The Wargaming World of Nozza

Continuing my journey into the world of FDM-printed miniatures, this time I've turned my attention to the bridge crew of Star Trek: Voyager , using the excellent models created by Drakonius and available on MakerWorld. Whenever officially licensed Star Trek miniatures are released, the focus almost invariably falls on The Original Series or The Next Generation. While those shows are undoubtedly popular, it often leaves the rest of the franchise somewhat overlooked. Even within the unofficial miniature community, characters from Voyager have traditionally been less common, perhaps due to concerns about attracting unwanted attention from Paramount's legal department. The original Drakonius models were designed primarily as display pieces, standing approximately 18 to 20 centimetres tall. As a result, they required significant downscaling to bring them into line with the miniature collections I already own. As with many of my previous projects, scaling presented an interesting ...

As several recent blog entries will testify, I've been spending quite a bit of time learning the art of printing miniatures on my Bambu Lab A1 Mini. Up until now, most of my experiments have involved models sourced from MakerWorld, which makes sense given that many of those designs have been specifically created, tested, and optimised for Bambu FDM printers. While that has been an excellent way to learn the basics, it only answers part of the question. The real challenge, and the next step in my 3D-printing education, is whether a standard FDM printer can successfully handle commercial STL files that were originally designed with resin printing in mind. Resin printers are, after all, the preferred choice for miniature enthusiasts. Their ability to reproduce incredibly fine details, sharp edges, and delicate features makes them ideal for character models. FDM printers have traditionally struggled in this area, particularly when it comes to faces, weapons, thin limbs, and other small...

Today, September 8th, marks the 60th anniversary of the first broadcast of Star Trek . It therefore seemed only fitting that today's blog entry should be Star Trek themed. Ever since I bought my 3D printer, one of my hobby goals has been to crack the challenge of printing decent gaming miniatures using an FDM printer. While resin printers are generally considered the gold standard for miniature production, I've been determined to see just how far an FDM printer can be pushed with the right settings, profiles, and a healthy dose of patience. Fortunately, the Bambu Lab community is incredibly active, with users sharing a huge range of files and designs through MakerWorld. One creator I've been particularly impressed with is Drakonius , who has produced a growing collection of models based on the bridge crews of Star Trek: The Next Generation and Star Trek: Voyager . The original models are designed primarily as display pieces and stand around 18 to 20 centimetres tall. That...

Wow, it's been over a month since my last blog entry! There are quite a few reasons for that. The UK summer holidays inevitably led to less gaming, with people away at different times and everyone juggling family commitments, holidays, and other real-life distractions. On top of that, we're currently having some work done around the house, which means most of my gaming collection has been packed away and safely stored until the dust settles and normal service can resume. Oddly enough, I've found the break quite refreshing. The enforced pause has turned into something of a digital detox. I've spent less time doom-scrolling through hobby websites and forums and, perhaps most surprisingly, I've even stopped regularly checking Lead Adventure Forum. After years of making it part of my daily routine, it has been nice to step away for a while and focus on other things. One hobby-related item that hasn't been packed away is my 3D printer. In fact, what started as a use...

August has traditionally been the peak holiday month in the UK. With schools breaking up in late July and not returning until early September, much of the country takes the opportunity to head off in search of a change of scenery and a well-earned break. Unsurprisingly, that annual migration tends to result in a noticeable lull in gaming activity, with fewer opportunities to get regular games to the table. The quieter gaming calendar does, however, create time for other hobby pursuits. The seemingly endless run of heatwaves we've experienced this summer hasn't exactly been ideal for painting miniatures. While the hot, dry weather has been perfect for undercoating and varnishing, sitting down for extended painting sessions has been far less enjoyable. Instead, I've found myself investing more time in my newest hobby: 3D printing. It feels as though I've owned my 3D printer for much longer than I actually have, but in reality it's only been a couple of months. My Bamb...

Ever since my school days, I’ve been fascinated by Stonehenge. There’s something truly captivating about standing in the presence of a monument that has endured for thousands of years, still inspiring wonder and debate in equal measure. These days I’m fortunate enough to live only about an hour’s drive from the stones, which means I can usually find an excuse to visit at least once a year. No matter how many times I go, the sight of those massive trilithons rising from the Salisbury Plain never fails to impress me. When I bought my 3D printer, it didn’t take long before I started wondering if I could capture a little of that ancient magic for the tabletop. As both a history enthusiast and a wargamer, the idea of creating my own miniature Stonehenge seemed irresistible. A quick search on MakerWorld turned up the perfect starting point: a model listed as a " Druid Shrine ". While not intended as a direct replica of Stonehenge, it had all the key elements I was looking for, name...

These Imperial Remnant Scout Troopers were 3D printed by OttsWorkshop and purchased through Etsy. Inspired by the Scout Troopers seen serving with the fractured remains of the Empire in series such as The Mandalorian and Ahsoka , these miniatures capture the distinctive look of the Empire's reconnaissance forces long after the fall of Palpatine's regime. The prints are clean and well detailed, featuring the familiar lightweight armour and iconic Scout Trooper helmets that have made these troops fan favourites since their debut in Return of the Jedi. They make an excellent addition to any Star Wars collection, whether used as Imperial Remnant forces, backwater garrison troops, or fast-moving scouts supporting larger Imperial formations on the tabletop.

Whilst relaxing at The Delvers Arms , Stonn, Jasgrad the Dwarf, Jander the Elf, and Oleus the Wizard overheard a traveller telling the barkeep about a forgotten courtyard rumoured to contain hidden treasure. Never ones to ignore the prospect of loot, the four Delvers quickly finished their drinks and set off to investigate. In reality, this was our second game of Four Delvers , and we were tackling Encounter 2: The Courtyard . Arriving at the site, the Delvers were surprised to discover they were not the first treasure-seekers on the scene. Another band had already begun exploring the courtyard, and they seemed less than willing to share. Standing between the Delvers and any potential riches were a pair of Men-at-Arms, two thugs, and an archer, all determined to keep the spoils for themselves. Turn 1 Both groups sized each other up across the courtyard, each weighing whether the treasure was worth the fight that seemed inevitable. “Looks like we’re not the only ones who heard the rumou...

I know I post a lot about Star Wars and occasionally Doctor Who on this blog, but my first love has always been Star Trek in all its various forms. Because of that, I'm constantly on the lookout for Star Trek miniatures, and over the years I've accumulated a sizeable collection of bookmarked 3D-print files covering everything from Starfleet officers to obscure alien species from across the franchise. One of those species is the Kazon , a nomadic and often warlike people from the Delta Quadrant who featured prominently in the early seasons of Star Trek: Voyager . Following the collapse of their former rulers, the Trabe, the Kazon splintered into a number of rival sects, each competing for power, territory, and resources. Their attempts to acquire advanced technology frequently brought them into conflict with Captain Janeway and the crew of Voyager , making them one of the show's earliest recurring adversaries. Having recently picked up a Bambu FDM 3D printer, I decided it wa...

Maid Marian and Her Merry Men was a British children’s comedy series produced by the BBC that aired from 1989 to 1994. Created and written by Tony Robinson (best known for his role as Baldrick in Blackadder) the show offered a deliberately irreverent and subversive take on the traditional Robin Hood legend. Rather than presenting Robin as the noble hero, it gleefully inverted expectations. In this version, Maid Marian (Kate Lonergan) is the true leader and intellectual driving force behind the Merry Men, while Robin Hood (Wayne Morris) is reimagined as a vain, self-obsessed, and rather dim figure, more concerned with his appearance and musical ambitions than with heroism. Supporting characters such as Little Ron , Barrington , and Rabies added to the show’s chaotic humour, while Tony Robinson himself appeared as the Sheriff of Nottingham, portrayed not as a fearsome tyrant but as a petulant, scheming buffoon, often undermined by his own incompetence and his equally inept henchmen....

It’s been a little while since I last posted, as I usually I only share games I’ve actually hosted. This time, though, I’m mixing things up. On the recommendation of Mike Demana ( Lead Legionaries ), I took a look at Four Delvers, a solo fantasy miniature skirmish game by David Bezio. The easiest way to describe it is as a tabletop take on the classic ’80s Gauntlet arcade game. A fast, dungeon‑crawling action distilled into a compact, narrative-driven experience. In Four Delvers, you control a party of four archetypal heroes: a Fighter, a Dwarf, an Elf, and a Wizard. Each character has their own stats and a unique ability, giving the group a nice mix of strengths and tactical options. You send the party out on encounters, which define everything from the setting and scenario to the enemies they’ll face and the treasure they’re hoping to recover. It’s simple to pick up, quick to play, and full of that old-school fantasy charm. Drawing a card from my “Notice Board Quest Deck,” the band o...