“Salute 50" Showcase 2023 - Part Two: Traders And Games

"Warp Miniatures" - A selection of "ArcWorlde" monsters

Besides getting the chance to talk to people, my main reason for attending this celebration of "half a century of wargaming shows put on by the South London Warlords club" was to see the latest offerings from my favourite miniature manufacturers, stumble upon some new companies I'd previously not known about, and seek inspiration from the various participation/demonstration tables. "Salute 50" certainly wasn't lacking on any of these fronts, and I spent a good portion of my time at the ExCeL convention centre in Custom House scrutinising all manner of models and scenery; both painted and unpainted.

Warlord Games" - A selection of their "Judge Dredd" miniatures

One of the first stalls to catch my eye was "Warp Miniatures" and their incredible range of fantasy-based figures. I've been a big fan of this range since its early days when Alex Huntley originally began hand-sculpting the residents of ArcWorlde. Since then there's been both a second edition rule-book and the creation of an STL (Standard Triangle Language) files "Patreon" service, so there's arguably never been a better time to get into the "narrative battle game where warbands, heroes and monsters are pitted against each other in the field of combat."

"Warlord Games" - A selection of their "Bolt Action" miniatures

From a personal perspective though I still own numerous unpainted miniatures from Alex's early Kickstarters, so found the visit to his booth a timely reminder for me to dust off all the metal and resin models from his range I already own, and get cracking on painting them up. I felt quite similar about my trip to the large "Warlord Games" area too, as my 'mountain of lead' based solely upon products purchased from the Nottingham-based company is so embarrassingly overwhelming that it'll probably take me a year or so to pigment everything - even if I exclusively focused my hobby time just upon them.

"Warlord Games" - A selection of their "2000 A.D." miniatures - A.B.C. Warriors

However, I was interested in seeing whether I could pick up their "Judge Dredd" game without buying its figures. As someone with an extensive collection of their old metal Mega-City One range (in collaboration with "Mongoose Publishing") I didn't want to have to buy the same characters all over again. Sadly, although the main book is available separately (and indeed at one point I had a copy in my hand), two staff members informed me that I'd still need to buy both the new starter set and models if I wanted to own the various cards needed for an important rule mechanic. Suffice to say having previously bought big into their poorly supported and now officially dropped "Doctor Who: Exterminate! The Miniatures Game" range - even though I already owned hundreds of other "Doctor Who" figures by other manufacturers - I wasn't prepared to be bitten a second time.

"Brigade Models" - 15mm Monorail Engine, Passenger Car and Flat Car

Another dealer who held my attention for a while was "Brigade Models". Having not yet even assembled a couple of "A Billion Suns" space-faring fleets I bought from the Sittingbourne-situated company at "Colours 2022" I initially only gave their wares a cursory glance. But then I caught sight of an awesome-looking 15mm scale Monorail Engine and its accompanying (heavily weaponed) Scout Cars. I actually own a couple of unpainted "Gruntz" armies and thought this rail network would prove to be an exciting terrain feature to fight over. Uncharacteristically though, I stayed strong, deciding to see if I could paint my British and Neo-Soviet forces up first before buying the train. In addition Tony mentioned putting together some Monorail package deals after the show.

Kaiserschlacht 1918 - Using the "Bloody Picnic: Wargaming The End Of Empire" ruleset

Games-wise I saw loads of awe-inspiring tables during my visit, with several proving particularly influential for some potential future projects. One such battle was Kaiserschlacht 1918 - which featured numerous 20mm plastic figures and was being fought using the "Bloody Picnic: Wargaming The End Of Empire" ruleset. I'd never heard of Dillion Browne's game before, but the display certainly seemed to show off how impactive artillery fire could be. In addition, I was very impressed by the players' dice towers, which were all appropriately painted in World War One camouflage patterns.

Zagory Rebellion: A Night At Heidi's - Using the "Carry On Tintin" ruleset

Equally as enthralling was the vibrantly coloured Zagory Rebellion: A Night At Heidi's by the Cornwall Wargames Association. Played with some homebrew rules entitled "Carry On Tintin" (which can be downloaded for free from the club's website), This "neo-retro and pseudo-nostalgic wargame set in a fictional central Europe during the interwar period" had me utterly transfixed, and reminded me that I had yet to even start applying a brush to any of Mark’s Little Soldiers range by Mark Copplestone which I've previously bought via "North Star Military Figures".

"Para Bellum Games" - Conquest display table

One of the smaller displays I spotted was the Conquest table by "Para Bellum Games", which really helped show-off the size and detail of their "mass battle wargame." Rather sheepishly I must admit to purchasing a few boxes of these figures a couple of years ago and never doing anything with them since they arrived - a familiar story I know. So this marvellous feast for the eyes has definitely galvanised me into digging some of them out - especially now I know you can also download their skirmish core rules Conquest: First Blood for free from the company's website.

Battle Of Leuctra 371 B.C. by Jon and Diane Sutherland

Rounding off Salute's sortie upon the senses was Jon and Diane Sutherland's incredible Battle Of Leuctra 371 B.C. board, which showed off the armies of Thebes and Sparta in splendid fashion. The table was absolutely huge and simply crammed full of infantry, cavalry and atmospheric Ancient Greek ruins. Plus, both fully-painted forces were actually for sale - Though I doubted I could get them to all fit inside my bag...

“Colours" Showcase 2022

"So, the show goes on. Long live the King."

Having been bitterly disappointed by Newbury & Reading Wargaming Society's "tough decision to hold back in 2021 for the safety of our members and you the public" I was super-keen to attend this year's "Colours" at its usual venue inside Newbury Racecourse. Of course, having visited the show numerous times before, I didn't bother to read the website's "Navigating the Racecourse" guidance, so promptly spent a frustrating thirty minutes desperately trying to enter the facility via its 'traditional' western end, as opposed to the correct access point "between the flats and the course" on its eastern side.

Eventually, after much gnashing of teeth, several three-point turns at closed barricades, and some grumbling with many of the other visiting drivers who were also caught in this nightmarish spider's web of lost traffic, I found my way to Car Park Five. Possibly a sign or two explaining the change of access might not have gone amiss on the closed barriers or even along the route I eventually followed like a lemming..? Though I do appreciate there was a very precise map to the venue on the website - I'll certainly be checking that with much more attention next year..!!

Of course, being late meant that I didn't have to queue up, and in addition, discovered that it was free to enter. This decision seems to have gone down very well with the punters I mingled with, and I certainly felt overall that it was a much better attended show than the last time I visited; albeit, apart from the Bring & Buy section, I never once felt particularly jostled or cramped for room.

"ROK Minis Terrain and Minis - Made the way you want."

Obviously, the mainstay companies such as "Pendraken", "Warlord Games", "Westwind Productions", "Kallistra" and "Deep Cut Studio" were all in attendance, but perhaps the biggest thing to hit me during my repeated walk-a-rounds was the number of 3D printed models on offer from people I'd not really heard of before. Foremost of these was "ROK Miniatures", who immediately caught my attention with their gorgeous display of small-scale Fantasy forces, and ultra-impressive gothic-flavoured science fiction buildings.

I was especially tempted by their 10mm Wargame box sets for "Kings of War" and "Warmaster", which seemed a convincing way to game either rule-set both inexpensively and within a small-sized gaming area. The chap was also very keen to emphasise that he could produce the models at an even smaller sizes if requested, and explained one customer had everything 3D printed in 3mm scale so as to field some enormous armies.

Alongside the opportunity to own an eye-wateringly small "Chivalric Knights, Undead, Wood Elf, High Elf or Chaotic" warband, I was also rather mesmerised by their crisp, 6-8mm resin sci-fi terrain. The company's Airfield Control Centre and Imperial Fortress were especially gobsmacking, and are apparently printed from files by "Grim Dark Terrain" under licence. These appeared just the job for "Adeptus Titanicus" or "Epic", so in the end I quickly scampered away to pick up some Mechanical Men and Magma Apes from "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" before temptation got the better of me.

Some of the displays by "Baccus 6mm", "Broadsword Miniatures" and "Syborg 3D Printing"

Sticking with the PLA/Resin theme, I must also mention the tremendous array of fabulous WW1 aircraft sold by "Syborg 3D Printing". I actually saw this company in something of a fledgling state at "Warfare 2021" and they have clearly expanded their comprehensive range of kits exponentially over the past eleven months. As someone who has always been enticed by the pre-painted aeroplanes for "Wings Of Glory" by "Ares Games", I was very close to hitting the trigger on some of their already-assembled 3D printed Sopwith Camels.

Likewise I was similarly tempted by "Baccus 6mm" and their intriguing looking "Pony Wars" range. For just over a hundred pounds the game's Starter Set was definitely a serious financial investment, yet seemed to contain plenty of small-scale models to keep my magnifying glass busy for months. I was also rather curious to see how the rule-set's card mechanics worked, especially when a chap beside me mentioned he was playing something similar using 20mm figures by "Newline Designs".

Ultimately, I decided to pick up a Royal Navy Fleet Pack and Neo-Soviet Battle Fleet, along with the "A Billion Suns" rule-book by "Osprey Wargames", from "Brigade Models" as my main buy of the show. However, I was momentarily seduced by the large range of metal sculpts displayed by "Broadsword Miniatures". These somewhat roughly-hewn models strongly reminded me of the classic Fantasy ranges from the Eighties, and supported "The Woods: Second Edition" by "Oakbound Studio". Surprisingly though, the blokes behind the booth didn't seem inclined to give me a 'sales pitch' about them, so once I'd snapped a picture I moved to other stalls a bit perplexed...

“Concentrations Of Ironclads Were Often Used…”

“…In conjunction with artillery to break the enemy front line.”

These eight 1/1200th scale Volker Gun Contraptions are produced by “Brigade Models” and can be purchased from their German range of Land Ironclads as product code VLI-320. The small, armed tanks are approximately 9mm x 4mm in size, and, having previously been super-glued in fours upon a 30mm x 40mm plastic rectangle, were primed with a couple of layers of “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, and later shaded in “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

I then carefully dry-brushed them with (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, before patiently picking out all their forward-mounted guns and rear-placed dual funnels with a combination of Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. The grit surrounding the vehicles was initially treated to a coat of “Citadel” Abaddon Black, before being dry-brushed with Doombull Brown and Rakarth Flesh. Lastly, they were washed using plenty of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - The Incredible Hulk has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

Alongside my latest German Land Ironclads I have been somewhat busy beavering away at some of the plastic 40mm models taken from the Marvel United core box set by "CoolMiniOrNot". In particular, I have found myself focusing upon the board-game’s chibi-style sculpt of the Incredible Hulk, who should hopefully provide my solo-gaming super-team’s preliminary roster with some much-needed “Smash”.

I’m actually using the figure as a bit of a test-piece for my Marvel Crisis Protocol Hulk by “Atomic Mass Games” too, so have been trialling whether I can get away with a simple prime, shade and dry-brush for the brute’s vast expansions of flesh. I think the technique has turned out rather well, but once I’ve finished the model’s base, tattered trousers and dark green hair, I do now intend to apply a further watered-down wash of “Citadel” Biel-Tan Green to all his bare skin so as to help better blend its different tones together.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - These Simian Minions have been base layered

I’ve also been working on two of eight Simian Minions by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” I have previously partially-pigmented in order to complete the first of this year’s weekly painting challenges. I last touched these figures way back in November 2021 as part of my ongoing “The Planet Of The Apes” project, and actually have a rather embarrassing number of ape soldiers to finish before I’ve exhausted my backlog’s supply.

However, by sticking with just those miniatures armed with a baton I’m hoping I’ll be able to ‘polish them off’ in quick order as I become increasingly familiar with the nuances of their details. In addition, most of the models already have their purple-coloured trousers and shirts base-layered, so much of my time should be spent focusing solely upon their relatively straightforward weapons and faces…

“Currently The Largest Ironclad In British Service.”

“The term ironclad was coined in the mid-19th century for steam-propelled warships.”

This 1/1200th scale Sovereign class ironclad is produced by “Brigade Models” and can be purchased from their Great Britain range of Land Ironclads as product code VLI-101. The steel armour plated vehicle is 23mm x 40mm in size, and was super-glued onto a 40mm x 60mm plastic rectangle as per the Victorian Science Fiction Ground Combat game’s rule-set.

Sculpted by Tony Francis, the miniature was primed using “Vallejo” Earth, shaded with a blend of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and then dry-brushed using (more) “Vallejo” Earth. The vehicle’s two turrets and huge wheelhouse were treated to some “Vallejo” Heavy Green.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - This robot has been blocked in and shaded

These areas were later washed with “Citadel” Biel-Tan Green, and delicately dry-brushed using a spot (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Green. Finally, having decided to ‘pick out’ the machine’s funnel with “Citadel” Abaddon Black, I applied some “Vallejo” Gunmetal to all its cannons, the funnel's pipes and half dozen machine guns, before later darkening them all down with a splash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

Following the completion of one of my last submissions for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) I have managed to focus on one of the Robots recently purchased from “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio”. This sculpt carries an uncanny resemblance to the mechanical Muffit which featured in Glen A. Larson’s 1978 science fiction television series “Battlestar Galactica”, and due to a strong sense of nostalgia, has leapt to the very front of my painting queue.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - The Black Widow and Iron Man

In addition, I have made some more progress on a couple of plastic 40mm models taken from the Marvel United core box set by "CoolMiniOrNot". I’m actually hoping to have my Black Widow finished reasonably soon, as the figure has really caught my imagination - especially once I decided against painting her uniform with all the neon blue striping seen on the official box artwork in favour of a more classic colour scheme.

Likewise, I'm slowly plodding along with Iron Man, having settled on a “Vallejo” Sombre Grey thruster effect for his jet-boots' blasts. Just like Natasha Romanova's miniature, I have seen a few different palette choices applied to this area, and was originally going to go with flame. However, I thought that might clash with the gold and red colour scheme of Tony Stark's armoured suit, so eventually went with the self-same paints I've recently used on all the smoke plumes for my 1:285 scale plastic Elemental figures by “Catalyst Game Labs”.

“German Use Of Dampfkrieglastwagen During The Last Half Of The Nineteenth Century…”

“…Was marked by its innovative and successful battlefield use.”

These eight 1/1200th scale Gretchen Scout Contraptions are produced by “Brigade Models” and can be purchased from their German range of Land Ironclads as product code VLI-323. The small, nimble scout vehicles are approximately 8mm x 3mm in size, and, having previously been super-glued in fours upon a 30mm x 40mm plastic rectangle, were primed with a couple of layers of “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, and later shaded in “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

I then carefully dry-brushed them all with (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, before patiently picking out all their guns with a combination of Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. As with my previously painted British Mk.I Armoured Gun Carriers, the hardest (and most time-consuming) part in painting these little guys was tidying up the grit surrounding the vehicles so I could later dry-brush their bases and get them tabletop ready.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - The Black Widow is slowly having her details picked out

With one of my final entries for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge completed, I have decided to tackle some of the 40mm plastic models found inside the Marvel United core box by "CoolMiniOrNot". Rather embarrassingly, I’ve actually owned this starter set since March 2021 following its highly successful Kickstarter twelve months earlier, but have never before truly found the motivation to apply my brush-tip to any of Edouard Guiton’s chibi-styled sculpts.

In fact, due to my decision to make the “Ultimate Pledge”, I’ve actually found being surrounded by the game’s various expansion boxes and exclusive miniatures increasingly off-putting, especially as I already own the vast majority of the super-heroes and villains concerned as both “Heroclix” and “Marvel Crisis Protocol” figures. However, the final galvanising ‘kick up the pants’ has come with the shameful arrival of the recently released Marvel United: X-Men set and all its additional miniatures; including a trio of super-sized giant Sentinels.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - Both Iron Man and the Red Skull have been primed

As a result I thought I’d try to simply paint a three-figure team in line with rules’ single player S.H.I.E.L.D. Solo Mode, and a solitary foe for them to face. This will hopefully allow me to get a handful of models finished in a reasonably short space of time, and subsequently get a few quick games in too – something which I find is always the greatest hobby mojo motivator.

Once achieved, I then intend to expand the roster of heroes and villains in a piecemeal basis, starting with a fourth costumed crime-fighter in order to try out the two-player alternative gameplay where each person owns a pair of protagonists (as opposed to just the one suggested in the rulebook). With any luck, such a cunning plan will ultimately mean I’ll paint up the entire core set, and eventually move on to some of the expansion sets I own…

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Land Ironclads” April 2022

"The kings of the battlefield are huge fighting machines."

Having had the vast majority of my painting mojo exhausted by the three-month long painting frenzy known as the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), I felt that this month's themed attempt to diminish my ‘stack of shame’ should be nice and simple – something which would allow me to slowly plod through a few straightforward miniatures whilst my pastime batteries recharge. As a result I’ll be focusing upon several of the 1/1200th scale miniatures produced by “Brigade Models” for their quite extensive British and German Land Ironclads range.

As one might expect from a 2mm model, many of these vehicles should be pretty much finished following an undercoat, shade and dry-brush. But I have also taken the leap, having (re)brought the rule-set’s digital version, to purchase some strips of infantry and see just what these look like once I’ve applied my brush to them.

"Flames Of War" WIPs - A German Machine-gunner and two Riflemen

In addition to my dalliance with some “huge fighting machines” from “an alternative late Nineteenth Century”, I will be resurrecting the weekly challenge I successfully employed late last year, where every seven days I randomly choose (upon the turn of a playing card) a small number of miniatures to paint from a certain scale. Unexpectedly, the first of these tasks will be a number of 15mm figures, which rather neatly ties-in with my ongoing project to field a 1944 German Beach Defence Company.

I’m really hoping this frequent flirtation with different scales will help re-energise my enthusiasm for the hobby, and subsequently help me finish off several partially-abandoned projects which I started during the AHPC, but then ultimately side-lined so as to ensure I was achieving the painting points necessary to successfully attain my overall target tally. Alongside these short-lived tasks I am also determined to get some more games under my belt, and start posting up After Action Reports (AARs) and Battle Reports once again…

March 2022 - 15mm ACW has caused Warlord Games to leap to the top of the chart

Undoubtedly due to my final painting push during the last weeks of the AHPC, the past month saw me match exactly the same productivity as I did this time last year. Albeit, much of this output was rather surprisingly due to my completing numerous 15mm ACW figures by “Warlord Games”, as opposed to the various 15mm “Battlefront Miniatures” I had been planning on finishing for my “Flames Of War” German Beach Defence Company.

This month will doubtless see plenty more 2mm “Brigade Models” vehicles completed, alongside a few stands of the aforementioned World War Two Germans by “Battlefront Miniatures”. However, as I am also hoping to clear some space on my painting table, I expect to ‘throw in’ a few odd figures from time to time, simply so I can see some of the wood from the trees…

"Despite Introducing The Land Ironclad To The Battlefield..."

“…The lack of involvement in a major European War saw innovative British designs not adopted by the Army.”

This pair of 1/1200th scale Britannic class Ironclads are produced by “Brigade Models” and can be purchased from their Great Britain range of Land Ironclads as product code VLI-103. The medium-sized, twin turreted vehicles are 13mm x 25mm in size, and were each super-glued upon a 40mm x 40mm plastic rectangle as per the Victorian Science Fiction Ground Combat game’s rule-set.

Sculpted by Tony Francis, the miniatures were undercoated using “Vallejo” Earth, shaded with a blend of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and then dry-brushed using (more) “Vallejo” Earth. The Land Ironclads' large circular turrets and wheelhouses were treated to some “Vallejo” Heavy Green.

"Brigade Models" WIPs - Eight Volker Gun Contraptions

These areas were later washed with “Citadel” Biel-Tan Green, and delicately dry-brushed using a spot (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Green. Finally, having resisted a momentary madness to 'pick out' all the warmachines' tiny windows, I applied some “Vallejo” Gunmetal to all their cannons instead, and darkened these down with the odd splash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

In addition to one of my final submissions to the recently concluded Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), I have been beavering away on some German armed tanks to use as opposition. Like almost all of the other Land Ironclads I recently unearthed from a decade-long sleep, these diminutive Volker Gun Contraptions had already been partially based and flocked. So I’ve simply needed to paint over their original “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey undercoat to get the ‘ball rolling’ on their progress.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - This Confederate cannon team is having its details 'picked out'

I’ve actually become quite immersed in this alternative Victorian universe, to the point where I have finally bitten the bullet and bought the tabletop game’s digital rulebook, having misplaced my original physical copy from yesteryear. I’ve also bought a few reinforcements for both the British and Germans from “Brigade Models”; most notably some strips of their 2mm infantry and accompanying troop transports.

Lastly, I am hoping to finally get my first 15mm Confederate cannon team by “Warlord Games” finished. I had actually planned on entering this four-man gun into the AHPC, but eventually abandoned the time-consuming piece once I realised I was getting increasingly short on time before the challenge finished and needed some quick points so as to successfully achieve my target tally…

“British Use Of Contraptions And Land Ironclads…”

“…Varied considerably during the period.”

This pair of 1/1200th scale Warlord class ironclads are produced by “Brigade Models” and can be purchased from their Great Britain range of Land Ironclads as product code VLI-104. The small steam-propelled warmachines are 10mm x 20mm in size, and were each super-glued upon a 40mm x 40mm plastic rectangle as per the Victorian Science Fiction Ground Combat game’s rule-set.

Sculpted by Tony Francis, the miniatures were primed using two coats of “Vallejo” Earth, shaded with a cocktail of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and then dry-brushed using (more) “Vallejo” Earth. The vehicles’ turrets and wheelhouses were treated to some “Vallejo” Heavy Green.

"Armée de Terre et Armée de Mer. Ordre de Mobilisation Générale."

These areas were later washed with “Citadel” Biel-Tan Green, and delicately dry-brushed using a little (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Green. Finally I applied some “Vallejo” Gunmetal to all their cannons and forward-facing buffers, and darkened these down with the odd splash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

In addition to one of my final submissions to the now successfully completed Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), I also entered six (more) 1:285 scale Elemental figures by “Catalyst Game Labs” which I have painted to represent French armoured super-soldiers for my homemade Weird War Two campaign. These pre-assembled plastic figures were painted in precisely the same manner as my previous battle-suited Armée de Terre.

"Battlefront Miniatures" WIPs - This sMG34 Machine-gun team has been dusted down ready for finishing

Lastly, I have settled down to finish the three remaining plastic 15mm sMG34 Machine-gun teams I aim to field as part of my German Beach Defence Company for “Flames Of War”. These “Battlefront Miniatures” somewhat ‘got away from me’ during the final weeks of the AHPC, as I focused more upon the event’s sci-fi themed Quadrant Challenges so as to achieve my target tally of 500 points.

However, now I no longer need to fruitfully orbit such planets as LV426, Arrakis, Corsucant, Cybertron and the Vogsphere within the Middle Ring, I can once again fully concentrate upon getting my battle-hardened forces of the Fatherland ready for some fights next month. Indeed, I’m planning on spending the rest of this month working on more Panzergrenadiers, a pair of 7.5cm Tank-Hunter teams and a handful of Panzer IVs…

“The Gun Carrier Mark I…”

“…Was a British vehicle of the First World War.”

These twenty-four 1/1200th scale Mk.I Armoured Gun Carriers are produced by “Brigade Models” and can be purchased from their Great Britain range of Land Ironclads as product code VLI-120. The tiny casemate-armed tanks are approximately 4mm x 9mm in size, and were previously super-glued in fours upon a 30mm x 40mm plastic rectangle when I first bought them approximately a decade ago.

The tiny war machines were all primed with a couple of layers of “Vallejo” Earth and shaded using a combination of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. I then carefully dry-brushed them all with (more) “Vallejo” Earth, before patiently picking out all their side-mounted guns with a combination of Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

“The gun carrier was designed to transport a 6-inch howitzer or a 60-pounder gun forward.”

To be honest, the hardest part in painting these little guys was subsequently tidying up the grit surrounding the vehicles so I could later dry-brush their bases with “Citadel” Doombull Brown, Rakarth Flesh and Agrax Earthshade. I also considered whether to apply any decals to them, so as to make them more visible upon the tabletop. But as the miniatures are so small, I simply settled upon their typically dirty brown colour palette marking them out as being British.

Alongside my latest submission to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), I also entered six (more) 1:285 scale Elemental figures by “Catalyst Game Labs” which I have painted to represent French armoured super-soldiers for my homemade Weird War Two campaign. These pre-assembled plastic figures can be found inside the company’s “Battletech: Clan Elemental Star” boxed set, and are actually supplied in groups of five miniatures on five hexagonal-shaped stands.

"Canadiens-Francais, Enrolez Vous!"

However, as I don’t plan on using them for “Battletech”, I decided to rebase them in threes on some “Citadel” 25mm round bases, and undercoated them with two coats of “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey. The infantrymen were subsequently shaded in “Citadel” Drakenhof Nightshade, and carefully dry-brushed using (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey with a softly-bristled make-up blusher brush.

I also decided to apply some “Citadel” Abaddon Black to their twin-tube short-range missile launchers, pigment them with “Vallejo” Gunmetal, and later give them a splash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Lastly, I layered some “Vallejo” Sombre Grey to the super-soldiers’ smoke trails, washed them with “Citadel” Nuln Oil and dry-brushed their jet-streams using some (more) “Vallejo” Sombre Grey and a touch of White too.

“The Name Iron Brigade Came From A Remark…"

“…Made by General George B. McClellan when he saw the brigade advancing under a murderous fire.”

This 15mm scale plastic Union Commander from the Iron Brigade is produced by “Warlord Games” and came on a sprue I recently acquired off of “eBay”. The mounted figure is from the Nottingham-based company's "Epic Battles: American Civil War" range and is actually supplied with a square stand. However, as I wanted my officers to stand out a bit more on the tabletop, I decided to glue the single-piece model to a thin-lipped 30mm circular base instead.

The general was originally primed with a couple of coats of “Citadel” Abaddon Black, and, as with my recently finished Confederate mounted officer, painted from the hooves up. This meant applying some “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna to the horse, before subsequently shading the animal with a combination of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. I also dry-brushed some (additional) “Citadel” Abaddon Black to the horse’s legs, and then used the base paint to tidy up its mane, tail and leather straps.

"Brigade Models" WIPs - This Sovereign Land Ironclad has had all its details 'picked out'.

The animal’s saddle-rug was ‘picked out’ using a little “Vallejo” Heavy Blue and “Citadel” Drakenhof Nightshade, whilst the saddle itself with pigmented with “Vallejo” Heavy Brown and “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I applied a tiny amount of “Vallejo” Gunmetal to the stirrups (as well as the rider’s sword), and later darkened these up with a splash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil. 

With the horse’s super-simplistic palette finished, I gave the officer’s trousers a dab of “Vallejo” Steel Grey and his long coat a healthy dose of “Vallejo” Storm Blue. Both of these garments were shaded with “Citadel” Drakenhof Nightshade. The sculpt actually has the general’s cuffs and collar on him, but as this chap was going to command my Iron Brigade, I kept them “Vallejo” Storm Blue to suggest he was wearing the brigade’s famous “long, dark blue coat”.

"Catalyst Game Labs" WIPs - A Wasp, three Elemental battlesuits and a Wolverine

Alongside my latest Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge entry I have continued to make some good progress on the 1/1200th British Land Ironclads by “Brigade Models” I recently dusted off. I’ve actually now only got the impressively-sized Sovereign class vehicle to finish. But have succumbed to already ordering some reinforcements in the shape of eight Mk.III Armoured Infantry Carrier and plenty of the range’s 2mm-sized infantrymen.

In addition, I have turned my attention towards progressing some Russian reinforcements for my Weird War Two homebrew rule-set, using models taken from “Catalyst Game Labs” range of 1:285 scale plastic “Battletech” figures. I was actually lucky enough to pick up these mechs as individual models on “eBay”, which whilst a bit more expensive than I would have liked to have paid, was significantly cheaper than buying the boxed sets they are ordinarily found inside.

"Introduced In 3049 To Address Flaws In The Venerable Hellbringer."

"The primary configuration of the Ebon Jaguar was made to attack from long range."

This 1:285 scale plastic model of an Ebon Jaguar is manufactured by “Catalyst Game Labs” and can be bought together with the Turkina, Kingfisher, Huntsman, and Crossbow in the company’s BattleTech: Clan Heavy Battle Star boxed set. All the pre-assembled miniatures in this “supplement to the BattleTech: A Game of Armoured Combat box” come with an assortment of Alpha Strike cards depicting various colour schemes. However, as I plan to employ this particular sculpt as a (second) German Focke-Achgelis War Walker for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign using some homemade rules, I decided to go with a predominantly grey palette.

The 41mm tall figure was initially undercoated with “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, shaded in “Citadel” Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed using (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII. I then ‘picked out’ the heavy Clan OmniMech’s three-toed feet using a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. These areas were later carefully dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey.

Warlord Games" WIPs - These Confederates are having their flesh areas layered

I also brushed a couple of coats of “Vallejo” White onto the war walker’s cockpit and nose cone as a base colour. These parts were later layered in “Vallejo” Sun Yellow, shaded in “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade, and very carefully dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Sun Yellow. Finally, the miniature’s joints, exhaust vents and weaponry were treated to some “Vallejo” Gunmetal and a splash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

Alongside my latest submission for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), I’ve spent some more hobby time progressing (yet) another 15mm plastic strip of American Civil War soldiers by “Warlord Games”. These particular Confederates will represent the state of Florida, so will be depicted wearing straw hats, and I only need pigment two twenty-man stands to finally have enough painted models so as to try out a game of "Black Powder".

"Brigade Models" WIPs - All the details have been 'picked out' on a Britannic and Warlord Land Ironclad 

In addition, I have been beavering away at the fleet of 1/1200th British Land Ironclads by “Brigade Models” I recently found buried deep within my embarrassingly large backlog. For some reason I'm really enthused by the prospect of gaming in such a grand scale, and this fervour has helped galvanise me into getting almost the entire collection finished in a short amount of time.

Admittedly, I do have an entire German force to also apply my brush too, as well as some reinforcements en route from the Kent-based manufacturer. But I'm applying a tabletop standard to these diminutive war machines, so I won't be picking out their many windows, and hope that when it comes to their lines of infantrymen, I'll be able to get away with just one or two colours and a shade/dry-brush to achieve the mass ranks of soldiers look...

"Being The Oldest Regiment In The Confederate Service…”

“…It was first called on to re-enlist for the war, at the end of the first year…”

These twenty 15mm scale plastic Confederate soldiers are produced by “Warlord Games” and came as a highly-anticipated free sprue accompanying Issue 393 of "Wargames Illustrated". The models are currently part of the Nottingham-based company's "Epic Battles: American Civil War" range for the Black Powder rule-set, and make up the final two lines of infantrymen need for me to form the 1st Alabama Infantry Regiment.

The soldiers were primed using a double-coat of “Vallejo” Sombre Grey before having their top halves (from the jackets up) painted with "Citadel" Abaddon Black. I then carefully started to ‘pick out’ both strips’ numerous details from the ground up, applying a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade to the footwear of six of the miniatures. I subsequently did something similar with the models’ trousers too, as I didn't just want all of them to be marching in the same colour pants.

“…And seven of the companies did so.”

This caused me to pigment several with "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, a few with Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and even a couple of Confederates with “Vallejo” Steel Grey and “Citadel” Drakenhof Nightshade. At this stage I took the opportunity of working on the musician’s drum, and essentially just applied a layer or two of “Vallejo” Heavy Brown to the percussion instrument before ‘picking out’ its ropes with some “Citadel” Abaddon Black and “Vallejo” White.

The entire drum was shaded with a combination of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. I actually applied a second dash of wash in between the ropes in order to make its shell much darker than the skin on the drumhead. The soldiers’ jackets were painted with a mixture of "Vallejo" Sombre Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil or "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade. However, I did mix in the odd combatant with a Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade top, and even gave of the banner bearers on the command strip with Vallejo" Heavy Brown and “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade coat.

"Brigade Models" WIPs - A Britannic, Warlord and Sovereign Land Ironclad

I also gave all the Kepi hats a dash of "Vallejo" Sombre Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, their blanket rolls a smidgeon of either "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Heavy Red or White with a wash of "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and their belt buckles a touch of "Vallejo" Gold and (more) Strong Tone Quickshade by "The Army Painter". Finally, I applied a couple of 15mm flags by “GMB Designs” to the ensemble using the products ACW39 - Alabama State and ACW31 - 1st (silk) pattern ANV battle flags.

With my most recent entry into the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge entry finished I have made some more progress on the 1/1200th British Ironclads by “Brigade Models” I recently unearthed from their decade-long storage. The “huge fighting machines” have now all been undercoated, shaded and dry-brushed, so I am now just patiently picking out all of their numerous guns, tracks, and wheels….

“Henry DeLamar Clayton Was A Prominent Alabama Attorney.”

“He also served as a major general in the Confederate Army during the American Civil War.”

This 15mm scale plastic Confederate Commander is produced by “Warlord Games” and came free on a sprue accompanying Issue 397 of "Wargames Illustrated". The mounted figure is from the Nottingham-based company's "Epic Battles: American Civil War" range and is actually supplied with a square stand. Nevertheless, as I wanted my officers to stand out a bit more on the tabletop, I decided to glue the single-piece model to a thin-lipped 30mm circular base instead.

The miniature was initially primed with a couple of coats of “Citadel” Abaddon Black, and painted from the hooves up. This meant applying some “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna to the horse, before subsequently shading the animal with a combination of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. I also dry-brushed some (additional) “Citadel” Abaddon Black to the horse’s legs, and then used the base paint to tidy up its mane, tail and leather straps.

"Catalyst Game Labs" WIPs - These three different mechs have been primed "Vallejo" Earth

The animal’s saddle-rug was ‘picked out’ using a little “Vallejo” Heavy Blue and “Citadel” Drakenhof Nightshade, whilst the saddle itself with pigmented with “Vallejo” Heavy Brown and “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I applied a tiny amount of “Vallejo” Gunmetal to the stirrups (as well as the rider’s sword), and later darkened these up with a splash of “Citadel” Nuln Oil. 

With the horse finished (at least in my eyes as I like to keep my animals simple), I gave the officer’s trousers a dab of “Vallejo” Steel Grey and “Citadel” Drakenhof Nightshade, and his long coat a healthy dose of “Vallejo” Sombre Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I did actually consider using "Vallejo" Heavy Blue for the jacket, as I plan for the general to be the commander of my Alabama forces, and they apparently wore "a dark blue frock coat" and "black broad brimmed felt hats at the war's start."

"Brigade Models" WIPs - A Britannic, Warlord and four Mark I Armoured Gun Carriers

However, I thought a blue-jacketed Confederate officer might be a bit confusing during an actual game, so instead plumbed for a semi-stereotypical palette instead. Resultantly, the general’s cuffs and collar with given a lick of “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre and “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade, whilst his broad-brimmed hat was treated to a layer of “Vallejo” Heavy Brown and some “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.

With my latest Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge entry completed I have turned my attention towards progressing some British reinforcements for my Weird War Two homebrew rule-set, using some 1:285 scale plastic “Battletech” figures by “Catalyst Game Labs”. In addition, as I’ve currently got my pot of “Vallejo” Earth out, I thought I’d finally tackle some 1/1200th (or “near-as-makes-no-odds” 2mm) British Ironclads by “Brigade Models”. These diminutive-sized war machines have been sat gathering dust for at least a decade or more, and are helping scratch an itch I’ve been recently experiencing to play some large-scale mass battles…

Painting Challenge 2015: Fortnight Five - 2mm Land Ironclads By “Brigade Models”

Great British WIPs - All the ironclads have been undercoated brown ready for washing with brown ink

This fortnight’s personal painting challenge is another simple one in that all I have to do is paint something from my 2mm, or to be more precise 1/1200th collection of models.

Many years ago I actually painted up a small Great British Fleet from the "Aeronef" range of flying steampunk ships made by "Brigade Games". As a result I was sorely tempted to just paint up the German Fleet which accompanied my British cruisers in the company's British Verses German Starter Pack. But as I scrambled around looking for them I discovered I'd subsequently bought a load of models from the Kent-based manufacturer's Land Ironclads range as well.

More Ironclad WIPs - The German Army will be painted with a light grey colour scheme

Many of these '"huge fighting machines" had already been based and undercoated. But there was still some work to be done to get them prepared for the painting table, such as flocking their bases with sand and grit. In addition the "Citadel" Dark Flesh and Devlan Mud combination I'd originally painted the Great British Army in was long since out of production. So I have repainted all of these ironclads with a "Vallejo" equivalent.

The German Army's three-car land train had clearly taken a bit of a knock whilst in storage and lost one of its masts. To be honest I wasn't actually bothered by this as these delicate details look out of place upon such formidable engines of destruction. I've therefore simply grey-stuffed over the hole and will file it down smooth once it has dried, ready for its undercoat.

PzLdZg Gustavus WIP - The land train's engine car has had its mast removed, whilst the infantry car's one remains

For now I plan to just simply dry-brush these vehicles with their base colour and then pick out their machine guns and cannons with silver. I won't be highlighting their decking or painting in minute details such as their company insignias. I might though, if things go smoothly enough, order some more of the bigger battalion sets, and perhaps a few dozen stands of 2mm infantry...