"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...