"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'...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - Monster May(hem) 2026

"Modiphius Entertainment" surprisingly made a big return throughout April 2026

Despite managing to complete my personal randomly drawn drawer challenge last month, my overall output was still a bit lower than what I had both expected or hoped. As a result I thought I'd accept Angry Piper's invitation to join his annual "Monster May(hem)" monthly challenge over on the "Dead Dick's Tavern and Temporary Lodging" blog, and finally finish a few of the larger models I have had just sat on one side away from my painting area for the past few years.

In addition, I thought I'd do a second drawer challenge, and this time initially appeared to be knee deep in old "Judge Dredd Miniatures Game: Block War" models from the rather controversial 2012 "Mongoose Publishing" Kickstarter - fourteen years has still not calmed my fury over this campaign. However, I also spied a plastic bag containing the classic 28mm metal figures Don Uggie Apelino and his Ape Gang by "Citadel Miniatures".

"Step into a cataclysmic struggle that will decide the fate of humanity’s soul…"

Admittedly these particular "rare, vintage" sculpts date back even further in time than my aforementioned collection of Matthew Sprange miniatures, all the way back to 1985 when Bryan Ansell's company released them in a blister as part of their "2000 A.D." Judge Dredd range . However not only should the set still fit in size-wise with my current painted Judge Dredd collection, but I seem to somehow own three copies of Fast Eeek. So 'he' will provide Don Uggie with some much needed multiple minions, along with the larger 'muscle' of Joe Bananas.

Furthermore, I have completed a third 32mm scale Bomb Coffin by "Trench Stench". As with the first couple of Sarcophagus Mines I recently completed, this model was downloaded for free as part of their three-figure set of STL (Standard Triangle Language) files from the company's "Patreon" subscription service; albeit having read the "Warbands of Trench Crusade" rulebook a force of Heretic Troopers is limited to only two such 'upgrades'.

April 2026 - No change at the top after a rather lack-lustre month's productivity

Forming part of their Ghosts of the Nomansland range for the "tabletop skirmish wargame that pits the forces of Mankind against the fiends of Hell", and produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on my Mars 5 3D Printer, the miniature was predominantly pigmented using "Vallejo" Bronze and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade over a "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna undercoat. Although I did I use White Star by "Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green for the sculpt's spooky spectral flames.

Whilst the last four weeks wasn't the worst April I've recorded, it wasn't anywhere near as productive as I thought I was going to be, so I'm hoping that a plethora of big, scary monsters will help shake off this 'hobby funk' and see me rattle off a fair few miniatures. In particular I want to get at least another tiny unit of Napoleonic French by "Wargames Foundry" completed, as well as successfully make a start on the American Civil War models by "Perry Miniatures" I managed to assemble and prime last month. Plus, there's a big collection of unpainted scenery pieces currently loitering my hobby desk which need polishing off before they can be used for some actual games...

"The Trial Never Ends."

"I'm extraordinarily selfish. But it has served me so well in the past."

This 32mm scale resin model of Q was bought as part of the Star Trek Adventures Iconic Villains Miniatures Set by "Modiphius Entertainment" and is sadly no longer available as a physical figure. However, the sculpt, featuring an excellent likeness of actor John de Lancie, can still be purchased from the company as an STL (Standard Triangle Language) file from their Print At Home range.

The "extra-dimensional being of unknown origin" was originally undercoated in "Vallejo" Heavy Red, drenched with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson and then heavily dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red. His shirt and robe's sleeves were then carefully 'picked out' with "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before I used a combination of "Vallejo" Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade on his ornate neck-chain.

"Modiphius Entertainment" - These two Red Shirts have been assembled, primed and base-layered

I next pigmented the so-called judge's gloves with some additional "Vallejo" Heavy Red too. But later felt this made them blend in with the rest of Q's attire. As a result I went in and applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson to just the inside of the super-being's sleeves, and subsequently used a little trusty "Vallejo" Dark Vermillion on his gloves. This area was shaded with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, before I carefully lined the upper fingers with a tad more "Vallejo" Dark Vermillion.

With the enigmatic Q completed I was planning on finishing off the range's Sulu figure. However, I quickly realised that I had either misplaced or run out of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre - which I had previously used on the figure's shirt. As a result I simply grabbed a couple of sprues from the Star Trek Adventures Iconic Landing Party Set by "Modiphius Entertainment" I own, and assembled a pair of ultimately doomed Red Shirts.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - It's early days yet on these four Napoleonic French Carabiniers

This actually proved a little bit more difficult than I planned as the resin cast miniatures were multi-part and didn't seem to take to super-glue very well at all. In the end I had to use a little ball of green-stuff to hold the limbs in place whilst the adhesive dried, and so by the time my Human and Andorian were ready to be painted, my order of "Vallejo" Heavy Ochre off of "eBay" had also arrived.

In addition to feeding my current "Star Trek" fix, I have based, primed and begun putting a rough base layer on a quartet of Napoleonic Frenchmen from blister FN062 - Light Infantry Carabiniers In Campaign Dress And Colpacks Marching by "Wargames Foundry". Like a fool I actually thought from just looking at them from the front that these would be quite simple (and therefore quick) to get tabletop ready. However, the sheer amount of detail sculpted onto their rears is flabberghasting, and will doubtless cause me a few headache-filled hobby sessions trying to work out what colour each piece of kit is...

"Displacer Beasts Used Their Innate Magic To Bend Light..."

"...Making them appear to be between one foot to three feet from their actual positions."

This 28mm scale PVC plastic (polyvinyl chloride) Displacer Beast is produced by "Wizkids" as part of their "Dungeons & Dragons" Nolzur's Marvellous Miniatures range, and can be purchased unpainted as SKU: WZK72576. Based upon the large cat-like creature found inside the very first edition of the Monster Manual, I believe I bought this model on a whim having seen (and rather enjoyed) Jonathan Goldstein and John Francis Daley's 2023 fantasy film "Dungeons & Dragons: Honour Among Thieves".

Occasionally described as a panther with six legs and a pair of tentacles sprouting from its shoulders, the miniature was super-glued onto a 50mm circular base and primed in "Citadel" Abaddon Black. The entire carnivorous creature was then repeatedly dry-brushed (and later simply brushed in some areas) with "Vallejo" Imperial Blue, before being soaked in "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"There is no beating these troops, in spite of their generals."

I next 'picked out' the Displacer Beast's fangs with some dabs of "Two Thin Coats" White Star and a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and subsequently followed this up by applying a little "Vallejo" Heavy Warmgrey to the inside of the big cat's ears, as well as some "Skulker Yellow" by "Two Thin Coats" onto his pupils. These areas were later shaded using "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson and Reikland Fleshshade as appropriate.

Finally, I gave the monster's sharp, thorny pads a lick of "Two Thin Coats" White Star and darkened the tiny spikes down with some "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. However, as I wanted to show off the tentacle barbs - which are apparently deadly "enough to punch through pure steel armour, I gave them a rough dry-brush of (more) White Star by "Two Thin Coats" to help highlight their piercing points.

"Impossible n'est pas français"

Alongside my latest addition to my "Dungeons & Dragons" menagerie I have (finally) completed the two 28mm scale metal models manufactured by “Wargames Foundry" that I needed to field a tiny unit of Napoleonic skirmishers for my games of "Black Powder". The pair can be purchased as part of their FN103 - Grenadiers Or Voltigeurs In Greatcoat Marching set and having been undercoated "Citadel" Abaddon Black, were largely pigmented using "Two Thin Coats" White Star, some heavily-watered down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, plenty of "Vallejo" Sombre Grey and a load of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Created in 1804 by Emperor Napoleon", the soldiers' water bottles and straps were picked out in "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, whilst the Frenchmen's epaulettes, lower plumes and sword ribbons were dabbed with a little Ethereal Green by "Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. Lastly, I gave the duo's topmost pom-poms some "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow and shaded them with a dash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

"Sweet Christmas!"

 "All right... Now it's time to get ugly!"

This 40mm scale model of Luke Cage is manufactured by "CoolMiniOrNot", and was unlocked as a stretch goal during the company's highly successful February 2020 Kickstarter for "Marvel United" when it achieved a whopping $2,866,168 in funding. Created by Archie Goodwin, George Tuska, Roy Thomas and John Romita Sr., the comic book character made his first appearance in the June 1972 first issue of "Luke Cage, Hero for Hire".

Undercoated using a ton of "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow, Power Man's boots and belt were 'picked out' using "Citadel" Abaddon Black. The Hero For Hire's trousers were then given a lick of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue, shaded in "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade and later dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue. At this point I also decided to apply a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil to the miniature's belt buckle and wrist-bands.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Two Voltigeurs at various stages of completion

Inadvertently given "superhuman strength and nearly impenetrable skin," the hero's bare forearms and head were pigmented using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before Cage's fingers and facial features were highlighted with a little (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. I next applied a wash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade all over Luke's shirt and subsequently dry-brushed it with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow.

Unfortunately this process didn't turn out as well as I had hoped - probably due to the "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade being a bit goopy - so I soon re-painted the top in Skulker Yellow by "Two Thin Coats" and this time tried some "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade as a shade. Disappointingly, this didn't work out all that well either, so eventually I decided to give the New Avenger a single coat of "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow - which allowed a lot of the darker colouring to still show through - and a heavily watered-down wash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. This seemed to produce the shadow effect I was after, and may well now become my 'go to' way to paint yellow in the future.

"CobraMode" WIPs - This Desert Shrine has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

In addition to Power Man, I have also managed to make some more progress on the two remaining Napoleonic Frenchmen I need to finish in order to field a tiny (four-figure) unit of skirmishers for "Black Powder". Taken from the "Wargames Foundry" blister FN103 - Grenadiers Or Voltigeurs In Greatcoat Marching, these two 28mm miniatures don't actually need all that much work, so should be tabletop ready in the next week or so.

As a bit of a change I've also started working on some terrain I recently made using some "Bambu Lab" Jade White PLA (Polylactic Acid) on my A1 Mini 3D Printer. This Desert Shrine Scatter Terrain is by "CobraMode" and was acquired as part of my subscription when I used to support them on "My Mini Factory". I don't actually plan to use it with any of the other STL (Standard Triangle Language) files of theirs which I own. But instead intend to plonk a sizeable statue onto its daïs...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Partially-Painted/Printed Pledge” [IV/IV] March 2026

Last month's output was a mixed bag of Science Fiction, Fantasy and Napoleonics

Thanks to a strong showing during the past four weeks, I'm pleased to say that I'm only 46 points short of beating my tally for last year's Partially-Painted/Printed Pledge (PPPP), and resultantly only need to paint another ten 28mm scale miniatures which I started working on prior to last December. Much of this success has undoubtedly been due to my continuing love of "Wargames Foundry" and their Napoleonic range. But also to a very sudden interest in the original version of the Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game (MESBG) by "Games Workshop" and a group of Hobbits' deadly encounter with lots of Uruk-hai at Parth Galen.  

Indeed, spurred on by this enthusiasm for Middle Earth I have already finished work on another 28mm scale Uruk-hai armed with a crossbow. Like a number of similarly equipped miniatures I currently have sat upon my hobby table, this particular metal "Games Workshop" figure had already been primed "Citadel" Abaddon Black from an earlier attempt to make it tabletop ready, so to begin with I just gave the model's armour and weapon/bolts a lick of "Scale 75" Decayed Metal, Thrash Metal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

 "We come to kill, by sun or moon."

I then applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red with a "Citadel” Devlan Mud wash onto the orc's flesh, and carefully applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade over the creature's shoes, loincloth, hair, gloves, straps, belt, pouches and crossbow. As a final step, I treated the brute’s knife sheath to a little “Vallejo” Heavy Brown and washed it with (more) “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade.

Alongside my personal challenge's final month, I thought I'd also participate in Angry Piper's Forced March challenge over on his blog "Dead Dick's Tavern and Temporary Lodging". This means that I'll be predominantly focusing upon getting at least one infantry (or cavalry) unit completed during the month - providing "its more than a one-model unit".

February 2026 - The year already seems to be shaping up into a battle between "Wargames Foundry" and "Games Workshop"

Currently I have a number of such units I want to get finished, not least of which would be a sizeable gathering of Uruk-hai - possibly for the old The Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring mass-battle miniature wargame by "Games Workshop", so this new goal shouldn't really prove too problematic. In fact, my painting area is currently filled full of Napoleonic infantrymen, Alien Legionnaries, Beastmen and 3D prints which would adequately fit the bill if enough are pigmented.

As to whether or not something new might sneak up upon me as "The Lord Of The Rings" has, I cannot say. I have a number of one-off miniatures I would like to finally get finished - before they're probably stored away again in a box until next year's PPPP, and such diversions can invariably cause me to start wandering down yet another rabbit hole of wargaming which I hadn't anticipated venturing down before...

“I Will Take The Ring."

"Though I do not know the way.”

This small 28mm scale metal model of Frodo Baggins was produced by "Games Workshop", and could be found inside the Nottingham-based company's "The Fellowship Of The Ring" boxed set for their "The Lord Of The Rings" range. Now OOP (Out Of Production), I actually bought mine second-hand from a stall at a wargaming show many years ago, and have been meaning to get around to (re)painting him ever since.

Having already been rather brusquely pigmented by its original owner, I did initially consider simply slapping some "Citadel" Abaddon Black over the entire sculpt to cover it up. However, as the miniature was so small, I figured that approach would probably clog up a lot of the Hobbit's detail, so instead just left the Ringbearer alone and painted straight over the top of its former brushwork.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Three of five Uruk-hai armed with a crossbow currently being worked on

Resultantly, I carefully applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade to all of Frodo's flesh, and later highlighted these areas up with some (more) lines of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone. I then gave his Jacket a lick of "Citadel" Doombull Brown and his trousers a layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. Both of these garments were subsequently washed with plenty of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

I used a little "Vallejo" Heavy Red for the model's tiny waistcoat, before slapping some Heavy Green over the figure's cloak. As with the miniature's pants and coat, I drenched these parts in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade - albeit I did go back and dry-brush the Halfling's cape with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Green. As a final touch I gave his short-sword and cloak pin a brush-tip of "Vallejo" Gunmetal, and darkened these items down with a smidgeon of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Prussian Field Marshall Blucher on horse

As I'm clearly very much in the mood for "The Lord Of The Rings", I have unearthed (and in at least one case (re)glued) a handful more of the range's Uruk-hai armed with a crossbows. These 28mm multi-piece metal miniatures have come from a number of sources and resultantly are already at various stages of completion. Due to the "Middle-earth Strategy Battle Game" (MESBG) only allowing a third of your force's models to be armed with bows, I'm not sure just how many of Saruman the White's minions I'll actually get finished. But if I can rattle them all off then I may well dig out the classic "War of The Ring" ruleset by "Games Workshop" and see whether I have enough Uruk-hai tabletop ready to play that too.

So sudden an obsession with Middle Earth though doesn't mean for a minute that I plan to take my eye off of my Napoleonic project for "Black Powder". Admittedly, all the colourful details on the French Voltigeurs I'm currently plodding through has somewhat dampened my spirits when it comes to applying my brush to musket-carrying infantrymen. However, in order to break up this monotony I've picked back up my "Wargames Foundry" mounted figure of Gebhard Leberecht von Blücher from their blister PN055A Field Marshall Blucher with Generals Gneisenau, Yorck and Kleist, with the aspiration of getting the Prussian Generalfeldmarschall finished within the next week or so...

"Cybertronic Machinators..."

"...Are heavily armoured, bipedal combat robots."

This 28mm scale metal model used to be produced by “Target Games". But these days can be purchased from "Prince August" as part of their TG9524PB: Warzone Cybertronic Machinators four-figure set. Acting as a shock trooper for the Cybertronic corporation, I believe I picked this particular miniature up from a now long-closed second-hand wargaming store in Portsmouth way back at the start of the Millennium, and despite a couple of attempts in the past have only now finally got it tabletop ready.

Originally primed using "Citadel" Chaos Black, the automaton was base coated using "Vallejo" Gunmetal, shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal. I next carefully picked out the android's emblems using a combination of Ethereal Green by "Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green. To be honest, I was rather tempted to leave the Machinator like this. However, I thought it looked a bit bland, so decided to 'pick out' some of the rather clunky-looking sculpt's other details.

"You have to have seen the steadfastness of one of the forces trained and led by Bonaparte."

First up I applied a layer of "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the robot's shoulder-pads, knee-pads, and a few areas of internal workings so as to break up its predominantly 'silver' palette. I then gave its hydraulic tubing and sword handle a lick of "Vallejo" Bronze and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade in order to give the miniature a little bit more colour, before spotting its death mask eyes using a couple of dots of "Vallejo" Heavy Red.

In addition to this serious 'blast from the past' I have also completed another Napoleonic Frenchman by "Wargames Foundry". This 28mm scale metal model is part of their FN103 - Grenadiers Or Voltigeurs In Greatcoat Marching set, and having been undercoated "Citadel" Abaddon Black, was largely pigmented using "Two Thin Coats" White Star, some heavily-watered down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, plenty of "Vallejo" Sombre Grey and a load of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Two more Voltigeurs at various stages of completion

I also 'picked out' the skirmisher's water bottle and strap in "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and subsequently dabbed a little Ethereal Green by "Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green on the Frenchman's epaulettes, lower plume and sword ribbon. Lastly, I gave the soldier's topmost pom-pom some "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow and shaded it with a dash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, I have also made some progress on the tiny, four-figure unit's remaining two members. These Voltigeurs take me a lot of time to work on, so I thought I'd take a leaf out of the advice I was given by "Warlord Games" painting team when I last visited them, and get the pair's faces done early on - apparently this should then motivate me to finish the rest of the models...

"The Voltigeurs Were French Military Skirmish Units..."

"...Created in 1804 by Emperor Napoleon."

This 28mm scale metal model is manufactured by “Wargames Foundry", and can be purchased as part of their FN103 - Grenadiers Or Voltigeurs In Greatcoat Marching set. The figure is one of eight identical Napoleonic French infantrymen sculpted by Michael and Alan Perry found in the blister, and has proved surprisingly time-consuming due to its numerous colourful details.

"Skilled at sharpshooting", the soldier was first undercoated in "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and had all of his leather straps, as well as trousers and shako covering, pigmented with a combination of "Two Thin Coats" White Star and some heavily watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I then carefully applied some "Vallejo" Sombre Grey to his greatcoat, shaded it with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and later highlighted it back up with a little more "Vallejo" Sombre Grey.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This second-hand Frodo Baggins is finally getting some love

I next 'picked out' the skirmisher's water bottle and strap with some "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before plonking a little Ethereal Green by "Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green on the Frenchman's epaulettes, lower plume and sword ribbon. Lastly, I dabbed a spot or two of "Two Thin Coats" Skulker Yellow onto his topmost pom-pom, and shaded it with a dash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

With the first 'recruit' of my tiny, four-figure Voltigeur unit completed, I have spent some time digging through my backlog of half-finished projects looking for something contrastingly different to work on. One such model I found is an old 28mm metal miniature of Frodo Baggins by "Games Workshop" which I believe I picked up second-hand from a wargames show many, many moons ago.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - More Alien Legionnaries getting ready to be recruited

The hobbit has clearly received some sort of paint-job from his previous owner, and ordinarily I would just give such a figure a quick lick of "Citadel" Abaddon Black to cover it over with. However, as this figure is so small, I thought some of its minute details were probably already in danger of being clogged up, so have decided to simply apply my own palette directly on it instead.

In addition, I have selected three more Alien Legionnaries by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" from my "7TV" collection to paint up as the Emperor Ming's minions from Mike Hodges' 1980 science fiction movie "Flash Gordon". As with the trio I've recently done, these miniatures had previously just been given a prime in "Vallejo" Heavy Red, so now need to have all their black straps, gold shoulder-pads and eye lenses properly 'picked out' before being tabletop ready...

"Guards, Halt."

"...Prisoners, follow me."

These three 28mm scale white metal models are produced by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought either separately as Alien Legionary 1B and Alien Legionary 1C, or as part of their four-figure Alien Legionnaries set. Sculpted by Ernst Veingart, the miniatures are clearly strongly influenced by Danilo Donati's costume design for the Emperor Ming's minions seen in Mike Hodges' cult 1980 movie "Flash Gordon", and have rather embarrassingly been sat awaiting some attention on my painting table for a couple of years now.

Initially undercoated using a couple of layers of "Vallejo" Heavy Red, the troopers were each given a positive drenching in "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, before being dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red. The guards then had all of their leather straps and belts carefully 'traced out' with a little bit of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and their belt buckles/shoulder epaulettes subsequently were tackled using a combination of "Vallejo" Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Hail Ming, hail! Ruler of the universe!"

Having previously decided to change the colour of the legionnaries' gloves with the models I did manage to finish about twenty-four months ago, I also picked these figures' hands out with a smidgeon of "Vallejo" Dark Vermillion. These garments, which hopefully now look as if they're made from a different material to their robes, were later shaded with a quick splash of "Vallejo" Carroburg Crimson.

I did consider applying some "Vallejo" Gunmetal to all the face-mask lenses and blaster rifles - even applying a metallic coat to one of the hand-weapons. But I soon settled upon sticking to my original plan of just dotting in the semi-circular eyes and shading them with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and making the guns pure Abaddon Black so as to better match the plain black film props.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Three French Napoleonic Line Artillerymen

With a little dent made in my backlog of Emperor Ming's minions - I clearly bought a fair few four-figure blisters of these fellows from "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" in the past - I have started working on a team of Napoleonic French cannoneers by "Wargames Foundry". I wasn't actually planning on pigmenting any new purchases for this project until I'd finished working on a good dozen or so infantrymen I currently have lying about my hobby area.

However, I recently won a spate of auctions for several French cannons by "Wargames Foundry" on "eBay", so thought I better try and complete a couple of miniatures from their FN317 - Line Artillery In Campaign Dress set before they arrived. In addition, it should help me work out just how many men I want manning my field guns - as the set only contains seven actual artillerymen, and I will own eleven cannons - so at some point I'm going to need to purchase a couple more blisters even if I whittle down my crew size to just three or four models...

Miss Fantorical 2025 - An "Undercoat" Painting Pageant

Another twelve months have flown by and once again I have been asked to do a review of the "Fantorical" miniatures painting blog for the year just gone. As has become traditional, I have picked a miniature for each month and then picked an overall favourite. My choices are based on the paint job, the miniature itself, what I think is interesting and some other factors - such as quirkiness, and how unusual they are. Some months had some straight forward choices, whereas others proved to be a much harder decision with multiple models that would ordinarily have made a straightforward pick in a different month. Rules are rules though, and unfortunately some great painted miniatures therefore didn’t make it onto this list.

January - Megalodon Dorsal Fin (Submerged) by "Loot Studios" - January 13th

This is such an interesting miniature. It is a 3D print of a shark fin cutting through some water, and as well as being a really nice miniature with some excellent water effects, it also conjures up some iconic images. Indeed, the music of John Williams just comes into my head when I see it. The paint scheme is simple. But I think the water has been painted especially nicely.

February -  Sundance by "Great Escape Games" - February 28th

Moving from 3D prints to an old school metal miniature we have a wild west figure that I thought was different and very charming. I have been tempted by Dead Man’s Hand for a while after playing a demo game at a wargames show, so maybe that is why I picked this particular miniature model. The painting is great, and you are drawn to the face as you always should be. I just really like this one and not a Stetson in sight!

March - Ned Kelly by "Great Escape Games" - March 12th

Now, I don’t really like to pick two miniatures from the same range, and certainly not one after the other, as variety and unusual choices are part of my picking process. However, sometimes things just work against that! This is a model of an iconic outlaw that I remember from a television show when I was young, and whose appearance is both unique and very different. His inclusion in a cowboy game was a great idea, and he just has so much to like about him from the painting, to the quirkiness and the nostalgia.

April - Moscow Militia by "Wargames Foundry" - April 18th

I do have a soft spot for Napoleonic miniatures as "The Silver Bayonet" is one of my favourite games at the moment. This one is slightly unusual in that the bright colours you would normally associate with the period are replaced with grey and brown - which I thought was very interesting. It is the painting on this one though that really grabbed my attention, especially the face. It looks absolutely amazing with superb eyes, and a truly stoic/determined expression that really appeals. Great painting on this one.

May - Retained Knight by "Alternative Armies" - May 30th

This was picked with a massive amount of personal bias as I just love the Blood Angels Space Marine Legion in the Horus Heresy era, and as these "Ion Age" miniatures were painted to represent them I was hooked straight away. We do though move from 28mm to 15mm in scale, and I have to say the detail picked out on this smaller sculpt is very impressive. Just look at the loin cloths and shoulder pads. But it is the gold armour of the hero that really stands out here. Massive personal bias but who cares!

June - Doop by "CoolMiniOrNot" - June 18th

Tough month this one, with some lovely miniatures to pick from and I went for one I had never heard of before! Why? Well, he just looks fun and I think that the vibrant green paint scheme just makes him really really pop. At first I thought it was slimer from Ghostbusters, so after reading the posting it made me go and look up this comic book character. Interesting little mini and really good painting.

July - Space Marine Praetor by "Games Workshop" - July 14th

Another tough pick as I really liked Abomination painted/posted during this month. But my love of the Horus Heresy just pipped him to the post with this monster of a space marine ("Games Workshop" does mess up scales a lot!) hero which was slightly converted from the plastic original. I think the Sons of Horus paint colour is excellent and he does look so cool.

August - Hungarian Officer by "Wargames Foundry" - August 21st

More Napoleonics you say? Yes, I reply. I can just hear the theme music to "Sharpe" as I type! This fella is a complete contrast to the previous Russian choice with bright colours and lots of golden bling - Much more like it! I think it is the unusual white and blue colours that I like about this one too, which look so good and make him stand out in my opinion.

September - Andre the Giant by "Hasbro" - September 4th

One of the reasons I enjoy browsing "Fantorical" is the unusual miniatures that you come across, and this one appeared from way out of left field. I don’t know much about wrestling. But I have heard of this gentleman - helped enormously by a memorable appearance in "The Princess Bride". So, a miniature based on an action figure? Interesting and very quirky. However, it is the painting on this one that won me over as the skin and face are just top notch. Excellent painting on full display here.

October - Killer Croc Thug by "Knight Models" - October 20th

I really like Batman and have a soft spot for the excellent sculpts of "Knight Models", so this one was always in contention. I think this is a good example of a photograph not doing full justice to a painted miniature as it looks so good in the green scaly flesh. As well as the excellent reptilian skin, the colour of the jeans is a particular standout for me as they look so good. All round just a nice sculpt and a nice paint job.

November - Plague Lord by "Mantic Games" - November 24th

A 10mm scale model of what appears to be a bit of a giant monstrosity on the battlefield. I just love the way these have all been painted. They all look so good in my opinion that I had to include one of the three posted on "Fantorical".

December - Bat Sentry by "Wizkids" - December 12th

"Heroclix" miniatures are sometimes a bit ropey when it comes to the sculpt and the material. However, this one looks excellent and I thought it was actually produced by "Knight Models" at first. This is a lovely looking model that has been painted so well Just an overall great combination of miniature and paint job.

Well, that is my top 12. My overall favourite is……

The unusual and quirky and exceptionally well painted Andre the Giant by "Hasbro"! Just very different and so well done.

I am sure my choices were not always the same as yours so feel free to say what your favourites of 2025 were and may your pile of unpainted miniatures reduce in 2026!

“The Reason I Beat The Austrians Is..."

"...They did not know the value of five minutes."

This quartet of 28mm scale metal models are produced by “Wargames Foundry", and can be purchased as part of their AN002 German Infantry Marching set. The figures are four of eight identical Napoleonic Austrian infantrymen sculpted by Michael and Alan Perry found in the blister, and proved a little bit annoying due to a few casting flaws cropping up post priming.

The models were undercoated using a couple of layers of "Citadel" Abaddon Black base coat, before having their famous white jackets and trousers treated to a combination of "Two Thin Coats" White Star and some heavily watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. The infantrymen's collars, cuffs and waist-bands were then given a fine line of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and splash of "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson - a uniform scheme which apparently suggests that the unit originated in either Budweis or Leitmeritz.

"If you start to take Vienna - Take Vienna."

I next decided to pigment all of their water bottle shoulder straps using a mixture of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. Admittedly, according to my various pieces of reference material, this piece of leather was probably silver-grey in colour. But frankly I decided to use it for one of my many short-cuts, and simply picked it out to be the same colour as the hip-flask itself.

Lastly I applied a little "Vallejo" Gold over a Heavy Sienna base layer to the bottom of all the Austrian's sword scabbards, and their helmet plates. These areas were subsequently shaded with some "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. In addition, I once again contemplated applying some "Vallejo" Gold to the underside of each fusilier's plume - something I hadn't done on my previously painted soldiers. However, this still struck me as an incredibly fiddly enterprise - particularly as I'd now need to go back and do it to the others - so I figured I'd just leave well enough alone.

"Big Mr Tong" WIPs - This Power Armoured Trooper has been heavily converted to carry a flamer

With another four Austrian infantrymen completed, I'm delighted to say that I've already finished my Napoleonic target for the month, and given my Coalition Army for "Black Powder" the option of fielding two tiny units of Francis I of Austria's fusiliers, or a much more likely single, small (eight-figure) unit. I do also own blister AN014 Late German Infantry Marching which I would like to get tabletop ready at some point this year. So plan to employ all of the 'dodges' I learnt from this set with them too - as essentially its exactly the same figure, just wearing different headgear.

Despite recently spending many a precious hobby hour on my Napoleonic miniatures, I have still managed to convert one of my remaining upscaled 3D prints of a Power Armoured Trooper by "Big Mr Tong" for "Fallout: Factions", and slap some early base layers on the 42mm tall brute too. This chap will be the Leader/Champion of my Brotherhood of Steel squad, and has had his laser rifle upgraded to a flamer using a few plastic parts taken from some "Games Workshop" Warhammer 40k sprues...

"The Brotherhood Of Steel Is A Post-War Technology-Focused Paramilitary Order..."

"...With chapters operating across the territory of the former United States of America."

These three 28mm scale Power Armoured Troopers are 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 the Brotherhood of Steel's "high-protection Power Armour" as depicted in the "Fallout" franchise, the trio of miniatures were produced using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 5 3D Printer.

However, as I wanted to use these particular figures with "Fallout: Factions" by "Modiphius Entertainment", I decided to significantly upscale the sculpts using "Chitubox" Basic. Ordinarily this meant simply enlarging the models to be approximately 32mm in height by making them 108.41% bigger. Something I repeatedly refer to as 'Arnie size' - using the eye-level and dimensions of the Colonist Marine Cyborg Hero E-900 Exterminator STL by "Papsikels Miniatures" as a guide.' However, as these miniatures had slotta tabs, and should be a good head taller than normal folk, I had to be a bit more creative in my mathematics.

"It was founded by rogue U.S. Army officer Captain Roger Maxson shortly after the Great War."

Fortunately, "Modiphius Entertainment" do provide a height chart on their website for many of their "Fallout" figures, so I was easily able to ascertain the Brotherhood Of Steel should be 42mm tall. Taking into account the size of each model's slotta tab, this meant I needed to upscale each isolationist up to a total of 45.10mm or rather by 122.74%. In addition, I decided to 3D print them out using medium supports - simply to ensure they survived any suction issues my resin vat might cause - and whilst such thick supports did cause a few pockmarks on the odd miniature once removed, I figured they could easily be 'written off' as dents in their armour.

Once super-glued upon 40mm circular plastic bases, each model was undercoated in "Scale75" Thrash Metal, shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed with (more) "Scale75" Thrash Metal. I then carefully 'picked out' all of their visible elbow, knee and shoulder joints, as well as their breathing tubes with a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black. Lastly, I sporadically applied some Extreme Rust Wash by "Mig Productions" to various parts of each soldier's heavy armour to represent its weathered condition, and gave their laser rifles a good few more sploshes of "Citadel" Nuln Oil to truly darken them down.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - Two of the Voltigeurs in Greatcoat Marching on my painting desk

With "Fallout: Factions" in mind, these three completed miniatures will form the core of my 250-point Brotherhood Of Steel squad - as they'll be used to represent some simple Knights (Grunts) at 60 points each. However, I still need to field a Paladin (Leader/Champion) to finish the group off, so intend to convert one of my remaining 3D prints to carry a flamer using plastic parts taken from some old "Games Workshop" Warhammer 40k sprues. Currently, I only own the "Fallout: Factions - Welcome To Nuka-World!" quickstart rules. So I won't be using the full rules for my early playthroughs. But they should suffice to let me get a good feel for the flow of the game. 

Having obviously spent a fair amount of my recent hobby time focusing upon "Fallout", I am pleased to say though that I still haven't lost focus on my current Napoleonic Black Powder long-term project, and have actually begun the painstaking task of supplying my Grande Armée with some much-needed reinforcements - initially a tiny unit of four Voltigeurs In Greatcoat Marching by "Wargames Foundry". This should then be followed by another quartet of Late Fusiliers In Greatcoats And Assorted Headgear Marching to make that a small unit (of eight figures), before settling down to pigment a handful of Light Infantry Carabiniers In Campaign Dress And Colpacks Marching...

"Sauron Is A Fearsome Mutated Pterodactyl."

"Look on me, ye humans, and despair!"

This 40mm scale model of Sauron is manufactured by "CoolMiniOrNot", and was unlocked during the company's highly successful April 2021 Kickstarter for "Marvel United: X-Men" when it achieved an incredible $5,988,089 in funding. "The alter ego of physician Dr. Karl Lykos", the energy vampire was created by Roy Thomas and Neal Adams, and made his first appearance in the September 1969 issue of "The X-Men by "Marvel Comics".

Primed using plenty of Ethereal Green from "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" paint range, the super-villain was shaded in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and thoroughly dry-brushed with (more) Ethereal Green. I then 'picked out' his mouth using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, before highlighting his tongue (so as to better 'mark out' it out) with some additional "Vallejo" Heavy Red.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - These two Austrian infantrymen are almost finished

The notorious "enemy of the X-Men" subsequently had his mesmerising eyes dolloped with a splodge of "Duncan Rhodes Two Thin Coats" White Star, and plenty of "Vallejo" Heavy Violet plastered over Lykos' trousers. This garment was later shaded using "Citadel" Druchii Violet, and given a dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Violet. Lastly, I applied some "Vallejo" Neutral Grey over the figure's pre-sculpted base, sploshed it with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and highlighted its rocky crags with (more) "Vallejo" Neutral Grey.

Along with my latest addition to my roster of models I plan to use with the Marvel Multiverse Role-Playing Game, I have also been dutifully plodding away at the remaining four Austrian fusiliers I wish to add to my Coalition army for "Black Powder". These figures all come from the blister AN002 German Infantry Marching by "Wargames Foundry", and will double the strength of my current unit from tiny to small (using my home-rules for unit size).

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - A trio of Beastmen in the early stages of being painted

In addition, I've also been dabbling with a quartet of Beastmen by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" which I believe I picked up when the company first released their 7TV Dracula Feature Pack. I'm not particularly planning to use them for Karl Perrotton's skirmish rule-set, but rather "The Silver Bayonet" by "Osprey Games" - utilising them as either Cultists or perhaps even Ghouls.

I would though like to get quite a few of this manufacturer's backlog cleared from my drawers over the next couple of months - as I do seem to have collected quite a mountain of their metal models. So hopefully I can get this particular foursome tabletop ready "toot sweet", and then move on to several of their Alien Legionaries which I recently stumbled upon whilst searching through a wooden cabinet...