Thursday 28 May 2015

Fantastic Horizons - Fund Raiser

Help David McBride of Splintered Light Miniatures



David has reached out to the gaming community to ask for our help in fulfilling his family's dream of adopting a son. So far the response from the gaming community has been very positive and he reached out to use here at Dropship Horizon to help spread the word.

So, to explain what is up, here are David's own words...


As you may know, Lucy and I began the process of adopting a little boy from China almost a year ago. We have approval to adopt and are months away from being able to go get our boy. We are naming him Caleb Robson McBride, and he is 2 years old. 

The cost of this adoption is roughly 35k, including the cost of traveling over to China to get him. We have several plans to raise money, including a garage sale, a t-shirt sale, and a special pack of miniatures from my side business, Splintered Light Miniatures. 

One of the exciting things we have seen in this process is how the whole community of our family and friends has been involved in helping us. I would like to ask you to consider contributing to our adoption in two main ways.

1. BUY a T-SHIRT! I've attached the design for our t-shirt fundraiser. Each shirt is $20. Sizes are youth xs-xl and adult s-xl, (2xl and 3xl are two dollars extra) Cash and check or EASIEST....go to paypal.com and choose send $ to friends and family and send to Lucy’s email lucyjmcbride@gmail.com Indicate which sizes you want in the comment section. We are closing out this on June 1st, so just a few more days left! Photo attached!


2. Buy a pack of special unpainted miniatures for $25 or get a set painted and on a wooden base for $50. These figures were done by 3 of my sculptors—2 of whom donated their time and expertise to get them done. The link to get these figures painted or unpainted is http://www.splinteredlightminis.com/chco.html


After we have paid for the adoption, $22 of every set sold will go to House of Grace, the foster home in China that has taken such great care of our boy thus far and is a home to 15 precious children at a time. They live by faith for resources to come and do a great job with what they are given. It is our hope and prayer that we will be able to support them and their work long after Caleb is home with us.

Included in the pack is a Chinese Dragon, 2 Panda Bears, a Panda Kung Fu Master, a Chinese Princess, 2 Fu Dogs, a Hu Hsien (Fox Spirit), all sculpted by Faron Betchley; as well as a Chinese Warrior, sculpted by Rodrick Campbell; and a Kirin, sculpted by Sandra Garrity. All figure are for 15mm.

Thanks and please let me know if you have any questions about anything,

David

Tuesday 19 May 2015

Mr. Harold's Hobby Stuff - FloryModels Clay Wash

Hey everyone!

While I have my favorite wash for painting infantry models (Army Painter Strong Tone) I've never been able to find a wash I was particularity happy with for vehicles.

Using the Strong tone (or Dark tone) on vehicles can be problematic because it tends to stain even the raised parts which can darken the whole model.  The solution to this has been to use an AK Interactive Enamel wash which can applied and then wiped off with a Q-tip and mineral spirits.

I disliked using the enamel paints since they can be more odorous than the water-based paints, and it necessitates having a different system to clean the brushes.

I recently managed to stumble upon a new wash, a FloryModels.co.uk Clay-based acrylic wash called Dark Dirt.


The great thing is that I can use it as the AK Interactive wash and simply apply it all over the model.  Once it dried I also use a Q-Tip but armed with only water instead of mineral spirits or thinner.

I tried it on my Recon Assault Transport (RAT from http://www.clearhorizonminiatures.com) after a base coat of light grey:


I've also used it on some light tanks from Darkest Star Games.  

The model before the wash

The wash still wet, straight from the bottle.

Once the wash has dried I use damp q-tips and makeup sponges to remove excess wash

Just needs decals!

Another angle showing the effects of the wash.
As you can see, the process is very easy with great results.  And you can always remove it if you don't like the effect and want to start over.

Once you've gotten it to where you like it I would seal it with a varnish.  If you put decals on first make sure to varnish the decals before putting the wash on, as the process for removing the wash might remove the decals too.

The only problem with the wash is that it's hard to find!  I picked mine up at SprueBrothers.com but it appears they are out of this specific wash.   It also appears that Flory Models might be on vacation or something?  

I'll update this if I find another source or brand of clay-based wash, but otherwise I highly recommend it!







Brigade Models releases the PacFed Armoured Infantry!

Available at: Brigade Models


We've had a figures in our 15mm range for some time - aliens, bounty hunters, Power Armour, tank crew etc - but none of what every army really needs, some ground-pounding grunts to go in where it hurts. We're happy to have corrected that now with the release of our first infantry range, PacFed Armoured Infantry.


These are fully armoured troopers with enclosed helmets. There are nine packs available including riflemen, support and heavy weapons and command figures. There is also a 32-man platoon pack plus a 3-man crew for our Mercenary Combat Car.



SF15-750 – Riflemen (x8) – £3.00
SF15-751 – Support Weapons (x8) – £3.00
SF15-752 – Command Figures (x8) – £3.00
SF15-753a – Tripod MG plus crew (x2) – £3.00
SF15-753b – Tripod Railgun plus crew (x2) – £3.00
SF15-753c – Tripod Gatling plus crew (x2) – £3.00
SF15-753d – Tripod Tri-barrel plus crew (x2) – £3.00
SF15-754 – Combat Car Crew (x3) – £1.25
SF15-755 – Rifle Platoon (x32) – £11.00


Thursday 14 May 2015

Ion Age on Patrol

Patrol Angis Rules Go Into Pre-Order With New Offers From The Ion Age



It is with great pleasure and excitement that I announce the pending release of the ion Age rules set "Patrol Angis".

Gavin (Syme) has been muttering to me about this for a long time now but never anything concrete and specific. It has been a project on his work table for as long as I have known him and to see it coming to be, in print, is an amazing thing. 

While I have no special insight into its internal workings, I do know that Patrol Angis is something new that draws on something classic - Space Opera science fiction with a strong theme and set piece universe. These are rules written for the Ion Age specifically and while there are plenty of rules sets for 15mm science fiction, few of them are designed with a particular universe in mind. This one is and that and promises to include all the elements we assume for such a work.


Gavin has released a massive blog post covering the pre-order of this product and rather than try to reprint it here, I will link to his original post. There is so much to be said about it that you really should head over - HERE

And before I forget, like I have for over two weeks now (sorry Gavin), there is a new special figure for the month of May. There is still plenty of time to pick up one of these free figures with any purchase from the Ion Age. This month's special miniatures is the Militia Drill Sergeant

As usual you will get one of these miniature free with your purchase until the end of May, 2015. You can also purchase them separately if you just want the figure or want to get extras. I personally feel this figure is a great character model in his own right and would work perfectly for some gritty space hero or villain in just about any game.



News From Brigade

Brigade Models Releases Some Great 15mm


Brigade has been steadily pushing out new elements for their own 15mm universe. Admittedly I have missed a lot of it, myself and thank the folks at Brigade for sending us an email to light a fire under us.

So what's been rolling out?

A lot!


CT-1  CT-2

Control Tower both tall and short versions. These are great for space ports, military bases or even colony administration buildings. One element of the designs that particularly appeals to me is that they are detailed but also not so much so that there isn't any room for customizing or adding your own style elements to them

SF15-111

Great news in the return of the Athena dropship to the inventory. This flyer is almost a classic in the 15mm scifi circles and it is good to see the old bird back in circulation. 

PolishHeader

If you like mid-tech vehicles, these new Polish rides will fit your bill quite nicely. The Sulwalska is the first in a new range and this vehicles hits the battlefield in three variants - APC, RFAC, and ATGW. Perfect for your light duty combat needs.

One of the biggest deals to come along for Brigade Models is the release of their own range of 15mm scifi infantry. This range is already pretty extensive and includes several awesome packs.

SF15-750
Riflemen (x8)

SF15-751
Support Weapons (x8)

SF15-752
Command (x8)

SF15-753
Tripode Weapon plus Crew (x2)
These come in three variants allowing - MG, Railgun, or Gatling

SF15-754
Combat Car Crew (x3)

Wednesday 13 May 2015

Multiverse Gaming releases new MDF Terrain ranges!



Two new lasercut terrain ranges dedicated to 15mm Sci-Fi gaming 
have been released by Multiverse Gaming: 


Outpost 15 includes the pieces needed to build a military outpost on a remote planet...


And Metropolis 15 allows for building a modern or near-future city with elevated walkways and towering buildings.




Wednesday 6 May 2015

Loud Ninja Games - Yan'drassi Released

It is with great excitement that I am happy to announce the release of our Yan'drassi miniatures. 



This range was created through a successful Kickstarter project that not only achieved its goal but managed to squeeze out a couple of extras along the way, and if that wasn't cool enough, it shipped really quick. While most of the credit for making this happen goes to the backers on Kickstarter, I have to give equal credit to the sculptor, Sean Bullough, and Gavin Syme and crew at 15mm.co.uk for their  excellent artistic and technical work - both fast and proficient.

So who are these awesome aliens?

The Yan'drassi are collective of worlds all governed by the enigmatic and seldom (if ever) seen Yan. Each client race does its part to support the greater good of the Yan'drassi. Some do this through industrial, economic, or agricultural means while others have nothing but their own citizens to offer. These worlds with nothing of great value other then their people are those that make up the fighting arm of the Yan'drassi. The most commonly encountered species within the military orders are the Neeks, Tavshar, and Horgosi.

Neeks


Neeks are a diminutive planet-bound species of humanoids who were saved from catastrophic overpopulation by the Yan'drassi. They send countless numbers of their people into the stars to fight for the Yan'drassi. Being very simple creatures, they are the lowest rung of the military order providing ample cannon fodder. 


Tavshar


Tavshar are a warrior race who, while possessed of interstellar travel and their own collection of conquered worlds, recognized a greater opportunity for proving themselves in combat by joining the Yan'drassi military order. They are artful, martial, and precise providing the military orders with a core of elite soldiers and leaders for less capable troops like the Neeks.


Horgosi


Horgosi hail from a rugged world where they exist in a pre-stellar herd culture. Horgosi males prove themselves through duels and physical feats. Joining the Yan'drassi military order saved them from being used as labor and provided them with new ways to prove themselves. They are mostly used as assault troops.


Leaders

The Yan'drassi mlitary order also includes several sorts of leaders. Often these are just senior Tavshar weilding plasma staffs that function both as ranged weapons and energized melee weapons. They also work to give a nice zap to unruly Neeks. Horgosi will not be led by regular Tavshar leaders and usually follow their own. The exception to this would be the Tavshar Primes which are elite veterans of considerable skill, power, and repute. The Horgosi also have their own Primes.

 

 



Support

The Yan'drassi military order has many weapons at its disposal for the support of its troops. This release reveal two of these in the form of the Tavshar Gun Skimmer and the Horgosi Berserker. The gun skimmer allows a single Tavshar to fly about the battlefield bringing the firepower of two plasma guns and a pair of splinter guns to the enemy. Operated in squadron, they are lethal light air support. If needed, their riders can dismount to fight in close combat with plasma pistols.


The Berserker is a dishonored Horgosi made pariah to his people by murdering an opponent in a duel. While brutal to other forms of life, the Horgoi respect their own kind and nowhere else is this displayed more than in their duels for honor and supremacy. Those Horgosi who break this sacred taboo have their horn removed as a show of disgrace and live a marginalized existence on the fringes of their society. The Yan'drassi have turned these outcasts into weapons.


Giving them powered harnesses and with integral force field generators, kinetic force gauntlets and built-in splinter guns, they are charges at the enemy, rending anything unfortunate to get in their way to scraps. If killed, the  Berserker's harness overloads and detonates in a powerful ball of plasma energy.


All of these figures are available as separate packs and in unit packs at our store on the 15mm.co.uk webiste. For more information on the packs and offers go - HERE 

Sunday 3 May 2015

May - New Month New Goodies



Some news from Gavin and crew at 15mm.co.uk both scifi and fantasy oriented (and we know those crossover nicely).


May is a new month and while we had an epic time during April the work and the fun continues apace. Really it does, no rest for the awesome. There are many new releases coming in May for 15mm.co.uk and these will be delivered weekly throughout the month. While we begin next week with 15mm science fiction from Loud Ninja Games (you all know what I am talking about don't make me Kickstart your brains!) the following week will see the release of our second 15mm fantasy set of buildings. 

The image here is a little teaser of what is coming in less than fourteen days time. Have a ponder and rub your tusks and think if you prefer yours with brown or green skin. The second half of the month will be historical and SHM and also fantasy as well but more on that later.


Stay tuned for more info in the new week including information on the retail sales of the hinted at Kickstarter items.