Pulp SciFi figures

Like many of my generation I grew up watching Flash Gordon and Buck Rogers in the 25th Century (RIP Gil Gerard) which led me to love pulpy / retro SciFi. So, inspired by my games with Rich last year, I treated myself to some of Hydra Miniatures' fabulous "Retro Raygun" 32mm Pulp SF range in their annual Black Friday sale. Thus, I am pleased to introduce a new cast of characters:

The Astro-Angels

The Angels are a compact but highly capable Galacteer squad deployed for boarding actions, sabotage missions, and planetary patrol operations. Their barracks is also the source of the Angel Martini; a cocktail with a reputation across Starbase Epsilon-4 for its remarkable strength and suspiciously high fuel-cell compatibility.

Team Leader: Sergeant Stacy – Tactical leader. Cool-headed and decisive, Stacy keeps the team focused when missions go sideways, which they frequently do. 

Team Members:

• Polly Plasma – Assault trooper with nerves of steel. Known to walk straight into alien nests with only a smile and a plasma rifle.

• Trixie Tachyon – Scout and reconnaissance expert. Fast, agile, and always the first through the hatch during boarding actions.

• Vera Vega – Veteran blaster specialist and the squad’s steadiest shot in close combat.

• Cassie Comet - Practical joker and a crack shot with a Rocketship Burst Laser.

• Molly “Deadeye” Dawn – When missions require heavier firepower, Molly's signature atomic grenade launcher gleefully turns entrenched enemy positions into expanding clouds of ionized debris.

  

Technical Specialist:

• Daisy “Dynamo” – Engineer and mechanic of the Angel's rocketship Calypso. Daisy keeps the patrol ship flying long past the limits recommended by Galacteer maintenance protocols. When accompanying the team in the field, she provides technical support, demolitions expertise, and a fathomless capacity of dry wit.

  

Captain Roxanne Rayburn - Callsign: “Starfire”

As one of the Galacteer’s most capable field leaders, Starfire commands the Astro-Angels. She is renowned amongst patrol crews as calm under pressure, lethal in combat, and impossibly photogenic in danger zones. A combination that has made her a favourite subject of Galacteer newsreels and recruitment posters across the frontier worlds.

And what team doesn't need a few Red Shirts to come along as a support act? Starfire and the girls often work with Rex “Skylark” Rourke, Ace pilot, and his plasma-cannon toting buddy Bruno “Bulkhead” Kessler.

Together they keep the Galaxy safe from savage aliens, barbaric Space Pirates and the merciless Robots Legion!

Miniatures by Hydra Miniatures and based old school with sand (that I collected from Waikiki Beach!). I tried some new colours and techniques (like lipstick!) that were challenging. 

This was my final submission to AHPC16, posted here:

https://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com/2026/03/from-paul-og-galactic-gals-70-points.html

which brings this challenge season to a close - thanks once again to Curt and the amazing Minion team who bring all of the goodness together!

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Painting Notes

Pixie Pink Warpaints Fanatic AP

Sly Blue Vallejo Model Color 70961

Corvus Black GW

Moot Green GW

Flash Gitz Yellow GW

Dead white Vallejo Game Color 72001

Apothecary White contrast

Basing

Raw sand and PVA

DARK SAND Model Color 70.847

Sepia Shade Game Wash 73.200

Drybrush again with dark sand

Pick out rocks with Vallejo Game Color Bonewhite 72.034

AHPC 16: Crimean War Russian Line Infantry

Presenting my first two Russian battalions for my 28mm Crimean War project. While the Russian Army of the time was renowned for having largest cavalry contingent on the continent, Infantry still made up the bulk of the Army. These are typical Line Infantry battalions of a Regiment, each of which fielded 4.

Two Battalions with Regimental officers advancing in Attack columns 

I used different shades across the greatcoats to show varying wear and quality in pre dye-fast colours, and gave the units some identity with one unit sporting a mix of helmets and forage caps (mutzes) which became more common as the war progressed, and another with more strict NCOs ensuring all the troops wear their issued helmets! 

1st Battalion (white shoulder tabs) - all in helmets

I enjoyed a good dose of the inevitable "basing dilemma", badly overthinking it before deciding to go with groups of poorly drilled troops with intermingled casualties, representing both bad training and a stoic intent to get to grips with the invaders regardless of cost! Groups of 8 figs make a line unit in Sharp Practice and I figured that four units per Battalion would give some good 'visual heft' as the attack columns advance.

2nd Battalion (red shoulder tabs) with mixed helmets and forage caps

Figures are mostly plastic Warlord figs with some metal models by Great War Miniatures mixed in. The former are relatively monopose, but the seperate heads let you impart some great character with modest turns. The latter are wonderful sculpts and mixing them in gives a more dynamic look. Colours by Battle-Flag.com

Normally I hate doing faces but these were very satisfying to do

This project was to be a full Regiment of 4 Battalions plus an artillery and a troop of Cossack cavalry but when real life got in the way I opted to not sacrifice quality just to 'get it done'. I really enjoyed building them and the rest will follow post Challenge.

The army grows!

These units and their Regimental Officers tally 67 foot and 1 mounted figure - my biggest submission of this Challenge to take me across my 500 point target line. Just in time!

Submitted to the Challenge here:

https://thepaintingchallenge.blogspot.com/2026/03/from-paulog-russians-of-crimean-war-345.html

Painting Notes

Zandri Dust spray undercoat

Greatcoats - Lavado Sepia Shade (Game Wash), Zandri dust drybrush

Trousers - Dead White (Game Color), Apothecary White contrast (GW)

Boots - thinned Corvus Black (GW)

Straps - Ulthuan Grey (GW), then white highlights

Muskets - Oak Brown (Warpaints Fanatic)

Skin - Pale Flesh (Game Color 72003), Reikland Flesh Shade (GW)

Collars - Mephiston red (GW)

Swords - black base coat, Warpaints Leather Brown, Gold hilt

Shoulder Boards

     Light Blue = GW Ice Blue

     Red = GW Mephiston Red

     White = Dead White (Game Color)

Backpacks - oak brown (army painter)

Bedrolls - Celestra grey GW

Staff Officer in green frockcoat

Basecoat - 50/50 Yellow Olive (mode

Colour 892) / Guarsian Green (Warpaints)

Wash - game colour green ink (72.089)

Highlight - waaagh flesh GW

Basing

Battlefield Accessories Ground compound mix

Wash with 50/50 thinned GW Agrax

Drybrush highlight - GW Zandri dust

AHPC 16: Crimean War Russian Skirmishers

Defending the Motherland from foreign invaders is quite a (historical) Russian tradition, and so I start my Russian Crimean War army, ready to Resist the those interfering British, French and other tag-along stooges who have landed on Russian soil!

Za Rodinu! Za Tsarya! (For the Motherland! For the Tsar!)

I had intended this to be a more fulsome "first battalion" reveal but unfortunately, impacts of world events said no. But a start is a start, so here is a stout Russian Officer leading a few feisty skirmishers to defend the Rodina - and after months of planning and painting I'm pleased to get the first batch posted!

Regrettably, I didn't get a chance to setup a nice photo shoot for them. Apologies!

The 6 musketeers are metal figs by Great War Miniatures, and the Officer is a Warlord metal sculpt- together they form a light infantry unit in Sharp Practice plus a basic level leader. 

Their brave but poorly trained friends will make an appearance soon!

Submitted to the AHPC16 "Resistance" Bonus Round here:

https://analogue-hobbies-theme-rounds.blogspot.com/2026/03/resistance-by-paul-og-russian-crimean.html

20th Blog Birthday!

Wow! 20 years since I stared this blog to show my models, share battles and tell tales of our adventures. Through it, I've connected with likeminded hobbyists and met many of them in person (and VTC) both in Australia and much further afield, which has been a real treat. Hearty thanks for two decades of support, comments, and clicks!

While the "Age of the Blog" peaked some time ago in favour of other social media, I still enjoy it as a medium for chats that begin with "do you remember that game we played where..." 

So in that vein here are some highlights of the past 10 years, focusing on the people & fun, not the models.

2016 (that doesn't sound like 10 years ago!)

 A rare Dad & Lad alliance with our SAGA Vikings to utterly and mercilessly crush those Welsh pretenders Aled and Phil, at the Chatswood Game store.


Alan gets into character playing Jugula. 

Reilly and I playing Fortune and Glory with Pete and Ken in Melbourne

Alan and I were hosted by Millsy for the "Second Battle of Curmudgeon Moor!". 

A fabulous ECW game with memorable terrain such as Strumpet's Way, St Harlot's Wood and the famous Church "Our Lady of Negotiable Virtue"

John & Steve

May the Fourth be with you! I hosted a co-op X-Wing game at the game shop!

Aled & me

A Rogue's gallery indeed!

2017

Fighting Sail with Comrade James at Jolt in Canberra! Leading my squadron of 6th rate Ships of the Line: HMS INSUFFERABLE, HMS RELUCTANT and HMS DEVASTATED

John hosts a big game of Bolt Action - "The Battle of Knackerville"

L to R: Alan (back of head!), Aled, Ian, Phil, Reilly (foreground), me, John

Club Road trip to the "Little Wars" show in Canberra.

..where we photo-bombed our way into Wargames Illustrated issue 365! (March 2018)

4 player siege game as part of our "FowlWarren" Dragon Rampant campaign
L to R: Luciano, Dave, Alan, John

Played what remains my most fun and immersive campaign ever, against Alan in the FIW. Weekly games using Sharp Practice, this became a fabulous project in which I basically built a new unit every week for a number of months and we had much fun every time. Epic stuff.

"French attempt a daring flanking move that failed to capture the Rangers' deployment point by exactly one inch. British colonials spring from the trees to unleash a hail of lead into the French Marines. It's been said before that one more inch would have made all the difference!"

2018

New Years Day Battlegroup Barbarossa with Alan: Ostrog 41 campaign

Reilly and James play a Gaslands demonstration game at MOAB:

Watch out James - I know that Look!

The Plan unleashed!

"You're doing WHAT to me now?"

Yep - Crash & Burn dude!

4 games of SAGA being played concurrently at the pub! This was the only time I ever played with my new Arthurian warband, and remains the only time I have ever beaten Alan at SAGA!

Alan and Battlegroup - a match made in heaven

Alan considers the lay of the land as his 15mm British Armour advances against my DAK

Alan goes 1:1 scale for his new Roman Army

 

Marty, John, Aled and I embracing the centenary of Armistice with Trench skirmish gaming

2019

John and I face off in a 4 player game of General d'Armee hosted by Aled and his Dad

I hosted "Slaughter at Clapgate Common"- an 8 player mega-game using Dragon Rampant. Madness ensued! L to R: Phil, Marty, Steve, Aled, John, Dave

The other end of the table. From L to R: Aled, Dave, John, Lachie, Dave K

Kill Team at the Pub - Izzie faces off against Marty, While Reilly and Lockie duke it out. John enjoys some hobby in the background!

Playing Mortal Gods with Aled and Izzy at the Pub

Big game of Sharp Practice at Gav's place. From L to R: Gav, Lachie, Marty, Aled, John

Alan appears not to enjoy his first game of Mortal Gods against the fabulous
Melian army that he painted for me while I was deployed

 

Reilly and I rediscover our love of Blood Bowl (pretty sure he won this game!)

Comrade James at the Willouby Hotel playing Combat Commander with Commissar Shoemarx!

The Illiad in almost 1:1 scale at Gav's house! Modified Lion Rampant rules. 
L to R: Charles, ?,  Lester, Alan, Gav

2020

The Canberra Chapter of Odin's Night Gamers assemble for beers and banter!

Comrade James and Reilly enjoy the newly released "Indomitus" rules
(Warhammer 40k, 9th edition)

Gav vs Rolfe at Rolfe's place. Rolfe the disgraced Spartan General hides after getting steamrolled in Men of Bronze, 

...then gets his own back by utterly routing Gav's Hoplite army in To The Strongest

After a complete strip out and rebuild, Reilly sets up the first game (Warhammer Fantasy Battles) in our newly renovated Man Cave.

and during 2020 we made the Warhammer Community Twitch round up not once, but twice!

2021

The new Man Cave in action for a pre-lockdown 'Dads & Lads' 40k battle against Patch & T

Warhammer Fantasy Battles at Gav's place with Reilly, Marty and Lachie

And at Gav's again for 6 player Black Powder 
(L to R: Marty, Rolfe, Reilly, Gav, and a super enthused John!)

Alan and I playing Mortal Gods (with his lovely new Thrakkian army)
down the pub during an all too brief letup in the COVID lockdown.
(More than a few pints were enjoyed this night as I recall!)

2022

My new Lancastrian army: War of the Roses using Lion Rampant 2nd ed at Alan's house

Gaming at the Chatswood GW store during COVID...

Playing Dungeonbowl in our local GW store (I won both games!- a memorable and rare event) and then having our teams put on display for a few months

2023

Great folks I met along the way in the UK: 

Ashley and Susan from "Paint it Pink"

The irrepressible "Postie's Rejects"

and back in Oz too:

Frank teaches me how to play his Blood on the Sands Gladiator
game at MOAB! (I wonder what I just asked Frank!)

Father's Day Dungeon Bowl with Reilly!

Playing Dux Bellorum with Alan at his place (a game that deserves more table time!)

2024

Alan, Reilly and I playtest Blood on the Sands gladiator rules with author and all round great guy "Lanista Frank"

Alan, John and Marty fight a Roman Civil War in 28mm using To The Strongest.

John hosted the "Hunt for the Golden Pineapple" using Silver Bayonet

I hope that a quick trot through the past decade brings smiles to those who were involved!

Thank you all for the laughs and adventures along the way

 More to follow from earlier years soon.