"You Sure Don't Look Like An Iguana."

“We are not on your planet now. We are on mine.”

This 28mm metal model is manufactured by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" and can be purchased either as part of the four-figure SKU: DEAL 339 Resistance Fighters, or separately as SKU: MINI 1190. A "news cameraman at the time of the First Invasion", this miniature has clearly inspired by Marc Singer's character, Mike Donovan, in Kenneth Johnson's 1983 American science-fiction television miniseries "V".

"One of the leaders of the Visitor Resistance", "Gooder" was initially undercoated using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, before having his trousers base layered in "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and later sploshed with some heavily-watered down "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade so as to provide him with the illusion of wearing faded jeans.

"Resisting the Alien Invaders are this ragtag group of freedom fighters."

I next applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna to the central part of the figure's two-tone jacket and Heavy Brown to its sleeves. The entire coat was subsequently shaded in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and then both the torso and sleeves were dry-brushed with their previous base colour. One of the last areas I tackled was the journalist's famous video camera, which was treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

Following a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal, I then carefully tried to 'block back out' the predominantly plastic parts of the optical instrument with some "Citadel" Abaddon Black. Finally, I used my regular recipe of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone, "Citadel" Reikland Fleshtone", and (extra) "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone to highlight the nose, lips and cheeks, on the model's face.

"Black Tree Design" WIPs - Sea Devils undercoated in a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black & Verdigris

With one of my last contributions to the Fourteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) completed, including an additional bonus 20-points for tying my entry in with the Challenge Library's Romance section (alongside a previously posted [not] Juliet Parrish Freedom Fighter I have pigmented), I have started working on nine more Sea Devils by "Black Tree Design" I recently discovered in a drawer. The majority of these classic "Doctor Who" monsters come from the company's seven-figure set DW1015 - Sea Devils, and should slowly be brought up to tabletop standard over the next ten days.

Indeed, I plan to use the miniatures as (yet another) experiment in overcoming my loathing for batch-painting - so everyday I'll just work on applying a layer here or dabble with an area there, before focusing on some of the other models I have on my painting desk. This might well seem like a long-winded affair. But as I've never been able to properly knuckle down to a factory conveyor-belt like process before, thus I'm hoping that this might work out better than some of my other attempts...

This posting and many others can now be viewed on the main "Fantorical" website.

"The Adder Is The Standard Light Ground Vehicle For The Muster."

"It typically has a crew of two and is capable of dealing with low level threats."

This resin and metal multi-part 15mm scale Orange Adder Combat Car is by “Alternative Armies” and can be purchased as Pack Code IAF035D from the company’s "The Ion Age" range. Approximately 45mm long, 35mm wide and about 25mm tall, the infantry support variant comes armed with "a 50mm Grenade Launcher in a turret mount", and is actually one of company's somewhat roughly-hewn older castings - which have since been replaced with an update model using their "improved production technique."

Ordinarily, I super-glue these sorts of vehicles directly onto a Large "Flames Of War" plastic rectangular base by "Battlefront Miniatures". However, as I wanted to ensure the bottom of the car was pigmented without the need for my brush-tip to perform some supernatural contortionist act, I first gave the underside a generous application of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black, "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, "Vallejo" Dark Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"The Myrka's in corridor seven."

Once this stage was completed and dry, I then permanently attached the Orange Adder to its stand, and slapped the entire vehicle in "Vallejo" Dark Grey, sploshed it with "Citadel" Nuln Oil" and lastly dry-brushed it using (more) "Vallejo" Dark Grey. I next 'picked out' all of its wheel trims, any visible/reachable undercarriage or axels, as well as its main weapon with a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal" and "Citadel" Nuln Oil". Before carefully applying some "Two Thin Coats" White Star and "Vallejo" Pale Grey to any lights I could see.

Alongside one of my last entries into the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), I have also finished and submitted a second Myrka by "Black Tree Design" into the event. Measuring an impressive 46mm in length, this reptilian creature can be bought as Code DW509 Myrka from the manufacturer's "Doctor Who" miniatures range, and first appeared in Johnny Byrne's January 1984 BBC Television story "Warriors Of The Deep".

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - These four Uranian Guards are being painted from the feet up

Easily able to destroy any probes Sea Base Four sent out in the year 2084, the beast was super-glued onto a "Citadel" 75 x 42mm oval base, primed with two coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Green, and drenched in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. It was then dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Green, in order to roughly highlight its "strange kelp-like growths", washed with plenty of "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green, and lastly treated to a second (and final) dry-brush of "Vallejo" Heavy Green.

With this month's plan to get a fair few of my "Rick Rhodes" range miniatures by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" completed already somewhat behind schedule, I have made a little progress on four Uranian Royal Guard. Sculpted by Ernst Veingart these marvellous models have clearly been inspired by the execution squad seen escorting the titular character to his supposed death in the classic 1980 film "Flash Gordon", and will hopefully be the start of a series of colourfully-costumed minions from that movie...

"I Must Get Back To The Doctor And Report To Him."

"There was a mechanical monster. And it moved, it just killed someone."

This 28mm metal single-cast figure is sold by by "Black Tree Design" and is available as Code DW151 - Ben from their "Doctor Who" miniatures range. Sculpted to represent "an able seaman on a shore posting", the miniature is clearly based upon the First and Second Doctors' companion Ben Jackson, who initially appeared in Ian Stuart Black's 1966 BBC Television story "The War Machines".

Originally primed using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, the Royal Navy sailor was subsequently heavily dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and given a healthy dose of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then painted his trousers with a lick of "Two Thin Coats" Marine Blue, and darkened them down with a solid sploshing of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Lastly, I gave the pants some rough highlights by dry-brushing (more) Marine Blue by "Two Thin Coats" across the clothing's folds.

"Black Tree Design" WIPs - Whilst painting these Sea Devils I've noticed one is missing their right head-fin

With the basics completed I dabbed some "Vallejo" Gold onto the buttons of Ben's duffle-coat, before carefully applying some "Two Thin Coats" White Star and "Vallejo" Pale Grey to the top of his cap. At this stage I did also consider providing actor Michael Craze's character with some sort of jumper, as the 'official' paint-job appeared to show one poking out from under the top of his heavy coat. However, the figure itself didn't look as if it had any such garment on, so I simply stuck with the open neck look - which is actually how the time traveller appears on the small screen.

Considering that Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, the rest of His Majesty's Naval Base, the D-Day Museum and the Explosion Museum of Naval Firepower are all local, I had thought this vintage (Sixties) sailor would be perfectly eligible for the Fourteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) and its Challenge Library's Local History section. However, my scoring minion felt it somehow didn't meet the criteria of being "something from the history of your own land, region or town", so frustratingly decided not to award me the twenty bonus points.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - This Marsh Beast has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

Despite this disappointing blow to my AHPC plans, I have continued 'cracking on' with the five "Black Tree Design" Sea Devils I intend to add to my flourishing Reptilia Sapiens force. Having spent a session patiently applying some highlights upon the quintet's webbed feet, three-clawed hands, and prominent head-fins, as well as working on their blasters and eyeballs, I now only need to tidy up their fishnet clothing before they'll be ready for a coat of "Vallejo" Matt Varnish.

Sticking with science-fiction, though moving on to "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio", I've made some significant in-roads on the Lincolnshire-based company's fair-sized Marsh Beast. This multi-piece resin kit is clearly inspired by the Arborian Swamp Creature from the cult 1980 film "Flash Gordon", and should prove a fairly straightforward mini-project to complete now I've finished pigmenting the bulk of the brute...

"Move The M-16 Or I'll Make You Eat It."

"You make it back safely and I'll tell you the story of my life."

This 28mm metal model is manufactured by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" and can be purchased either as part of the four-figure SKU: DEAL 339 Resistance Fighters, or separately as SKU: MINI 1191. A former CIA operative who "went on specially requested missions for the U.S. government into other countries", this miniature has clearly inspired by Michael Ironside's character, Ham Tyler, in Brian Taggert and Peggy Goldman's 1984 teleplay for "V: The Final Battle".

Helping to form the W.L.F. (World Liberation Front), as well as "develop the ammo that could cut through the Visitor armour", Tyler was originally primed using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, before being layered in "Citadel" Abaddon Black, enthusiastically dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, and shaded with plenty of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then gave the figure's pants a lick of "Two Thin Coats" Marine Blue and darkened it down with (more) "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - These Volgan Yaks have been dry-brushed and then shaded with a Speed Paint

I did actually consider dry-brushing Ham's trousers with some Marine Blue by "Two Thin Coats so as to act as a 'quick and dirty' highlight. However, I actually thought they looked suitably dark (for night-time raids upon the alien's facilities) as they were so ultimately left them well enough alone. In addition, this short-cut allowed me to spend a little more time on the mercenary's watch-face, firearm and hair, so these different areas were appropriately given a coat of "Two Thin Coats" White Star, "Vallejo" Gunmetal and Heavy Sienna, and then later washed with either "Citadel" Nuln Oil or Agrax Earthshade as needed.

With my latest entry into the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) completed, I have turned my attention back to two 28mm resin Volgan Yaks I pre-ordered from "Warlord Games" late last year. This pair of killer robots have now been dry-brushed with (more) "Two Thin Coast" Sir Coates Silver, and sploshed in Algae Green by "The Army Painter".

"Black Tree Design" WIPs - Three Sea Devils at various stages of completion

I'm actually hoping to use this particular Speed Paint as the central colour for all my Volgan forces, and have been pretty happy with the metallic effect it creates when applied over the top of a predominantly silver-looking miniature. There is however, clearly a skill yet to be mastered in getting the "highly saturated and specially designed paint" precisely where it needs to go within a short time limit. But I'm hoping to be able to cover any mistakes with some weathering whenever the need arises.

Alongside these "war droids with [a] powerful flight capability", I've also made some considerable progress on five classic Sea Devils from the "Doctor Who" range by "Black Tree Design". I still need to finish all the maritime monsters' hand guns, 'dot their eyes' and tidy up the creatures' fish-net clothing. But hopefully they'll soon be table-top ready, and allow me to move on to seven more Aquatic Silurians - who will form a force of shock troops for my ever-expanding force of Reptilia sapiens...

This posting and many others can now be viewed on the main "Fantorical" website.

"You Can't Win A War If You're Extinct!"

"We're not fighting the same war anymore."

This 28mm metal model is manufactured by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" and can be purchased either as part of the four-figure SKU: DEAL 339 Resistance Fighters, or separately as SKU: MINI 1192. A "fourth-year medical student and protégé of Doctor Rudolph Metz", this miniature has clearly inspired by Faye Grant's character, Juliet Parrish, in Kenneth Johnson's 1983 American science-fiction television miniseries "V".

The founder of the Resistance in Los Angeles, Parrish was initially undercoated using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, before being layered in "Citadel" Abaddon Black and enthusiastically dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal. I then applied plenty of "Citadel" Nuln Oil to her jumper, before re-applying some lines of "Citadel" Abaddon Black to her gun holster and shoulder-strap so as to slightly contrast them with her slightly shadowed clothing.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - These Volgan Yaks have been shaded with "Two Thin Coats" Oblivion Black Wash

In addition I simply 'picked out' Juliet's trousers using a combination of Cold Corpse Blue by "Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. To try and capture a likeness of actress Faye Grant's hair colour I also used some Skulker Yellow by "Two Thin Coats" on her locks, and darkened them down with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. Finally, I gave them a quick dry-brush with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow.

With my latest entry into the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) completed, I have turned my attention back to the two 28mm resin Volgan Yaks I recently received from "Warlord Games". My plan for these fearsome flyers is to utilise their silver paint-job as a zenithal highlight and then splosh them in Algae Green speed paint by "The Army Painter".

"Black Tree Design" WIPs - A Victorian Policeman and two different Sea Devils

I haven't used any of these "revolutionary all-in-one" pigments before personally. But saw a Sonic Sledgehammer Studio video on "You Tube" where he used them, and thought the colour was spot-on for that of the comic book "fascist Russian government" robots. Unfortunately, what I have also noticed though is that I've super-glued the legs on my PPRK Burp Gun carrier the wrong-way round - and they aren't going to budge any time soon sadly, even with the sharpest of modelling knives.

Alongside my "A.B.C. Warriors" (or rather their hated opponents), I've also been progressing some more "Doctor Who" figures by "Black Tree Design". I'm planning on bringing this current sojourn into my backlog of the Penzance-based company's science-fiction sculpts to a end soon, so I can focus on other piles of potential. However, I still have a good score of miniatures I aim to complete now I've started putting my brush to them...

This posting and many others can now be viewed on the main "Fantorical" website.

"My Father Gave Me A Small Loan Of A Million Dollars."

"It has not been easy for me."

This 28mm scale resin model of 'Donald Trump plummeting to a thermonuclear death' was produced by "Red Star Coven" and could be purchased as Donald Loves the Bomb from their Masters Of War range. Sculpted by Darren Edwards, I picked up this two-piece kit of the former President of the United States just over three years ago, and am sad to report that it is now Out Of Production (OOP).

Despite coming with a plastic flying stand, this figure was always destined to be a statue of the controversial politician in my mind, so I also purchased a resin plinth from an "eBay" seller to use as a pedestal, and super-glued the podium to a plastic 65mm circular base. The stone plinth was then primed using a couple of coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey.

"Black Tree Design" WIPs - A Sea Devil, Ben Jackson and a Victorian Policeman

Once the basics were finished I took the opportunity to 'pick out' rostrum's metal plate with a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Gunmetal" and (another) dose of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Finally, I finished off the plinth with some strategically placed trickles of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and Biel-Tan Green, before giving it a last, light dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey.

With the pedestal finished, I super-glued the "media personality" to the bomb (which was much easier said than done, as the businessman didn't fit at all snuggly upon his ride), and applied two layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna to the ensemble. I then layered him with "Vallejo" Bronze. washed the model with “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade, before giving the Republican a dry-brush using (more) “Vallejo” Bronze.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - These Volgan Yaks has been primed and base-coated

To help weather the statue, I subsequently applied various amounts of “Citadel” Nihilakh Oxide in between the sculpt's joints and ridges. These areas were later roughly blended back in with the rest of Donald and the bomb using a (third) dry-brush of “Vallejo” Bronze. Lastly, I drilled a deep hole in my podium and used a piece of an old broken plastic spear shaft (taken from an old "Wild West Exodus" Viridian Alpha figure) to attach the ex-President to it.

With my latest contribution to the Fourteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) completed, including an additional bonus 20-points for tying my entry in with the Challenge Library's Famous Person section, I have continued working on some more miniatures bought from the "Doctor Who" range of "Black Tree Design". In addition, I have put together and based a pair of Volgan Yaks by "Warlord Games", which I luckily got sent for free when I purchased the Nottingham-based company's "A.B.C. Warriors" All In Launch Collection...

This posting and many others can now be viewed on the main "Fantorical" website.

"I'm Afraid The Myrka Takes Quite A Lot To Impress."

"The creature's in, sir, and our weapons are useless against it."

This 46mm long metal miniature of a "large species of reptile used by the Silurians for heavy backup in times of war" is produced by “Black Tree Design", and can be bought as Code DW509 Myrka from the manufacturer's "Doctor Who" miniatures range. A 'modified descendant of a unique species of dinosaur', the deep-sea creature first appeared in Johnny Byrne's January 1984 BBC Television story "Warriors Of The Deep" and was only finished "about an hour before it was scheduled to be used" by its two puppeteers on set.

The Myrka was first super-glued onto a "Citadel" 75 x 42mm oval base, primed with two coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Green, and drenched in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. It was then heavily dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Green, so as to bring out the detail of its thick, rubbery skin and "large webbed feet", before being washed with plenty of "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green.

"Black Tree Design" WIPs - These Sea Devils are slowly having their flesh 'picked out'

Described by very unhappy Byrne as a "four-legged beast on loan from Panto-Horses-Are-Us", the hefty model was treated to a second (and final) dry-brush of "Vallejo" Heavy Green, before having its "wide, pale eyes" 'picked out' using a combination of White Star by "Two Thin Coats" and "Vallejo" Pale Grey. Finally, the reptiles' base was gritted with fine modelling sand, undercoated in "Citadel" Abaddon Black, dry-brushed in Doombull Brown and Rakarth Flesh, and subsequently washed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

With my latest contribution to the Fourteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) completed, including an additional bonus 20-points for tying my entry in with the Challenge Library's Maritime section - despite my minions doubts as to its eligibility, I've also managed to 'crack on' with five "Black Tree Design" Sea Devils. These figures come in two poses, and are just a few of many Reptillia Sapiens I have discovered which I aim to get pigmented before the AHPC concludes in March.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - Howard Quartz has been primed, base-coated, shaded and dry-brushed

Furthermore, I'm rather pleased to have finally got my hands on "Warlord Games" All In Launch Collection of their "A.B.C. Warriors" tabletop game. To be perfectly honest I'd ordinarily rip such a delivery wide open, assemble a load of its miniatures, and then frustratingly shelve the entire undertaking as I increasingly became overwhelmed by the magnitude of the unpainted figures before me. This time round though, I aim to do things a little differently, by simply working on a lone figure or two in between my other planned projects.

To that end I have just based the deal's Howard Quartz 'Mr Ten per cent' special sculpt, and intend to complete Ro-Busters' owner before opening another blister or box. Of course, the Nottingham-based company have just announced the pre-order for this range's second wave, so I might have to push myself to get the likes of Mongrol, Blackblood and Hammerstein finished within the next couple of months, simply so I can justify to myself the purchase of these upcoming additional models...

This posting and many others can now be viewed on the main "Fantorical" website.

"In Future, Refer All Decisions To Your Masters."

"Do not resist orders."

This pair of 28mm metal single-piece figures are produced by "Black Tree Design" and are available as Code DW127 Roboman from their "Doctor Who" miniatures range. Sculpted with a slightly different pose to that of the Penzance-based company's Roboman Guard model, the miniatures are based upon the Daleks' mindless minions from Terry Nation's November 1964 BBC Television six-episode story "The Dalek Invasion of Earth".

Initially primed using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, the two "surgically-modified humans" were heavily dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and drenched in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then worked on their trousers, using a base layer of either "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna or Heavy Brown. The pants were subsequently shaded using some "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and roughly highlighted using a careful dry-brush of their original base layer colour.

"Black Tree Design" WIPs - Ben Jackson is having all his details 'picked out'

The "surgically modified captives" later had both their clunky headsets and machine-guns 'picked out' with "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst their shirts received a lick of White Star by Duncan Rhodes' "Two Thin Coats", a dash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to dirty them up, and finally a highlight of (more) "Two Thin Coats" White Star.

With my latest contribution to the Fourteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) completed, I have now begun working on a figure of First and Second Doctor's companion, Ben Jackson. Surprisingly, despite owning a number of the Time Lord's assistants sold by "Black Tree Design", I haven't actually pigmented all that many of them. So thought I'd start to make amends with that oversight by getting the sailor tabletop ready in short order.

"Alternative Armies" WIPs - This Orange Adder Combat Car has been primed. shaded and dry-brushed

Furthermore, I've managed to get cracking on an old 15mm Orange Adder Combat Car by "Alternative Armies". The detail to this predominantly resin vehicle is a little 'rough around the edges' when compared to how the much sharper kit is manufactured these days using their "improved production technique." But it should still provide a worthy addition to my (not) Imperial Guard mobile armour attachment.

I'm really enjoying working my way through my backlog from "The Ion Age" range, and certainly don't see myself stopping any time soon. Indeed, I've dusted down some more Retained Knights which I had previously started working on a few years ago, and hope to add them to my (not) Crimson Fist Space Marine Chapter within the next few weeks...

This posting and many others can now be viewed on the main "Fantorical" website.

"Yeah, But Look At You, Brother."

"You a wreck! Man, you gotta learn."

This 28mm metal model is manufactured by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" and can be purchased either as part of the four-figure SKU: DEAL 339 Resistance Fighters, or separately as SKU: MINI 1193. Originally "a street thug and drug dealer", this miniature has clearly inspired by Michael Wright's character, Elias Taylor, in Kenneth Johnson's 1983 American science-fiction television miniseries "V".

"An influential member of the black market", the "petty thief" was initially primed using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, before being dry-brushed in “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then applied some "Vallejo" Charred Brown to his trousers, washed them with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and finally dry-brushed the pants with (more) "Vallejo" Charred Brown.

"Black Tree Design" WIPs - This Myrka has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

"Part of the Resistance assault team that stormed the Visitor Mothership in orbit above Los Angeles", I later gave the model a coat of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna on his face and hands, before these areas were shaded with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and highlighted back up with a touch or two more "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. Finally, his automatic rifle was 'picked out' using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

In addition to my latest entry into the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), I have continued working on my monstrous backlog of "Doctor Who" figures by "Black Tree Design". One of my current aims is to make a dent in a number of various "Reptillia Sapiens" sculpts I purchased from the Penzance-based company way back in March 2019, including a hefty metal Myrka (or two).

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - This Arena Beast has been undercoated, shaded and dry-brushed

I actually pigmented one of these big fellows almost four years ago, so have been patiently repeating the self-same recipe I used back then as best as I can. Once completed, I'll hopefully be able to move on to some of the samurai-looking Sea Devil warriors which accompanied the deep-sea beast, as I potentially seem to own at least fifteen members of Commander Sauvix's Elite Group One.

Lastly, I've made some modest in-roads on a multi-part Arena Beast by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". This brutish hulk should work quite nicely for my burgeoning "Flash Gordon" project as some sort of man-eating pet belonging to the Emperor Ming; albeit, having finished the basic bulk of my dry-brushing on the model, I now fancy adding some extra colour to its face and limbs before I begin 'picking out' all its teeth and claws...

"The Origins Of The Dark Angels Remain Shrouded In Mystery."

"Few Imperial records of the Chapter's beginnings still exist."

This 15mm scale Orange Adder Combat Lifter is sold by “Alternative Armies” and can be purchased as Pack Code IAF036D from the company’s "The Ion Age" range. Supplied as a multi-piece metal and resin vehicle, it carries a Hermit Grenade Launcher, and is approximately 60mm long, 30mm wide and 25mm tall.

The model was super-glued on to a large-sized plastic "Flames Of War" stand by “Battlefront Miniatures”, and was primed in "Vallejo" Dark Green in order to be the start of a new (not) Dark Angels army. "Used for a variety of purposes and in many variants", the automobile was then enthusiastically drowned in “Citadel” Nuln Oil, before receiving a heavy dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Dark Green using a soft-bristled make-up brush.

"Nor are there many mentions of the part it played in the Emperor's Great Crusade."

I next applied some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the Combat Lifter's flexible skirt, side panel/window, rear vents, front headlamp frames and big gun. Some of these areas were subsequently 'picked out' using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. In addition, I used a dollop of "Two Thin Coats" White Star and a wash of "Vallejo" Pale Grey on the hover-tank's trio of lights, and lastly applied some old(ish) "Games Workshop" Dark Angels decals to mark the vehicle out as belonging to the First Legion.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, I also took this opportunity to simultaneously pigment another Black Adder Combat Lifter too. Available from “Alternative Armies” as Pack Code IAF036C, this hover tank comes "armed with a Fretan Rail Gun in a turret mount", and was painted in exactly the same manner as the other vehicle, predominantly using "Vallejo" Dark Green and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Forged In Battle" WIPs - The lower hull is slowly being camouflaged

With my latest entries for the Fourteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) completed, I have stuck with the theme of 15mm armoured automobiles by pushing on with the fiddly camouflage pattern I have been piloting on my hefty resin Maus by "Forged In Battle". This three-colour 'camo' technique is precisely the same as the one I've always used on my "Flames Of War" D-Day Beach Defence German infantry. However, I've never attempted it on such a large-sized miniature before.

Indeed I specifically purchased this tank from "Westwind Productions" at last year's "Warfare" wargaming show, after a previous attempt to apply camouflage to a plastic Panzer IV went horribly wrong, and resulted in my stripping the model back down to its bare-bones. This time round I'm trying to maintain my 'less is more' approach to Maus - albeit I have gone a little made with the pattern in a couple of places...

This posting and many others can now be viewed on the main "Fantorical" website.

"What Do You Mean Flash Gordon Approaching?"

"Imbecile! The Emperor would shoot you for interrupting his wedding with this news!"

This 28mm metal model of a Ruthless Lieutenant is produced by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" and can be brought as a pack of four figures from their SKU: DEAL 238 Galactic Villains. Clearly inspired by actress Mariangela Melato's portrayal of the ruthless, cold-hearted General Kala in Mike Hodges' 1980 science-fiction movie "Flash Gordon", this model has been sat in my Pile of Potential since I first received her way back in 2020 following the Lincolnshire-based company's successful Pulp Sci-Fi Heroes and Villains Kickstarter.

Described as possessing "a merciless streak matching that of Ming and Klytus", the miniature was undercoated with a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, before being dry-brushed in “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then carefully 'picked out' all her gold finery with some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Gold, "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, a careful dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Gold, and an incredibly delicate dry-brush of Silver.

"After the fall of Sauron in the War of the Last Alliance their race dwindled swiftly."

In addition to my latest entry into the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge, I have completed three more of the 28mm 3D printed Black Númenóreans which I bought from a seller on "eBay" way back in November 2023. Described as a "not official product", these resin miniatures were purchased as infantry proxies for my Barad Dur army until "Games Workshop" once again produce them for their "The Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game".

Despising both "the followers of Elendil and their realm Gondor", the trio were initially undercoated using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, before being enthusiastically dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and soaked in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then 'picked out' their belts and shield straps with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before applying some "Vallejo" Gunmetal to the warriors' ornate armour and swords.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - These two Resistance Fighters are having their details 'picked out'

These metallic areas were later drenched with (more) “Citadel” Nuln Oil and later dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Gunmetal. To dirty the armour down somewhat and create a contrast between it and the Númenóreans' blades, I gave all the plate armour a splash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. Lastly, I 'picked out' the models' teeth using a little "Two Thin Coats" White Star and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, as well as their chins with a dollop of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

Lastly, I've also managed to make some noticeable progress on the four figures which make up the Resistance Fighters pack sold by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". Heavily influenced by Kenneth Johnson's 1983 science-fiction television miniseries "V", both its (not) Ham Tyler and (not) Mike Donovan miniatures have particularly caught my eye - so resultantly seen probably more than their 'fair share' of my brush-tip's time...

"No One Escapes. The Robomen See To That."

"Some people were captured and were turned into Robomen, the slaves of the Daleks."

These four 28mm metal Robomen Guards are manufactured by "Black Tree Design" and can be purchased as Code DW129 Roboman Guard from their "Doctor Who" miniatures range. "Humans converted by the Daleks into wholly obedient slaves", these mindless minions first appeared in Terry Nation's November 1964 BBC Television story "The Dalek Invasion of Earth".

The quartet were initially primed using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, before being heavily dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and soaked in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then worked on their trousers, using a base layer of either "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Heavy Brown or Sombre Grey. The pants were subsequently shaded using some "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade or Nuln Oil as appropriate, and roughly highlighted using a careful dry-brush of their original base layer colour.

"Westwind Productions" WIPs - This Maus is slowly being prepared for some camouflage markings

Their "large, helmet-like headsets" and firearms were simply 'picked out' with "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst their shirts received a lick of White Star by Duncan Rhodes' "Two Thin Coats" and a splodge of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to dirty them up. I also decided to try and break up the monotony of the group by selecting one figure and painting his jacket "Vallejo" Sombre Grey. This coat was later washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo Sombre Grey.

With my latest contribution to the Fourteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) completed, including an additional bonus 20-points for tying my entry in with the Challenge Library's Overdue and Returns section, I have finally started working on the 15mm resin Maus by "Forged In Battle" I purchased from "Westwind Productions" at last year's "Warfare" wargaming show. This hefty piece has now been base-layered and had all it's tracks pigmented so as to tie them in with the muddy-looking bases I like to predominantly give my models.

"Hyper Miniatures" WIPs - This Chibi Makoto is slowly being progressed

In addition, I've begun slowly progressing a 3D print of Makoto Nanaya, which I rather embarrassingly actually made using my Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer a good fourteen months ago. Composed of "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin, this Chibi can be found on "Thingiverse" as a free BlazBlue Fan Art STL (Standard Triangle Language) file by "Hyper Miniatures", and is hopefully destined for my "Marvel United" tabletop as a Hero (using the boardgame's Squirrel Girl deck).

To tie the figure in with the quite specific-looking style of stands used by "CoolMiniOrNot" for their official product, I've plonked the "soldier of the World Void Information Control Organization" onto a 30mm 6K Resin Crippled God Foundry base I bought from a seller on "eBay". At the time I thought the cobbled flooring would suit Makota quite well. But having subsequently primed the ensemble for the AHPC, I've discovered that what I thought was rubble, is actually a skull, bone and separate jaw - so have patiently picked these out first before moving onto Nanaya...

This posting and many others can now be viewed on the main "Fantorical" website.

"At The Time Of The First War Of The Ring..."

"...The Black Númenóreans cast their lot in with the Dark Lord of Mordor."

These three 28mm 3D printed Black Númenóreans were bought from a seller on "eBay" as part of two six-figure 'Buy it now' auctions back in November 2023. Described as a "not official product", the resin miniatures were bought as infantry proxies for my Barad Dur army until "Games Workshop" once again produce the "cruel oppressors" for their "The Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game".

Having received the surrogate sculpts though, the models appear to closely resemble those of the now Out Of Production (OOP) line of dark-hearted warriors, and unsurprisingly have now disappeared off of the e-commerce website without any warning whatsoever. I have since attempted to purchase some of the old "Finecast" or metal miniatures produced by "Games Workshop" to compare the pieces. But sadly these are incredibly expensive second-hand, with prices ranging from a still sealed blister containing four figures for £180, down to a single roughly-pigmented model costing £23.70, including postage & packing.

"Some say in exchange for immortality."

"Enamoured of evil knowledge", the trio were initially primed using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, before being heavily dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and soaked in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then 'picked out' their belts and shield straps with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before applying some "Vallejo" Gunmetal to the warriors' ornate armour and swords.

These metallic areas were subsequently drowned with (more) “Citadel” Nuln Oil and later dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Gunmetal. To dirty the armour down somewhat and create a contrast between it and the Númenóreans' blades, I gave all the plate armour a splash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. Lastly, I 'picked out' the models' teeth using a little "Two Thin Coats" White Star and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, as well as their chins with a dollop of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - These four Resistance Fighters are slowly being progressed

With my latest contribution to the Fourteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) completed, including an additional bonus 20-points for tying my entry in with the Challenge Library's Fantasy Books section, I have started to make some significant in-roads on the Resistance Fighters four-figure pack sold by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". Distinctly inspired by Kenneth Johnson's 1983 science-fiction television miniseries "V", this miniatures are part of another project I hadn't really planned to start until quite some time later this year.

However, as the close relationship between Mike Donovan and Juliet Parrish's characters were one of the franchise's central themes, I thought the Lincolnshire-based company's models would be highly suitable for the AHPC's Library Romance Books bonus section, so broke them out of their plastic bag early. Indeed, I've decided to crack on with both the Ham Tyler and Elias Taylor lookalikes too, so as to be able to field the Earth's partisan leaders (in full) before moving on the the gerbil-eating, lizard-faced extra-terrestrials...

This posting and many others can now be viewed on the main "Fantorical" website.

"The Third Eye Glowed A More Brilliant Red For A Few Seconds..."

"...And Doctor Quinn crumpled to the floor."

These four 28mm scale metal models are manufactured by “Black Tree Design", and can be purchased as Code DW308 Silurian from their "Doctor Who" miniatures range. "An intelligent bipedal race of reptilians that ruled Earth before humans", these classic monsters first appeared in Malcolm Hulke's January 1970 BBC Television story "Doctor Who And The Silurians".

The entire quarter were undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Brown, thoroughly washed with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Brown. They were then treated to a few splashes of "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green in and around their heads, necks and hands, before being given a second, significantly lighter dry-brush of (even more) "Vallejo" Heavy Brown.

"The Lord Of The Rings" WIPs - This Black Númenórean just needs his cloak finishing

The Silurians’ claws, which proved somewhat difficult to 'pick out' at times due to some occasional miscasting in these areas, were given a coat of "Two Thin Coats" White Star and subsequently dirtied up with a generous splosh of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Lastly, their 'third eye' was spotted with "Vallejo" Heavy Red and later shaded using a dollop of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

Having completed my latest contribution to the Fourteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), and collected an additional bonus 20-points for tying my entry in with the Challenge Library's Children's Books section [as per the broadcast adventure's novelisation "Doctor Who And The Cave Monsters"], I have started to make some significant in-roads on the dozen Black Númenóreans I quite recently bought from "eBay". Due to my dislike of 'batch painting' I have unsurprisingly split the "fearsome" figures into two smaller-sized units, and now they've been primed, base-coated, shaded and dry-brushed, narrowed them down into identical pairs.

"The Lord Of The Rings" WIPs - This Black Númenórean just needs his cloak finishing

These supposed 3D printed proxies are bound to cause a little controversy as having scrutinized the sculpts closer, the manufacturer has quite possibly just somehow scanned the old "Games Workshop" miniatures and then digitally tidied-them up - as some details, such as the models' sinister teeth aren't present on my versions, despite being clearly visible on the now out of production (OOP) official models. However, as I don't have any of the metal or "Finecast" originals, nor am willing to pay a whopping fifty quid to own one second-hand, I can't say for certainty.

This ethical conundrum has definitely curtailed my enthusiasm for the project though, as I absolutely don't agree with the re-casting of other manufacturer's figures. I suppose some might say that as the Black Númenóreans are no longer available to buy, and the products are clearly advertised as being "not [an] official product", then there's an element of acceptability in this instance..? But, I for one, see this as being part of a bigger problem where so many unlicensed or rather 'fan-art' 3D prints are flooding the hobby, and some sellers may well be sailing far closer to the wind than others...

This posting and many others can now be viewed on the main "Fantorical" website.

"So Off You Pop, Old Man."

"You Get A Prize, Honey."

This 28mm scale white metal figure is sold by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" as SKU: MINI 1652 Temporal Traveller 15. Sculpted by Ernst Veingart, the model is clearly inspired by actor Ncuti Gatwa's fifteenth incarnation of the Doctor, as seen in some of the BBC promotional photographs publicising the upcoming new season of “Doctor Who”.

The miniature was primed using a couple of coats of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and shaded using "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. The Gallifreyan was then dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue, before having his jacket buttons, hair, moustache, eyebrows and shoes 'picked out' with "Citadel" Abaddon Black. I did strongly consider applying some thin stripes over the suit, and even gave one of the Timelord's sleeves a test run. But such a delicate touch is most definitely not my forte, so in the end I opted for a plainer, yet saner, all-blue costume.

"Black Tree Design" WIPs - These Robomen are slowly having their clothing 'picked out'

I did however manage to apply a little "Two Thin Coats" White Star and "Vallejo" Pale Grey to the Doctor's shirt, as well as a combination of Amethyst Rayne by "Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Druchii Violet to his tie. Lastly, I used some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna for the model's face and hands, shaded these in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and applied a few highlights with a smidgeon extra of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna.

Sticking with the science fiction television programme, I have dusted down seven 28mm metal Robomen, which have been loitering unloved inside a drawer for many a year. Indeed, I believe these particular figures pre-date "Black Tree Design" acquiring the range's licence, and hark back as far as 1996-1997, when I first started playing "Doctor Who: Invasion Earth" by "Harlequin Miniatures". Designed by Daniel Faulconbridge, this tabletop game attempted to recreate various scenarios from Terry Nation's broadcast storyline "The Dalek Invasion of Earth", and resultantly required me to paint several of Davros' Mark III Travel Machines.

"Black Tree Design" WIPs - The Second Doctor, Vicki, the Ancient One, and a Dalek, all 'dusted down'

To be honest I still recall the feeling of dread this gave me having to first carefully 'pick out' all the Dalek shell's "hemispherical protrusions" black and then blob them with a light blue colour - so as to match their colour scheme during the First and Second Doctor's tenures. However, in an effort to circumnavigate this issue, I promptly bought these Robomen instead to use as the robotic Masters of Earth's minions and reduce the number of actual Daleks I needed. Sadly though, it would appear I never managed to pigment these figures, so felt it was high time to make amends and simultaneously earn me some much-needed bonus points at the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge's Overdue and Returns Library desk.

With the motley band consisting of just two alternative sculpts/poses, I plan to apply a variety of trouser and jacket colours to the Robomen in the hope of imbuing them with a bit more variety. In addition, their completion after so long, may well finally encourage me to assemble a few of the classic game's three-piece Dalek models, and possibly even hunt around for my copy of the "Doctor Who: Invasion Earth" rule-book...

"Iceman Right On Schedule, Sir."

"Hot diggity! A test for me at last!"

This 32mm scale translucent plastic model of Iceman was produced by “CoolMiniOrNot” as part of their "Marvel Zombies" stand-alone game using the "Zombicide" rule-set. One of the "Kickstarter" campaign's numerous exclusive figures, this particular incarnation of Bobby Drake's frosty alter-ego was created by Robert Kirkman and Sean Phillips for the May 2007 issue of "Marvel Zombies: Dead Days" by "Marvel Comics".

Presumed to be residing at the Xavier Institute on Earth-2149 when the zombie plague first struck, the mutant superhero was initially undercoated using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer White and the Spanish company's Model Colour White. He was then drowned in "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, before being slowly 'built back up' using multiple patient dry-brushes of White Star by Duncan Rhodes' "Two Thin Coats". Finally, the X-Man's eye sockets were given a dab of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and spotted with (more) "Two Thin Coats" White Star.

"Black Tree Design" WIPs - These Silurians have been shaded and dry-brushed

Having completed my first entry for the Fourteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), I have moved on to four 28mm metal Silurian figures by "Black Tree Design". These "three-eyed land-dwellers" were actually bought from the Penzance-based manufacturer way back in July 2016, and were due to be part of a much larger Homo Reptilia force I started assembling some three years later for a "Doctor Who" aliens/monsters galactic conquest campaign using some homemade rules.

Disappointingly though, these particular models were never properly completed, and after so many years of being jostled together in a drawer, their original "Vallejo" Heavy Brown undercoat and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade wash required some much needed tender loving care (i.e. redoing). As a result, I've started them from scratch, and plan to enter them into the AHPC as a Children's Books Challenge Library bonus submission.

"Alternative Armies" WIPs - These two 15mm hover-tanks are having their details 'picked out'

In addition, I have managed to make a little more progress on two partially-painted 15mm Black Adder Combat Lifters by “Alternative Armies” I recently discovered rather embarrassingly buried beneath a load of other long-forgotten miniatures on my painting table. Already primed in "Vallejo" Heavy Red and shaded with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, these two (not) Blood Angels chapter vehicles did admittedly need a little 'sprucing up'. But are now slowly having all their details 'picked out' with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" Gunmetal" and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

I've quite surprisingly uncovered a fair few more models from "The Ion Age" miniatures range at various stages of completion in a drawer, so have set aside a motley array of hover-bike riders, large-clawed robots and Prydian Army foot-soldiers to 'squeeze' in to my painting queue as and when time allows. Furthermore, there's a load of vehicles and giant automatons to be found too, so if the mood takes me I can well imagine a plethora of resin Mechs, (more) Combat Lifters and Battlesuits leapfrogging their way onto my tabletop over the coming few months...