"If I Die, I'm Going To Die Historic On The Fury Road!"

 "Do not, my friends, become addicted to water. It will take hold of you, and you will resent its absence."

"Hello Speed Freaks, and welcome to our latest broadcast of Cars, Crashes and Carnage, where we reveal all the latest news concerning the vehicles racing across our barren, post-nuclear landscape. I'm your host with the most Rex Wonkers, and alongside veteran roustabout-turned-roughneck Lance Sourdough, I'll be taking a closer look at the four latest competitors to be announced for the Juice Cup."

"To open with we have the super-sleek Solar Eagle III, which largely consists of the identically-named die-cast vehicle produced by "Mattel" between 1998 to 2001. It's believed that the 20mm scale metal "Hot Wheels" model was purchased loose at a second-hand stall a couple of years ago, and having been kitted out with a couple of forward-facing machine-guns taken from the plastic Implements of Carnage One sprue by "North Star Military Figures", was subsequently super-glued on to a "Citadel" plastic 90 x 52mm oval base."

"Mattel WIPs" - This Duck N' Roll car has been converted using "North Star Military Figures" bitz 

"It was then that the lightweight, teardrop-shaped car was primed in "Vallejo" Heavy Red, shaded using some (disconcertingly gloopy) "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red, Rex. The driver's viewport was subsequently layered with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, whilst the 762 terrestrial-grade silicon solar cells and weapons were treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil."

"In addition, you can't forget the rear-mounted mercenary riding 'shotgun'. The 20mm metal figure was selected from the NSPIoC13 - Corporate Team (Drivers & Passengers) set by "North Star Military Figures" and predominantly pigmented using "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. However, the machinegun-toting lookout also had his helmet picked out with a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson."

"That chap's going to have hold on very tight should the Solar Eagle III start accelerating up to its top speed of forty-three miles per hour, Lance. Of course, this solar car isn't the only headline grabber for this show, with the local Police Department's announcement of their 'Duck of Death' vehicle. Based upon the chassis of a "Hot Wheels" Duck N' Roll, this monstrosity will come armed with a formidable tesla cannon."

"North Star Military Figures" WIPs - Two more 20mm plastic motorcycles are on the painting table

"And let's not forget we also have another pair of 20mm plastic motorcycles found on the Implements of Carnage One sprue by "North Star Military Figures" dropping their dog-tags into the hat too, Rex. These boys are far more reliant upon their bikes' great speed to help them survive the tournament. Though I did spot one of them sporting a gatling gun at the front of their machine."

"Well that about brings our latest transmission to an end, Lancey Boy. So it's goodbye from the pair of us, and we look forward to speaking to all you wasteland survivors again in the next edition of Cars, Crashes and Carnage..."

3D Printing - "Station Forge" - Tarion Assault Squad

"Station Forge" WIPs - Three Tarion Assault Troopers primed, shaded and dry-brushed

All of these models were created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer and are available as STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from "Station Forge" on "MyMiniFactory". The armoured aliens are part of a ten-figure multipart collection entitled Tarion Assault Squad which were released in December 2024, and have clearly been heartily inspired by a certain "young race of technologically-oriented beings from the Eastern Fringe" in the Warhammer 40,000 universe.

This 32mm set was one of my main motivators for joining this particular creator, as I wanted to paint up a handful of different science-fiction based 'kill teams', and "Station Forge" seemed to readily scratch that itch rather quickly due to releasing "four main factions and bonus models" every month as part of their Tribe. As a result I already own a considerable amount of their other STL files, ranging from infantry, through to armoured suits and massive vehicles, so hope to get a fair few forces printed, assembled and made tabletop ready over the coming months.

"Station Forge" WIPs - A Tarion Officer assembled from the multi-piece STL collection

Producing these miniatures was also an absolute breeze due to all the bits and pieces coming pre-supported. This meant it really was just a case of picking the torsos, heads, arms and backpacks which I liked and slapping them on my build plate. The only failures I experienced were where I tucked up some of the larger hand-weapons into the centre of the plate, making it a little difficult for the resin to reach the odd support - and thus causing the part to disagreeably flatten. However, even these pieces are useable either by cutting away the spoilt parts or using them as base debris.

To begin with I thought I'd begin with a reasonably straightforward ensemble of Tarion holding what seems to be the squad's 'go to' firearm. However, I did include a couple of the other weapons released with the kit - most noticeably a long-barrelled gun which is somewhat reminiscent of the T'au Pathfinder's Rail Rifle. All of the figures went together perfectly with a dollop of super-glue here and there - even the team's leader, who 'halt stance' was created using a couple of individual arms, as opposed to the usual 'wishbone' sculpt with both hands already holding their blaster of choice.

"Station Forge" WIPs - Three (more) Tarion Assault Troopers primed, shaded and dry-brushed

The only extra detail I added was to one of the poses which was standing on a piece of terrain. For this particular individual I hooked out a plastic tyre from the NSPIOC05 - Implements of Carnage One sprue for "Gaslands" by "North Star Military Figures", and used that. Despite being a different scale to the extra-terrestrial, as it is actually designed to "customise your die-cast cars into instruments of death", the piece slotted underneath the trooper's foot perfectly.

Colour scheme wise I plan to go with a predominantly brown affair, something similar to the original T'au Sept Fire Warriors palette I recall from my youth, though not quite as ochre as that 'iconic hue which is worn across the Empire as a sort of dress uniform.' This should help me get a fairly significant-sized squad on the tabletop in a reasonable time, as well as help make the models a bit more interesting to pigment as opposed to the predominantly "Vallejo" Heavy Red or "Citadel" Sons Of Horus Green I currently seem to be working with...

"To The Batmobile!"

"This could be the break we've been looking for!"

"Greetings Speed Freaks, and welcome to our latest broadcast of Cars, Crashes and Carnage, which will be providing more insights into some of the vehicles racing across our fuel-scarce, post-apocalyptic landscape. I'm Rex Wonkers, and alongside veteran crude oil seeker Lance Sourdough, I'll be taking a closer look at two more recently announced competitors in the Juice Cup."

"First up is the formidable-looking Dark Knight, which has predominantly been fashioned using the Batman Batmobile 1989 Movie Die-cast Vehicle by "Mattel". The metal "Hot Wheels" model was picked up loose for just a pound at a Vintage Toy & Train Collectors Fair outside the Ashington Community Centre, West Sussex, and was subsequently super-glued to a "Citadel" plastic 90x52mm oval base."

"Hot Wheels" WIPs - The Batmobile was given various plastic armaments

"It was definitely a bargain find, Rex, and once 'tooled up' using some accessories taken from the plastic Implements of Carnage One sprue by "North Star Military Figures", was soon undercoated using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black. It was then give a hearty dry-brush with a little "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, before being doused in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The car's wheel trims, side exhausts, bulldozer blade and passenger-side mounted Gatling gun were all later hit with some "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

With the main paint scheme applied, the ride's flamer had its fuel-bottle 'picked out' with a smidgeon of "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow, and its rear-firing flares were given a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson. Finally, to weather everything up, the entire ensemble was sporadically given a coat of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash and dry-brushed in whatever the area's base colour was."

"Hot Wheels" WIPs - Solar Eagle III has been primed, base-layered and shaded

"Thanks, Lancey Boy. Alongside this 'Dark Knight' there's also word of an astonishing battery-powered potential participant who'll be using the chassis of a Solar Eagle III (in red livery). This incredibly low-profiled automobile largely consists of a lengthy solar panel. However, its owners have fitted a couple of forward-facing machineguns close to its cockpit."

"And let's not forget that the vehicle will also carry a rather exposed gunman at the rear, Rex. This guy is going to be precariously positioned just south of the car's Kevlar cog belt-driven rear wheel. So let's hope he can hold on tight to something should the 'Solar Rider' ever need to make a quick turn."

"Too right, Lance. And with that we've come to the end of yet another transmission. So, it's goodbye from the pair of us, and we'll hopefully speak to all you irradiated couch potatoes again in the next instalment of our humble sports programme..."

"Two Men Enter, One Man Leaves."

"Fighting leads to killing, and killing gets to warring."

"Greetings Motorheads, and welcome to another broadcast covering some of your favourite vehicles of our post-apocalyptic age. I'm Rex Wonkers, and alongside my colleague and famed fossicking legend Lance Sourdough, I'll be looking at three more desperate souls who have put their names forward as competitors in our upcoming inaugural Juice Cup."

"Now all of these desperados will be travelling at breakneck speeds on the 20mm plastic motorcycles found on the Implements of Carnage One sprue by "North Star Military Figures". However, in addition to predominantly just riding around the designated killing zone as a moving obstacle, two of our competitors will actually be armed and dangerous. Right, Lance..?"

"Now when men get to fighting, it happens here."

"Correct Rex. The Nottingham-based company's Code NSPIoC05 frame contains a quartet of machine guns, and a pair of these automatic weapons have been snipped down to their bare barrels and then jammed through the bikes' windshields, courtesy of a bit of drilling. Not the most complex of conversions admittedly. But definitely effective."

"Furthermore, a wheel from Implements of Carnage Two has been cut in half and stuck onto the back of this trio's other rider, so as to provide him with a miniscule amount of extra armour. I'm not sure just how much protection a semi-circle of hardened rubber is going to give, but I suppose it's the thought that counts."

"Weapons?"

"Too right, Lancey Boy. Now all three of our brave bikers were primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, heavily dry-brushed with both "Vallejo" Brown and Gunmetal, as well as later drenched in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Each rider's leather suit, visor and wheels were then appropriately pigmented with either "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna or "Citadel" Sons Of Horus Green.

"Finally, their limbs' armour plates and helmet were treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst the racers' seats and belts were given a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown or "Citadel" Rakarth Flesh. All of these areas were subsequently shaded in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade."

"And with that update, Rex, it appears we've come to the end of our transmission. So, it's goodbye from me and him, and I look forward to speaking to all you wasteland survivors again in the next edition of Cars, Crashes and Carnage..."

"What's A Little Fallout?"

"Lost everything. Looking for a deal."

"Hello everybody, and welcome to this opening transmission of Cars, Crashes and Carnage, I'm your host, Rex Wonkers, and together with renowned petroleum prospector Lance Sourdough, we'll be bringing you all the exciting news leading up to our post-apocalyptic community's very first Juice Cup."

"To start us off we'll be taking a look at one of the many planned maniacal motorcyclists aiming to make a name for themselves in the suicidal sport. This foolish fella was assembled using a couple of the 20mm plastic pieces found on the Implements of Carnage One sprue sold by "North Star Military Figures" as Code NSPIoC05 in their Gaslands Refuelled range and will doubtless simply ride around the arena acting as a moving obstacle to be avoided by the other competitors."

"Hot Wheels" WIPs - These two vehicles have been weathered with "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash

"That's right, Rex. This poor fool wasn't equipped with any actual weaponry, and was simply primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black. He was then heavily dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Brown and later Gunmetal, before being soaked in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade." 

"Once all this basic weathering was finished, the rider's leather suit, visor and the bike's wheels were tidied up with some extra "Citadel" Abaddon Black. Whilst his armoured limb plates and helmet were treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. In addition, the old lady's seat was layered with "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and the racer's belt Heavy Sienna. Both of these areas were subsequently shaded in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade."

"Thank you, Lancey Boy. I understand some additional touches of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash were also used on the motorcycle and then blended in with a delicate dry-brush of "Vallejo" Gunmetal. Now, what can you tell the audience about some of the other planned participants of the Juice Cup..?"

"Hot Wheels" WIPs - A Synkro and Duck N´ Roll with added weapon turrets and gunmen

“Well Rex, the biggest name is obviously our illustrious sponsor Bob's Burgers, who'll be entering his very own food truck into the inaugural event. His "Hot Wheel" by "Mattel" has been armed with a pair of deadly machine guns, and will be having its famous burger and fries re-painted to celebrate the occasion. Furthermore, we have at least one Land Rover Defender 90 competing for the prize in the shape of former British military-man Squaddie One."

"Plus, hot off the press I believe they'll be at least one custom build based on a Synkro chassis, and the local Constabulary have signed on with a... giant weaponized duck..!?! Doubtless we'll be able to update viewers with more on these extraordinary additions to the Juice Cup's roster in our next edition of Cars, Crashes and Carnage. But for now its time to go..."

"I Saw The Boogeyman! I Saw Him!"

“He's gone! He's gone from here! The evil is gone!”

This 40mm resin model of Michael Myers was sculpted by Nikola Stankovic and 3D printed by "Encounter Terrain". The miniature is clearly based upon the primary antagonist in the "Halloween" film franchise created by John Carpenter, and not only stands in the mass murderer's signature knife-wielding stance. But also wears the evil killer's infamous William Shatner face mask.

The figure was initially undercoated with two layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and absolutely drenched in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. He was then given the faintest of dry-brushes using (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue so as to try and keep the majority of its shading's grimy streaks intact. The homicidal maniac's shoes were simply 'picked out' with a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - This Spybot has been base-coated and 'rusted up'

I next applied a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil to the chef's knife. and later dry-brushed the hand-weapon's edges with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal so as to help them stand out. Michael's mask was pigmented using "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey. Whilst his hair was given a coat of "Vallejo" Sienna and a generous helping of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Alongside my latest Zomtober Challenge entry, I have been working away on several miniatures for this month's other painting event - Dave Stone's Apocalypse Me. Having recently completed a band of skull-faced Killbots by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio", I thought I would add to this post-apocalyptic American military contingent with some of the company's Matrix-inspired Spybots.

"North Star Military Figures" WIPs - This post-apocalyptic motorcyclist has been primed and dry-brushed

Originally, I had planned to paint just the domes of the five-robot strong squad in "Vallejo" Heavy Grey and do their tentacles, pincers and radar in bare metal. However, having tried this palette out on a test piece, I'm starting to favour doing the entire automaton in the fading, rusty green colour scheme instead.

Finally, having visited a couple of Toy Shows over the past few weeks I have found myself slightly swamped with all sorts of mad-looking "Hot Wheels" vehicles for my other Apocalypse Me inspired project - The Juice Cup. As a result I have purchased some additional Implements of Carnage plastic sprues by "North Star Military Figures" in order to 'arm them up'. Alongside the vast array of weapons, armour plating and riders, you also get some of their plastic motorcyclists for Gaslands, so I thought I had best paint at least one up to see how they take a brush-tip...