"The Bulk Of The German Army's Soldiers..."

"...Was the venerable infantry of the Grenadier divisions."

These four plastic 15mm miniatures are sold by “Battlefront Miniatures” and can be found inside the company’s “Hit The Beach” starter set for “Flames Of War”. The figures consist of a non-commissioned officer (NCO), two riflemen and a machine-gunner. Together they form the third of six MG34 and K98 Rifle teams I require for my second (maximum-strength) German Panzergrenadier Platoon.

As with all my other “FoW” German soldiers, the figures were initially super-glued onto wooden strips, before being primed in “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, shaded using “Citadel” Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII. Their details were then ‘picked out’ predominantly using “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna, Gunmetal, Buff, German Camouflage Dark Green, Heavy Brown and a series of “Citadel” Shades.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This MK III Space Marine Sergeant is having his metallics picked out.

In addition, the Panzergrenadiers' rifle tops, the general-purpose machine gun, and water flask stoppers were given a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Whilst the camouflaged helmet covering was treated to some “Vallejo” Heavy Brown, Luftwaffe Camouflage Green and Heavy Sienna. The headwear was then washed with “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade, before being highlighted back up with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Brown, of Luftwaffe Camouflage Green and Heavy Sienna.

Alongside my "Flames Of War" project I have also been busily working away at some of the formidable-sized plastic sprues found inside the Warhammer: The Horus Heresy – Age of Darkness boxed set by "Games Workshop". My current plan is to assemble 500-points worth of Sons of Horus space marines, so have drafted out a roster which comprises of a Praetor with Axe (HQ) and three Tactical Squads.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Three MK VI Space Marines primed and shaded

To mix things up a bit I thought I'd build each of my Troop choices wearing different armour, so have already put together a sergeant and nine space marines using the MK III armour found inside the Burning Of Prospero board game. For my second unit I thought I'd build the "mainstay of the Space Marine Legions" using the MK VI bitz found inside my Horus Heresy box, and have even found the time to slightly kit-bash one of them, using a "Forge World" resin shoulder-pad.

However, to give me an idea as to just how long its potentially going to take me to ultimately paint a 4,000-point force predominantly comprising of infantry, I thought I'd dedicate an hour of hobby time each session to simply painting up my 'beakie' marines. This time doesn't include cutting, slicing, gluing, or basing the miniatures, nor drying times, and as a result I have managed to get six of the chain bayonet-welding warriors primed and shaded in just sixty minutes...

"Quarks!"

"Shall I order the Quarks to mark out the drilling sites?"

This 28mm metal miniature of a Quark is produced by “Black Tree Design" and can be purchased as Code DW211 Quark from the Penzance-based company’s "Doctor Who" miniatures range. Described as "the robot slaves of the Dominators' galactic empire", the automatons made their first appearance in Mervyn Haisman and Henry Lincoln's August 1968 BBC Black & White Television story "The Dominators".

Initially, I was simply going to replicate the metallic colour scheme I had previously used on a Quark by "Warlord Games", as the figure had already been undercoated (probably) using some "Vallejo" Black Surface Primer and “Citadel” Ironbreaker some four years ago. In addition, it had also been shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed with (more) Ironbreaker to help bring out some of its somewhat roughly cast (and decidedly soft) detail.

Games Workshop" WIPs - Three Sons Of Horus Tactical Marines shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil

However, before I did so, I foolishly started researching just what the walking machine's 'official' palette was meant to be by looking at the "carefully produced in 1:21 scale" figurine manufactured by "Eaglemoss". Disconcertingly, this showed the robot as being predominantly grey-green with white spore spikes - a complete contrast to what I was planning. Moreover, I spotted a colour photograph of the original 'costume' taken at the 1977 Doctor Who exhibition in Blackpool which depicted yet another arrangement. Little wonder I had stopped applying my brushes to the Quarks way back in 2018...

In the end I decided against completely repainting the figure in line with the "Eaglemoss" scheme and instead decided to just tidy the miniature up by darkening the internal areas around its folding arms with an extra splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushing them with some "Vallejo" Gunmetal. I also stuck to ‘picking out’ the tiny rectangular areas beneath the bipedal machine’s sensory hemisphere with a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

Games Workshop" WIPs - Three Sons Of Horus Tactical Marines shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil

I did though apply some "Scalecolor" Speed Metal to the robot's sensors for “detecting changes in heat, light and motion”, shaded them with “Citadel” Nuln Oil, and subsequently lightly dabbed these tiny nodules with (more) "Scalecolor" Speed Metal. I also painted the Quark’s directional crystal beam transmitters "Vallejo" White, washed them with "Citadel" Nuln Oil and dry-brushed them with (more) "Vallejo" White, so they would look more crystalline than metallic.

Despite momentarily becoming horribly distracted by this brief journey back to the earliest days of "Doctor Who", I have also been steadily building and priming a number of Sons of Horus Mark III space marines by "Games Workshop". I had promised myself that I was going to keep all my Tactical squads for the Horus Heresy 'bare' when it came to gluing any additional equipment onto my Traitor Legions, But the Burning Of Prospero plastic sprues have so many extras on them that it seemed a little mean-spirited not to add the odd holstered Bolt Pistol or Legion Vexilla...

"The Majority Of The Sons Of Horus Had No Hesitation At The Outbreak Of The Horus Heresy."

"They quickly renounced their oaths to the Emperor and started to worship Horus and his new gods."

This pair of 15mm miniatures are nowadays sold by “Alternative Armies” as part of their "The Ion Age" range and can be found inside IAFL01 Hackett And Tasker, and IAF002 Retained Knight Post Beta. Both figures are carrying Angis Rifles, and whilst ordinarily fielded in Lances of twenty-two men by the Prydian Army, have actually been painted to proxy some Sons Of Horus space marines from the "Warhammer 30K" universe.

As a I intended to use these single-cast metal models as a command stand, they were super-glued upon a small-sized plastic "Flames Of War" base by “Battlefront Miniatures” and undercoated with "Citadel" Sons Of Horus Green. I then heavily washed both of the ‘beakies' with "Citadel" Nuln Oil, before dry-brushing them with (more) Sons Of Horus Green.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Three Sons Of Horus Tactical Marines shaded in "Citadel" Nuln Oil

Having spent some time researching the colour schemes of the traitor legion's armour, I applied some "Citadel" Abaddon Black to their shoulder-pads, as well as the tops of their backpacks and firearms. Both the miniatures' power units and rifles were later treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Finally, I carefully placed a thin line of watered-down "Citadel" Abaddon Black into both models' visor slits. 

As the Sarj Tasker figure is "limited to five hundred packs", I decided to spend some additional time turning him into a Veteran Sergeant of the Sons of Horus by 'picking out' the ridges of his shoulder-pads with a little "Vallejo" Gold and a splash of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. I also applied a small amount of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna to his belt pouches and darkened this down with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - Two titans have been primed, layered and shaded

Sticking with the Horus Heresy, but moving up to the official 28mm scale range by "Games Workshop", I have been busy progressing the first of my Sons of Horus Mark III space marines using the plastic kits found inside the out of print Burning Of Prospero boxed game. I plan to assemble ten of these miniatures, and use them to form the basis of a ten-man Tactical unit for my 500 point Traitor Legiones Astartes Army.

Furthermore, I've managed to get a little further on two large-sized resin Titans by "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". Both robots have now been primed, layered and shaded, so simply need all their appropriate ridges and rivets to be treated to plenty of “Citadel” Nihilakh Oxide before their weathering can begin in earnest...

"Argo Is Known For Headline-Grabbing Assaults On British Landmarks..."

"...Abetted by his infamous mechanical monsters."

This 36mm tall metal model of an Argonaut Commander is sold by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought as SKU: MINI 230 Argonaut A from their Villains and Monsters range. The kit comes with two separate heads, one of which bares a striking resemblance to the Twelve Colonies' robotic foes in Glen A. Larson's 1978 American science fiction television series "Battlestar Galactica". However, as I wanted this particular figure to work alongside my previously-painted Ancient Greek-flavoured mechs, I pinned its bearded head in place instead.

The miniature was initially undercoated with a layer of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna, before receiving a coat of Bronze. It was then washed with a healthy mixture of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, before being dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Bronze. I next applied various amounts of “Citadel” Nihilakh Oxide onto its numerous joints and ridges to help make its metal work look weathered.

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - Two titans have been assembled, primed and layered

These areas were later blended in with the rest of the miniature using a (third) dry-brushed of “Vallejo” Bronze, and then everything was 'sealed in place' courtesy of some "Vallejo" Matt varnish. The robot's boots, trousers, hands, arms and torso were later given a lick of "Citadel" Abaddon Black and left alone so that my finger oils could invariably create some highlights on the model when handling it in the future.

In addition to my Argonaut Commander, I have also been assembling some more of the Lincolnshire-based company's resin Titans. I recently discovered that I had bought the giant automaton's metal weapon hands in the past, so having been busy pinning a trident, net, sword, hammer and two shields in place, before working on the trio's undercoats, "Vallejo" Bronze layers and shades.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - Three Tactical Marines primed in "Citadel" Sons Of Horus Green

Perhaps the biggest current development in my hobby however, is the arrival of the Horus Heresy: Age Of Darkness by "Games Workshop". My immediate plan is to assemble and pigment a 500 point Sons of Horus force, which will consist of a Praetor with Power Sword and three ten-man Tactical Squads. The truly formidably-heavy starter box actually comes with forty Mark VI armoured Space Marines.

But to mix things up a bit I actually plan only having one of the squads in that particular armour, with the other two wearing Mark III and Mark IV suits respectively. Furthermore, I have a few resin conversion pieces from "Forge World" to add to the mix, so plan to use Sons of Horus specific shoulder-pads, heads, torsos and brass-etched iconography whenever I can...

"With Greater Autonomy Than A Basic Unit..."

"...This machine has been programmed with tactical information and strategic knowledge."

This 28mm scale metal model of an Argonaut Commander is produced by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought as SKU: MINI 231 Argonaut B from their Villains and Monsters range. The kit comes with two separate heads, one of which bares a striking resemblance to the Twelve Colonies' robotic foes in Glen A. Larson's 1978 American science fiction television series "Battlestar Galactica". However, as I wanted this particular figure to work alongside my previously-painted Ancient Greek-flavoured mechs, I pinned its bearded head in place instead.

Reaching a height of 36mm, the automaton represents one of Doctor Ulysses Argo’s more sophisticated metallic minions for the second edition of the skirmish rule-set “7TV”, and appears in an official paint-scheme of bright gold and black. Despite being tempted by this palette, I really wanted it to closely tie in with the two somewhat larger Titans, so decided to stick with something more in keeping with Talos' appearance in Don Chaffey’s 1963 film “Jason And The Argonauts”.

"The battle for Europe had begun in earnest."

Resultantly, the entire miniature was primed in “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna and later layered with Bronze. It was then shaded using plenty of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade, before being dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Bronze. Lastly, I applied various amounts of “Citadel” Nihilakh Oxide onto its numerous joints and ridges. These areas were later blended in with the rest of the miniature with a (third) dry-brushed of “Vallejo” Bronze.

With all of the Argonaut Commander's metal work completed, I moved on to pigmenting his boots, trousers, hands, arms and torso with "Citadel" Abaddon Black. These areas were subsequently treated to a dry-brush of "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and splash of "Citadel Nuln". I then applied some "Vallejo" Matt Varnish over the ensemble, and afterwards looked on in horror as I realised that some metallic flakes of "Vallejo" Bronze had transferred all over the rest of the miniature. Grumpy, I decided to simply repaint all these 'ruined' areas with (more) "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and would just let my finger oils add some highlights to the model when handling it in the future.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This space marine sergeant has been primed, shaded & dry-brushed

Alongside the latest of Argo’s henchmen, I have also finished the last three plastic 15mm models produced by “Battlefront Miniatures” I need to field a full sMG34 Machine-gun Platoon for "Flames Of War". The Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO), Machine-gunner, Reloader and their Einheitsmaschinengewehr (Universal machine gun) were all painted in precisely the same manner as all the other teams I have completed for my German Beach Defence Company.

Finally, I have dug out a 28mm plastic Sergeant Space Marine from my "The Horus Heresy: Burning Of Prospero" set, and after adding a Sons of Horus resin shoulder-pad and helmet by "Forge World" to him, have set about applying some "Games Workshop" Sons Of Horus Green layer paint to his Mark III armour. The multi-part figure certainly took some time to assemble, as even its legs and backpack came in two pieces. But now its been primed, shaded and dry-brushed, I'm hoping to make some significant progress on getting the traitor table-top ready...

"A Straw Bear Is A Traditional Character..."

"...That appears in carnival processions or as a separate seasonal custom in parts of Germany."

These three 28mm scale metal models of some Straw Bears are produced by “Crooked Dice Game Design Studio” and can be bought as SKU: MINI 466 from their Villains and Monsters range. The single-cast pieces can also be purchased as part of the Lincolnshire-based company's four-figure Mummer Procession deal, along with a Hobby Horse, Accordionist and Drummer.

This sculpt actually came about as part of the manufacturer's successful "Children of the Fields - Folk Horror 28mm Miniatures" Kickstarter in May 2018, and was unlocked as the campaign's £22,000 stretch goal. At the time I wasn't able to support the project, and only became aware of this particular model's existence when Karl Perrotton suggested it to me recently when I asked him about the prospect of producing something smaller than my recently-painted Strawman.

'The bears may be relatively realistic in appearance or have narrow heads like a long, tapering sheaf.'

As I plan for the Strohbären to act as lesser minions of Winterly Village's sentinel, they were all primed using a couple of coats of “Vallejo” Dark Yellow and liberally drenched in a mixture of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. Each figure was then heavily dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Dark Yellow, and then later Buff, using a large, soft-bristled make-up brush.

The carnival characters were debatably table-top ready at this stage, but I decided to break up their palette a little bit more by haphazardly applying splotches of “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade and Biel-Tan Green to certain areas of each model. This hopefully suggests that the Straw Bears' wheat is already at various stages of decomposition. In addition, they were all once again treated to a delicate dry-brush of (more) “Vallejo” Buff.

"Alternative Armies" WIPs - This Retained Knight has been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

Alongside my Straw Bears I have also been piloting the “Citadel” Colour Layer Sons Of Horus Green on a 15mm scale Retained Knight of the Prydian Army by "Alternative Armies". I’m currently eagerly awaiting my pre-order of "Horus Heresy: Age Of Darkness" starter set by "Games Workshop", so thought I'd work out a palette I'm happy with prior to my Sons of Horus legion arriving.

In addition, I've pigmented a good many figures from "The Ion Age" range as Horus Heresy proxy Space Marines, chaotic daemons and Imperial Guard before, so thought the addition of some former Luna Wolves wouldn't look out of place on the tabletop. I actually hope to get enough painted to form a small infantry squad, complete with a dreadnought and (already finished) Battle Taxi...

"Mounted On A Tripod For Long-Range Accuracy..."

"...And with plenty of ammunition, it is an excellent defensive weapon."

These three plastic 15mm miniatures are produced by “Battlefront Miniatures” and can be found inside the company’s Code GE784 sMG34 Machine-gun Platoon blister for “Flames Of War”. The models consist of a choice of two different Non-Commissioned Officers (NCO), a Machine-gunner, Reloader and the Einheitsmaschinengewehr (Universal machine gun) itself.

Unlike my other “FoW” German soldiers however, the NCO was the only model I initially super-glued onto a wooden strip, as the other two infantrymen clearly needed to be in position upon their actual medium-sized base before I primed them all in “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII. In addition, I actually needed to cut away some of the ammunition feed so as to allow the Reloader to lie upon the ground at an angle so as to stop his feet jutting off the end – something which would really trigger my obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).

"Crooked Dice Game Design Studio" WIPs - Argonauts Command and Strawbears

All three of the models were shaded using “Citadel” Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII. Their details were then ‘picked out’ predominantly using “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna, Gunmetal, Buff, German Camouflage Dark Green, Heavy Brown and a series of “Citadel” Shades. Lastly, I pigmented the sMG34 Machine-Gun using a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

Alongside the latest addition to my 1944 Beach Defence Company, I have been busy assembling and gluing some recently received figures from "Crooked Dice Game Design Studio". I'm really trying to immediately apply a brush to any new arrivals these days, so as last week's painting challenge, randomly chosen upon the turn of a playing card, was to pigment ten (more) 28mm scale miniatures, I thought I'd 'break the back of them' before the imminent arrival of my Horus Heresy: Age Of Darkness boxed set by "Games Workshop".

"Hero Forge" WIPs - Beekman, the Rambler and Van Dijk

The metal models are all from the Lincolnshire-based manufacturer's Villains and Monsters range, and predominantly consist of the two multi-part figures which make up their Argonauts Command deal, as well as three Strawbears from their Mummer Procession blister. Hopefully, all of these minions should be pigmented over the next few days, as their paint-schemes should mostly match those I've previously concocted for some Titans and the Strawman respectively.

In addition, I have based and primed the trio of comic book heroes I 'sculpted' using "Hero Forge" for this month's "Forgotten Heroes" event. The Rambler, Beekman and the evil Van Dijk are all taken from the "Time's Rambler" graphic novels by "Mooretoons Publishing", and have been 'seated' inside 40mm circular lipped bases so their 'modelled' bases can better align with the grit I ordinarily apply to my models' stands.