MkII Charger APC and Maginot Tower first look on Dropship Horizon

My name is Gavin Syme.  You might know of me as 'GBS' from 15mm.co.uk or The Ion Age or in connection with Laserburn or Alien Squad Leader, perhaps USEME or HOF Fire-Team.  I am the creative manager of Alternative Armies and I run all of the above as part of my job.  A job I adore and those who know me will know that wargaming is my passion; that and making wargamers happy in 15mm scale!  I was delighted to be asked to come in as a contributor to the venerable Dropship Horizon blog.  I think I can offer a lot to this blog.  We begin today with a post that was going to appear on the 15mm.co.uk blog but instead this first look is here and only HERE on Dropship Horizon. Enjoy!  GBS

A month ago 15mm.co.uk said goodbye to the MkI Maginot Defence Tower and the Charger APC model codes in the HOF 15mm Science Fiction range.  We promised they would be back and that they would be re-mastered and more...this will happen on the 4th April 2016!  What is more the 4th of April is the start of our two week (alongside Alternative Armies and The Ion Age)  Salute Season period that will see not only many new releases and offers across those two weeks but also free worldwide postage on all orders over 10.00GBP value during the two weeks until the 18th April.  

While we will give you full information as well as loads of pictures and scale shots too when the release happens next week we wanted to tell you all as promised that they were coming and just what to expect.  Designed by Sam Croes all of these new MkII versions are 100% compatible with the original HOF27 and HOF28.  The original Maginot and Charger had resin and white metal parts. These new ones are all resin and come supplied in as few pieces as possible for easy assembly and the Charger comes with an option sprue giving a choice of configurations; turret, top hatch, buttoned up or crewman in hatch.  Here are the coming codes:

HOF27 Maginot MkII Defence Tower Kit 

HOF28A Charger MkII Wheeled APC Kit

HOF28B Charger MkII Hover APC Kit 

HOF28C Charger MkII Tracked APC Kit 

Yes!  Originally a wheeled vehicle the Charger APC is now in a choice of wheeled, hover or tracked propulsion!

These models feature large in the Human Colonial Armies of the Alien Squad Leader rules system and are part of the sub-set of the HOF Range that is Security Force Alpha.  Click HERE to see all the SFA codes. The SFA range contains more than fifty different poses of 15mm white metal miniatures and vehicles allowing a wargamer to assemble a cohesive force for their campaigns. A whole integrated range within HOF.

All across the Human Colonies and on Terra itself there is a need for security after, during and even before the high rollers and expensive kit arrives in the battle zone. Security Force Alpha is just that force filling in as police, paramilitaries, mercenaries and planetary militias too. They are the faceless grunts that do the thankless jobs needed by all those who govern, control or enforce. Use them as you will from the near to the far future! 

Roll on 4th April!

Thanks for Reading,

GBS

SLAP Miniatures Kickstarter update

The SLAP Miniatures kickstarter is entering its last leg now. The latest update has more pictures and news of freebies...

GDF Update 6 - All the sculptings been done! And freebies?

Hi everyone,

Incredibly pleased to say that I've finally managed to finish sculpting all of the specialists!

Rather exciting, as we're on track for getting the figures into a mould next month and with any luck cast as well. Fingers crossed.

Here they are, all the specialists;

And Comms troopers rear shot;

And a group shot of all 60 GDF Rifleman and specialists, an impressive sight even if I say so myself! (A little blurry though, will try to take a better shot later.)

With regards to concept sketches, I hope you can all appreciate it was important to get the figures produced and ready for casting first and foremost. Although going forward I will endeavour to put pen to paper to show you plans for future figures.

What about these freebies you spoke of?

As a way of showing my gratitude for you all joining in on the GDF kickstarter (beyond a life time discount code for the SLAP Miniatures webstore) I'll be sure to purchase an extra few sets of soldiers in order to break them up and give everyone a couple of extra troopers or so. I'll also include some of the surplus weapon sprues that were used to make the GDF. So something for the converters out there who'd like to tinker with some of their existing collections. 

That's all for now. Looking forward to providing further updates showing photos of the moulds and models being packed up for shipping.

Kind regards

Stuart Powley

The Kickstarter can be found at the other end of this link:

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1835446295/global-defence-forces-15mm-sci-fi-tabletop-miniatu/description

15mm Ion Age Universe Characters range expands with Starport Staff pack!

“Allow me to create a society around the Prydian Precinct. One that exists with the threat of the Prydian Civil War within and the Shia Khan Empire without. The people, the law, the machines and the creatures that populate the planets, the star ports, outposts and even the seedy bars where Retained Knights would fear to tread.”

This month we add another brand new pack to the growing range on The Ion Age sculpted by Dave Foley called the 15mm Ion Age Universe Characters. We will be adding a new pack just about every month and it is my own and Mr Foley's intention to create a 15mm scale figure range that will allow you to get the 'people' of your wargaming on your table regardless of your setting. Previously we have Precinct Adventurers, Precinct Police, Precinct Dignitaries, Precinct Far Traders and now we present five more original miniatures: IAF108 Precinct Starport Staff! Go HERE or read on.

IAF108 Precinct Starport Staff

The fifth pack of 15mm characters in the Ion Age Universe range. While the mighty vessels of the Prydian Army and the Marcher Barons sail the inky blackness they do have to dock somewhere as do far traders and civilians too. There are many starports in the Precinct from the gigantic New Glastonbury Tor to the multitude of smaller and tiny ports scattered across the inhabited systems. These ports all require staff and some are better than others but all exist to serve the migrant populations that pass through their airlocks. Sculpted by Dave Foley this pack contains five different 15mm scale white metal miniatures in the following poses. Male worker hands clasped with comms gear, Male worker speaking with hands clasped behind his back and comms gear, Young Female worker gesturing with comms gear, luggage Droid on gliding feet carrying bags and lastly Male worker looking while holding box wearing comms gear. Objects are for you to decide! These miniatures are great for any science fiction or suitable genre of wargaming in 15mm scale when you want something other than warfare or soldiers on your table. As always this code can be bought as a pack or as single miniatures or select the three packs and save 10% options from the drop down menu on the page. Go HERE. Price 2.50GBP per pack.

There are the details of the previous packs:

IAF107 Precinct Far Traders

The fourth pack of 15mm characters in the Ion Age Universe range. Far Traders operate within the outer parts of the Prydian Precinct but also beyond it interacting with Marcher Barons, rebels and even aliens all in the name of trade and profit. Skilled and well armed they can be scouts, or carriers of passengers and deal in rare minerals or information. These Far Traders are excellent civilians and rogues for your collection. Sculpted by Dave Foley this pack contains five different 15mm scale white metal miniatures in the following poses. Sitting bearded male with raised finger trading goods, standing male with top knot showing off goods, young female with shouldered goods, female trader offering boxed item and lastly bearded male trader offering bottled goods. Objects are for you to decide! These miniatures are great for any science fiction or suitable genre of wargaming in 15mm scale when you want something other than warfare or soldiers on your table. As always this code can be bought as a pack or as single miniatures or select the three packs and save 10% options from the drop down menu on the page. Go HERE. Price 2.50GBP per pack.

IAF106 Precinct Dignitaries

The third pack of 15mm characters in the Ion Age Universe range. Moving around the worlds of the Prydian Precinct are those who wish to conduct government work, to support those who need their views represented and to meet with each other to discuss high matters. These Dignitaries are excellent civilian important persons for your collection. Sculpted by Dave Foley this pack contains five different 15mm scale white metal miniatures in the following poses. Female in robes carrying object, Female in robes gesturing, Man in tunic with staff and orb, Female in robes hands clasped and finally Male in tunic holding object. Objects are for you to decide! These miniatures are great for any science fiction or suitable genre of wargaming in 15mm scale when you want something other than warfare or soldiers on your table. As always this code can be bought as a pack or as single miniatures or select the three packs and save 10% options from the drop down menu on the page. Go HERE. Price 2.50GBP per pack. 

IAF105 Precinct Police

The second pack of 15mm characters in the Ion Age Universe range. Precinct Police are the local law enforcement on the worlds and colonies of the civilised Prydian Precinct who try to maintain order without the use of deadly force if possible. A first line of law and order. Sculpted by Dave Foley this pack contains five different 15mm scale white metal miniatures in the following poses. All are wearing light armour plates, a helmet and a wet weather cape. Male officer holding a control box for directing city services or droids, carrying portable signs and signal equipment, male officer with public address horn, officer with stun baton raised to strike and lastly running with stun baton. These miniatures are great for any science fiction or suitable genre of wargaming in 15mm scale when you want something other than warfare or soldiers on your table. As always this code can be bought as a pack or as single miniatures or select the three packs and save 10% options from the drop down menu on the page. Go HERE. Price 2.50GBP per pack.

IAF104 Precinct Adventurers

The first pack of 15mm characters in the Ion Age Universe range at The Ion Age. Precinct Adventurers are the kind of fellows you need in a scrap or to carry out some dangerous work in a place where the law is a little loose. Sculpted by Dave Foley this pack contains five different 15mm scale white metal miniatures in the following poses. Male adventurer kneeling with a data slab and connected viewer, a hansom male adventurer advancing aiming a Minstrel Taser pistol, male adventurer in long coat signalling a halt holding a Tumbler SMG, male adventurer wearing parts of Aketon armour and at guard pose with a Moth Rifle. Lastly a male adventurer in out moded Alwite armour bandaged head and Minstrel Taser. These miniatures are great for any science fiction or suitable genre of wargaming in 15mm scale when you want something other than warfare or soldiers on your table. As always this code can be bought as a pack or as single miniatures or select the three packs and save 10% options from the drop down menu on the page. Go HERE. Price 2.50GBP per pack.

Information Burst!

There are releases over two weeks this month and this is the first of these releases and aren’t these human's just great for any 15mm sci-fi setting? Next week we will be releasing eight new variants of the mighty super heavy Taranis tank, two on each hull type, a large laser turret and a missile support multi-launcher turret. More on those next week including pictures of course. We have had to replace the original production molds for the Xin Trade Fleet since they have worn out! You can see the Xin HERE and we want to thank you for your support with these far future Chinese and proving we were right in this new direction. 

This month our free miniature is IMP31 Padraig O'Malig. For the whole of March 2016 this 15mm scale Space Goblin is automatically put into every order at the rate of one per order regardless of order value. It can also be bought in any amount on the monthly IMP page of the website for this month only too before being withdrawn on the first of next month. Dressed in mock Irish garb and clutching a pistol and a pint of stout he is great fun and a good character for your army. The miniature is one piece in white metal and stands approx 14mm tall. We also have a special offer which is only seen on our emails. You earn reward points on all orders too through your account (we NEVER send any email or such to your account its sole function is to keep your Reward Points, sign up to our email list if you want our newsletters). We realise that some of you may wish to purchase the currently free miniature to get multiples of it without placing a lot of orders so you can do just that. Visit HERE on the website for the miniature at a fair price for a special miniature. Read the full monthly free article for March 2016 on our blog HERE.

Thanks for Reading.


GBS

New SHM Released from 15mm.co.uk

This week we release four new miniatures into the SHM 15mm Range. New unique alien miniatures all sculpted by Eli Arndt. Eli has a large presence in the SHM Range which is open to any designer to submit miniatures both sci-fi and fantasy (contact us for details on sales@15mm.co.uk) to and it means you get figures that would otherwise probably never make it into your hands. Go HERE. For full information on this release please read on.

There are now more than nearly ninety different miniatures in the SHM range and this set can be had a pack or as singles. 

SHMP24 Denizens of the Galaxy IV

This value pack contains ten white metal 15mm scale miniatures and offers a saving over single miniature purchase. A random but even and fair mix of the following miniatures: SHM84 Phase 2 Biomorph, SHM85 Stovan Servitor, SHM86 Sand Dipper and SHM87 Thorn Crawler. Great for any setting from space adventure to space opera to near future and post-apocalyptic madness with a hint of horror thrown in. You can purchase one pack or purchase three with an additional ten percent saving off list price selecting that option on the page (that 10% more than the ten percent the pack saves you already). 7.00GBP per pack.

SHM84 Phase 2 Biomorph

One 15mm scale white metal miniature. Gene Splicers have a lot to answer for and top of the list is the late 23rd century creation of Biomorphs. Assembled from the DNA of several species and speed grown in vats the Biomorphs were seeded into conflict zones where they could exist for years easily. Often sprouting faces and ever changing teeth and eyes Biomorphs can sneak up or even drop from ceilings with deadly intent. This is a large miniature about 30mm long follows up on SHM53 Biomorph. You can purchase multiples of one or select 'buy ten and save 10%' on the drop down product menu and save. 2.00GBP

SHM85 Stovan Servitor

One 15mm scale white metal miniature. Stovan used to be a byword for peace and harmony but no longer. The entire Stovan race was fungal captured by the Kilthreen in a planet wide invasion turning them into servitors. These servitors were then sold to the highest bidder across the galactic plane. Large, solid and long lived a Stovan Servitor can be a real if tragic asset. This miniature is 25mm tall. You can purchase multiples of one or select 'buy ten and save 10%' on the drop down product menu and save. 1.00GBP

SHM86 Sand Dipper

One 15mm scale white metal miniature. The Sand Dipper is a common sight on hot inner system planets across the core having been seeded by colonists centuries ago. It is a hard carapace creature expert in digging and with excellent night sight. This miniature is 10mm long. You can purchase multiples of one or select 'buy ten and save 10%' on the drop down product menu and save. 0.60GBP

SHM87 Thorn Crawler

One 15mm scale white metal miniature. Do not be made unwary by the small size of the Thorn Crawler for it is a lethal predator. Virtually every cell in its body is poisonous to all known carbon based life. This has cost countless lives and generally Thorn Crawlers are shot when seen and then burned for even handling them can result in a fatal exposure to poison. This small miniature is 7mm tall. You can purchase multiples of one or select 'buy ten and save 10%' on the drop down product menu and save. 0.50GBP

Go HERE.


Thanks for Reading.


GBS

New Research Station Buildings from Brigade Models

A few weeks back Brigade Models previewed their new 15mm Research Base buildings. The models are now all ready to go and are available from the website today. The display models have been painted in bright orange colors as an Arctic base, but the models could equally be used as a base in any other setting – jungle, mountain, desert etc. The buildings would also make a good Nissen Hut replacement for airbases or barracks.

The Research Base set includes a command center, two accomodation blocks, a garage block and storage shed, along with some clutter pieces such as a small container and storage boxes. The four buildings are also available individually.

.

B15-500 – Research Base Set -£30.00
B15-501 – Accomodation Block – £6.00
B15-502 – Command Centre – £8.00
B15-503 – Small Garage Block – £6.00
B15-504 – Storage Hut – £3.50

March in a New Special Figure from The Ion Age

IMP31 Padraig O'Malig free miniature for March 2016!

Gavin and crew keep the tradition alive and well with yet another fun-filled, inspired special figure for the month of March. The monthly special figure has become a really fun tradition from The Ion Age and because of this, the start of each month is like getting a little present. Even if you don't pick up the special miniature (why wouldn't you?), it's great fun to see what cool, crazy, and fun ideas Gavin and his designers come up with.

So, without further blather and malarkey from me, here's Gavin...

“We captured a single Malig during the repossession of Jutland Hub in the Winchester IV campaign last month. Just one. We killed thousands of them and not a single one showed any hint of pity or of self preservation. They attacked, they fought and they died. All but one. This single Goblin we captured in the smashed frames of the Glittergirls Bar on the 7th street. Glittergirls as you know is a place for fun and frolics. Well this Malig had gotten into the stocks of ale and spirits and drank itself into an almost stupor. As we swept and cleared we missed it hidden a great pile of empty Ninis bottles. Ninis is potent so we took the opportunity to put restraining cuffs on its hands and feet. When it came round we were astounded to find that it could speak our language. Rumours of Khanate brain harvesting must be in part true as this Goblin had a huge lump on its forehead which was covered by a looted Ninis brand top hat. Groggily it told us its name and its mission.

His name, for it was a Goblin male (not that the females look all that much better) was Padraig O'Malig and he was a member of the highly esteemed Kirish Clan. The Kirish was held in high esteemed by other Maligs for their feats of might as well as humour and story telling. Entry into the Kirish required being able to pass the Crack meaning to squeeze oneself through a tiny gap between standing stones. This done a full day spent in the worst conditions possible including artic or desert terrain or near total rain fall wearing only a thin fabric top garment. If survived you were named a jumper and fierce with only one test left. To get the Messages that being to steal something belonging to the largest and meanest Khanate soldier to be found including Warlords. This done the rest of the Goblins present would present to you the green uniform of the Kirish and shout as loudly as possible 'Top O the Malig tay ya' after which the graft was applied to the skull giving increased brain capacity. The Kirish accompanied Malig Tesserans into battle given the job of 'beyont' (this word does not translate) meaning deep scouting to steal or vandalise enemy hardware or strong points. The only reward it seemed was a temporary relief from the added strain of thinking called naggins (does not translate) to imbibe enough alcohol to render them senseless for many hours. Glittergirls Bar had provided this early.

Padraig seems keen enough to stay in our holding cells as long as we feed him and provide 'naggins' at regular intervals. That said in our ongoing struggle against the Shia Khan Empire the presence of the Kirish Clan could be a real problem."

Colonel Obert Johnstone, 128th Muster Regiment, Winchester IV, 4337IC.

Welcome to March at The Ion Age. After the massive response to the Xin Trade Fleet last month we are changing tack for March and expanding not only Dave Foley's 15mm civilians range with another pack release but also new releases into the Taranis Super Heavy Main Battle Tank range which will increase the total number of variants to well about the current twenty five. Hundreds of customers, IonFans we like to call them, have built up sizeable amounts of Reward Points on their accounts and are claiming not only such things as 15% or 20% off their orders but also a free Commander Murdo's Taranis Tank kit worth 20.00GBP. Our releases will happen in the first half of the month. I suggest that you join our Mailchimp email list (link on the top right) too if you have not already since our email lets you know what is going on and features a unique offer that is really worth it. This month it is an offer that would make Padraig smile!

IMP31 Padraig O'Malig

For the whole of March 2016 this 15mm scale Space Goblin is automatically put into every order at the rate of one per order regardless of order value. It can also be bought in any amount on the monthly IMP page of the website for this month only too before being withdrawn on the first of next month. Dressed in mock Irish garb and clutching a pistol and a pint of stout he is great fun and a good character for your army. The miniature is one piece in white metal and stands approx 14mm tall.

Of course you earn reward points on all orders too through your account. We realise that some of you may wish to purchase the currently free miniature to get multiples of it without placing a lot of orders so you can do just that. Visit this page on the website for the miniature at a fair price for a special miniature. There is a growing page on the Ion Age website where the current and all former IMP series free miniatures are shown so that you can see what came before. Enjoy and go HERE. 

The Maligs are short, vicious and expendable slave troops of the Shia Khan Empire. We have several packs of them plus a platoon pack with the unique 'Senga' miniature included free in it. We also have the crazy Infernus Ball flame tank which you can deploy against your foes. See all of the Maligs HERE.

We look back at what was going out free this time last year and now also in our first year too. In March 2015 it was IMP19 Happy Burger Bot and in March 2014 it was IMP07 Female Patrol Officer. You can get them in the Year Collections of formally free on our website but if you click on the links over the codes you can see the blog post from that month and year and see what else we were up to at that time. Time flies and sometimes we forget and I always enjoy the new month update and to look back at last year and further...so much done and so much still to do!

Thanks for reading.

GBS