“Fungal Giants Are Not Actually Made Of Fungus.”

“The fungal growth over their bodies is another organism living in symbiosis with the giant.”

This 40mm scale resin print of a Fungal Giant is produced by "Rocket Pig Games", but actually 3D printed by “FullyCycled” over on “Etsy”. The miniature’s design is potentially influenced by the Myconids or Fungus Folk, which first appeared in the Fifth Edition of “Dungeons & Dragons”, and is one of many test prints I have bought over the past few months in order to see just how well such figures can currently be manufactured.

Disappointingly the figure is actually only 37mm tall, and comes on a pre-printed stand. The “intelligent pacifistic fungi creature” is encircled by a handful of pebbles and clearly has its stubby-fingered hands reach all the way down to its base so as to help support the sculpt. I therefore decided against removing the model from its surroundings and simply super-glued it to a 40mm circular base by “Games Workshop”.

"Battletech" WIPs - The Viper is slowly having its details 'picked out'

Physically “limited to clasping their hands and pummelling their opponents into submission”, the model was primed using a couple of layers of “Vallejo” Heavy Brown, before being shaded with a mixture of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. It was then dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna, and then later, ‘highlighted’ using a delicate application of Earth.

The Fungal Giant’s fungus was ‘picked out’ using a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre and “Citadel” Agrax Eartshade, and later dry-brushed (where possible) with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre. Finally, the creature’s dome-shaped cap was treated to a couple of layers of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna, a serious splash of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade, and a dry-brush of (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna.

"The Ion Age " WIPs - The three Retained Knights are having their details 'picked out'

With the latest of my 3D prints completed I have turned my attention to my ongoing Weird War Two project by partially-progressing a Viper mech by “Catalyst Games Labs”. This 6mm scale (1:285) plastic figure from the company’s “Battletech” range will be used as a German Messerschmitt-Class medium walker for my Axis forces, and as a result will be painted up to replicate one of the aircraft manufacturing corporation’s famous colour schemes.

In addition, I’ve also applied some more paint on three 15mm Retained Knights by “Alternative Armies” I’m hoping to use as a unit of (not) Blood Angels Devastator Space Marines. The characterful chaps have all had the majority of their famous red armour layered, shaded and dry-brushed, and now I’m in the process of picking out their heavy weapons and blue-coloured helmets…

“The Concept Of The Allies Actually Invading Germany Seemed Unimaginable.”

“Yet I was astonished at this sight. I wondered if I was hallucinating, or if this was a delirium of some kind.”

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 two soldiers aiming a Panzerschreck, and two other Germans carrying the reusable launcher’s anti-tank rockets. Together, the pairings unsurprisingly form a Panzerschreck anti-tank team for each of the Panzergrenadier Platoons which come in the box.

The models are supposed to be placed inside the specially-spaced inserts found on a handful of two-hole small bases, but unfortunately I didn’t spot these until after I’d already permanently attached a couple of to some three-hole small bases using plastic glue. Fortunately, it is easily a mistake I can live with, as the miniatures’ actual in-game ‘footprint’ hasn’t actually changed in any way, simply they are depicted being stood somewhat further apart from one another than “Battlefront Miniatures” envisaged.

"I had never seen such an assembly of ships, and I'm sure nobody will ever see such a thing again."

Those figures not immediately attached to their base were super-glued onto wooden strips. The entire quartet were then primed in “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, shaded using “Citadel” Nuln Oil, and enthusiastically dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII. I next applied some “Citadel” Abaddon Black to the soldiers’ boots, ammo pouches, and braces.

The Germans’ other pouches, their rifles, some straps and the handle to the odd protruding Stielhandgranate was treated to by a layer of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna before being washed with a mixture of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and “The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade. In addition, rifle tops, and the stoppers belonging to any drinking flasks were all given a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

"The Ion Age" WIPs - Three Retained Knights carrying heavy weapons

The soldiers’ Panzerschrecks and accompanying anti-tank rockets were simply ‘picked out’ with “Vallejo” Buff and given a lick of “The Army Painter” Strong Tone Quickshade. I pigmented a couple of camouflaged helmet coverings using a “Vallejo” Heavy Brown base layer, followed by some sporadic splodges of Luftwaffe Camouflage Green and Heavy Sienna. These were then washed with “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade, and then highlighted back up with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Brown, of Luftwaffe Camouflage Green and Heavy Sienna.

Sticking with the 15mm scale, albeit moving genres from historical across to science fiction, I have finally got some paint on three more Retained Knights by “Alternative Armies”. I’m currently in the process of trying to clear a few of my painting sticks so they can house more of my “Flames Of War” Germans, so these (not) Blood Angels Devastator Space Marines will be getting some serious attention over the next few days in order for me to ‘pop’ them onto a proper stand…

“If Edison Had A Needle To Find In A Haystack…”

“…He would proceed at once with the diligence of the bee to examine straw after straw ."

These two 6mm scale resin Haystacks are produced by “TimeCast” and can be bought from the company’s Scenic Accessories range as Code 37/001 Traditional Style Hay Stacks. Described as being 20mm wide and 15mm tall, the models actually come in packs of ten. However, as I wanted to use them to denote areas of difficult or impassable terrain, I simply super-glued two of them onto a “Citadel” 75mm oval base.

The Haystacks were primed with two coats of “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre, washed with plenty of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade, and dry-brushed using (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre. I then took a rough brush pigmented with “Vallejo” Sun Yellow and lightly drew this across the miniatures in the hope of slightly brightening up the bales of drying grass.

“Corn is a greedy crop, as farmers will tell you.”

Alongside this somewhat diminutive entry into Dave Stone’s Season of Scenery Challenge, I have also finished off a smaller piece of terrain, this time containing a multitude of 6mm Corn Stooks. Like the Haystacks, these resin items are produced by “TimeCast” and are available as Code 37/012 from their Scenic Accessories range.

Being considerably smaller than the Haystacks, I managed to super-glue five of the ‘shocks’ onto a “Citadel” 60mm oval base and undercoated them using two layers of “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre. The sheaves of cut grain-stalks were subsequently shaded in “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Ochre. As I wanted the Corn to appear more dried out than the Hay, I applied a light dry-brush of “Vallejo” Iraqi Sand to each Stook before varnishing them.

"They are the Blood Angels, and I say to you there are no more loyal or determined servants of the Emperor."

In addition to pottering about with some scenery, I have completed work on a second 15mm scale Grey Adder APC Battle Taxi Lifter by “Alternative Armies”. This hefty piece of single-cast resin can be purchased as Pack Code IAF036G from the company’s "The Ion Age" range, and is approximately 60mm long, 45mm wide and 25mm tall.

I aim to use this miniature as a proxy for a “Horus Heresy” era Blood Angels space marine Rhino, so having super-glued it to a large-sized plastic "Flames Of War" stand by “Battlefront Miniatures”, set about painting it using my usual combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Red and “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson. The vehicle’s weapon, thrusters and exhaust ports were all ‘picked out’ with “Vallejo” Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil, whilst its front and rear-facing insignias were both taken from the Blood Angels Space Marines decals found inside the “Games Workshop” Warhammer 40k Indomitus boxed set.

“We Shall See Who Fights Better And Who Dies More Easily.”

“The German soldier faced with the destruction of his homeland, or the Americans and British.”

These three 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 an Officer, Panzerfaust and NCO, and together create a Formation Command Panzerfaust SMG team for the Panzergrenadier Company Headquarters.

Despite eventually being permanently attached to a three-hole small base, the models were initially super-glued onto wooden strips and all primed in “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII. They were then shaded using “Citadel” Nuln Oil, before being carefully dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII.

"Flames Of War" WIPs - An NCO, Panzerfaust and Officer

I then applied some “Citadel” Abaddon Black to the soldiers’ boots, ammo pouches, braces and the brim of the officer’s peaked cap. This was followed up by a lick of “Vallejo” Heavy Sienna being brushed onto some of the German’s other numerous pouches and the Panzerfaust bearer’s rifle. These areas were all later treated to a mixture of “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and “The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

In addition, the Officer’s pistol, the top of the Panzerfaust bearer’s rifle, the NCO’s submachine gun and the tops of any drinking flasks were all given a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. I also applied this concoction to the handles of their shovels, which are partially stowed away on the soldiers’ backs. However, I may well go back and re-paint these areas with some “Vallejo” Heavy Brown, as I’ve not found any historical examples of the spades being all-metal…

"Flames Of War" WIPs - An NCO, Panzerfaust and Officer

There really is a ton of detail on these diminutive sculpts, and I was determined to try to ‘pick them out’ with as many ‘realistic’ colour schemes as I could discern. Resultantly, the Germans’ gasmask canisters were pigmented with “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey and “Citadel” Nuln Oil, their drinking flasks layered in “Vallejo” Heavy Brown and “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade, and the Panzerfaust itself in “Vallejo” Buff and “The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade.

As some final touches, the NCO’s helmet was given a quick touch of “Vallejo” German Camouflage Dark Green and “Citadel” Nuln Oil to help it contrast somewhat with the soldier’s grey uniform, and the Officer’s cap badge spotted with a smidgeon of “Vallejo” Silver. Lastly, all the faces and hands had an application of “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone and “Citadel” Reikland Fleshshade”, before being highlighted with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Skintone.

“Snapping Turtles Have Few Predators.”

“In their environment, they are at the top of the food chain.”

This 28mm scale metal model of a Snapping Turtle is made by “North Star Military Figures” and can be bought together with a Large Lizard as code FGA402 from their “Frostgrave: Ghost Archipelago” range. The miniature was purchased as part of the company’s highly successful Nickstarter in October 2017, but has since sat somewhat unloved in one of my drawers on account of how disappointed I was in the sculpt’s diminutive size.

Measuring 20mm in length and 15mm in width, the tiny figure was super-glued on to a plastic 28mm circular base and primed using two coats of “Vallejo” Heavy Brown. It was then heartily washed using “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade and dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Brown. I also picked out the creature’s eyes with two simple spots of “Citadel” Abaddon Black.

"They are the sons of the Angel, the blooded host, the defenders of Humanity."

Due to my wanting the reptile to appear somewhat more contrastingly colourful than its all-tan ‘official’ paint-job, I applied some “Vallejo” Heavy Green to the animal’s carapace and shaded it with “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade. Finally, this area was carefully dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Green to help bring out all the details sculpted on the shell.

Alongside the latest addition to my “Frostgrave” Bestiary, I have finished the last three 15mm Retained Knights sold by “Alternative Armies” I initially planned to pigment as part of a Horus Heresy Blood Angels Space Marine force for last month’s “Forgotten Heroes” Challenge. Predominantly completed using a combination of “Vallejo” Heavy Red and “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson, these wonderful Rogue Trader influenced sculpts are from the company’s “The Ion Age” range, and mean I can now field a sixteen-man squad of Sanguinius’ finest, including Sergeant and Heavy Weapons specialist, on the tabletop.

"Flames Of War" WIPs - An NCO and a Panzerfaust 

However, I don’t plan to stop there just yet and still have a number of extra infantry miniatures, as well as a handful of sizeable resin vehicles, sat upon my painting table at various stages of completion. Indeed, over the next couple of weeks I’m optimistically hoping to work my way through a Heavy Weapons ‘Devastator’ team, a squadron of (not) Predator Tanks, and at least one or two Character models before I finally set this project aside until next year.

Of course, that doesn’t mean for an instant that I have stopped ploughing on with my 15mm plastic Germans by “Battlefront Miniatures”. I’m currently blocking in all the base layers on the Unit Leader MG42 team for the first of two Panzergrenadier Platoons found inside the “Flames Of War” starter set, “Hit The Beach”, and intend to have the eight-stand strong formation finished before the end of the month…

"The Battle Taxi APC Is Lightly Armoured And Armed…”

“…And ideal for low intensity warfare and urban conditions.”

This 15mm scale Grey Adder APC Battle Taxi Lifter is sold by “Alternative Armies” and can be purchased as Pack Code IAF036G from the company’s "The Ion Age" range. Supplied as a single piece resin vehicle, the “hover” can apparently carry eight troopers and two crew, and is approximately 60mm long, 45mm wide and 25mm tall.

Due to my desire to use the miniature as a proxy for a “Rogue Trader” era Crimson Fists space marine Rhino, I super-glued it to a large-sized plastic "Flames Of War" stand by “Battlefront Miniatures” and primed it using two coats of “Vallejo” Heavy Blue. I then shaded the entire automobile with “Citadel” Nuln Oil. Ordinarily, I would next dry-brush the entire ensemble with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Blue, however, with my initial (not) Crimson Fists I left the infantry and vehicles alone without highlighting the “Citadel” Shade in order to capture the deep dark blue I’ve always associated with the crusading, fleet-based Adeptus Astartes Chapter.

 "There is only the Emperor!"

I did though depart from my recipe when it came to the Battle Taxi Lifter’s rear door and entry hatch, as “Games Workshop” no longer produce their excellent Bloodletter glaze, so I was forced through necessity to combine a couple of layers of “Vallejo” Heavy Red with some “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson. This blending didn’t really create an exact match for my old colour scheme, but should hopefully be close enough once the models are on the tabletop and viewed from a distance.

As some final steps I coated the vehicle’s air-cushion with a few applications of “Citadel” Abaddon Black, and ‘picked out’ its front mounted Angis 12.5mm AP Gun, its large engines and side vents with a little “Vallejo” Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. I also gave a couple of its details a lick of “Vallejo” White and Pale Grey to suggest they were bulbs of some kind, and attached an old “Games Workshop” Crimson Fists decal onto the miniature’s rear.

"Flames Of War" WIPs - An Officer, a Panzershreck loader and a Panzershcreck operator 

Sticking with 15mm, albeit 'proper' historical stuff, I have been getting the base layers finished some more of the German soldiers from the “Hit The Beach” starter set for “Flames Of War”. I’ve actually finished working on the first half of the Panzergrenadier Company HQ figures, so for a change of pace have predominantly focused my attention upon the four Panzerschreck anti-tank team models which come in the “Battlefront Miniatures” box.

I actually goofed up somewhat in assembling this pair of two-man heavy-weapon units, as I permanently attached them to a couple of three-hole small bases instead of two-hole ones. Luckily, the difference isn’t game-breaking, as it simply means they’re stood further apart from one another than they would normally.

“The Nova Is A Versatile Medium OmniMech…”

“…That is capable of acting as a workhorse design in most forces.”

This 1:285 scale plastic model of a Nova is made by “Catalyst Game Labs” and can be bought together with the Executioner, Timber Wolf, Adder, and Grendel in the company’s “Battletech: Clan Invasion” boxed set. All the pre-assembled miniatures in this “supplement to the BattleTech: A Game of Armoured Combat box” come with an assortment of Alpha Strike cards depicting various colour schemes. However, as I plan to employ this particular sculpt as a Dornier class Finnish War Walker for an upcoming Weird War Two campaign using some homemade rules, I decided to go with a predominantly white palette.

“Equipped with a 250 XL Model SF-2 Fusion Engine”, the 34mm tall figure was originally primed using two layers of “Vallejo” German Grey, shaded in “Citadel” Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed using (more) “Vallejo” German Grey with a softly-bristled make-up blusher brush. It was then treated to a watered-down coat of “Citadel” White Scar to replicate the Finnish force’s attempt to provide the mech with some basic camouflage during the Continuation War’s wintry months.

The Axis Forces attempt to hold off a Soviet strike during The Continuation War.

In addition, I wanted to show a lot of wear and tear on the war machine, so started dabbing various edges on the miniature with a piece of torn foam covered in “Vallejo” German Grey. This was actually applied to certain areas using a pair of tweezers, as some of the spaces between the sculpt’s limbs were simply too close together to allow me to reach them whilst holding the foam with my fingers.

I also went back over a lot of the flatter surfaces with some more foam, this time with “Citadel” White Scar on it, to suggest where the Finnish camouflage had firmly remained in place. Once I was content with the overall weathering on the Nova, I applied a combination of “Vallejo” Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil to some of its exhaust vents, and the main ‘bolts’ holding its two laser-toting arms in place.

"The Blood Angels were the IX Legion of the original Space Marine Legions under their Primarch Sanguinius."

As a final touch I applied a couple of “Hakaristi”, or hooked crosses, from my collection of “Decal Details” and positioned them onto the model’s shin armour plating. Frustratingly, I wasn’t entirely happy as to how these transfers stood out with their white circles against a predominantly “Vallejo” German Grey background, so in the end dabbed at them a bit with some extra “Citadel” White Scar on a piece of foam. 

Alongside the latest addition to my Axis Weird War Two walkers, I have completed three more 15mm Retained Knights sold by “Alternative Armies”. Available as part of the company’s "The Ion Age" range, I've actually painted these figures up predominantly using “Vallejo” Heavy Red and “Citadel” Carroburg Crimson to proxy some Horus Heresy Blood Angels from the "Warhammer 40K" universe.