"Six Pounder Guns Had Mostly Disappeared From The Union Armies By 1863."

"But the Confederates continued using them until the end of the war."

This 15mm scale plastic Confederate Artillery piece is sold by “Warlord Games” and can be found on their Epic Battles: American Civil War Infantry Frame. This is the second of three cannons I require for my Johnny Rebs force, having recently discovered I need to field a trio of these stands to form a six gun six-pounder smoothbore artillery regiment in "Black Powder".

As the 'kit' comes in three different pieces, with a pair of soldiers holding each wheel and the actual cannon, I decided to paint the miniatures separately and gave the figures a couple of coats of “Vallejo" Sombre Grey. I then busied myself by 'picking out' the odd set of trousers using either "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, or "Vallejo" Steel Grey and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - These Iron Brigade soldiers are slowly having their details 'picked out'

With the pants all finished, I turned my attention to predominantly applying some "Citadel Nuln Oil" to the Confederate's already "Vallejo" Sombre Grey jackets, and subsequently spent some additional time applying both a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and a dash of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson to their kepis to better mark the crewmembers out as artillerymen. I was slightly tempted to mark this particular unit out as belonging to Florida's contribution to the Civil War by having a couple of the soldiers wear 'straw hats'. But in the end settled upon them having either "Vallejo" Sombre Grey or "Citadel" Abaddon Black broad-brimmed headwear.

I had hoped to just plonk the big gun in between the weapon's completed miniatures and give it a quick lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, Brass and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. However, the paint and varnish on the models made 'squeezing' the unpigmented cannon into an already tight space a real chore. Furthermore, when it came to basing the team's rectangular stand with PVA glue, grit and paint/shade, I ended up having to 'fix' the odd figure which was accidentally splashed in the process. This extra work convinced me that sub-assemblies was not the way to go with future artillery units.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - Another ten 'Straw Hats' for my 1st Florida Regiment 

Sometimes such 'pain' can somewhat put me off a hobby project. However, having watched the 2020 American television miniseries "Grant", I've found my enthusiasm for wargaming the American Civil War to be as high as ever, and resultantly I've even started working on some opposition for the Confederacy - namely a Regiment of metal Iron Brigade (or black hats).

Furthermore, I've begun applying my brush to a third stand of Johnny Rebs for my 1st Florida Infantry Regiment, so as to bring it in line with the criteria needed for a small foot unit in Black Powder. It really is early days on this plastic strip, with just some basic layers being applied to the ten soldiers' shoes and trousers. Hopefully though, having learnt some valuable time-saving lessons with this 15mm range in the past, I can push through these reinforcements quite quickly, and then move on to the 1st Mississippi Infantry Regiment...

"Operation Sea Lion" 10mm Battle Report: Britain Verses Germany

GERMAN ANTI-TANK GUNS ATTEMPT A LANDING ON THE SOUTHERN ENGLISH  COAST

This game was played using some homemade rules (M.I.S.S.) so as to allow us to quickly play through a campaign utilising my painted 10mm World War Two Early War models by "Pendraken Miniatures", and took place upon a 48" x 48" "Deep Cut Studio" playmat. The battlefield was populated with a variety of pre-painted "Escenografia Epsilon" scenic pieces previously sold through the Middlesbrough-based company at Warfare 2021, but now sadly out of production.

“The story so far… It is September 1940 and having defeated France, the German Army have launched an amphibious assault upon Britain. Deployed from Le Havre, a small Axis strike force has reached the shore of Portsmouth, and begun disembarking its armoured vehicles. Stung into action, a hastily-assembled contingent of British tanks has been ordered by Prime Minister Winston Churchill to halt the invaders - The Battle for Southsea has begun..."

THE TABLETOP - SOUTHSEA IN SOUTHERN ENGLAND

The Germans started in the water, just before the southern shoreline. Consisting of a unit of three Panzerjägers, three Panzer II tanks, and a Command unit comprising of a single Panzer III with two escorting Panzers, the Axis spearhead was poised to strike as far north as it could. In response, the British had a trio of Vickers VI tanks just north of Clarence, two Crusader II tanks travelling towards Southsea, and two Matilda II tanks near Eastney. All these armoured vehicles would wind south, picking off any enemy targets as they travelled.

The tabletop was split in half with a line of unoccupied fortifications dominating the seaside resort's esplanade. To the north were the suburbs of Clarence, Southsea and Eastney. Whilst to the south was just the beach and shoreline. To win the German army had to cross the line of fortifications by the end of the game's eight turn. Furthermore, no enemy tanks were allowed to come within an inch of an opponent's armoured vehicle. This was to ensure we played a 'shooting game' as opposed to just having all the tanks pile into one another.

CRUSADER II TANKS ARE ORDERED INTO ACTION AS THE GERMANS APPROACH

With little to do at the beginning except move, due to the considerable distances between the two forces, the Germans essentially raced north as best they could. The Panzer II tanks however, decided to initially disregard the Vickers VI vehicles approaching them and swung slightly northeast in favour of adding their firepower to the centre of the battlefield where the Crusader II tanks were presumably heading. Realising that the heavily outdated Panzers were a little slower than the sole Panzer III, the medium tank was forced to maintain a speed consistent with its escorts.

Worried by the German anti-tank guns, the Matilda tanks decided to seek the shelter of Eastney, whilst the fast-moving Vickers VI vehicles hurried through Clarence. The Crusader II tanks took up a firing position just north of the gap between Clarence and Southsea, and awaited the Panzer III and Panzers.

BRITISH TANKS RACE SOUTH AS THE PANZER II TANKS HIT THE ENGLISH SHORELINE

Adapting their positions in response to the British movement, the Germans continued north. But had the Command unit shy away from direct contact with the Crusader II tanks. Meanwhile, the Vickers continued travelling south as fast as their Meadows 6-cylinder petrol engine would permit. Furthermore, both the Matilda II tanks and Crusaders opened up their guns with some ranging shots = all of which fell short of their targets.

Having finally seized the initiative, the Vickers VI tanks swung east by the southern end of Clarence to assault the Panzer II tanks, and teach them a lesson to ignore one of Vickers-Armstrongs' finest productions. Likewise, the Crusaders also pushed south towards the German Command unit, trusting in their armour and longer range weapons. The Matilda II tanks began infiltrating Eastney, using its buildings as cover from the German anti-tank guns.

THE GERMANS TRUNDLE UP THE BRITISH BEACH JUST AS THE VICKERS VI TANKS ARRIVE

Realising the potential threat the Vickers might pose, the Panzer II tanks turned to face their attackers, using one of the esplanade's forts to protect their exposed flank from the Crusaders. The Panzerjägers simply repositioned their "Forward Firing" guns to sweep the centre of the battlefield, and provide any supporting fire where possible. The Panzer III decided to strike out at the Crusaders. But missed.

Slightly confused at the non-appearance of the Matilda II tanks and no other prospective targets, the Panzerjägers decided to put the mission goal first, so pressed further north towards the line of fortifications. The Panzer II tanks opened up upon the Vickers VI vehicles in something akin to an old Wild West shoot-out. Shockingly though, it suddenly became clear that the German's auto-cannons were still out of range. Sadly for the British, this wasn't the case with the lone Panzer III, which blew up one of the approaching Crusader II tanks. First blood to the Third Reich.

THE BRITISH ATTEMPT TO ENCIRCLE THE PANZER II TANKS FROM TWO DIRECTIONS

Possibly reeling from the news that one of their fellow tanks had been destroyed, the Matilda II tanks continued to get themselves well and truly snarled up inside Eastney, essentially nullifying any threat the Infantry tank had. The Vickers VI vehicles closed the gap with the Panzer II tanks, and with a cheer, the surviving Crusader II tank lethally struck one of the Panzers escorting the Panzer III.

With both sides now tasting blood, the Germans continued to press their opponents with the Panzer II tanks finally finding their targets to be in range and demolishing two of the Matilda II tanks. Sensing that they were on the verge of a breakthrough, the Panzer III fired at the remaining (partially-hidden) Crusader II. It was a difficult shot, yet was successful. Incredibly though, the British vehicle's armour saved it from destruction.

THE MATILDA II TANKS FINALLY START TO ZERO IN ON THE GERMAN PANZERJAGERS

Having finally moved themselves in a position to spot the Panzerjägers, the Matilda II tanks watched as both the Crusader II and Vickers VI tanks failed to strike their targets. The wind of this particular small war was definitely flying in the favour of the Germans.

Realising that it was now time for an all or nothing assault, the British sat and opened fire upon their shoreline's invaders. The Vickers VI managed to pepper one of the Panzer II tanks with enough bullets to put the vehicle out of action. Whilst the Matilda II tanks quite surprisingly made their first impact upon the battle by destroying a Panzerjäger. However, the Crusader II was unable to hit the German Command unit.

THE PANZER II TANKS START MAKING LIGHT WORK OF THE MATILDA II TANKS

With time growing somewhat short, the two Panzerjägers reached the fortification line, ignoring any threat from the Matilda II tanks. The Panzer II tanks also wiped out the sole-surviving Vickers VI tank, leaving Clarence wide open for invasion. Despite there still being another turn to play, it was clear the Germans had caused enough damage to breach the British defences and won, so the game was ended early...

"Confederate Cannons Built In The South..."

"...Often suffered from a shortage of quality metals and shoddy workmanship."

This 15mm scale plastic Confederate Artillery piece is produced by “Warlord Games” and came free on a sprue accompanying Issue 397 of "Wargames Illustrated". The ensemble is from the Nottingham-based company's "Epic Battles: American Civil War" range and is supplied complete with it's square stand. Rather embarrassingly, I first started painting this three-part unit back in March 2022, so it felt good to finally get the quartet of Johnny Rebs and their cannon finally finished.

The miniatures were all glued together in situ on their base and initially primed with a couple of coats of “Citadel” Abaddon Black. I subsequently focused upon the big gun's wooden carriage and wheels with a layer or two of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, and plenty of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to help 'muddy it up'. The artillery piece itself was 'picked out' using a combination of "Vallejo" Bronze and (more) "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Florida troops were organized into eleven regiments of infantry."

Due to my wanting the unit to have originated in Alabama, where the recruits actually wore "a dark blue frock coat" and "black broad brimmed felt hats at the war's start," I pigmented two of the crewmen with "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. I then tried to 'Confederate up' the rest of the gun's team using a more typical palette of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown, Heavy Bluegrey and Sombre Grey, with either a "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade or Nuln Oil wash.

With my first cannon completed, I have also managed to 'rattle off' another strip of American Civil War infantrymen too - this time for a regiment of Florida-based recruits. I've got these little fellows down to approximately four hours of hobby time per ten-figure line, with most of the effort being caused by the multitude of colours I use for their footwear, trousers, jackets, accoutrements and headwear - albeit as this particular regiment were famous as the Straw Hats, any broad-rimmed bonnets were simply treated to a mixture of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre/"Duncan Rhodes' Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Pendraken Miniatures" WIPs - Some BMW R75 motorcycles with sidecars, a Panzerjäger and a Panzer

Resultantly, several soldiers were given a good walloping of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey or Sombre Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, whilst a few others were slapped with Vallejo" Heavy Sienna or Heavy Brown and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. I even managed to 'bless' one private with a rather eye-catching pair of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson pants - a blushing blend I ordinarily reserve for the Confederate's blanket rolls.

Perhaps understandably needing a break from such ferocious detail, I decided to once again rummage through my collection of 10mm World War Two metal models by "Pendraken Miniatures", and delightfully discovered some more German vehicles which would be suitable for my upcoming Early War/Operation Sea Lion campaign. Slightly disconcertingly, I did find a (fourth) Panzerjäger, which I have immediately super-glued together, complete with a driver. But I also 'dug up' a pair of tiny Panzerkampfwagens, as well as a veritable brigade of German BMW R75 motorcycles with sidecars...

The Panzerjäger I Was The First German Tank Destroyer..."

"...To see service in the Second World War."

These three 10mm metal German Tank Destroyers are sold by “Pendraken Miniatures” as Code GRV36 - Panzerjäger I. However, these are the OOP (Out Of Production) sculpts, following the company's decision to 'update some of their older models' in February 2023. Furthermore, each open-topped vehicle contains a single figure taken from Code GRX22 - Seated Drivers, as I disliked the look of the anti-tank gun being simply sat on the tabletop without any crew.

Like so many of the World War Two miniatures I'm currently painting, this trio were found in the loft whilst I was having a good rummage around my lead mountain, and were originally bought over a decade ago as part of a huge 'Battle Of Moscow" project I was working on for "Blitzkrieg Commander". As a result I thought theses particular Panzerjägers could now add some much needed firepower to my current Early World War Two campaign, and thus treated them to a layer or two of "Vallejo" Neutral Grey.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - The Confederate cannon crew's uniforms are slowly being 'picked out'

Each Tank Destroyer was subsequently doused in "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Neutral Grey. I then applied a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil to the Panzer I chassis' wheels/tracks, before adding a pair of German crosses onto the fixed gun shield using some transfers taken from the WWII German Insignia and Swastika sheet by "Decal Details".

The more eagle-eyed might notice that one of the the Czech Škoda-built 4.7 cm KPÚV vz. 38 anti-tank guns is a little bulkier than the others. This is due to the weapon somehow almost being snapped off in between the model being matt varnished and placed in my flock tin. So I ended up super-gluing a tiny piece of plastic (taken from the shaft of an Agincourt-era arrow) along the top of its barrel to provide it with some much-needed stability - before painting the makeshift support appropriately.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - These two Space Marines just need some washes and a basic tidy up.

Moving almost a century back in time, I have finally returned to a partially-pigmented Confederate artillery piece which I started many a moon ago. My enthusiasm for the 15mm plastic American Civil War range by "Warlord Games" is at something of an all-time high currently, despite the time it takes me to finish off a strip of their ten-man infantrymen. Happily, I haven't found this particular unit quite so frustrating, especially as it's destined to form-up alongside my 1st Alabama Infantry Regiment - meaning predominantly dark blue jackets and black broad-brimmed hats.

Lastly, I'm making some reasonable progress on another pair of 28mm plastic miniatures produced by "Games Workshop" which have been assembled from the Warhammer: The Horus Heresy – Age of Darkness boxed set. These multi-piece tactical Space Marines have been assembled to 'fill out' a (second) ten-man strong tactical squad for my five-hundred-point Sons of Horus traitor force and come armed with standard Boltguns.

"Battle Of The Bulge" 10mm Battle Report III: Allies Verses Germany

BRITISH CHURCHILLS TACKLE GERMAN TIGER AND PANZER III TANKS

This game was played using some homemade rules (M.I.S.S.) so as to allow us to quickly play through a short campaign utilising many of my painted 10mm World War Two (Winter) models by "Pendraken Miniatures", and took place upon a 36" x 28" "Deep Cut Studio" playmat. The battlefield was populated with a variety of pre-painted "Escenografia Epsilon" scenic pieces previously sold through the Middlesbrough-based company at Warfare 2021, but now sadly out of production.

“The story so far… It is December 1944 and the German Army have now committed some of their heavier armoured vehicles to the Ardennes Offensive. Having originally penetrated the western front line from Losheim in Eastern Belgium, the Third Reich's spearhead now plans to envelope the Allied Forces stationed within the municipality of St. Vith by suddenly sweeping south. However, the Allies have no less than two squadrons of American M4 Shermans, two squadrons of British Churchill VIIs, and a small number of M5A Stuarts stationed there..."

BRITISH CHURCHILLS TACKLE GERMAN TIGER AND PANZER III TANKS

The Germans started in the Fort District, with a division of Panzer III tanks and another of Panzer IV (75mm Short) tanks located along the region's southernmost area looking to quickly rush into the Rural and Fishing Districts. The Army's Tiger tanks were placed in the southeastern corner with orders to dominate the centre of the battlefield. Whilst a division of Panzer IV (75mm Long) tanks were positioned on the eastern flank so as to head straight into the Town District. A small unit of Panthers was held in reserve to support either the Tigers or Panzer IV (Long) tanks.

Across from the German's position, in the Village District, the First British squadron of Churchill VIIs were instructed to compete for the middle of the warzone, and Second British squadron, along with the American M5A Stuart tanks, tasked with taking the Fishing District. Both American squadrons of Shermans, codenamed "Babs" and "Vagabond", were ordered to travel north to 'capture' the Farm and Town Districts.

The tabletop was split into six identically-sized Districts, each populated with a number of buildings to represent their occupants. Each area was worth a single victory point, with a seventh point being offered to any unit which held the very centre of the battlefield. To win an area an army must be the only side with any armoured vehicles in it by the end of the game's sixth turn. Furthermore, no enemy tanks were allowed to come within an inch of an opponent's armoured vehicle. This was to ensure we played a 'shooting game' as opposed to just having all the tanks pile into one another.

THE BATTLE BEGINS WITH THE CHURCHILL TANKS TAKING A HARD POUNDING

The battle opened with the Allies reacting to the presence of the Germans. Both the Second Churchill and Stuart squadrons moved west into the Fishing District. However, alarmed at the presence of the Tiger tanks, all of the Shermans headed northeast trying to ensure there were some buildings between them and their opponents. The First Churchill squadron remained stationary, and, having passed an intimidation check to fire at the Tiger tanks, managed to cause some minor damage to one of their "overengineered" opponents. First blood to the British.

In response, the Panzer III tanks headed south into the Rural District and the Panzer IV (Long) tanks moved southeast to swoop upon the Shermans. The Panthers also trundled south to support the Tiger tanks, which unsurprisingly returned fire upon the First Churchill Squadron hitting one armoured vehicle twice. Furthermore, the Panzer IV (Short) opened up upon the Second Churchill Squadron and struck one of its tanks a couple of times too.

Seizing the initiative, the Germans settled down to blast away at any and all opposition. Utilising their long-range guns, the Panthers struck the leading vehicle of the Second Churchill squadron. The Panzer IV (Short) tanks targeted the smoking hull and blew the British infantry tank up despite its heavy armour. Encouraged by their colleagues' success, the Panzer III tanks fired at the remaining Churchill tank hunkered down beside a Fishing factory, and caused two hits. Perhaps the Allies' reliance upon the armoured vehicles' 152 mm armour to keep them safe was unwise..?

THE CHURCHILL TANKS ENDURE AN ABSOLUTE DRUBBING AS THE 'HANDS' OF THE GERMAN TANKS

The Tiger tanks subsequently poured more fire into the First Churchill squadron and two more fiery plumes erupted from their target. The British were definitely taking a hard-pounding in the early stages of this fight. To make matters worse, "Vagabond" squadron also lost one of its Shermans to a blaze of fire from the Panzer IV (Long) tanks.

Despite this loss though, the American Shermans continued heading north towards the Town District. Whilst the Stuarts swung into the Fishing District unchallenged. Showing plenty of Tommy steel, both British Churchill squadrons decided to stand their ground and returned fire upon their numerous attackers. A single Panzer III tank was 'cooked' by the assault. But the Tiger tanks were undamaged.

With the battle already very much in the balance, the Allies realised they needed to hold firm and poured as many shots into the oncoming Germans as they could muster. The Shermans' managed to get two crippling hits upon one of the Panzer IV (Long) tanks challenging them, and the First Churchill squadron managed a similar feat upon one of the Tiger tanks. However, the Second Churchill squadron missed the Panzer III tanks entirely. Perhaps discretion might have been the better part of valour..?

THE ALLIES FINALLY START TO PUT PRESSURE ON THE ADVANCING GERMAN LINE

The Panthers continued to travel south in support of the Tiger tanks, who shockingly failed to hit any of their large British targets. The Panzer IV (Long) tanks did though manage to destroy another of the Shermans, and the first of the American Stuarts was pulverised by a salvo from the Panzer IV (Short) tanks. Quite possibly summing up the incredible good fortune of the Third Reich, one of the Panzer III tanks even managed to damage the sole-surviving member of the Second Churchill squadron.

Sensing that the moment to win this winter-based confrontation was now, the German Panthers rolled past the Tiger tanks with fresh orders to seize the centre of the battlefield. The Panzer IV (Short) tanks opened up upon the Stuarts, destroying another. However, luckily for the Allies, the American squadron's final armoured vehicle was just out of range of their guns. Such news did not cheer the "Grand Alliance" up for long though, as the Tiger tanks finally ripped apart one of the First Churchill squadron's members. Whilst the Panzer III tanks sensationally put an end to the entirety of the Second British Churchill Squadron. Plus, the Panzer IV (Long) tanks took out another of the Shermans.

ISOLATED AND ALONE. THE ALLIED TANKS TAKE SHELTER WHERE THEY CAN

It was now clear that the combined British and American forces were never going to destroy enough of their opponent's vehicles in time to win any more districts, so the decision was made for the Allied tanks to hold what they already owned. Resultantly, the sole Stuart surrounded itself with Fishing warehouses, and the Churchill started to retreat back to the shelter of the Village District. The Shermans though needed to clear the Farm District of the Axis, so fired for all their worth at the Panzer IV (Long) tanks, and shockingly blew a pair of them up. Surely the Allies couldn't snatch an unlikely victory from the jaws of defeat..?

Racing north towards the Town District, "Vagabond" was ordered to ignore the remaining Panzer IV (Long) tank and 'go for the victory points'. "Babs" was instructed to provide the American Sherman squadron with covering fire, and incredibly blew away the final German tank in the Farm District - suddenly edging the Allies ahead. In a show of defiance, the Churchill blazed away at the approaching Panthers. But failed to make a connection.

Reeling from their grip of the battle astonishingly loosening, despite their superior firepower and numbers. The Germans attempted to seize as much territory as they could by moving the Panzer III tanks back to hold the Fort District. The Panzer IV (Short) were ordered south and the Panthers south-east. The Tiger tanks also repositioned themselves instead of firing, by wheeling about so they could strike east before the fight ended.

THE GERMAN HEAVY ARMOUR MOVE INTO POSITION TO SEIZE VARIOUS DISTRICTS

"Vagabond" continued to travel north to take the Town District. Whilst "Babs" hunkered down to hold the Farm District. Content that they already had possession of the Village District, the Churchill once again fired at the Panthers, and once again missed their target.

The Panzer III tanks took the Fort District for the Axis forces, and the Panzer IV (Short) tanks captured the Rural District. Despite the fire from the First British Churchill squadron, the Panthers easily trundled into position at the centre of the battlefield. Finally, the Tiger tanks entered the Town District, contesting the area with the Shermans of "Vagabond" squadron. The battle was drawn, albeit the Allies had been pushed to their very limits...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Warlord Games” August 2023

"I never before got into a fight like this. I thought everything was going on well."

With my interest in 10mm World War Two wargaming finally coming to an end, at least until I play another instalment of my "Battle Of The Bulge" campaign, I thought I'd focus on a slightly larger scale for the coming month by completing my initial Confederate Army for Epic Battles Black Powder. I've rather frustratingly been trying to finish these 15mm plastic Johnny Reb soldiers by "Warlord Games" since they first appeared on the cover of "Wargames Illustrated" over eighteen months ago, But frankly, the time they take me to paint all their tiny, super-fiddly details soon becomes soul-destroying if I'm not too careful.

Happily though, my enthusiasm for the American Civil War range has been buoyed by the project's finishing line being very much being in plain sight. I only have twenty of a Florida-based company left to complete, and many of the troopers have already received a lick of paint here and there. In addition, the force's sole cannon crew isn't that far behind being ready for some varnish either, having been started approximately a year ago. Admittedly, because I've split my ten-stand sprue up into two different regiments I do fancy adding a second (straw-hatted) lieutenant colonel to my force, as well as an extra artillery battery. However, I'll only see to these once my core army is done and dusted.

"This plastic has got unique properties, Mister McDermott. Allow me to demonstrate."

With so many eye-wateringly small figures in my sights, I thought I'd compliment this plan by pigmenting some significantly easier 28mm sculpts, and resultantly have already 'nailed' three more metal models by “Black Tree Design", Available from the manufacturer's "Doctor Who" range as DW1013 - Autons boxed set, these classic monsters were undercoated in "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and shaded with plenty of "Citadel" Drakehnof Nightshade.

I then dry-brushed the trio with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue, before 'picking out' their belt-buckles and hand-gun barrels using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The extra-terrestrials' hands and featureless faces were treated to a couple of coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone, and subsequently washed with some watered-down "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. Lastly, their fingers, ears, nose, mouth and eye ridges were 'highlighted' with some additional thin lines of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone.

July 2023 - "Warlord Games" returns to the Top Five table after a few months away

Encouragingly, my hobby productivity is definitely back on the rise, courtesy of a number of British and German tanks by "Pendraken Miniatures", as well as a sudden obsession with the Nestene Consciousness from Jon Pertwee's tenure as the travelling Time Lord. Ordinarily, I would find such a mix of genres and sizes distinctly distracting. Yet for some reason, the combination has surprisingly helped motivate me to my second best July since I started recording my output a decade ago.

As to the future, I've already mentioned that I fully expect to at least finish enough "Warlord Games" ACW Epic Battles figures to finally get a low-point game of Black Powder in, and depending on when within the next four weeks those models are completed, I could actually be tempted into doing even more units. I also haven't quite shaken my "Doctor Who" itch, so I expect to crowbar a few more "Black Tree Design" monsters into my painting queue as well...