(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Star Trek Adventures" Zomtober 2019

"We are the Borg. Existence, as you know it, is over."

This month's themed attempt to try and reduce my overwhelming collection of metal, plastic and resin miniatures has been rather waylaid by Simon Quinton’s recent announcement, over on his brilliant "Brummie’s Wargaming Blog”, that the next few weeks will once again host the annual "Zomtober" Challenge where fellow wargamers "just need to paint one Zombie or Survivor (or more!) each week, in any scale you like, posting it to your blog by that week's Sunday.”

There's currently a modest host of bloggers already 'setting out their stall' for the event (see below), with both “Mantic Games” “The Walking Dead” and “Kings Of War” zombies being much mentioned. For my own part I’ll be focusing upon the last of my Borg drones by “Modiphius Entertainment”; surely the best science-fiction based zeds this side of Joe Schreiber’s 2009 “Star Wars” novel “Death Troopers”? In addition, I hope to build and paint half a dozen small cybernetic cubicles to use as scenery for a Borg-themed tabletop, using some seemingly OOP hard-plastic “Deadzone” terrain sprues.

Rob Bresnen's “Four Colour Super Minis”

Pulp Citizen's “Eclectic Gentleman Tabletop Gamer”

Kieron's “Cheaphammer!!”

Ivor Evan's “Saturday Mornings”

Doctor Merkury's “Doctor Merkury's Lab”
Dai's "The Lost and the Damned"
Colgar6's "Colgar6 and the Infinite Legion of Toy Soldiers"
Terry Silverthorn's "Miniature Mayhem"
 Azazel's "Azazel's Bits Box"
 Phil Curran's "Dizbusters Gaming Ephemera"
The Wargame Addict's "The Wargame Addict"

"Knight Models" WIPs - Raven, Dove and Beast Boy (Eagle Form)

In addition to my Borg, I also hope to make some significant progress on the contents of the Batman Miniatures: Teen Titans boxed set by “Knight Models”. Designed to allow a player to field a 350 reputation point force straight to the tabletop, this Bat-box contains eleven “detailed ready to paint & assemble resin” models including Robin, Raven, Starfire, Wonder Girl, Beast Boy (human, hawk, gorilla & tiger form), Hawk, Dove and a Trigon Portal.

Disappointingly, my first impressions of this collection are far from favourable due to the sculpts’ bizarre dark grey resin. In many ways the figures remind me of the low-grade additive manufactured models currently flooding the amateur super-hero gaming market by any one owning a 3D printer. They are incredibly light, bendy and breakable. Plus, “Knight Models” seem to have some insane belief that a limb or full torso will remain firmly attached to the rest of the ensemble with just a modicum of super-glue, even when its contact point is the most flimsy of surfaces…

September 2019 - The month "Modiphius Entertainment" made its mark upon my hobby time

Statistics wise, the past four weeks have proved to be one of my most productive Septembers since 2014, with more than twice as many models being painted during the period than were finished last year. This productivity was (once again) largely due to my infatuation with the various “Star Trek Adventures” models currently being released by “Modiphius Entertainment”.

A slew of Borg-related characters such as Lore, Locutus of Borg and the Borg Queen herself, along with another bunch of Romulan Uhlans has helped see the London-based company rocket into my Top Three favourite manufacturers of the year, quickly casting aside my usual mainstays of “Games Workshop”, “Warlord Games” and “Heroclix”.  Whether my love of “Star Trek” will continue to the point where it’ll eclipse my long-term commitment to “Black Tree Design” and their “Doctor Who” range remains to be seen, but considering my ongoing battle to receive my most recent massively overdue order from John Olsen, I wouldn’t be at all surprised…

"Ring's Still Working."

"That's all that matters."

This 40mm tall plastic “Wizkids” model of a Green Lantern Boxing Glove is miniature number R100.10 from the War of Light DC "Heroclix" set, and depicts one of the interstellar law enforcement agent's telekinetically controlled solid light constructs. Announced in January 2014, this "six-month story-line Organized Play program" actually included the release of a Green Lantern Corps' Power Battery, along with several differently-shaped constructs, such as an axe, wall, net and bulldozer.

The 3D Special Object was initially removed from its tiny "Wizkids" base and super-glued onto one of the thin 40mm circular bases I use for the vast majority of my objective markers. It was then treated to three coats of "Vallejo" Dark Green so as to ensure its translucent green plastic was completely covered in paint.

Iron Golems WIPs - The highly detailed figures' "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey skin simply hasn't worked out

The miniature was later thoroughly washed with "Citadel" Biel-Tan Green Shade and enthusiastically dry-brushed using some (more) "Vallejo" Dark Green. I did consider whether to apply a second, somewhat lighter green, dry-brush to the model. But in the end decided I liked the deep green colour I have already achieved, so left well enough alone, and simply flocked the boxing glove's base.

So straightforward a painting subject has really been a blessing considering the amount of problems I've experienced trying to finished even one of this month's planned "Warcry" figures by "Games Workshop". I have already had to previously re-paint parts of my Ogre Breacher in order to get a grip upon the Nottingham-based company's Contrast colours, and now I've found it just impossible to reach other parts of the imposing figure with my brush-tip due to all the intricate detail on the sculpt.

"Knight Models" WIPs - Beast Boy, alongside his Tiger and Gorilla forms

To make matters worse, I do not like the way the Chaos warriors' pale grey skin has turned out either, despite watering down its somewhat obligatory "Citadel" Nuln Oil wash. This combination appears especially poor-looking when I'm only able to blindly dab it beneath an overshadowing shoulder-pad or alongside an irregular running metallic chain-belt. As a result I've briefly set the project aside, to ponder upon a change in palette and re-order which areas of each fighter should be painted first...

Fortunately, I have already taken stock of the Batman Miniatures:Teen Titans Boxed Set I plan to progress over the course of October, so have spent some time assembling and priming some of the various "Knight Models" resin figures depicting Beast Boy in both his human, and animal forms. To be honest, I have never had much fun building anything for the "Batman Miniatures Game", and this trio were absolutely no exception to the rule. Overall they are incredibly dinky, and appear liable to snap at a mere moment's notice.

"You’re My Prisoner."

"Congratulations. Surely a strategic triumph for the Romulan Empire."

These three 32mm scale resin miniatures of Romulan Uhlans are produced by “Modiphius Entertainment” and form part of their ten-figure strong Romulan Strike Team set. Originally created in 1966 by writer Paul Schneider to potentially represent “what the ancient Roman Empire might have looked like had it developed to the point of spaceflight”, the extraterrestrials were re-introduced after the launch of “Star Trek: The Next Generation” in the episode “The Neutral Zone”.

Just like all the other previously painted Romulans I’ve finished, this trio were actually based upon simple 28mm lipped bases rather than the 30mm scenic stands which they came supplied with, and primed using a double layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey. The Uhlans were then shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil before being carefully dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey.

"Para Drop Armour is the pinnacle of German technological achievement."

With their tunic’s quilt-pattern now somewhat visible I applied some “Citadel” Abaddon Black to the officers’ boots and hair, before treating each soldiers’ trousers to a combination of "Vallejo" Dark Grey and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Later I pigmented their flesh by using my ‘tried and trusted’ technique of applying a wash of “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade over a coat of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone. As a final touch I went over the Romulans’ disruptors, belts and collar emblems with a little “Citadel” Ironbreaker and splashed these areas with some Nuln Oil.

Shuffling across from science fiction to weird war, I have managed to re-base a few more figures from my long-forgotten collection of “West Wind Production" models. These particular miniatures belong to Andy Cooper’s "Secrets Of The Third Reich" German range, and consist of a well-camouflaged Mech Grenadier Sniper and a pair of heavily-weaponed Paratroopers in Drop Armour.

Two units of British Airborne drop between the German lines just as Nazi zombies storm the Tommy's trenches

At their original time of painting I was clearly in a great hurry to get the Paratroopers on the tabletop, as I not only just predominantly painted them dark grey as opposed to something more akin to their official camo-colour scheme. But I also super-glued them to a couple of under-sized 25mm stands. Resultantly, I have been able to use this opportunity to both super-glue/green stuff them upon some 30mm lipped bases, as well as strip away most of the unsightly white powdery modelling putty surrounding each sculpt’s metal feet tags.

My enthusiasm for this particular genre has further been re-fuelled by a couple more “Weird War Two” battles using my home-made rule-set “M.I.S.S.” These games featured the first deployment of some British Airborne behind enemy lines, and proved a great success in forcing the opposition to hold back some of their troops in order to safeguard its early won objectives from being suddenly overrun later in the day…

"Man. But You Can Call Me Ant."

"Pick on someone your own size!"

This 28mm scale plastic “Wizkids” model of Doctor Henry Pym was one of the several miniatures found inside the "Heroclix" Marvel: Ant-Man Boxed Set and depicts the founding member of the Avengers" as the costumed superhero Ant-Man. Debuting during the Silver Age of Comic Books, the character was created by Stan Lee, Larry Lieber and Jack Kirby, and made his first appearance in the January 1962 issue of "Tales to Astonish" by "Marvel Comics".

Just 16mm in height, the diminutive figure was originally undercoated in "Vallejo" Heavy Red, washed with "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson and dry-brushed using (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Red. The leading authority in myrmecology research then had his boots, gloves and pants carefully picked out using a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakehnof Nightshade.

The Avengers - The Hulk, Black Widow, Captain America, Ant-Man and the Black Panther

I applied a smidgen of "Citadel" Abaddon Black to the cybernetic helmet Pym created for "achieving rudimentary communication with ants and other higher order insects", later pigmented it with a dash of Ironbreaker, shaded it with Nuln Oil and finally dry-brushed the futuristic-looking head-piece with some (more) Ironbreaker. The "Wizkids" pre-paint actually had some pink blobs on the face presumably indicating that part of Henry's skin was visible, but for my sanity's sake I decided to leave well enough alone with just an all-over metallic look.

Interestingly, I did consider treating the dynamically-sculpted miniature's 'visible leap effect' stand with a little "Vallejo" Heavy White and Pale Grey, so as to try and replicate the model's transparent plastic base. However, I didn't think I'd like the look of that, so quickly decided to simply give the area a lick of "Citadel" Doombull Brown, some Rakarth Flesh, and dash of Agrax Earthshade using precisely the same method as I do with all my gritted bases.

"Star Trek Adventures" WIPs - Three Borg from the "Modiphius Entertainment" Collective set

Alongside my latest Avenger, I have started working on the contents of a second Borg Collective boxed set by “Modiphius Entertainment”. Having previously settled upon a reasonably straightforward recipe for the ten 32mm scale resin drones, I have actually taken the unusual step of trying to batch paint them all at once.

Indeed, I've even gone as far as to time how long its going to take me to complete the cybernetically-enhanced reinforcements, so I'll have a vague idea as to whether the 'factory line process' works for me or not. Currently, not counting the models' actual pinning and assembly (which I tend to do in pairs whilst waiting for the paint to dry on other projects) I have spent just ninety minutes on the Borg, and already found myself at the point where I'm 'picking out' their multi-purpose prosthesis...

"No Eyes, No Hair, Just Stares."

"Men. Creatures! Made in the factory!"

This 28mm scale metal model is manufactured by “Black Tree Design", and can be purchased as part of the DW1013 - Autons boxed set from their "Doctor Who" miniatures range. "Automatons animated by the Nestene Consciousness, this 'race' of life-sized plastic dummies “remnants of the Silurian race” first appeared in Robert Holmes' January 1970 BBC Television story "Spearhead From Space".

The featureless figure was undercoated with "Vallejo" Heavy Blue, drenched in "Citadel" Drakehnof Nightshade and subsequently dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Blue. The Auton's belt-buckle and hand-gun barrel were then 'picked out' using some "Citadel" Ironbreaker, and its neckerchief with "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey. Both of these areas were later shaded using a little "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Terror has many faces in 1949 - some great and some small."

The factory floor dummy's hands and face were treated to a layer or two of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone before being washed with some "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. Finally, its fingers, nose, mouth and eye ridges were 'highlighted' with some additional lines of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone.

With the latest addition to my ever-increasing collection of "Doctor Who" miniatures by "Black Tree Design", I have suddenly found myself spending a considerable amount of my time re-basing a number of old(ish) "West Wind Production" models. These figures belong to the Oldham-based company's "Secrets Of The Third Reich" range, and have suddenly acquired a new lease of life as a result of me suddenly wanting to return to 'Weird War Two' after quite a considerable break.

"MI-13 is the United Kingdom's answer to enemy super science and occult activity."

Indeed, up until very recently, the last time I used some of these models in anger was when I first got hold of the "Konflikt '47" rule-book by "Warlord Games". This time round I'll be returning to an updated version of my homemade rules "M.I.S.S.", but found myself needing to 'upgrade' a fair few of the soldiers from their original 25mm stands to my much preferred 28mm lipped circular bases; a change I started to implement a handful of years ago.

As a result I have found myself scraping away the 'water-logged' sand, grit and flock from the bases of a British Sniper, a few British Paras and Gas-Mask wearing Commandos carrying Bren light machine guns. Perhaps unsurprisingly, I've also taken the opportunity to 'touch-up' a couple of the paint-jobs as well, albeit this was predominantly due to my damaging the figures during 'Operation Relocation'...

“I Am Locutus Of Borg.”

"Your life as it has been is over. From this time forward, you will service us."

This 32mm scale resin miniature of Locutus of Borg is produced by “Modiphius Entertainment” and can be found inside the company's eight-figure strong Iconic Villains boxed set for “Star Trek Adventures”. “The Borg designation forced upon Starfleet Captain Jean-Luc Picard after his assimilation in late 2366”, this intended “spokesperson for the Human race” made his first appearance in the June 1990 “Star Trek: The Next Generation” televised story “The Best Of Both Worlds”.

Having re-based the Borg Queen’s “equal counterpart” onto a 28mm lipped circular plastic base, the figure was primed with two coats of “Citadel” Abaddon Black, heavily dry-brushed using some “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal” and later much more lightly dry-brushed with “Citadel” Ironbreaker. This technique allowed me to provide the assimilated Picard with an all-encompassing metallic-looking highlight, plus gave me an opportunity to properly see all the cables, ribbed tubing and metal implants which snaked about his body and populated his bald head.

Captain James T. Kirk stands alone against Locutus of Borg

I then applied some extra “Citadel” Ironbreaker to Locutus’ mechanical Borg arm, much of his facial circuitry, and on several of the wires coiling around his legs. These areas, along with my original dry-brushing, were subsequently tidied up using a little more “Citadel” Abaddon Black and shaded with Nuln Oil. In addition, his armoured stomach coverings were ‘picked out’ using a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

According to “Star Trek: The Next Generation” make-up artist Michael Westmore, the Borg’s paler skin demonstrated that “as humanity was drained away so was the colour of life”, so I was keen to give Picard the selfsame necrotic look I have used for all my Borg. As a result I layered his face with “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey, washed it with “Citadel” Nuln Oil and finally added some extra dabs of “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey to the man’s nose, cheek and brow.

"Black Tree Design" WIPs - This Auton has been primed, shaded, and dry-brushed

With Locutus now mostly finished, I applied some “Vallejo” Dark Vermillion to his electronic eye-piece and shaded it with a spot of “Citadel” Bloodletter. I also managed to ‘squeeze’ in a few dabs of “Vallejo” Dead White into the Borg’s eyes, and tidied the surrounding sockets up with either a smidgen of “Citadel” Abaddon Black or a little line of “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey.

With such a detailed miniature now 'in the books' I have begun work on a much more straightforward pilot piece by "Black Tree Design". This Auton is from the infamous company's "Doctor Who" range, and is hopefully the first of a somewhat large faction I'm planning to progress featuring both the Nestene Consciousness' life-sized factory-floor plastic dummies and their more 'friendly-faced' variants manufactured at Farrel Autoplastics...

"I Am The Borg.”

"I am the beginning. The end. The one who is many."

This 32mm scale resin miniature of the Borg Queen is produced by “Modiphius Entertainment” and can be found inside the company's eight-figure strong Iconic Villains boxed set for “Star Trek Adventures”. Named by the Federation scientists who discovered her existence, this “central nexus for the Borg Collective” made her first appearance in the November 1996 motion picture “Star Trek: First Contact” and was played by actress Alice Krige.

Designated Species 125, the figure was initially primed using a double-coat of “Citadel” Abaddon Black, heavily dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and ‘highlighted’ with a much lighter dry-brush of “Citadel” Ironbreaker. However, having compared the ‘look’ of this colour scheme with that of the film character’s actual costume, I realised that my normal Borg recipe contained far too much silver, and that the Queen’s (latex) bio-mechanical body suit designed by Deborah Everton was actually predominantly black with a little gold showing in places.

The Borg Queen leads an attack against a Romulan raiding party

Resultantly, I applied some watered down “Citadel” Abaddon Black over the entire model and (once again) heavily dry-brushed the female drone co-ordinator using some “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal. I then ‘picked out’ a few of the cybernetic entity’s synthetic implants with “Vallejo” Brass and shaded them using a little Strong Tone Quickshade by “The Army Painter”. 

Despite the Borg Queen’s mottled skin-tone in the movie being quite pink in comparison to the dead-like grey of her drones, I decided to still paint her bare head in the same “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey I’ve used for the rest of my assimilating extra-terrestrials. This, along with the female humanoid’s black body suit, limbs and (gloved) hands were all later washed with “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

"Warcry" WIPs - These two Iron Golems are all having their metalwork 'picked out' and shaded

Finally, I ‘picked out’ the metallic tubing encircling the model’s head with “Citadel” Ironbreaker, and drenched them in Nuln Oil. This just left me with the conundrum as to ‘spotting’ the miniature’s eyes, and having unsuccessfully tried to dot the figure’s incredibly tiny pupils a few times without making her look cross-eyed, I settled upon them being pure “Citadel” Abaddon Black.

With the perfect “blending of the organic with synthetic” completed, I have momentarily turned my attention back to my Iron Golems for “Warcry”. Now I’ve finally settled upon an agreeable palette for the plastic warriors’ red and brass-coloured armour, I’m starting to quite quickly plough through my “Game Workshop” warband’s ranks, with both its Ogre Breacher and Dwarf Armator heading towards completion…