The Plague Is A Highly Virulent Form Of Alien Bio-Weapon."

"Once the Plague starts to spread on a colony or planet, the only way to stop it is via blockades, Deadzones and planetary isolation."

This pair of 10mm scale Plague Lords are manufactured by "Mantic Games" for their "Epic Warpath" wargame, and were produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 5 3D Printer. The STL (Standard Triangle Language) file for the figure comes as part of the company's Epic Warpath Plague Army. But I actually picked mine up as a freebie from the Nottingham-based company's current Epic Warpath - The Battle for Phrovox campaign on "My Mini Factory", and simply mirrored the pose so as to create a little variety on the battlefield.

Due to the the massive mutants actually being 25mm in height, the heavily infected duo were super-glued onto a couple of plastic 25mm circular bases, undercoated in "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand, drowned in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand. I then carefully applied a delicate dry-brush of "Two Thin Coats" White Star across the topmost ridges each miniature, before 'picking out' parts of their chitinous armour with "Vallejo" Heavy Blue.

"Artisan Guild" WIPs - This Zeek Burrower has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

These plates were later washed with "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade and dry-brushed them with a bit more "Vallejo" Heavy Blue, before I added a smidgeon of "Two Thin Coats" White Star onto the Plague Lords' teeth, layered their tongues with "Vallejo" Heavy Red over its tongue, and finally washed these areas with a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I was momentarily tempted to use some of the 2mm tall Chilli Red flock I currently use for my "Lunar" models to half-heartedly suggest the astronauts are on the planet Mars. But as I had already unconsciously coloured their bases brown, as opposed to the grey palette I use with my Martian landscape, I decided to stick with my usual green grass instead.

Alongside this foray into "Mantic Games" own miniatures, I have also been rather busy 3D printing some models with which to play the Nottingham-based company's "Kings Of War". However, rather than use their 'official' range of figures, I thought I'd make use of many of the STLs I own by "Artisan Guild". For openers I'm planning on simply fielding a small force representing the Trident Realm Of Neritica, and felt a few of the crab-like Zeek Scuttler sculpts would be nicely appropriate.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - These French soldiers have had all their metallic areas 'picked out'

For openers I've gone with a trio of Burrowers to represent a (Tidal) Swarm as the models really remind me of the Horseshoe Crab. This project really is in its infancy, yet as usual I've allowed my enthusiasm for it to get the better of me and have already got some Scuttlers (Heavy Infantry), Skirra (Siren Hero) and Scuttler Knights sat waiting for some attention on my hobby table.

Lastly, I am still managing to make some progress on a handful of Napoleonic Infantrymen by "Wargames Foundry" I actually started a considerable time ago. All of the identical soldiers come from an old FN054 - Light Infantry Chasseurs Advancing blister I found in my backlog, and I have been doggedly trying to apply my brush-tip to one area on each of them during every hobby session. Currently, I'm working on their muskets - though I have also taken the opportunity to base layer their blankets, and get their gold sabre handles and scabbard tips completed too...

"This Weapon Fires Sticky Goo In A One Inch Wide Line."

"Any units in that line are entangled."

This 32mm Soviet Cosmonaut is sold by "Black Site Studios" for their "Lunar" skirmish game, and was created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 5 3D Printer. The STL (Standard Triangle Language) file comes as part of the company's Two-Player Digital Starter Set and were actually upscaled by a smidgeon due to the sculpt appearing somewhat less bulky than the cast resin Russian astronauts I already own. 

Furthermore, the original arms holding a shotgun were carefully clipped off at different points in order to allow me to superglue an Adhesive Rifle and empty hand onto the figure. This conversion used a couple of pieces left over from my aforementioned starter box - which I'm always pleased to utilise, and provided me with a bit more variety to my Eastern Bloc force. 

"Mantic Games" WIPs - These Spectra Blademasters have been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

The Cosmonaut was placed upon a "Citadel" 30mm circular stand and primed with plenty of "Two Thin Coats" Sanguine Scarlet. It was then drenched in "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, dry-brushed with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Sanguine Scarlet and had its face-plate/firearm layered in "Citadel" Abaddon Black.  The Soviet's helmet visor was also subsequently treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Lastly, I gave the Adhesive Rifle a lick of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, before picking out its quilted carry-case in White Star by "Two Thin Coats". This area was later shaded using some heavily-watered down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and hopefully gives the impression that the tool-turned-trap can get incredibly hot whenever its in use - even on the Moon's surface.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - These Frenchmen have been base-coated with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna.

Moving over to a smaller size of 3D printing, I have begun work on a trio of 10mm scale Spectra Blademasters by "Mantic Games". Having recently fully committed to the Nottingham-based manufacturer's Epic Warpath - The Battle for Phrovox campaign on "My Mini Factory", I'm really keen to use these Asterian mechs as test pieces for the race's colour scheme, as well as trialling an attempted to pigment their force-field shields.

Finally, I'm still quite merrily picking away at four Napoleonic Infantrymen by "Wargames Foundry". My plan is to simply finish an area on the quartet each day until they are done, and am currently making progress on their muskets. Taken from blister FN054 - Light Infantry Chasseurs Advancing I may well use this approach for my future Black Powder projects, as this technique isn't too time-consuming, and also doesn't seem to make all the Frenchmen's details quite so intimidating - at least in my mind...

"Hulking Beasts With No Vestige Of Their Humanity Left."

 "These monsters charge from the front, hitting their victims with unstoppable force."

This 10mm scale Plague Lord is produced by "Mantic Games" for their "Epic Warpath" wargame, and was created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 5 3D Printer. The STL (Standard Triangle Language) file comes as part of the company's Epic Warpath Plague Army. But I actually picked mine up as a freebie from the Nottingham-based company's current Epic Warpath - The Battle for Phrovox campaign on "My Mini Factory".

The malformed monstrosity is surprisingly 25mm tall so was super-glued onto a plastic 25mm circular base, undercoated in "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand, drowned in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand. I then carefully applied a delicate dry-brush of "Two Thin Coats" White Star across the topmost ridges of the figure, before 'picking out' some of its chitinous armour with "Vallejo" Heavy Blue.

"Ammo is a precious resource on the Moon."

To be honest I wasn't exactly sold on this 'official' colour scheme. But having subsequently shaded the plates with "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade and dry-brushed them with a bit more "Vallejo" Heavy Blue I thought the contrast looked really good. Lastly, I dabbed a little White Star by "Two Thin Coats" across the Plague Lord's teeth, a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Red over its tongue, and washed both areas with a smidgeon of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Sticking with 3D printing, I've also completed another 32mm Soviet Cosmonaut by "Black Site Studios". The STL (Standard Triangle Language) file is from the company's Two-Player Digital Starter Set and was slightly upscaled by 1% due to the sculpt appearing to be a bit more slender in its proportions than the cast resin Eastern Bloc astronauts I already own.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Three of four Napoleonic Frenchmen currently being worked on

As with all my Russian spacemen, the miniature was primed with plenty of "Two Thin Coats" Sanguine Scarlet, drenched in "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, and dry-brushed with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Sanguine Scarlet. The Communist's helmet visor was later treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Whilst his firearm was 'picked out' with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

Lastly, I have finally started making some in-roads on four Napoleonic Infantrymen by "Wargames Foundry". I was originally planning on simply bolstering my Austrian contingent this month. But time is already somewhat short, and this quartet taken from the manufacturer's FN054 - Light Infantry Chasseurs Advancing blister were already started just over a year ago - so shouldn't take that long to finish as I dab away at them piece by piece...

“Warfare" Showcase 2025

"Warfare is one of the largest [annual wargames show] in the country."

Having regretfully missed "Colours" a couple of months ago due to an unforgivable double-booking in my social calendar, I was thoroughly looking forward to visiting this year's annual "Warfare" wargaming show at the Farnborough International Exhibition Centre, and - apart from my SatNav inexplicably deciding to divert me off of the motorway and through central Basingstoke only to put me straight back onto the motorway I had just left (!?!) - I got to the venue with plenty of time before the event actually opened.

Indeed, the directions supplied on the Wargames Association of Reading (WAR) website were absolutely spot on, and I was quickly able to park, purchase a coffee and sit down in the warm without any stress of queuing. One thing which did irk me though was the incredibly short wrist band I was told I had to wear at all times. The damn thing barely fitted, and I noticed a few more corpulent comrades-in-arms having to have it stuck to their coats like a lengthy medal ribbon. Perhaps unsurprisingly mine soon started falling off my hand too, so eventually I just plonked it in my jacket's top pocket for safekeeping.

Some of the tempting figures and vehicles on display by "Spectre Miniatures" 

This year my plan was to most definitely have a thorough walk around before making any impulse buys, so after exchanging some pleasantries with Karl ("Crooked Dice Game Design Studio") and Leon ("Pendraken Miniatures"), I began making my way along the Main Hall. These days I always try to ensure I visit everyone by double-checking with the floorplan that you get upon entry. However, for some reason WAR weren't handing out these terribly useful pamphlets this year, so I simply kept walking around and around until I was absolutely certain I had seen everything - as well as double-checking the extremely colourful layout on their website.

One of the first traders to really catch my attention was "Spectre Miniatures", who had a couple of marvellous displays at their booth. I had been hoping that they had brought some "Lunar" blisters by "Black Site Studios" with them, as they're the U.K. stockist for the American company. But sadly they hadn't, so instead I ended up chatting to them about how many of the metal figures from their first "Kickstarter" in May 2014 were now highly sought after as the moulds had long gone - time for me to dig out my untouched sets from somewhere in the loft methinks.!!

The fantastic looking Dungeon Builder by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio"

I also spent some time contemplating the "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" Dungeon Builder - which frankly looked absolutely superb on their display stand. The big conundrum for me was whether to pick up some of the actual physical sets, or buy the STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from "My Mini Factory" for my 3D printer. In the end I plumbed for the second option as the ever prodigious Mister Perrotton explained he'd used both resin and PLA (Polylactic Acid) to produce the well-painted pieces before me.

Having promised myself no sudden purchases, I did wilt when it came to "The Dice Miners" who were selling an incredibly useful set of dice for "Magic The Gathering". Now admittedly, these aren't really dice you roll during the game. However, they are designed to remind players as to status changes to their Creatures attack/defence statistics when affected by an Enchantment or Instant cards, and seemed a little more eye-catching than the tiny cardboard tokens I ordinarily use.

"Tribal Conquest" by "Nervosa Games", and some MTG dice by "The Dice Miners"

One of the trends which was definitely noticeable was the number of 3D printers selling their wares across the two vendor halls. Whether it be an absolute ton of different Daleks from "Doctor Who", a plethora of prehistoric monsters or numerous armoured vehicles at all different scales, this production method is clearly fast becoming the 'in-thing' for many a wargamer. In fact, one of the hottest products I saw others carrying around were various bits of post-apocalyptic terrain for "Trench Crusade".

The biggest highlight of the show though, for me at least, was getting a quick game in of "Tribal Conquest" by "Nervosa Games" just before I departed. Now I really don't need to start learning a new skirmish game, or begin painting an entire fresh range of miniatures, so I was sort of hoping I wouldn't get too sucked into the fight. Unfortunately, that simply was not the case, as I quickly fell for the quirky mechanics employed during my fast-paced clash of Stone Age tribes, and delighted in whittling down my opponents with a flaming coconut or lightning bolt...

"The Heavy Cruiser Is One Of The Few Starfleet Ship Designs..."

"...To have more than two nacelles."

This Terran C-6 Heavy Cruiser was created using some "Bambu Lab" Matt White PLA (Polylactic Acid) on an A1 Mini 3D Printer, and can be purchased as an STL (Standard Triangle Language) file by "Fat Dragon Games" as part of the company's "Battlefront Valkyrie" Starter Set. The multi-piece starship has been printed using a 0.2mm nozzle, with a 0.1mm layer height in order to minimise any striation lines on the finished model.

Quite interestingly the vessel also comes with a rig STL, which allows you to produce a docking bay of sorts that helps line up the spacecraft's rearmost engine with the hull. Unfortunately, I ended up originally placing my vessel's third warp nacelle back to front, so had to literally tear it off from its support to place it the right way round. Considering how quickly super-glue sets when using PLA this 'manoeuvre' caused quite a bit of damage to the 3D print, so I ended up attaching the piece in line with its fellow engines (as opposed to being a little behind them) so as to cover up my misdemeanour.

"Mantic Games" WIPs - These Plague Lords are having their blue armour 'picked out'

Happily, I don't think my error is too noticeable, even if you look underneath the spacecraft, and will either represent a prototype/refitted Heavy Cruiser, or perhaps a Federation-class dreadnought in my games. The mistake did though rather drastically dampen my enthusiasm for the range, and coupled with my recent preference for resin 3D printing over PLA, has caused my entire (not) "Star Trek" starship project to come to a rather abrupt halt - at least until now that is.

Like all of my other Terran vessels, the miniature was undercoated using a couple of licks of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then patiently dry-brushed it with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, before 'picking out' all three of the warp nacelles on its propulsion units with a combination of "Scale 75" White Alchemy and "Citadel" Talassar Blue.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This Centurion has been base-layered, shaded and dry-brushed

Alongside my U.S.S. Federation I have continued to dabble with a trio of 10mm scale Plague Lords by "Mantic Games". I'm still currently in two minds as to whether I will support the Nottingham-based manufacturer's "Epic Warpath" Campaign on "My Mini Factory". But these fun little STLs are certainly swaying me, and I hope to also pigment a couple of Enforcer and Asterian test pieces too before I need to come to a decision.

Lastly, I've finally assembled the Centurion in MKII power armour that comes inside the "Warhammer: The Horus Heresy – Saturnine" boxed set by "Games Workshop". Frankly, this was an absolute nightmare (not of my making) to assemble, and in the end I had to resort to relocating the model's Servo-skull simply to provide the space marine's back standard with some much-needed stability...

"The British Infantry Was The Only Military Force..."

"...Not to suffer a major reverse at the hands of Napoleonic France."

This 28mm scale metal model of a Napoleonic British Grenadier is sold by “Wargames Foundry", and can be purchased as part of their B041 Late Line Infantry Flank Company Shouldered Arms set. The miniature is one of eight identical soldiers sculpted by Michael and Alan Perry, and due to a combination of its somewhat complicated detail and predominantly white/red colour scheme has actually taken well over a year to finally complete.

The 'Redcoat' was undercoated using plenty of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before having his trousers and any straps pigmented in "Two Thin Coats" White Star. These areas were then shaded using some heavily watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade in an effort to 'weather' all the cloth and leatherwork.

"During the course of the wars against Napoleon, the British armed forces were expanded by subsequent Acts of Parliament."

I also wanted to have the model represent a British unit which had red facings in order to help keep my palette simple, so using my limited research chose to make the Grenadier a member of the 33rd "Wellington's Own" Regiment of Foot. This allowed me to paint the entirety of the model's jacket in "Vallejo" Heavy Red, and then wash his coat with (more) heavily-watered down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Furthermore I applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and "Citadel" Drakehnof Nightshade to the miniature's water bottle, and a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to the soldier's bag. Lastly, I used a little "Vallejo" Neutral Grey on the miniature's blanket, and later darkened it down with a splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Mantic Games" WIPs - A trio of Plague Lords at various stages of completion

With my tiny unit of British Grenadiers now completed for "Black Powder", I have temporarily moved on to a subject/genre hopefully far less time-consuming in the shape of three 10mm scale Plague Lords by "Mantic Games". The STL (Standard Triangle Language) file for the model was sent to me for free by the Nottingham-based manufacturer as part of their "Epic Warpath" Pre Campaign Bonus on "My Mini Factory", and may well form the start of a Plague army should I succumb to temptation and purchase "The Battle for Phrovox" All In Pledge.

For now though I simply want to see how the creature paints up, so have actually produced a trio of the sculpt in "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin using my Mars 5 3D Printer - including one which is a mirror image of the original pose. I must confess to being extremely impressed with how well the miniatures look, and hope to get both them, as well as some other test figures for the Enforcers and Asterians, before the "Epic Warpath" Campaign concludes in a couple of weeks time...

"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...