Lots of new updates on this week’s edition of The News Stand – new Spectre releases, more previews from pretty much everyone and even a new podcast to listen to.
Programming note – The News Stand will not be here next week as I will be down at Wembley watching the wrestling. So expect a bumper edition when I get back
As always, thanks to the News Fans and other patrons over on the ChargeBlog patreon for buying my time to make this wrap-up each week. If you like these roundups and find them useful, why not chip in on the Patreon?
Spectre Miniatures Releases Ukrainian Forces, Updated Agents And More
It’s a big week for Spectre as Friday was release day for a literal pile of stuff. Let’s dig into it!
First up we have the Ukrainian Motor Element (available as cast resin or STL). An upgrade to the Local Forces figures that came out in 2022, this set is a mix of brand new poses and older poses upgraded to better suit depicting Ukrainian forces. I’ll be doing a comparison soon but the main thing is bigger jackets, more armour and the addition of an RPG gunner, SVD marksman and another RPK. For people with an interest in the current conflict, this set is the first of a new range, with future releases adding soldiers armed with Western equipment as well as some with older or more unusual items.
It seems like the generic local forces range is being respun up as more dedicated releases for different theatres, explaining why the original figures are still available if you’re wanting your M107 toting marksman.
The second release is the updated Agents Crisis Response Element (available as cast resin or STL). These guys take many of the visuals from the original set but make them more suited for real-world operations (rather than focusing on a Division 2 style setup). From grabbing them there are plenty of nice details and I think this set will be ideal for whatever type of low profile operation you’re running.
Finally, we have the Drones. Many drones – as well as the previously previewed Type X (available as physical or STL) and THeMIS (available as 3D printed or STL) we also had a return of some of the older Spectre drones. The MAARS UGV (available as 3D printed or STL), the Puma UAV (available as 3D printed or STL) and the tiny FPV (available as 3D printed or STL) and Phantom (available as 3D printed or STL) drones are all back on the store and ready to hit your tabletop. The Type X and THeMIS also let you pick which remote weapon station you want, letting you set up your autonomous death-dealing machine.
One interesting piece of news from this week over on the Spectre Instagram was this news item about the possibility of a new Spectre Patreon. Rather than providing STLs, this Patreon will be more of a membership club, giving behind-the-scenes content, painting experiments and early WIPs. Putting aside the immediate and very loud “no” reaction that came from veterans of the original Spectre Patreon, I’ll be interested if they can provide enough content for those interested in taking part. Some of these concepts have been promised in the past in passing but perhaps adding it as a revenue stream will make sure it happens.
Austin Miniatures Drops A Pile of Preview Images
After mentioning them last week, Austin Miniatures has opened up the rear cargo door and dropped a PILE of images for their upcoming Kickstarter over on Instagram. So far we have three sets of modular parts for the Kickstarter – NGSW-equipped, Recon Marines and Navy SEALs. All three sets are split into three parts (head, torso and legs) giving plenty of options to mix and match. I’m also seeing plenty of support options as well, such as LMGs and marksmen rifles.
The fourth image also shows off something that is increasingly important – how to connect the figure to the base. In this case, Austin Miniatures ahs gone with small puddle bases around each foot, giving them a much firmer grip on the base than merely trying to glue to a sculpted foot.
BobMack3d Shows Off The Final Models For World Revolution
BobMack3d has shown off two more models that will hopefully be soon winging their way to World Revolution Kickstarter backers. The T-54 and T-72 Ural are both older model vehicles that will be ideal to hit the tabletop alongside your irregular forces (or under-equipped ones) and these final prints are looking pretty great! No final dates for when they are going out to backers but stay tuned!
Fire! Modern Combat Shows Off The Insurgents
In the last preview from Fire! Modern Combat we saw the latest US Army Rangers complete with all the NGSW gear. This week, we got to see the OPFOR they will be going up against. These guys are looking pretty well equipped, with a mixture of civilian clothing and combat gear paired up with AKs and other supporting weapons. I’ve spoken long and often about the need for better-equipped insurgent fighters (it ain’t 2004 any more) and I think these guys do a good job of showing off how the floor has risen in recent years. I can’t wait to see the whole set.
One minor point is that these figures are only initially going to be released as cast metal figures with no immediate plans to be released as STLs. This may be disappointing to some people but the creators have expressed a nostalgic feel for the weight of white metal in hand. For those of us preferring to let the printer go brr, we may have to wait for further Kickstarters.
Black Powder Red Earth Creator In Conversation With Travis Haley
Travis Haley (of Haley Strategic) this week released the latest edition of his podcast “On The Bridge” featuring BPRE creator Jon Chang in conversation. I can 100% recommend listening to the podcast, as Jon is always interesting to listen to and has plenty of stories to share. The video is embedded above or can be found on YouTube or other podcast feeds.
Combat Octopus Shows Off The First Eastern European Deniables
Combat Octopus has been hard at work in the lab making the first figures for next month’s release, giving us the first look at the Eastern European Deniables. These guys are rolling in civilian clothing, three stripes on the leg and wearing civilian rucksacks. More importantly for us, they are also rolling with an updated rifle – CO has upgraded his AK-74 to the AK-74M, bringing in a new handguard stock and rail attachment point. For those needing a set of operators a little higher visibilty, the set will also include torsos with warbelts and plate carriers, ideal if you need some alternative members for your PMC. Honestly, I’m already looking forward to these guys – I love myself some heavily armoured guys with western gear, but there is something iconic about this particular look.
As with other stores on MyMiniFactory, Combat Octopus is taking part in the Summer Sale, giving you 30% off anything while using the code SUMMER24.
Modern Miniatures Previews September’s Release
Modern Miniatures has previewed the release for next month. Patrons in September will be getting a T-62 tank, complete with a pile of modular pieces to turn it from a base model into something upgraded by the locals to go to war in, such as sandbags around the turret, improvised side armour and more. As with all Modern Miniatures releases, these are designed to be easily printed, with the tracks separate items and keyed to assist with fitting them in place.
While the tank is the focus of the Scatter, Vehicle and Buildings tier, the Miniature release will be designed to fit with it. Crew figures designed to fit in the turret (the gunner and commander) will come with modular heads and possible hands for customisation while the other half of the pack will be either a dismounted option or an injured figure.
As with other stores on MyMiniFactory, Modern Miniatures is taking part in the Summer Sale, giving you 30% off anything while using the code SUMMER24.
Turnbase Miniatures Reveals Tier 3 Release for August
Accompanying the August release previewed last week, Turnbase Miniatures this week showed off this Stryker that will be the vehicle released for the higher tier. No release date has been announced yet, but both items are ready to go.
As with other stores on MyMiniFactory, Turnbase Miniatures is taking part in the Summer Sale, giving you 30% off anything while using the code SUMMER24.
Desk-Ops Deploys a Discount For An Upcoming Birthday
Friend of the site Desk-Ops is running a little promo over on his store. Up until the 23rd of August, there is a 16% discount on everything in celebration of his Mum’s birthday. The bonus is that orders over a certain amount (67 Euro) will get two additional figures added. However, the biggest bonus is that for every order, Desk-Ops Dan will be getting his Mum an additional Gerbera Daisy. So you all know what to do – get out there and make him have to buy a pile of Daisies while also getting yourself some high-quality 3D prints straight from Germany.
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