“Salute 50" Showcase 2023 - Part One: Greetings And Meetings

"Celebrating fifty years of the South London Warlords running Salute."

Considering that “the biggest and best independent one day show in the United Kingdom” didn’t happen last year, I must confess to having been both extremely excited and nervous about attending “Salute 50”. I’ve been visiting the event since its days at the Olympia in London, and had many wonderful memories of the items bought, stalls visited, and people encountered during these trips. Regrettably, the last show in November 2021 wasn’t the greatest of experiences for various reasons, most notably the no-shows, so I was really hoping South London Warlords would be able to help me put that disappointment behind me.

Happily, I needn’t have worried as upon arriving at the ExCeL convention centre in Custom House it was clear the venue was seriously sizeable and packed full of vendors, inspirational demonstrations and participation games. Admittedly, my eagerness did mean I was stood in the increasingly large queue an hour before the ‘doors opened’. But I didn’t mind a bit as my position provided me with a great opportunity to stare into the vast hall and plot a rough path to all the prominent sellers I could see. Furthermore, the time allowed me to peruse the show’s nostalgic-flavoured guide – produced by “Miniature Wargames” – as well as marvel at the Viking Jarl celebratory figure which “was designed and manufactured by Warlord Games.”

"Our aim is to promote the very best in the hobby."

The best part of such visits is always meeting both fellow bloggers, stall holders and other notable personalities within our hobby. This year was no exception with Karl Perrotton of “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” winning most enthusiastic greeting of the day when he suddenly bounded out of an incredibly busy booth to shake me by the hand. Ten minutes later I left him having bought a dozen metal miniatures and gained a basic insight into his company’s future plans concerning STL (Standard Triangle Language) files.

The greeting from Leon over at “Pendraken Miniatures” was no less warm though, and whilst his stall’s frenzied customers didn’t give me any time to chat with him, it was encouraging to see I wasn’t the only person filling my basket full of his 10mm metal goodness. Plus, I was able to thank him for liking my tweets concerning the six Sherman tanks I recently discovered and painted. Needless to say, those Allied armoured vehicles won’t be going into future battles alone for much longer.

Some of the displays by "Warp Miniatures", "Monkstone Miniatures" and "Olmec Games"

Another notable highlight was being able to finally meet Peter Buxton of “Trans Atlantis Games”, who very kindly sent me out an entire set of “Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats” paints late last year to trial. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to thank the former Games Workshop presenter himself as he was inundated with people wanting to meet him. But I did later on have the chance to briefly chat with his old ‘partner-in-crime’ Chris Peach, who jokily took exception to hearing that his friend’s booth was proving very popular.

Lastly, I was able to speak to Big Lee of “Miniatures Adventures” fame of YouTube. I had intended to then move on to the annual bloggers meeting, which ordinarily congregates next to the Painting Competition area. However, I was told that only a few of us had actually managed to make the show, so found myself being quickly lured away by some very reasonably priced “Flames Of War” bargains at the nearby "Entoyment Wargaming And Hobby Centre" and "Frome Model Centre" stalls...

"Changeling, Become Something Small... And Try Again."

"The transformation... hurts."

This 35mm scale miniature of One Man Zoo in his bird form was created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer and is available as an STL (Standard Triangle Language) file by "C27 Studio". The sculpt is clearly inspired by Arnold Drake and Bob Brown's co-creation for "DC Comics" - Garfield Mark Logan (a.k.a Beast Boy or Changeling), and seemingly designed to be used as an 'alternative' figure for the Batman Miniatures Game rule-set.

The actual sculpt also comes with a billow of smoke upon which the model's feet attach to - presumably depicting the Teen Titan's miraculous transformation. However, this made for a precarious looking perch in my mind, and I didn't want to risk damaging the ensemble either during painting or gaming. As a result, I simply plonked the bird upon a car wheel which "C27 Studio" supply as an STL file to help populate your bases with extra pieces of debris.

"Big Mr Tong" WIPs - Four Aquaphibians awaiting all of their details to be 'picked out'

In addition, I didn't pick up upon this model's diminutive size until after I had super-glued it to an 'official' "Atomic Mass Games" Marvel Crisis Protocol base, as all the company's other comic book characters that I've produced have been 40mm scale. This doesn't really impact upon this particular miniature. But does mean some of Changeling's other animal-based manifestations, as well as his human form, are disappointingly a little small when compared to the larger "Marvel Worldwide" characters I was hoping to intermingle them with.

The figure itself was pretty straightforward to paint and provided an excellent opportunity to test out more bottles from "Duncan Rhodes' Two Thin Coats" range. The bird was therefore primed in Ethereal Green, shaded in Necrosis Green Wash and dry-brushed with (more) Ethereal Green. The rubber tyre was simply pigmented with Doom Death Black, whilst the wheel rim was treated to a combination of Sir Coates' Silver and Oblivion Black Wash.

"Papsikels Miniatures" WIPs - Big Boss Bigsie Dollar

Sticking with 3D prints, I have applied a thorough "Vallejo" Heavy Grey dry-brush over the five Aquaphibians I have been working on as palette test pieces. Produced by "Big Mr Tong" these "Stingray" antagonists are absolutely packed full of detail, so I now need to work out which fins, scales and spiny protrusions I'm going to 'pick out' with a darker green colour choice before finishing the small Supermarionation series squad off.

Lastly, I've been testing out some of the brown paints from "Duncan Rhodes' Two Thin Coats" range on Big Boss Bigsie Dollar by "Papsikels Miniatures". I've actually enlarged this figure so it better matches its 32mm scale brethren using "Chitubox" Basic, as the first version I printed was significantly smaller than the rest of the models I was planning to use my not-Bixby Snyder with on the tabletop...

"What We Hoped To Achieve Was To Meet Our Makers."

"To get answers. Why they even made us in the first place."

This 32mm scale Omega Zelucerean Tamer is produced by "Papsikels Miniatures" and was downloaded as part of a free set of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from their PAPSIPACK Welcome Models subscription set on "Patreon”. Produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer, the sculpt is clearly inspired by Ridley Scott’s 2012 science fiction film “Prometheus” and was predominantly painted using “Duncan Rhodes' Two Thin Coats paint” range. 

Standing at an impressive 60mm, the figure is actually part of a two-piece set which has her right hand nonchalantly resting upon the head of a seemingly docile Xenomorph. However, as I just wanted the 'Engineer' on their own, I decided not to print  out the weirdly squatting, domesticated alien, and instead simply glued the miniature to a "Citadel" 40mm circular plastic base, before priming them with a double layer of Gravestone Blue.

"Big Mr Tong" WIPs - Four primed Aquaphibians awaiting the first of their shades

The Zelucerean Tamer was subsequently shaded using Oblivion Black Wash and dry-brushed with (more) Gravestone Blue. This really helped bring out all the partly organic looking details of her survival suit, including the hands - which appeared to have the fingers poking out of something akin to a pair of space mittens. However, I did think that the “Space Jockey” looked a tad boring as she was, so decided to pick out her stomach, throat and a pair of vents running along her shoulder-blades, using a combination of Sir Coates Silver and Oblivion Black Wash.

This palette somewhat tied into the motion picture stills I have seen of the technologically-advanced race's costumes, which generally appear to have a semi-translucent silvery/bone sheen to them. Lastly, I applied a couple of coats of Ivory Tusk to the Omega's bald head and fingers, washed these areas with watered-down “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson, and later spotted her eyes with Doom Death Black.

"C27 Studio" WIPs - One Man Zoo's undercoated Bird, Bear and Tiger

Sticking with 3D printed models, I have started work on a fifteen-figure strong contingent of Aquaphibians produced by "Big Mr Tong". Strongly influenced by Gerry and Sylvia Anderson's 1964 television series "Stingray", these marvellous 28mm miniatures are admittedly somewhat larger in size to Mike Tongue's usual fare. But once finished I'm hoping I can still use them on the tabletop against some of the other factions the sculptor has released - or wait until he releases his own version of the World Aquanaut Security Patrol (WASP).

Finally, I have managed to produce and prime a trio of 35mm scale miniatures by "C27 Studio" from their One Man Zoo kit. Having previously painted an all-green Gorilla, Tiger and Bird from the "Batman Miniatures Game" Teen Titans Bat-Box by "Knight Models" almost four years ago, I thought I'd see whether I could use some of “Duncan Rhodes' Two Thin Coats paint” range to better capture the cartoon green of (not) Beast Boy's bear, tiger and bird...

"Judgment Day Is Inevitable."

"A T-X was sent back through time to eliminate your lieutenants."

These three 32mm scale E-800 Exterminators are produced by "Papsikels Miniatures" and were downloaded for free as part of a set of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from their "Patreon" The Exterminator December 2022 subscription service, The miniatures were produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer and are clearly based upon James Cameron and Gale Anne Hurd's science-fiction "Terminator" franchise.

The trio were all primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and treated to both two layers of Sir Coates Silver by "Duncan Rhodes' Two Thin Coats" and a hearty dousing in Oblivion Black Wash. The "artificially intelligent autonomous war machine[s]" were then carefully dry-brushed with (more) Sir Coates Silver and had their eyes picked out with a spot of Demon Red and a dab of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. Finally, due to wanting their metallic hand-weapons to somewhat stand out from the rest of the E-800 Exterminators shiny surfaces, I applied a second shade of Oblivion Black Wash over all the firearms.

"Papsikels Miniatures" WIPS - Two Series 5 Sexycops and a FKMSA Failed Experimental Battle Droid Series 1

In addition to my latest submission for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) I have also slowly started working on some of the figures from "Papsikels Miniatures" latest "Patreon" release entitled "Corpo Cops". These models vary in scale between 28mm and 32mm, and are clearly strongly influenced by Paul Verhoeven's 1987 science fiction film "Robocop", as well as the $53.4 million grossing movie's subsequent sequels.

For now I'm planning on focusing upon both the FKMSA Battle Police Series 5 Sexycops and a series of FKMSA Failed Experimental Battle Droid Series 1 miniatures. I'm actually finding some of these sculpts to be so finely-detailed that they're probably not destined to survive long on a tabletop unaided. So have already added at least one resin boulder (manufactured by "C27 Studio") to a figure to support its meticulously researched but super-delicate limbs.

"Battlefront Miniatures" WIPs - This Panzer IV has been stripped clean and reprimed

Lastly, I've made more progress on the Panzer IV unit I intend to field as part of my 50-point German D-Day Defence Force for "Flames Of War". Having put aside my frustration with trying to achieve any sort of camouflage on the "Battlefront Miniatures" tanks, I have decided to instead focus on 'picking out' a number of each armoured vehicle's details. These should prove reasonably straightforward to paint and break-up an otherwise rather monotonous dark grey colour scheme.

Initially, I had intended to build a fourth 15mm Panzerkampfwagen from a spare sprue, as I felt the model upon which I piloted my unsuccessful tan-green-brown pattern upon was far too full of clumpy paint to be saved - especially after I tried layering it with two coats of "Vallejo" German Grey. However, I have since soaked the thing in approximately 120ml of Paint Remover by "Green Stuff World" for a few hours. This solution has almost completely removed any trace of my previous disaster, and resultantly lead to me (re)priming the tank in a combination of "Vallejo" Black Prime and "Citadel" Abaddon Black in an effort to bring it my battlefield after all...

"The Engineers Have A Multitude Of Different Names."

"Deciphered hieroglyphic tablets found in Tanaka 5 referred to them as Ossians."

These three 32mm scale Yurneyan Golem Exofist Mask figures are produced by "Papsikels Miniatures" and were downloaded as part of a free set of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from their PAPSIPACK Welcome Models subscription set on "Patreon”. Produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer, I had initially planned to 'field' four of the figures. But one of the models' arms failed to print – probably due to my overloading the build plate.

The 55mm tall sculpts are recognisably inspired by Ridley Scott’s 2012 science fiction film “Prometheus” and were predominantly painted using “Duncan Rhodes' Two Thin Coats paint” range. They were all primed with a double helping of Gravestone Blue, shaded using Oblivion Black Wash and dry-brushed with (more) Gravestone Blue. This really helped bring out all the partly organic looking details of their survival suits.

"C27 Studio" WIPs - Conroy has been primed and dry-brushed

However, I thought the “Space Jockeys” looked a little bland so decided to pick out their stomachs, fingers and throats using a combination of Sir Coates Silver and Oblivion Black Wash. This somewhat tied into some of the pictures I have seen of the alien’s costumes for the movies, which appear to have a somewhat silvery/fleshy sheen to them. As a final step I applied Ivory Tusk to their heads, washed these areas with watered-down “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson, and dotted their eyes with Doom Death Black.

Alongside my latest submission to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge, I have been working on a Kevin Conroy tribute sculpt by "C27 Studio". The company ordinarily create 40mm scaled miniatures which are similar in size to those found in the "Marvel Crisis Protocol" super-hero game by "Atomic Mass Games". But this particular figure of the Dark Knight from "Batman: The Animated Television Series", has been crafted at the somewhat smaller scale of 35mm - hence it's been placed on a "Citadel" 40mm circular base.

"Battlefront Miniatures" WIPs - A Panzer IV now sporting a "Vallejo" German Grey colour scheme

In addition, I have been plugging away at the remaining models by "Battlefront Miniatures" which I need so as to complete my initial 50-point strong German D-Day Defence Force for "Flames Of War". Things had been going reasonably well, with my 7.5cm Anti-Tank guns even receiving some odd spots of camouflage over their "Vallejo" Dark Yellow undercoat/wash/dry-brush as a precursor for doing something similar to a quartet of similarly-primed Panzer IV tanks.

Unfortunately for some bizarre reason though, I inexplicably decided to veer away from doing small, self-isolated batches of coloration, and instead chose to use some "Vallejo" Luftwaffe Camo Green as a guide by snaking the odd line over the first of my armoured vehicles. Before I knew it this haphazard spider's web had got completely out of hand, and my attempt to rein it all in with "Vallejo" Heavy Brown just looked like messy splodges. As a result, and in view of having my first game pencilled in for late next week, I have subsequently decided to keep this particular tank formation nice and straightforward, by sticking with "Vallejo" German Grey and some trusty "Citadel" Nuln Oil shade...

"Like Father, Like Daughter."

"Justine Hammer inherited her father's ruthless criminal leanings."

This 28mm scale pre-painted plastic model of the Crimson Cowl was produced by “Wizkids” and is miniature number 091 from their old Marvel “Heroclix” Ultimates range. “The mysterious boss of the Masters of Evil” Justine Hammer’s alter-ego was created by Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley for the April 1997 issue of "Thunderbolts" by "Marvel Comics".

Snatched from the top of the figure's flying 'clicky' base and super-glued upon a plastic 25mm circular base, the super-villain was treated to a double-coat of “Duncan Rhodes' Two Thin Coats” Sanguine Scarlet and shaded in "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. She was then heavily dry-brushed with (more) Sanguine Scarlet, before having her eye slits spotted with a smidgeon of Skulker Yellow and “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade.

"Papsikels Miniatures" WIPs - These three Gigerian Royal Brood Warriors have simply been dry-brushed

With so simple a submission to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) completed, I've had the time to progress five Gigerian Royal Brood Warriors I was freely sent as STL (Standard Triangle Language) files by "Papsikels Miniatures" as part of their PAPSIPACK Welcome Models subscription set on "Patreon". These 32mm xenomorphs are somewhat different looking to the other aliens I've pigmented from the company's range, so I wanted to go with a different palette than the predominantly brown one I've used in the past.

To be honest, I've always found these iconic Internecivus raptus somewhat daunting to paint as they're so darkly coloured that I've always felt a simple highlight over a black prime (and perhaps a wash) does little justice to their fascinatingly detailed biomechanical appearance. As a result, I thought it would be worth taking the time to slowly build-up this variant's muted blue via three increasingly light dry-brushes of different blue-greys and a couple of shades too - all from "Duncan Rhodes' Two Thin Coats" range.

"Battlefront Miniatures" WIPs - A pair of German 7.5cm Anti-Tank guns

In addition, and making a rather agreeable change in both scale and genre, I have been tinkering away at the two bases of World War Two 7.5cm Anti-Tank guns I need for my German D-Day Defence force. These 15mm plastic "Flames Of War" figures by "Battlefront Miniatures" have been patiently gathering dust since I first started working on them at some point last year, so the first thing I've needed to do was brush them down.

I also appear to have lost one of the crew's officers or look-outs, so I've been scratching around my various piles of shame looking for a replacement. Luckily, I have found a pair of German large gun teams still on their sprue, courtesy of some reinforcements I purchased at "Salute" in October 2021, and these do seemingly consist of a spare figure. However, quite bizarrely these slightly resin(ish) models are slightly larger than their counterparts in hard plastic. So I'm a little perplexed as to whether the 'new' gunner will annoyingly stand out from his brethren...

"Sauron Was A Brilliant Argentinian Hypnotherapist."

"He also became a human-pteranodon hybrid and would-be-conqueror of the "Savage Land"

This 28mm scale pre-painted plastic model of Sauron was produced by “Wizkids” and is miniature number 029 from their Marvel “Heroclix” Wolverine & The X-Men range. After being bitten by mutant pterodactyls, physician Doctor Karl Lykos was transformed into a humanoid Pteranodon, who was "able to absorb the life force of others through touch." Created by Roy Thomas and Neal Adams, the Savage Lands mutate made its first appearance in the September 1969 issue of "The X-Men by "Marvel Comics".

Clipped from the figure's 'clicky' base and super-glued upon a plastic 25mm circular base, the super-villain was treated to a double-coat of Ethereal Green from "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" paint range so as to cover up its previous paint-job, shaded in Battle Mud Wash, and thoroughly dry-brushed with (more) Ethereal Green. I then 'picked out' his tongue using a combination of Sanguine Scarlet and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, before dotting in the energy vampire's mesmerising eyes with a smidgeon of "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow over a "Citadel" Abaddon Black base layer.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - The Afrika Korps have been primed with "Vallejo" Desert Yellow

Finally, I applied two layers of Sorceror's Cloak from "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" over Lykos' torn loin-cloth and shaded it with "Citadel" Druchii Violet. To be honest I had originally intended to pigment the garment in yellow, as per the miniature's 'official' paint scheme. But having recently played quite a bit of the computer game "Marvel Snap", I decided to go with the colour he wears on his digital card instead.

Along with my latest offering for the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC), I have also assembled and primed half a dozen 28mm plastic German soldiers by "Warlord Games" to use with their "Bolt Action" World War Two (Second Edition) rule-set. Admittedly, the last thing I currently need is another project, but to begin with I'll only be using a single figure to represent a unit of infantrymen, so the temporary distraction shouldn't be too severe.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - The Afrika Korps have been shaded with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade

As I already own a sizeable German Eastern Front Army (in 10mm) and a burgeoning D-Day Defence Force (in 15mm), I thought I'd move to a much hotter theatre of battle by building a contingent of Afrika Korps. However, I can't say I'm particularly impressed by the poses offered by the Nottingham-based manufacturer's thirty-figure Infantry boxed set, as most of them seem to be stumbling forward with their heads down, or lying on the ground.

Admittedly, this probably makes a lot of sense in real life, as you'd want to keep yourself low to the sand dunes with all those bullets and bombs whizzing about. However, from a painting perspective it means I'm going to have to reach my brush-tip up into some quite confined areas, which will probably never see the light of day once on the battlefield. As a result, I wish a few of the plastic models were actually stood upright, and may well stand them on the odd rock in future, simply so their faces are more accessible...

"My Yeti Can Destroy You So Easily."

"Now listen, everyone. When the Yeti come for you, don't struggle."

These three 48mm tall metal Yeti were produced by “Warlord Games” as part of the Nottingham-based company's "special limited-time offer" Doctor Who: Web Of Fear set. Somewhat controversially given away for free with any orders of £75 or more, the blister also contained figures of Colonel Lethbridge-Stewart and Professor Travers, and was based upon Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln's February 1968 televised story "The Web Of Fear".

Having previously pigment a trio of the Great Intelligence's hairy automatons using a mixture of "Vallejo" and "Citadel" paints, I decided to make these particular miniatures stand out somewhat by solely using colours taken from "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" range. Resultantly, the "cuddly but ferocious" models were primed using two layers of Scorched Earth, drenched in Battle Mud Wash, and dry-brushed with (more) Scorched Earth.

"Big Mr Tong" WIPs - Four Sardaukar awaiting a final heavy dry-brush and shade

Furthermore, I gave each of the "servitors" a light dusting of Dust Bowl, and then dabbed each furry monster's eyes with a little White Star. These areas were subsequently carefully coated with Skulker Yellow, shaded with plenty of Flesh Wash and ultimately brightened with an extra dab of Skulker Yellow. I also used a combination of White Star and Battle Mud Wash on the deadly machines' numerous sharp claws.

Alongside these latest submissions to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) I have managed to get most of the details 'picked out' on the last four Sardaukar troopers by "Big Mr Tong" I plan to enter into the event. This quartet of science fiction soldiers have had their belts, face visors and hand-weapons all base-layered and now simply need to have their protective suits dry-brushed in "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal before being drowned in "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Papsikels Miniatures" WIPs - Two primed Proto Keeler G and a Xeno Brood Sentry

Lastly, I've set about 3D printing and priming three more "Alien" related 32mm scale figures by "Papsikels Miniatures". The first are two copies of Proto Keeler G, whose STL (Standard Triangle Language) file I was given for free as part of their PAPSIPACK Welcome Models subscription set on "Patreon". I actually created a pair of this "Alien: Covenant" inspired xenomorph due to one of its hind legs miscasting on both occasions. There's clearly a slight problem with the this area's supports failing, so I've strengthend the offending limbs with a couple of skulls by "Encounter Terrain".

The last model is the mighty Xeno Brood Sentry, which just about sits snugly upon a "Citadel" plastic 60mm circular base. This STL can also be found inside the PAPSIPACK Welcome Models subscription set on "Patreon" and has already been heavily dry-brushed with Scorched Earth by "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" in order to tie it in with my previously painted Cheetah Aliens.

"My Mommy Always Said There Were No Monsters."

"But there are."

These three 32mm scale Cheetah Aliens are produced by "Papsikels Miniatures" and can be downloaded for free as part of a six-figure set of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from their "Patreon" subscription November 2022 release - Aliens Verses Skull Hunters 2.. Based upon a species of H.R.Giger's infamous deadly xenomorphs, the figures were produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer.

Originally, I had thought about making the cult classic monsters a dark yellow to try and tie them in from being spawned out of some hapless big cats. But this seemed to be too great a variance to the predominantly black, oily coloured killers shown on the Silver Screen. Fortuitously, I then spotted a statue of a xenomorph crouched on all fours which H.R. Giger had exhibited at the opening of the Austrian Ars Electronica institute in 2013.

"The Shield Wall is gone."

The disconcerting looking sculpture was a deep, dark brown with a solid black forehead, so once I had super-glued my miniatures onto some "Citadel" 60mm oval bases, I immediately primed them in Doom Death Black by "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats". I next gave my half dozen models a thorough dry-brush of Scorched Earth and shaded them all with Oblivion Black Wash to help make their base layer look very dark indeed.

I then more delicately (re)dry-brushed the models with (more) Scorched Earth, before applying a light highlight of Dust Bowl across all the prominent raised areas. Finally, to help better blend this all together, I gave the fearsome fiends an absolute drowning in Battle Mud Wash. This just left me needing to 'pick out' all the aliens' metal teeth with a combination of Sir Coates Silver and Oblivion Black Wash, as well as apply a coat of Doom Death Black (and later "Coat D'arms" Gloss Varnish) across their foreheads.

"Papsikels Miniatures" WIPs - Silvia Dela Torres is slowly having her details 'picked out'

Alongside my latest entry for the Thirteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge (AHPC) I have also finished/submitted (yet) another 28mm scale Sardaukar sculpted by "Big Mr Tong" which I produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer. Based upon David Lynch's 1984 American science-fiction film "Dune", the miniature was predominantly painted using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, Steel Blue, Gunmetal, "Citadel" Nuln Oil, "Scalecolor" White Alchemy and the "Citadel" Contrast paint Warp Lightning.

Lastly, and returning back to both "Papsikels Miniatures" and their (not) "Alien" franchise figures, I have almost finished pigmenting space crew maintenance worker Silvia Dela Torres. This 32mm sculpt should bag me a bonus 20-points in the AHPC, as she'll make an excellent proxy for actress Sigourney Weaver when entered in the event's Casting Couch category...

"Instruct All Regenerated Cybermen To Evacuate The Ship."

"You will return to Cybercontrol and inform main fleet of our intention."

These four 28mm scale Cybermen were sculpted by "Big Mr Tong" and can be downloaded for free as part of a ten-figure set of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from his "Patreon" subscription service. Based upon Eric Saward's incarnation of the Mondasians as first seen in his March 1982 "Doctor Who" story "Earthshock", the miniatures were produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer.

Having been washed, cured and then removed from their supports (applied through "Chitubox" Basic following each figure being rotated at a thirty degree angle), the silver giants were undercoated in "Citadel" Abaddon Black and given a double-helping of "Vallejo" Gunmetal. The models were then washed using "Citadel" Nuln Oil, dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal, and treated to a combination of "Scalecolor" Speed Metal and "Citadel" Flesh Tearers Red on their hand-weapons’ power cylinders.

"Big Mr Tong" WIPs - Four of ten Sardaukar which have been primed and dry-brushed

Somewhat disappointingly, these miniatures are only half the number of "Big Mr Tong" sculpts I had intended to enter into the Thirteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge for its opening week, Luckily, I have provided myself with some leeway in my overall schedule of submissions so as to achieve my target of 500 points (approximately one hundred 28mm figures). But it certainly hasn't been the flying start I was hoping for.

As a result I aim to knuckle down over the next few days and pigment ten of the prolific Patreon-based sculptor's Sardaukar models (from David Lynch's 1984 American science-fiction film "Dune"), replicating the simple palette I devised on a test model late last month. This should help me get somewhat back on track, and provide me with a little 'wriggle room' when it comes to old/new model ranges or rule-sets unexpectedly distracting from my main focus.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - Three Yeti which now need their eyes and claws 'picking out'

One such 'interruption' has definitely been "Warlord Games" announcement that their soon to be deleted "Doctor Who" range was having a "Last Chance Clearance" sale, with all their metal sets suddenly being sold at half-price. I had actually convinced myself that I had bought all the miniatures I wanted from their "End Of Time" offer - having repeatedly pillaged the Nottingham-based company's Mythic Americas collection in order to qualify for the free figures I wanted.

However, this latest deal prompted me to 'pick up' several more Mire, Movellans, Headless Monks, Ogrons, Tetraps and even a Pyrovile to help bolster my forces, and additionally grant me access to a second set of free Yeti. These 48mm tall robots were an absolute joy to paint in the past, and this time round will be pigmented predominantly using colours taken from the "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" range so as to bring a little contrast to my formidably-sized furry 'sixsome.'

“Blonsky Became A Large Scaly Humanoid Even Stronger Than The Hulk.”

“In accordance with [Stan] Lee's wishes, the character defeated the Hulk in their first battle.”

This 40mm scale miniature of Namaste Haiku was created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer and is available as an STL (Standard Triangle Language) file by "C27 Studio". The 60mm tall sculpt is clearly inspired by Stan Lee's comic book co-creation - The Abomination, and designed to be used as an 'alternative' figure for the Marvel Crisis Protocol rule-set.

Along with a 75mm scale version, the model also comes with its own 50mm circular base. However, as I dislike trying to print off anything of that size which is supposedly (super) flat, I decided to just print out the rubble upon which Emil Blonsky’s alter-ego stands and then superglue it upon an 'official' spare plastic stand by "Atomic Mass Games". I then used some green-stuff to blend the join in, and primed the entire ensemble with "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

"C27 Studio" WIPs - Namaste Haiku shaded, dry-brushed and base-layered

‘Deliberately exposing himself to a greater quantity of the same gamma radiation that transformed Bruce Banner into the Hulk’, I decided to use the former KGB agent as an opportunity to test out some of "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" I've recently been sent by "Trans Atlantis Games" to trial. As a result, I applied a double-helping of Emerald Green over Haiku to use as a prime, shaded the miniature with Battle Mud Wash, and dry-brushed him with (more) Emerald Green. I later used a similar process for the rubble, swapping out "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" colours for "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and Nuln Oil to as to match the basing palette I’ve previously used on my ‘official’ Marvel Crisis Protocol figures.

I initially picked out the hideous lizard-like creature’s eyes, torn trousers, teeth, finger nails and toe nails with Doom Death Black by “Two Thin Coats”, and subsequently applied either White Star, Skulker Yellow or Marine Blue to the appropriate areas. With the exception of the monster’s clothing – which was given a liberal shade of “Citadel” Drakenhof Nightshade – all these parts were then washed with (more) Battle Mud Wash by “Two Thin Coats” so as to dirty them up. Finally, I went back in with some additional Emerald Green and Skulker Yellow to help tidy things up, as well as bring a little focus to the super-villain’s deep-set pupils.

"Battlefront Miniatures" WIPs - This Panzer IV has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

Alongside my first entry into the Thirteenth Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge, I have also managed to make some steady progress on a 'test' 15mm scale plastic Panzer IV by "Battlefront Miniatures". This tank will be one of four fully tracked armoured fighting vehicles I want to field as part of my 50-point German D-Day Defence force for "Flames Of War", and has rather embarrassingly been sat gathering dust upon my hobby table for quite a while.

Part of this delay has admittedly been because I simply couldn't make up my mind as to what camouflage scheme I wanted to use for my tanks. The hard-backed "Colours Of War" painting guide by "Battlefront Miniatures" is rather good at suggesting a variety of different palettes, as have been the numerous colour historical photographs I've perused. However, in the end I was rather intrigued by the notion that Panzer IV crews would pigment their chassis in all sorts of different designs dependent upon what materials were to hand and their particular fancy. As a result I plan to apply a scheme similar to the one I used for all the Panzergrenadiers' helmets, in an effort to tie the entire force together...

"The Destroyer Is Forged From An Unknown And Enchanted Metal."

"The armour was stored away in the Temple of Darkness, but it was found by Loki."

This 40mm scale miniature of Lazer Face was created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer and is available as an STL (Standard Triangle Language) file by "C27 Studio". The approximately 70mm tall sculpt is clearly inspired by Stan Lee's comic book co-creation - The Destroyer, and designed to be used as an 'alternative' figure for the Marvel Crisis Protocol rule-set.

Along with a 75mm scale version, the model also comes with its own 50mm circular base. However, as I struggle to print anything of that size flat, I decided to simply print out the rubble upon which the "enchanted suit of armor" stands and then superglue it upon an 'official' spare plastic stand by "Atomic Mass Games". I then used some green-stuff to blend the join in, and primed the entire ensemble with "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

Abe Sapien and Hellboy encounter a Sinister Bird, a Frog Swarm and Supernatural Fires

"Forged by the King of the Norse gods, Odin", I decided to use the miniature as an opportunity to test out some of "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" I've recently been sent by "Trans Atlantis Games" to trial. Resultantly, I applied a single layer of Sir Coates Silver over Lazer Face, shaded it with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed it with (more) Sir Coates Silver. I later used a similar process for the rubble, swapping out "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" colour for "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, and adding some splodges of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to the mix to dirty the broken ground up a bit more.

With hindsight I should have taken some additional time checking and trimming away a series of 'pimples' left over from the miniature's supports before I started painting the miniature. However, I didn't properly spot them running down the back of the sculpt's legs until later on, by which time I was almost finished and didn't want to have to re-prime. layer, wash, and dry-brush the re-cleaned area - as that always seems to stand out, in my eyes at least, no matter how careful I try to be to blend the repair work in with the original pigmentation.

A Giant Boss Frog Monster tears the B.P.R.D. field agents apart

In addition to completing the first of my figures by "C27 Studio", I have also managed to play some more "Hellboy: The Board Game" by "Mantic Games", unsuccessfully pitting Anung un Rama and Abe Sapien up against a supposedly mild infestation of Frog Monsters. This adventure really didn't go very well at all, with the Deck of Doom placing the two B.P.R.D. Field Agents onto their back feet almost straight from the start.

Alongside the usual hazards of Frog Swarms and "Supernatural Fires", we experienced a Sinister Bird, "A Heavy Moon" (which stunned the duo completely out of the blue", ,"Ambush" and even a super-powered Frog Monster who was invisible to the naked eye. To make matters worse, the monstrous Boss Frog Creature then descended upon us whilst we lay unconscious in a confined space, quickly splattering Abe's brains all over a wall and sending Hellboy flying into an even smaller adjacent room where he was pummelled to death. Next time we'll be sending in a full-team of four operatives...

"So, What Do You Think Got To My Tractor?"

"Something the commies built? Some kind of monster? Something from outer space?"

This 28mm scale Giant Robot is produced by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio", and can be bought as SKU: MINI 688 from their Science Fiction range. Sculpted by Andrew May, the multi-piece resin kit comes with a choice of two hands (claw or death ray), and stands approximately 90mm in height. Due to my wanting this 'towering war machine' to be fielded alongside my previously-pigmented Killbots and Spybots, it was undercoated with a double helping of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey before being drenched in "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green.

I then applied a dry-brush of "Vallejo" Gunmetal to the entire miniature, making sure to especially 'hit' the edges of its head and numerous rivets, and shaded it further with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. To build upon this illusion of the automaton being significantly weathered I later drenched it in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and meticulously dabbed each head with a splodge of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash. Once this time-consuming process was completed, I attempted to blend everything together with a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Grey.

CC27 Studio WIPs - Lazer Face and Namaste Haiku primed with the "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" range

This technique was rather patiently done as I wanted to ensure that some of the previously-used "Vallejo" Gunmetal still shone through so as to the pair a slight metallic sheen. Once finished, the Giant Robot's cyclopean eye and chest laser were subsequently spotted with a combination of "Scalecolor" Speed Metal and the "Citadel" Contrast colour Flesh Tearers Red. Finally, I applied some fifteen year old American military decals to the deadly machine, feeling that the transfers rather faded, bleached look would suit a towering droid which was still stalking a post-apocalyptic battlefield.

In addition to the Giant Robot, I have also been busy testing out a number of paints from "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" range. These were very kindly sent out by Peter Buxton of "Trans Atlantis Games" and, whilst I've only so far tried out a handful of the colours generously posted to me, they have already become my favourite pigments within just a day.

C27 Studio WIPs - Alien Soldier, I Know Kung-Fu, and Duck-tective

I've been using them on some of the 40mm scale STL (Standard Triangle Language) files by "C27 Studio" I've recently created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer, as I wanted to see how well they covered the super-heroic figures with a single application. Being just a tabletop standard painter I'm always keen to try to 'miss a step' in the painting process by priming my miniatures in their main colour, so this experiment provided me with an opportunity to try out the mainstays White Star and Doom Death Black, as well as Emerald Green and Sir Coates Silver.

The dropper bottles all come with agitators inside of them, so a simple shake of each pot certainly seems to mix up their contents good enough for my uses. Furthermore, I've been pleased with how smooth-flowing each colour's consistency is straight from the nozzle, with only White Star (perhaps unsurprisingly) being a bit 'goopier' than its peers. All of them though have provided me with a solid foundation for future layers, with Sir Coates Silver arguably being the most impressive (over an undercoat of "Citadel" Abaddon Black) and I'm now looking forward to getting some further washes/other pigments from "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" range onto the models over the next few hobby sessions...