"Mu-Scan Follows By Encoded Psignal."

"Retrieval now indicates a 98% co-incidence with forty-seven previous raids in the Aphis Sector (102)."

This 28mm metal model of a Necron Raider was sold by "Games Workshop" as Necron Warrior 5 (Code 9947011000205) and mercilessly 'chopped up' by Dave Stone of "Wargames Terrain Workshop" fame, so as to provide some of his other figures with cybernetic limbs. Fortunately, its remains have since been very kindly gifted to me, and resultantly become the second of three Necron-themed objective markers I plan to accompany my 'Oldhammer 40K' Necron Kill Team.

Having initially been super-glued to a thin 40mm base, and dramatically posed with the aid of some "Gale Force Nine" Grey Stuff, the supposedly long-deceased robot was primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black and subsequently layered with Ironbreaker. The skeletal automaton was then washed with Nuln Oil, roughly dry-brushed with more Ironbreaker, liberally treated to a coating of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash, and finally given a second dry-brush of Ironbreaker.

"Dungeons & Dragons" WIPs - A Half-Elf Sorcerer, a Gnome Infiltrator and a Lizardman Warrior

A similar technique was applied to the Necron's Gauss Flayer using "Citadel" Abaddon Black and "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash. Although the weapon's tip was actually painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Khaki and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. Lastly, so as to imbue the defunct "spine-chilling" machine with an Egyptian aura, the raider's collar was 'picked out' using "Vallejo" Gold and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, Vallejo "Heavy Blue" and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade", as well as "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

In addition to my Necron objective/spawn marker I have also begun painting three of the five adventurers I plan to use for my "Expedition To The Barrier Peaks" campaign. These wonderfully animated, yet sadly 'Out Of Production' "Dungeons & Dragons" miniatures were made by "Wizards Of The Coast", and predominantly come from the company's discontinued "Chainmail" range.

Nemesis The Warlock WIPs - The "2000 A.D." comic book character is slowly being progressed

As I plan to actually use "Mutants And Death Ray Guns" by "Ganesha Games" to play this old "D&D" module with, rather than the fantasy tabletop role-playing game by Gary Gygax, I thought a broad range of heroes and races would really help test out many of the rule-set's numerous traits, abilities and weapons. As a result I am currently painting a Gnome Infiltrator (with repeating crossbow), a Half-Elf Sorcerer, and a Lizardman Warrior...

Finally, having recently finished both Torquemada and some Terminators, I have started work on their "fire-breathing demonic alien" opponent, "Nemesis The Warlock". This plastic "Wizkids" pre-painted miniature has been sat gathering dust in my painting queue for a couple of months now, but having spent a little time on the "2000 A.D." comic book character, I am already halfway through painting all of his battle armour.

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Forgotten Heroes" June 2017

Mister Freeze Lackey WIPs - The goons have all had their jumpers layered, ready for washing

This month's randomly themed attempt to try and reduce my 'ever so slightly dwindling' collection of metal, plastic and resin miniatures has been rather waylaid as a result of the announcement by Dick Garrison and Carrion Crow that "Forgotten Heroes" is back for its second year. Collated on the 'official' "Forgotten Heroes" website, this particular challenge specifically encourages bloggers to create/convert "an existing figure into a costumed superhero or villain" of their choice, "from any source (be that Comic’s, TV, Film, Adverts, Toy lines, Novels basically anywhere you can think of)."

Last year, I rather optimistically attempted to complete a number of well-meaning conversions, but sadly only managed to finish my Imperator Furiosa and Vampire By Night; the latter actually being a simple "Horrorclix" repaint. This time round I plan to simply finish what I started, and have thus begun working (once again) on five “Heroclix” Lackey miniatures I have previously 'converted' using a dollop of grey stuff, into some of Mister Freeze's bobble-hat wearing goons.

Necron Raider WIPs - The "merciless killers" have all been primed "Citadel" Ironbreaker

In addition to "Forgotten Heroes" I also plan on polishing off the remaining Second Edition "Warhammer 40K" Necron Raiders I began painting a little over four weeks ago. This 'Oldhammer 40K' mini-project has somewhat stalled recently as a result of the generosity of a pair of stalwart wargamers substantially increasing the number of Gauss-Flayer Gun-carrying miniatures I own, and I have therefore spent some extra time on these wonderful gifts cleaning, priming and basing them, so as to do them the justice they deserve.

Of particular note, Dave Stone of "Wargames Terrain Workshop" fame has kindly not only sent me a few extra "merciless killers", but also a very much appreciated Limited Edition Skulz Necron Examination Table to use as an objective marker. Whilst, amongst several other most welcome miniatures from the "dystopian science fantasy universe", Steve from "The Game Cupboard" posted me several more Necron Raiders including a complete "machine-like" Immortal armed with a Gauss Blaster...   

Xorn Ravager WIPS - The "outsiders from the Elemental Plane of Earth" have been undercoated

Finally, my recent purchase of the "Dungeon & Dragon" module "Expedition To The Barrier Peaks" by "TSR Hobbies Inc" has enthused me to start rummaging through my collection of pre-painted "Wizkids" Dungeons & Dragons miniatures. As I plan on playing the out-of-print 1980 "playing aid" using "Mutants And Death Ray Guns" by "Ganesha Games", rather than Gary Gygax's famous rule-set, I am currently developing an opening scenario which will see the Grand Duchy of Geoff's "doughiest henchmen" first encounter the strange "gated cave" which mysteriously disgorges "monsters... at random intervals."

I already have some suitably appropriate miniatures by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" to use as vegepygmies, but also thought the adventure would be a good excuse to re-base and prime some plastic Xorn Ravagers that have long languished in my painting queue unattended. As a result, all three of the "outsiders from the Elemental Plane of Earth" have been undercoated "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, and now are simply awaiting a wash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil before I pick out their teeth, claws and eyes.

"Daleks Do Not Take Orders."

"But you have no weapons! No defenses! No plan!"

These three 28mm scale models of a Dalek are produced by “Warlord Games” and can be assembled from the plastic sprues found within the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" "fast-paced tabletop miniatures game". Created by Terry Nation (and Raymond Cusick) in 1963, this particular variant of the Kaled's Mark III travel machine is based upon their Time War shell and first appeared in the April 2005 BBC Television series story "Dalek".

As I have already finished my force's Patrol Leader and three Daleks, these particular new additions will now provide me with enough Skaro mutants to field the three Dalek recruitment cards needed for the rule-set's opening scenario "A Meeting Of Metal"; an introductory six turn battle which sees the Daleks and Cybermen fighting over the scattered cargo of a crashed space freighter. 

"We would destroy the Cybermen with one Dalek!"

Having super-glued the 'Metaltrons' onto 40mm lipped circular stands, the miniatures were initially primed with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna before being treated to a double coat of Brass. I then generously washed all three models with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and gave them a heavy dry-brush of more "Vallejo" Brass. 

With the 'easy phase' finished, I subsequently picked out each of the Master Race's eye stalks, control arms and multi-range variable power destructors with a combination of "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil. In addition, the Daleks' audio scanners were 'picked out' with "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey, whilst the pepper pots' fenders were painted with "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

Destroyed Dalek WIPs - The objective marker has been primed, washed, and dry-brushed 

Despite having yet to play "Doctor Who: Exterminate!", I am already somewhat keen to build up my Dalek faction to four Recruitment cards. This will enable me to then use Davros' pitiless creations as the attackers in the rule-book's second scenario, "Ship Of Death", where they'll be attempting to thwart the Cyber-Leader from launching a powerful starship which "will end the war."

Unfortunately however, one of my remaining "easy-fit plastic" Dalek models simply refused to go together, and resultantly has become an early casualty of their war with the Cybermen. This change of fortune for the figure in question though does not mean it won't see any tabletop action, as I have simply glued it to a 40mm thin-lipped circular stand in order to use it as an objective marker.

Necron Raider Objective WIPs - The partially destroyed robot has been thoroughly rusted

I actually seem to be on something of a 'run' of painting distressed robots and broken automatons, as I've also been progressing a second partially destroyed "Games Workshop" Necron Raider at the same time. This old Second Edition "Warhammer 40K" miniature has lost both its legs, and is seemingly defunct. But one can never tell with the "race of mechanical warriors" and it may well be, should the vignette be utilised as a 'spawn marker', that it is simply the first of the Necrontyr's creations to reach the surface...

"Explorators Report... Status Priority Red."

"Fate has delivered into our hands the remains of one of the enemy raiders."

This 28mm metal model of a Necron Raider was produced back in 1997 by "Games Workshop" and is one of five mechanical warriors which were included in the "Warhammer 40K" race's boxed set. Previously mutilated in order to provide some other figures with cybernetic limbs, this formidable sculpt was very generously gifted to me by Dave Stone of "Wargames Terrain Workshop" fame, and has resultantly become the first of three Necron-themed objective markers I have planned to accompany my small-sized 'Oldhammer 40K' Necron raiding party. 

Having first been super-glued to a thin 40mm base, and appropriately angled with the aid of some "Gale Force Nine" Grey Stuff, the defunct automaton was primed with "Citadel" Abaddon Black and subsequently layered with Ironbreaker. The skeletal robot was then washed with Nuln Oil, roughly dry-brushed with more Ironbreaker, liberally treated to a coating of "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash, and finally given a second dry-brush of Ironbreaker.

Ultron-14 WIPs - The robot has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

A similar technique was applied to the Necron warrior's Gauss Flayer using "Citadel" Abaddon Black and "Mig Productions" Extreme Rust Wash; albeit the weapon's tip was painted using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Khaki and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. As a last touch, so as to imbue the distressed machine with an Egyptian aura, the robot's detailed collar was 'picked out' using "Vallejo" Gold and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, Vallejo "Heavy Blue" and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade", as well as "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson.

Sticking with the metallic robot theme, I have started work on an Ultron-14 "Heroclix" model I found whilst scrambling through my pre-painted "Wizkids" collection for some odds and ends to send Steve from "The Game Cupboard". I've painted up a previous incarnation of the Avengers' nemesis before, but felt this upgraded variant, capable of "Thermal Targeting", would make a welcome addition to my ever-growing horde of insane comic book automatons.

Time War Daleks WIPS - The Kaleds have had their eye-stalks, sensors, weapons and plungers all 'picked out'

For now I have simply primed the model with some "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and started building up the artificial intelligence's adamantium outer armour with a combination of Nuln oil and patiently dry-brushed Ironbreaker. However, before Ultron-14 is finished I hope to have 'picked out' his red optical sensors and darkly foreboding skull-like maw.

Finally, I have finished all the layers needed on three more of my "Warlord Games" Daleks, and now simply need to apply a variety of washes over the Kaled Mark III travel machines to finish them. As a result I'm hoping to get these models varnished and flocked over the next few days, and finally settle down to play "A Meeting Of Metal"; the opening scenario to the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" "fast-paced tabletop miniatures game."

"The Daleks Are Never Defeated!"

"I am a soldier, I was bred to receive orders."

These three 28mm scale "easy-fit plastic" models of a Dalek are made by “Warlord Games” and form part of a twelve-strong force found within the "Doctor Who: Exterminate!" "fast-paced tabletop miniatures game". Conceived by Terry Nation and designed by Raymond Cusick in 1963, these particular sculpts are based upon Henry van Statten's so-called "Metaltron" shell, which first appeared in the April 2005 BBC Television series story "Dalek".

Having previously painted my force's Patrol Leader, Dalek Sec, these three Skaro mutants will provide me with enough miniatures to field one of his faction's two Dalek recruitment cards. These 'bring in three Daleks each' and will ultimately allow me to field seven of the "master race" for the rule-set's introductory scenario "A Meeting Of Metal".

Necron Raider Objective WIPs - The partially destroyed robot has been thoroughly rusted

As I dislike playing with unbased figures, and because these models were a little too large for the 30mm lipped bases I have used for the rest of the "Into The Time Vortex" range, the Kaled Mark III travel machines were super-glued onto 40mm lipped circular stands before being primed with "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. I then gave each Dalek a double coat of Brass, liberally washed them with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, and then gave them a heavy dry-brush of more "Vallejo" Brass. 

With the basics finished, I subsequently picked out their eye stalks, control arms and multi-range variable power destructors with some "Citadel" Ironbreaker and Nuln Oil, and additionally painted the Daleks' audio scanners with "Vallejo" White and Pale Grey. As a last touch, I used some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to coat the pepper pots' fenders.

Gang Fighter WIPs - The Boromite has had his armour, equipment and wiring finished

As something of a distraction from the world of "Doctor Who" I have been merrily distressing a partially destroyed "Games Workshop" Necron Raider. This old Second Edition "Warhammer 40K" miniature has been based on its side in order for it to represent a battered, rusty objective marker. But has also provided me with an opportunity to try out a colourful Egyptian-theme on part of its metal exo-skeleton before I finish 'weathering it'...

Finally, in order to restore some of my "Beyond The Gates Of Antares" sanity, I have momentarily stepped away from trying to batch paint ten Boromites, and instead simply worked my way up just one of "Warlord Games" science fiction sculpts. Interestingly, this change of pace has worked wonders for my brush speed, and the miniature now only needs to have his grey flesh retouched and washed before being finished. 

"The Most Numerous British Cruiser Tank In The Desert War Was The Crusader..."

"...which entered service in 1941."

This 15mm scale plastic model of a Crusader II tank is made by “Battlefront Miniatures”, and is one of the three British armoured vehicles supplied as part of the company's "Battle of El Alamein: War in the Desert" starter set. Assembled to represent the cruiser's two-pound gun variant, this "fast mechanised cavalry" unit relies more upon its speed than its armour in "Flames Of War", and has so far proved rather ineffective against the firepower of the two German Panzer tanks which accompany it inside the game's box.

Initially primed with a double coat of "Vallejo" Dark Sand, the miniature was washed with "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade and then dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Dark Sand. Partially using the camouflage painting guidance given within the pages of the "Desert Rats: British Forces In The Desert 1942-43" Army book, I then used some Black Green to 'draw' some "cloud-shaped patches" on predominantly "the lower parts of the tank" and shaded these areas with "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green.

Necron Raiders WIPs - The skeleton robots have all been primed and washed

Having 'picked out' the vehicle's tank tracks with Abaddon Black, and 'dusted' the entire model with a very light dry-brush of "Vallejo" Dark Sand in order to suggest the miniature's "disruptive camouflage" was battered and worn in places, I applied some tactical markings to the tank using a decal sheet taken from the "Battlefront Miniatures" Monty's Desert Rats boxed set. Disappointingly, these 'transfers' don't offer much in the way of choice regarding geometric symbols, so the Crusader II had to carry the red square of B Squadron on its turret, as well as carry its "divisional symbol of the left-hand mudguards, and a regimental number of the right."

Sadly, my enthusiasm for "Flames Of War", or rather "Battlefront Miniatures", has somewhat soured after I experienced some incredibly poor customer service whilst at the company's stall during this year's "Salute". True, their customer service department have since offered me a free copy of "Battle of El Alamein: War in the Desert" as 'compensation', but that was over two weeks ago, and I've heard nothing from them since. In addition, I find it hard to support any manufacturer who attends a wargaming show and charges £15 more for their own product than a neighbouring retailer...

Boromite Gang Fighters WIP - The majority of these alien miners have had their leg armour finished

Fortunately, the excellent Dave Stone of "Wargames Terrain Workshop" has recently demonstrated to me (yet again) just why his company have such an excellent reputation within the hobby community, and he himself is viewed as a tip top chap. I wasn't actually planning on painting up more than five of my old Second Edition "Warhammer 40K" Necron Raiders for this month's 'Oldhammer 40K" painting project. But Dave has put paid to such thinking by very generously sending me some additional "Games Workshop" miniatures from his personal collection and resultantly added to my modest goal. Indeed, I've even managed to make use of a couple of his mutilated models, by re-basing them as rusty objective markers.

Finally, I am slowly working my way through the ten Boromite Gang Fighters I require as the 'backbone' to my 500-point Scouting Force for "Beyond The Gates Of Antares". These "Warlord Games" sculpts are incredibly detailed, with all kinds of devices and pouches attached to their armoured girdles, and are therefore proving a real challenge to progress in any great number whatsoever.

(Lead) Mountain Musings - 'Oldhammer 40K' May 2017

Necron Raiders WIP - The robots have been primed and washed, and the Scarabs based

This month's randomly themed attempt to try and reduce my overwhelming collection of metal, plastic and resin miniatures will see me painting up a handful of old Second Edition "Warhammer 40K" Necron Raiders and a couple of accompanying Scarabs. I actually recall picking these models up second-hand at a car boot sale in Aldershot quite a few years ago, and believe I also still own the figure which came attached to the front cover of Issue 217 of "White Dwarf"; albeit I don't seem to be able to currently find that particular 'freebie' within my lead pile...

With the rumoured imminent arrival by "Games Workshop" of Eighth Edition "Warhammer 40k" I have no intention of using these "merciless killers" for any gaming in the company's "dystopian science fantasy universe". But did think that the all-metal miniatures would prove to be interesting proxies for a faction of the Robot Army which continuously fights to rule Mega-City One's Undercity in "Judge Dredd".

Overseer WIPs - The Boromite Commander has had his armour, equipment and wiring finished

Indeed, these "Oldhammer 40K" sculpts contain some incredibly Egyptian-themed detail, and along with their green Gauss-Flayer Guns, should make a colourful change from the usual all-silver palette I usually apply to my automatons. In addition they should give me plenty of opportunity to use the Robot rules in "Mutants And Death Ray Guns" by "Ganesha Games".  

My preoccupation with this "Citadel" project will not, however, blind me to my need to continue working on my 500-point Boromite Scouting Force for "Beyond The Gates Of Antares". Indeed, alongside my Overseer I have started assembling, basing and priming more miniatures from a second box of Boromite Gang Fighters.

Boromite Gang Fighter WIP - The majority of these alien miners have had their armour started

Ordinarily, I don't tend to try and paint my figures in batches or an assembly line. But, as my goal is to paint up twenty of the heavily-armed panhuman miners by the end of May, I thought I would once again try my hand at the (somewhat arduous) technique and see how I got on with ten of the plasma carbine-carrying soldiers. It is the Seventh Age of humankind after-all...

With the majority of my Cybermen painted for "Doctor Who: Exterminate!", I have begun assembling the six "genocidal warriors" I need to field two Dalek Patrol recruitment cards. These plastic multi-part models have proved rather troublesome to assemble, and there's a definite knack to ensuring the front-facing panel fits in-between the two side pieces.

Dalek WIPs - The "powerful armoured fighting machine" has been primed, washed and dry-brushed

I certainly found it prudent not to completely follow the instructions found within the "Guide To The Time Vortex" by leaving the flank pieces slightly ajar from one another until after I had 'popped' in the central panel over the Time War Dalek's eye stalk. Fortunately though, what the twenty-four pamphlet does provide is a relatively straightforward painting guide to help get these "creatures of hate" onto the tabletop fast.

Admittedly I don't think drenching "the whole miniature with Strong Tone ink wash" should be the penultimate stage of the process, especially when a couple of the earlier phases include 'picking out' the "eye stalk rings and lights with White". But the "Vallejo" Brass 'dry-brush' has certainly helped bring out all the detail on what appears to be a genuinely "highly detailed" plastic miniature.