"We Set Sail On This New Sea..."

"...Because there is new knowledge to be gained."

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 just over four years ago 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.

Prior to painting, the spaceman was super-glued onto a "Citadel" 30mm circular stand, rather than one of the bases which came with the kit, and then equipped him with an (incredibly bendy) flag, as well as a highly patriotic saluting hand. I actually plan to use this range in a homebrew version of "The Silver Bayonet" by "Osprey Games", so thought that this particular pose would really suit a Champion of Faith.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - These two Austrian Grenadiers just need some shading and tidying up

The miniature was primed with a couple of layers of "Two Thin Coats" Celestial Blue, drowned in "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, and dry-brushed with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Celestial Blue. I then 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 so as to potentially break up the monotony of the rocketeer's palette a little bit. However, the colour's hue is still a little too close to the predominant colour to make all that much of a difference - especially once they've both been sploshed with the same "Citadel" Colour Shade.

Due to wanting the American flag to appear slightly different in hue to the NASA suits, I applied "Vallejo" Heavy Blue to the actual banner, and washed it with (yet more) "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, and finally dry-brushed it with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue to 'catch' the cloth's numerous folds. I did momentarily consider placing a 'Stars and Stripes" decal on it too, and then remembered how impossible it had previously been to place a tiny Soviet Star on my Russian flag-bearing Cosmonaut - so I just left things well enough alone. The astronaut's helmet visor was simply coated with some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, carefully layered with Gold, and finally washed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - This pair of British soldiers are now approximately half-way finished

With the latest addition to my American astronauts faction finished, I have managed to also find a little hobby time to make (even) more progress on two 28mm metal Napoleonic Austrians I've been pottering away at for the past few weeks. Sold by "Wargames Foundry", this pair of identical figures are from blister AN026 German Grenadiers 1805-15 Marching, and are almost complete now I've got the base layers done on their predominantly white uniform and numerous straps.

Furthermore, I've recently realised that despite previously priming and basing a quartet of sculpts from the Newark-based company's B041 Late Line Infantry Flank Company Shouldered Arms blister, I still can't field any British redcoats for any future games of "Black Powder" as I never got around to actually getting them tabletop ready. Resultantly, I've plonked the foursome at the front of my painting queue in the hope that I will at least get a couple 'ready to battle the French' before the month is over.