"The Main British Heavy Machine Gun Used In The Falklands War..."

"...Was the L7A2 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), a 7.62mm weapon."

These eight 10mm white metal British soldiers are by "Pendraken Miniatures" and were bought as part of their Falklands British Army Pack whilst I was visiting "Colours" 2023. Each 30mm x 40mm plastic base consists of two gunners and two loaders from the blister FLB28 - GPMG team, prone, helmet (5 teams) and were painted after I'd super-glued the four pairings onto their respective rectangular stands. 

The models were all primed with "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, drenched in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Grey. I then began the patient process of 'picking out' all their boots, hands, faces and weapons with a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before 'picking out' the troopers' skin with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade." These areas of flesh were later highlighted back up with a dab (more) of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone.

"The British invested all the money and energy it could raise into the Napoleonic Wars."

The soldiers' GPMGs and accompanying ammunition belts were simply pigmented using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I also applied a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to some of the soldiers' waist pouches, just to slightly break up the monotony of their predominantly 'dirty green' attire.

Alongside these heavy weapon teams for my "Germany 1985" project, I have also managed to get a third 28mm scale metal Napoleonic British Grenadier tabletop ready too. Taken from the “Wargames Foundry". blister B041 Late Line Infantry Flank Company Shouldered Arms, the figure was predominantly pigmented using a combination of White Star by "Two Thin Coats" and "Vallejo" Heavy Red. Both of these colours were subsequently sploshed with some watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to add a little shadow here and there.

"Black Site Studios" WIPs - These NASA Astronauts have been shaded using "Citadel" Drakehnof Nightshade 

In addition I applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and "Citadel" Drakehnof Nightshade to the figure's water bottle, and a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to the Redcoat's bag. Lastly, I used a little "Vallejo" Neutral Grey on the miniature's blanket, and some Gold on his shako plate. These areas were then darkened down with a splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil or Agrax Earthshade respectively.

Obviously, so time-consuming a model has meant that I've somewhat struggled to get much more done on the trio of NASA astronauts I recently assembled using some (failed) 3D printed models from the "Lunar" Two-Player Digital Starter Set by "Black Site Studios", and a handful of cast resin bitz I had left over from the company's original 2021 Core Game box. I'm hoping to still get these miniatures finished before the end of the month. But if not, then I'm currently considering simply rolling the project on into November - as I seem to have really caught the 'moon surface battle bug' presently...

"The Conflict Lasted Seventy-Four Days..."

"...And ended with an Argentine surrender on 14 June, returning the islands to British control."

These five 10mm metal British soldiers are by "Pendraken Miniatures" and were bought as part of their Falklands British Army Pack whilst I was visiting "Colours" 2023. The 30mm x 40mm plastic base is comprised of a single figure from the following codes: FLB25 - Officers, with SLR/SMG/map, helmet, FLB26 - Radio Operators, helmet, and FLB24 - Standing, firing SMG, helmet.

The models were all originally super-glued onto a wooden painting stick, undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, drenched in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Grey. I then began the patient process of 'picking out' all their boots, hands, faces and weapons with a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before dabbing at the troopers' skin with a brush-tip covered in "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone.

"Klingon starships are known for their warrior culture and are primarily used for military purposes."

These areas were later shaded with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, and highlighted back up with a smidgeon of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone. The soldiers' guns were simply pigmented using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I also applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to any visible rifle butts and the odd rear-located ammunition, as well as some "Two Thin Coats" White Star and (heavily watered-down) "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to the officer's map.

Alongside the latest addition to my slowly growing "Germany 1985" project completed, I have managed to rattle off another Kurgun S-3 Scout spacecraft by "Fat Dragon Games". This vessel was created using some "Bambu Lab" Matt White PLA (Polylactic Acid) on an A1 Mini 3D Printer, and can be purchased as an STL (Standard Triangle Language) file as part of the "Battlefront Valkyrie" Starter Set.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Four Napoleonic German Grenadiers

The single-piece spacecraft was printed using a 0.2mm nozzle, with a 0.1mm layer height, so as to minimise any striation lines on the finished miniature, and was largely painted in "Vallejo" Heavy Green and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. However, the (not) Klingon ship was later carefully dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Green, and had its warp nacelle pigmented using a combination of "Scale 75" White Alchemy and "Citadel" Flesh Tearers Red.

Lastly, I have not forgotten about my Napoleonic Austrian force using some of the fantastic 28mm metal figures by "Wargames Foundry", and resultantly have managed to get some basic layer colours on a quartet of identical models taken from their blister AN026 German Grenadiers 1805-15 Marching. The first of these miniatures completed will be destined for my Austrian "The Silver Bayonet" warband, as I need one to fill out my seven-man squad - albeit I'll be using the British rules as for some reason the basic rule book doesn't allow me to bring any Jaegers as Riflemen...

"The British Government Dispatched A Naval Task Force..."

"...To engage the Argentine Navy and Air Force before making an amphibious assault."

These five 10mm metal British soldiers are by "Pendraken Miniatures" and were bought as part of their Falklands British Army Pack whilst I was visiting "Colours" 2023. The 30mm x 40mm plastic base is comprised of a single figure from the following codes: FLB20 - Advancing with SLR, helmet, FLB21 - Advancing under fire, helmet, FLB22 - Kneeling, firing SLR, helmet, FLB23 - Standing, firing SLR, helmet, and FLB24 - Standing, firing SMG, helmet.

The models were all originally super-glued onto a wooden painting stick, undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, drenched in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Grey. I then began the patient process of 'picking out' all their boots, hands, faces and weapons with a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before dabbing at the troopers' skin with a brush-tip covered in "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone.

"The numerous languages spoken by the Austrian army made communication at all levels problematic."

These areas were later shaded with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, and highlighted back up with a smidgeon of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone. The soldiers' guns were simply pigmented using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Lastly, I applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to any visible rifle butts and the odd rear-located ammunition.

With the latest addition to my slowly growing "Germany 1985" project finished - which is based upon the old Commodore 64 computer game by "Strategic Simulations Incorporated" - I have also just about squeezed in the fourth of this month's planned Napoleonic figures by "Wargames Foundry". Taken from their Austrian range's blister AN002 German Infantry Marching set, the 28mm scale metal model was primed using a couple of layers of "Two Thin Coats" White Star, and shaded using some heavily watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"An asteroid was a type of planetary body that was generally smaller than a planetoid."

It was subsequently predominantly painted using "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade,"Vallejo" Heavy Red, "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, "Vallejo" Gunmetal, "Citadel" Nuln Oil, "Vallejo" Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I've still got another half dozen of this self-same sculpt by the Perry Brothers to get tabletop ready, and aim to break the back of this task over the next four or so weeks - creating a small-sized unit of either Budweis or Leitmeritz volunteers for "Black Powder."

In addition, I've somehow completed a final entry for Dave Stone's Season of Scenery Challenge in the guise of a medium asteroid by "Fat Dragon Games". This 50mm tall space rock is included in the company's "Battlefront Valkyrie" Starter Set, and was produced using some "Bambu Lab" Matt White PLA (Polylactic Acid) on an A1 Mini 3D Printer. Super-glued to a 60mm round MDF base by "Warbases", it was essentially painted using "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, "Citadel" Nuln Oil and "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, before having a sprinkling of 2mm tall Chilli Red flock added to its base so I can also use it as scatter terrain for any future 'moon-based' battles.

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "CoolMiniOrNot" June 2025

"In Marvel United, players must work together to stop the plans of an evil Super-villain."

After a pretty miserable May where I frankly painted next to nothing, I thought I'd try to remotivate myself by tackling a number of half-finished 40mm plastic super-heroes and villains by "CoolMiniOrNot". This will certainly help clear a little space on my hobby table as I rather embarrassingly own a fair few of these Marvel United gaming pieces, having decided to 'invest' in the range rather than purchase any more "Heroclix" figures, or those outrageously expensive models produced by "Atomic Mass Games" for Marvel Crisis Protocol.

Furthermore, I aim to complete all the various creatures by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" I began assembling and priming for Angry Piper's "Monster May(hem)" monthly challenge over on the "Dead Dick's Tavern and Temporary Lodging" blog. Obviously that particular event is now over. However, as I only managed to pigment a single entry for it, I thought I should at least conclude what I started - as opposed to my usual tactic of just sticking the things in a drawer, or plonking them on a shelf simply to gather dust.

"The United Nations called upon Argentina and the United Kingdom to reach a settlement of the sovereignty dispute."

With this mental attitude in mind, I have also finished five more 10mm metal British soldiers by "Pendraken Miniatures" which form part of the company's Falklands British Army Pack. Consisting of a single figure from the following codes: FLB20 - Advancing with SLR, helmet, FLB21 - Advancing under fire, helmet, FLB22 - Kneeling, firing SLR, helmet, FLB23 - Standing, firing SLR, helmet, and FLB24 - Standing, firing SMG, helmet, the quintet were super-glued onto a 30mm x 40mm plastic base.

The models were all undercoated with a couple of layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, and drowned in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I then dry-brushed them with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, and patiently 'picked out' all their boots, hands, faces and weapons using "Citadel" Abaddon Black. For the troopers' skin I applied a little drop of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone, followed this up with a dash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, and ended the process with a small highlight of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone. 

May 2025 - "Athena Miniatures" joins "Black Tree Design" as my favourite current manufacturer

Lastly, the soldiers' guns were simply given some "Vallejo" Gunmetal and splashed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst I applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to any visible rifle butts, and any visible rear ammunition belts or backpacks.

Despite the disappointing output of last month, this humble blog did receive its one millionth visit, which is definitely one milestone I never thought I'd reach. Whether such a landmark will help me break the current funk I'm suffering with I don't know. But it has already caused me to pick up my brushes for a few hours, so I'm increasingly hopeful I'll have a fair few miniatures to post about over the forthcoming weeks.

"The Falklands War Was A Ten-Week Undeclared War..."

 "...Between Argentina and the United Kingdom in 1982, over two British dependent territories in the South Atlantic..." 

These forty 10mm metal British soldiers are by "Pendraken Miniatures" and were bought as part of their Falklands British Army Pack whilst I was visiting "Colours" 2023. Each 30mm x 40mm plastic base is comprised of a single figure from the following codes: FLB20 - Advancing with SLR, helmet, FLB21 - Advancing under fire, helmet, FLB22 - Kneeling, firing SLR, helmet, FLB23 - Standing, firing SLR, helmet, and FLB24 - Standing, firing SMG, helmet.

The models were all originally super-glued onto wooden painting sticks, undercoated with a couple of licks of "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, and drenched in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I then dry-brushed them with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, and began the tricky process of 'picking out' all their boots, hands, faces and weapons with a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

"...The Falkland Islands and its territorial dependency, South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands. ."

The troopers' skin was pigmented using a dollop or two of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone, followed by a dash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade, and a highlight of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone. Whilst their guns were simply given some "Vallejo" Gunmetal and sploshed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Lastly, I applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to any visible rifle butts, and frankly thought I'd finished them.

However, as I actually intend to use these figures to recreate some battles akin to the old Commodore 64 computer game "Germany 1985" by "Strategic Simulations Incorporated", I thought I'd also give each soldiers' rear ammunition belt a touch of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. This palette might not be historically accurate. But it will help me identify British units if I do indeed go down the route of 'creating' other NATO/Commonwealth forces to thwart their Soviet Opposition - and use more of these "Pendraken Miniatures" sculpts for them too.

"CoolMiniOrNot" WIPs - This riderless Devil Dinosaur has been repaired and undercoated

Perhaps understandably wanting to paint something in a significantly larger scale to all these 10mm shenanigans, I have also started working on a broken 40mm plastic Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur model by "CoolMiniOrNot". This serious handful of a gaming piece is from the manufacturer's now somewhat infamous Marvel United Multiverse Kickstarter, and arrived damaged, so was very kindly gifted to me to do with as I wanted, once an intact replacement had been received.

Resultantly, I have cut off the prehistoric monster's bust rider, green-stuffed the subsequent hole, filed down my repairs, and slapped a basic "Vallejo" Russian Uniform WWII undercoat on the beast. My plan is to simply turn Jack Kirby's comic book creation into a generic Tyrannosaurus Rex, and use the figure for some actual tabletop gaming - as opposed to anything related to the boardgame. In addition, as I actually own a copy of Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur myself, I might paint them up later on for some carnivore verses carnivore action...