(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Wargames Foundry" April 2025

"During the Napoleonic era, bears primarily appear in historical contexts as symbols in art and political cartoons."

With my self-imposed Partially-Painted/Printed Pledge (PPPP) now over, and a number of old half-finished figures tabletop ready as a result, I thought I'd spend this month once again ploughing on with my rather large collection of unpainted 28mm metal Napoleonic figures by "Wargames Foundry". To be honest I'm already quite a way behind with my Black Powder goals for this year, as I've only completed two of the twelve miniatures I promised myself I'd have done at this point in 2025, so dedicating at least four weeks worth of hobby-time to some flintlock-bearing fusiliers should be a good way of getting the long-term project back on track.

To begin with I'm planning on pigmenting at least enough Moscow Militia with Muskets to field a small unit of Narodnoe Opolcheniye (four models), and add them to my Coalition forces. I was actually rather naughty this past October on "eBay" as I splurged on a twenty-eight man Russian Infantry battalion auction I spotted, so really need to start making some in-roads into these Alan Perry sculpts sooner rather than later.

"Alternative Armies" WIPs - This trio of Taranis Runner Drones are almost finished

I'm also blatantly aware that apart from a few 95th Rifles and accompanying officer, my consortium of Napoleon Bonaparte's enemies isn't at all flush of British miniatures. Much of this deficit is largely due to how badly intimidated I am by the formidable palette needed for Redcoats, and an aversion to anything tartan. However, I think I may well now have some basic colour schemes which will help 'get me over this hump', and allow me to get a fair few of King George III's men battle ready.

Furthermore, I still hope to tinker with some of the remaining 15mm science fiction figures I didn't quite finish for my PPPP. These all came from The Ion Age range by "Alternative Armies", and shouldn't take too long to add to my already quite significant (not) Rogue Trader armies. Indeed, I'm actually tempted to dig out a few more of these old(ish) models to help fill out some of my different forces' more specialist units - particularly their characters.

March 2025 - Two new entries have stormed up into the leaderboard

Historically, the last four or so weeks have always been one of my most productive times and this year was absolutely no exception. A good deal of this success was undoubtedly due to my sudden descent into the Dead Man's Hand range of Wild West gunslingers by "Great Escape Games", and determination to work through some more Russian NBC Troopers by "Athena Miniatures" - albeit not anywhere near as many as I had intended. The big surprise though was the blister-load of "Pendraken Miniatures" 10mm Falklands British soldiers I patiently picked away at over time, and I'm rather hoping I can do something similar with the rest of the Army Pack for this month too.

What will be interesting is whether or not my productivity will now nosedive, seeing as I didn't participate in the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), and so shouldn't be suffering from any gaming fatigue. Annually, this waning interest in 'applying a brush tip to a model' is always a big disappointment to me, so I am keen to avoid such lethargy this time round, and maybe get a few battles in to help fuel my enthusiasm for the various projects I want to progress...

"The Falklands War Was A Ten-Week Undeclared War..."

 "...Between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982, over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic..." 

These forty 10mm metal British soldiers are by "Pendraken Miniatures" and were bought as part of their Falklands British Army Pack whilst I was visiting "Colours" 2023. Each 30mm x 40mm plastic base is comprised of a single figure from the following codes: FLB20 - Advancing with SLR, helmet, FLB21 - Advancing under fire, helmet, FLB22 - Kneeling, firing SLR, helmet, FLB23 - Standing, firing SLR, helmet, and FLB24 - Standing, firing SMG, helmet.

The models were all originally super-glued onto wooden painting sticks, undercoated with a couple of licks of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, and drenched in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I then dry-brushed them with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, and began the tricky process of 'picking out' all their boots, hands, faces and weapons with a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

"...The Falkland Islands and its territorial dependency, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. ."

The troopers' skin was pigmented using a dollop or two of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone, followed by a dash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, and a highlight of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone. Whilst their guns were simply given some "Vallejo" Gunmetal and sploshed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Lastly, I applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to any visible rifle butts, and frankly thought I'd finished them.

However, as I actually intend to use these figures to recreate some battles akin to the old Commodore 64 computer game "Germany 1985" by "Strategic Simulations Incorporated", I thought I'd also give each soldiers' rear ammunition belt a touch of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. This palette might not be historically accurate. But it will help me identify British units if I do indeed go down the route of 'creating' other NATO/Commonwealth forces to thwart their Soviet Opposition - and use more of these "Pendraken Miniatures" sculpts for them too.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - This riderless Devil Dinosaur has been repaired and undercoated

Perhaps understandably wanting to paint something in a significantly larger scale to all these 10mm shenanigans, I have also started working on a broken 40mm plastic Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur model by "CoolMiniOrNot". This serious handful of a gaming piece is from the manufacturer's now somewhat infamous Marvel United Multiverse Kickstarter, and arrived damaged, so was very kindly gifted to me to do with as I wanted, once an intact replacement had been received.

Resultantly, I have cut off the prehistoric monster's bust rider, green-stuffed the subsequent hole, filed down my repairs, and slapped a basic "Vallejo" Russian Uniform WWII undercoat on the beast. My plan is to simply turn Jack Kirby's comic book creation into a generic Tyrannosaurus Rex, and use the figure for some actual tabletop gaming - as opposed to anything related to the boardgame. In addition, as I actually own a copy of Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur myself, I might paint them up later on for some carnivore verses carnivore action... 

"The Legions Of The Shia Khan Empire..."

"...Are the main fighting force of the Empire."

This trio of 15mm miniatures by "Alternative Armies" come from their "The Ion Age" code IAF019 Legion 2nd Pioneers - Flora Grenade Guns (Pose Seven - Pioneer Discens with Flora, loading, Pose Two - Pioneer Discens with Flora, and Pose Five - Pioneer Discens with Flora, clutching the ground), and are designed to be used with the company’s “Patrol Angis” rule-set. However, I’ve both based and painted them so they can be used as a (proxy) unit of Chaos Space Marines for a home-brew game I've somewhat loosely based within the early Warhammer 30k/40k universe.

The models were initially primed using a couple of coats of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, and shaded using plenty of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then base-layered their skull-like face masks with a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, before 'picking them out' using a smear or two of Gold and a dash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Athena Miniatures" WIPs - A pair of British Apocalypse Survivors

I next applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Violet to the figures' partially visible sleeves and trousers, and washed these areas in "Citadel" Druchii Violet. This choice is somewhat different to the Pioneers' official red colour scheme - as seen in the pictures on "The Ion Age" website, as I actually intend to use the miniatures as pseudo Emperor's Children traitor marines, so I felt such a change in their palette would prove much more appropriate.

My original intention was to also just finish each model off by treating their Flora grenade guns to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. But despite this 'flash of metallics', I still felt that the figures looked rather bland - especially from behind. Resultantly, I also applied some "Vallejo" Gunmetal to the pipes and tubing of their breathing apparatus, and a little Heavy Sienna to some ammunition pouches running around their waists. These items were subsequently darkened down using (more) "Citadel" Nuln Oil and Agrax Earthshade respectively.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - These twenty-five year-old Highlanders are finally seeing some paint

Having completed this test base - using three models which have rather embarrassingly been sat upon my hobby table for many a year, I thought I'd tackle some much more recently-arrived sculpts in the guise of two British Apocalypse Survivors by "Athena Miniatures". One of these 28mm metal figures will (hopefully) be transformed into a bearded Bill Savage - so as to lead the King's remaining military forces against the Volgan invasion of the United Kingdom, and the is one of four children I intend to use as clue markers - as I plan to use an adapted version of "The Silver Bayonet" rule-set by "Osprey Games" for my battles.

Lastly, I have been dusting done and plonking a few basic paints on a number of "Wargames Foundry" Napoleonic soldiers I fully intend to work my way through next month, such as these approximately twenty-five year-old Scotsmen from blister B060 Highlander Flank Company Advancing. This project hasn't really got going in 2025 yet, so I thought dedicating April to the 'collar and cuffs' cause might inject it with the energy necessary for me to patiently pigment all the colourfully-dressed combatants...

"The Ned Kelly Gang Were Bushrangers..."

"...Who terrorised the population of the north-eastern district of Victoria, Australia, from 1878 to 1880."

These three 28mm scale metal models are sold by “Great Escape Games", and form part of their DMHG-NED - Kelly Gang five-figure set for Dead Man's Hand. Sculpted by Mark Evans, this box actually contains one more member of the gang than historically existed, and doesn't seemingly identify any specific miniature as representing either Joe Byrne or Steve Hart.

Having been bought a "Salute" 2019, and partially-pigmented around that time, my biggest hurdle with these outlaws was whether I could identify (and match) the colours I originally used on their long coats. In the end I just gave their base layers a good soaking in "Citadel" Nuln Oil or Agrax Earthshade (as appropriate" and then went with whatever "Vallejo" paint I felt would work so as to bring out all the creases, pockets and buttons.

"The Kelly Gang members were declared outlaws, liable to be shot on sight."

As a result, one jacket received a dry-brush of "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, another of Charred Brown, and the third with Desert Yellow. I next painted either their shoes or trousers with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and left the remaining boots and pants pure "Citadel" Abaddon Black. I also took this opportunity to carefully 'pick out' the criminals' hands with some "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone, "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, and a highlight of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone.

Lastly, I treated all of the bushranger's infamous 6mm thick iron armour and firearms with a lick of "Vallejo" Gunmetal, and shaded it using "Citadel" Nuln Oil. As with the group's other members, I felt the re-shaped plough mouldboards would look better without any actual highlights, so simply left them all be. Though I did decide to 'catch' all the pistol butts with a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and some "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Athena Miniatures" WIPS - The last of my Soviet NBC Troopers are on the painting table

With the entire Kelly Gang now completed, I have found the time to continue working on my third plastic bag of 28mm Russian NBC troopers by "Athena Miniatures". Due to already painting eight of these gas-mask wearing Soviet invaders, I thought I'd take the opportunity with this quartet to see if I can speed up my process by not bothering to 'line' around their rubber gloves and boots until after I've base-layered and washed those areas.

I probably now own enough British Squaddies, Spetsnaz, and various Apocalypse Survivors to keep me going until the end of the year, so don't plan on adding anything new to this project until everything - including a Landrover Mark III - is tabletop ready. However, having been in regular contact with company owner John Caboche, and heard of his future plans for this range, I've got my eye on "Colours" 2025 as a particularly optimistic deadline...

"Bubo Was Forged By Hephaestus..."

"...And sent by Athena to aid Perseus in his quest to save the princess Andromeda."

This 28mm scale metal Clockwork Owl is produced by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio", and was an early bird miniature from their successful "7TV Fantasy Genre Guide" Kickstarter in October last year. Sculpted by Matthew Kent, the figure is clearly inspired by the remote controlled/stop motion model seen in Desmond Davis' 1981 fantasy adventure film "Clash of the Titans".

Due to the mythical, mechanical marvel's diminutive size, as well as my concerns over whether his thin perch would actually survive my usual painting process, I decided to pigment the little fellow a bit differently from how I ordinarily tackle my miniatures, and rely upon "Citadel" Nuln Oil to separate different coloured areas from one another - as opposed to using thin lines of "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

"Athena Miniatures" WIPs - Three (of the four) Russian NBC Troopers currently being worked on

As a result Bubo and his stand were carefully primed with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, layered in Gold and washed using "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. I then gave the entire bird a careful dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Gold, before giving the owl's face and chest a light dusting of Gunmetal. These two areas were subsequently darkened down with some "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and re-highlighted using some very carefully placed dabs of (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal.

Finally, I managed to drop a tiny spot of "Citadel" Abaddon Black into the eye sockets of the model, and later dot them with "Vallejo" Heavy Red. I also decided to simply shade the figure's perch with some "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and dry-brush it with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. I did consider using a metallic paint for the stand. But in the end felt it would easily blend in with the Clockwork Owl, so chose a much less glamourous-looking, somewhat bland colour for it instead.

"Great Escape Games" WIPs - Butch Cassidy, the Scarred Man and John Bridges

Along with my recently received "Kickstarter" goodies from "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio", I have also taken possession of four more 28mm Russian NBC troopers by "Athena Miniatures". I wasn't actually planning on getting any more of these sculpts for a while, as I was planning on focusing my energies upon the company's Spetsnaz models instead. However, as the opportunity arose to make an order with the Swindon-based manufacturer with free postage and packing, I thought I might as well.

Perhaps somewhat unsurprisingly, given my current preoccupation with "Great Escape Games" and their "Dead Man's Hand" range of outlaws, I have also dug out from my extensive backlog a couple more purchases I made way back at "Salute" 2019. These figures of John Bridges and the Scarred Man have been plonked alongside my current 'on-the-go' model of Butch Cassidy, so should now get some much-needed love and attention in quick(ish) succession...

"Men, We Are The First, Last And Often Only Line Of Defence..."

"...The Imperium has against what is out there."

These two 15mm miniatures by "Alternative Armies" come from their "The Ion Age" codes IAF022 Muster First Patrol (Pose Seven - Muster Patrol Trooper, Charlatan IV 22mm Launcher, Standing) and IAF021 Muster 1st Patrol Command (Pose Three - Muster Patrol Trooper, Medic.), and are probably some of the last remaining models from an old order I originally picked up over a decade ago at "Salute 2014". The soldiers are actually designed to be used with the company’s “Patrol Angis” rule-set. But I’ve based them together in order to form a specialist infantry unit for a home-made set of rules loosely based within the early Warhammer 30k/40k universe.

In order to try and replicate the pale(ish) palette of the Imperial Guard way back when "Games Workshop" first released their '"hard plastic" boxed set in January 1989, I primed both figures with two coats of “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey, and washed with them “Citadel” Nuln Oil. The duo then had their body armour, shoulder-pads, boots and weapons pigmented in "Citadel" Abaddon Black, whilst I 'picked out' their cap badges with a dollop of Heavy Red and a dash of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

"Alternative Armies" WIPs - Three Taranis Runner Drones

The trooper carrying the large heavy weapon had his bare hands painted using a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone and “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade. However, as I wanted the Medic to stand out a bit more (seeing as I was actually using the figure as a range finder for the launcher rather than a field physician), I decided to give him "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade gloves.

Finally, I gave both soldiers’ heavy-looking stowage, as well as any side-pockets, a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Before finishing them off by layering their weapons with some "Vallejo" Gunmetal and plenty of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I also used this particular colour combination for the (not) Medic's cybernetic eye-piece - all the better to suggest he was able to see trajectory curves and angles whilst assisting the Charlatan IV 22m Launcher to hit its targets.

"Athena Miniatures" WIPs - These two Spetsnaz figures are having all their straps 'picked out'

Somewhat enthused by my recent reintroduction to "The Ion Age", I have perhaps unsurprisingly also begun work on another trio of (significantly) old 15mm figures from the range - this time taken from IAF081 Taranis Runner Drones. These robots apparently act as a screen for Taranis Tanks in "Alternative Armies" rule-set. But I plan to use a single Transmission Jammer Drone with two Field Repair Drones as a close-combat unit for my games, and plan to paint these ones up for my Crimson Fists.

Lastly, I've also made a little bit more progress on the first of twenty-eight 28mm metal Spetsnaz figures I now own by "Athena Miniatures". These fellows are absolutely covered in straps, bullet-proof armour and ammunition pouches, so despite much of their colour scheme being black, I'm still having to take my time slowly making my way up a couple of test pieces so I can work out what is what on the sculpts...

"Daniel Kelly Was An Australian Bushranger And Outlaw."

"The son of an Irish convict, he was the younger brother of the bushranger Ned Kelly."

This 28mm scale metal model is sold by “Great Escape Games", and forms part of their DMHG-NED - Kelly Gang five-figure set for Dead Man's Hand. Sculpted by Mark Evans, I'm not aware of the box specifying a particular miniature to represent Dan, so somewhat arbitrarily decided upon this one. Furthermore, as it's been almost six years since I bought the Australian bushrangers whilst at "Salute" 2019, I also can't find the outlaws' rules card.

Having been partially-painted many moons ago, and seemingly primed using some "Citadel" Abaddon Black, I determined that the crook's long coat had probably been base-layered with "Vallejo" Dark Grey, so resultantly shaded the area with plenty of "Citadel" Nuln. Unsurprisingly, the jacket was then dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Dark Grey so as to bring out all the creases, pockets and buttons.

"Alternative Armies" WIPs - Three 15mm Legion Pioneers

Due to wanting the Ned Kelly's brother to stand out a bit more on the tabletop, I decided to apply some "Vallejo" Heavy Brown to the desperado's trousers and wash them with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I next dry-brushed the area with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Brown. However, I really didn't like the rough-looking, streaky highlights this technique produced, so decided to darken them down a bit with a splosh of watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Lastly, I treated both Dan's 6mm thick iron armour and single firearm to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. As with the gang's infamous leader, I felt the criminal's "homemade armour" would look better without any highlights, and simply left it be. I did though manage to 'pick out' Kelly's pistol butt with a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and dash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Athena Miniatures" WIPs - Early days on a trio of Russian Spetsnaz

Alongside my latest Dead Man's Hand model, I've also been working on three 15mm Legion Pioneers by "Alternative Armies", which I recently stumbled upon in one of many wooden drawers I own. I clearly planned for the miniatures to represent a three-man stand of Chaos Space Marines for my ongoing Warhammer 30k/40k project using The Ion Age range, so have continued pigmenting them accordingly; albeit instead of having red clothing with black armour, I now plan on giving them purple and gold uniforms so I can use them to proxy the Pre-Heresy Emperor's Children Legion.

I have also started making some progress on the first of thirteen 28mm metal Spetsnaz figures I bought from "Athena Miniatures" at last year's "Warfare" 2024. I'm actually a 'man down' as the set is supposed to contain fourteen models. However, after a quick dialogue with the Swindon-based firm's owner John Caboche, the missing Russian should soon be winging his way to me - along with some additional (final) reinforcements I have ordered to round off the Apocalypse Survivors project...

"This Is the Volgan Invasion Of Britain..."

"...And soon this once mighty land lies in anguish under the boot-heel of tyranny."

This trio of 28mm metal models are manufactured by "Athena Miniatures" as part of their Apocalypse Survivors releases, and form part of the company's AS12 Russian NBC four-figure set. Having already painted a quartet of these specialist soldiers of the Red Army in December, I picked up this second plastic bag of sculpts up whilst attending "Beachhead" 2025 just last month, and have rather quickly (at least for me) got them tabletop ready.

All three of the Soviet Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence troopers were initially undercoated using a couple of layers of “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, and shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. They were then dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII so as to bring out all the folds/creases in their rubber suits, and subsequently had their buttons 'picked out' with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Great Escape Games" WIPs - Three members of the Kelly Gang

This fairly simple palette meant that each miniature was now predominantly finished. However, I thought the models looked a tad plain, so decided to break their overall look up a bit by using a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Neutral Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil on both their gloves and overboots. I also thought the Russians would look more menacing if I painstakingly applied some "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil to all their firearms and eye lenses. As a final touch each trooper's respirator and rifle butt, was given a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Alongside my ongoing Post Apocalypse United Kingdom project using "Athena Miniatures" figures, I have also continued working on some more western outlaws by "Great Escape Games." I genuinely can't explain where this fascination with the Cardiff-based manufacturer's "Dead Man's Hand" range has come from. But I do fully intend to at least complete the remaining four models from my DMHG-NED - Kelly Gang boxed set before March is concluded.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This Sons Of Horus Praetor is crammed full of details

Likewise I'm firmly focused upon fielding a fully-pigmented 500-points Sons Of Horus Traitor Legion for "The Horus Heresy" within the next few weeks too. This enthusiasm stems from discovering a couple of large bags packed full of resin goodies by "Forge World", and my old Traitor Esoterist Consul - "A forbidden psyker" who I hope will allow me to summon/field many of the daemons I have painted over the past decade too.

Indeed, despite battling with all the detail on my force's Praetor over the past week or so, I couldn't be more excited for the "wargame made by Games Workshop", and thanks to my aforementioned finds, am even contemplating adding a unit of Iron Hands Legion Medusan Immortals and Word Bearers Legion Gal Vorbak Veterans to them. Furthermore, I'll need to also add some core units (and accompanying Headquarter choices) to my ensemble to allow me to field these other Legions as allies, so it looks like this particular project won't stop any time soon...

"To Many Locals The Kelly Gang Are Heroes..."

"...Fighting against a corrupt and unjust system."

This 28mm scale metal model is produced by “Great Escape Games", and can be purchased as part of their DMHG-NED - Kelly Gang five-figure set for Dead Man's Hand. The sculpt is clearly based upon the notorious Australian bushranger who is infamous "for wearing a suit of bulletproof armour during his final shootout with the police", and was rather embarrassingly bought almost six years ago at "Salute" 2019.

After being dusted down following many a month stuck in one of my wooden hobby drawers, the figure was primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and had his long coat treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. This jacket was then dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey to bring out the detail of its pockets and buttons.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This Sons of Horus Praetor's torso is being progressed

I next pigmented the outlaw's trousers and pistol butts using a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, and darkened these areas down with a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Kelly's 6mm thick iron armour and firearms were simply given a lick of "Vallejo" Gunmetal, before being shaded using one (or two) washes of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I did strongly consider highlighting the 'helmeted suit of bullet-repelling armour'. But in the end decided to just leave it unpolished.

Despite not planning to purchase the actual "Dead Man's Hand" ruleset - though I did thoroughly enjoy playing a demonstration game at "Colours" 2024 - I have spent some time rummaging through some containers and drawers in order to find a few more of the miniatures I own for "the fast paced Old West Skirmish game." Disappointingly, I've not yet managed to lay my hands on The Malevolent Seven boxed set I know I own. But alongside Ned Kelly's gang members, I have located both Jonah, The Scarred Man, and Rogue John Bridges too.

"Titan Forge" WIPs - These three Death Dogs have been based layered, ready for shading

Alongside this sudden (and definitely surprisingly) sojourn into the Wild West, I'm still making progress on my Sons of Horus 28mm Praetor with Power Axe by "Games Workshop". Due to this rather formidable-looking figure's sheer wealth of detail, I'm merely picking away at a small area every day, so as not to get overwhelmed by all its ornate armour, weapons and iconography. This technique is definitely paying dividends, so I certainly expect to have my traitor legion's leader finished before the month is over.

Lastly, I have also done a little bit more work on a trio of Death Dogs by "Titan Forge Miniatures". These models were created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 5 3D Printer, and are one of the few things I've produced for myself since upgrading to a newer machine. I was hoping to have both these animals, and their master Death Knight completed by now - Indeed, I'm contemplating making another three of the dogs (mirroring their sculpts), so I can use them as a 'single' warband. But my painting interests have led me in a different direction over the past few weeks...

Top Ten Manufacturers Of 2024 - A "Fantorical" Viewpoint

It's strange how some unpleasantness experienced at the start of a year can have such a long-lasting impact upon a wargamer's enthusiasm for the hobby. However, having decided to leave the Fourteenth Annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) early, and resultantly found myself facing a table full of miniatures I'd been busily prepping/progressing for the event, that's precisely the predicament I faced in the first week of February 2024. Admittedly, I did persevere with my collection of primed figures by "Black Tree Design" and "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" until I had gotten a large number of them tabletop ready. But after a couple of months I found my mojo to be completely spent, and disappointingly didn't really pick up my paint-brush with any great gusto until the Autumn - due to suddenly being once again bitten by the Napoleonic Era bug.

To make matters worse though, the host of my wargaming website "Wix.com", suddenly decided to dramatically increase their costs and focus on income generation for store-owners, rather than people like myself who simply wanted to run a website. This caused me to immediately cancel my subscription to their service, and spend many a painful week manually bringing all my hobby posts/pictures back across to "Blogger.com". Resultantly, my overall productivity was frustratingly down on previous years, whilst my determination to finish many of the models originally destined for submission into the AHPC greatly hindered my focus upon new projects. Luckily, I eventually shook off this 'funk', and despite my previous love of 3D printing seldom surfacing due to FEP/suction issues, I did fall 'head over heels' for many a 28mm metal miniature instead...

No. 10 - "Warlord Games" - "Bolt Action"

It would certainly be fair to say that compared to past periods, I somewhat fell 'out of love' with this Nottingham-based manufacturer during this year. I didn't attend their Open Day, nor did I buy into any of their new Epic range releases either. Indeed, the company only appears because at the very end of 2024 they released the Third Edition of "Bolt Action", and subsequently caused me to start assembling/painting a 28mm Italian army using their excellent plastic infantry sprues.

No. 10 - "Athena Miniatures" - "Apocalypse Survivors"

One of the best things about physically visiting wargaming shows is suddenly spotting a line of models I have never even heard of, and just such a thing happened at the recent "Warfare" with this firm. Initially, I was actually drawn to their Franco-Prussian War figures. But then spotted the various British squaddies and Russian invaders which made up their post-apocalyptic United Kingdom, and walked away from their stall with several plastic bags of goodies.

No. 8 - "Alternative Armies" - "The Ion Age"

Definitely a product of the AHPC and victim of its fallout, I set aside a handful of this company's long abandoned 15mm vehicles to pigment for the event. Disappointingly though, once completed, I never had the motivation to progress any more of the wonderful miniatures I own from the range - so the finished hover tanks and armoured cars were simply safely placed inside some plastic containers where they disconcertingly dwell to this day.

No. 8 - "Fenris6661982" - "The Lord Of The Rings"

Doubtless this is a rather controversial "eBay" seller due to their Black Numenoreans resin figures seemingly being closely based upon the original (OOP) sculpts once sold by "Games Workshop" for the "Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game". However, at the time of purchase they were one of several stores advertising various 3D prints of J.R.R. Tolkien's "cruel oppressors" on the e-commerce marketplace, and it wasn't until I finally found a pair of my old official metal miniatures that their true 'exactness' became abundantly clear.

No. 7 - "Lost Heresy Miniatures" - "Vulgorn Guards"

One of the few 3D Printing Patreon/Tribes to actually cause me to power on my "Elegoo" Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer, Bill Thornhill's nod to "The Hitchhikers Guide To The Galaxy" actually caused me no end of issues - largely thanks to my resin tank's FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) being too loose to produce successful prints. However, once I did have my hands of some useable 'not-Vogons' I soon got them tabletop ready, and built up a sizeable seven-figure squad.

No. 6 - "Black Site Studios" - "Lunar"

Arguably viewed at one point as my 'break-out' manufacturer of the year, I was deeply smitten by this American company's resin-cast astronauts, Soviet cosmonauts and sugary-sweet space pet. In fact, I even went as far as to order a 6'x4' Asteroid gaming mat from "Deep-Cut Studio" upon which to play out some large-scale moon-based battles. However, the high expense of buying/shipping their various mining factions, rovers and additional spacemen from across the Pond proved all too much; especially when I discovered items I had ordered direct from "Black Site Studios" weren't even in stock (despite their webstore saying otherwise), and they knew they'd be at least a two month delay to have them made but didn't feel obligated to tell me that.

No. 5 - "Games Workshop" - "The Horus Heresy"

Despite a little dabble with some long OOP (Out Of Production) metal models from their "The Lord Of The Rings" range, the vast majority of my focus for 2024 as far as this Nottingham-based manufacturer was concerned, was on their 28mm hard plastic MK IV armoured Space Marines. Disappointingly, I never managed to finish my third ten-man unit of Sons of Horus due to the monotony of pigmenting their 'blue-green' "high grade composite ceramite plating" and "Vallejo" Gold trim. But I did get tantalisingly close, and definitely should have 'ensured' that I am able to eventually field a 500-point traitor army for "The Horus Heresy" in the forthcoming year.

No. 4 - "CoolMiniOrNot" - "Zombicide" & "Marvel United"

I owe quite a considerable bit of gratitude to this Singapore-headquartered company, as the mid-year arrival of their Monty Python's Flying Circus expansion for "Zombicide" finally pulled me from my hobby slump. In addition, I fell back in love with their excellent "Marvel United" boardgame, and began painting a number of its super-heroes/villains for a series of Battle Reports. Sadly, all of this enthusiasm was then completely quashed into the ground by the atrocious management of their Marvel United: Multiverse Kickstarter - which saw my missing pledge abandoned in a factory in China...

No. 3 - "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" - "7TV"

Buoyed by my love of Eighties' science fiction franchises such as "Flash Gordon" and the two-part television miniseries "V", Karl Perrotton's "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" was undeniably one of my main 'go-to' miniature makers of the year. Admittedly, I had actually planned to pigment far more of their Rick Rhodes Luna City range during the AHPC than I eventually did. But this misfortune didn't prevent me from pottering on with plenty of Simian Minions and Strawbears once my hobby mojo eventually returned later in the year.

No. 2 - "Wargames Foundry" - "Napoleonic Range"

Easily my most time-consuming project for 2024, and my proudest, the sheer amount of highly-detailed Perry Brother sculpts I tackled with my brush-tip throughout these twelve months was quite astounding. Indeed, I managed to complete a fair few eight-figure units of Russian, Prussian and French infantrymen during this time, as well as a trio of rather formidably-sized Great Big Bellicose Bears. Admittedly, much of this success was undoubtedly due to playing several games of "The Silver Bayonet" ruleset by "Osprey Games", and using these figures for that. But I also achieved my goal of having enough units for two sides to play a simplified version of "Black Powder" by "Warlord Games" too.

No. 1 - "Black Tree Design" - "Doctor Who"

By far the biggest shock of the year, was just how many of these three decades old sculpts I completed, and then did absolutely nothing with. Furthermore, apart from a smattering of Sea Devils during the Summer, all of these miniatures were surprisingly made tabletop ready by the end of April. Much of this productivity was due to their inclusion in my plans for the AHPC, and subsequent successful attempt to attain my target tally despite departing the event early. However, a desire to resurrect an old interstellar war campaign playing some old homemade rules never materialised, and so all of these models were disconcertingly just packed away in a plastic container or three.

It Is Considered A Bad Omen..."

 "...To march to battle with less than a full veteran company."

These three 15mm metal miniatures are from "The Ion Age" range by "Alternative Armies", and come from their IAF008 Retained Knight Post Charlie multi-figure set. Super-glued upon a couple of wooden sticks for a good handful of years, I recently dusted them down and decided to paint them as part of my small(ish) scale "Rogue Trader" era Crimson Fists space marines.

To begin with the trio were simply undercoated with a couple of layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and shaded using plenty of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then picked out their Angis Rifles with a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and (more) "Citadel" Nuln Oil, before applying a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Red to their hands. This palette has served me well over the past decade in capturing how I perceive Chapter Master Pedro Kantor's Anti-Ork Warfare specialists to look.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This Sons of Horus Praetor's left side is predominantly now done 

However, I did want to mark this particular unit out as a Sternguard formation, so decided to apply some "Two Thin Coats" White Star to their helmets, wash them with some heavily watered-down Carchardon Grey, and dry-brush them with (a tad extra) White Star. I decided upon this colour scheme primarily because I felt it made the Adeptus Astartes stand out on the tabletop, and also having perused a Warhammer 40,000 thread on "Reddit", came away with the opinion that I had already inadvertently 'marked' my entire Crimson Fists Chapter out as veterans by previously pigmenting both of their gauntlets red instead of just one.

With the actual models finished, I subsequently set about super-gluing to a medium-sized plastic "Flames Of War" base by “Battlefront Miniatures". This was actually much more time-consuming than it might first appear, as each model is sculpted standing upon a thick metal stand - so I needed to use several sausages of Green Stuff to create a reasonably soft slop around each space marine so I could later successfully sprinkle them with PVA-soaked grit and grass flock.

"Athena Miniatures" WIPs - These Russian NBC Troopers still need to be tidied up

In addition to finally concluding this long overdue mini-project, I have also managed to make some more progress on a genuine defender of Humanity by "Games Workshop". This 28mm Praetor with Power Axe is largely comprised of plastic components from the Nottingham-based manufacturer's Warhammer: The Horus Heresy - Age of Darkness boxed set, and due to its insane amount of detail, is quite slowly becoming the leader of my Sons of Horus traitor legion.

Lastly, I am still working on the final three Russian NBC troopers I own by "Athena Miniatures". To be honest these 28mm metal figures should reasonably soon be ready for a coat of varnish, so I'm already looking forward to polishing off a second Soviet unit - which will consist of fourteen members of the Russian Spetsnaz Special Forces, armed with AK47s and an RPGs...

"Each Vexilla Is Created On Terra..."

"...painstakingly fashioned over a period of one hundred standard years."

This 28mm plastic miniature of a Space Marine is by "Games Workshop" and comes from the now long OOP (Out Of Production) Betrayal At Calth boxed set boxed set by "Games Workshop". The multi-part figure has been assembled wearing MK IV armour and is carrying a Legion Vexilla (Legion Standard) which will allow its unit to add +1 "to the Wounds score used to determine if they win a Combat in the Assault Phase."

Due to the miniature forming part of my third Sons of Horus Tactical Squad for the Horus Heresy, it was primed in a couple of layers of "Citadel" Sons Of Horus Green, before being heavily washed with Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) Sons Of Horus Green. I then applied some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to his Bolter, the joints of his Maximus Armour, and a couple of parts making up his backpack.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This Sons of Horus Praetor is being painted from the boots up

The model's firearm and a couple of areas of its 'advanced power generator' were subsequently treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst I coated his left shoulder-pad, left lower-leg and Legion Vexilla with a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and Gold. These areas were later given a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and highlighted with some additional touches of "Vallejo" Gold on the sharpest edges and rivets.

As a final touch I applied some "Scalecolor" Speed Metal to the Space Marine's eye slits, and then a single layer of the "Citadel" Contrast colour Flesh Tearers Red. I also fixed four of the many decals found on the "Games Workshop" Sons of Horus Legion transfer sheet onto his right shoulder-pad, right lower leg, left wrist and in the middle of his standard's circular central emblem.

"Athena Miniatures" WIPs - Early days on three Russian NBC Troopers

Alongside the last of my Sons of Horus MK IV armoured tactical space marines, I have also started to work in earnest on the Praetor with Power Axe I predominantly assembled using one of the sprues from the Warhammer: The Horus Heresy - Age of Darkness boxed set I bought a couple of years ago. This particular traitor will doubtless take a little while to get tabletop ready, on account of both the myriad of details its original sculpt contained, as well as the various "Forge World" extras I added to him. But I still have my eye on him getting finished before the month is over.

Lastly, I am beavering away on three more 28mm metal models by "Athena Miniatures". This trio of 'Apocalypse Survivors' all come the company's AS12 Russian NBC release, and will double the number of dastardly 'Volgon' invaders I currently own for my "Invasion!" project - based upon the old "2000 A.D." comic book strip...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Partially-Painted/Printed Pledge” [IV/IV] March 2025

"The people of Britain must understand we Volgans are your friends." 

With my Partially-Painted/Printed Pledge (PPPP) now entering its final furlong, I thought I would mix things up a bit by moving into some of other scales I tend to pigment from time to time, such as 10mm and 15mm. This  change of direction should get me somewhat closer to my personal challenge's target tally than if I remained rooted to just 28mm - as I'm starting to find myself getting distracted by new 'heroic scale' purchases rather than focusing on finishing old projects - and help me clear up a rather large number of wooden painting sticks peppered with primed miniatures which are currently littering my hobby space.

However, I also want to break the back of my most recent purchases from "Athena Miniatures" at "Beachhead" 2025, and get enough of the company's Apocalypse Survivors tabletop ready so I can actually have a game (of adapted "Silver Bayonet" by "Osprey Games") using them. Having completed an eight-man unit of British NBC soldiers last month, I now need to really focus upon the Soviet invasion force threatening a nuclear bomb-blasted United Kingdom.

"There is only one sentence... Death!"

This will primarily consist of a similarly-sized Soviet NBC unit, along with a set of fourteen members of the Russian Spetsnaz Special Forces, armed with AK47s and an RPGs. In addition, I would like to get a couple of the actual British civilian survivors completed, including a certain shotgun-carrying gentlemen - who I hope will work well as a heavily-bearded proxy for East Londoner Bill Savage in any scenarios based upon the old "2000 A.D." comic strip "Invasion!" I want to game.

To get things off to a fairly strong start, I have already got the varnish and flock on a (fifth) 28mm metal model taken from "Athena Miniatures" AS12 Russian NBC four-sculpt set. This Soviet Radiological, Chemical and Biological Defence trooper was initially undercoated using a couple of layers of “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, before being shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed using (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII.

February 2025 - "Black Tree Design" quite significantly extends its lead due to an interest in "Doctor Who"

To try and break up the monotony of the Communist's rubber suit I then applied a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Neutral Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil to his gloves and overboots. Finally, his respirator, rifle butt and coat buttons were 'picked out' with a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, whilst his firearm and eye lenses were treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

Painting wise, the past four weeks have definitely seen an encouraging increase in my productivity; something which has to be attributed to my impressive progress working through so many (really) old "Doctor Who" models by "Black Tree Design". I'm not sure this particular interest in thirty-year old sculpts will continue for much longer - unless I discover another stash of Sea Devils or Daleks in my backlog. But it has helped reinvigorate my hobby mojo to the point where I'm still very keen to clean away the cobwebs on many an old, long-forgotten project or three...

"I Didn't Know You Were The Sundance Kid When I Said You Were Cheating."

 "If I draw on you you'll kill me."

This 28mm scale metal model is produced by “Great Escape Games", and can be purchased as part of their DMH306 Butch & Sundance two-figure set for Dead Man's Hand. The sculpt is clearly strongly influenced by actor Robert Redford's portrayal of the Sundance Kid in the 1969 Western "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid", and depicts the outlaw's famous pose during his fatal shoot-out with the Bolivian Army.

Being rather ignorant of casting issues and concerns, I must admit to being rather surprised that this miniature came in two pieces. But a quick dab of super-glue soon seemingly fixed one of the gunslinger's arms in place, so the entire ensemble could be primed using a couple of coats of "Citadel" Abaddon Black. At this stage I also noticed that one of the bank robber's pistols was mis-cast and missing its barrel. However, I figured there was still enough of the hand-weapon for such a flaw to be overlooked on the gaming table.

"Exterminate. Exterminate!"

The Sundance Kid was dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and drenched in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then began the process of 'picking out' all of his details, using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade on his vest, and "Vallejo" Heavy Warmgrey with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson" for his shirt. I also carefully traced out the outlaw's holster string (tied around his leg) with a thin line of White Star by "Two Thin Coats", and later weathered the string with a little "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

The train thief's guns and buttons were subsequently coated in "Vallejo" Gunmetal and shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, before I tackled his hair and moustache primarily with Skulker Yellow by "Two Thin Coats". These areas were darkened down with a careful application of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and then highlighted with a patient dry-brush of (more) "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow. As a final touch I decided to make the gunslinger's shoes and holster stand out a bit more from his all-black suit, by simply giving them a lick of pure "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This Sons of Horus Space Marine just needs a final touch-up

In addition to the Sundance Kid, I have also finished working on another 28mm metal, multi-part Dalek by "Black Tree Design". Available as either DW303 - Dalek, or as part of their DW1001 - Dalek Patrol Plus Heavy Weapons Dalek set, the "Doctor Who" monster was predominantly painted using Citadel Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and Celestial Blue by "Two Thin Coats".

I've also managed to find a little more hobby time to plod on with the last of my Sons of Horus Space Marines by "Games Workshop". All of the main colours have now been 'blocked in' and in some places, even highlighted. However, I now need to carefully tidy my way up the 28mm plastic figure, ensuring that all its MK IV armour is finished, and any stray brushstrokes of "Vallejo" Gold or "Citadel" Abaddon Black are covered over...