing it off by dotting its eyes with a combination of "Vallejo" Turquoise and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade.

"Blue is potentially the second-most intelligent piece of life on this planet and she’s the last of her kind."

In addition to the latest of my "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" alien pets I have also finished working on the third of my 30mm tall plastic Velociraptor figures produced by “Mondo Games”. This Late Cretaceous "dromaeosaurid dinosaur" was seemingly sculpted to depict Blue from the 2015 American film "Jurassic World" and can be found inside the Jurassic Park: Ingen Vs. Raptors board game for "Unmatched".

Having initially chopped the miniature from its 25mm stand with a sharp modelling knife and subsequently glued it upon a 40mm circular base instead, the predator was primed using "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, drenched in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Sombre Grey. I then 'picked out' all the Raptor's claws and sharp tiny teeth with "Vallejo" White and later treated them to a wash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade too.

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - Big Bot has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

As a second to last step I 'dotted' both the Velociraptor's eyes with a spot or two of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre and a dash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. I then finished the predatory dinosaur off by coating its tongue with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Setting aside my finished figures I've also managed to get some basic layering, shading and dry-brushing completed on my resin model of Big Bot by "Kitbash Games". This rather formidably-sized resin sculpt was created as part of the Supers Unlimited Teamstarter 1: Aegis Kickstarter campaign, and whilst its 'official' palette is extremely colourful, I have decided to go with a somewhat rusty metallic scheme which better suits its resemblance to one of my "Mooretoons" cartoon strip characters - Tin Man.

"Department X Only Takes The Best."

"Greyhound Sixteen to Trap One. We've found something."

These three 28mm scale metal miniatures of some X-Commandos are manufactured by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be found within the company’s Heroes and Allies product line as SKU: DEAL 72. The 'blister' actually contains four figures "equipped with body armour, Department X badged berets and either Pistol, MP5 SMGs or SLR/FN Rifles."

Having assembled the soldiers by attaching a mix of male/female heads to their torsos courtesy of a little pinning and super-glue, they were each primed "Citadel" Abaddon Black and enthusiastically dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal. I then 'picked out' each troopers' hand-weapon using some "Vallejo" Gunmetal, and their shoulder and beret badges with a couple of dollops of White. Both of these areas were later shaded using "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - A Federated Security Mutaint

As I wanted my figures to resemble the U.N.I.T. troopers depicted during the April 2008 Doctor Who television story "The Sontaran Stratagem", I shied away from leaving the Commando's headware all-black and instead pigmented it using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. I also left their aforementioned badges predominantly white, rather than attempt to painstakingly 'sketch in' the red cross upon a blue background which the Department of Extraordinary Affairs uses as their top secret organisation's emblem.

In addition, I changed up the palette on the X-Commandos' uniforms by painting all their hip-holsters and leg straps in "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, as opposed to the Heavy Charcoal I had used in the past. This arguably gave each soldier a little more contrast than the all-black 'official' colour scheme used by both "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" and their modern-day U.N.I.T. counterparts, even after a "Citadel" Nuln Oil wash. It did mean though that I felt obliged to go back and re-paint the fourth squad member I'd previously pigmented.

"Supers Unlimited" WIPs - N-Rage has been primed, shaded and highlighted with "Vallejo" White

Each miniatures' flesh was treated to my usual standard combination of either a "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone layer splashed with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade and final highlight on the fingers/cheekbones with (more) "Vallejo Heavy Skintone, or a mixture of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Lastly, I applied a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson to both the ladies' lips.

Following the completion of the X-Commandos, I have made some initial progress on one of the company's Federated Security Mutaints in an effort to experiment with the technologically modified minion's pale zombie-like flesh. Plus I've layered, shaded and then 'Zenithal highlighted'  my model of N-Rage by "Kitbash Games" so as to test my recently opened "Vallejo" Fluorescent Orange...

“Mankind Is An Evolutionary Dead-End."

"And my super-plants are the harbinger of the future!”

This 28mm scale resin model of Blackthorn is produced by "Kitbash Games", and was purchased from their highly successful "Supers Unlimited" Miniatures "Kickstarter" in August 2019. "A scientist noted for his radical ideas on human-plant hybridization as the means to cure illness", I actually plan to use the figure as an American super-hero known as Everglades for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign utilising some homemade rules.

Having super-glued Walton Thorn's alter-ego onto a 28mm lipped base, I originally undercoated the sculpt with "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and 'picked out' all of the intricate vines snaking around his body with some "Citadel" Abaddon Black in preparation of pigmenting them in "Vallejo" Heavy Grey. However, I wasn't at all impressed with the result, so swiftly re-primed Blackthorn with a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna.

"Welcome to a world of supers gaming..."

I then applied plenty of Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter" over the model, before dry-brushing him with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. This gave me a nice dark(ish) brown basis which would let me avoid needing to painstakingly highlight every single snaking branch, and additionally help me create the murky swamp-coloured palette I was hoping to achieve.

However, I did still want to 'highlight' all the figure's details in some way, so gave the miniature both a light dry-brush of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey and a sporadic wash of "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. Lastly, I treated Blackthorn's hair to a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Green, "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green and Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter". This area was then delicately dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Green and I spotted the mad scientist's eyes with a couple of dabs of Heavy Ochre.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - Four FedSec Troopers

In addition to completing another of my "Kitbash Games" models, I have pinned, assembled, based, primed and dry-brushed the last of my FedSec Troopers by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". Despite currently playing quite a bit of "Blake's Seven" using some homemade rules, I wasn't actually planning on painting any more of the Federation's black-clad enforcers.

But the discovery of some more separate balaclava heads (this time without bushy moustaches) and a long out-of-production pot of "Citadel" Thrakka Green has changed my mind. To be honest I wasn't at all impressed with the (new) "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green helmet bands on my most recently painted goons, so am somewhat hoping that the aging wash can replicate the (old) effect and actually motivate me to re-paint the helmets on the figures I finished at the end of last year...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Supers Unlimited" March 2021

"Kitbash Games" WIPs - Magma, Lightning Bug and N-Rage

This month's effort to whittle away at my mountain of metal, plastic and resin models will primarily focus upon a selection of figures by "Kitbash Games". Apparently "bound together by their connections to mysterious Star Stones", I've bought a good half-dozen more of the resin figures from the company's recently successful Supers Unlimited Teamstarter 1: Aegis Kickstarter campaign, and whilst I don't plan on using them for either "Pulp City" or the "Super Mission Force" gaming system, I do hope to get them on my Weird War Two tabletop soon.

I have also been rather busy basing and priming all the other miniatures I own from the "Supers Unlimited" range, including the formidably-sized Magman and N-Rage, who will be 'repurposed' as the fiery Axis super-villain Vesuvio and the equally powerful atomic-charged Nuklearmann respectively. I'm particularly looking forward to applying my brush-tip upon Magman, as I have never tackled a lava-based model before, so have watched a fair few painting tutorials on "YouTube" in order to work out a reasonably straightforward technique.

"Privateer Press" WIPs - The Paladin Commander is slowly having all his detail 'picked out'

In addition this month will see me settling down to finish off the six 35mm scale models which can be found inside the Iron Star Alliance Command Group Starter Set for "Warcaster: Neo-Mechanika". These multi-part metal castings by "Privateer Press" caused me quite a headache when I initially assembled them back in December 2020, especially the heavily-pinned Firebrand Warjack, and as a result I found my enthusiasm for the project was badly dented. 

Fortunately, the promise of some pre-ordered reinforcements potentially arriving in the near future has galvanised me into some semblance of action, so I have started 'blocking off' elements of the Paladin shock troopers in "Citadel" Abaddon Black to either use as a basis for some additional layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and Brass, or to simply leave as is. I'm certainly not planning on going for the bright yellow palette depicted on the box's artwork, but probably more of a blue and bronze colour scheme which is a bit Ancient Egyptian in nature...

February 2021 - Models from a variety of manufacturers have been successfully painted

Productivity wise, the past four weeks saw a noticeable improvement on my output, which whilst still disappointingly low compared to previous years, was nonetheless more than twice the progress made last month. This tally was particularly pleasing as it both ensured I finally had enough "Atomic Mass Games" models to field a full ten-figure roster for Marvel Crisis Protocol, and saw me slowly whittle away at my overly large collection of miniatures by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". 

Furthermore, I'm pretty much on an even keel when it comes to my New Year's resolution of painting two models for every new one I buy. My recent purchase from "Kitbash Games" has admittedly brought me to the very edge of that annual aspiration. But for now I'm still just ahead of the game, even though the latest successful "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" Kickstarter, Lurkers From The Deep, should see me receive an assortment of sixteen government agents and law enforcement officers in May 2021.