"The Heavy Cruiser Is One Of The Few Starfleet Ship Designs..."

"...To have more than two nacelles."

This Terran C-6 Heavy Cruiser was created using some "Bambu Lab" Matt White PLA (Polylactic Acid) on an A1 Mini 3D Printer, and can be purchased as an STL (Standard Triangle Language) file by "Fat Dragon Games" as part of the company's "Battlefront Valkyrie" Starter Set. The multi-piece starship has been printed using a 0.2mm nozzle, with a 0.1mm layer height in order to minimise any striation lines on the finished model.

Quite interestingly the vessel also comes with a rig STL, which allows you to produce a docking bay of sorts that helps line up the spacecraft's rearmost engine with the hull. Unfortunately, I ended up originally placing my vessel's third warp nacelle back to front, so had to literally tear it off from its support to place it the right way round. Considering how quickly super-glue sets when using PLA this 'manoeuvre' caused quite a bit of damage to the 3D print, so I ended up attaching the piece in line with its fellow engines (as opposed to being a little behind them) so as to cover up my misdemeanour.

"Mantic Games" WIPs - These Plague Lords are having their blue armour 'picked out'

Happily, I don't think my error is too noticeable, even if you look underneath the spacecraft, and will either represent a prototype/refitted Heavy Cruiser, or perhaps a Federation-class dreadnought in my games. The mistake did though rather drastically dampen my enthusiasm for the range, and coupled with my recent preference for resin 3D printing over PLA, has caused my entire (not) "Star Trek" starship project to come to a rather abrupt halt - at least until now that is.

Like all of my other Terran vessels, the miniature was undercoated using a couple of licks of "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and shaded with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then patiently dry-brushed it with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey, before 'picking out' all three of the warp nacelles on its propulsion units with a combination of "Scale 75" White Alchemy and "Citadel" Talassar Blue.

"Games Workshop" WIPs - This Centurion has been base-layered, shaded and dry-brushed

Alongside my U.S.S. Federation I have continued to dabble with a trio of 10mm scale Plague Lords by "Mantic Games". I'm still currently in two minds as to whether I will support the Nottingham-based manufacturer's "Epic Warpath" Campaign on "My Mini Factory". But these fun little STLs are certainly swaying me, and I hope to also pigment a couple of Enforcer and Asterian test pieces too before I need to come to a decision.

Lastly, I've finally assembled the Centurion in MKII power armour that comes inside the "Warhammer: The Horus Heresy – Saturnine" boxed set by "Games Workshop". Frankly, this was an absolute nightmare (not of my making) to assemble, and in the end I had to resort to relocating the model's Servo-skull simply to provide the space marine's back standard with some much-needed stability...

"The British Infantry Was The Only Military Force..."

"...Not to suffer a major reverse at the hands of Napoleonic France."

This 28mm scale metal model of a Napoleonic British Grenadier is sold by “Wargames Foundry", and can be purchased as part of their B041 Late Line Infantry Flank Company Shouldered Arms set. The miniature is one of eight identical soldiers sculpted by Michael and Alan Perry, and due to a combination of its somewhat complicated detail and predominantly white/red colour scheme has actually taken well over a year to finally complete.

The 'Redcoat' was undercoated using plenty of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before having his trousers and any straps pigmented in "Two Thin Coats" White Star. These areas were then shaded using some heavily watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade in an effort to 'weather' all the cloth and leatherwork.

"During the course of the wars against Napoleon, the British armed forces were expanded by subsequent Acts of Parliament."

I also wanted to have the model represent a British unit which had red facings in order to help keep my palette simple, so using my limited research chose to make the Grenadier a member of the 33rd "Wellington's Own" Regiment of Foot. This allowed me to paint the entirety of the model's jacket in "Vallejo" Heavy Red, and then wash his coat with (more) heavily-watered down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

Furthermore I applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and "Citadel" Drakehnof Nightshade to the miniature's water bottle, and a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to the soldier's bag. Lastly, I used a little "Vallejo" Neutral Grey on the miniature's blanket, and later darkened it down with a splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil.

"Mantic Games" WIPs - A trio of Plague Lords at various stages of completion

With my tiny unit of British Grenadiers now completed for "Black Powder", I have temporarily moved on to a subject/genre hopefully far less time-consuming in the shape of three 10mm scale Plague Lords by "Mantic Games". The STL (Standard Triangle Language) file for the model was sent to me for free by the Nottingham-based manufacturer as part of their "Epic Warpath" Pre Campaign Bonus on "My Mini Factory", and may well form the start of a Plague army should I succumb to temptation and purchase "The Battle for Phrovox" All In Pledge.

For now though I simply want to see how the creature paints up, so have actually produced a trio of the sculpt in "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin using my Mars 5 3D Printer - including one which is a mirror image of the original pose. I must confess to being extremely impressed with how well the miniatures look, and hope to get both them, as well as some other test figures for the Enforcers and Asterians, before the "Epic Warpath" Campaign concludes in a couple of weeks time...

"The U.S. Space Program..."

 "...Grew out of the ashes of World War Two."

This 32mm NASA Astronaut is produced by "Black Site Studios" for their "Lunar" skirmish game, and was created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 3 Pro 3D Printer. The STL (Standard Triangle Language) file comes as part of the company's Two-Player Digital Starter Set and represents the American faction's commander. carrying a Markam S11 pistol.

The spaceman was super-glued onto a "Citadel" 30mm circular stand, primed using "Two Thin Coats" Celestial Blue, drenched in "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade, and dry-brushed with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Celestial Blue. I then applied a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Blue and "Citadel" Drakenhof Nightshade to a piece of insulation material running along the edge of the astronaut's backpack in order to slightly break up the monotony of the rocketeer's palette a little bit.

"Fat Dragon Games" WIPs - This Terran C-6 Heavy Cruiser is slowly being shaded

The astronaut's hand-weapon was simply based coated with Citadel "Abaddon Black", layered in "Vallejo" Gunmetal and later washed with "Citadel" Nuln Oil. Whilst his somewhat futuristically-shaped helmet visor was given a base layer of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna. This area was subsequently treated to some "Vallejo" Gold, plenty of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and a final lick of (more) "Vallejo" Gold.

As I was planning on using this model as my U.S.A. force's leader, I thought I'd take advantage of his differently designed helmet by applying a couple of brush-tips full of White Star by "Two Thin Coats" across its top, and subsequently shading the area with some heavily watered down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. This probably wouldn't be the best of ideas in an actual fire-fight on the moon's surface. However, it should certainly make the gaming piece visible on the tabletop.

"Wargames Foundry" WIPs - This British Grenadier is being painted from the boots up

Alongside my latest "Lunar" miniature I have also been working on a Terran C-6 Heavy Cruiser by "Fat Dragon Games". Created using some "Bambu Lab" Matt White PLA (Polylactic Acid) on an A1 Mini 3D Printer this multi-piece starship caused me a few issues whilst initially assembling it - due to user error - so has been sat gathering dust for while with nothing but a "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey undercoat covering it.

In addition, I am close to completing the last of my tiny, four-man unit of British Grenadiers using figures taken from the "Wargames Foundry" blister B041 Late Line Infantry Flank Company Shouldered Arms. This remaining model still has a few details which require 'picking out' and shading. But now I've had my enthusiasm for all things Black Powder re-energised by Mike Lambo's solitaire wargame "Battles Of Napoleonic Europe", should be finished soon enough...

(Lead) Mountain Musings - "Black Site Studios" November 2025

"Pits rival crews of astronauts against one another as they struggle for control over the precious resources of Earth's moon."

With my "Elegoo" Mars 5 3D printer currently churning out all manner of miniatures using water washable resin, I felt it might be prudent to continue painting a load of "Lunar" models by "Black Site Studios" for the next four weeks, rather than move on to another project instead. In fact, I've even gone so far as to dig out the resin cast/plastic kits I bought from the America-based manufacturer's UK stockist "Spectre Miniatures" in November 2024 - so fully intend to have some members of the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA), a handful of R.O.C Taikonauts, and a fair few Freelancers before the month is finished.

In addition, I'm hoping to get elbow-deep in Trench Crusade by getting a good dozen or so STL (Standard Triangle Language) files printed/pigmented by "Trench Stench" ready for the tabletop. I don't admittedly know a lot about the different factions for during this skirmish game's alternate World War One timeline. But having subscribed to the company's Tribe on My Mini Factory, I have already acquired enough sculpts to field two noticeably distinct factions.

"Black Site Studios" WIPs - These three astronauts have been undercoated and shaded

Furthermore, I couldn't resist the recent "Penance 1914" Kickstarter campaign by "Westfalia Publishing", which consists of plenty more "32mm Weird War Miniatures for Games in Nomansland." Amongst all the numerous Sisters of Mercy, Nomansland Crusaders, and Macabees are some Wild West-flavoured Gunslingers and Desperados which will quickly find themselves on my Mars 5 3D printer's plate just as soon as I receive my pledge.

Lastly, I have not forgotten I'm a bit behind with my Napoleonic project plans for the year, so fully intend to complete not only the one remaining British Grenadier I have partly-pigmented. But also at least four more Austrian fusiliers. To help spur me on with this particular target using "Wargames Foundry" figures, I have purchased a copy of Mike Lambo's "Battles of Napoleonic Europe: A Solitaire Wargame", and fully intend to play out some of its scenarios using my 28mm metal miniatures using my old Hexon - Hex Terrain by "Kallistra Limited".

October 2025 - No change with "Wargames Foundry" still in top spot

Despite something of a spurt towards the end of last month, there is no doubt that I didn't produce anywhere near as many freshly-painted models during October as I had hoped. However, I did manage to 'kick-start' my previously abandoned plans for my "Lunar" backlog - even if by doing so I actually ended up producing more miniatures than I actually had when I first fell for the range back in September 2024.

I also intend to visit the Farnborough International Exhibition and Conference Centre in a couple of weeks time for "Warfare 2025", and will undoubtedly end up purchasing (as well as potentially pigmenting) a few surprise items from that event. In fact, as far as my hobby mojo goes, nothing can beat a good, inspiring wargaming show to ramp up my enthusiasm to do a fair few lengthy hobby sessions - especially if the subject matter is one which I've only just discovered - such as last year's Apocalypse Survivors by "Athena Miniatures"...

"Tribal Nations Warbands Will Centre Around A Core Of Mohawk And Seneca Infantry...

"...Backed by packs of wild beasts acting as fast strike forces."

This pair of 28mm metal miniatures were produced by "Warlord Games" as part of their Mythic Americas range, and could be found inside the Nottingham-based company's five-figure Tribal Nations Wolves boxed set. The animals actually came with circular MDF bases. However, as with the rest of my models for this wargame, I soon super-glued them upon plastic 32mm round bases instead.

The two canines were both primed using a couple of licks of "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, drenched in "Citadel" Nuln Oil, and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Sombre Grey. I then gave all the legs, bellies, throats and maws a few heavy brushstrokes of "Two Thin Coats" White Star, shaded these areas with plenty of "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and subsequently dry-brushed them with (more) White Star by "Two Thin Coats".

"Trench Stench" WIPs - Three Dirt Knights at various stages of completion

So brusque a technique obviously created a strong contrast between the animals' upper and lower bodies, so I carefully dry-brushed the regions where the two colours clashed with some "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey. I also went back afterwards with some "Two Thin Coats" White Star and "Vallejo" Sombre Grey, and touched up these parts to hopefully blend all the differently hued fur together even more.

As a final step I dotted the two Wolves' eyes and noses with some pure "Citadel" Abaddon Black, and traced out their forward-facing fangs with a combination of White Star by "Two Thin Coats" and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade. This actually made the pair look a bit toothless to me. So I quickly went back with my brush-tip and ensured that each miniature was sporting a few more teeth than appeared to have been sculpted on them.

"Black Site Studios" WIPs - A NASA Astronaut and two (more) Soviet Cosmonauts

In addition to the last of my Tribal Nations Wolves I have started working on earnest on five Dirt Knights by "Trench Stench" I recently produced on my "Elegoo" Mars 5 3D printer. For once I'm actually hoping that a factory line approach will actually pay some dividends for me, so I'm hoping to get all of the 'Crusader Knights' finished in good time before I start pigmenting the Trench Crusader unit's leader - a rather impressive Mechanised Gunslinger Lieutenant.

Furthermore, I simply can't seem to stop building more astronauts by "Black Site Studios". Despite now arguably owning more than enough Soviets and NASA spacemen than I need, I've picked up a few more 3D prints I found in my 'pile of potential' and converted them using some more of the leftover bitz I own from the American company's 2021 "Lunar" Core Boxed Set...

"Often Favouring Rugged And Ugly Looking Equipment..."

"...The Soviets have shown themselves to be excellent Lunar inhabitants."

This 32mm Soviet Cosmonaut is produced by "Black Site Studios" for their "Lunar" skirmish game, and was created using "Elegoo" Water Washable Resin on a Mars 5 3D Printer. The STL (Standard Triangle Language) file comes as part of the company's Two-Player Digital Starter Set and was actually upscaled a little bit due to the sculpt appearing somewhat smaller than the cast resin Russian astronauts I already own.

The Cosmonaut was super-glued onto a "Citadel" 30mm circular stand and primed in "Two Thin Coats" Sanguine Scarlet. It was then covered in "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson, dry-brushed with (more) "Two Thin Coats" Sanguine Scarlet and had his face-plate initially layered with some "Citadel" Abaddon Black.  This helmet visor was subsequently treated to a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna, Gold and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade.

"Black Site Studios" WIPs - These three NASA Astronauts have had their basic work finished

Lastly, the figure's small geology hammer and large briefcase were given a lick of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. The metal attaché case was later given a careful dry-brush of (more) "Vallejo" Gunmetal to help bring out some of its finer details. I'm not entirely sure what could be contained in such a carryall - as this piece of equipment appears to be unique to the digital product, and there's no card for it in the Lunar Core Game I bought in July 2021. As a result I probably use the model to represent a Soviet Doctor with all their medical equipment locked away safely inside.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, I have also been working on more of my NASA reinforcements as well, as I'd ideally like each opposing side to consist of eight or so miniatures. These particular astronauts are all 3D printed from the Two-Player Digital Starter Set too, although a couple of them have been quite heavily converted using pieces taken from my "Lunar" bitz box. Of particular note I spotted that I now owned an STL for a more advanced-looking American space suit, which will now be worn by the faction's overall commander - reducing the cast resin character I've previously pigmented down to a Junior Officer.

"Trench Stench" WIPs - These Dirt Knights have been primed, shaded and dry-brushed

In addition, I've rather suddenly found myself being absolutely bowled over by the digital sculpts of "Trench Stench" - a subsidiary of "Westfalia Miniatures", who rather delightfully "make Trench Crusade compatible miniatures." To begin with I've produced a five-man strong squad of their free to download Dirt Knight STL. Admittedly, whilst the product does carry the "Trench Crusade" tagline it doesn't seem to be a specific unit for the "skirmish-scale tabletop miniatures game set in a horrifying alternate timeline of WW1." However, the quintet could easily be used to represent a band of Crusader Knights - especially as the lore claims that "there are thousands of different crusader Orders from across Christendom."

As a result I have simply 'mirrored' the odd single-pose sculpt to provide the warband with a little variety, and aim to give them a fairly straightforward rusty armour look, with drab brown leather garments to tie in with their Dirt Knight title. In the near future I also plan to give them a Mechanised Gunslinger Lieutenant as a leader, having been sent this STL file as another freebie...

"The Main British Heavy Machine Gun Used In The Falklands War..."

"...Was the L7A2 General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), a 7.62mm weapon."

These eight 10mm white metal British soldiers are by "Pendraken Miniatures" and were bought as part of their Falklands British Army Pack whilst I was visiting "Colours" 2023. Each 30mm x 40mm plastic base consists of two gunners and two loaders from the blister FLB28 - GPMG team, prone, helmet (5 teams) and were painted after I'd super-glued the four pairings onto their respective rectangular stands. 

The models were all primed with "Vallejo" Heavy Grey, drenched in "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, and dry-brushed with (more) "Vallejo" Heavy Grey. I then began the patient process of 'picking out' all their boots, hands, faces and weapons with a little "Citadel" Abaddon Black, before 'picking out' the troopers' skin with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade." These areas of flesh were later highlighted back up with a dab (more) of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone.

"The British invested all the money and energy it could raise into the Napoleonic Wars."

The soldiers' GPMGs and accompanying ammunition belts were simply pigmented using a combination of "Vallejo" Gunmetal and "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I also applied a little "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to some of the soldiers' waist pouches, just to slightly break up the monotony of their predominantly 'dirty green' attire.

Alongside these heavy weapon teams for my "Germany 1985" project, I have also managed to get a third 28mm scale metal Napoleonic British Grenadier tabletop ready too. Taken from the “Wargames Foundry". blister B041 Late Line Infantry Flank Company Shouldered Arms, the figure was predominantly pigmented using a combination of White Star by "Two Thin Coats" and "Vallejo" Heavy Red. Both of these colours were subsequently sploshed with some watered-down "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to add a little shadow here and there.

"Black Site Studios" WIPs - These NASA Astronauts have been shaded using "Citadel" Drakehnof Nightshade 

In addition I applied some "Vallejo" Heavy Bluegrey and "Citadel" Drakehnof Nightshade to the figure's water bottle, and a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Brown and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade to the Redcoat's bag. Lastly, I used a little "Vallejo" Neutral Grey on the miniature's blanket, and some Gold on his shako plate. These areas were then darkened down with a splash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil or Agrax Earthshade respectively.

Obviously, so time-consuming a model has meant that I've somewhat struggled to get much more done on the trio of NASA astronauts I recently assembled using some (failed) 3D printed models from the "Lunar" Two-Player Digital Starter Set by "Black Site Studios", and a handful of cast resin bitz I had left over from the company's original 2021 Core Game box. I'm hoping to still get these miniatures finished before the end of the month. But if not, then I'm currently considering simply rolling the project on into November - as I seem to have really caught the 'moon surface battle bug' presently...