Well, after an unplanned delay from last week due to a traffic incident (I’m okay, my car’s side door is less so), we’re now back with a Bumper Edition of the News Stand. Two weeks of news means double the releases, previews, updates and more! Oh, and the Kickstarters. So many Kickstarters.
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 Introduces Aftermath and Previews Task Force Survivor
First up, Spectre Miniatures has shown off the first look at Spectre Aftermath, the upcoming RPG-Lite scavenging game that is currently up for pre-order. The video adds a few little touches (such as the character stats and how they are setup, and the usage of the Spectre concepts of range bands and lethality for weapons) while also showing off a little trench board and terrain. Additionally, we also got painted version of the first two sets (Alfa and Bravo), giving you a better look at how they can turn out.
Over on the Patreon, we’re still waiting for the Civilian models that have been previously mentioned to be released last week, but in the mean time, discussions have started over what’s coming soon. New Cartel models will be arriving in November (in a release described as “a big one”) but the main discussion is around the conventional forces coming soon. The current winner is British Army figures (something Spectre has already been working on) but the Ultramodern PLA is coming up behind it. We’ll see what comes out of this discussion, hopefully soon.
However, the bigger news has to be the previews of Task Force Survivors, a new set of figures that Spectre is working on. These are intended to be veteran operators, more individual and with a greater variety of gear than other sets in the range. As you can see with the pair above, these guys are heavily laden and ready for operations – with a fancy AR15 on one while the other is rolling a more traditional M4A1 with M203. The other two figures of the core set will be rolling an MK48 and an EBR. There is the possibility of an additional two to bring some fun (such as an MP5 and an old school Spectre classic, the AA-12). The update post also mentions that this month will see the delayed Civilian release, some work in progress crew for the various Polaris vehicles Spectre has (MRZR and Dagor) and a bonus 16 figure special Halloween release. This sounds like a pretty stacked month, so potentially worth taking a look once the figures are out.
BobMack3D Launches Tanks Of The Ukraine War And Prepares ZAPAD-84
It’s time! BobMack3D and Heroics & Ros have launched Tanks of the Ukraine War, bringing 12 vehicles to your tabletop (either digitally or physically). All these models are available in 1/300th scale all the way up to 1/100th (or 15mm). The list is pretty comprehensive, with plenty of Western vehicles supplied to Ukraine and Russian armour (some of which can be used by both sides). There are multiple tiers (including a £48 STL tier for all the digital fans), ideal for setting up some small-scale armour clashes. The Kickstarter runs until October 21st, so go and take a look at its project page.
Back in more sensible scales, the next full-size BobMack3D Kickstarter has been announced. ZAPAD-84 is bringing the Russian range from BobMack3d into the 1980s, starting off with the T-80U. This late Cold War tank was the ultimate evolution of the T-80 before the Wall fell, and would have been a major part of any Soviet attack into Western Europe. More recently, these vehicles are still kicking around in Russia, Ukraine and (strangely enough) Cyprus so there are plenty of uses for Ultramodern Wargamers. The Kickstarter preview page is now up, and we’ll see what other vehicles will be coming in the pack over the next few weeks as we prepare for launch.
Don’t Drink And Paint Releases GSG9 Figures
Fresh from the Ultramodern Wargaming Discord, Don’t Drink and Paint (the maker of some fantastic kitbashes over on Instagram) has released some Ultramodern figures. This first set of GSG9 Officers, dressed in civilian clothing and tactical gear (including the classic AM-95 helmet) and rolling with visor stock-equipped MP5s and G36s. These are some good-looking figures, although do be aware that these are designed for printing at 32mm and so may be a little on the delicate side. However, the good news is that these aren’t the only figures that he’s working on – a second set of GSG9 Officers, still in the AM-95 helmet but instead in full tactical gear. If you want a set of these for yourself, they are available over on Cults3d.
Miska Miniatures Launches The Cubans in Red Dawn Revolution
Good news from Miska Miniatures – Red Dawn Revolution, their latest Kickstarter, has launched and is storming it’s way up through the goals. The Kickstarter already hit its goal (and then some), meaning that backers will receive 10 stretch goals with the possibility for more on the horizon. The different pledges give plenty of options for getting your hands on the Cuban forces, giving you everything from a simple squad all the way up to a unit with heavy mortars, ATGMs, grenade launchers and multiple vehicles. There are also several add-ons, including the figures from the first Red Dawn Kickstarter. The project runs until Sunday November 2nd, giving you plenty of time to jump in and get your own force over on Kickstarter.
The Miniature Building Authority Launches Ramadi Building 1
The Miniature Building Authority has launched a brand new crowdfunding project. Rather than running through one of the established platforms, they have decided to run it through their website to offer up a brand new physical building release. This structure is intended to represent one of the residential buildings in Ramadi, Iraqi – dense multi-room structures over multiple levels, with limited open space surrounded by walls and gates. With both painted and unpainted options, the building would be a great start to building up an Iraqi town. There are also a series of stretch goals, including several rubbish piles to really set the scene.
The project will run until the 21st of October, giving you a little while to jump in and get your own structure. You can grab your own over on their website.
White Dragon Miniatures Starts Delivering STLs to Marine Backers
Good news for all the backers of Courage in Contact’s USMC Kickstarter – STL backers should be receiving their files soon. I’ve already got my platoon downloaded to my hard drive but White Dragon Miniatures has begun the process of sending out the files to those who supported the project.
The figures are almost ready for a wider release, however White Dragon is about to move to a new shop platform to assist with shipping out the physical releases worldwide. So if you missed the Kickstarter, stand by for a chance to get your hands on your own digital platoon of US Marines for the tabletop, complete with support weapons, unique poses and three different head options.
Black Hills Games Releases Hollywood Robbers
Black Hills Games has released last month’s figures after a minor delay. The theme was Hollywood robbers, with three figures from two key scenes of the classic film HEAT. One set wears sharp suits for the finale scene, while the other is in hockey masks and body armour for the opening. Additionally, for those at the higher tier, there is an additional exclusive figure inspired by one of the mask wearing heisters from the Payday franchise.
If you want these files rather than October’s Chinese PLA, you can use the Legacy tier of the Patreon to sign up and get them sent over. Otherwise, stand by the first figures from a new squad.
Combat Octopus Releases MENA Freedom Fighters
After being previously shown off when the files were complete, Combat Octopus‘s latest releases came out on the 2nd of October. The MENA Freedom Fighters set is intended to represent the wide selection of irregular forces from the MENA region, mixing both local clothing with chest rigs and weaponry. As you can see from the previews below, this set includes multiple weapon families, making them ideal for showing off the wide selection of gear that has ended up in that part of the world. And yes, that does include an M4 with no optics or rear sights.
As you can see from the four poses, this set includes a trio of fighters with assault rifles and an RPG gunner. There are a few other options in the set that makes it a good starting point for building up a squad – there are two RPKs in the pack, grenade launchers attached to both an AKM and an AK-74 and also a separate torso for one of the riflemen with a pack of rounds to assemble an assistant to the RPG gunner. There is also two different legs that come with the lower part of a kameez, ideal for adding some additional variety.
And then there are the weapons – AKs (in both 7.62 and 5.45), M4s and M16s, and (for the more Teutonic fans) G3s and G36s. This should mean you can easiuly run either a themed force with one weapon set or show off the bewildering combinations that have turned up in Iraq and the Levant.
Of course, to go with the bodies you need some suitable heads. These are ideal for the region, with a variety of beards and headgear. As with all releases, these heads are ideal to go on other releases too, letting you really build up your MENA force.
If you want this set, you can find it on the Combat Octopus Patreon right now.
This is only the first set being released for this range – November and December will see more MENA releases to bring the range up to a pretty good side. There is also going to be a Halloween figure that I may have seen and am looking forward to. However, CO has taken a short break away from the workbench so we may see a little delay on more updates until he returns.
Modern Miniatures Releases set for October
We previewed Modern Miniatures‘s releases two weeks ago but as you expect from the machine that is Modern Miniatures, they all came out on the 3rd of October. We had part two of the SWAT Release for Miniatures, everything drone for Terrain and a cool tuned up SUV for people over on MyMiniFactory. As I said, these files are all out now, so leap onto your tier of choice and get your hands on them.
Turnbase Miniatures Prepares All Things French
Turnbase Miniatures is almost done preparing the September release after an unfortunate illness. The release is all things French, with the Tier 2 release being 1er RPIMA special forces, while Tier 3 prepares the VBCI-2 APC (an updated version of the VBCI with a 40mm autocannon and remote weapon station). These two releases are great for getting some French forces on the table, as well as releasing some more unique options.
Turnbase has also been involved with a recently launched Kickstarter from Ludocortorum. Operation Daguet is a Kickstarter covering French forces in the first Gulf War, providing both vehicles and infantry. The base pledge includes both the Panhard ERC 90 “Saguaie” and a set of 10 French troops armed with the FAMAS and AANF1 Machine gun while the Superbacker tier adds the AMX 30B2 tank and the Gazelle helicopter. The project also has a collection of stretch goals, including the VAB APC, 120mm Mortar, AMX10 Armoured Car and even a set of infantry in NBC suits. It’s running until October 27th, so if you want to get your own collection of French troops, now is a good time to jump in on Kickstarter.
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