MINI WARGAMING: "New 6mm Sci-fi From GZG" (10 December 2007)

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TOP: Floating grav tanks rock!

Hi All,

GZG just came out with some new 6mm sci-fi miniatures sculpted by some great industry personalities: Thomas Pope and John Lerchey.

TMP news blurb here:

New GZG 6mm Items:

DF-X02 CGI (Contra-Gravitic Induction) Tanks
(sculpted by Tom Pope) x3 for £2.50

GBPDF-X03 Light Scout Cycles
(sculpted by Tom Pope) x6 for £2.50

GBPDF-X04 6-wheel Armoured Gun Trucks
(sculpted by John Lerchey) x3 for £2.50 GBP

TMP news link here:
http://theminiaturespage.com/news/779115/

Link to GZG here:
http://www.groundzerogames.net/

TOP: Feel like racing on circuit boards?

Thomas Pope is a great guy... he trades actively and shares a number of my miniatures interests: 6mm or x1 scale Car Wars, 6mm sci-fi, 28mm fantasy, and many, many more. Thomas and a good friend created one of the greatest miniatures archive galleries on the Internet: The Stuff Of Legends (TSOL). Chances are, if you're looking for something, you can learn more about it at TSOL. I didn't know he has a TRON fetish... LOL

Thomas Pope's Mini gallery here:
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/~tpope/miniatures/

Thomas Pope's great miniatures archive project, The Stuff Of Legends (TSOL):
http://www.solegends.com/

TOP: Mercenary gun trucks of the future!

John Lerchey is another one of the great characters of the industry... We've worked on a number of 6mm sci-fi projects together and I've always appreciated his forthright nature and great sense of humour. Like Thomas, he also maintains an active web presence with several sites. It's good to see him sculpting and it's thanks to a great company like GZG that some of the biggest fans of 6mm sci-fi can turns their projects into a share-able reality.

John Lerchey's Gaming site here:

http://okapi.andrew.cmu.edu/lerchey/www/gaming.html

John Lerchey's Miniatures Gallery site here:

http://okapi.andrew.cmu.edu/lerchey/www/Minis/

Some of John's cool, quirky humour on display:

http://okapi.andrew.cmu.edu/lerchey/www/SnowDemon/index.html

Have a great Monday!
And Happy Chanukkah to my Jewish readers!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: "6mm Sci-fi QT Minis?" (27 October 2007)

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Hi All,

This is a slightly different post than I usually write because it's primarily a call to help identify some figures rather than my usual rants, jokes, and exposes. So, reader, without further ado:

Can you identify the below miniatures?

Do you know the stock numbers or identifying names for these pieces?

Do you have a QT miniatures catalogue...
...with their OOP 6mm sci-fi or starfighter lines?

Can you send me a copy either electronically / digitally or by snail mail?

Are these even QT miniatures?

Inquiring minds WANT to know!

I want to extend many thanks to Steve C. and Andrew Parkin, who have been corresponding with me about these minis. Andrew is also the President of The Wakefield & Ossett Wargamers, who are the hosts of The Recon Gaming Show / Convention.

The Wakefield & Ossett Wargamers Club (UK) maintain a web page here:
http://uk.geocities.com/a_parkin_w_o_w/wowhome.htm

And more information about their Recon Gaming Show / Convention can be found here:
http://uk.geocities.com/a_parkin_w_o_w/wowrecon.htm

TOP: Photo #1

Two tracked vehicles and four wheeled ones.

No visible armament.

TOP: Photo #2
Four APCs that might be tracked, GEV, or grav.

Two of them have mortars mounted in the back of the vehicle.

Otherwise, no visible armament.

TOP: Photo #3
Four APCs, all hovercraft or GEV.

No visible armament.

TOP: Photo #4
Two GEV APCs, two GEV MBTs, and a tracked or GEV arty vehicle.

The MBTs and arty vehicles may be converted, hard to tell.

The MBT turrets look like modern 20th century vehicles.

And here are a few more links for the 6mm sci-fi nut:

QT Miniatures, a UK company, has apparently sold off part of their old lines, do not manufacture much of the rest, and do not maintain a web site. They have a manufacturer's entry at TMP here:
http://theminiaturespage.com/man/qt/

Snapdragon Studios, a UK company, used to make a wide variety of 6mm sci-fi terrain, but no longer produce any of these pieces that were prominently features in the Dirtside II rule book. They now concentrate on producing 25 to 28mm scenery with a smattering of pieces for other scales including some 1/300 fantasy pieces. Their site can be found here:
http://www.moondragons.com/

Force 21 is a small, not well known American company that produces a variety of resin-cast sci-fi goodies including 6mm, 10mm, 15mm, 20mm, starships, rules and more. Their web site can be found here:
http://www.iowatelecom.net/~colsten/index.html

Irregular Miniatures, a UK company, is one of the largest and oldest companies in the business. They make EVERYTHING! Their web site can be found here:
http://www.irregularminiatures.co.uk/

Scotia / Grendel Productions, a UK company, is also a very large and successful company that makes a fine line of 6mm sci-fi miniatures. Their web site can be found here:
http://www.scotiagrendel.com/index.html

And last, but not least:

Monday Knight Productions (MKP) is an American company that bought out the old 6mm sci-fi MAATAC line from Superior and makes a wide variety of other miniatures goodies. Their web site can be found here:
http://www.mondayknight.com/mkpindex.htm

Have a great Saturday!

And a Gut Shabbos to my Jewish readers!

Update (4 November 2007 at roughly 7:00am):
My buddy Covert Walrus wrote in with QT catalogue information: Thanks, CW!

As promised, from a catalog circa 1977/78

Starforce 300

SF1 GNAT one man fighter 2 for 45p*
SF2 DRAGONFLY two man fighter 45p*
SF3 MANTA Three Man Fighter 45p*
SF4 MANTA armed tug 45p*
SF5 SCARAB one man fighter 2 for 45p*
SF6 DOVE Courier ship 2 for 45p*
SF7 DOLPHIN Freighter 1.70*
SF8 PYTHON deep space tug 45p*
SF8A PYTHON with Laser/drive unit 1.60*
SF8B PYTHON with warp shields 1.60*
SF8C PYTHON as 8B & tractor beam 1.60*
SF9 Laser Unit 60p
SF10 Star Drive 60p
SF11 DELTA command ship 1.60*
SF10A Warp Drive and turret 1.15
SF12 MANTA warp shields/scanner 1.60*
SF13 STARFIRE armed space yacht 1.70*
SF14 MOCCASIN Raider 2 for 45p
SF15 6 assorted turrets 25p
SF16 MOCCASIN APC 2 for 45p
SF17 MOCCASIN Hover Tank 2 for 45p
SF18 Combi Carrier with howitzer 60p
SF19 MOCCASIN Command centre 2 for 45p
SF20 INFANTRY in power armer 45p
SF21 Combi carrier/Drone launcher 70p
SF22 FALCON two man fighter 45p*
SF23 TROOPERS on JET CYCLES 4 for 45p
SF24 LASER CUTTER with crew 45p
SF25 COMPRAN riding lizard 2 for 40p
SF25A COMPRAN Infantry 45p
SF26 COMPRAN Riding lizard 2 for 30p
SF27 COMPRAN riding lizard 2 for 30p
SF28 COMPRAN Riding lizard 2 for 30p
SF29 COMPRAN Riding lizard 2 for 30p
SF30 HVY Hover tank 2 for 60p
SF30A Hvy Hover Mortar carrier 2 for 60p
SF31 ECM Hovercraft 2 for 50p
SF32 Location Hovercraft 2 for 50p
SF33 Armoured Command Centre 2 for 60p
SF34 Hvy tank [RAMORIAN] 2 for 60p
SF35 Armoured scout car [RAM] 2 for 45p
SF36 Droid Carrier [RAM] 70p
SF37 Armoured APC [RAM] 2 for 45p
SF38 Armoured Mortar carrier[RAM]2 for 45p
SF39 Howitzer carrier[RAM] 70p
SF40 EDV Carrier [RAM] 2 for 45p
SF41 Solar Lance [RAM] 70p
SF42 RAMORIAN troopers 45p
SF43 MOCCASIN Hover Truck 2 for 50p
SF44 Half Track Truck [RAM] 2 for 50p
SF45 Drones for SF21 2 for 45p*
SF46 Track pack 25p
SF47 Droids for SF36 45p
SF48 Not Available
SF49 POLARIANS super fast infantry 45p
SF50 MOLE subsurface tank 60p
SF51 MOLE subsurface APC 60p
SF52 MOLE subsurface mortar 60p
SF53 Waspcopter 45p*
SF54 Lt. Hover tank [SOL MARINE] 4 for 45p
SF55 Lt. SP gun [SOL MARINE] 4 for 45p
SF56 Lt.APC [SOL MARINE] 4 for 45p
SF57 SOL MARINE Lander 3.75

* denotes wire and clear plastic flight stand.
Spelling as per original document.

Shabbat Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: New 6mm Sci-fi Aliens From Baccus!

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TOP: Command Horizon, 6mm Sci-fi as only Baccus could do it!

Hi All,

Peter Berry of Baccus does it again. I'm happy to share his latest miniatures news and photos of his new product:

TOP: New FLABs AKA Centauroids with APCs.

We've been promising to release some infantry for the Centaurs for some while now. I'm pleased to be able to say that not only are the FLAB infantry now available, but we've also released two Armoured Personnel Carriers for them. A Light and a Medium version. And to be even-handed, the Humans get some Air-support with the addition of a Fighter.

You'll find piccies and full details at:
www.commandhorizon.com

TOP: Another view of a FLAB APC section with accompanying infantry.

We're also working away on the next update to the CH rules themselves which will allow you use the Centaur modules and infantry to full effect. We've been chatting about Combat Engineers some really nasty Area Denial rules and all sorts of goodies. As ever, there's still lots more yet to come in the Command Horizon ranges.

Cheers,
Peter.

I've long been of fan of Peter's and am very happy to see the Baccus brand name attached to a new 6mm sci-fi game. I've participated in the development of the game contributing to the background and game mechanics although I can confidently say that the existing Command Horizon rule set is primarily the genius work of Peter and his chief caster AKA henchman, Igor. And, of course, the fans like myself have been a big part of the development of the game as well!

His new FLABs AKA Centauroids are very cool 6mm sci-fi aliens and the accompanying range of miniatures is outstanding... He's already done more with this range than Gladiator did in all the years they had it.

And, oh... what's a FLAB? Here's the background story:

TOP: A front view of a FLAB AKA Centauroid infantry stand.

Over the last couple of months you’ve witnessed the release of a number of Centaur vehicles - but what about the beings behind them? Why are they called ‘Centaurs’ and where do they come from?

Their full story is yet to be published. What was known of them prior to the first and devastating contact of 2607 came to us from the Intelligence Service of the secretive ‘Sisters of Galactic Enlightenment’.

Their contact was the result of tenuous and as yet undisclosed forms of communication with the aliens. It was from these initial impressions that the term ‘Centaur’ first came into use. Little of the physical appearance was apparent from the contact other than that they were quadrupeds with two arms and bilateral symmetry. It proved too tempting to link them to the Centaur race of ancient Greek Mythology and that name was adopted. In fact this proved to be spurious as their appearance proved to be nothing like the half-man, half-horse of legend.

TOP: A rear view of a FLAB infantry stand.

It’s not known who first coined the term ‘FLABs’ for the Centaurs. It certainly originated in the military and was in wide usage from the very earliest campaigns against them. The origin is as a simple acronym, whose most acceptable rendering is ‘Four Legged Alien Beings’. It is an absolute certainty that the original wording was less ‘correct’ in its language.

And here's one of the preview photos of the new human fighter release:

TOP: The Human Skyfighter!

Have a great Wednesday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

GAMING NEWS: Command Horizon & Maksim's Gaming!

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Hi Everyone,

Despite my myriad chores and lack of enough gaming, this past weekend wasn't a total loss...

I spent part this past weekend beating a video game, something I haven't done in several years. My roommate succesfully got me hooked on a computer game almost four months ago; he got me interested in Knights of The Old Republic, a Star Wars roleplaying game that came out way back in 2003. You can learn more about the game here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Knights_of_the_old_republic

Since then a sequel has come out and even another sequel is rumored to be out sometime next year. Parts of the game were pedantic, but overall, I enjoyed the experience. The music and graphic were spot on... it very much captured the experience of being in a Star Wars movie... at least as I imagined it!

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In other hobby news, I've been very busy with writing for the new Baccus sci-fi game that is now available.

You can learn more about Baccus here:
http://www.baccus6mm.com/

And you can check out the Yahoo support group for Command Horizon, the new Baccus 6mm sci-fi game here:
http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/commandhorizon/

A message from Peter here:

I'll put and end to the waiting and speculation and announce that I've finally released the Command Horizon SF range and it is now available. Very shortly I'll be unveiling a brand new web site devoted solely to the CH range, but for the moment you'll be able to find all the information on the models and the prices if you visit the Baccus site.

As well as the models themselves we'll be producing a range of accessories and scenics. The first of these can be found at the above link and is a range of pre-cast bases with different surface finishes. We've been using these ourselves for mounting the demonstration models and they work great, saving loads of time and effort and producing a great end result.

And because we all want to play games with our little men and little tanks we've even produced a set of rules to allow you to do just that. These are currently available as a FREE pdf download which you can access from the Baccus site.

These releases don't indicate that we've stopped work on the range - far from it. Planning is already well underway for more human releases and the first of the Alien races. We hope you enjoy both the models and the rules. We've had a great time working on both.

Cheers,
Peter Berry
Baccus 6mm
http://www.baccus6mm.com/

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I have also been very busy with a hobby project that I never expected to ever get involved with: I'm building a WHFB (Warhammer Fantasy Battles) army in 28mm... oh, heretical scale!

My friend Nils invited me to join him in a game and when I learned that Thomas Foss, one of the big kahunas of Flagship Games was involved as well as Aron Clark, Dirtside II and ASQL (Alien Squadleader) maestro, I couldn't turn them down. Additionally, Harry and Terry of Screaming GIs fame, recently got interested in WHFB and if two seriously dedicated historicals nuts like them can get involved, why can't I?

Not long after I considered getting involved, A-1 Comics on Sunrise had a huge sale of Reaper miniatures so I picked up a ton of Reaper's beautifully cast 28mm Razig's Revenge undead pirates at a steal, or should I say plunder! ...too cool.

I've been working on that army since. This past weekend, I stopped by Michaels, a craft shop, to pick up a little bag of seashells to put on the bases of the figures. I'm going for the whole "Pirates of the Carribean" undead pirate theme.

And to think that Bill from the former Hobby Workshop game store spent years trying to convince me to buy into a WHFB army. He almost had me sold when he told me I could build a Tomb Kings army based on the ancient Hebrews complete with an Ark of the Covenant. I miss that old shop... it was full of character and... um, characters! LOL

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Have a great a day and a great Thanksgiving if I don't get to blog sooner!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.


Notes regarding photos / pictures: These are not all my images. I am using various images from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).

MINI WARGAMING: Cool E-A Necron Scratchbuilder!

Hi Guys,

Wow! The Epicomms boards are down, but a new poster, PipBoy, has put up some great photos of some of his custom work for Epic-Armageddon on the temporary standby until CyberShadow restores the boards... Orkz, Eldar, Necrons and Space Marines, oh my! ...very impressive!

TOP: PipBoy's home-made Necron Pyramid.

You can find more here at his blog:
http://scc13hq.blogspot.com/

Have a great Thursday!

Shalom,
Maksim-Smelchak.

Notes regarding photos / pictures / videos: These are not all my images and videos. I am using various images and videos from around the web, mostly from public sources and/or private sources used with permission. I have tried to include only images and videos under public domain, creative commons, or fair use. If I have inadvertently violated any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove your image/s (if it is indeed an infringement).