"Have You Met The Goon Squad?"

"Maximilian and my robots only run this ship the way I wish it run."

These four 28mm scale 3D printed resin models of some Sentry Robots are sold under licence by “Twisted Pinnacle 3D” and were sculpted by Mike Tongue (a.k.a. Big Mr Tong). The figures are highly evocative of Hans Reinhardt's security forces aboard the U.S.S. Cygnus in Gary Nelson’s 1979 American science fiction film “The Black Hole”, and were painted accordingly.

The miniatures arrived without any obvious support struts still remaining on them from the 3D printing process. But were covered in several small ‘bobbles’ of resin which needed to be removed with a sharp modelling knife. I also found that a couple of the automaton's blasters had been broken during transport. These pieces, particularly the weapons' long slender barrels, were thin to begin with and I unfortunately broke off another one whilst cleaning them.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Three of the ten MK VI Armoured Space Marines currently being progressed

"Silent and obedient", each model was undercoated with a double-helping of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, before being drowned in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. They were then enthusiastically dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Red, and had both their eyes and blasters layered with "Citadel" Abaddon Black." Finally, these areas were ‘picked out’ using a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal” and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

Alongside my Sentry Robots, I've spent a third hour working on a ten-man unit of 28mm plastic Tactical Space Marines wearing MK VI armour by "Games Workshop". Having finished dry-brushing them all with "Citadel" Sons Of Horus Green, I'm now patiently starting to 'pick out' a number of different areas in Abaddon Black - starting with their bolters.

"Alternative Armies" WIPs - These Retained Knights just need some shading 

I did initially begin this factory line process on the squad's sergeant, applying "Citadel" Abaddon Black to all the various weapons, armour joints, and equipment I could find in preparation of finishing him off first. However, I actually found this process rather tedious and demotivating, so instead of pigmenting all the black parts on an individual model in one go, I've split this chore down into a few separate sessions, such as bolter, shoulder-pads and joints. Hopefully, this should make matters a bit more digestible.

In addition, I have been working on another three-man base of "Alternative Armies" 15mm Retained Knights, as I want to expand my 'Sons Of Horus' infantry contingent some more. These figures are actually quite close to completion, and just need their metallic areas to be painted and shaded...