From SimonM: Natalia, Xenomorphs & Gretchen Scout Contraptions (Lady Sarah's Star Yacht & LV426) (59 points)

For my penultimate post I thought I would take another trip on Lady Sarah's Star Yacht from Cybertron to LV426, and finally start working through the last few plastic bags of Xenomorphs I own. As a result my opening model is Natalia, Female Secret Agent by "Reaper Miniatures". This 28mm two-piece metal miniature comes from their Chronoscope range and can be purchased as code 50149.

Having assembled the disconcertingly fragile-looking figure, the model was undercoated with “Vallejo” Black Primer and subsequently treated to a couple of layers of “Citadel” Abaddon Black. The entire model was then dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal, before having her gun holster, leg strap and belt ‘picked out’ with Heavy Sienna.

I also applied some “Vallejo” Gunmetal to the deadly assassin’s pistol, before all of these areas were ‘drowned’ in “Citadel” Nuln Oil. The not-Black Widow’s belt buckle and thigh gadget were treated to a combination of “Vallejo” Gold and “Citadel” Agrax Earthshade. Finally, Natalia’s hair was given a lick of “Vallejo” Heavy Red, shaded with “Citadel” Agrax Earhshade, and carefully dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Heavy Red.

Having landed on LV426 it only seemed fitting to pigment five 15mm scale metal miniatures Xenomorphs by “Ground Zero Games”. The figures are available as code SG15-X01 from their Stargrunt Infantry range, and come in packs of six figures (consisting of two alternative sculpts).

Due to using the models for some homemade rules, all of the models were super-glued onto a large-sized plastic “Flames Of War” stand by “Battlefront Miniatures”, and primed using two layers of “Citadel” Abaddon Black. The extra-terrestrials were then dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Bluegrey, before being given a double-helping of “Citadel” Nuln Oil in order to help tone down their highlights and better blend them in.

Finally, I have made a start on some of the smaller German Land Ironclads produced by “Brigade Models”. These eight Gretchen Scout Contraptions are approximately 8mm x 3mm in size, and had previously been super-glued in fours upon a 30mm x 40mm plastic rectangle. All the Small, nimble scout vehicles were primed with a couple of layers of “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, and shaded in “Citadel” Nuln Oil.

I then carefully dry-brushed them all with (more) “Vallejo” German Fieldgrey WWII, before patiently picking out all their guns with a combination of Gunmetal and “Citadel” Nuln Oil. As with my previously painted British Mk.I Armoured Gun Carriers the hardest (and most time-consuming) part in painting these little guys was tidying up the grit surrounding the vehicles so I could later dry-brush their bases and get them tabletop ready.

Hopefully this latest AHPC entry will provide:

1 x 28mm Figure = 5 points

Lady Sarah's Star Yacht (assuming you can claim the points every time you use the yacht) = 20 points..?

5 x 15mm Xenomorphs = 10 Points

LV426 = 20 Points

8 x 2mm (small) Vehicles = 4 Points (based on their size/painting time being similar to 6mm Infantry figures)..?

Total = 59 Points

I like your Natalia. I am getting tired of multi-part metal figures; they are a lot of effort and can be fragile. Your xenomorphs and scouts have come out well.

Barks