Welcome to a double week edition of The News Stand. After spending last week absolutely fried, this week I’m back with all the updates I missed across the whole spectrum of Ultramodern projects. We have previews, releases, Kickstarter projects and more! Read on for all the details.
As always, thanks to the members of the Special Projects and Logistics Group, News Fans and all the other patrons over on the ChargeBlog patreon – they buy my time to make this wrap-up each week, letting me take the time to gather all the news, check the details on them and prepare them in one single place. If you like these roundups and find them useful, why not chip in on Patreon and help to keep them going?
Spectre Miniatures Drops Previews, Bundles and Videos
First up we have Spectre Miniatures who have shown off quite a lot in the last two weeks for what they call a “quiet” month. In terms of miniatures, we have one of the first images of a figure supporting Out of Time (the upcoming historical version of Spectre Operations). If the camo and the M55 Reising didn’t give it away, this is a WW2 US Marine, representing either a Paramarine or a Marine Raider from actions around the Solomon Islands. Although Out of Time is intended to be miniature agnostic, it seems like there will be some figures created based on what Spectre fancies making. It is going to be very interesting to see how they fit alongside other more established brands in the space – while Spectre has a pretty strong foothold in the Ultramodern space and has managed to really push the realistic proportions, not many other brands in the WW2 space go for the same style often leaning more towards the heroic. However, with smaller scale games such as raiding operations, they may be able to provide you with a complete set for both sides. Either way, standby for more details on Out of Time soon.
Another exciting venture for Spectre in the last week however has been the launch of two complete boxed sets. The two sets give you a 2000 requsition force for either the Militia or the Task Force factions. As you can see, there is a slight imbalance in the number of figures in each set (so good luck to the poor devil who ends up getting the militia side) but this is a good way to get players through the door – no need to umm and ah, just simply pick up the bundle and go. The Militia set includes sets from the new MENA Militia Range, alongside some Insurgent Fighters and Insurgent Mercenaries, as well as two technicals with plenty of firepower. The Task Force set combines the Task Force Operators (and many of their fancy toys), with some of the new SAS CQB Element for some variety.
If you’re starting from scratch, the brand new Game Bundle is somewhere you can point to as the perfect all-in starting point. Combining the two Task Forces with the revised rulebook and the weapon reference deck, this box includes 54 unique figures, two vehicles and two weapons for them. It’s not the cheapest entry point for Ultramodern Wargaming, but it does at least give you everything you need to get started off.
And speaking of getting started, Spectre are returning to their YouTube channel to show off the new and revised edition of the rulset. The Demo Game Turn video embedded above should help to get to grips with the flow of the game as well as mechanics such as momentum, commanders and engagement actions. It’s 30 minutes long, so watch away if you’re interested to see how the game work.
Finally, over on Patreon, we got a little update about this month’s Patreon releases. The initially announced CIA team (which has had plenty of back and forth with various patron discussion posts) is being delayed until September as Steve is unhappy with their current look and is unwilling to rush them. Instead, we’re getting an update of the SAS Counter Terrorism team, giving us six figures with MCX Rattler rifles and gear suitable for close quarters battle, such as respirators and protective gear. This means that July is going to be a very SAS heavy month, as the other 6 figures already announced is the SAS Support elements. Hopefully, with a couple of months’ delay, the CIA team will come out with a much stronger final product with a greater sense of identity. I am a little concerned we haven’t yet seen any previews for this month’s figures on the Patreon, but it’s not the end of the month just yet.
White Dragon Miniatures Prepares For The Marines
The big news of the week is more updates from White Dragon Miniatures about their upcoming Courage in Contract USMC Kickstarter coming soon. In fact, it’s coming on the 31st of July, bringing a full platoon of Ultramodern USMC infantry, all updated to the very latest gear (complete with the M27 rifle for everyone, M320 grenade launchers and the MAAWS launcher) and layout. You can even sign up for the Kickstarter now – if you do and then back the Kickstarter, you’ll also get a free “Bombing Mag” figure, as either an STL or a physical piece.
Anyone who knows about the US Marine Corps infantry will know that each squad is massive, consisting of three different fireteams and a command element, while a platoon includes three such squads. This means you’re looking at 48 individuals for the planned layout (or 42 if you decide to go back to the older version without the Assistant Squad Leaders or System Operators). Well, good news! Alan at White Dragon Miniatures is infected with the same madness I have and is going to have a unique figure for every position within the platoon, as well as some other supporting figures you may find handy.
As with all previous Courgage in Contact releases, every pack will be available with each of the three head options. For recce elements (or fighting in the jungle) you can use the classic soft hat. For a more high tech and operator look, the ECH High Cut is ideal. However, the look I expect most people to go for will be the ECH with goggles, the most commonly seen headgear when Marines deploy worldwide. The images above also show off some of the variety within the packs so far, meaning that you could easily mix and match the poses between packs if you wanted to make your marines look even more unique.
I’ll be backing for the STLs, but as you can see, those who prefer their delivery more physical will be receiving a sight that is familiar to anyone who has bought from WDM before. The four figures per pack are single-piece figures and come on a slot designed for a suitable base (also included in the set). What I think is very cool is how much of this is coming out of White Dragon Miniatures directly – the bases are injection moulded in house, with the figures themselves being 3D printed on a commercial printer by someone who has been doing it for years. To make sure it arrives in one piece, a custom box keeps everything secure in transit.
If you’re interested in getting your own platoon of Devil Dogs for your collection, follow the Kickstarter and standby for the 31st of July. I am personally very excited for this release – White Dragon Miniatures has long been a creator whose work I have enjoyed (especially with his focus on full platoons of models for gaming rather than single packs). There are lots of his decisions I whole heartedly agree with so I’m hoping that the Kickstarter blows the doors open and allows for the Courage In Contact range to continue after a long time away.
Austin Miniatures Finishes Death From Above Kickstarter
Speaking of Kickstarters, Austin Miniatures finished off their Kickstarter last week, hitting all the stretch goals, meaning there will be a considerable number of new Cold War forces available from them. As you can see above, the guys are already hard at work on getting the stretch goals sculpted, with the West German infantry above being the first they are looking at. You can see they have already got the G3, Carl Gustaf launcher and Panzerfaust 44, all in the classic uniform. Additionally, there will be two headsets for the pack, with both netted and scrim-covered variants. Stand by for more updates as the team work through the other nations, including East Germans, US Rangers and Brits.
BobMack3d Finishes AirLand Battle Kickstarter
I said, SPEAKING of Kickstarters, BobMack3d‘s Kickstarter AirLand Battle finished off earlier this week. Coming in at 515% of the funding goal, the AirLand Battle Kickstarter will include a pile of vehicles. We managed to unlock a pile of the stretch goals getting as far as the FAV light buggy with Hydra rockets, something which is basically a GI Joe vehicle which escaped containment. The final unlock was the M151 FAV, a version of the MUTT jeep turned into a fast recon vehicle, which should mean plenty of options for those with a need for speed. We should be getting the models through in three weeks or so, once Kickstarter has paid up.
Flank March Miniatures Finishes Reforger Kickstarter
SPEAKING OF KICKSTARTERS, Flank March Miniatures has finished off their latest Kickstarter REFORGER, bringing 1980s Cold War American Infantry to the tabletop. And what a finish it was – the Kickstarter reached over 60x the initial target with almost 200 backers. It stormed through the stretch goals (even after more was added) including new pieces such as a Stretcher team, more riflemen, a M16A1 Automatic Rifleman and even cool Dirt Bike riders ideal for rolling alongside BobMack3d’s FAVs.
As you can see on the timetable above, we should be getting the Core Platoon files by early August. The additional stretch goals will come later in the year, with the final Blender files coming in Novemember. And as for what comes next? The next Kickstarter is going to be “Bruderkrieg 1 – the Nationale Volksarmee of East Germany” – yep, get ready to paint a lot of Strichtarn.
Fire! Modern Combat Prepares For Fufilment
Finally, something that isn’t a Kick…. Oh this is them getting ready for delivery… Right.
Good news to all backers of the Fire Modern Wargaming Kickstarter – the team in Spain has started printing the books in all the different languages for the set. You can see the rulset is looking pretty good, with pretty striking artwork and colour (and an orange that will be visible on the otherside of the room). Speaking of the orange, you can also see the dice that will be included in the bundles, complete with unique typeface and colouring.T hey are currently planning to start putting packages together, so best to watch your emails.
Urban Scatter Gaming Releases All Things Medical
Finally free of draining my wallet with MENA buildings, Urban Scatter Gaming has released a brand new set – the Medical Centre. This set is a new landmark from USG, providing you with a fully modular medical centre, spanning across multiple detailed areas. Inspired by many of the NHS Doctors surgeries you may see around the UK, this is a set that could find plenty of uses away from waiting for a GP – these low-lying office buildings would be perfect for spy-fi or military scenarios, as well as plenty of zombie and post-apocalyptic situations..
First up, you can see a few examples of the layout you can make, by arranging the different modular pieces. USG hasn’t gone with OpenLock for this kit, instead going for a smaller clip system that sits over the top of the walls to hold them together. It’s an impressive variety of buildings, meaning you could quite easily fill an entire table full of these structures.
Talking about the modular rooms, let’s take a quick look into them. As you can see, there are plenty of options when it comes to windows and doors, with the doors often being functional to allow for dynamic entry/exit and the windows in a variety of styles. There is even other external details, such as drainpipes and vents. For anyone looking for a CQB environment, this is going to be perfect.
To go with the medical centre, USG is running a 7 Releases in 7 Days. With day 1 being the centre itself, Days 2 and 3 will help to fill it. Day 2 includes an Office Furniture pack (including a delightful 1990s corner desk and PC), while Day 3 is a Medical Supplies pack, including all sorts of boxes and meds to fit the setting. There are some great design touches to both of these packs, but stand by for what’s coming in the next 4 days.
Anvil Digital Forge Releases Team Outlaw
After plenty of previews, Anvil Digital Forge has released Team Outlaw, a brand new custom set similar to the original Team Phoenix. As previously shown off, this set includes plenty of custom figures made from digitally kitbashing the parts from many of Anvil’s packs and some custom parts. These figures are ideal for a whole list of games, and I’m really excited to see them out. The team is available either digitally as a bundle or physically direct from Anvil.
Combat Octopus Releases the SSO Support Element and IS THAT AN AN94
Combat Octopus has released the long-awaited SSO Support Element, providing the final part of the range and giving you some great addons. A sniper pair (with a selection of weapons for the marksman), an AT-14 Spirggan ATGM and the most dangerous figure, an Air Controller with a radio and a box to sit on. This is not the most open for modularity, but there is still plenty of customisation and useful parts. In fact, there is a pile of useful scenery bits, including flattened weapons to sit alongside the weapon operators. And as always, a set of cool heads with both army caps, high-cut helmet and regular army gear.
However, that wasn’t the only release. As a special bonus model for anyone wanting some more SSO, another Patron commissioned an additional figure for the range. As well as the dangerous NCO pointing hand and traditional weapon combos (AK74, AK12k and AR-15), we’re also getting an upgraded AN-94 Abakan complete with rail system and buffer tube stock (something I’ve only seen in a mod for a mod of Tarkov). It’s a kick ass figure (one I have already printed and started painting yesterday), but if you want it for yourself, you can find it over on MyMiniFactory (and can be discounted if you have the code included in each release post on the Patreon). This is a great figure to kick off a Combat Octopus collection, letting you give the modular style a go with a cool figure.
Finally, CO has started work on the next set of releases, doing the research by watching Warfare and then getting to work on some US Navy SEALs for Ramadi. These guys are going to properly tooled up, with the weapon list including Mk18s, M16A4s, M4s, Mk46s, SR25s AND an M79. The good news is that many of them are already ready, meaning we should hopefully get a fast release and giving more time for the figure details and posing.
Goggles Miniatures Releases July Items
This week, Goggles Miniatures has released July’s vehicles, a pair of South African AFVs ideal for the tabletop. The Casspir MRAP and Ratel IFV are both vehicles with plenty of history, especially during the South African border wars. These vehicles both come with separate turrets, ideal for getting into action. You can get these vehicles over on the Goggles Miniatures patreon now.
Modern Miniatures Shows Off The Bradley
The latest update from Modern Miniatures is showing off next month’s Patreon release. The Bradley won the vote to be included for Patrons, while the Abrams has been banished to the Tribes zone, like an unwanted child. As you can see above, the Bradley is looking pretty cool, well detailed without being over burdened. However, I am more interested in seeing more details on that camo netting, as apparently it is also 3d printed. This will be next month’s release, so it’s worth keeping an eye on the Patreon.
Turnbase Miniatures Release Winter Operators For July
Finally, Turnbase Miniatures has released its figures for July. Bringing you more operators for fighting in the Arctic, the two packs include a set of figures in cold-weather gear; Kraken is inspired by Russian operators with a mix of close-quarters gear while Lycan is more Western-focused (apart from the AK that snuck in). If you want these figures for yourself, you can sign up for the Patreon.
Frankly, both sets are interesting, and while visually interesting, they are definitely some “rule of cool “weapon choices that would raise some questions about what sort of warfare they are expecting to fight in the Arctic (unless I’m missing some designers’ notes by not being on their Discord).
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