Spectre Miniatures Reveals The North Koreans

Spectre Miniatures kicked off the week with their showing at Salute (and releasing the exclusive figures shown above), while the end of the week had the Cosmic Horror Kickstarter concluding (and hitting almost £67k in funding); both of which are pretty great to happen. However, what’s more interesting is what’s coming up next.

Yep, we’re getting the North Koreans. As shown off over on Patreon, the DPRK’s finest will be the next Spectre release, bringing a 10-man squad complete with their Type 88 rifles and a PKM derivative. As you can see, the North Korean regular army has undergone some modernisation, with more modern (if rough, Chinese-quality) tactical equipment that most airsofters might recognise and look down on.

For those wanting the older style of look, the Peasant Worker militia (seen in the right image) is wearing the Cold War era uniform. They will also be receiving some Soviet weapon systems to really sell the militia look, as well as the Type 58 rifle used predominantly by the force.

The initial pose also announces some future plans. We’ll be seeing some more elite North Korean forces (the Light Infantry and Special Forces) and vehicles to support them. However, once they are done, we’ll be heading over the border to being an extensive Chinese PLA force. No further details, but the term used to describe the PLA range is “extensive”. Definitely something to keep an eye on.

Flank March Miniatures Launches BRUDERKRIEG and Smashes Through Stretch Goals

Speaking of “Democratic” states, Flank March Miniatures has launched his Kickstarter project to bring us the forces of the German Democratic Republic to our STL library. Titled BRUDERKRIEG 1 and with a special thanks to this very blog on the page, the project kicked off earlier today with some concerning technical issues (the counter on the page failed to update and people didn’t receive the project launch emails) but it hasn’t mattered as the project is storming it’s way up the stretch goals (more on those later) and is currently sitting at £10.5k at the time of writing.

The project has four pledge tiers. The Platoon tier gives you the core of an East German Mot. Shutzen platoon, with a HQ element, three squads with unique poses for everyone included, 12 unique heads with different headgear, kitbash items and all the free stretch goals. Going up to the next tier adds a trio of support weapons, the kind of equipment an infantry unit might expect to use in a platoon-level game. The All-In Tier adds all of the stretch goals (and oh boy, there are plenty), Blender files to allow customisation and even a unique figure only for the All-In Tier, giving you an East German soldier on traffic control duty. Finally, if you want EVERYTHING involved in this project, the Flank March and BobMack3d bundle includes the All-In Tier and several add-ons from friend-of-the-blog BobMack3d that are ideal for building an East German force, ranging from the high-tier T-72 and BMP-1 down to the BTR-50 and the venerable T-34/85 (the STL for which was originally made by RKX). This highest tier weighs in at £190 BUT it includes a massive number of STLs to give you everything you might need for an East German force, including access to BobMack3d models for a saving.

It’s also worth noting that this project also lets you pick up Flank March’s previous Kickstarters as well – ideal if you want some OPFOR (or Allies) to your East Germans. This includes British, Soviet and American sets, all of which are packed full of stretch goal models on top of the core platoons.

One thing I think is great is the next evolution in the Blender files that Flank March includes at the All-In Tier. This has now been expanded with the _checks notes_ BRUDERKRIEG 1 Blender Head Exporter. This is available to all backers and allows the end user to mix and match their own heads, swapping through the headgear, adding customisation elements and adjusting facial hair and expression. It’s a great setup, and it’s always perfect to see STL producers making the end user’s life easier.

Right, let’s talk those stretch goals (and apologies for the cutting up of the vertical image from the Kickstarter page). As with all previous Flank March Miniatures Kickstarters, there is a mix of free addons (such as a medical figure or additional heads) and paid-for addons which add whole new elements (such as additional heavy weapons and teams). At the time of writing, we are already pretty far through the list, with elements such as the S-60 Anti-Aircraft gun, higher-level command elements and, of course, the eternally useful Combat Engineers, who bring with them ridiculous equipment (such as the Romanian AGI 3×40 thermobaric launcher). The big thing with the stretch goals is that they provide parts for two additional East German forces – the elite Falschimjaeger Commandos and their unique equipment, such as headgear and light support weapons, and the Kampfgruppen Der Arbeiterklasse (KDA), who bring out the older equipment to protect the GDR. Seeing as the project is doing well, I wouldn’t be surprised if we see a few more stretch goals if the campaign continues as it does.

If you want to get your own East German force up and running, the Kickstarter is running until May 4th, and you can find it on the project page.

Pegasus Miniatures Previews The Det

Pegasus Miniatures, fresh from their trip to London for Salute, have shown off the next figure from their upcoming range of figures for the Covert War in Ulster. After a paramilitary was shown last week, this week we see their opponents from the British Army’s 14 Intelligence Company, also known as The Det. For those who don’t know, The Det was the predecessor to the modern-day Special Reconnaissance Regiment, a highly trained force of male and female military personnel responsible for armed covert surveillance. This operator shows an example – civilian clothing and appearance (including a suitable tache) while still carrying an MP5K with the stock removed.

Standby for another update this weekend, but it’s cool to see how this range is going to go.

Combat Octopus Shows Off D-Boys And Their Kit

Combat Octopus is hard at work getting the first batch of Delta Force in Mogadishu ready for release. The fourth and final pose is above, showing off a figure keying his radio but also with their rifle held in a pose ideal for swapping out for various alternatives from the basic Colt carbine.

Speaking of which, Combat Octopus has been hard at work building up the asset library for all the weird and wonderful early 1990s weapons that the guys were using at the time. We have the Colt 723 (including versions with the Masterkey and M203), a suppressed Colt 733, an M16, an M249 and an era-appropriate M14. We’re into the final stage of this release with only the heads left to work on, so we should see a release soon.

Modern Miniatures Experimenting For His Greenhouse

Finally, no full update from Modern Miniatures, but we do have a cool preview of something he’s been working on. Next month’s terrain release is an industrial greenhouse, which of course means lots of glass. Usually, this would mean getting some acrylic and cutting pieces to fit the 3D-printed elements. However, it seems like Modern Minatures has been experimenting with transparent PLA and just printing them out instead. This is pretty impressive so far, but it’s far from the final approach, so we may see another take. Either way, it’s always cool to see what creators get up to!

Spectre Miniatures Prepares For Salute

Kicking off with a trend you might recognise, Spectre Miniatures is getting ready for Salute. Along with the details announced last week, we also got a pile of new releases that will be at the show. On the exclusives side, we have two future operators and something much older – the near-future operator shown last week and a robotic friend to assist him. The older side is where we start to see the sculptor’s other interest sneaking out, with a zombie Napoleonic French Infantryman for Out of Time or Outbreak. For more regular releases, we have a literal pile of vehicles.

As you can see from the trio of images above, the Brits are getting some vehicles to go with their modern British Infantry platoon. Two of these have been shown off already (the troubled Ajax and Ares), but we also have the Boxer APC with the .50 calibre on the RWS mount. Additionally, the T-64 tanks we have seen for a while are now available in all three variants (T-64, T-64 BV, and Bulat), so they should be available soon to add to your collections.

All of the items above are going to be available at the show for all of those attending Salute, with the online store being updated later in the day. The show exclusive figures will only be out for a limited time and, unlike the other releases, will not be available as STLs.

Additionally, the Spectre Cosmic Horror Kickstarter is in its final five days and has done incredibly well, breaking £50,000 in pledges. If you want to jump into Spectre’s largest expansion outside of the Ultramoderns space, then this is it.

Echelon Software Shows Off Near Present Sculpts

Echelon Software has shown off some renders for the infantry sets coming to their latest game NearPresent. The figure on the left shows off the US Navy contracted Anchorage operator, while the figure on the right is a fighter for Hankou, their counterparts working for Chinese interests. Both figures have some elements that will be familiar to Ultramodern gamers, but there is plenty that brings them kicking and screaming into 2046 (mostly those helmets and the various signal antennas). These figures are to scale with the BPRE28 releases and will be coming later this year, with Anchorage coming in April and Hankou in July.

Echo Dark Studios Releases Two New Factions and Announces Major Changes

Echo Dark Studios, after some previews before Adepticon, has now released two brand new factions for InCountry.

Listed as a force operating from Down Under, the Tiger Shark Reapers bring an Australian flair to the range, including a set of 8 figures forming a squad. This set is armed with a mixture of M4s and AUGs, as well as an LMG and a pointman with pistol and tactical shield.

The opposing force in the same release is the Black Shell Stabilization Corps set, bringing an East Asian force with a mix of local assault rifles, Anti-tank launchers and the PKP machine gun. Both factions will be getting plenty of lore details in the upcoming InCountry supplement, as well as providing plenty of new figures to paint in new styles.

Also in the store are three new vehicles, sculpted by Modern Miniatures. The T-90A, the ZBD-04 and the Type 99 give you some more heavy armour, giving you a chance to get them from the only physical stockist in the US

Finally, we’d like to wish Echo Dark Studio’s Tanner all the best as he begins the transition back to civilian life after military service. It can be a difficult time, but hopefully on the other side, we’ll see more of him in the hobby space and push InCountry forward!

Flank March Miniatures And BattleGround HD Prepares For Salute

Flank March Miniatures and BattleGroundHD are in London as we speak, preparing for a full day at Salute. Their game “The Eagle Has Landed” is going to see the East Germans attacking Tempelhof Airport (complete with a wrecked M60), giving attendees at Salute a chance to play BattlegroundHD and have a first glimpse at the East German figures (complete with the heads for the elite Fallschirmjäger).

However, that’s not all! Flank March Miniatures has shown off some heavy support coming in the upcoming BRUDERKRIEG Kickstarter. As well as commenting on the lack of belt-fed MGs in the platoon, we also have images of the heavier support: the M-43 mortar, the AGS-17 automatic grenade launcher, and the AT-4 ATGM. The Mortar and ATGM will also have some alternative options coming in the stretch goal (ideal for the lighter Fallschirmjäger and less modern KdA). The Kickstarter launches on the 17th of April, so sign up over on the profile page.

Miska Miniatures Prepares An Intervention

Miska Miniatures is preparing its next Kickstarter, continuing the combat in Southern Africa. This Kickstarter is going to add the South African Defence Forces to the battlefield, focusing on their gear during the Border War. The core set will include a combat group (or section) and a Ratel 90 Infantry Fighting Vehicle, with the project also continuing to include an Eland 90 and a Recce Team. There is even a demonstration model if you want to give the figures a go, with the full project coming soon.

Pegasus Miniatures Reveals Their First Figure

Pegasus Miniatures has revealed the first figure in their upcoming range. Crafted by Flank March Miniatures’ very own Steffan (and so ideal to fit alongside his Cold War range), the figure shown is an Ulster Paramilitary armed with a Webley, ideal for the close-quarter nitty-gritty combat that their ruleset “Contact Wait Out” is designed for. Additionally, the first supplement for the upcoming rules will focus on the Covert War in Northern Ireland (a topic I know Dougie is incredibly keen on), which will have plenty of intricate details for such a small game. This is a great start for the company, so definitely something to keep an eye on.

Combat Octopus Shows Off A Trio Of D-Boys

Combat Octopus has previewed three of the upcoming Mogadishu Delta Force figures that will be coming out in this month’s release. These guys are all ready for door-kicking, with a suitable sense of motion for a high-intensity set of assaulters, while a four-figure will provide a slightly more NCO pose. The heads are still temporary (you might recognise them from the VBSS set), but this is a great start. More previews coming soon as the set is aiming to come out later this month.

Modern Miniatures Previews More Cops And Releases Special Forces Support

Modern Miniatures kicked off this week with a whole ass brand new release. Expanding the generic Special Forces sets released in January and February, this new set adds support weapons to give your operators some additional firepower. The pack includes two light machine guns, a shotgun, a disposable Light Anti-Tank Launcher, and the generic special forces heads seen in the rest of the range. This set is available for $11.99 off MyMiniFactory, with patrons getting 50%.

On the Patreon side, we’re getting a brand-new police officer set. Wearing body armour and armed with a selection of weapons, the police guys are ideal for a more firefight-style encounter. There is even a wounded police officer, ideal for objectives or marking an injured figure. All of them also feature modular heads, letting you pick which department these guys belong to. These figures will be in the May release, alongside an Industrial Greenhouse to raid.

Turnbase Miniatures Previews M113 Variants Coming For March Releases

Finally, Turnbase Miniatures have previewed the upcoming vehicles for March patrons. Coming in for Tier 2, we have an updated version of the M163 VADS as well as something that I think is really cool. The vehicle on the right is the M113A2 UT25, the classic Cold War APC updated with a modern UT25 remote weapon station (including a Bushmaster autocannon) and used by the Philippine Army in Marawi as a firesupport vehicle. No details on what’s coming for Tier 3 (or what’s coming for April backers), but there are at least some cool vehicles.

Spectre Miniatures Prepares For Salute With Some Previews

Spectre Miniatures, having just recovered from their time in the States, has been updating us on what’s coming next week at Salute. As you can see above, Spectre will be showing off a pile of things on a larger stand, as well as demos on the gaming row just next to the table (this year’s games are Cosmic Horror and Outbreak). There is also going to be a pair of limited edition models, and (up until just before I started writing this post), that was going to be all the details I had to share.

However, thanks to the Spectre stories on Facebook and Instagram, we got a glimpse at one of the limited edition models – a Near Future Operator. Designed to be a possible operator from about 10 years in the future, this guy has a collection of equipment pieces that are prototypes or limited use as we speak – the Eagle Eye Helmet from Anduril, a powered exoskeleton on the legs, the FN MTL-30 Tactical launcher with a mounted MFMD style muzzle device and more. This is definitely one of those unique Salute exclusive figures that you can tell the sculptor had a lot of fun with.

For those of us not going to Salute, April looks like it’s going to be a big month for those of us who have been eager for a trip into the Far East. In the latest post from theSpectre Patreon, this month will see both the zombies that were mentioned as being intended for March, but also the start of a new range of North Koreans. It sounds like this will be a long project as Spectre populates the region, with both a comprehensive release for the North Koreans and also their neighbours (although it’s unknown if it’s those to the North or the ones to the South). We’ll also be getting some variant models of the Rangers released earlier this year. On the other hand, Patreon will be a little quiet for the next few weeks as Spectre fights its way through both their biggest sales opportunity (Salute) and the end of the Cosmic Horror Kickstarter that is doing incredibly well.

Fidelitas Publishing Shows Off Jacknife Operator For Hollow Front

Dropped into my inbox this week, we have a new preview from Fidelitas Publishing for their upcoming game Hollow Front. I had seen a few images of this game floating around after Adepticon, but now I have a few more details on just what the figure above (with his mixture of traditional armour and modern equipment) is intended for. Hollow Front is a game that pits highly trained operators from one of six factions against various supernatural threats, the team preparing for combat with knowledge of the opposition and able to plan accordingly. Pitched to me as “Silver Bayonet Meets Mordheim”, this is combined with the modern tactical aesthetic, making it ideal for reusing your modern-day tables and adding a touch of the spooky to it. Over on the Fidelitas Publishing Instagram, there are more previews of similar operators (with a blend of high speed and medieval steel), so definitely worth keeping an eye on if this type of game sounds interesting! No other details on when the game is coming, but painted models and playtesting at Adepticon are usually a good sign.

Flank March Miniatures Prepares for Salute And Previews DER BRUDERKRIEG

Flank March Miniatures is preparing for the final run into Salute and has announced more details on what you’ll be up to if you find their stall at Salute. Following on from last year’s push into Berlin by the Soviets, it seems the elite of the East German army are preparing for a daring raid on the Tempelhof airport in the Western Sector. Seeing as this year’s digital model for Salute is a pair of bailed out US Tank Crew (and the Americans had a major presence there) it’s safe to say the Americans are about to have from visitors from the East. This game will also be a chance to see the upcoming East German figures and Fallschirmjäger head options that will be coming as part of the BRUDERKRIEG 1 Kickstarter.

Speaking of which, we got a preview of three more pieces of the upcoming BRUDERKRIEG 1 platoon. With the core pledge intended to represent a Mot.-Schützen Platoon, we’re getting a pair of figures for the Platoon HQ, a trio of Squad Leaders for each squad and oh god so many RPK gunners. The Mot.-Schützen are based around the Soviet Mechanised model, with the entire platoon mounted in (and fighting alongside) BMP-1 IFVs. There is a lack of the Radio Telephone Operator seen in the US and British platoon HQs (a Funker will be among the stretch goals for people wishing to assemble the FJ or KDAs). Similarly distinctive is the number and choice of machine guns, a key element of squad composition. While the British go with a single GPMG, the Americans a single M60 and the Russians a single RPK-74, the East Germans go for a pair of RPKs in the same team within the squad – maybe not quite the same amount of raw firepower as a belt-fed, but definitely nothing to sniff at. All of these figures will be in the core platoon when the Kickstarter Launches, giving you all the tools you need to build your East German troops.

More importantly, we have a launch date. BRUDERKRIEG 1 will be launching on Kickstarter on the 17th of April (in two weeks’ time). If you’re interested in knowing exactly when it launches, you can sign up for the Kickstarter project right now.

Pegasus Miniatures Announces Existence and “Contact Wait Out”

In a new announcement, Dougie Robinson (of Dougie’s Wargaming Blog and Show) has announced the launch of Pegasus Miniatures, a new company intending to release rules and figures. Intended to cover post-WW2 conflicts that may not be covered so well by other companies, Pegasus is planning a small range of 28mm resin printed figures coming later this year (in roughly May/June). For rules, Pegasus is preparing an adaptation of Warwick Kinrade’s Normandy Firefight rules, focused on post-WW2 conflicts. The game, titled “Contact Wait Out”, is an ultra-low-level ruleset, one intended for less than a section per side (even better if each player controls an individual figure) and even tracking details such as magazine level, stance and movement speed. Dougie and Alex are some of the keenest wargamers I’ve met in my time in the space, and I’m looking forward to what they come up with.

Urban Scatter Gaming Shows Off April Releases

Fresh off last month’s release, Urban Scatter Gaming is ready to keep the city going with a brand new city building. With multiple options for upper levels and a selection of details for the ground floor, this set is ideal for building out the streets. As with last month, the different tiers will be getting a pile of new stuff.

At the Builder tier, you’re getting Building 2. With four different shop fronts and a pile of accessories (such as drain pipes, ladders, electrical boxes, rooftop HVAC and more), this building is a great next step, vital if you’re building up a dense urban area. The three images above show off just some of the buildings you can make, and I can see this set getting plenty of use.

However, upgrade to the Designer tier, and there is everything you need for a heist scenario. In terms of structure, the new lower floor layout includes a vault and a teller’s partition, as well as a matching fascia to make your structure look suitably grand from the front. However, the key is in the details, and you have everything to fill out each room – office pieces, security cameras, vault walls and doors, and even piles and piles of swag. This really shows off the strength of being able to go hard with a theme, giving everything you need in a single pack.

If you’re interested in either of these tiers, you can join up to Urban Scatter Gaming over on Patreon and get these files delivered to you at the end of the month.

Black Hills Games Releases IDF Set

Black Hills Games has released its March set, bringing seven IDF figures to the table. Including figures with both M4s and Tavor X95s (as well as a gunner with a Negev), the set also includes six modular heads, letting you pick which style you’d prefer (mostly if you’d like to go with the distinctive Mitznefet headgear or not. The set is already available on both MyMiniFactory and Gumroad.

Combat Octopus Is Hard At Work On Delta Force In Mogadishu

Combat Octopus is still recovering from a recent medical trip, but he is already churning out WIPs for the April and May releases – D-Boys in Somalia. We have one work-in-progress pose and a pair of weapons that will be finding their way into the various poses, giving the Delta Force the option to include both M203 Grenade Launchers and M249 LMGs (as well as several period-appropriate AR15s). With two months of releases, we’re looking at a pretty great set to go along with last year’s Gothic Serpent releases.

Turnbase Miniatures Shows Off February and March Releases

Finally, Turnbase Miniatures has shown off the completed Six-Wheeled ATV for the February Tier 3 release to go with the KSK figures previously previewed. We also got a preview of the upcoming release for last month, with Tier 2 backers in March receiving the M136 VADS. No information was provided about what the Tier 3 for March will be, or what April’s releases will be, so people can decide if they are paying or not. Turnbase Miniatures did have a major hardware failure earlier in the year, but I do worry about how out of sync they are slowly becoming with each month.

Spectre Miniatures Releases New Infantry Sets and Beats British MOD To Active Duty

First up, just before heading over to Adepticon, Spectre Miniatures dropped a brand new set of releases for both the patrons and over on the main store. Both sets will work for Aftermath, but the Tier 1 Hotzone Team is ideal for most of Spectre’s games. The Hotzone team are all rolling CBRN kits and CLAW systems designed for providing intelligence. Their weapon systems are carbine-length versions of the MCX Spear, with one operator carrying a GEN-12 shotgun for handling breaching duties and handling drones.

Aftermath Extraction Charlie is another team of scavengers for the extraction runs in Aftermath. Armed with older weapons such as the MP18 and the MG42 or simply pistols and close quarters equipment, the team are all wearing gas masks and body armour to be able to survive in the borderline post-apocalyptic zone.

Moving to the vehicles, we’ve had the first release for those at the new higher tier of Spectre support. For £10 extra a month, you now get all the vehicles that Spectre is going to release, which has the potential to be a steal (as Spectre’s vehicles are often £30+). This month, Spectre has beaten the British MOD in getting the AJAX Family into operation, with both the Ajax recce vehicle and the ARES APC. Both kits come with two versions of the side panels, letting you choose between the slick, armoured sides and the bulkier version with stowage.

Both Infantry sets are available on the store but can also be picked up as a Patron on the Spectre Patreon, at either the infantry tier or the new Mechanised Infantry one. The Mechanised Infantry tier also includes the vehicles. These are still available over on Patreon now, so go sign up if you want to get your hands on them.

Flank March Miniatures Release Free Sample For BRUDERKRIEG

In preparation for the BRUDERKRIEG 1 Kickstarter coming later this month, Flank March Miniatures has released a sample figure of their new East German Mot.-Schützen. Wearing his M56 helmet and carrying the MPi-KMS-72 assault rifle, this figure is available for you to grab from either Wargaming3D or the Flank March website, and get to printing in 15mm, 20mm, or 28mm scale. The Kickstarter itself launches in mid-April, and the project page is already up.

Echo Dark Studios Previews Two New Factions

Echo Dark Studios is out at Adepticon, but they do have some good news of whats coming up soon. I’m assuming this information will also be shared at the show, but we did get a taste from the Echo Dark Studios Newsletter. The first piece of news is the fact that Echo Dark Studios is selling through the last of its metal stock, with only a limited amount left (so we’ll see how much makes it back from Adepticon). This makes Echo Dark the latest ultramodern seller to ditch hard metal in favour of resin, a move that seems to be more economically sound in many cases.

More exciting is the fact we have two new factions coming to InCountry. Joining the three existing teams (Blackthorn, Direwolf and Lion), the two new factions bring brand new visual styles to the table.

Tiger Shark Reapers are a high-speed and aggressive force. With gear such as a Steyr AUG variant, Minimi and the small ballistic shield, these guys are a high-end Western-style force (although I sense a little Australian influence in them).

Announced alongside them, Black Shell Stabilisation Corps has a more East Asian theme, bringing with it some of the latest Chinese and Russian weapons, as well as a unique North Korean assault rifle with its helical magazine. However, there is still plenty of high-tech kit on them, including NVGs and chest-mounted tactical displays.

These are only the first taste, and we can expect to see more soon once Echo Dark Studios is back from Adepticon.

Urban Scatter Gaming Shows Off His Workbench

Urban Scatter Gaming is continuing the first month of the Patreon, showing off what’s currently on his workbench in his latest post. This may shock you, but I really do enjoy seeing what people are up to, especially when it gives a chance for the creator to show off the whole breadth of stuff they are working on. This post includes details of Urban Scatter Gaming’s work on the new Cosmic Horror Kickstarter from Spectre and the start of a board for the Black Site Studios game Hametsu.

However, I’m most interested in the set of markers he’s started work on. Designed to be suitable markers for Smoke, explosions and an infil/exfil marker. These are all still very much in the early stages of development (the infil marker especially), but the potential to see these in the future is a cool sign of just what Urban Scatter Gaming is up to.

If you’re interested in USG’s Patreon items, this weekend will see March’s release sent out to everyone. It’s a bumper first month: all Patreon backers at the Builder tier or higher get the first modular City Building, a Modular City Board System, and a Dice Tower. Upgrading to the Designer tier adds the Pawan Shop upgrade to help decorate your modular structure, giving a themed exterior and interior pieces.

Black Hills Games Announces Updates To Product

A new update from Black Hills Games came out. No previews on what the figures will look like for this month’s set (despite it being so close to the end of the month), but we do have the good news that the IDF team will include weapon variants for both the Tavor X95 and the M4A1. The bigger news, as you can see above, is that Black Hills Games is moving to focus on dynamic poses in each of the monthly releases, pushing more static or low-action poses into separate packs over time. This is an interesting shift, but we shall see how it goes.

Modern Miniatures Previews April Releases

Modern Miniatures has shown off the sizable kit coming in April, the Roadside Motel set. As you can see above, it’s big enough to fight through, with each room able to be opened up for gameplay. The building can also be arranged in different shapes (both the L shown here and a U shape if you want to surround the car park, especially if you detail them with concrete car stops). There will also be more scatter pieces included, which we should see in time for release. We’ve also been given an assembly guide, listing out all the parts that you’ll need to build up the structure.

Over on the Miniatures side, the figures give us a mixture of horror show and well-dressed assassins. For the horror, we have the doc and the butcher, two figures with modular hands and heads, letting you decide exactly what kind of horrible murderer you want to have hiding out in the local motel. On the other hand, the nice man in the suit comes with two versions – one with a PSG-1 sniper rifle and the other with dual pistols. Both figures do have modular heads, with some suggestions being Cartel or Police snipers or a well-armed crime boss.

The plan is to release both figures and terrain on the 1st of April, and with it being Modern Miniatures, they are usually pretty accurate with time estimation.

Combat Octopus Has Good News

Finally, good news from Combat Octopus. He has returned to his sculpting table after some time away, ready and raring for work. I’m looking forward to seeing what his Delta Force in Mogadishu looks like over the next few weeks.

Spectre Miniatures Previews Boxer And CBRN Operators

First up, alongside the currently ongoing Spectre Cosmic Horror Kickstarter project, Spectre Miniatures has been previewing some upcoming releases that will be hitting Patreon soon. On the left, we have the British variant of the Boxer ICV (complete with an RWS on the rear area), intended to be the latest troop carrier that will enter service soon. This vehicle will be coming in April for Vehicle Tier Patrons, along with potentially a Challenger 3 model.

On the infantry side, we have a more complete version of the Tier 1 CBRN Operators referred to as “Hotzone”. This set is going to be pitched for the near future, heavily armed with the short M7 rifle and utilising the CLAW system we have seen previously on the CIA Enabler Team – both items make sense for a high tier unit in the near future, taking advantage of the technical overalys to handle the greater level of infoation a team may need in a hazardous zone. The plan is that this set should be out early next week (Monday or Tuesday) in a small 5 or 6-man team.

Additionally, for those in the US, Spectre Miniatures will be at Adepticon alongside Black Site Studios on their stand.

Echelon Software Will Be At Adepticon

We have a new update from Echelon Software (the team behind BPRE and NearPresent), this time showing off some renders of the pieces you’ll be moving around in NearPresent. As you can see above, the two Anchorage infantrymen (scaled to match the BPRE28 figures) help to show off the scale of the CCTs (Collaborative Combat Troop), robotic heavy weapon platforms intended to be deployed in the same air and naval vehicles as the infantry the accompany (although if you want some bigger ones, Echleon do also sell the 1/25 scale CCTs on their store). The CCTs in 28mm are currently for sale online, while the infantry will come later this year (Anchorage first in April, the opposing Hankou troops later in July).

As with Spectre, for those of you in the US at Adepticon, Echelon will be at Adepticon next week. There is a Learn to Play event on March 26th (but unfortunately it is currently at capacity), but there is a good chance you’ll be able to find them around talking about the upcoming game.

Echo Dark Studios Will Be At Adepticon

Speaking yet again of Adepticon, Echo Dark Studios will be there as well with INCOUNTRY 2.0. With two different events on March 26th and 27th, Echo Dark will also be there with their own booth to show off plenty of things about the game. This will be a chance to buy the models in person, see the new releases, try out the game and even chat to the team behind it as to what is coming soon.

Flank March Miniatures Shows Off East Germany Infantry

Flank March Miniatures, alongside announcing he was venturing far too North in the UK to come to ChillCon, has shown off the first of his painted East German Infantry. In the post on Facebook, he goes into a little bit of discussion around painting up troops in Strichtarn camouflage (i.e do you paint the lines or just accept that all of it merges together) while also showing off a seven-man Mot.-Schützen squad, with its pair of RPKs and RPG-7. They look pretty great, so time to look forward to more details when the project launches on Kickstarter in Mid-April.

UKSTL Launches Modular Desert City Terrain

An interesting project that popped up on Facebook is a new Kickstarter for some Urban Desert Terrain. Now there are plenty of options available for this (many of which have been covered in this publication before), but what caught my eye was that these models have actually been shown off, printed, and painted – always a good sign!

It also helps that the project is a pretty good deal. For £15, you get 13 modular buildings, modular walls and scatter terrain. Each building also has playable interiors, ideal for modern skirmish games where you need to get inside to brawl. The list of buildings is considerable, with multiple houses, mixed-use buildings, shops and even unique structures such as a minaret and ruined structures. The project is running until April 18th, with fulfilment aimed for May 2025.

Combat Octopus Shows Off Loyalty Reward For More Deniables

Combat Octopus, fresh off releasing the last of the Deniable packs, has finished off things with one more model for all of those who backed January through to March that fits the theme. Dressed in shorts over athletic trousers and with a rig under her jacket, this female deniable comes with a selection of weapons, making her ideal for fitting in with the rest of the team, and also two new head options for the collection of female operators that Combat Octopus is building. Those who backed during the first three months of this year should have received her, but if you just want to buy her for cash, you can buy her on MyMiniFactory now. CO has had to take some personal time this week, so we’re wishing him all the best.

Modern Miniatures Gives Us A Tease Of Motels and Hitmen

Modern Miniatures has released a little quick preview of what’s coming in next month’s release. The motel sign is a big piece of scene-setting terrain (and has been painted well), ideal for evoking the idea of a run-down last chance stop (be it in the desert or deep in the woods on the outside of town). Meanwhile, the figure releases (alongside a more murderous motel-related character) will include a very familiar bald-headed assassin. With one figure carrying two silver pistols while the other has a PSG-1, this is a fun character for perhaps some Contract work for Blood Money in a World of Assassination. Both items will be coming next month, with more previews coming soon.

Turnbase Miniatures Shows Off German KSK

Finally, for the Ultramoderns, Turnbase Miniatures has shown off the upcoming release for February patrons. For Tier 2, you’ll be receiving five KSK operators, with three figures armed with assault rifles, one with HK machine gun and another with a Panzerfaust 3 (complete with slung rifle). These should be on their way out to patrons when this post releases.

For Tier 3, work is still underway, but patrons will receive this 6×6 quad bike (complete with a mounted .50 cal). It’s not done yet, but it should be out by the 23rd.

BobMack3d Arras 1940 Project Close To Conclusion

Finally, BobMack3d‘s WW2 project, Arras 1940 BEF, is drawing to a close, with less than 27 hours to go. This project, which comes with five basic vehicles and has unlocked the far superior Matilda II Mk II as part of its stretch goals, is a great intro for grabbing British armour suitable for the foray to France that supported the BEF Infantry. As with all BobMack3d Kickstarters, this comes with both stowed and unstowed options to make getting your tanks to the tabletop even easier. If you’re still interested in backing the project, don’t delay and join the Kickstarter now!

Spectre Miniatures Is Talking Vehicles

First up, Spectre Miniatures is busy preparing for the Cosmic Horror Kickstarter but for us, they have also been showing off some of the upcoming releases that will be hitting the store and Patreon soon. First, we have the T-64 BV, showing off the ERA packs covering the front and turret. This vehicle was announced to be coming to the Spectre catalogue back in October, alongside the original T-64 and the Bulat. This however is the physical print, so you can expect to see it painted up and on the store soon.

Meanwhile, over on Patreon, this month’s vehicle release is going to be something a little bit shaky. Managing to beat MOD procurement, Spectre is going to be releasing both the Ajax IFV and the Ares APC as STL releases, before a wider release soon after. These vehicles will also be coming with the side stowage boxes that appear on some examples, giving a suitably modern (although some would say near-future or paper prototype depending on your mood) vehicle to accompany the currently released British Infantry Platoon. Next month will add even more British equipment, as the Boxer and potentially Challenger will be coming to Patreon then.

Additionally, we should hopefully be seeing more previews of this month’s models early next week.

Desk-Ops Provides More Content for Dynamic Infantry Combat Primer

Friend of the blog Desk-Ops has been hard at work releasing more content to go with the initial Quick Play Rules that came out last week. First up, the primer is now available on both Gumroad and DriveThruRPG at the low price of “Pay What You Want”. It is joined by two other digital files: an STL for the XS Template (required for gameplay) and a starter scenario set in Cairo (the game run at Tactica Hamburg).

Speaking of the XS Template, you can also pick up a 3D printed version over on the Desk-Ops site. Printed in one of three colour ways (white, black or neon green), the template combines several functions into one item and plays a key role in the rules.

There is more Dynamic Infantry Combat on the way, so stand by to see what’s coming next.

Echelon Software Previews Anchorage MFRT

Echelon Software, makers of BPRE and NearPresent, have shown off the first renders of their upcoming Anchorage Multi-Function Response Team set. Providing the infantry figures for one of the two factions in the NearPresent game, Anchorage are the US-backed mercenaries, complete with updated versions of familiar weapon systems suitable for the battlefield of 2046. The four figures show the various classes in the game and are designed to operate alongside the previously released HOUND CCT when fighting Hankou through fortified bases. This is just the initial look, but we’ll be getting more details soon (along with details on figures for the opposing forces).

Flank March Miniatures Launches Bruderkrieg Kickstarter Page

Flank March Miniatures has released the Kickstarter page BRUDERKRIEG 1, the next project to expand his Cold War range. As you might guess, BRUDERKRIEG 1 brings the forces of East Germany to the table and in the usual Flank March way – a complete platoon with over 100 infantry figures, heavy weapons and even more. This time he’s threatening us with a terrifying new vehicle as well, but is also bringing several elements of the East German forces through the 27 different stretch goals – Mot.-Schützen (mechanised infantry), Fallschirmjäger (elite paratroopers) and the takes a deep breath Kampfgruppen der Arbeiterklasse (a paramilitary militia/reserve force). We don’t have an exact kick-off date (other than Mid-April), but the Kickstarter project page is now open and ready to sign up for.

Urban Scatter Gaming Shows Off His Dice Tower

Hot off launching his Patreon again last week, Urban Scatter Gaming showed off more details on his Dice Tower this week. This is included in the first month’s models, giving you a neat way to hide a practical item among your urban board. We got a new blog post showcasing the tower’s design and, more importantly,how he painted it. He even gets to break out some new tools such as the “Worn Effects” by AK Interactive while also showing off how the design evolved after spotting an issue. The post is up on the Urban Scatter Gaming Patreon and is available to everyone to read.

Black Hills Games Releases North Korean Special Forces Set

After a little delay, Black Hill Games has released the February set to Patreon backers. Based off some images of North Korean Special Forces, this set includes seven figures armed with AK74s, wearing assault vests and with a selection of head options. If you want this set for yourself, it has already been released on Gumroad and MyMiniFactory

Combat Octopus Releases Western Deniables Pt 3 and More!

It’s a big week for Combat Octopus, as he’s almost caught up to his traditional schedule with his latest release. However, more exciting is that we have the final part of the Western Deniables range in our hands, giving us four poses of figures with chest rigs over their shirts and t-shirts. This set was requested by the community, who wanted a little variation in their low-profile operators, and managed to squeeze in an additional set. This time around, we have the stack of weapons from the previous sets (the 416, the SCAR-L, the Masada and the LVAW), but they have been joined by some new ones, each bringing a little more firepower. For close-range use, we have the UMP9; for longer range, the SR-25 fits the bill, and for suppressive fire, the lightweight LAMG has been swapped out for an upgraded Mk48 MOD1.

In terms of poses, we have the ever-useful high and low ready poses, we have an operator leaning around a corner, and we have a crouching pose that would work for either a drone user preparing to launch or a squad lead signalling to take a pause. All four poses have a pile of weapons (with most using all six weapons in the release), while having both loaded and unloaded vests gives plenty of options for customisation. The heads also bring some more variations, with a theme base baseballs caps for Corporal level and some more up-to-date OPSCORE wearers at Sergeant (including the ever useful glasses and masked face for when you need a lot of them). This pack is out now for Patreon backers, so sign up and get your deniables today!

But that’s not all – we actually have a few extra items in the stash that’s provided to all Patreon backers, bringing separate drones for tabletop usage (in both FPV and bomb dropping roles) and a set of flexicuffs for digital kitbashing as seen on one of the prebuilt figures.

A surprise this week was the release of more guns for the US Navy SEALs in Iraq sets. These sets (released back in August and September of last year) are a great source of 2000s-era special forces kit, with PACA vests and MBSS carriers. However, there was a request to add some additional weapons to the mix, and Combat Octopus has delivered – not only do we get the original source of the request (the 416), but we also get the SCAR-L and SCAR-H. This set of arms is great, the result of a massive benefit of the modular nature of Combat Octopus figures and perfect for adding some cariety for any figures you’re building that use the Navy SEAL torso and its 2000s era equipment (I can see a project I’m working on benefiting greatly from those SCAR-Hs). If you want these arms for yourself, you can find them on MyMiniFactory (and it’s great to combine with the discount code for all Combat Octopus patrons).

Finally, Combat Octopus has announced themes for the rest of the year. We had a preview for paid patrons back in February (which some moron reported on in his blog), but it passed the test, and now it’s out for everyone to see. We’re starting off with the D-Boys in Somalia for April and May, while June and July will bring 2000s era Russian Spetsnaz in Gorka suits for Chechnya operations (including their classic helmets for the era). August and September will be the British Army in Afghanistan (I am already preparing a rough guideline of the various looks of the era for CO to peruse) but the end of the year is the exciting one. Combat Octopus is getting to unleash his mind and take a look at his own custom setting with Combat Octopods Jagdgruppe “Verlorene”. A little bit SCP, a little bit spooky, these recce guys are going to be a homage to the Gebirgsjäger and Fallschirmjäger. Although not necessarily historical, these guys are going to be realistic and suitable to fit in with the rest of the collection (and probably very useful to those doing games inspired by Stalker, Tarkov or my new love Gray Zone Warfare). The three months will give us some combat operators, a group of enablers and then two sniper pairs. Overall, I am very happy to see Combat Octopus is doing the roadmap again, with plenty of details for each point, and I look forward to seeing these sets come out during the year.

Modern Miniatures Shows Off Q2 Plan, More Stowage

Modern Miniatures has also been showing off his plans for the year. Having asked his patrons at the start of the week to vote on a few ideas, those votes have been turned into the plan for the next three months. April is going to be a roadside motel release (which he has already started), ideal for adding to the collection of US Suburban structures that Modern Miniatures has released in the last few months. May will roll out an Industrial Greenhouse, a unique concept that I don’t think I’ve seen before, but will probably be a pretty interesting location to fight around. Finally, June will bring an Armoured Cash Transporter and a Miami Vice set (Italian Sports Car, pair of detectives and some suitable scatter). This is a pretty great-looking set of releases, so it’s definitely worth watching the Patreon to see how things go.

Meanwhile, over on the Modern Stowage Mega Set campaign, the stretch goals have been absolutely slammed through (turns out people like stowage, who knew). The good news is that we got an extra stretch goal… which was then immediately unlocked. As you can see above, we now have two more sizes of the FDM printable camo netting (something I am currently printing off to take a look at myself). It sounds like we might be getting some more stretch goals, but for now, let’s enjoy this big pile of stowage options we have now.

Turnbase Miniatures Previews German KSK

Finally, for the Ultramoderns, Turnbase Miniatures has shown off a preview for his February release. This is going to be an updated version of the old KSK set, and as you can see above, there have been a few changes to bring the style up to date. No other details have been shown off.

However, we do have some good news! Turnbase has released a new model (sculpted on his iPad) designed to represent an information broker/person of interest. It’s already available for free over on MyMiniFactory, perfect if you want to take a look at how well Turnbase Miniatures print.

BobMack3d Preparing The Queen Of The Desert

Finally, for today, BobMack3D‘s Kickstarter (Arras 1940 BEF) is going through the stretch goals, having already hit its funding goal. As you can see above, they are already preparing the improved version of the Matilda II (and one of my favourite tanks), with the model heading off to be supported and test printed. You can see that the turret will come with both 2pdr and 3″ howitzer barrels AND in both realistic and “gamer” sizes to prevent them from being entirely snapped off by a cack-handed goblin. It’s good to see the project seems to be doing well, especially as there are some truly bizarre vehicles on those stretch goals. If you’re still interested in getting your own collection of Early War tanks, you can find the project on Kickstarter for another 8 days.

Spectre Miniatures Shows Off March WIP and Update Patreon Tiers

First up, Spectre Miniatures has shown off a preview of what’s coming out this month over on The Patreon. After the last few releases being military-heavy, March is going to look towards Aftermath and Outbreak for inspiration. As you can see above, we’re getting a “Tier 1 Hotzone team” – so much like the other figures in the range, expect operators who are well armed and well equipped (such as the proper CBRN kit you can see on his back). The other figure is from a more criminal element, complete with a civilian respirator and other less-than-ideal kit. We will also have some more Aftermath models and even some more zombies for those playing Outbreak. This style of figure isn’t my preferred, but it’s always good to see the other ranges updated and still in the plans.

The bigger news is the change to the Spectre Patreon. It seems that the Infantry STL releases have been going well, and we’re going to see some additional elements. In a similar way to the Task Force Outbreak team a few months back, we’re getting some alternative models offered (although exact details will vary month to month) and a quarterly exclusive Patreon model. However, the bigger change is that we’re getting a new tier for backers – Mechanised Infantry will include the infantry releases each month and then add all the vehicle releases as well for one low price. Vehicle releases from Spectre have been priced quite high compared to the rest of the market for a while (since they are sold to match the physical releases), but have been available at a lower price to patrons since the Patreon relaunch. £25 for everything Spectre releases is potentially a steal (especially if they release multiple vehicles in a month), so it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on what Spectre is previewing.

Desk-Ops Releases Dynamic Infantry Combat

Big news from friend of the blog Desk-Ops, he has released the first version of wargaming ruleset, Dynamic Infantry Combat. Fresh off it’s demo at Hamburg’s Tactica last weekend (you can see the pictures below), it seems like it’s time for the rules to go wider. Dynamic Infantry Combat is based around small infantry forces clashing, the rules described as a “narrative-driven skirmish miniatures game for any type of small-scale warfare from the age of modern cartridge firearms up to five minutes into the future”. Designed for the exciting moment-to-moment gameplay and interesting tactical decisions, this is definitely a game worth keeping an eye on.

The version released, available on the Desk-Ops website now, is only a beta set, with the core rules required to get up and go. Future updates will add a rather considerable list of improvements, including vehicles, drones, civilians, destructible terrain and more, with the aim of this being an incredibly useful ruleset for wargaming, as well as assembling it into a book release. More details will be provided as updates continue to be released.

Urban Scatter Gaming Relaunches Patreon And Comes Out Swinging

After weeks of previews, Urban Scatter Gaming has kicked off the return of his Patreon. And as previewed previously, the first kit out the door has already been shown off – the start of the urban range USG has been working on. The STLs won’t be released until later in the month, but we’re already seeing some great posts on the Patreon feed.

As for the deliverables, let’s go over them. Patreon backers at the Builder tier (£11) will get City Building 1, shown on the left, with plenty of modular options for how you assemble the various floors. If you are backing at the Designer tier (£15.50), you also get the Pawn shop decorative interior, ideal for turning the ground floor into the city’s finest emporium of other people’s stuff (or, I guess, using it to decorate other structures).

But wait, that’s not all. Patrons at both tiers for this month will receive two other items. Something seen in most images of the new building is the pavement (or sidewalk). Something often forgotten when creating urban (or even semi-urban) areas is the need for a step from the roadway up to the buildings. This modular pavement kit will come with large tile sections, separate pavement sections for corners and the straight edges and even a handy L-section – the best part, however, is that this is the kick off point, with several design elements pointing toward easy expansion, such as street lights and other furniture intended to git into pre-cut slots. This is a great release that I am already looking forward to putting to work on my own upcoming projects. Additionally, there is also a really cool city-themed dice tower, perfect to fit in among your buildings, but also give you somewhere to roll your dice (or just have as a unique building among your street scene).

This is a pretty sizable offering for the first month, perfect to jump in and get building. Files won’t be sent out until the end of the month, but you can expect to see them on time as they are ready to go! If you want to sign up and get these items, take a look at the Patreon.

Finally, to go along with the new release, USG has started a blog series showing him building his new urban board, Belmont City. The first stage is modular pieces, getting the 600mm x 600mm boards planned out, cut to size and detailed with the pavement pieces and roadways. As someone who enjoys reading about wargaming stuff, it’s nice to have another source in the space. It’s also cool to see someone actually working with their own stuff, showing it off and proving that they print and paint well (always a positive). I’m looking forward to the rest of them, but I’m already seeing stuff I should take a look at with my own hobby time.

Combat Octopus Continues Previews For Western Deniables 3

Combat Octopus is hard at work on the final two poses for Western Deniables 3 (now without jackets). After last week’s high and low ready poses, this week we get the final two poses. The only one above is more combat-focused, aggressively clearing a corner while wearing a very nice Tasmanian Tiger chest rig. I can see plenty of uses for this pose, but even more for playing around with those legs.

The last operator is giving another utility figure to the set, ideal for the modern battlefield. This figure has a small pack and chest rig, but also a drone designed to be 3D-printable in the midst of being launched. I’m looking forward to seeing what can be done with this pose, but we’ll have to wait until the release for all the fun. Combat Octopus is in the process of finishing off the heads for this release, with more details on the way.

No details on a release date (it’s only the start of the month), but it looks like Combat Octopus is very close to being back to his usual release schedule.

Modern Miniatures Launches Modern Stowage Mega Set

No patreon update from Modern Miniatures this week but instead we get the launch of the Modern Stowage Mega Set campaign over on MyMiniFactory. As you might expect, this is a big project, giving you everything you need to decorate your vehicles.

And I do mean everything literally. As you can see on the vehicle above, this looks like it’s going to be a set ideal for slathering all your vehicles with decorative elements to partially disguise it’s shape and make it look like your troops are bringing the kitchen sink to war. With every possible form of pack, kitbag, parcels and even a selection of disassembled equipment bundles for your vehicles to carry to war.

The items are split across 10 packs, each one stuffed to the gills with pieces. There doesn’t currently seem to be a guide for what each element is (other than it belongs on vehicles), but hopefully we’ll see some more details on what everything is (apart from simply a rucksack).

There are three tiers, each including all stretch goals unlocked through the campaign. The Starter set ($10) only includes two sets (Bravo and Delta), a good kick-off point with light packs. Medium brings you up to 4 sets (Alpha, Charlie, Delta and Foxtrot). Finally, All in includes every single pack, ideal for gearing up an entire collection (and if you get it within the first 96 hours, you can even save $5). There is also a 2-for-1 tier, letting you add the entirety of the Humvee Kickstarter (one of Modern Miniature’s original projects), coming in at a saving of $24.99 compared to buying all the pieces separately.

In terms of stretch goals, we currently have three. Two of them (already unlocked at $800 and the next at $1300) are simple, even more addon pieces, but I think that the first goal is something very new and interesting – camo netting for FDM printing. This is something I am very interested in giving a go at, as making good camo netting has been one of life’s great wargaming mysteries (I am being slightly hyperbolic). Overall, this seems like a great project to jump into, a very useful piece to add to the library. If you want to join in now, you can find it over on MyMiniFactory, running until April 11th.

Turnbase Miniatures Announces Further Delays

Finally, no good news from Turnbase Miniatures this week, as unfortunately, the February release is delayed longer than expected due to an internet outage. February’s release was intended to be a rework of the old German KSK set, so Patrons can expect to see that release… eventually.

BobMack3d New Kickstarter Imminent

Over in World War 2 land, BobMack3d‘s latest Kickstarter Arras 1940 is either hours away from being released when you read this or is already out. The final preview is showing off a few examples of the stowed options that will be included for higher-level backers. As you can see above, there are a few pre-assembled options for the Bedford MW, but all the kits in the Kickstarter will come with stowed options such as the Matilda A11 and A12, the Bren Carrier and more. Once the Kickstarter launches, we’ll also see the Turbo Backer model and potential stretch goals. Stand by for more information (and my comments on what’s included in next week’s edition). For now, though, the project page is up and running, ready to be either joined to the wait list or select your tier.

Spectre Miniatures Releases A Pile Of Stuff

We kick off this week with a pile of new releases from Spectre Miniatures, as they bring their Patreon releases to their webstore.

First up, we have the latest US Rangers Squad shown off last week to Patrons. This squad is all painted up in Multicam, showing off the M7 rifles and KAC LAMG in their glory. This pack is enough for a full 9-man squad and includes grenade launchers worn in holsters on two of the operators. This pack is available as both physical sets and STLs, and it also doesn’t include the Binocular NVGs shown on the figures (you’ll have to buy them separately).

The CIA Enabler Team is a smaller element designed to act as a force multiplier for other forces, providing intelligence and remote fires support. This is helped out by all the figures carrying additional loitering devices on their back, including the Switchblade and launcher to deliver an explosive payload to the target. These figures also have some really gucci weapons and equipment, including MCX Rattlers, Geissele MRGG-S and even an M320 with a Pike Smart Guided Missile. This set is available as both physical sets and STLs, and it also doesn’t include the AR Goggles shown on the figures (you’ll have to buy them separately).

Something very time-limited is the JSOC Assault Force Bundle that came out alongside the other packs above. Available until the 28th of February, this bundle packages the US Rangers, the CIA Enabler Team and the previously released Delta Assault Element into a single pack (as well as NVG devices for all the figures). This pack works out at roughly a £10 saving over buying them separately, and it also makes for an ideal pack for some special forces shenanigans.

To go with the operators, there are three new done releases. We’ve seen the Heavy UAS and ISTAR UAS before, but the new addition for this week is the K9 Q-UGV, an updated dog-style unmanned ground vehicle packed full of sensors and ideal for crossing complex terrain (this set was also released on Patreon to backers at the start of the week). All three sets are now available as both physical sets and STLs.

Finally, as shown in the figures above, we have a brand-new pack of Night Vision Goggles releases. Using the slot on most of the helmets released by Spectre, this brings four new goggle options (previously shown off a few weeks ago) to the regular store. The Night Vision Goggles page on the store has been updated, offering you six items to choose from or an STL bundle that includes all of them.

Overall, this is a pretty sizable release for some Near Future US Special Forces. Combined with the new UAS and helmet-mounted systems add-ons, this continues to show what Spectre is good at: showcasing some of the bleeding-edge systems and weapons floating around in the current military space.

Don’t Drink And Paint Releases Mark VI Patrol Boat

Don’t Drink And Paint has taken a leap into vehicle sculpting and decided to go all in with something big. In this case, it’s the Mark VI Patrol Boat, utilised by the US Navy since 2015 as part of their Coastal Riverine forces for coastal and other brown-water operations (as well as several sold to Ukraine). The Mark VI comes with two naval CROWS weapon systems with 50 cal machine guns and two MK 38 Mod 2 autocannons mounted fore and aft. The model is roughly 1/52 scale, so it’s a big vehicle when printed, but it would also fit alongside your 28mm infantry for coastal games.

Are you ever going to use this? Probably not. But it is cool as hell, and I’m glad to see that Don’t Drink, And Paint seems to have enjoyed making it. If you want it for yourself, it’s being sold on Cults3D for Pay-What-You-Want (and can be selected for free). That said, if you did make a game with a big enough area of water, then you probably could have a pretty good game.

Black Hills Games Previews Gift To January Subscribers

Black Hills Games has shown off some previews for pieces being released soon, acting as an expansion for the January release. To expand the US Rangers from Somalia, this set is going to give you all the bits you need to bring them onto the battlefield – quite literally in this case.

The set is going to include 4 US Rangers seated, letting them be used in either internal seating or seated on the side of the helicopter. Alongside them is a pair of Rangers on the rope, rappelling down, and a Ranger on a .50 calibre (not suitable for mounting in a helicopter but ideal for upgrading any Humvee models you might have. This expansion will be given free to January’s subscribers (and should be available right now) and sold separately on Gumroad and MyMiniFactory for everyone else

As for the regular releases, February is unfortunately running late. The plan for North Korean Special Forces seems to have caused some issues in finding references and getting the figures ready. The post seems to suggest the figures will be out before the end of the month (so in the next day or two). EDIT: while writing the post, the February set has officially been announced to be coming out in the first week of March.

Combat Octopus Shows Off March’s Operators

Combat Octopus has been hard at work on the Operators coming in March’s T-shirt and Shirt operators (rather than the jacket-wearing operators of the last few months). We have had a preview of the first two poses (although our low ready friend is going to be tweaked slightly. One thing that is cool is that this set is going to have an additional weapon system, bringing the MOD1 version of the MK48 to the collection, ready to give your operators some heavier firepower. There will be two other poses coming soon, but these guys are already looking pretty good – we’ll see the rest in March’s release when it comes out, our final month looking at Western Operators.

Modern Miniatures Previews March’s Releases

Modern Miniatures is away at Tactica this weekend (along with Desk-Ops and those crazy folks from Asymettric Warfare with their giant boat), but we did get a set of previews for March’s release.

For the terrain tier, the Suburban Expansion add-on brings with it a set of houses, a detached garage and the covered furniture package. These have been previewed in the last few weeks, but it’s great to see them painted up and on the table. There are also a few additional bits of news, including a second floor for one of the houses to make it an entirely new structure. This is a great addition to this month’s large suburban house, building up the neighbourhood.

For the miniatures tier, we have a collection of four scenario figures. We have a Businessman HVT, two hostages and a Shiekh figures. While incredibly useful, these may seem familiar to those who have been around for a while. Although there are differences (including modular heads for the man with the briefcase), all four seem heavily inspired by Spectre’s older Scenario figures released in 2015 as white-metal figures. I’m not sure how I quite feel about this set – although nice to see this style of figures available in STL (although Spectre has had their hostage set out for a while) this feels incredibly inspired by Spectre’s original work.

Meanwhile, over on the MyMiniFactory Tribe, March’s release will be a T-90A, one of the more modern tanks in the Russian arsenal. Split up into Modern Miniatures easy-to-print style, this is a great way of getting some modern Russian armour on the board. In fact, this release will be available from March 1st.

WarDaddy Studios Releases More 15mm

Finally, let’s look back on someone I keep accidentally missing. WarDaddy Studios has continued releasing 15mm/10mm releases for Ultramodern Wargaming (and some very cool sci-fi sets). Many of these sets have been released in both 15mm+ and 10mm epic sets, letting you choose just how tiny you want to make your operators. The last few weeks have seen some great kits coming out – the Modern Ukrainian range has been expanded with a Support Weapon set, including mortars, Javelins, and machine guns (and also plenty of crew figures). There is also some Generic NATO-style infantry with a low-cut helmet and plenty of Western weapons, ideal for something different than the usual Operator-looking folks.

On the other side, we have some Russian Elite Operators with their Alytn helmets and light combat gear (perfect for some high-speed operating). Less High Speed Operating is the 10mm Western vehicles set, ideal to take advantage of the smaller scale by having larger operations in vehicles. As you can see in the image on the right, there are several Styker versions, Bradleys, Abrams, and Leopard 2s with separate turrets and even a little Lynx Recce vehicle.

Overall, WarDaddy Studios continues to be someone to keep an eye on, especially if you don’t play in 28mm or are even interested in trying something different. I haven’t even covered the Sci-Fi kits that appeal to someone playing Menace at the moment. Either way, keep an eye on the Patreon and MyMiniFactory store.

BobMack3d Announces Final Vehicle For Arras 1940

With the launch of Arras 1940 in a week’s time, BobMack3d has shown off the final vehicle of the Kickstarter. It’s the Bedford MW 15cwt truck. Used in the BEF and the Middle East, this truck comes with the open cab and two separate slots for windscreen (as opposed to more enclosed later vehicles). This lays out the total vehicle selection for the Kickstater – A11 and A12 Matildas, Bren Carrier, 1pdr AT gun and now a truck to tow it. The Kickstarter will launch on the 6th of March, with its Kickstarter preview page up and running if you are interested in your early war armoured support.

Empress Miniatures Releases SAS Jeeps for Western Europe

To accompany their Arhem sets, Empress Miniatures has released two packs to bring the SAS and their heavily armoured jeeps to the board. With two different vehicles, you get two different crew setups mounted onto the same vehicle, and a pile of Vickers K guns in each position. Both sets show plenty of stowage to decorate the vehicles, really selling the concept of high-speed special forces behind enemy lines.

To accompany each set, there are three dismounted crew members included. Armed with a mixture of Bren guns, M1 Carbines and M1 Thompsons, these are ideal to act as sneaky recce teams in a variety of games. All the figure sculpts are from Paul Hicks, and he continues to knock it out of the park. If you want these sets right now, they are available over on the Empress website.

Spectre Miniatures Releases Rangers And Drones To Patrons

This week from Spectre Miniatures, we have a new release over on Patreon for those at the Direct Action tier. Both sets are looking to the near future, with Next Generation Weapons and Drones

The bulk of the release is the new US Army Ranger squad. Spectre released a version of these guys back in the metal days of 2016 with BLOCK 2 carbines, SCAR-Hs and the MK 46 machine gun. This new squad brings us kicking and screaming into the near future, with the Rangers equipped with the M7 NGSW rifle, alongside the KAC LAMG and M320 grenade launcher holstered. It’s neat to see the details on this set, with a mixture of attachments on the M7s and different backpanel setups depending on role. I already have a set of these enroute to the printer.

The other side is a pair of drones. The big one, carrying a 7.62mm machine gun under four rotors, is inspired by an Israeli design shown off at AUSA last year (and then disappeared from their website) and is designed to provide overwatch. The smaller one is a Drone Evolution FPV design for ISTAR, built in the UK with a significant number of UK-origin parts and has been tested in Ukraine. Both drones provide unique capabilities and could help to show off the force multipliers your side has.

Both sets are out on Patreon now, with physical releases for them (and the CIA operators shown previously) coming before the end of the month.

Black Site Studios Brings Back Northwood Mall

In a surprise turn of events, Black Site Studios has brought back one of the largest MDF sets I’ve seen. Northwood Mall spans a 34″ x 25.5″ area, giving you an entire mall, complete with interior and exterior details to fight over. There are some fantastic touches, such as the glass hemispherical entrance area, elevators to move between levels and even the mythical “back” of each shop to hide additional items. All this detail comes at a price, in this case being £305 before postage. However, this is genuinely an entire playable area and can even be rearranged and reused if you’d prefer to fight outside the glass.

The kit is a made-to-order item and will only be available between the 20th of February and the 27th. Orders won’t ship until April, but if you want a mall for your counter-terrorism/post-apocalyptic/zombie games, there is nothing else like this on the market.

Urban Scatter Gaming Lays Out Patreon Details

More good news from Urban Scatter Gaming – we have some plans for the upcoming Urban Scatter Gaming relaunch on his Patreon. You can find the details over on the Urban Scatter Gaming Patreon but roughly from the 1st of March, USG will be doing monthly releases to Patrons. Items will actually be released at the end of each month (on the last weekend), and will be available in three tiers – basic supporters, Builder (£10 for the full main building) and Designer (£15 for the building, matching details, scatter and even additional variants). Releases will also be themed, with the first six sets looking at the modern City feel. All of this sounds great, so stand by for more updates on what USG is up to.

Combat Octopus Releases Western Deniables Part 2 and Plans For The Future.

It’s a big week for Combat Octopus as he’s managed to get this month’s set out before the middle of the month (slowly pulling back into his original timetable). Western Deniables is the matching set to last month’s release, bringing more operators in civilian clothing, fancy jackets and with low-profile chest rigs

We’ve got a good mix of poses this time around, with three of them in combat (covering an elevated position, shooting off shoulder and shooting from a crouched position) and the last checking his tactical device on his chest. All poses come with a stacked number of weapons, with even the smallest having a total of four weapons to choose from, all covered in the finest of modern attachments. There isn’t the same amount of molle as we usually have (although pose 6 has two chest variants for modding), so they should be pretty quick to get onto the table.

In terms of extras, we have a whole other torso variant – Deniable 5 has a torso version that is perfect for if you want your operators to stack up, letting him stretch out his hand to stack on the person in front of him (roughly designed for Deniable 1 from last month). We also got a brand-new stack of heads, with the helmeted ones coming with PVS-31 and Ops-Core AMP, as well as a plentiful selection of BEARDS. Finally, the new pouch additions include two dangler pouches, a slick mag holder, and even a tactical phone holder (ideal for upgrading your operators to modern tech).

This release is currently out on the Combat Octopus Patreon and will be available until the end of the month. If you want the first set of Deniables, they are now out over on MyMiniFactory.

Looking ahead, we’ve got the first rough poses for Western Deniables pt3, giving us a set wearing t-shirts and short sleeves. The poses are a good mix of generic but always useful (high and low ready), super tactical (engaging at an angle) and out of combat ready (the drone deployer). We’ll see more details on the specific weapons soon, but these first three sets would be perfect for getting your cover forces on the table.

We also got a look at the roadmap for the rest of the year (a feature I am always glad to see creators use). The roadmap is a great mix of stuff – US Delta in Somalia 1993, Gorka-suited Spetsnaz from the 2000s, British Army in Afghanistan from the 2000s (which I’ll have plenty of details for), and then Combat Octopods Jagdgruppe “Verlorene” to finish off the year. This is an ahistorical unit set, part of Combat Octopus’s military-horror world, but it will mix together aspects from German Gebirgsjäger and Fallschirmjäger. They sound like some ideal light infantry units with German equipment, and will even get some snipers by the end of the year. Seeing Combat Octopus branching out from purely historical sets should be very interesting, as well as helping to expand the kitbashing opportunities.

Modern Miniatures Announces Modern Stowage Mega Set

No updates on the Patreon from Modern Miniatures this week, but instead, we have a brand new project coming soon. “Modern Stowage Mega Set” will do what it says on the tin – bring over 150 STL files designed to load up your modern vehicles. The example image shows off a heavily laden Humvee, complete with rucksacks, sleep mats and equipment bundles. People are always asking for releases like this, so it could potentially be a fantastic one-stop shop for vehicle printers and modellers.

If you want to sign up for details, you can find the pre-marketing link over on MyMiniFactory and get ready for launch on March 6th. I’m looking forward to seeing the pile of stuff it will include, and I have already signed up myself.

Turnbase Miniatures Releases January Files

Finally, for Ultramoderns, Turnbase Miniatures has released January’s files to Patreon backers. The theme was a revamped set of figures for MARSOC (one of Turnbase’s original releases). Tier 2 backers received the core set, bringing five operators with MK18s, Mk46 and one figure with M45 drawn. For Tier 3 backers, the Specialist set was added, including two figures with M203s fitted, an SR25 EM Carbine and a figure firing an NLAW. There are also two sets of separate heads to use on the figures, including two styles of more characterful heads with the specialists. These sets should be out to Patrons now, with an MMF release coming soon.

BobMack3d Prepares The 25mm Hotchkiss For Deployment

New update from BobMack3d about the fourth item in the next Kickstarter from them, “Arras 1940 BEF“, and we have an anti-tank gun. The 25mm Hotchkiss (or the SA34) was an AT gun used by the BEF during their time in France. Also referred to as the 1pdr, the 25mm was used to fill in for the lack of 2pdr 50mm guns, although they were found to be less robust than most of the guns designed to be towed by mechanised vehicles. This is a new one for a BobMack3d release, and shows off another type of vehicle that these projects may come with in the future.

Arras 1940 BEF will be released at the start of March, bringing a pile of early-war British military hardware to the table. You can sign up for the reminders over on Kickstarter right now.

BattleGround HD and W3 Wargaming Launch Everything You Need for Kasserine

We have a double launch of complimentary Kickstarters that launched yesterday. All ready for your adventures in North Africa, the pair should get you everything you need to get playing battles around the Kasserine Pass.

Starting with the rules, BattleGroundHD has launched Chaos at Kasserine, a project to bring scenarios and a campaign all around the clash of reconnaissance units in the North African desert. With a linked campaign (including both historical locations and themed scenarios), force lists covering the US and DAK recce screens and even six historical personalities (sculpted by W3 Gaming) to play their role. Designed for BattleGroundHD (folks I met at Salute last year), I can see this project being handy in other games such as Chain of Command, as the team writing it will have gone deep in researching the period. The project includes pledges for both the new campaign (and STLs) and a larger one to add the core ruleset – you can even add a pledge for the previous campaign in case you want to hit the beach with the Rangers in Sicily, another campaign where you can use the same troops. The new campaign will run until March 21st, giving plenty of time to jump in.

And speaking of troops, W3 Gaming also launched their Over There Part 2 Kickstarter, which I previously previewed a few weeks ago. This project is the follow-up to the US-focused project from last year. With this release focusing on the Afrika Korps Light Infantry and Kradschűtzen (or motorcycle recce) Zug, there is a lot of Germans in short sleeves, with the core pledge being roughly a platoon with mortar, anti-tank rifle and motorcycle supports. There is even a 2 Player pledge available, letting you pick up both the new DAK and the previous Americans in one simple pledge. There will also be some Add-Ons unlocked during the campaign, with some savings on buying all of them. The project will be running until March 21st, giving plenty of time to… wait a minute…

White Dragon Miniatures Closing Down

We start off this week with some sad news. After 16 years of running a company, and almost 9 years of that working in the Ultramodern space, White Dragon Miniatures has decided to close up shop. Courage in Contact covered five different nations, providing platoon-sized forces for each, with unique poses and multiple head options for each (as well as a few extra support options for the Brits and the Taliban). It’s a shame to see them go – Alan has always been someone I’ve enjoyed catching up with at wargames shows, with a range design ethos I agree with and the technical knowledge on how to produce wargaming figures well – I don’t think I have ever seen resin figures as well made as his, while the vehicles were incredible designs that were far nicer to assemble than many of the solid blocks of resin that other companies were releasing in the days before 3D printing became mainsteam.

The closure is not immediate (there are lots of machines and other assets to be sold off), and the web store is still running. If you want the Marine STLs or physical figures from the older ranges, there is still some time to buy from the remaining stock and get these figures into your hands.

One important piece of news in the announcement comments is that the company will be selling up the assets, which means we may see the range live on under new ownership. This also includes some unreleased figures for the existing ranges, including some variants. Fingers crossed, we’ll see someone else pick up the incredible sculpts – I know many 3D printers would love to have them in our collections.

Spectre Miniatures Releases CIA Enablers To Patrons

Aside from further updates on Spectre Cosmic Horror, the main update from Spectre Miniatures is the release of the promised CIA Special Activities enablers over on the Patreon. This set of four figures are armed up with some of the latest and greatest firearms (MCX Rattlers and Geissele MRGG-S) covered in the latest optics and other attachments. The operators also carry loitering munitions, which are handily combined with the CLAW system and RIVET glasses to form a fully connected system for controlling the battlefield. These guys perfectly match the bleeding-edge vibe that Spectre mentioned during their announcement, but there is something else that really pushes them forward.

The other part of the release is a set of four items to use the mounts on all of the various helmets that Spectre releases have included. As well as an updated set of binocular NVGs based on the PVS-31s (including some deployed and others flipped out of the way), there are some weirder and wonderful ones. The Chimera Mount gives an alternative setup for panoramic night vision goggles, letting them be stowed out of the way without the downsides of more traditional setups. Above and beyond mere night vision, FPV Goggles and AR Goggles let your operators control drones and visualise the battle space. All of these sets are great for the large number of supported figures in the Spectre range (as you might expect from a company focusing on Special Forces), and having them as STLs means you can easily print off as many as you need.

Both sets are currently available over on Patreon, and should soon be joined by a Ranger squad, according to previous announcement posts.

Flank March Miniatures Bringing the Drama To Salute 53

Flank March Miniatures has some good news for those going to Salute in April – attendees to the show will be getting this dramatic pair of US tank crew as part of their show guide (delivered via STL). The figure, showing a pair of tank crew escaping their armoured vehicle, the injured man firing off bursts from his M3 grease gun while being dragged away. This is inspired by the game Flank March will be running at the show, as the US Tankers deployed to Tempelhof Airport will defend against the East German Fallschirmjäger (brand new sculpts coming to Kickstarter later this year). Sadly, I won’t be available to go down this year, but this figure will be a great release for anyone wanting some cool markers for their knocked-out US tanks.

Combat Octopus Preparing Western Deniables Pt2 For Release

Working to get himself back to his usual schedule, Combat Octopus has been hammering through the preparation for part 2 of the Western Deniables release. As you can see above, we have the final pose for the release, with this operator checking his chest-mounted smart device for a tactical advantage (or catching up on the ChargeBlog Patreon). As with all Combat Octopus poses, the weapon is going to come with plenty of options and a separate head should let you decide what level of beard your operator is going to be.

And speaking of beard, this month’s set of heads comes with the same combination of non-tactical and tactical heads. This month’s tacticals come with the latest in Ops Core ballistic protection (complete with AMP headset and PVS-31 NVGs), while the non-tactical heads include some options for law enforcement or low-profile shennighans.

Combat Octopus is aiming to have these figures out on Saturday (aka the day after this post goes live) before he turns his attention to the final set of Western Deniables (having taken their jackets off in favour of shirts and t-shirts.

Modern Miniatures Previews March’s Release – More Of Suburia

Modern Miniatures, taking advantage of his Patrons agreeing to allow themes over multiple months, has returned to Suburbia with a brand new set of structures to fill in your tabletop. March will see the release of three new structures (two houses and an external garage), as well as an additional set of items perfect for filling the interiors.

The two houses are smaller than this month’s release, but are ideal to fill out the neighbourhood. Both have interior layouts (perfect to fight through), while also having some unique features. House one can be mounted on a foundation (so you can include the front and back porches), while an optional second floor will let you expand both up and down, while House 2 has a mixture of internal textures for some cool variation that would be familiar to anyone seeing this style of house in the US. The separate garage is a neat addition (and perfect to spawn a whole bunch of bad guys out of), but I really like the Covered Furniture set – it’s a perfect set for quickly filling out buildings that aren’t being lived in, without requiring all the dry brushing of stitching or having to work out different patterns for the same set of furniture.

Overall, this is a great expansion to last month’s buildings and would be ideal to build a Ready or Not style board with. These sets will be out in March, and we’ll see a few more previews before the month is over.

Turnbase Miniatures Previews MARSOC Marksman

Finally, for Ultramoderns, Turnbase Miniatures has announced an unfortunate delay for the January release of the updated MARSOC figures. However, they have shown off the first of the Specialists that will be released to the Tier 3 patrons – this Marksman is armed with M110K1, complete with a magnified optic and piggybacked red-dot. Expect to see the full release when it comes out soon.

BobMack3d Shows Off The Bren Carrier… The Original One

BobMack3d (in the midst of preparing for the Arras 1940 Kickstarter launch in three weeks’ time) has shown off the Bren Carrier, which will be one of the vehicles included. And yes, that’s the original Bren Carrier, before the introduction of the far more popular Universal Carrier in 1940 (presumably after many of the original ones found themselves left behind after Dunkirk). This earlier vehicle is far less armoured but unique for the time period, perfect for selling the look of a 1940s battlefield.

Even better, the Kickstarter will be coming with an add-on for vehicle crew. Sculpted by W3 Gaming, you can see some of these figures above in the vehicles already shown off, with British infantry mounted in the carrier while Royal Armoured Corps tankers are pictured in the turrets for the two Matildas. This set will be an option when the Kickstarter launches, making it easier for BobMack3d to ensure the sculptor gets his cut of the funding. You can find the project page to sign up on Kickstarter right now, so you know when the project goes live.

Spectre Miniatures Announces Updates On CIA Figures

This has been a quiet week for Spectre Miniatures fans who aren’t excited for Cosmic Horror’s launch on Kickstarter in March or interested in Out of Time. The only sign of life has been a single post on Spectre’s Patreon (pictured above) giving a generic “sorry for the delay”, some news about additional head-mounted systems to be included with the delayed CIA set and the news that this month’s main set will be a full modern US Ranger Squad with the M7 and KAC LAMG. This is a bit of a weird update post – why not mention to your fans about the fact that you’re in the middle of preparing for a Kickstarter, which might distract from sculpting time? Why not show off some of these head-mounted systems, be it the inspiration (or maybe play a little game with the hints)? And why, if the figures are so close to upload, would you not deliver another WIP preview of a figure to show things progressing? Hopefully, we’ll see the CIA set come out soon after this edition of The News Stand posts, but posts like this do give me a little concern – history may not be repeating itself yet, but I can already hear a little rhyming with the past.

Don’tDrinkAndPaint Releases US Remnants

Don’tDrinkAndPaint has released two brand new sets over on Cults3d. Titled US Remnants, these two sets include 10 figures each and are designed to be incredibly Near-Future, bleeding-edge operators. Armed with all the latest toys from FN’s development drawer (including the Precision Grenadier System, Evolys LMG and FN LICC-IWS rifle), these figures include Squad Leader, System Operator, two Grenadiers, two Automatic Riflemen and four Riflemen. What’s also very interesting is that the same poses come with two high-tech head options (courtesy of your friends at Anduril) – one is the Integrated Visual Augmentation System (or IVAS), while the other is the fully enclosed version of the Eagle Eye system. This is probably some of the most modern-day kit on the market, ideal for near-future conflicts or some hard sci-fi (or to operate alongside the Near Present proxy forces that Don’tDrinkAndPaint have already released). STLs are available over on Cults3D, and I wouldn’t be surprised if these figures end up at friend of the blog Desk-Ops for those not wanting to print them themselves.

Urban Scatter Gaming Drops Date Palms, Free Street Furniture And A Return To Patreon

Busy week from Urban Scatter Gaming with a trio of news items. First up, chasing after the MENA releases from last year, we have the new Date Palms and Bases set. Ideal for filling out MENA areas as either area terrain of light cover or single detail pieces to turn your city streets into something a little less dustry tan. The set is designed for filament printing, with 4 different palm sizes and a set of 6 scenic bases to show the area. In something I continue to like, this set also received a painting guide to show how they can look, perfect for getting started with. If you want this set for yourself, it’s available over on the USG Gumroad.

Also on the Gumroad is an updated pack from Urban Scatter Gaming’s History and, even better, it’s free! Ideal for the upcoming Urban releases, this Street Cabinets set has been redesigned to support both resin and filament printing (as well as improving the models after several years of improving skills), and has added an additional cabinet design with an open variant for objective marking and fun with painting. These pieces are ideal for filling the urban landscape, both to set the scene and provide some low cover in places that would usually be open killing zones. This set is free, an ideal intro point before the urban releases (previewed over the last few weeks) coming soon.

Finally, and in big news, Urban Scatter Gaming is returning to Patreon! As we’ve seen over the last few months, USG has been ramping up development of new projects, and it seems like we’ll soon be moving on from solo release to a much more consistent release schedule. No more details are currently availble but as you can see, we won’t have long to wait until we learn more. But I think we can guess at what’s coming up first…

Black Hills Games Releases Civilians Pack

Black Hills Games has released its set for January, bringing six civilians to the table. They are split into three themes, giving you a male and female figure for South America, Africa and the Middle East. Additionally, there should be another addition for the December subscribers to expand the 90’s US Rangers set coming soon. For the civilians, though, they should have been messaged out to subscribers with the three packs available on the Black Hills Games Gumroad (with each set linked above).

Combat Octopus Shows More Western Deniables

Another update from Combat Octopus as he works through Western Deniables Part 2. This time, we have an operator shooting off their left shoulder, ideal for peeking corners (or confusing Tarkov players with a questionable key bind). There are a few more neat touches to this guy to set him apart from the rest, helping the squad to look consistent in the big picture and diverse in the details. We also have an update on the final pose: a Leader operating his smartphone tactical display with a rifle slung. Combat Ocotopus has done a good job getting back on track after his break last year, so we may see the release sooner rather than later.

Modern Miniatures Delivers February Release – Terrain, Operators and So Much More

Finally, and as is tradition, Modern Miniatures deliver new releases within the first few days of the new month, releasing items for both the terrain and miniatures tiers. So let’s jump into the pile of new things.

For the Miniatures tier, we have a follow-up to last month’s Operators. Armed almost entirely with assault rifles (although a M320 in a holster snuck in to give you some ranged support), this set is ideal to bring the Generic Operators up to a sizable section size. While it might be nice to have more military supporting arms such as LMGs and anti-tank weapons, I think that these figures are ideal for creating an entry point for well-equipped forces, either Military or Law Enforcement. The set also includes six heads with NVGs,m all of them wearing glasses rather than the goggles of the original set.

I mentioned above that the main terrain release is just focusing on the big stuff, the building layout and the boundaries. If you want to detail the internal structure, then you’ll need to head over to the MyMiniFactory store and break out the Patreon discount code. There are 10 packs released this month intended to detail the building and the surrounding area, which works out to roughly $50 before the 40% Patreon discount (although you could choose to skip some of the exterior details, such as the flamingos, if you’re heartless).

The only strangeness is that we’ve had no news on the releases over on MMF Tribes, which was supposed to be a Chinese MBT. Stand by for more details.

BobMack3d Shows Off The Queen Of The Desert (Before She Was Famous)

Over in the WW2 section, BobMack3d has shown off the second vehicle for the Arras 1940 project. As you’d expect from a Kickstarter covering the battle where the Matilda II made its name by breaking into the rear area of the 7th Panzer Division, another vehicle that will be included is the early model of the Matilda II (a personal favourite of mine). This model is the early model Matilda A12 mounting the Vickers MG as the coax. The more popular MII.A (mounting the BESA instead) is going to be one of the early stretch goals, giving you a vehicle that would end up being the Queen of the Desert. Arras 1940 will launch soon, and you can sign up for the preview over on Kickstarter.

Multiverse Launches Garbino Renaissance City Terrain

Multiverse, a designer of 3D printable terrain that has created a whole series of projects (many with a Star Wars lean), has launched a new Kickstarter project for Renaissance urban areas. The project includes five modular buildings, with plenty of elements such as balconies, walkways, steps and more. You can even mix up some of the sub-assemblies to make some truly non-uniform and winding structures, ideal for historical southern Europe. The project is already doing well enough to have unlocked 5 out of 8 stretch goals. The project is running until February 19th with an all-in pledge costing £34-ish.

Hozo Design Running a Kickstarter For The NeoSander

A tool I have picked up over Christmas but haven’t talked about yet is the Hozo NeoBlade, a handy Ultrasonic cutter designed to make support clean-up easier. I really like it, so when I saw that Hozo is now working on a Sander/Saw tool, I jumped in. The Hozo Replicating Detail Sander is a handheld cordless tool designed to make detail sanding much easier, providing slightly better precision than the classic dremel or other rotary tools. There is some clever design around the sanding tips and sandpaper, including colour-coded options and separate sandpaper pieces to reduce waste. It also functions as a saw, making it a handy tool for someone who works with 3D printed objects and occasionally feel the need to chew their way through bulky supports. The NeoSander is a mostly complete project, aiming to ship in May.

Menace Enters Early Access on Steam

Good news for fans of wargaming who like Hard Sci-fi. The developers of Battle Brothers (one of my favourite strategy games and inspiration for 90% of my fantasy games) have released MENACE into Early Access on Steam. Set in a distant galaxy that has been separated from Earth, you control a marine unit sent to pacify the region, fighting alien wildlife, space pirates and rebels in tactical operations that are all based around modern combat concepts – yep, it’s time to Find, Fix and Finish the enemy. I’ve had a really good time with the game even after a day or two, and I’m very much looking forward to how it improves. If you’re interested, the game has a 25% discount on Steam until the 19th of February and is aiming to be in Early Access for a year as more content and systems are rolled out to expand on the core gameplay loop. I think this game is an excellent start, with plenty to play even now.

Spectre Miniatures Drops New Releases in time for Vapnartak 2026

First up, for those who are heading to Vapnartak 2026 on Sunday, Spectre Miniatures is going to be there in the flesh. As you can see on the map at slot 19, Spectre is on the ground floor, to the left of the entrance. By the sounds of it, they will have plenty of things to show, covering all aspects of the Spectre range.

However, the big news is the new releases that (presumably) will be at the show. The big-ticket items are the ones that people have been waiting for for years in the form of the Little Bird. As we saw when it was released to Patrons last month, this set includes both the Attack and Transport variants. Both variants include crew figures, with the transport variant also including four Task Force operators seated on the benches. I’m not 100% on what the default weapon systems are for the attack helicopter, but the example model shows the Hellfire and Rocket pods.

To support the Attack variant, there are four weapon choices. The two default weapons set (Miniguns and Rockets, and Miniguns and Hellfires) are available separately for additional setups, but the big addition is the GAU-19 .50cal minigun and the 30mm chaingun for additional fire support options. All weapons are available in pairs, or you can buy a complete STL bundle and print it yourself.

As for new figures, this month saw some expansions to the British Army range and the first sets for the Delta range. The British gain a sniper pair stalking forward and two riflemen armed with the NLAW to provide anti-tank support, both of which we have seen previewed before (although it’s cool to see them painted up). The Delta Assault Element, shown last week, bring plenty of new toys to the table, the assaulters ready for action and posed dynamically.

These three packs were also this month’s Patreon release, offering a reasonable saving over buying the STLs separately. Although the CIA team was supposed to be out by the end of this week, according to the release post earlier this week, there is no sign of them on Patreon – except we shall see them next month.

Flank March Miniatures Previews Mot.-Schutzen

Flank March Miniatures, having just finished fulfilling Reforger at the end of last year, is already preparing the next project. This will be Brunderkrieg 1, a project to bring the East German armed forces to the tabletop. You can see the first sculpt above, with plenty of details specific to this unique force from the Cold War.

Taking a look at the heads that have been previewed and you can see this won’t be a simple release; there are plenty of variations in there – four variants of the standard helmet, side caps, berets and even what looks suspiciously like a TIG helmet. This should mean plenty of options from just the heads alone, let alone what the stretch goals will be. Stand by for when the Kickstarter goes live.

Urban Scatter Gaming Previews Even More Urban Buildings

Urban Scatter Gaming has shown off another building from his upcoming modern urban street range in another in-depth preview and walkthrough, just so you can see how to make your building look as good as his. It’s impressive to see how detailed each building is, especially as the set is printed entirely using the Bambu P1S. The article is definitely worth a read, so take a look at it over on Patreon.

The full release is coming soon, but you can see a great render of the type of scene you’ll be able to build above. Thanks to how USG designs its buildings, you should be able to create plenty of customisation with even one kit, thanks to height changes, accessories and even the decals that are included and ready to be printed. I’ll provide more details once it’s released.

Combat Octopus Releases Western Deniables Pt 1

A little delayed (but slowly gaining ground), we had this month’s release from Combat Octopus. This set is designed for anyone wanting some high-speed, low-drag, covert operators (be they military or law enforcement) with all the latest kit. As with all sets, this includes four poses, multiple head options and so many weapon options.

Yep, you’re seeing that correctly, there are 6 weapons included in this pack, and even better, half the bodies use all of them (the shotgun is troublesome as always). The LAMG means you can make a decent fireteam, while the mixture of rifles is ideal for a whole host of uses for sneaky boys. The heads are also handy, the corporal set giving you more bare heads (always useful for the Contractor style), but the Sergeant heads are some really up-to-date fast helmets, complete with panoramic NVGs and all the other helmet add-ons. Most of the bodies don’t have molle slots for pouches, but there is a good general-purpose setup.

This set is only going to be on Patreon until the end of the 31st, so if you want it for the Patreon price, go get it now.

Western Deniables Pt 2 is going to be February’s release, and we already have some test poses in the works designed for some more action on looking operators. These are still being debated on Patreon and over on Discord, but with the plan to not add any additional weapons after the first pack, we should see the new poses relatively soon. I’m also looking forward to the rest of the range, as we’ll be seeing the short-sleeve pack coming out in March.

Modern Miniatures Shows Off February’s Releases

To match with his usual prompt delivery of new pieces, Modern Miniatures has a new set of previews up for his February release. In a scene very reminiscent of the opening to a certain film I’m sure many Ultramodern gamers like, we see the house being raided by Law Enforcement. The house is looking great with plenty of details that will be sold alongside it, such as a pool set for the terrace. It’s safe to say that this house is still going to be a great release on Patreon but there are a considerable number of paid items (such as the plant pots, the interior details for each room and now the pool add-on) to bring it up to the level shown in the preview images, for better or worse. If you want more previews, you can find a full post on the Modern Miniatures Patreon, with a full preview coming later on the 31st of January.

The other half of the February release is the miniatures side, bringing you five more assaulters to go with last month’s original team. These are entirely armed with assault rifles (with one grenade launcher in a leg holster), good for bulking out a force or for units that don’t use many supporting weapons. As with the first set, these figures all come with modular heads.

Full details will be released on the 31st, with MM’s history saying we’ll probably get a prompt release early next month.

Turnbase Miniatures Prepares MARSOC For Deployment

Turnbase Miniatures has shown off the Tier 2 release for January, bringing five MARSOC operators to the table. These are nice updates of the original set, bringing an LMG Gunner and four other operators (including one with an M45 drawn), while the grenadiers and anti-tank operators are coming in the Tier 3 set. Based on the description, these figures have modular heads, and you can see a mix of headgear (both FAST helmets and MICH) with both NVG and non-NVG options. No details on the release date, but it should be coming soon.

While the News Stand will always be focused on Ultramodern wargaming (because, quite frankly, no one else will do it), there are plenty of creators covering other areas of the hobby which overlap with what I am into. I’m not going to cover everything (this isn’t going to become a GW news source), but it’s worth covering some of the additional projects.

BobMack3d Prepares Arras 1940 BEF

Taking a break from the Cold War, BobMack3D has entered the WW2 space. Their first project is based around the Battle of Arras, a major armoured engagement during the Battle of France in 1940. And the first preview is showing off the Matilda 1, an intriguing design that took part in the battle. As with other BobMack3d projects, this one is going to include five core vehicle models with additional stretch goals adding more. Assuming it does well,l we’ll see a second part later. If you’re interested in taking the BobMack3d vehicle into WW2, you can sign up for the project over on Kickstarter.

For those interested in more modern conflicts, no fear – BobMack3d has said there will be more Cold War projects later in the year.

Battleground HD Preparing Chaos at Kasserine

Following on from their project covering US Rangers in Sicily, BattlegroundHD is expanding its campaign set range to cover the Battle of Kasserine Pass between US Forces and the Afrika Korps in Tunisia in 1943. This project is going to cover the engagement, giving a linked campaign setup and historical scenarios, accompanied by Force Packs and rules for unique historical characters on both sides. It’s a good starting point if you’re interested in the wargaming of this unique period, and the Kickstarter project will be launched on February 19th (the anniversary of the battle in question) with the preview page already up and running.

Now if only someone was making some some Afrika Korps with this campaign in mind…

W3 Gaming Preparing to DAK In Over There Part 2

Well, good news! W3 Gaming’s Matt Webb reached out to tell me about the upcoming Over There Kickstarter. This Kickstarter is designed to give you a full set of figures for gaming with the Afrika Korps in North Africa from 1941 to 1943. This set is going to focus on a Schützen zug (which means, yes, that’s going to be a lot of MGs) with heavy weapons and supporting elements from the motorcycle-riding Kradschützen. There is a sample figure already available over on Wargaming3D, you can see a few previews over on Facebook, and you can sign up for the Kickstarter over on its preview page, so you know exactly when it launches on February 19th.

Spectre Miniatures Prepares Cosmic Horror Kickstarter and Previews D-Boys

First up, Spectre Miniatures are in the process of preparing the Cosmic Horror Kickstarter. This isn’t something that ChargeBlog is going to cover in The News Stand in detail (as it falls considerably outside the focus of the post), but you can find the Kickstarter preview page online now. This version of Cosmic Horror is going to be a totally separate game from the core Spectre Operations, and will be accompanied by brand new miniatures and terrain as well as the rules.

Back in the realm of modern miniatures where our interest lies, this week we got some previews of the upcoming Delta Force coming this month, thanks to posts over on the Spectre Miniatures Patreon. These D-Boys are equipped with all the ultramodern kit you’d expect from a modern Tier 1 unit, but there are a few tweaks to make them specifically Delta Force. This includes various MCX variants (you can see some examples on the right) with GBRS Hydra mounts and Millbrook Suppressors (the weird square muzzle devices). There are also several of them with Thermal optics intended to assist with spotting and scanning, as well as some oversized 40-round magazines. The post over on Patreon includes a few other neat details, as well as some updates on what else will be coming soon (yep, the word DEVRGU was used), including the fact that we’ll be seeing this pack released on Monday (along with the British Snipers and NLAW figures).

Austin Miniatures Deploys The Motostrelki

Austin Miniatures has a new set available in their Cold War range, bringing the Soviet Motostrelki to the table. This is another modular set (and perhaps an ideal one to accompany the upcoming Red Jungle Kickstarter) and comes with a literal pile of accessories for every possible role you might need on the table.

With seven bodies, 16 heads and 19 weapon sets, this is a great set. I do like how as well as the usual suspects (AK-74s, PKM, RPK and RPG-7) we also have some more unusual options – this includes the AK-74 with NSPU night vision optic (ideal for patrolling the darkness around your secret base), a disposable RPG-18 being fired and even a pair of AKSUs with the mounted GSN-19 grenade launcher (yep, it’s the weird suppressed one). I think this might be the best set I’ve seen Austin make for those of us who love to kitbash, ideal for both regular forces and assembling sets for a whole host of other games – perhaps even (with a head swap) dealing with the outskirts of the Zone.

If you want this set yourself, you can find it over on the Austin Miniatures Gumroad, with physical versions coming to physical partners such as Desk-Ops soon.

Combat Octopus Previews More High-Speed Deniables

Combat Octopus is almost at the finish line for this month’s release, with the first wave of Western Deniables on their way. These final two poses were shown off this week, with plenty of high-end rifles and unique chest rigs matched with tactical clothing. The release is going to see three new weapons in the CO Armoury (SIG LVAW, KAC LAMG and a Benelli M4 for those who want to use these guys for law enforcement) as well as several new attachments, such as the Unity Tactical items on the 416 above. This puts this range in a good place for the next few months, as we receive another set wearing jackets and a team who are down to their shirt sleeves.

Of course, one thing people always want from a modular release is a set of new heads. This set is split into two – on the left, we have the characterful team heads for making your action hero guys, while the other side shows the modernised FAST helmets with all the modcons (including panoramic NVGs). Naturally, with separate heads, many of these will find themselves on other sets, but I’m also excited to see the other heads this range is going to bring us.

The plan from CO is to release this set over the weekend, so stand by for next week’s edition to see the full renders.

Modern Miniatures Shows Off More Suburban Housing

Modern Miniatures has been hard at work on February’s release, with more images of the now-painted two-storey suburban house, along with all the addon parts. The big news is that the floor pieces will be separate, allowing you to either print the 2mm-thick parts or use your own plasticard pieces. Additionally, a terrace piece has been included, perfect to set the house in among the rest of the neighbourhood (and give you somewhere to add the pool that Modern Miniatures is taking a look at). There is also going to be a set of optional modules, including a piece to turn the garage into an additional room and another to swap out the back wall for one that can access the garden outside.

In addition to what is included in the Patreon release, there is also a set of separately purchasable detail packs designed for each room – bathroom, bedroom, living room and kitchen (although the kitchen set is still WIP). Additionally, there will be a few sets of plants, designed to give the extra details for a whole host of buildings.

This week has seen an update post from Modern Miniatures about the future. The good news is that the Patreon is going well, with the better news being that Modern Miniatures is investigating stretching themes out over several months. I have yet to see a Patreon that hasn’t improved its output by taking multiple months to work on a theme, allowing for the designer to get more in-depth and produce better end products, even if it reduces the overall flexibility of the schedule. Additionally, a roadmap is being discussed with various ideas around how the Patreon releases for the year will look. What is unique is that Modern Miniatures has been testing ideas over on the MMF Tribe, with forward planning allowing for a better workflow and less stress. It’s definitely worth a read, especially if you’re a vehicle fan and want to see what is coming down the line (including the CV-90 that I’m sure all the Battlefield fans have been wanting).

Turnbase Miniatures Previews New MARSOC

Finally, Turnbase Miniatures posted a preview on their Discord of the first pose for their remastered MARSOC, showing off the assets from last week but now in situ. As previously mentioned on this blog, the original set was used incredibly well, so it will be interesting to see how this new set performs.

Spectre Miniatures Drops Some Intel And The CIA

First up, Spectre Miniatures has dropped some interesting updates on the admin side. The first piece is a list of events that Spectre is going to attend this year. As a Northern boy, I am happy to see they will be coming to Vapa at York in a few weeks (and I’ll probably drop in to say hi), while trips to Chillcon and Colours are new for this year (Salute and Adepticon are also cool to see).

The other side is that there has been a call for Playtesters for a new version of Cosmic Horror. Based on one of the preview posts that have also put up, this makes it seem like Cosmic Horror is going to move away from purely being an addon to the basic Spectre Operations into being its own game with a different focus on the more horror aspects. Getting more playtesters in also feels like a good step – one comment made about Operations V3 was that it has felt like it needed a touch more contact with the player base before coming out of the oven. I look forward to seeing how this advances, even if the game itself isn’t quite my cup of tea.

What is my cup of tea, however, is the first preview of the CIA Special Activities team that Spectre is working on. To make them stand out from the multiple ranges of door kickers, the concept for the team is to act as enablers, giving a set of sneaky types packing fancy high-end gear. And these guys are very high-end – RIVET HUD systems to provide enhanced awareness, loitering munitions on the side of their rucksack to handle the big stuff and an MCX Rattler with some higher-end accessories. Finally, the clothing is going to be elements that could work for both military and civilian paint schemes, ideal for matching with whatever force they are enabling. This is just the first figures (and it’s still WIP), so we’ll see more details as the month goes on.

Editor’s Note – I am also amused at how close this is to one of the Gunslinger concepts that I had worked up (Raptor Diagnostics). Glad to see I’m not the only one who saw this concept coming!

Echelon Software Will Be At Adepticon

Echelon Software, makers of BPRE28 and Near Present, will be attending Adepticon in March. They are also running a learn to play event for Near Present, showing off their latest world with coverage of the game, setting and even the comics. The downside is that currently there is only one space left, BUT BPRE Patrons may be able to organise some games with the Echelon team over the weekend if you fancy some games.

Flank March Miniatures Launches Operation Mountain Breaker

In a slick marketing move, Flank March Miniatures has announced a new marketing scheme for all you Cold War fans, Operation Mountainbreakers. The idea is simple – send in some Cold War content to Flank March and each month they will pick one person to receive a £50 voucher to be spent at Flank March, Full Metal, BobMack3d or Battleground HD. The good news is that Cold War Content covers everything hobby-related – painted models? Check. Battle Reports? Check. Scenarios and rules? Get those pens out because Check. There is a full list of details on the site, but it seems like Flank March is really pushing to propel Cold War Gaming forward and get people excited about it.

Haywire Rebrands As Version 3 Approaches

Over on Facebook, news from TheSoloWargamer. With Haywire Version 3 on its way, he has rebranded his Facebook page and YouTube to focus on his solo and co-op wargame that he has been working on and refining. His page also has a pile of posts showing off his collection, including plenty of shots of his awesome board. More details coming soon as Haywire 3 is detailed.

Miniatures Building Authority Prepare Ramadi Building 4

Miniatures Building Authority is preparing a fourth building for its Ramadi set and will likely be available once this post goes live. This building is another urban structure, spread over multiple floors and balconies, making it ideal for assembling a dense urban map. You can also see an example of one of the stretch goals on the right, with a floor still under construction, perfect for some urban variety. These structures are only available as physical objects, with both painted and unpainted options.

If you’re interested and want to jump in, you can find it over on the Crowd Funding page on the MBA website.

Urban Scatter Gaming Previews New Modern Urban Building

Good news for fans of modern urban areas – Urban Scatter Gaming has an in-depth post on his Patreon showing off another building in his modern urban range. Building 1 is the core structure for the Pawn Shop shown last week, and the base building is designed to make a modular structure capable of filling a single board with varied modular pieces. You can find out more in a great post that Wedge has written on Patreon, complete with plenty of work-in-progress pictures showing the building off.

With plenty of modular options, you can see how various construction and painting tweaks would allow for plenty of variety. You can also see some great techniques for painting these buildings, with example colours and instructions on how to make off areas to make painting all that brick easier. I’m definitely inspired by seeing the buildings assembled, and I’m looking forward to what Urban Scatter Gaming releases.

Combat Octopus Expands Theme And Shows Off Deniables

Controversy abounded this week over on the Combat Octopus Patreon! If you want some more details on the specifics, you can find them on the Patreon, but the big news is that we’re getting a third month for this Western Deniables. January and February will keep the original designs of high-end tactical gear under jackets, but March is going to expand the idea by having a rig or plate carrier over a t-shirt and shirts. This means another month of low-profile operators with the latest and greatest weapons and tactical gear (such as the weapons mentioned last week).

As you can see here, we have two of the four poses good to go, with one figure armed with the SIG LVAW and the other with the SCAR-L. The second figure’s rig is designed to be expanded upon with the various pouches, ideal for customising further. There will be two more figures like this, as well as a selection of weapons and heads for them. Stand by for more previews soon.

Modern Miniatures Previews Modern US Suburban House Release

Big news from Modern Miniatures as he is previewing the February release for the terrain tier. The patrons voted for a suburban US house, with multiple rooms and floors, and we got the first preview this week. As you can see above, the two-storey structure is ideal for breaching and clearing, with plenty of rooms to fight through. You can see the layouts below, but the structure features two floors, each with separate internal wall pieces that offer greater flexibility.

There will be a few additional pieces for the structure, designed to extend it, with features such as outer walls and floor details (including the garage) potentially on the horizon. There is even the potential for detail sets for each room. I can see this set being a great addition to the range, the perfect starting point for anyone wanting to use their SWAT figures to raid something a little more upmarket. More details as they’re released, but this is already a good-looking set.

Turnbase Miniatures Redesigning MARSOC Figures

Finally, Turnbase Miniatures has announced what this month’s release is, and it’s a return to an old favourite. The MARSOC set was one of the first releases I remember picking up from Turnbase Miniatures (along with the Grenadiers release), especially with the modular heads it came with. This new release will be updating them to the new Turnabse Miniatures style (although I hope it doesn’t lose the modular head aspect that was one of the best parts of the main release). It does look like this set will merge the two previous ones, with an MK18 mounting the M203 as well as two variants of the basic rifle with an Elcan and Squad Day Optic.

Spectre Miniatures Releases British Infantry, Little Birds and Teases More

First up, we return to Spectre Miniatures and their very busy end to the year. After the patrons received their British Infantry platoon back in December, Spectre then got the whole platoon finished off and ready for general sale.

Spread over four packs (and available as a platoon pack over Christmas that unfortunately came out and then disappeared before I return to update the news), this set gives you a full platoon of British infantry, complete with the GPMGs and sharpshooter rifles for the Sections and a HQ element that includes the runners. I have seen some comments about there being too many kneeling figures but having put these all out on the tabletop (I printed my own), there is a nice visual difference between the regular line troops and the high-speed figures in the rest of the Spectre range. The prone figures in non-weapon teams, however, are a crime I will be sending them to the tabletop wargaming ombudsman for. These sets are now available as both STLs and Physical sets.

The Spectre Patreon in December was a wildly changing set of releases that eventually stabilised. The original plan was that Patrons would receive a monster set of releases. Packs mentioned included the British NLAW and Sniper shown above, a mention of brand new Cartel figures and, as a reward for the support the Patreon has seen since it’s relauch, the Little Bird set that had been initially teased. However, this eventually shifted until Patrons received the Little Bird set on the 31st of December.

However, the Little Bird release is nothing to sniff at. Covering both the Gunship and Transport variants, both vehicles come with a pile of options. The gunship has various weapon mounts (including the stub wings and the weapon systems), including 7.62mm and .50cal miniguns, Hellfire missiles, rocket pods and the 20mm autocannon. For the transport variant, there are both empty benches and a pair of benches filled with Task Force Operator figures ready to drop on the X. The body of the helicopter also includes pilots (and we don’t seem to have an alternative version without them), meaning these are definitely intended to be in flight. The kit is also multiple parts, with plenty of opportunities for tweaking the Little Bird for other roles (such as skipping all weapons for a light recon helicopter) or even magnetising parts. No news when this is hitting a wider release, but I’m looking forward to getting mine printed.

Looking forward, we have a pile of possibilities for future projects mentioned. In no particular order, December saw the following: Cartel redesigns, PLA and North Korean Forces, an expansion to the Ukrainian range, a NATO force to go with them, Royal Marines, US Army and US Marine Platoons, and not to mention the civilians that have been previewed but not yet hit prime time. However, January has been updated to cover some of the more popular elements within the range – more Western SF. In this case, we’ll be seeing the long-mentioned CIA SAD/SAC team and an updated release of some Delta Force figures (perfectly timed) with the current MCX weapon platforms. No details on their release just yet, but stand by for more previews this month.

Austin Miniatures Partners With Desk-Ops

Good news from Austin Miniatures! They have partnered with “Friend of the Blog” Desk-Ops to bring their STL releases to a print-on-demand supplier. Dan at Desk-Ops has already added the range to the website, covering all parts of the Austin Miniatures releases so far. This includes figures from the Cold War sets, the modular Ultramodern figures for the USMC, US Army, British and Germans and, in a very exciting twist, the figures for the upcoming Red Jungle game that Austin Miniatures is bringing to Kickstarter this year. This is great news for anyone wanting them and without a printer, so it’s worth taking a look now if you want some pieces ideal for gaming.

BobMack3d Releases ZAPAD-84 Models To The Backers

A minor update – anyone who backed BobMack3d‘s ZAPAD-84 project on Kickstarter should have kicked off the year with a pile of zip folders to download. I’ve already grabbed mine and printed off a pair of MT-LBVM, and I honestly think the project has some of their best work. For those who missed the Kickstarter, you’ll start to see vehicles from this set released later this year.

Urban Scatter Gaming Shows Off The Pawn Hub (wait a minute)

Mere Days after my final edition of The News Stand for the year, Urban Scatter Gaming went in-depth with the next release for his urban range. Following on from the corner jewellery store and previously previewed unpainted, we now have a multi-storey apartment building with a retail unit on the ground floor.

As you can see here, the ground floor has a separate front piece that can be removed and swapped with potential alternatives (great if you want a nondescript and detailed version. The upper floors give you more playable space but, as with many of USG’s buildings, also include some cleverly designed supports integrated into the model that can be easily popped out after printing.

As part of this urban range, each building will also include a scatter set, perfect to get it set up and looking pretty with a single purchase. In this case, the set is ideal for a pawn shop, and as you can see above, there are plenty of unique items to decorate with.

Overall, this looks to be a great set with plenty of options (and Wedge is having a good time getting it painted and assembled). There are no current updates on when it will be released, but you can be sure I’ll be making plenty of noise when it does.

Black Hills Games Releases 1990s Rangers

Good news for all Black Hawk Down fans: Black Hills Games has released a new set of US Army Rangers, ideal for the 1990s setting. With M16A2s, two grenadiers with M203s and an M60, this is a pretty reasonable start for a squad for the era (or combined with other sets to build a larger force). These packs are out now, both for Patrons and over on the Black Hills Games Gumroad.

Combat Octopus Releases MENA Freedom Fighters Part 3, Previews Western Deniables

Slightly delayed due to his trip earlier in the year, the end of December saw the release of Combat Octopus‘s final part to his MENA Freedom Fighters range (for now). This release focuses more on the patrolling and idle figures, ideal for stealth games or giving you a reprieve from angry shouting people.

The set itself comes with a good mix of weapons for each pose, continuing the mix we have seen through the rest of the releases (Soviet, German and American all featured). There are also two of the figures with web gear, allowing for more modular pouches and even one figure with a trio of MG options. The good news is that all three figures mix with the Eastern European Deniables, letting you mix up the set even further.

To go with the figures, there are also some great add-ons. The basic heads add some moustaches (ideal for the MENA region) and two bearded heads that are perfect for a more militarised look (the beret is already being used in a kitbash). The higher tier gets some heads ideal for showing your insurgents are slightly higher tier, as they have NVGs (with both the AN/PVS-7 and the AN/PVS-14) to help reclaim the night. It also comes with a shemagh piece, a new piece that really helps to change up how the figures look. On the pouches side, a generic admin pouch and baofeng radio in a pouch are accompanied by a set of PKM pouches for the SMERSH rigging (ideal for plenty of other sets).

This set is currently out on MyMiniFactory if you want to extend your Freedom Fighters, while also giving a great entry point into the range. I feel that the Freedom Fighters range is one of the strongest sets that Combat Octopus, giving you plenty of figures and options to create a pretty large and well-equipped force.

Of course, the ideal accompaniment to your MENA force is a suitable leader figure, and the loyalty reward for October-December 2025 was just the ticket. This guy is mixing local clothing with a smock, chest rig and round glasses. The weapon options also offer the same mix as the main set, with two AKs, an M4 and a G36 to let you theme your force. This figure is already on the Combat Octopus MyMiniFactory.

Modern Miniatures Releases A Pile of Stuff

As always, Modern Miniatures has started the month with a flurry of releases, with files being delivered on the first of the month.

For the terrain release, the modular underground bunker is now out. With a pile of parts, this set is ideal for building up your underground bunker inspired by things like Escape from Tarkov and other games (giving you a chance to play an Ultramodern dungeon crawl). I’ve already had a quick look at the files and think I might be having a play at some point soon.

For the Miniatures’ tier, this month’s release is a set of Generic Western Special Forces. Armed with AR-15s with all the toys, the set includes a mixture of Assaulters, a Marksman and a Breacher with a circular saw on its back. They are all covered in all the pouches and gear, and looking pretty good. Additionally, the set comes with five heads, all with NVGs in various states and with either a covered face or a selection of bare faces. This is just the first set, with a matching set coming next month.

Meanwhile, over on the MyMiniFactory Tribe, this month’s release is the ZBD-04 IFV, the answer to the question “What if the BMP-3 was better designed”. Easy to print in the Modern Miniatures way, the ZBD-04 is just what you need for a modern Chinese force. The Tribe is really turning into the best way to get Modern Miniatures’ vehicles as they release, so it’s definitely worth keeping an eye on it.

Turnbase Miniatures Releases December Sets

Finally, Turnbase Miniatures has released its December set of figures. Inspired by one of the more controversial Christmas movies, Tier 2 provides you with the Heroes and some hostages. However, it’s Tier 3 that I can see being more popular, with the whole gang of villains ready for a fight. These figures should be up for patrons soon, but I’m not sure they will be getting a wider release.