Miss Fantorical 2024 - An "Undercoat" Painting Pageant

Another year has come and gone, and it sure does seem to go quicker as you get older! Once again I'm sticking to the annual tradition of reviewing all the miniatures posted up on this "Fantorical" wargaming blog during 2024, and as per last year will pick a model for each month, before then selecting an overall favourite. My choices are based on the miniature, the paint job, the rule of cool and other eclectic factors - such as nostalgia etc. Some months had some straight forward choices, whereas others were very tricky due to them containing multiple miniatures that would have made a straightforward 'Top Twelve' pick. But rules are rules.

January - Resistance Fighter 1C by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" - January 31st

I have long admired the crisp looking miniatures that this company produce, and this one is a sculpt that has a great balance between pose, detail and character. The paint scheme is dark, which contrasts with the hair and face, so your eye is drawn to the latter as a superb focal point. I really like this one a lot.

February - Maus Super Tank by "Forged In Battle" - February 26th

In complete contrast to the last miniature in both scale and theme this 15mm scale World War Two leviathan looks amazing in my opinion. First of all the miniature is incredible, but I adore the tiny crew that have been added. I also really like that camouflage pattern that has been applied - despite it was described as being 'splodged on'..! It looks intricate and eye catching to me.

March - Howard Quartz by "Warlord Games" - March 31st

This miniature is from the ABC Warriors game, and forms part of the company's 2000 AD range. The model just oozes character to me, and it again demonstrates how well metallics are painted on this site. The splashes of colour break up the large metal areas brilliantly and really draws the eye in. Plus, who can possibly resist a dapper robot with and umbrella..?

April - Bisqueware Monster by "Ashbury Manor" - April 4th

Right, I know this might be controversial as April is jam packed with miniature goodness. However, this cute little blue monster is different, eclectic and just plain superb. Admittedly, figures from both the Horus Heresy and Napoleonic Period came in with all guns blazing during this time period, and nearly defeated the cute little kaiju. Yet ultimately I couldn’t resist. I fully appreciate being a "craft piece" that this 'Pokemonesque' little guy isn’t really a wargaming model. But he looks absolutely fabulous to me due to the paint-job's colours popping, it oozing charm, and looking brilliant!

May - Monica Rambeau by "Wizkids" - May 27th

Now, May didn’t have a whole lot of choice in it, but this "Heroclix" has filled in the almost obligatory superhero pick on my list. A character I don’t really know a lot about - so the potted history in the posting was a blessing - who looks funky and shows repainting pre-painted miniatures is worth the time and effort.

June - 'The Foot' by "CoolMiniOrNot" - June 11th

Okay, we are going weird again. If there is one thing this blog does exceptionally well, it is to show off unusual eclectic miniatures, and 3D prints. The stuff that is out there on the periphery of the hobby is just amazing. This model is certainly different. It is the foot from Monty Pythons Flying Circus and is used in the popular Zombicide game. It’s a foot! And, I love it. The skin is painted so well and it just looks sensational. Mad, but sensational. Anybody else wonder who keeps the toe nails so well trimmed..?

July - Ultron by "CoolMiniOrNot" - July15th

Another tough month. So why Ultron? Another superhero/villain. Another CMON figure. I know, but he just looks awesome. The miniature looks so full of character sculpted in that chibi-style which the game uses, and the paint scheme, while simple enough, just explodes off the screen. Great metallics with red details that pop like a balloon in a pin factory. I just adore this one.

August - Napoleonic French Late Infantry Commander In Greatcoat by "Wargames Foundry" - August 19th

I have always loved the Sharpe novels set in the Napoleonic Wars. But I have not really been interested in Napoleonic miniatures until recently, due to a perception that the uniforms and forces can be both complicated, as well as confusing. However, this blog has done a good job in promoting how great soldiers from this period are. This officer is colourful, full of character and looks brilliant. Indeed, as a result of being buoyed up by the enthusiasm this blog has shown over recent times, I have taken the plunge and started my own small, slightly gothic force for "The Silver Bayonet".  It was also good to see YouTuber Peachy jump on the bandwagon and show off some Napoleonics too, so surely "Peachy Tips" and "Fantorical" both can’t be wrong..?

September - Space Pet by "Black Site Studios" - September 30th

Another miniature from, I suspect, the less well known game of "Lunar" - which involves combat on the moon. In a month of umpteen great miniatures and great paint jobs, why did this space puppy get picked? Well, he is cute, quirky and different, that is why.  A great little miniature. I just think he looks amazing.

October - Imperial Guard Dutch Grenadier In Greatcoat Marching by "Wargames Foundry" - October. 21st

I am unashamedly back in Napoleonic times. This gentleman epitomises the appeal of this period to me. A time when colourful uniforms made battlefields look splendid (until the fighting started and they became an awful hellscape!). A time when uniforms were packed full of details and character. A time when moustaches were awesome (No 1970's miniatures were painted to compete unfortunately!). This miniature just looks incredible: the colours the character, the care taken to pick out the details. Chef’s kiss.

November - Soviet Cosmonaut by "Black Site Studios" - November. 21st

Well the moon has lured me in again with another great miniature and paint scheme. This space man has been painted in the unusual colour of red, rather than the usual white. But once on the tabletop you'll know for sure that this guy originates from the eastern side of the Iron Curtain. I also absolutely love the shield he has. It has been painted to look like it came from a space ship, or part of some installation, and I think that is just tremendously imaginative. The mysterious red space grass caps off a fabulous look for me.

December - Vulgorn Guards by "Lost Heresy Miniatures" - December 9th

Another very different miniature, these aliens are so strange and full of character that they practically demand your attention. The colour scheme is a fairly simple one of a dark grey and black uniform. But they are painted so neatly, and with such care, that they just look amazing. A great reason to go and explore what 3D prints exist out there!

Well that is my top 12. My overall favourite is……

The Imperial Guard Dutch Grenadier In Greatcoat Marching by "Wargames Foundry". A wonderfully characterful miniature that is painted with love and care that looks sensational!

As always feel free to disagree, and why not say what your favourite miniature of the year from this blog was. Happy hobbying and a prosperous New Year to all.

"Italian Officers Were A Mixed Bag..."

 "...With some enthusiastically serving in the Royal Italian Army..."

These two 28mm multi-part plastic miniatures were assembled using various parts taken from the Italian Army & Blackshirts sprue produced by "Warlord Games", and can be found inside a number of their boxed kits such as SKU: 402015801. However, I was lucky enough to be able to assemble them using a free sprue or two which the Nottingham-based company generously sent me as part of a much larger "Bolt Action" order, and plan for the pair to accompany my Company Commander as part of his Headquarters Unit on the battlefield.

To be totally honest I have never been a fan of kneeling down figures, and in the past have tried my best to avoid using such models whenever I can. For this project though, I didn't want to essentially waster a sixth of the options available to me, and thought I'd simply utilise the pose to represent my various squads' officers, or in this case, my Major's "immediate attendants". As a result I decided to have one chap pointing at something (in an effort to draw his superior's attention), and the other just 'hunkered down' waiting for an order.

"...And others reluctant to fight for seemingly worthless territories far from home."

The Italians were figure were undercoated using a couple of licks of "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, and shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then 'picked out' their water bottle, saddlebag, rifle strap and the odd leather strap using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I also applied a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil" to the fascists' rifles and canteen stoppers, as well as a bit of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna to their rifles.

With my Headquarters Unit now complete, and totalling 56pts for the (Inexperienced) officer and his two (Inexperienced) men - at least according to the Italian Army PDF released by "Warlord Games" in September 2024 - I am busy assembling a few five-model squads to represent the various elements of my force's Infantry, such as the Camicie Nere (Blackshirts) Militia and Bersaglieri. All of these units will be created using the manufacturer's plastic sprues; albeit I do plan to pick up some of their metal blisters so as to field a few support teams too.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This Space Marine is having some of his details 'picked out' in "Vallejo" Gold

Alongside this soon-to-be blossoming "Bolt Action" project, I am patiently working my way through the last of my currently-built 28mm multi-part plastic Sons of Horus Space Marines for "The Horus Heresy" by "Games Workshop". Rather than tackle these remaining MK IV armoured Adeptus Astartes en-mass, I'm finding the detailed sculpts to be much more manageable when pigmented individually - especially my ten-man unit's incredibly 'busy' Sergeant.

I aim to make this particular range of figures one of my focal points for the forthcoming year, as I would really like to get at least one game under my belt before "the largest and the most successful hobby miniatures company in the world" bring out a new edition of the rules - as per the current circulating rumours. In addition, I own a fair few more plastic kits for it, many of which have been rather embarrassingly just sat gathering dust on a shelf since I first bought the Warhammer: Horus Heresy - Age Of Darkness box way back in June 2022...

"From The Depths Of Space..."

 "...An incredibly ancient vessel drifts slowly towards the Imperium Of Mankind."

This 30mm tall white metal casting of an undead astronaut is produced by "Diehard Miniatures" and can be bought as part of the company's five-figure SKU: UDTP069 Skeletal Spacemen Unit 1 set. "Rising from the fallen, the wastelands, the forgotten battlefields and the hulks in orbit," this particular model has been rather embarrassingly sat languishing half-painted in one of my drawers for over five years, having originally been purchased for "Zomtober" 2019.

Described as being cursed to "follow the bidding of their new master the Tech Mancer", I recall undercoating the poor fellow with plenty of "Vallejo" White and shading him with some heavily-watered down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade - as I planned on the characterful sculpt representing a former NASA employee who had bitten the dust whilst exploring the Moon (or something). The rocketeer was then dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" White, and had the handle to his large fire-axe 'picked out' using a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Resistance is useless!"

Because I really wanted the vast majority of the spacesuit to remain white, I decided to solely focus upon dabbling with a few little bits and pieces of the astronaut's equipment instead. Resultantly, I applied a "Citadel" Abaddon Black base layer to the skeleton's axe-head and coiled tubing, before giving them a lick of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I also used a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson" on the Spaceman's oxygen tank, whilst opting for "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade for a secondary flask attached to his back.

Lastly, I took my time in dirtying up the walking cadaver, with a little "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green, so as to hopefully suggest putrefaction. Furthermore, I plonked a dollop or two of Games Workshop's Contrast Paint Flesh Tearer's Red into all the visible holes and tears found on the miniature, and subsequently dropped some Carroburg Crimson into them too, so the Shade could spill out and down the wound.

"Or I will rend thee in the gobberwarts with my blurglecruncheon, see if I don't!"

In addition to this impulse paint-job, I have completed a seventh 28mm scale Vulgorn Guard by "Lost Heresy Miniatures". The miniature was created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer, and due to some major issues concerning the tension of my resin tank's FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene), or rather lack of, emerged with a malformed left glove. Fortunately, despite my extremely limited ability with Green Stuff, I was able to salvage the model by successfully sculpting on the missing part.

This (not) "Hitchhiker's Of The Galaxy" model was predominantly painted using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" German Grey and Gunmetal, with a significant splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil, as well as a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Bronze and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade on his rectangular-shaped gun. I also applied a little "Vallejo" Heavy Fleshshade to the extra-terrestrial's nose, and later sploshed it with some "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green - a union I plan to use for many a goblin/greenskin in future I can assure you...

"ls This A Civic Reception..?"

"More like a police state."

This 28mm scale white metal model of a 'gas-masked goon' is produced by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought either separately as Alien Legionary 1A, or as part of their four-figure Alien Legionnaries set. Sculpted by Ernst Veingart, the miniature has clearly been strongly influenced by Danilo Donati's costume design for the Emperor Ming's minions seen in Mike Hodges' cult 1980 movie "Flash Gordon", and was started in earnest way back in March of this year.

Originally primed using a couple of coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, the trooper was given a positive drenching in "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, before being dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red. The guard then had all of his leather straps and belt carefully 'traced out'  with a little bit of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and his belt buckle/shoulder epaulettes were tackled using a combination of "Vallejo" Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Vogons are slug-like but vaguely humanoid."

I also decided to slightly change the colour of the legionary's gloves - to suggest they were made of a different material - by 'picking them out' with a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Dark Vermillion. These garments were subsequently shaded with a quick dash of "Vallejo" Carroburg Crimson. I did consider applying some "Vallejo" Gunmetal to both the model's face-mask lenses and blaster rifle, but eventually settled on just dotting in the semi-circular eyes, as I thought the gun better matched the film props in plain black, so soon decided to leave it well enough alone.

Alongside the first of what I hope to be a small army of the Emperor's Ming's minions (as I certainly own enough), I have completed a sixth 28mm scale Vulgorn Guard by "Lost Heresy Miniatures". The miniature was created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer, and contains a fair few flaws as a result of the resin tank's FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) being a little too loose - thus causing some considerable suction which played merry havoc with the STL (Standard Triangle Language) file's pre-supports.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - This Prussian officer is having all of his intricate details 'picked out'

Luckily, the 'slippage ridges' found on one of the figure's left arm isn't all that noticeable, especially with its current palette, and the shallow hole located on its back has been pigmented as if its simply a tear in the alien's rubber one-suit with the greenish flesh showing beneath. This (not) "Hitchhiker's Of The Galaxy" model was predominantly painted using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" German Grey and Gunmetal, with a significant splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil, as well as a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Bronze and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade on his rectangular-shaped gun.

I've also started to try to play catch-up with my monthly Napoleonic painting goal using "Wargames Foundry" models. Resultantly, I've dug out a Prussian Officer from their PN031 Infantry Command I began working on many months ago, with the intention of getting the colourfully-costumed combatant completed before the year has finished...

"Oi! You With Bowler!"

 "Get under cover or you'll get your flippin' 'ead blown off!"

This 28mm metal model is produced by "Athena Miniatures" as part of their Apocalypse Survivors range, and is one of eight similarly attired figures found inside the Swindon-based company's AS11 British NBC set. I actually picked it up as part of a much larger impulse buy whilst at "Warfare" 2024, as they're based on the notion of the Russians invading the United Kingdom following some great calamity - whether that be a nuclear strike, zombie incursion or some deadly extra-terrestrial attack.

This lore caused me to recall the classic "Invasion!" comic book strip created by Pat Mills for "2000 A.D." during the late Seventies, and I have subsequently painted up a squad of four Russian invaders dressed for Radiological, Chemical and Biological warfare to get me going. This time round though I thought I'd put my brush-tip to some of the country's heavily outnumbered defenders, and picked a single test piece with which to trial my chosen palette.

"Here is what to do if you want to get a lift from a Vogon: forget it." 

Resultantly, the figure was undercoated using a couple of coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey and drowned in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I then carefully applied a base layer of "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the trooper's boots, gloves, gas mask and firearm, before giving the squaddie's hand-weapon and lenses a little "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I did consider using a spot of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey for the L98 A2 rifle, as per some photographs I had seen. But as the model was already predominantly that colour I decided to just keep it a dark silver so the "advanced rifle" would stand out a little more on the tabletop.

As a final touch, and something which I thought might help the British troopers stand out from their Soviet opponents, I decided to 'pick out' the chap's ammunition pouch with some round(ish) splodges of “Vallejo” Heavy Brown, Luftwaffe Camouflage Green and Heavy Sienna. This basic camouflage pattern was later sploshed with “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade, before each area was highlighted back up with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Brown, Luftwaffe Camouflage Green and Heavy Sienna.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Two Sons of Horus Space Marines having their details 'picked out'

In addition to my British NBC Squaddie, I have also completed a fifth 28mm scale Vulgorn Guard by "Lost Heresy Miniatures", which I created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer. This (not) "Hitchhiker's Of The Galaxy" model was predominantly painted using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" German Grey and Gunmetal, with a significant splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil, as well as a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Bronze and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade on his rectangular-shaped gun.

Lastly, I've not forgotten my remaining 28mm multi-part plastic Sons of Horus Space Marines for "The Horus Heresy" by "Games Workshop", and have been patiently progressing the traitors whenever my hobby time allows. Indeed, I'm hoping to get the ten-man unit's Sergeant finished sooner rather than later, which besides a couple of Special Characters, should then just leave me with less than a handful of bog-standard MK IV Adeptus Astartes...

"Bring Me... The Bore Worms!"

"No one, but no one, dies in the palace without a command from the Emperor."

This 28mm scale metal model of a Heartless Warmonger is produced by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought either separately under code: SKU: MINI 796, or as part of their four-figure SKU: DEAL 238 Galactic Villains set. The single-cast sculpt is clearly strongly influenced by actor Peter Wyngarde's portrayal of General Klytus in Mike Hodges' cult 1980 movie "Flash Gordon", and is a leftover from last year's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC).

"The commander of Ming the Merciless' secret police force", the miniature was undercoated with a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, before being dry-brushed in “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then carefully 'picked out' all his gold armour with a soldi base layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, including his entire right hand - which according to the movie was completely encased in the malleable metal.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - Early days for these three Alien Legionnaries

I next gave all these areas a couple of licks of "Vallejo" Gold, and a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before applying some additional "Vallejo" Gold to the odd edge. I did start attempt to dab in some pupils too, using a spot of "Two Thin Coats" White Star. However, I found the actual eye slits to be much too small for my ability, and so ended up applying some "Citadel" Abaddon Black into them to both cover up my botched attempt, as well as darken them down even more.

Alongside "the grand vizier and right-hand man of Ming the Merciless", I have been somewhat busy priming up a few Alien Legionnaries to accompany him on the tabletop. I'm pretty sure I've previously slapped pigment on a few of these "gas-masked goons" before. But can't currently locate where they've been stored. So as I had some spare "Vallejo" Heavy Red sat drying on my palette, I thought I'd make a start on these models.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This Sons Of Horus Sergeant is having all his detail 'picked out'

In addition, I have once again 'hooked out' the final handful (or two) of my remaining Sons of Horus Space Marines for "The Horus Heresy" by "Games Workshop". These 28mm multi-part plastic traitors should hopefully prove a somewhat straightforward project, despite them being covered in gold armour plating, and numerous 'difficult to reach with a brush-tip' details. Indeed, whilst in the past I have managed to 'soldier' my way through a fair few MK III and MK V armoured figures, I have found these MK IV Adeptus Astartes to be a tough nut to completely crack.

To begin with I therefore thought I'd tackle a Sergeant, which whilst absolutely covered in bits and bobs, including a plasma pistol, appears to be well on his way to being finished. I've started from the unit leader's feet and begun slowly making my way up the model, focusing on highlighting any areas of "Vallejo" Gold and tidying up the leather straps/pouches strapped around his waist...

"Wollipeds Are Large, Docile Herd Animals..."

"...Found in the snowy foothills of large mountains."

This 28mm scale plastic model of a Wolliped is produced by "Wizkids" and can be found as Product Code DDMTROW31 from their Pathfinder Miniatures Reign of Winter range. The eight legged animal was bought as part of an order from "Tritex Games" way back in February 2020, and has sat on my painting area untouched since I initially gave it a cursory lick of paint in May last year.

Known for growing "thick, warm fleece as protection against the elements", the figure was cut from its thin-lipped stand and super-glued onto a "Citadel" 50mm circular base instead. It's pre-paint job was then covered over with a few lashings of "Vallejo" White, before I shaded the entire creature using some heavily watered-down Carcharodon Grey by “Two Thin Coats”. As a final touch, the brute was heavily dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" White.

"Lost Heresy Miniatures" WIPs - These three Vulgorn Guards are almost finished

Having finished the majority of the model, I subsequently went in with a much finer brush to 'pick out' some of the Wolliped's details - such as using a combination of "Vallejo" German Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil on its incredibly hard to reach hooves, and face. I also applied some additional "Vallejo" White to the miniature's tusks and later 'weathered' these formidable pieces of ivory with a little "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Lastly, the figure's multiple eyes were all dotted with "Vallejo" Heavy Red and dabbed with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. I was originally going to base the gentle, docile herd animal with snow as seems entirely fitting for something which requires "sure footing even in icy terrain." Indeed, I'm pretty sure I might have purchased the figure to be used in "Frostgrave" by "Osprey Games". However, I also felt that this might make the creature become lost to the eye, so promptly surrounded it with green flock so as to help my paintjob stand out all the more.

"Athena Miniatures" WIPs - Four of the eight British NBC troopers planned for my unit

Alongside my arctic beast I have been working on three more slightly upscaled 28mm Vulgorn Guards by "Lost Heresy Miniatures". This trio were created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin back when I had a problem with the FEP on my Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer, so there's a fair few printing flaws on them - one of which even required some sculpting with Green Stuff to fix. Happily though, I still think they're all good enough to sit on the tabletop once fully pigmented, with many of their faults obscured by their predominantly dark palette.

I've also got a little bit more work done on the British NBC (Nuclear Biological Chemical) models I recently acquired from "Athena Miniatures". All eight of the troopers' boots and bases are now completed, so I'll simply need to 'pick out' their L98 A2 rifles and gas masks, before tackling their camouflaged ammunition pouches.

"Benito Amilcare Andrea Mussolini Was An Italian Dictator..."

"...Who founded and led the National Fascist Party."

This 28mm multi-part plastic miniature was assembled using various parts taken from the Italian Army & Blackshirts sprue produced by "Warlord Games", and can be found inside a number of their boxed kits such as SKU: 402015801. However, my model was assembled from a free sprue the Nottingham-based manufacturer kindly sent me as part of a much larger "Bolt Action" order, and could well become the start of an Italian army for "the ultimate World War II tabletop miniatures game" next year.

With this potential project in mind, I thought I'd probably best start with my force's Officer, and having perused the various pieces available to me, felt that I could a fair representation of the "Duce of the Italian Social Republic" himself. Indeed, not only did the sprue appear to contain a 'spot on' head. But it also included the country's famous "Che vuoi?" hand gesture too.

"Athena Miniatures" WIPs - Four of the eight British NBC troopers currently being progressed

Once assembled, the figure was primed using a couple of coats of "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, and shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then tried to take inspiration from the uniform plates which feature inside the "Armies Of Italy and the Axis" guidebook by "Osprey Publishing", by picking out Mussolini's water bottle, pistol holder, and odd leather strap with "Vallejo" Heavy Brown. These items were later washed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

I also applied a little "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil" to Benito's pistol and shovel, as well as a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to the emblem on his felt fez. In reality I believe this symbol was a large gold-on-red eagle. However, the sculpt appeared to simply be a rectangle, so I just carefully followed the detail's edges with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, rather than try to do anything particularly fanciful.

"Diehard Miniatures" WIPs - After a few shades and dry-brushes, this undead astronaut's bones are finished 

Having completed this rather impulsive ensemble, I have settled down to progressing all eight British Squaddies dressed in Nuclear Biological Chemical (NBC) sold by "Athena Miniatures". This unit is still in its early stages. But I'm happy with the miniatures' palette, and even plan to do some camouflage upon their ammunition grab bags - as per some 'official' photographs I've seen.

In addition, I've stumbled upon a 30mm metal undead astronaut by "Diehard Miniatures", which I apparently first put a brush-tip to just over five years ago. These sorts of long abandoned projects are just what my current Partially-Painted/Printed Pledge is all about, so as I'm in a moon-themed mood anyway, I thought I'd finally get the ghoulish rocketeer completed. Plus, I understand you can only buy the mode as part of the manufacturer's Skeletal Spacemen Unit 1 set - so presumably his four comrades-in-death are lurking around my backlog pile somewhere too...

"Volgons Invade Western Europe!"

 "6.00AM., Friday January 1st, 1999. Black Friday!"

These three 28mm metal models are manufactured by "Athena Miniatures" as part of their Apocalypse Survivors releases, and can be purchased as part of the company's AS12 Russian NBC four-figure set. "Dressed in cold weather gear [and] armed with a variety of weapons", I succumbed to the temptation of picking up a fair few sculpts from this range whilst at "Warfare" 2024, due to the characterful collection being equipped "to do battle with Zombies or Aliens, or whatever has brought about" an end to life as we know it in the United Kingdom.

This premise immediately too me back to the classic "Invasion!" comic book strip created by Pat Mills for "2000 A.D." during the late Seventies, and with a few simple homemade rules I thought I could quite easily adapt "The Silver Bayonet" ruleset by "Osprey Games" for a series of skirmish games set within that war-torn country. Resultantly, all three of these Soviet Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence troopers were undercoated using a couple of layers of “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII.

"The papers screamed a terrifying headline!"

The models were then shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed using (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII so as to bring out all the folds/creases in their rubber suits. This straightforward palette helped get the majority of the trio completed in record time. However, I thought the miniatures would look rather plain, so decided to break their overall look up a bit by using a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Neutral Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil on their gloves and overboots.

I also thought the Russians would look more menacing if I gave their respirators, along with their rifle butts and coat buttons, a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. As a final touch I painstakingly 'picked out' all the firearms and eye lenses with some "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil - hopefully helping to break-up the figures' rather monotone colour scheme even more so.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - This Heartless Warmonger is having his details 'picked out'

In addition to these new acquisitions, I have pulled out a fair few much older buys from my unhealthy backlog as well. I had planned to pigment many an Alien Legionnaire and Defender Of The Earth from the Rick Rhodes retro science fiction range by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" during last year's Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC). However, having departed that event much earlier than planned, most of the pre-prepped 28mm metal figures have simply sat gathering dust on my painting table.

That apathy towards these models has now ended, as I thought the likes of their Heartless Warmonger - which wonderfully captures all the hallmarks of General Klytus from Mike Hodges' cult 1980 movie "Flash Gordon" - might make some 'quick-wins' for my own Partially Painted/Printed Pledge instead. This self-motivated drive to finally finish as many side-lined projects is currently going great guns, so I'm confident I'll soon own a fairly sizeable force of dastardly minions for the Emperor Ming to order into battle...

"There's No Point In Acting All Surprised About It."

"The plans and demolition orders have been on display at your local planning office..."

These two 28mm scale Vulgorn Guards were created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer and are available as an STL (Standard Triangle Language) file from "Lost Heresy Miniatures" on "MyMiniFactory". The corpulent extra-terrestrials are part of an eight-figure collection, whose sculpts have clearly been heavily-inspired by the Vogons as seen in Garth Jennings' 2005 movie "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy".

I've also enlarged them both using "Chitubox" Basic, as I wanted to make Bill Thornhill's corpulent creations match up size-wise with the science fiction miniatures I've previously produced by "Papsikels Miniatures". This basically meant I upscaled the figures by 108.41% (something I repeatedly refer to as 'Arnie size') using the eye-level and dimensions of their Colonist Marine Cyborg Hero E-900 Exterminator STL as a guide.

"...in Alpha Centauri for fifty of your Earth years."

The pair were undercoated using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, before having their large bodysuits layered with "Vallejo" German Grey. They were then drowned in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, enthusiastically dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo Grey." and had all their leather straps and gloves carefully 'picked out' with a lick or two of "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

I next applied some "Vallejo" Gunmetal to their zippers, eye holes, ear protectors and mouth guards, before darkening the areas down with plenty of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Their flesh was tackled using a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and dash of "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. I did attempt to give one of the models some suitably red lips. However, I simply didn't like how this looked on my figure, so ended up simply painting over them.

"The peaceful dreams of mankind bridging the stars were short-lived."

Furthermore, I gave the Vulgorn Guard's rather rectangular hand-weapon a coat of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, before giving it some "Vallejo" Bronze. The firearm was subsequently shaded in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Bronze and then a smidgeon of Gunmetal. Finally, I treated it to a second wash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, which hopefully makes it look like the well-weathered gun was once silver in colour. But had since got covered in grime with age.

In addition to my two 3D prints, I have also completed another of the 32mm resin NASA Astronauts produced by "Black Site Studios" I received as part of my Lunar Core Game pre-order way back in July 2021. Essentially, the miniature was undercoated with "Two Thin Coats" Celestial Blue, drenched in "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, and dry-brushed with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Celestial Blue, before I 'picked out' his firearm with "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln...

"The Long Feared Attack On Britain..."

"...By the Volgon Republic of Asia has begun!"

This 28mm metal model is produced by "Athena Miniatures" as part of their Apocalypse Survivors range, and is one of four similarly attired figures found inside the Swindon-based company's AS12 Russian NBC set. I actually picked it up as part of a quite considerably-size impulse buy at "Warfare" 2024, as they're based on the notion of the Russians invading the United Kingdom following some great calamity - whether that be a nuclear strike, zombie incursion or some deadly extra-terrestrial attack.

I immediately started thinking back to the classic "Invasion!" comic book strip created by Pat Mills for "2000 A.D." during the late Seventies, and felt I could quite easily adapt "The Silver Bayonet" ruleset by "Osprey Games" for some skirmish games. For openers though, I simply wanted to try a fairly bland (and easy to paint) colour scheme on this member of the Soviet's Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence, and begin building up a sizeable squad of bad guys for my small party of survivors to battle against.

"Athena Miniatures" WIPs - Three Russian NBC Troopers partially-painted and awaiting washes

The soldier was therefore primed with plenty of “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed using (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII. This extremely simple approach arguably sorted out the entire chemical suit in one fell swoop. But I thought the model would look a little boring in such a limited palette, so decided to break it up a bit by using a little "Vallejo" Neutral Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil on the chap's rubber gloves and overboots.

I also decided to 'pick out' the respirator on the miniature's gas mask (as well as his assault rifle butt and coat buttons) with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Finally, the figure's firearm and eye lenses were given a lick of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil - again just so I could cause some contrast between the predominantly dour palette I'd chosen.

"Wargames Foundry" - This Late Line Infantryman is being used as a test piece for my British colour scheme

Alongside the first of what I anticipate will be a fairly large project for 2025 - I spotted a resin Land Rover amongst the range on the "Athena Miniatures" stand last month, which I intend to treat myself to when I visit their stall at "Beachhead" next year - I have also been beavering away at the rest of the squad. Now I've settled upon a paint scheme I hope to get these soldiers completed "toot sweet" and move on to the British NBC troopers I also bought.

I've also not completely forgotten about my desire to field some sizeable Napoleonic forces for "Black Powder", so somewhat in the background have been poking away at a single sculpt taken from the "Wargames Foundry" blister B041 Late Line Infantry Flank Company Shouldered Arms. I had intended to get a quartet of these British Grenadiers finished by the end of November. However, I've since found my enthusiasm for this long-term plan dwindling in recent weeks, so haven't been able to face all the red and white lacing which this particular combatant contains...

"The War For Earth's Moon Has Begun."

"A Cold War gone hot."

This 32mm resin miniature is produced by "Black Site Studios", and forms part of the Lunar Core Game pre-order I made with the American-based manufacturer way back in July 2021. These days the model is available as either part of the five-figure set SKU: LNR6809BSS - NASA Astronauts, or the manufacturer's current Two-Player Starter Box, and was put together using elements taken from the incredible number of hands, weapons and equipment pieces which came inside my old starter box.

To begin with the "moon walker" was super-glued to "Citadel" 30mm circular stand, as opposed to one of the bases which came with the kit, and then armed to best illustrate their role in a homebrew version of "The Silver Bayonet" by "Osprey Games" which I'm planning. As I intend to use this particular sculpt as the Commander of my United States force I opted for a knife and a piece of Ceramic Plating (to use as a makeshift shield of some kind).

"Black Site Studios" WIPs - This NASA Astronaut is having all his details 'picked out'

The miniature was subsequently undercoated with plenty of "Two Thin Coats" Celestial Blue, drenched in "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, and dry-brushed with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Celestial Blue. I next applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade to a piece of insulation material running along the edge of the astronaut's backpack. I had hoped this darker shade would help break up the monotony of the spaceman's palette a little bit. But disappointingly it's a little too close in hue to the predominant colour to make much of a difference.

The model's knife and cabling were first 'picked out' with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, layered in "Vallejo" Gunmetal and finally sploshed with "Citadel" Nuln. The self-made shield was painted in "Scale 75" Cobalt Alchemy, treated to a wash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and later dry-brushed with (more) "Scale 75" Cobalt Alchemy to help bring out all the ceramic tiles' details.

"Athena Miniatures" WIPs - Early days on this trio of Russian NBC soldiers

With my enthusiasm for the Lunar universe at an all-time high, I've unsurprisingly been beavering away on a second American spaceman. I've recently received some reinforcements in the guise of Freelancers, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and some Republic of China (R.O.C.) Taikonauts, so aim to get my United States force finished as soon as possible so I can start progressing some of these new figures too.

Lastly, I have made a start on four 28mm metal Russian NBC soldiers, which I rather impulsively picked up from "Athena Miniatures" whilst at "Warfare" 2024. I got rather enthused by the company's Apocalypse Survivors range to be entirely honest, and bought a good few packs so as to fight in a near future where a nuked United Kingdom has been invaded by the Soviet Union.

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Partially-Painted/Printed Pledge" [I/IV] December 2024

Last month's output was a bizarre mixture of figures - and many more are now likely to come

Traditionally around this time of the year I am building, basing and undercoating all manner of miniatures in preparation for the annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC). Indeed, both my hobby desk and surrounding drawers would ordinarily already be swimming in various resurrected models awaiting a second push to the finish line, or some brand news ones which I had somewhat disconcertingly purchased in order to enter the competition's bonus stages - so as to 'pick up' many of the much-needed extra points I would invariably require to achieve my target tally.

However, having decided not to participate in that particular event again I thought I'd instead reinvent an old personal goal I have repeatedly failed to achieve in the past - namely to spend four months plodding through my unfinished backlog. As a result I thought I'd give my previously named Partially-Painted Pledge (PPP) an extra 'P' so as to include anything I've 3D printed over the past twenty-four plus months, and genuinely focus on chipping away at the giant 'Inventory of Inspiration' I have accumulated.

"Black Site Studios" WIPs - The first of my NASA Astronauts is almost finished

The self-imposed rules are pretty straightforward, as the models simply need to have been started in some way to be eligible - so even a bare metal model super-glued to a base or a multi-piece plastic miniature having been assembled, will suffice. This should cause me to stumble through all manner of genres, scales and rule systems until the end of March 2025, and simultaneously help stimulate/maintain my enthusiasm as I declutter my collection of long-forgotten figures.

Furthermore I aim to actually (finally) finish approximately a hundred 28mm models or rather attain 500 points - using my monthly scoring mechanism - and in doing so hopefully bolster my increasingly flagging productivity. This may well prove a tall order, despite some of the models being considerably close to completion. But it at least gives me something aspirational to aim for rather than just meandering from one old half-hearted paint-job to another.

November 2024 - "Crooked Dice" make a big leap towards challenging for second place

To begin with I aim to knuckle down and complete the five-man NASA Astronaut set by "Black Site Miniatures" I had expected to complete during November. I've actually picked up a few of the company's "Lunar" Faction Expansions from UK-based "Spectre Miniatures", as well as taken advantage of the American manufacturer's Black Friday Sale to pick up a few of the range's 'harder to get' kits from their side of the Pond. So I really want to get all these goodies painted before I splurge out on any more.

I'd also imagine that the likes of "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio", "Pendraken Miniatures" "Ground Zero Games", and "Battlefront Miniatures" will greatly benefit from this challenge, as I've already discovered many a drawer and container quite literally 'packed to the gunnels' with their sculpts - all of which have only been partially worked on before being discarded in favour of something else...