We had our first proper Autumn weekend (complete with pouring rain and high winds), meaning it’s time – welcome to hobby season! The good news is that the Ultramodern community has been hard at work giving us things to play with when it’s too wet to go outside. Stalkers for the zone, Cuban soldiers for Angola or Aspen, a meth lab and more are all in this edition of The News Stand!
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 Provides Free Postage and Stalkers For The Zone
Before we get into the latest preview from Spectre Miniatures, let’s see some logistics. And good news for people getting their physical figures from Spectre, the requirements for free shipping are changing! As announced on their social media, Spectre has managed to arrange a better rate for shipping, which means they can drop the cart size needed before you get free shipping. You can see the values above, so I guess it’s time to load up on stuff in your cart.
In terms of models, this week we got a new preview for the Aftermath figures mentioned last week over on Patreon. They are a motley bunch, armed with a mixture of weapons (including the classic SPAS-12) while still all geared up for surviving in the zone. Aftermath does nothing for me personally (I’m more excited for the civilians and maybe the CIA SAD that has been mentioned in the past) but for all you STALKER fans, there are a few more details of a possible ruleset mentioned on the Patreon.
BobMack3d Shows Off A Modified M113 In 6mm
This week on the “Bobmack3d Previews Their Latest Kickstarter”, we have a Ukrainian M113. This one in particular has been equipped with a Counter-HEAT cage, ideal to stop RPGs and hopefully minimise the effect of modified FPV drones. As with everything we have seen so far of the Tanks of the Ukraine War KS, these vehicles are designed for the smaller scales, so are ideal if you prefer the increased possibilities that 6mm can give you on your standard-sized table. The Kickstarter kicks off on the 7th of October 2025, giving you a pile of vehicles as either physical prints or STLs, and you can sign up on the preview page right now.
Miska Miniatures Shows Previews For Red Dawn
Miska Miniatures is hard at work preparing for his latest Kickstarter, bringing a comprehensive set of Cold War Cuban troops to your STL libraries. The project preview page is already up, but the Miska group has a few great previews added to it. As you can see above, the set already includes plenty of characterful figures, ranging from basic infantry and command squads up to heavy support, such as the AGS and mortar. No details on the exact launch date, but sign up for the Kickstarter preview page to be told once it launches.
Urban Scatter Gaming Releases The Complete Meth Set
After weeks of previews, Urban Scatter Gaming has released a brand new set – The Meth Lab!
Well, technically, it’s actually two sets. First up, we have The Hideout, the exterior of a dilapidated small house ideal for American-style gaming boards in need of some scene setting. The building is a small single room, meaning you can fill a board with them to set the scene, while still providing plenty of space for fighting through. Who knows what you’ll find behind the door – a gang house, the den of a serial killer or, as you might expect, a meth lab. The building comes in several parts, with a seperate roof, foundation, internal kitchen furnishings and even wooden boards for the window.
If you want to fill it, then the Meth Lab Scatter Pack will contain plenty of pieces to fill out a meth lab. With all three elements of a lab (equipment, supplies and the final product), the pack is designed to let you decorate a lab in the style you want it. Be it a rough and ready setup made by hobbyists to professionals utilising the latest in tech, all the options are included,
If you’re wanting both, you can also get a combo pack and get yourself a nice little saving. All three options are available now on the Urban Scatter Gaming Gumroad.
White Dragon Miniatures Shows Off Kickstarter Support Weapons
White Dragon Miniatures has returned from their well-earned holiday and is back with an update on the finished USMC Platoon Kickstarter for Courage in Contact.
In between the emails, we’ve had a few updates on the project. The big news is that all the sculpts for the project are done, with the extra support options that were unlocked at the end. As you can see above, we have an FGM-148 Javelin gunner and a team for running a 40mm AGL. I’m a really big fan of the two sniper options shown below, bringing both the MK13 MOD 7 and the M110 as options.
As for the rest of the project, the bad news is that, unfortunately, US physical backers will be affected by the tariffs on importing UK-made goods into the US. However, we are entering the stage where the pile of bases for the physical platoons are beginning production and the pledge manager is entering a testing stage before it will be provided to backers. All the project updates are public, so if you want more details, you can read it over on Kickstarter.
Combat Octopus Previews Freedom Fighters
Combat Octopus has provided the first preview of what is coming in the upcoming Freedom Fighters set. The figure is still WIP, but provides a good example of what he is aiming for, complete with web gear and folding stock AKS-74. One important thing to note is that there will be versions with and without the long shirt, making it easier to kitbash. This set, I think, is going to be a must-have once done for various theatres of modern wargaming, so I’m looking forward to all the options it might include.
Unfortunately, not all is well with CO at the moment, so hopefully you’ll join me in wishing him well and hoping he gets better!
Modern Miniatures Shows Off More For Next Month
Finally, Modern Miniatures has shown off a few more pieces coming next month. Starting off, you can see the upcoming SWAT Team expansion. This will be a four-figure set, and you can see three of the finished figures above. A Commander with either a megaphone or NCO hand, an MP5-armed officer and a breacher with a ram. Additionally, there will be a deployed marksman figure using a tripod. The Saw breacher is currently not included with the Patreon set, and he is still deciding how it will be released (I’m voting to just include it in the Patreon release as a little treat).
For the scenery tier, the preview this week is of the Geran/Shaeed style drones. These flying wings have been created by another sculptor working with Modern Miniatures and will come with two versions (one mounted to the launcher and the other mid-flight). There is also two alternatives for the head, letting you pick between using the drone as a reconnaissance vehicle or the explosive version it is mroe commonly seen as.
Both sets will be released next month, and further updates are being detailed on the Modern Miniatures Patreon if you want to see everything being discussed.
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