Start of the new month, and it’s strangely quieter than most weeks here on The News Stand (your main source for Ultramodern Wargaming News). I’m going to assume that most people are out and about enjoying the summer, rather than sitting inside and planning the next military campaign. However, we still have plenty to look at, with previews, releases, Kickstarters and more!
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White Dragon Miniatures Launches Courage In Contact USMC on Kickstarter
Good news! White Dragon Miniatures has launched the long-awaited USMC Platoon project over on Kickstarter. The project is already funded after the first few days, with plenty of people signing up to get their hands on the latest figures from the Courage in Contact range. For those interested in backing, the project is for a full USMC platoon using the latest ORBAT, meaning you’re getting 52 unique poses (one for each many in the giant platoons the Marines use), with a selection of the latest gear and three different head options. The project also lets you pick between physical and STL release (a good sign for those with the printing madness) and you can choose to either pick a single squad (four packs), a full platoon or the full platoon with the addon elements
However, that’s not all. There are two exclusive models included in the Kickstarter project. Every backer will get the Soldier’s Prayer (showing a Marine with a rifle taking a moment). In contrast, the Platoon pledges will get a JTAC figure seated with laser designator and calling for fires. But that’s not all – there are also stretch goals. These goals are split between free packs (mostly single soldiers with alternative weapons in hand such as hand grenades, M1014 shotguns and M72 LAW), while additional packs include weapon teams for everything you’d expect. M240 MMG, M2 HMG, MK19 AGL, Javelin and Sniper teams. If the final stretch goal is reached, the highest level tier on the Kickstarter will give you everything you’d need to build a full platoon of kit.
The Kickstarter runs until August 14th, so you don’t have long to jump on board, get some leathernecks and prepare for war. Something mentioned in the Kickstarter is that WDM is planning to bring their back catalogue to STL after converting the releases to be suitable for home printing. I really hope this project does well so we can see one of the few companies that releases full platoons for Ultramodern wargaming continue and expand.
Spectre Miniatures Drops Pre-Orders, Patreon Models and Previews
Spectre Miniatures kicked off the last week with the announcement that Spectre Out of Time is now available for pre-order. For those not in the know, Out of Time takes the mechanics from Spectre Operations back in time for small scale operations in WW2, Black Powder and Medieval eras, with each era coming with custom mechanics to make the eras feel unique. The plan is to release the book in the Autumn but you can pre-order it now. The pre-order also includes a PDF version (so you can start playing before the book arrives) and also a custom limited US Marine Raider figure, complete with his M55 Reising and ready to go to war. Spectre’s blog and social media has started covering out of time, so you’ll see plenty of updates before it ships.
Back in the Modern day, Patrons (on the Spectre Miniatures Patreon) for July got their releases on the 31st as promised. We saw the SAS Counter-Terrorism figures last week, but in the gap since, we got the whole of the SAS Command team previewed and released. This set is designed to expand the existing SAS CQB element with a set of specialists, matching their style and basic gear loadouts. The specialists, however, bring several new capabilities:
- Marksman with 7.62mm rifle
- Grenaider with both the UGL on his rifle AND two LAWs on his back
- Comms specialist with antenna
- Commander with comms antenna AND map
- Breacher with pump-action shotgun and demo charges
- Machine gunner with an assault MG
These figures are already available for patrons, while those preferring them ala carte or physically printed should be able to pick them later this week.
However, looking ahead, August is going to be a little less “full military” and a little more “sneaky sneaky”. As well as adding to the Civilian range and bringing that up to date, Spectre is also going to be the return of the Covert/Overt releases. You can see a WIP UKSF/Inteligence Operator armed with a Glock 43x (a super tiny pistol). My own feelings about Covert/Overt releases aside (it’s a novel concept that not many people actually use), we’ll be seeing more details on what’s coming in the next few day and it sounds like Spectre is looking forward to it based on the initial post on the Spectre Miniatures Patreon.
Black Hills Games Deploys The Elite Sheriff’s Department
Black Hills Games at the end of last month released it’s latest set. Inspired by a certain team from a certain film, the Elite Unit Sheriff’s Department bring five operators all ready for the mean streets of Nowhere USA. Armed with ARs, a shotgun and a single SCAR-L, this set of figures combines tactical yet civilian clothing with plate carriers covered in gear and marked up with the “Sheriff” patches. It’s a good-looking set and was delivered to Patrons at the end of last month. However, if you want the set for yourself, you can find it over on the Black Hills Games’ Gumroad and MyMiniFactory.
Combat Octopus Shows Off The SEALs
Combat Octopus has continued working on the 2007 era US Navy SEALs, finishing off a pose shown last week while also completing a team leader/NCO pose (rifle high, hand on PTT). These figures (as well as the original pose and the final figure still being sculpted) are designed to fit together as a four-man stack, ideal for both display and wargaming. As you can see, these guys are in full kit, with details such as separate kneepads and the 1911 in belt holsters to fit the era. The last pose (in a shouldered aiming post) is almost done, and based on the discussions on Discord, we should see a machine gun in the stack as well, Stand by for more details soon.
Modern Miniatures Drops SO MANY RELEASES
Okay, finally, strap the heck in. Modern Miniatures is here to do a massive update.
First up, Patreon backers at the terrain/vehicle level will have the M2A3 Bradley IFV. Ideal for rolling around any setting from sandy desert to Eastern Europe, the M2A3 comes with plenty of parts that can be removed from the base vehicle to allow it’s use from the early 1990s to the present day (such as removing the commander’s thermal vision unit).
However, that isn’t all – all patrons will have also received the M2A3 ERA kit, letting you upgrade your Bradley into the modern day. ERA blocks help to protect from shaped charge weapons (such as RPGs) and are a very distinctive addition to the vehicle. As you can see above, the pieces are actually pre-shaped for the specific setup to fit the Bradley (one of the key problems with making ERA upgrade kits is making sure they actually fit the vehicle properly). Ideal to pick up if you’re putting the Bradley on your print bed.
For Miniatues tier backers, you will be getting the four Special Forces Riders, ideal for last month’s Black Hawk or the previously released Little Birds. The four figures are kitted up as modern Western Special Forces with plate carriers and a selection of weapons (two M4s, a SCAR-H and a Minimi LMG). The set also includes 5 modular heads, letting you customise them further.
If you decide to go all in, you’ll also receive the other half of that picture above – Door Gunners for last month’s Black Hawk. Armed with M240H MMG and in two poses (one seated and the other with the gun pointed down), these two gunners are the final detail for your helicopters. The set also includes 4 heads in the crewman helmets (with two featuring the lower faceguard that has become iconic).
Over on the MyMiniFactory Tribes page, this month’s release is M1A2 SEP V3 (as beloved by current players of Broken Arrow). Not modular upgrades for this set, but it is broken up to make it easier to print, with plenty of space for other items from the Modern Miniatures, such as stowage. The Abrams and Bradley are a great combination of vehicles to get printed, so if you want modern AFVs on the table, this is a good month for you.
BUT THAT’S NOT ALL. Modern Miniatures has already shown off a few pieces coming in next month’s release. The Jungle Airfield Expansion will take one of the very first Modern Miniatures Patreon releases (two years old to the month by the time the September release drops) and in some additional pieces that will turn your airfield into something a little higher end. The private jet (coming as both FDM and Resin variants) is something ideal for more higher end criminals to be rushing for/defending (as opposed to the Cessnea), all while becoming a fantastic centrepiece for the table. The Hanger, on the other hand, lets you put a lot more of the board under cover (or hide where your troops are emerging from), ideal for those of us with filament printers. The rest of the terrain pack will be some Cargo Scatter (including some special surprises), while the Miniatures pledge will bring a classic SWAT team. Overall, September is looking like a fantastic month for releases, so well worth keeping an eye on!
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