Red Planet FUBAR Battle Report

By popular request: a report from the first battle fought on my new Red Planet board. Enjoy!

Background: Conquest System - the moon of Miniatus. A Conquest Development Corporation firebase suddenly lost all communications with a nearby uranium mine. Major Curker took a personal interest in this operation (for reasons unknown), and ordered the 369 Expeditionary Squad to accompany him on an investigation. They found the remains of a slaughter, and instantly their dropship's scanners indicated unidentified bio readings. As the dropship lifted off to investigate, one of the 369 fire-teams found evidence within a colony building. It was a claw from a Bio-T (bio-terror) Warrior - what CDC troopers informally called "Space Demons." Major Curker ordered the men to split up and take fire positions - the Bio-T's had to still be nearby. Just as he signalled the dropship to return, he heard the corporal from Fireteam B shout "Bio-T's Inbound!"

Game: A quick FUBAR solo battle. The CDC forces (Rebel Minis Titan Marines with a Laserburn commander) were broken into three units: Fireteams A and B, and Major Curker's personal command team. They began the game deployed into my colony buildings (BWS Starotwn Slums). The Bio-T's (Khurasan Space Demons) have a Queen, a unit of eight Warriors, and a unit of eight Acid Spitters. If a unit of Warriors or Spitters were killed off, I would roll a D6. A replacement swarm would arrive on a roll of 4-6. The Space Demons arrived from a random table edge and had Initiative for the first round.

Victory Conditions: A straight bloodbath - no objectives. I set a limit of ten turns, and then the CDC Dropship would arrive to evacuate any CDC survivors.

Turn One: The Bio-T's quickly ran into the colony. The Spitters made it in first and assaulted Fireteam A. Two troopers died instantly, and they were hit so quickly they didn't kill any Spitters in return. The Queen and warriors came about next. Major Kurker opened fire on the Queen... she met his gaze and prepared her own assault. Fireteam B fired upon the spitters, killing three.

Turn Two: The spitters quickly finished off Fireteam A, but lost two of their number in the process. Fireteam B shot far more accurately and killed the remaining Spitters. The Warriors now assaulted Fireteam B while the Queen advanced on the Major and his command team.

Turn Three: In a brutal melee, Fireteam B lost three members and three Warriors were killed. The Queen killed one of the Major's men in close combat.

Turn Four: The survivor from Fireteam B (who was apparently the child of Ripley and John McClane and raised on a diet of titanium nuggets) made five successful armor saves as he killed another Warrior. The melee continued with the Major wounding the Bio-T Queen.

Yes... this happened!

Turn Five: The Queen was killed. The final member of Fireteam B fell in combat, taking another Warrior with him.

Turn Six: The final two Warriors, now without their Queen and under fire from the victorious Major, retreated from the buildings.

Turn Seven: Major Curker and the two surviving members of his squad wiped out the retreating Bio-T Warriors. They had survived the onslaught, but nine of their troopers had died in the process.

Aftermath: The Major's personal dropship evacuated him from his carnage. It had identified a large canyon filled with the bugs, including at least one more Queen. Major Curker alerted his firebase to mobilize all troops for assault... this wasn't over yet!

Analysis: The inspiration for this game took nothing more than setting up a few buildings and terrain pieces on my newly-finished table and grabbing some minis off the shelf. Yet it made for a quick and enjoyable game! FUBAR's simple framework can provide an "instant game" with minimal preparation time and bookkeeping - to me, that captures the essence of 15mm Science Fiction gaming.

Cheers,

Chris

Khurasan Colossus - Taking Shape

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Fast and dirty pic of the developing paint job on Khurasan Miniatures' Space Demon Colossus.

Khurasan Miniatures 15mm Sci Fi
Space Demon Colossus

1. Black undercoat
2. GW Shadow Grey drybrush
3. GW Scab Red drybrush
4. GW Kommando Khaki/Scab Red drybrush on highlights

...and that's where I'm leaving it till the weekend when I can paint the model in daylight. You can see some dark patches at the back of the Colossus - this is where I was experimenting with painting a Scab Red 'honeycomb' camo effect with a wet brush before doing it for real. I'm going to work this pattern along the back of the carapace and possibly on the legs.

Update:

I've returned to the study several times this evening to admire how the Colossus has turned out. I'm really happy with the subtle, but as Paddy says, "menacing" tones. I was going to go full White Dwarf paint job on it, but you know - it works for me as is - will still honeycomb the carapace and I'll pop up some better photos of it skulking amongst terrain when I have some daylight.

Cheers
Mark
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Monday Night Bodyswerve

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Came home from work enthused and ready to finish painting the Rebel Minis 15mm Spec Forces figures I was dabbling with yesterday. And then I got distracted.......

First up, a GZG headswop (pack SG15-XH2) on a Rebel Minis 15mm Spec Forces Operator with HK at Alert Carry.

I needed to change the head as it was miscast with the left goggle lens much higher than the right - it reminded me of that episode of Citizen Smith where Tucker's wife knitted balaclavas for our errant urban revolutionaries! So it had to go and hey presto! - we get 'Carmen' (Angie Jibaja), Peruvian SF assigned to the Ghosts (yeah right!).

Then whilst I had the glue out and bit of space to work on - I decided to put together Khurasan's Space Demon Colossus.

It is a beautiful model. Once again, the photo here does not do it justice. It is really scary in it's own right and will be the pride of your Hive Army! The tripod leg design is a masterpiece!

Click on pic for larger image

Some construction tips:

1. Make sure the legs are straightened before you attach them.

2. Attach the back leg first!

3. The two front legs will not fit firmly without some work. I cleaned out the sockets with an old craft knife but even then be prepared to clip the tabs on the legs slightly to allow a snug fit.

4. Put a small layer of Miliput/Green Stuff or Epoxy resin in the bottom of the socket to make for a really firm long-lasting grip.

5. The metal is like cheese to work with. Strong but carves/cuts easily. Careful when prepping the model.

In all, 5 minutes to prep, 5 minutes to sort the leg attachments, 5 minutes to glue/hold the legs in place. I thought the legs would take much longer, but even with the extra 'work' - no time at all!

Back to undercoating this beauty and painting more miniatures.......

Cheers
Mark
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Khurasan "Greeblies" fini!

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Khurasan Miniatures 15mm Sci Fi
Space Demon Nymphs

(click on picture for larger image)

Really enjoyed painting these little 'greeblies' from Khurasan and thoroughly recommend them!

A complete contrast in size, I've begun working on the Space Demon Collossus. Taking my time as it's a beautiful model and deserves respect.

Khurasan Miniatures 15mm Sci Fi
Space Demon Colossus (top view)

Notice the tabs on the legs that securely hold them to the model and provide additional strenth/stability. More pics later.

Cheers
Mark
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Space Nymph - Martian Greeblies

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Khurasan Space Demon Nymphs - painted as Martian (Red Planet) 'Greeblies'. I started painting them as 'desert' greeblies but Red Planet is more interesting and whilst black/dark grey would have been a better colour contrast - it's too hackneyed for my taste.

Space Nymphs on a 30mm MDF base

Space Demon Nymph.
6mm high

I'm basing each pack as 2x 2 Nymphs on 30mm bases and 1x 4 on a 40mm Base. Despite NOT wanting to turn to black/dark grey - I think they would be great as a toxic swarm in a post apocalyptic urban setting......

Cheers
Mark
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Khurasan Miniatures: Space Demon Colossus!

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Khurasan Miniatures 15mm Sci Fi
Space Demon Colossus $11.99 each
Nymphs (left) $3.99 for eight
Space Demon Assault Warrior -
(right) $5.99 for eight

The Colossus is just that! It's big! I mean it's BIG! 65mm approx to highest part of ridge on his back. Legs are 50mm tall and oh my Zod! It's beautiful!

These behemoths are perfect to round out an Alien Squad Leader 'Hive' army uing Khurasan's Space Demons. ASQL I can see at least three of these monsters on my tabletop in the near future, taking on 28mm as well as 15mm humans.

The Space Demon Nymphs are four legged razor backed bugs. They are moulded to a square base 10mm across and 6mm at their highest point. There's two variants - I didn't notice until I started painting them. I'm sure they will very nicely fit into a variety of scurrying and swarming roles across Sci Fi, Pulp, VSF, Post Apocalyptic genres.

There's something about these Nymphs that reminded me of Paul Winfield's fate in Damnation Alley (1977).

The Space Demon Colossus are $11.99 each, whilst the Nymphs are $3.99 for eight.

Available NOW from:

WWW.KHURASANMINIATURES.TRIPOD.COM

Cheers
Mark
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First 15mm Sci Fi Purchases of 2010 - Mantis Stalkers

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My first 15mm Sci Fi purchase of 2010 falls to Khurasan Miniatures' new Mantis Stalkers.

Khurasan Miniatures 15mm Mantis Stalkers

I also added more Felids to the order as they are beautiful sculpts and a real pleasure to paint, plus Hammerhead Space Demons!

I'm going to see how I go with these first packs of Mantis Men. I think will make a great alternative to the hackneyed ALIEN and other 'BUG' (Mr Rico) gaming genres.

Oh! Don't get me wrong, I love a good Xenomorph vs Marines game but these Mantis are the stuff of nightmares....

...back to the next painting stage for those Nazi Zombies!

Cheers
Mark
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More Hammerhead Space Demon Pics

Emptying the Sim Card on my camera this morning I found these pics of an alternative paintjob I've used on my Khurasan Miniatures 15mm Hammerhead Space Demons. This more fleshy scheme came about as Heather didn't like the pale 'Pitch Black' paint job and wanted me to try something more "feral". So I painted several of my Space Demons like this for her and she's really happy with the result.


It's a Citadel Bleached Bone basecoat with an old GW Flesh Wash and a very very light Citadel Devlann Mudd wash on the tail. To produce the highlights, I ran the tip of my finger along the high points of the model such as the crest of the skull before the ink had fully dried.


I have to say my own preferred paint scheme is Citadel Bleached Bone with Devlann Mudd Wash accenting, for a 'Pitch Black' Demon effect as described in one of my previous posts. It's just more 'menacing' and 'other worldly' IMO.

For me, these Hammerheads are the real star of Khurasan's Space Demon range....and I want more!!!!!

Cheers
Mark

Space Demons Paint Job

Hammerhead Space Demon

Khurasan Miniatures 15mm
Hammerhead Space Demon

Citadel Bleached Bone as base, Devlan Mudd Wash,
drybrushed with 2 parts Bleached Bone to 1 part white

I wanted a look for my Hammerhead Warriors that wasn't movie Aliens glossy or metallic black, and somewhat closer to the creatures in the movie Pitch Black.


Think I did quite well.

Cheers
Mark

On The Run......... An AMBUSH ALLEY After Action Report: Part 1

KLAXION 5
DAY 3 ......SUNSET IMMINENT

THC144007C:
"Keep moving grunts! Keep moving! 70 Klicks left to the outpost. How long before we have satellite cover?"










TCM146345G:
"Perigee in 27 minutes boss!"

TCM1578993J:
"Movement on the flank boss! I count 3, no six, nine....scanner's gone of the wall. Boy they're fast!"

TCM146345G:
"We're being followed......"




THC144007C:
"......No. We're being hunted."

Life, Work, The Universe....Ship's Cats

Been a little distracted over the last couple of days by two new recruits at Dropship Horizon.....

Guess which one of the pair is the rascal?

You don't mean me?

There will be a detailed review of Khurasan's new Space Demons with comparisons photos against GZG and QRF's Xeno's sometime on Friday (GMT).

Next week the Master Chef is stepping into the breach to unveil Dropship's free 'Quick and Dirty' character based Sci Fi skirmish game - FREE TRADERS and SPACE COWBOYS . Background, Characters, Stats, Patrons, Combat rules and Missions.

Just thought I'd mention that I read a really interesting article in a 2004 edition of National Geographic about modern day 'Overlanders' which really fleshed out for me the 'cowboy' context of Joss Whedon's Sci Fi epic series, Firefly.

And in the following week, I will be getting back to Rebel Minis Alien Greys as I want to get some games in with these guys for which Heather has come up with a truly inspired terrain piece.


Cheers
Mark

Space Demons Make Planetfall!!!

The first images have begun to emerge from the security cameras in the tunnels of Exenogeni Research facility at Mt Liang Shan. Officials speaking on behalf of the............

I am delighted to announce that Khurasan Miniatures Space Demons have finally made planetfall!

15mm Space Demons
(Click here for more information)

The man-size warriors come in three types, Assault Warriors (four different body poses and two different separate heads), Infiltrator Warriors (four different body poses and two different separate heads) different separate heads) and Hammerhead Warriors (four different body poses and one head variation). The huge (28mm) command creatures (King and Queen Space Demons) come with separate heads and back spines, which are interchangable.

More information is available at the Khurasan Miniatures website (Click here).

Click on the Space Demons Label below for more photos and a preview of the Space Demons here on DROPSHIP HORIZON.

Cheers
Mark

Life Work The Universe......and The Space Demon of all Hangovers!

I spent yesterday with the Space Demon of all hangovers! It felt these guys were running around inside my head. I could even hear the 'blips'......!!!

But it was worth it! I was out on Friday night with four very attractive young women, most of whom have beem my colleagues over the past seven months. I was Top Dog for the evening and boy did I have fun!

One of the girls introduced both me and Hen. a teetotaller, to an awesome nip - a Slippery Nipple (Aberdeen style), Grenadine, Sambuca and Baileys Irish Cream. Knock back in one - and to quote John Travolta in Broken Arrow: GODDAMN WHAT A RUSH!

The party moved from the 'Still, to the Prince of Wales for a shot (longest bar in Scotland btw) then onto the Vodka Bar. It was a late, late night.

Saturday morning I found myself on the sofa covered in the dog blanket.......

Despite the self inflicted pain, the day was barely lost due to a bitterly cold NE wind which rattled the windows and made the hills disappear in a thick mist of snow. A good day to nurse my head and stay inside. So, I quietly spent the rest of the morning preparing these absolutely lovely Space Demons from Khurasan Miniatures for painting. They were a real joy and it was fun working out different head positions to create as much variation as possible. I took a few more photos which I'll pop up later today or tomorrow.

Jon's next Sci Fi releases from Khurasan will be the Garn (Lizard warriors) and he's talking about supporting the range with Garn armour too. I was given a platoon box of GZG Kra'Vak tanks as a Christmas present. These will be the mainstay of my Garn armour.

Just before mid-day postie arrived with the order I'd placed with GZG earlier in the week. I used the money from a small bonus cheque to enlarge my wheeled Mid-Tech AFV footprint to encompass a platoon of 8 Wheeled APCs plus a V15-52A 8-wheel Fire Support Vehicle/Mobile Gun System (Tank Killer).

This is a great model. I'll get a second one for the tabletop and that will give me a discrete stand alone Mid-Tech force. I think I'm drawn to these GZG 8 wheelers because the first Airfix kit I had as a child was the Sdkfz234/4. My uncle Tony was a kit modeller who made/painted one for me.

Looking at the model - with an eye to a quick 234/2 style kitbash, I feel that if Jon dropped the rear compartment to mirror the slope of the fenders then it could possibly make for quite a sleek armoured car/ ATGW vehicle.

I am left with a problem now of where to fit in my DLD Kamodo HFS model. I only have one but it's beautiful. It just doesn't fit in any of my current ORBATaa - though I suppose it's not a problem as Alien Squad Leader rejoices in encouraging you to field AFV's in ones and two's, allowing you to get your favourite models on the tabletop without having to speand a fortune on a whole platoon of them.

After following some threads on TMP regarding the Eureka 300 club, I've committed to 50 'Non'Aslan' Sci Fi Lion troops and 50 Ventaurans (based on Denizen Miniatures very nice 25mm figures). Just wanted to give the figures and those who want them some additional support.

To be honest, I think I'll still go ahead and have my own small but discrete range of 'Zod Commandos' (Dropship Horizon 2009©) in elipitcal helmets sculpted, cast and sold privately through Dropship.

It's been an outstanding week for news and releases from Khurasan, Rebel Minis, GFI and GZG. I have to say that GZG took me completely by surprise with all it's goodies. Going to have to make a plan......or end up with a lot of models and nothing to show for it!

Cheers
Mark

15mm Space Demon PREVIEW

80 Rebel Minis 15mm Earth Force Marine grunts finally arrived today following a slight detour via HM Customs. They are GOOD! Oh! They are good! STRIKER II ahoy!

So.....a quick teaser pic tonight of the Space Demons which came yesterday.

RUN Forrest! RUUUUUNNNN!
(It's called a tactical withdrawal)
Khurasan Miniatures 15mm Space Demons
(L-R, Space Demon King, Infiltrator and Assault Warriors)

Full reviews and comparison photos to follow. Stay Tuned!

Cheers
Mark

They Come In The Night..........Mostly

It's been a fraught weekend spent recovering my final data analysis after it finally decided to go tits up at five to six on Friday. It was only due for submission to the CEO and Corporate Directors at 8.00am this morning, with a presentation followed by Q&A session this afternoon.

Well, I have to say the gods were looking after me as the mishap had several major positive ramifications. The long and the short being that I AM TOP DOG! And my hard work is recognised by the CEO!

Here's Johnny!

I drove all the way home this evening grinning from ear to ear! Seven months work vindicated. And to cap it all, there's a package waiting for me inside the front door. Rebel Minis or Khurasan? Rebel Minis or Khurasan?


It's my first order of Space Demons from Khurasan Miniatures! Well, I may have come home Top Dog, but these minis ARE the Dogs Bollocks!

I haven't got them all out of their ziplock bags and I already want more! Especially that Space Demon King. Luckily I intend buying some of Khurasans new Vikings in a month or so and will just include these in the order.

There are 5 Space Demon types: Space Demon King, Queen, and then Infiltrator, Hammerhead and Assault Warriors. The 3 warrior types have 4 different bodies and separate heads to allow for plenty of variation.

15mm Space Demon Infiltrator Warrior

You can find out more about the Space Demons in my previous entry here (Click here if you want to know more).

Jon at Khurasan is currently preparing the Space Demon web page for his online shop, which should be ready soon. I'll write a full review in a few days time, with comparison shots against GZG and Rebel Minis figures. Afraid it will have to wait till I've got the final report to the Scottish Government done and dusted and I can regain my sanity and 20 hours a week of my life.

Cheers
Mark

IN THE PIPE... 15mm Xenomorphs

There is an ancient nightmare in the consciousness of many races.
A terror that transcends the reaches of galactic space.
A horror waiting, quietly, patiently in the darkness......
..... for mankind.

I'm pleased to be able to announce a new range of 15mm Xenomorphs in development at Khurasan Miniatures. Jon has been kind enough to provide me with photos of the greens as they've been sculpted. The detail and animation is just mouth watering!

Space Demon King - detail

With Jon's permission I will describe the background to the range and publish pics of the SPACE DEMON KING green. More pics of the various miniatures in the range will follow as they near production.

What I can tell you now is that you
are going to be blown away mister!

There are two types of Space Demon xenomorphs - Royalty and Warrior.

ROYALTY:

• The Queen Space Demon is an enormous telepathic commander, some 25mm tall, who reproduces the warrior types whose will commands and directs the Space Demon Assault Warriors.

• The Space Demon Kings are huge and highly intuitive creatures, as big as a queen, and again 25mm tall. They are the assault leader and linebreaker, but also leader of the infiltrator warriors. One or more may be spawned by the queen when very large numbers of prey are present and have advanced weaponry.

Space Demon King (Green)
from Khurasan Miniatures

WARRIORS:

• Space Demon Infiltrator Warriors are usually hatched when they are likely to be in environments where they will be isolated. (Like one single infiltrator on a human spaceship, for instance!) They are silent stalkers who are more intelligent than the other warriors and don't need the telepathic commands of the queen to function. However they also appear en-masse when a Space Demon King has spawned, and will work to outflank the enemy and assassinate his leadership to support the king's frontal attacks. At the same time a few of them will serve as the king's immediate bodyguard in the centre of the line when he is present.

• Space Demon Assault Warriors stay with the queen and launch themselves headlong at the enemy, always at her instruction. They are the cannon fodder of the hive, warrior drones that count the enemy guns by expending their lives, etc.

• Space Demon Hammerhead Warriors are specialist scouts using their extremely enhanced senses to find the enemy and telepathically report on their location from far away.

You're gonna need a bigger BLIP!