2020 painted model count so far

 

Short post today.  I did a quick count of what I have painted so far since May of this year.

(24) 28mm figures

(100) 15mm Sci Fi Vehicles / Mecha / Large Monsters

(1280) 15mm Figures (counting weapon teams with multiple models as 1 figure)

This does not take into account painted and stripped models, 200+.  

Not one game played.  

I think I need a break.

15mm Sci Fi - Alternative Armies Psychoborgs

 Cyborgs are a staple of Sci-Fi.  Recently I was in the market for some larger models to use as heavy droids for my Alien Squad Leader Mechanoid army.  In the past I have used Tau Gun Drones, GZG and Laserburn models.  However, I wanted something to go with the HOF Giant Mechanoids that I had planned to add to my army.  These guys seemed to fit the bill: big, scary and skeletal looking.

The models were not cheap.  The British Pound to Canadian Dollar is almost 2:1, so these six were almost $40 loonies for me.  Normally I would not shell out that sum for six models but they were what I was looking for and I cannot blame AA for the exchange rate.

GZG Robot, GZG Gun Drone, GZG Spider Droid, GZG Spider Droid (converted), Alternative Armies Imperial Warbot, Alternative Armies Psychoborg

The Psychoborgs are the same size as GZG NAC Battlesuits, GZG Crusty Walker Battlesuits and the Khurasan Corsair Battlesuits.  They are definitely larger robots, on par with scout mecha in 15mm.

The models were airbrushed in my standard metallic format.  I added some color by using Tamiya Clear Reds, Greens, Blues and Yellows to various areas.  Flames are just cotton, airbrushed various oranges.  Eyes were done in my usual way: Reaper Fire, Phoenix Red, Fire Orange and White.  Everything was then washed in thinned Minmax Tudor Polyshades, my go-to for 15mm.

Since my Mechanoid and Cyborg Enslaver armies are metallic I kept the same look.  No need for fancy stuff.

I am quite please with these models.  They were easy to assemble and very little cleanup was required.  The varying weapons are a nice feature, making these guys fit well into large skirmish games.

15mm Sci Fi - Alternative Armies HOF Big Space Brain

Recently it came to my attention that my Alien Squad Leader Enslaver armies lacked an overall leader.  Someone to provide direction and helpful hints when conquering lesser species.  Enter Alternative Armies Big Space Brain, or as I like to call him: Krang, Lord of Dimension X , Master of the 9th Circle of Power and King of Spain.

The scheme was simple:

Floater - airbrushed in my standard Vallejo metallic scheme

Hoses - GW Contrast Warp Lightning.

Brain - White followed by Reaper Rose Triad.

Model clean up was not really an issue.  Krang would not fit into the base due to his large girth and the hoses.  I had to file both down to get him to sit firmly.  I will probably fill the gaps with white tac and paint them accordingly since the joint is too tough to get putty into.

Krang is big.  Very big.  I used a clear acrylic cylinder to mount him on, allowing him a birds eye view of his domain, which is everything in all the multiverse.  

15mm Sci Fi - Alternative Armies HOF Giant Mechanoids

Who does not love giant murdering cyborgs?  Well, some time ago I repainted my GZG Crusties Mecha which were part of my Mechanoid/Cyborg Enslaver Army for Alien Squad Leader, changing them from a metallic scheme to a black/white/orange.  This left my two armies without heavy hitting units which was unacceptable.

So, I turned to Alternative Armies in the attempt to find something suitable.  I was not disappointed.  Their HOF Giant Mechanoids were just what I was looking for.  However, at first I was not convinced.  There were no real pictures on the net for these guys and the black and white photos were uninspiring to me.  But, I knew their models are top notch so I gambled that the actual model would be better than I anticipated.

Alternative Armies 15mm HOF Mechanoid

The scheme was simple: 

1. Tamiya NATO Black basecoat (screw primer)
2. Vallejo Black Metallic 
3. Vallejo Gun Metal (sprayed at 45 degree angles)
4. Vallejo Steel (sprayed at 45 degrees)
5. Vallejo Chrome (you get the idea)
6. GW Contrast Warp Lightning and Blood Angels Red for various hoses.
7. Gloss Coated.
8. Washed in thinned Min Wax Tudor Polyshades.
9. Reaper Fire Red, Phoenix Red, Fire Orange and White for the eyes.

Alternative Armies 15mm HOF Mechanoid

Alien Squad Leader allows Mechanoid Battle Mechs to add missiles or assault weapons as an option.  One model was equipped with what looked like a Power Fist (aka an assault weapon).  However, I did want missiles too.  So I used GZG Missile Pods on the other mech.  Of course these could be used in any Sci-Fi Game as a robotic mecha.

Overall I am pleased with these models.  Mold lines were easy to clean up and assembly was almost nil.  They have a bad ass look which fits in with any robotic force.  You could also use them for 25mm (which they were actually designed for back years and years ago).

Another A+ for Alternative Armies.  

15mm Sci Fi - Alternative Armies Laserburn Imperial Assault Group

 This week seems to be Parade Week.  These boys do not see a lot of action, but they are hungry: the 9th Armored Tactical Squadron of the Imperial Guard, 130 men and 4 battle droids, models from Alternative Armies Laserburn range. 

A "typical" Imperial Assault group consists of:

1 Command Detachment

2 Infantry Platoons (25 men each)

1 Heavy Weapons Detachment

1 Blackguard Platoon (3 squads, 15 men total)

1 Power Armor Platoon (4 sqauds, 20 men strong)

1 Dreadnought Platoon (2 squads, 10 men strong)

The group is actually much stronger than a normal one.

  

Alternative Armies Laserburn Imperial Troopers

Imperial troopers are normally a tan color.  However, their parade colors are a glorious red, fitting of such baroque armor.  The scheme was simple, but a bit of a pain to do:

1. Tamiya Royal Light Grey basecoat.
2. Gloss Coat.
3. GW Contrast Blood Angles Red.
4. Vallejo Dark Panzer Grey for jet packs, washed with Army Painter Dark Tone.  
5. Reaper Afterburner Grey for all weapons, washed with Army Painter Dark Tone wash then highlighted with Reaper Cloudy Grey.
6. Highlighting was done with Vallejo Vermillion, Reaper Phoenix Red and Vallejo Orange Red.  Some dry brushing was done, but most of the highlighting was done with traditional layering.  
7. Laser Pistols were done with Vallejo Steel as were the swords (then given a coat of GW Contrast paint Aethermatic Blue)
8. Pouches were done with grey primer then with GW Contrast Aggoros Dunes.
9. Golds and other colors were used to pick out bits.

There is a lot of details on these models, especially trim.  However, they are quite small compared to newer sculpts and I did not have the patience to do gold trim on arms and legs for 100 guys.  

Normally you are not supposed to highlight contrast paints.  However, I really didn’t like the effect I was able to achieve with them alone.  Perhaps I am too picky.  Funny enough (or just to spite me) the pictures don’t show the level of highlighting done, but it is visible with the MK 1 Eyeball. 

Command Squad, lead my Major Tiberius.

Laserburn Imperial Troopers - 1st Platoon, 25 men strong: two officers, 3 NCOs, 4 grenade launchers, 4 heavy bolters and 12 troopers.

NCOs have white stripes on their helmets.  Officers are armed with laser pistols and force swords.

Blackguard Platoon

Heavy Weapons Detachment, officer with 2 conversion beamers and 2 support bolters for long range firepower

Conversion beamers are incredibly powerful, with their strength increasing the farther the beam travels.  

Power Armor Platoon

Power Armor troopers are equipped with dual laser rifles on each arm along with a flamer and power fist.  Support troops carry plasma cannons and dual barrel heavy bolters.

Imperial Battle Droids provide supporting fire in dangerous situations.

Dreadnought Platoon

Dreadnoughts are equipped with a double barrel heavy bolter, a left arm heavy laser, power fist and triple barrel missile launcher.  The armor itself is resistant to all but the most powerful weapons.  

2nd Platoon, 25 men strong.

I would certainly never use all of these fellows in a Laserburn game.  However, Stargrunt, Tomorrows War and Alien Squad Leader games might see the whole group deploy for a mission (with armour support). 

15mm Sci Fi - GZG Outrim Coalition Mechanized Battle Group

 Another army parade for the blog: my Mechanized Battle Group for the Outrim Coalition.  The painting tutorial for the infantry has already been featured on this blog some time ago.  However, the armor has not yet made an appearance, until today.

GZG Outrim Coalition

The armor was painted in a simple urban camo scheme:

1. Vallejo Grey Primer
2. Tamiya Light Blue
3. Vallejo Anthracite Grey
4. Vallejo US Light Grey
5. Metallic bits done in Vallejo Gun Metal
6. Gloss coated then washed in thinned Minwax Polyshades Tudor.
7. Weathering with Tamiya Pigments

It is unlikely everything will be fielded in on battle....but you never know.

15mm Sci Fi - GZG Crusty Power Armor

 

Alien Power Armor.  What is not to like.  Finding such miniatures though is rather difficult.  They are few and far between.  Thankfully GZG comes through with just what I needed, alien power armor from the Crusty line.

The backpacks are optional and did require a little cleanup beforehand.  Minor flash, that sort of stuff.  I wanted the unit to have a stark contrast with my regular Crusty infantry, which were done in a Tamiya yellow with white and orange weapons.  Basically, yellow for the regular grunts and black for the elite warrior caste troopers.

GZG Crusty Power Armor

The scheme I chose for these peeps was very simple:

1. Tamiya German Grey basecoat.
2. Weapons - Tamiya Metallic Grey
3. Army Painter Dark Tone wash.
4. Weapons - Vallejo Orange Red with Reaper Master Paints - Explosion Orange and Marigold Yellow for highlights
5. Vallejo Grey White for accents, followed by White.
6. Eyes - MIG Titanium Blue over a chrome basecoat
7. Edge highlights done with Tamiya Grey weathering pigments

Anyone who has seen a certain sci fi movie knows who these boys are supposed to be.  Suffice to say they are spot on for quality and capturing a truly alien feel.  The force is 36+ strong and plays the role of an Alien Imperial Strike Force or an Alien Warrior Caste army in Alien Squad Leader games.

Alien Squad Leader - Cyborg Enslavers from the 8th Dimension!

It has been a long time since I held an army parade.  So, to celebrate 2020 I present my Alien Cyborg Enslaver army, for Alien Squad Leader

Alien Squad Leader Cyborg Enslaver Army

Enslavers can be represented by almost anything in Alien Squad Leader.  The stranger the better.  The horde before you is commanded by the evil Xar, trans-dimensional aliens from the 8th Dimension! Their goal is to enslave the multiverse so they may feast and make sacrifices to their dark gods.

Alien Psionic Masters, 40K Tau Drones, GZG Xar, Drones and Alternative Armies Alien Brain

The Xar command stands are defended by heavily armored drones and equipped with anti-grav sensor bots to enhance their formidable psionic powers.  Their vile leader, Krang is a master of psionics and dimensional travel.

Cyborg Infantry, Spider Droids by GZG

The mass of the army is made up of cyborg slaves: disembodied brains of species from across the universe, encased in an armored shell closely resembling the evil Xar.  Sensor drones keep a watchful eye on the Thralls, passing commands to them from their alien masters.  Cyborg Thralls will never retreat and will ignore all incoming enemy fire.

Alien Xar Regular Infantry, GZG Xar Aliens

When necessary, the Xar will take to the field themselves.  Heavily armed with a desire for slaves and meat.

Cyborg Heavy Weapons Teams

When heavy firepower is needed heavily armed drones are ready to blast the enemy into atoms.

Anti-Grav Heavy Weapon Teams, GZG Xar Aliens

Xar anti-grav heavy weapons are able to make pop-up attacks behind their lines of slaves, knocking out enemy armor at will.

Cyborg Heavy Weapon Anti-Grav Platforms, GZG Grav Drones (converted)

Expendable Cyborg Heavy Weapon Anti-Grav Drones are available to provide heavy firepower where  needed and will ignore any and all incoming fire.

Alien Grav APC, by Old Crow models

When necessary anti-grav armored personnel carriers are ready to unload masses of slaves & troops anywhere on the battlefield.

Alien Grav Tanks, by Old Crow models

Heavily armed Grav Tanks can be called upon when facing enemies with masses of armor or mecha.

Alien Armored Walkers - Martian Walkers by Rebel Minis

Finally, when a massive armored assault is needed armored mecha stand ready to disintegrate their enemies with massed pulsar cannon fire.  Towering over the battlefield they are unhindered by lines of sight and can fire over units with ease.

The army is large, far larger than I would ever field in a single game of ASL.  This army also doubles as an Alien Enslaver army (low tech, with masses of primitives and alien beasts instead of cyborgs) and an Alien Imperial Army (high tech with masses of primitives for support).  Finding new ways to represent the ASL armies is something of an addiction to me.  Perhaps I should seek help.