(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Black Site Studios" November 2025

"Pits rival crews of astronauts against one another as they struggle for control over the precious resources of Earth's moon."

With my "Elegoo" Mars 5 3D printer currently churning out all manner of miniatures using water washable resin, I felt it might be prudent to continue painting a load of "Lunar" models by "Black Site Studios" for the next four weeks, rather than move on to another project instead. In fact, I've even gone so far as to dig out the resin cast/plastic kits I bought from the America-based manufacturer's UK stockist "Spectre Miniatures" in November 2024 - so fully intend to have some members of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), a handful of R.O.C Taikonauts, and a fair few Freelancers before the month is finished.

In addition, I'm hoping to get elbow-deep in Trench Crusade by getting a good dozen or so STL (Standard Triangle Language) files printed/pigmented by "Trench Stench" ready for the tabletop. I don't admittedly know a lot about the different factions for during this skirmish game's alternate World War One timeline. But having subscribed to the company's Tribe on My Mini Factory, I have already acquired enough sculpts to field two noticeably distinct factions.

"Black Site Studios" WIPs - These three astronauts have been undercoated and shaded

Furthermore, I couldn't resist the recent "Penance 1914" Kickstarter campaign by "Westfalia Publishing", which consists of plenty more "32mm Weird War Miniatures for Games in Nomansland." Amongst all the numerous Sisters of Mercy, Nomansland Crusaders, and Macabees are some Wild West-flavoured Gunslingers and Desperados which will quickly find themselves on my Mars 5 3D printer's plate just as soon as I receive my pledge.

Lastly, I have not forgotten I'm a bit behind with my Napoleonic project plans for the year, so fully intend to complete not only the one remaining British Grenadier I have partly-pigmented. But also at least four more Austrian fusiliers. To help spur me on with this particular target using "Wargames Foundry" figures, I have purchased a copy of Mike Lambo's "Battles of Napoleonic Europe: A Solitaire Wargame", and fully intend to play out some of its scenarios using my 28mm metal miniatures using my old Hexon - Hex Terrain by "Kallistra Limited".

October 2025 - No change with "Wargames Foundry" still in top spot

Despite something of a spurt towards the end of last month, there is no doubt that I didn't produce anywhere near as many freshly-painted models during October as I had hoped. However, I did manage to 'kick-start' my previously abandoned plans for my "Lunar" backlog - even if by doing so I actually ended up producing more miniatures than I actually had when I first fell for the range back in September 2024.

I also intend to visit the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre in a couple of weeks time for "Warfare 2025", and will undoubtedly end up purchasing (as well as potentially pigmenting) a few surprise items from that event. In fact, as far as my hobby mojo goes, nothing can beat a good, inspiring wargaming show to ramp up my enthusiasm to do a fair few lengthy hobby sessions - especially if the subject matter is one which I've only just discovered - such as last year's Apocalypse Survivors by "Athena Miniatures"...