Yesterday, I said something I regretted. I was looking at the news and going “huh, a bit quiet this week”. I should have learned by now. Stand by for a packed edition of the News Stand, featuring news, previews and more!
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Spectre Miniatures Previews Tanks and Prepares For Outbreak
Let’s start off with a simple preview for Spectre Miniatures before we dig in deep on what’s coming. Spectre has announced on Patreon that the T-64 is on its way to joining their collection of AFVs available from them. The T-64 was the Soviet tank that took the leap and implemented the design features we know and love from later Russian vehicles – smoothbore main guns (ideal for launching ATGMs), a three-man crew and the radial autoloader under the turret. Spectre is going to have several versions, including the T-64 BV (mounting Kontakt Explosive Reactive Armour) and the Bulat (a Ukrainian modernisation that brought it kicking and screaming into the modern day). No details on when this range is being released, so stand by for more information when we see it painted up.
Now begins a bigger journey that rolled out over the last day or so…
First up, following on from last week’s partial preview of the team on Patreon, we now have the rest of the Task Force Survivors. To accompany the pair of riflemen, we have a trio of heavily armed specialists. Giving you a gunner with the MK.48 MMG, a marksman with the EBR and MP5 as a sidearm and… yep, that’s a cowboy hat wearing gentleman with an AA12. All of these guys are heavily laden, rucksacks covered in gear such as comms antennas and more, while a non-standard set of headgear helps to make them look rugged. The good news is that a few people have requested some tweaked variants of these figures, removing the rucksacks for one version and potentially a set with respirators.
That name, however, implies that they survived something. Seeing as they don’t look as roughed up as the classes from the best Battlefield 3 expansion, that implies that they may be involved in something else. Something… spooky.
And that’s right – Spectre is going to release Outbreak, a rules addon for Spectre Operations that will give you all things undead. ‘Tis the season after all.
Working from the previews off the Spectre Facebook page’s story, you can see the way that this is going to convert the base game, adding in new elements and behaviours for both the zombies and the civilian survivors. This is essentially an add-on for the base game, with the rules themselves referencing specific pages from the base Spectre Operations book. There is also mention of systems such as limited ammo and fear to play into the gritty, realistic feel they seem to be going for.
Speaking of Civilan Survivors, we have a few of those preview as well. These four figures, armed with a mix of firearms and melee weapons definitely hit some classic zombie movie tropes while also being suitable for other ranges, mixing in with Texas Rangers or the Law Enforcement games. The woman on the left seems oddly familiar…
Of course, you will also need some targets to engage. And with the bonus release mentioned to be 16 models (and only four survivors shown so far) it seems we might have a horde of zombies coming. We have a mix of zeds it seems, with both civilians and military personal having fallen to the zombie menace.
As for the release date for all this, we don’t have anything specific just get. Task Force Survivors has been reported to be online this Friday as well as an exploration for the theme behind them (which we can safely assume is more details on Outbreak). October is coming to a close soon, the perfect time for a new spooky release.
Austin Miniatures Deploys The Volksarmee
Austin Miniatures has continued hammering its way through the results of their last Kickstarter, bringing us a set of East German Infantry. Proud soldiers of the Volksarmee (and with their distinctive helmets to make them stand out from the Soviets, this set includes the parts you need to assemble a full squad.
As you can see in the image, you have eight bodies, 16 heads and a selection of weapons ranging from AKs and RPKs up to the often needed RPG. There is also a selection of additional kit to mount on your back to determine how heavily laden your guys are.
If you want a set of these for yourself, you can find them now over on the Austin Miniatures Gumroad.
BobMack3D Rolls In The BTR-80
With BobMack3D’s new Kickstarter on the horizon, it’s time for another preview of a new vehicle. ZAPAD-84 updates the Soviet Arsenal to the 1980s, bringing with it the most modern equipment of the time. Last week we saw the T-80 but this time, we get a new transport for the infantry. The BTR-80 is the updated version of the classic transport for motorised infantry, taking the BTR-80 and improving it with better doors to allow troops to actually get out of it, a redesigned turret for engaging high level targets and a redesigned engine cover covering a much more reliable powerplant. These things are still in use around the world, making it ideal to join your collection. ZAPAD-84 will launch on November 14th, perfect to deliver the finished files just in time for Christmas and you can sign up now over on the preview page.
It’s also worth a congratulations as the Tanks of the Ukraine War has finished, hitting 2361% of its funding goal. This gives it some additional stretch goals to add to its impressive collection of vehicles currently serving in Ukraine, with both the MLTB conversion you see above and the T-62. STLs should be sent out in the next few weeks, while those backing for physical objects will take a little longer.
Don’t Drink And Paint Releases More Tactical GSG9 Figures
Following on from last week’s release, Don’t Drink and Paint (the maker of some incredible work on Instagram) is back to release the second part of GSG9 figures. As promised when the first set was released, this set puts the figures in full tactical gear, while still maintaining the AM-95 helmet. These guys also have a mixture of G36s and an MP5, all with visor stocks for the true CQB look. Again, these are designed for 32MM so there are a few delicate parts to be careful of when printing. However, they are also impressive looking, perfect for an underappreciated for in wargaming. If you want a set of these for yourself, you can find them over on Cults3d.
Flank March Miniatures Releases Wave 2 and Beta Rules for CoC
Big news from Flank March Miniatures. First up, Wave 2 of the Kickstarter Stretch Goals for REFORGER have been released to all Kickstarter backers. This includes some of the wierd and wonderful parts of the release – sure it has the M60 on a tripod and various Marksmen but it also has vehicle and helicopter crew, M202 FLASH operators and even Military Police figures, ideal for all kinds of scenarios. There is still one more Wave to come at the end of November/start of December and this includes some heavy gear and even USAF Berets for those sneaky airfield defences/trips through the star gate.
However more exciting is that they have released a preview set of rules for Chain of Command, converting it to the Cold War. Initially with details for the BAOR and the Soviets, the set looks like a good starting point for a Chain of Command conversion – it may need some tweaks for the updated CoC V2 (a ruleset I need to play but looks very promising) but this conversion seems to capture the theme of the era at platoon level without going too indepth to the point it’s a whole new game. I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on this, especially once the US Army and their toys are added. The files are available over on the Flank March website, along with the incredible wargaming and painting guides that Flank March has produced for its Kickstarters.
Miska Miniatures’s Revolution Hammers The Stretch Goals
Good news from Miska Miniatures – their latest Kickstarter, Red Dawn Revolution, has absolutely smashed its way through the original Stretch Goals. These means pledges will be getting a selection of additional equipment ranging from engineers and heavy support weapons to an armoured Ural truck – these will be available at various pledge levels, giving you plenty to play with. Additional Stretch goals are coming soon, including a 9k31 Strela for air cover. Additionally, due to the social media sharing of the project, we have an additional Commander figure representing Colonel Bella from a certain 1980s movie – a great addition. There is still time to jump into the Kickstarter before it finishes on November 2nd, and you can find it over on the project page.
White Dragon Miniatures – New Website, New Range Release
Good news from White Dragon Miniatures – he has moved to a brand new website, which has now launched. The new website should make a whole host of things easier to do, including showing local currency for pricing and handling postage and tarriffs. A great next step for WDM.
Even better news, the US Marine Kickstarter is now available in STL form from the website. Every pack from the Kickstarter is available and includes all three head options, giving you plenty of choices for getting your Devil Dogs on the board. This range is unlike anything else, with unique poses for everyone in the platoon and is well worth taking a look. If you want to get your own pile of Marines to fight over the South Pacific (or anywhere actually), you can find them at the collection page for them.
Anvil Digital Forge Previews Sneaky Types
November for Anvil Digital Forge is going to be a sneaking mission. Bringing you a set of figures in armoured sneaking suits and silent boots, these figures will be ideal for anyone sneaking into facilities worldwide – from the Big Shell to Shadow Moses to the Defence Ministry in T’bilisi, Georgia, these will be perfect for all your black ops types.
The good news is that equipment isn’t OSP (On-Site Procurement). Instead, these new figures come with a trio of interesting weapons. For long arms, you have the MP7 with Suppressor and ZM reflex (including both SMG and Pistol poses), while the side arms give you something old and something new – the MK23 with LAM and Suppressor for the veterans, and the Maxim 9 for those wanting to be a little more up to date. There are also some other great touches, such as legs with holsters for the MP7, a selection of heads and even some arms with knives strapped to them. More details on these operatives coming soon.
Modern Miniatures Previews November’s Releases – Boxers, Boxes and SUVs
Finally, Modern Miniatures has some previews for next month’s releases. Starting off with the Vehicle/Terrain tier, this month is an SUV double bill. For the more restrained drivers, the X5 styled SUV is an ideal piece of scatter terrain or gaming piece without being overly showy – this style is also used by groups such as British Armed Police Officers, so there are plenty of use cases for it. In contrast, the H2 is incredibly showy, rugged and ideal for off-road locations such as Malibu or Beverly Hills. Both vehicles come with separate wheels to make printing and painting easier.
There wasn’t a preview for the Figures tier (it’s coming next week), but the theme is a CBRN Kill Team. The preview post is asking for weapon suggestions, so we’ll soon see what the final result is.
Finally, the crew over on MyMiniFactory’s Tribe will be getting something Massive. The Boxer IFV, complete with it’s RCT30 turret mounting a 30mm cannon, is going to be the November release, ideal for transporting your infantry around/making every other APC on the table look small. Additionally, the December release is going to be an ideal accompaniment to the Boxer, as the Leopard 2 will be making its way to the tabletop.
As you can see, the items shown have been printed, tested and painted, so you can be pretty sure you’ll see the releases as soon as possible.
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