We all survived the great Kickstarter releases of July 4th? Good, let’s take a look at the current news, previews and releases grabbed from across the Ultramodern (and Modern) space. Wait, how did that set of historical rules get in here? Read on for more!
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Spectre Miniatures Unveils Plans and Rules
First up for Spectre Miniatures, we have a preview of what is coming this month. After last week’s monster drop, this one is going to be a little more focused and ideal for the sneaky boys. Alongside a pack of CIA Special Activities figures we saw the tricked out AKs for last week, the other release is going to be a set of SAS Support figures to bring them up to a more well-rounded force. For those keeping track at home, we got a set of CIA Special Activities figures with the last Patreon so it will be interesting to see how several years later has improved them – already, the weapons provide a hint we’ll be seeing a lot more GBRS kit.
What is interesting is that there are several vehicles being released alongside them. The Razor 2 and 4 will now be available as digital releases (including a new crew pack) as well as the Daggor, a vehicle Steve has been talking about since before even the Razors were released. There is also going to be two slightly stranger vehicles – a PLA ZBL-09 (the wheeled Chinese IFV) and the Hawkei MRAP (the equivalent to the JLTV currently in use with the Australian Defence Force). Although neither of these vehicles matches any ranges that Spectre has released, both would be quite plausible to be in the hands of local forces or special operations and (to be frank) they look cool as hell). As with all vehicles, these are additional purchases on top of the Direct Action Tier but are still cheaper than buying the STL direct from Spectre.
The bigger news this week is all about the rules. First up, the new revised edition of Spectre Operations V3 is now out as a PDF. There are still a few misprints to find before it goes to full printed release but this is a version of the rules with all the errata, tweaks and changes that have been added on top of the last overhaul. It still has much of the same style, but there has been some important changes to some of the key systems, such as Stress. I’ve yet to take a full look at it but if you want to grab it, pre-ordering the physical copy will get you the PDF right now. Additionally, if you bought the original release of Version 3, you will have the updated PDF in your digital library right now.
The even bigger news is that Spectre is spreading out from it’s Ultramodern roots to wider historical gameplay. Spectre: Out of Time is going to take the basic mechanics of Spectre Operations V3 and move them into three earlier time periods – Medieval, Black Powder and World War 2. From reading the description, this takes the core underlying engine and added period specific mechanics on top to evoke the feel of each era. It is still a small unit game – this is not going to replace something like Black Powder. I will freely admit however that this project interests me but we shall see how it does – there are many games which offer conversion to other periods but if you scratch hard enough you see what’s underneath. The key here will be how much the new Orders and Reactions, Formations and Disciplines, and Force Builders and Equipment change the feel of the game. This is something else that Spectre has been working on for a while, with WW2 being played with V2 on the Perry’s giant table, so I look forward to seeing the end result when it comes out later this year (although no date has been supplied)
Austin Miniatures Shows Off Upcoming US Troops for Red Thunder
Austin Miniatures, while still running the Death From Above Kickstarter, has also been showing off the next few items for Red Jungle, the upcoming Supernatural Vietnam War game they are making alongside Battle Tribe. It seems that, as a stretch goal to expand the core MACV-SOG force, there will also be a set of Vietnam era US Marines, complete with all the useful tools for taking on the undead and other spooky things in the jungles of South East Asia. I’m always a fan of the M1 Helmet and gas mask combination, especially in a horror setting where it fits especially well. No date on when Red Jungle is launching, but it’s shaping up to be a pretty complete project for anyone looking to get started.
Speaking of the Kickstarter, it’s going very well – the initial project is funded, and they have stormed through the stretch goals. That means that, as well as the VDV set, you’ll be able to add all of the other sets as addons, giving you everything you’d need for a Cold War Infantry fight. If you want to get your hands on it, you can find the Kickstarter still running until July 20th.
BobMack3d’s AirLand Battle Hot Drops Into Success
BobMack3d finally launched the Kickstarter AirLand Battle on July 4th, and to say it’s gone well is putting it mildly. It stormed past funding within the first 24 hours and is now climbing through the stretch goals. Alongside the core models (Blackhawk, M274 Mule, FAV, HSTV-L and the best boy, the M551 Sheridan) we have already unlocked several cool additions. This includes the ESSS pylons for the fuel tanks and rocket pods, a special forces variant for the FAV (as seen bombing around the deserts of Iraq in the 1990s) and the M274 Mule with a recoilless rifle. Bobmack likes to keep us on our toes and split off the money from their collaborations (such as the crew figures sculpted by Flank March Miniatures), so stand by for more details as we unlock more.
One thing we didn’t get to see before launch was the Turbo Backer model, an exclusive vehicle available at the highest tier for those wanting to storm through the stretch goals. This time around, we got the M901 GLH-H Hellfire. As someone who has been playing Broken Arrow and dumping Hellfires from the back of a truck in hordes of T-90s, I can see why someone thought this was a good idea. This is a fun alternative to the M901 we saw in the first Cold War US Kickstarter and also comes with a Flank March Miniatures figure carrying a laser designator to guide the rounds onto target.
If you want to jump in on the Kickstarter, it’s still running until July 22nd.
Flank March Miniatures Annihilates All Stretch Goals
Speaking of Kickstarters that launched on July 4th and then proceeded to murder their funding goals, Flank March Miniatures launched Reforger last Friday and then by the end of the weekend had basically chewed its way through all of the Stretch Goals, to the point where the entire stack is now marked as unlocked. This means that there are going to be a pile of additional sets and free addon figures, ranging from engineers armed with the M202 Flash (for free), Military Police and Tripod M60s (as addons) and either a full selection of scenario figures, such as Casualties, Helicopter Pilots, Vehicle Crews and even a jet pilot stuck among the ground pounders.
Echo Dark Studios Prepares a Thunder Run For InCountry
Echo Dark Studios has announced that the next expansion for InCountry, Armoured Combat, is coming soon. Alongside a cool bit of narrative covering the nation of Orsovia, the only other piece of information revealed is the Anti-Tank Gunner shown above, armed with a Recoiless rifle and ready to crack some hulls. Luckily, we don’t have long to wait, as Armoured Combat will be rolling out on the 8th of August 2025.
Urban Scatter Gaming Shows Off Modern Medical Centre
Urban Scatter Gaming has taken a break from his trips to the Middle East to work on something for the more Western crowd needing somewhere to fight zombies or wait for an appointment. That’s right, USG is working on a modular Medical Facility, able to make a small structure for a dense city board or even a complete multiple-wing facility to be an entire battlefield to fight through room by room.
Side note, take a look at those pavement tiles – USG has been working on them to add the ever illusive pavement to boards (rather than the sudden change from road to structures. These FDM tiles are 200mm x 200mm and will hopefully be coming soon for printers everywhere.
Looking at these examples, you can see some of the possibilities of the modular setup, with a selection of different rooms (such as wards and reception areas) perfect for flexibility. It’s also designed to fit some of USG’s other packs, such as the Hospital Scatter pack, giving you things to actually fight over. I can already see some cool scenarios to fit it
No news on release date yet, but it’s already looking pretty great!
White Dragons Miniatures Returns With Marines
In news that I’ve been very excited to see go public, White Dragon Miniatures is not dead. They have been very quiet for a very long time, but now they are back with the next expansion to Courage in Contact. And this expansion? It’s a big one.
A full platoon of Modern US Marines with support with coming soon to Kickstarter, with a massive number of figures on their way. You can see above that these guys are all ready for action in the near future, with modernised gear and the M27 rifle for everyone.
Squad 1’s HQ also shows off a few specific features that should be exciting for anyone on the bleeding edge. The Squad Systems Operator is a new role that was introduced in USMC squads from 2020, as well as being standardised in Force Design 2030 with a 15-man squad (split into three fireteams). The SSO is designed to provide the squad with the ability to organically control light handheld UAVs, perfect for gaining an intel advantage. The Rifleman with the MAAWS ammo is designed to supply the Carl Gustaf gunner in each squad (a replacement for the Assaultman MOS), while the Assistant Squad Leader is designed to make command and control a little easier for such large squads. You can also see the details and posing on the troops with this preview, definitely something to get excited about. You can also see another head variation, something that WD likes to include in Courage in Contact ranges.
This is just the start, and I’m excited to see more details as White Dragon rolls out the updates.
Combat Octopus Prepares SSO Sniper And More Commie Block Pieces
Combat Octopus hasn’t quite finished off the SSO Specialists designed for this month, but it’s getting very close. As you can see above, the SSO marksman is using a Steyr SSG 08 in a tripod mount, allowing for it to be posed in a croched position (ideal for some potential kitbashing. The Observer is the last figure to go, so hopefully we should see a release soon.
Bigger news is the ongoing success of the Commieblock project from Combat Octopus over on MyMiniFactory. At the time of writing, the project has managed to hit two of the four milestones, adding 20 more damaged wall tiles to make your blocks even more unique. We’ve seen a few people printing pieces off, and it’s looking like a massive piece for your wargames table (and one I need to get printing after I finish something for my Dastardly Regular Opponent). With another 22 days on the clock, there is a good chance we’re get the additional sidewall and expansion pieces. If you want your own lump of FDM printed Soviet Architecture, this is a great project to back.
Modern Miniatures Releases Insurgent Gunners and Previews The Bradley
Finally, Modern Miniatures has released the figures for this month’s Miniatures Pledge, the Insurgent Gunners pack. Designed to fill your technicals and other vehicles with irregular fighters, the pack comes with three armed figures (PKM, M249 and DSHK) and two unarmed figures. It also includes 5 insurgent heads, but the bodies would work perfectly with a whole host of other heads for a selection of lower tier militaries or irregular groups. These figures are available now at the Miniatures or All In tiers on the Patreon.
For next month, we also got a preview of a possible release – the M3A3 Bradley. With plenty of modular pieces on both the hull and turret, letting you build a Bradley from the mid-1990s all the way up to the present day, this kit will potentially be released alongside the M1 Abrams (with one on MMF and the other Patreon). More details will be released later in the month.
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