Thursday, 6 November 2025

"The U.S. Space Program..."

 "...Grew out of the ashes of World War Two."

This 32mm NASA Astronaut is produced by "Black Site Studios" for their "Lunar" skirmish game, and was created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer. The STL (Standard Triangle Language) file comes as part of the company's Two-Player Digital Starter Set and represents the American faction's commander. carrying a Markam S11 pistol.

The spaceman was super-glued onto a "Citadel" 30mm circular stand, primed using "Two Thin Coats" Celestial Blue, drenched 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 in order to slightly break up the monotony of the rocketeer's palette a little bit.

"Fat Dragon Games" WIPs - This Terran C-6 Heavy Cruiser is slowly being shaded

The astronaut's hand-weapon was simply based coated with Citadel "Abaddon Black", layered in "Vallejo" Gunmetal and later washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst his somewhat futuristically-shaped helmet visor was given a base layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. This area was subsequently treated to some "Vallejo" Gold, plenty of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and a final lick of (more) "Vallejo" Gold.

As I was planning on using this model as my U.S.A. force's leader, I thought I'd take advantage of his differently designed helmet by applying a couple of brush-tips full of White Star by "Two Thin Coats" across its top, and subsequently shading the area with some heavily watered down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. This probably wouldn't be the best of ideas in an actual fire-fight on the moon's surface. However, it should certainly make the gaming piece visible on the tabletop.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - This British Grenadier is being painted from the boots up

Alongside my latest "Lunar" miniature I have also been working on a Terran C-6 Heavy Cruiser by "Fat Dragon Games". Created using some "Bambu Lab" Matt White PLA (Polylactic Acid) on an A1 Mini 3D Printer this multi-piece starship caused me a few issues whilst initially assembling it - due to user error - so has been sat gathering dust for while with nothing but a "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey undercoat covering it.

In addition, I am close to completing the last of my tiny, four-man unit of British Grenadiers using figures taken from the "Wargames Foundry" blister B041 Late Line Infantry Flank Company Shouldered Arms. This remaining model still has a few details which require 'picking out' and shading. But now I've had my enthusiasm for all things Black Powder re-energised by Mike Lambo's solitaire wargame "Battles Of Napoleonic Europe", should be finished soon enough...

6 comments:

  1. Love the NASA astronauts!
    Really great minis. Have to try 'Lunar' someday!

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    1. Thanks Michal. They are great figures, imho - and the fact that so many are available this side of the Pond as STL files makes them easy to access without the high postage costs from the US.

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  2. Excellent work on your Astronaut commander Simon, totally agree making yourself stand out on the battlefield would make no sense, but makes it easier on the gaming table ! LOL Nice progress on the ship and grenadier.

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    1. Cheers Dave. I wasn't expecting so different a spacesuit design as this figure wears in the STL set, so was delighted to see him. I might print up a couple more and convert them as his personal bodyguards - so keep their helmets pure blue.

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  3. Definitely my favourite astronaut to date and I think the white helmet detail has really made him stand out. Fantastic job!
    Back to your starships again? Always nice to see and coming along well.

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    1. Thanks Undercoat. I agree, it's the best of the astronaut designs to date. The starship is from the original batch I printed in the summer. But my error with its assembly meant that I put it aside until now - as I was a bit grumpy with myself over it.

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