I was away for two weeks, and luckily nothing major happened. Only a pile of new releases, previews, rules announcements and more. So basically I can never take a holiday ever again.
As a moment of note, this is the 52nd News Stand, meaning we’ve been running for just over a year! There have been a few weeks off but it’s great to see how things have moved forward and evolved. The list of companies I keep track of for each week has grown, always a good sign of a markets continual improvement and evolution. Here is to another 52 editions!
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Additionally, if you want to read some more of my work, I released a Patreon exclusive post last week covering a thought experiment on how I’d do my own miniatures range. If you’re interested in giving this a read, you can find the password for it over on the Patreon page for only £1.
Spectre Miniatures Relaunches Their Patreon and Releases More Law Enforcement
First up Spectre Miniatures relaunched its Patreon! Rather than offering monthly STL releases, instead the articles will be more focused on behind the scenes. This can be seen in the articles currently available – some designer notes covering the new Ukrainian Forces and a two-part series on building a trench-covered terrain board.
The big releases, while the Spectre team were out at Reaper Con, were very fitting. With each pack including a pair of figures, the first delivers the behatted Texas Rangers to your board (as either 3D-printed or STLs) – this comes with one more casual figure while the other is kitted up body armour and a suppressed M4. To support them, we got a pair of G-Men (as either 3D-printed or STLs) – one comes in the classic suit and shades look while the other is all ready for an investigation with baseball cap, windbreaker and plate carrier. As you can see above, they look great alongside the other law enforcement that Spectre has released, such as the SWAT and American Police.
We also had another new STL release – the Insurgent PMC squad that more than a few people were excited for. Unfortunately, we’re missing the specialists that originally came out alongside it – hopefully they’ll turn up soon.
Austin Miniatures Launches Devil Dogs, Grunts and Frogmen
After weeks of previews, Austin Miniatures has launched it’s new Kickstarter. Titled “Devil Dogs, Gunts and Frogmen”, this will bring three sets of Modular STLs giving you the parts to assemble Modern US Army, Marines and Navy SEALs. Split into three parts (torso, legs and head) there is a good variety in the parts.
In terms of stretch goals, the team are looking to make German, British and Australian as additional STL parts, giving a few more options while still sharing many of the same core ideas. If the project does well enough, there is also a Mystery unit of non-modular operators. They seem to be learning hard on the “ooo entirely unique unit” for the last one, so we’ll stand by to see exactly what it is. The Kickstarter will be running until the start of October and I’ll be ready to report on any future previews.
Empress Has The Fastest Release In The West
While I was out on my break, Empress decided to release a very VERY limited amount of stock of a new brand of figures. So limited in fact that they had sold out even before I had seen the original post. These Russian Airborne Forces are literally ripped from the headlines, with the figures covered in equipment and the most modern gear. I have seen a few people actually receive them and the initial impressions are pretty good. Hopefully, we’ll see some of them painted up and shared around.
What’s interesting is that all the details on them appear to have been scrubbed from both the Empress site and even Facebook. It didn’t appear that this was the original intention as Empress was quick to say that more items were coming. I think this is definitely something to keep an eye on.
Enemy Spotted Studios Releases Final INX QRF Release
It appears that Enemy Spotted Studios is looking to bring its INX QRF program to an end, finishing off with the QUDS Force Fireteam (ironically one of the sets that attracted my interest to Enemy Spotted Studios). This set gives you a set of well-equipped fighters in MENA clothing, complete with helmets, body armour and NVGs, while bringing a good mix of assault rifles, an LMG, a grenade launcher and disposable AT.
The end of the Tribes comes at an interesting time for INX it seems. Over on the Enemy Spotted Studios Discord, a news post has announced that a new version of INX is coming. InCountry has definitely felt a little bit like the red-haired stepchild with the recent focus on BLKOUT but the elements mentioned in the post definitely sound promising.
Urban Scatter Gaming Is Heading to the MENA
After a little time away, Urban Scatter Gaming is back. And it seems like he’s making a push into more terrain for the Middle Eastern/North African Theatre. Out now, we have the MENA Walls 1 pack, giving a set of pieces all ready to build up a set of urban walls in both assembled and heavily damaged states. It also includes some corner pieces to make them look suitably wrecked as well as a block of replacement bricks for something bad happens. This set is already out on the Urban Scatter Gaming Gumroad for a very good price.
However, the walls are not the only pieces that Wedge has been working on. This sneaky preview image has a few other items on it. You can see a cart, a water block and a few barrels which are all exciting. however, there is also the three-storey building, complete with various door options and a large sliding door that reminds me of all the DMZ buildings I’ve fought through. This definitely looks like a great project that Urban Scatter has taken on, and I’m very excited for it when I return to the Albion-Bazi conflict.
Black Hills Games Releases French Army Set – In Two Flavours
Black Hills Games has been hard at work and managed to release this month’s set, bringing a set of French Army figures. With six riflemen rolling with the 416F and a single LMG gunner, this is a good starting point for building a force.
Black Hills Games has been hard at work and managed to release this month’s set, bringing a set of French Army figures. With six riflemen rolling with the FAMAS and a single LMG gunner, this is a good starting point for building a force.
Yep, this month had two variants for each of the riflemen, let you decide which type of French unit you want to play. You can pick up this set over on the Black Hills Games Gumroad, and there will be another set coming soon to expand them out with additional weapon options.
Combat Octopus Releases Eastern European Deniables and Announces A Trip To Somalia
Combat Octopus has been very busy over the last few weeks and has released the latest set. All ready for Eastern Europe, these Deniable Operators come equipped with the finest tracksuits to help them blend in, as well as plenty of local equipment to really theme them for the region. This includes a literal buttload of Russian firearms, giving you everything from the basic AKM and AKS-74U up to more recent specialist gear such as the AK-104 and the GM-94 grenade launcher. The more recent gear also comes with a mixture of optical systems to give you that edge in a firefight, as well as a few with UGLs for extra firepower.
As you can see in the complete breakdown, each pose comes with both modular options and a non-modular figure. Additionally, all four poses have two torsos, letting you either roll in purely civilian gear or add a plate carrier or chest rig for some additional protection and load bearing. Speaking of load bearing, there are also a pile of new pouches that map to the modified SMERSH LBE, including the large side pouches and The Butt Pouch. Finally, you have a pile of heads for Eastern Europe, including multiple varieties of balaclavas, two bearded heads and two with watch caps and shades. This is a great set, perfectly fitting its theme and providing a wide variety of options. I’m already building up a few figures in blender for my own collection.
However, CO isn’t just working on his monthly releases it seems he’s also been planning a separate project. And it’s one that I’m sure is going to be very popular, seeing as it will be taking us to 1993 Mogadishu. Designed to cover Operation Gothic Serpent, this campaign will include both US Forces and Somalian Fighters, with the core including 8 of each side. Depending on how the campaign progresses, this will expand out to include Delta, Unarmed Somalians, more highly trained militia and even Humvees and Technicals (being created by Ash from Red Line Workshop). Both sides will have the correct gear, giving us some early 1990s M16s and Colt 727s along with AKs and G3s. The models for this project are partially done, with the intention to launch the campaign on the 2nd of October after the pre-marketing page launch on the 16th of September.
Turnbase Miniatures Releases August Set
Finally, Turnbase Miniatures has released the sets for August. Tier 2 includes five PMC operators with a mix of modern gear alongside some more special items (such as the HCAR and a drone rucksack). For Tier 3, backers have received the Stryker APC, with two versions – one with a .50cal RWS (including a javelin launcher) and the other with the 30mm autocannon-equipped Stryker Dragoon turret.
If you’re looking for something new, friend of the blog Desk-Ops has just launched a new range over on his site. The KAMAZ BPM-97 is relatively recent Russian vehicle similar to the American MRAP, designed to carry troops under a level of protection. There are a wide variety of variants, from unarmoured troop carriers up to variants mounting 30mm cannon in the same turret as the BTR-82A. This vehicle was previously released in STL format by Red Line Workshop but only via Boosty. Well good news, if you’re wanting one printed for you then Desk-Ops is now stocking all the variants made so far. All vehicles are available in 20mm along with the most common 28mm scale (1:56 and 1:50) and also comer with a few spare parts just in case the carpet monster decides it wants your wing mirrors.
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