"Do Not Fail The Empire."

"Operative, I have apportioned some experimental Dark Troopers to Tatooine for evaluation."

This 40mm scale model of a Phase-III Dark Trooper is produced by "Atomic Mass Games", and comes as part of the company's "Star Wars: Shatterpoint You Have Something I Want Squad Pack". Based upon "the last and most powerful dark trooper exoskeleton/droid", the exasperating sixteen-piece plastic miniature was eventually assembled using the instructions found on the Minnesota-based manufacturer's website, and glued to one of the tabletop game's 40mm circular bases.

However, due to one of the halves of the machine's left shoulder-pad tearing into two parts whilst I was cutting it from the sprue, this over-complicated 'nightmare' actually ended up taking just as long to put together as the first of Moff Gideon's minions I recently got tabletop ready. Indeed, I ended up having to (plastic) glue to the two damaged pieces together and subsequently file them down as flat as I could before I could properly continue with the rest of the Dark Trooper, and even then there's a very visible dent in the robot's shoulder if you know where to look.

"Beast In The Broch" WIPs - The three remaining Systemic Units

The Imperial droid was originally primed using "Citadel" Abaddon Black and later base-layered with "Vallejo" Glossy Black - which I hoped would do much of the heavy lifting when it comes to how the shiny black killer would appear. To break the overwhelming all-black palette though, I did 'pick out' all the figure's elbow, wrist, knee and elbow joints using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil, as well as it's E-450 "Arc Hammer" heavy blaster rifle. Finally I used a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red, "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, and "Vallejo" Dark Vermillion for the Dark Trooper's eyes and chest computer.

In addition to this disappointingly time-consuming project, I have continued to plug away at the three remaining Systemic Security models found inside the Systemic Units set by "Beast In The Broch". Due to still being rather taken by Terry Nation's cult "Blake's 7" science fiction television show, I should still be able to get the computer-controlled lackeys completed before the month's end. Albeit, I sadly doubt I'll have the time to pigment the set's Alpha One and Alpha Two as well.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - The OOP figure of Venus Bluegenes

Despite recently listening to some of the "2000 AD" full-cast audio of "Rogue Trooper: Welcome to Nu Earth" over on "Audible", I've still been rather struggling to truly get going with my restarted Rogue Trooper project of late - and not even the chance discovery of my previously purchased five Man E-Corp Unit by "Diehard Miniatures" to use as (not) Southerners. Resultantly, I felt it prudent to set aside Tim Prow's dynamically sculpted Krupps Corp unit blister models (which I was planning to use as Norts), and look elsewhere for inspiration.

Funnily enough, such a mojo maker soon presented itself in the guise of the now long OOP (Out Of Production) figure of Venus Bluegenes by "Wargames Foundry". Now ordinarily I don't like to mix my manufacturers for projects. But when I slapped the "so-called G.I. Doll" on a lipped base besides my aforementioned "Diehard Miniatures", the sculpt appeared to be similarly proportioned overall and only a touch taller - which arguably makes sense for a one woman killing machine who was a "genetically-modified warrior". Regardless, I've found my interest in the project reignited and now hope to get the "female clone soldier created by Milli-Com" finished 'toot sweet'...

"The Albians Have Always Known The Penalty For Insurrection."

"Now they must pay the cost."

This 28mm scale lead free pewter model of FedSec Star Commander (male) is produced by "Beast In The Broch" and can be brought either individually as SKU: FED16 or as part of the five-figure FedSec Command 2 set SKU: PAK08. Digitally sculpted by Carl Stoelzel, I've painted the miniature up to ever so slightly resemble Federation Space Major Provine as played by actor Paul Shelley in the 1979 television episode of "Blake's Seven" entitled "Countdown".

"In charge of the personnel on Albian", the officer was primed using plenty of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, heavily dry-brushed with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal, and doused in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then picked out his uniform's rank insignia, as well as a few of the items found upon his utility belt and one thigh, using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and (more) "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Diehard Miniatures" WIPs - The Krupps Corp Troopers will be painted up as (not) Norts

Sticking with the 'new' colour scheme I recently employed for my other two FedSec Commander's hand-weapon, I subsequently gave Provine's standard issue carbine a lick of "Scale 75" Decayed Metal and shaded it with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. As a final touch I also gave the man's hair a coat of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, washed it with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and later dry-brushed it with a bit more "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna.

With my FedSec Command 2 set now completed, I have turned my attention to working on a trio of Krupps Corp unit blister models I bought from "Diehard Miniatures" whilst at this year's "Salute". I've been busy looking at various pieces of coloured artwork depicting the Norts from the "Rogue Trooper" comic book series in "2000 A.D." as a palette guide - as that's what I intend to use them as, and decided to go with the somewhat blue-uniformed citizens of the Greater Nordland seen in artist Dave Gibbons' classic "Rogue Trooper: Total War" splash page.

"Warlord Games" WIPs - This Sturmriese Axis Walker piece just needs a few washes and dry-brushes

In the long term I'm planning on fielding a ten-man group of (not) Norts for my battles upon Nu-Earth, so will need to pick up a few more copies of Tim Prow's Klutner Krupps Trooper to bulk it out. But for now I'm going to largely focus upon the Vulf Krupps Trooper - as despite not having a black domed helmet, I think the sculpt will make a good proxy for the deadly elite Nort marksman Morgen. This figure will also help me work out which paints I should use for all of the soldiers' notable details such as eye lenses, breathing tubes, oxygen tank and uniform insignia.

Lastly, I've been busy working on the uppermost dome of my first entry into Dave Stone's Season of Scenery over on his "Wargames Terrain Workshop" blog. This enormous 3D printed part from the "Warlord Games" Sturmriese Axis Walker was actually designed to be used with the Nottingham-based manufacturer's "tabletop wargame of heroes, horrors, monsters, and mechs" - "Konlikt '47". But instead I'm aiming on using it as an energy pylon for some games of Matt Forbeck's Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game...

"They're In The Woods, You Know."

"Always there."

This 28mm scale white metal model is produced by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought either separately as Beastman 3D, or as part of their DEAL 397 Beastman 3 four-figure set. Sculpted by Ernst Veingart, I must admit to particularly disliking the pose of this miniature, as well as the patches of furry hair covering the savage's chest and forearms - something which arguably appears all the more bizarre-looking when seen on the 'official' light-skinned paint-job.

Resultantly, I decided to prime mine with a couple of layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and splosh him with "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I then went back with some highlights of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna on the brute's facial features and fingers. This palette definitely helped mask the aforementioned details I found disagreeable without me having to resort to filing them off - which is something I did actually consider.

"Beast In The Broch" WIPs - These FedSec Commanders have had their basic flesh layers applied

The model's loincloth was pigmented with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade so it would tie in with the rest of his group. I also used this choice of colour on the band for the chap's tooth necklace. As with all my previous Beastmen I did consider dry-brushing the miniature's animal fur with a bit more "Vallejo" Heavy Brown to highlight it up a bit. However, as I wanted to use this model as cave-dwelling savage for "The Silver Bayonet" by "Osprey Games" (using the Cultist or maybe Ghoul rules), I felt he'd probably be extremely dirty, so left the piece of 'clothing' alone.

Lastly, I used some "Citadel" Rakarth Flesh and Agrax Earthshade on the brute's skull-smashing animal bone, dry-brushed the hand-weapon with a tad more Rakarth Flesh, and lastly added a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Dead White to it. I also carefully traced a little "Vallejo" Gunmetal along the metal ring sticking out from the horrific-looking cudgel's bottom, and darkened it down with a splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Diehard Miniatures" WIPs - These Krupps Corp Troopers have been base-layered over their initial prime

With the third of my four Beastmen finally finished I have continued to make some progress on the three officers from the FedSec Command 2 set I recently acquired from "Beast In The Broch". Digitally sculpted by Carl Stoelzel there's a lot more detail on these predominantly black clad Federation officers than I first thought, and that has given me an opportunity to break up their dark uniforms with a little bit more "Vallejo" Gunmetal - whether it be a pair of grenades or some sort of high-tech analyser.

In addition I've returned to the three Krupps Corp unit blister models I bought from "Diehard Miniatures" whilst at this year's "Salute". As I plan to use the miniatures to represent the Norts from the "Rogue Trooper" comic book series in "2000 A.D.", I was never really happy with their "Vallejo" German Grey undercoat as it looked far too dark to the almost blue-suited villains I remember from my youth. Then recently I spotted a digitally coloured version of artist Dave Gibbons' Rogue Trooper: Total War splash page on the "Rebellion Publishing" website, and realised this was precisely the colour scheme I had in my 'Mind's Eye'. Resultantly, I've base-layered my trio of 'pilot pieces' with some "Vallejo" Sombre Grey to use for their chemsuits main colour instead...

"Captain, I See Something."

"Kelowitz, Lang, flank out. Lay down fire on co-ordinates Mister Spock gave you."

This 32mm scale resin model of a Human Male was bought as part of the Star Trek Adventures: The Original Series Landing Party Miniatures Set by "Modiphius Entertainment" and is sadly no longer available as a physical figure. However, the sculpt can still be purchased from the company as either an individual STL (Standard Triangle Language) file, or as part of their Star Trek Adventures - Print At Home - TOS Landing Party Set.

The Ensign was actually primed using a combination of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and "Vallejo" Heavy Red. This was because I thought it would be easier to just base-layer the two distinct halves of the figure in its predominant colours. However, the "Citadel" Abaddon Black simply wouldn't stick to the miniature for some bizarre reason - even after a few coats, so in the end the model was given a complete lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, and then had his boots/trousers pigmented in (more) "Citadel" Abaddon Black.

"Modiphius Entertainment" WIPs - This Andorian Ensign is almost finished

The human's famous chest insignia was carefully 'picked out' using some "Vallejo" Gold and a smidgeon of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Whilst his Type-2 hand phaser was given a lick of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and subsequently shaded with a splosh or two of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Finally, as I wanted the model to represent O'Herlihy from the January 1967 televised episode "Arena", I applied some (additional) "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the miniature's hair.

Despite having completed my randomly rolled four-figure challenge for this month, I thought I might as well finish working on another of the "Star Trek" resin sprues found inside the drawer, so have been patiently working my way up an Andorian ensign too. Admittedly, there weren't any of the "warp-capable humanoid species from the moon Andoria" shown as being part of the U.S.S. Enterprise's crew in the Original Television Series. But I like to think that there some work aboard her in the background.

"Diehard Miniatures" WIPs - These three Krupps Corp troopers have been primed in "Vallejo" German Grey

Lastly, I have managed to base and prime three of the models found inside the Krupps Corp unit blister I was lucky enough to buy at Salute 2026. This "explorer faction that have a long standing rivalry with the E-Corp agents" immediately captured my imagination as they are clearly inspired by the Norts from the "Rogue Trooper" comic book series in "2000 A.D.", and resultantly caused me to start planning a future battlefield based upon Nu Earth.

For now though I just want to get a small squad of these "Diehard Miniatures" sculpts painted, and then take it from there. I do believe I have some Genetic Infantrymen by "Mongoose Publishing" somewhere, and possibly some of the E-Corp agents mentioned in the Krupps Corp troopers' blurb. But with my long-term Napoleonic and American Civil War projects still on the go, I don't really want to leap into another genre with both feet...