"What is Missing in 6mm SF?" Topic

What science-fiction models or figures do you feel are missing in 6mm?

My current list -
1. Civilian vehicles – From rugged transports like SUVS and 4WDs, to commerical trucks and construction vehicles, to classy limos and sports cars for civilized worlds. Not always "Aircars" but a mix of tech levels.

2. Towed artillery – Something that looks more like a railgun on a wheeled chassis sort of thing for indirect fire. Lots of AT guns available at different technology levels, but little to no "tubes".

3. Non-Humanoid aliens. There, I said it and I'm glad. Glad, d'you hear! We have seen on TMP home-sculpted octopoids, surely soem simple non-human forms like Bipedal saurians, kangaroo forms or even starfish ( Hiver) like creatures are feasible?

Alien Greys. There was a company who made them but it is gone. Greys are one of the most iconic types of aliens yet none are made.

I too second non-humanoid aliens. While man in the rubber suit types are welcome, lets see some of the truly non humanoid types. 6mm is an excellent scale to explore such concepts.

Vehicles, aircraft, and spaceships of any type that are actually in scale with the foot types. Way too many vehicles/aircraft are way too small for the associated foot to fit inside. As a corollary truly alien vehicles. Ultra ultra modern humanoid vehicles. I am tired of M1 Abrams or WWI tanks passed off as SF vehicles.

Buildings that don't look like a middle east village or a Space 1999 set. Time to think outside the box people.

Vegetation/flora/fauna that is not prehistoric dinosaurs/plants.

Barsoom. Green 4 armed aliens, other Martians, animals and ether ships from the Boroughs novels.

Flash Gordon. All the races and ship types from the Flash serials and movies.

Perhaps outside the expected scope of this threads question but we could use VSF and War of the Worlds stuff.

I'd agree with most of those.

I've also been looking for interesting civvie vehicles for years – large movers, land trains, construction gear; there's a real lack of imagination in what few models are out there, just some variants on "modern" gear and not many of those. Bar a couple of moon-buggies I've seen on Shapeways nobody really seems to be exploring ideas for futuristic alien/multi-environment transport, even just for humans. Come to that, can we even say we're happy with the imagination we see around our military vehicles – Yet Another Grav/Hover Tank, anyone…?! Ooooh provocative ;)

Towed (or even SP) arty – until very recently, ditto. To their credit GW had some grunty and imaginative stuff in the old Epic ranges, but we seem short of such things nowadays. There are plenty of (good) smaller guns and missile weapons available, but where are the equivalents of "ork mega-blastas" or whatever they were called, or the IG Basilisks? The only manufacturer I've really seen address that is the recent Onslaught stuff we've seen trailed here (which to be fair does look very, very nice!)

Aliens – gawd yes… With the honourable exceptions of some nice not-Tyranid bugs that are appearing from a couple of manufacturers, everything seems to be bipedal and suspiciously out of the Dr. Who budget-bin school of SFX. Beautiful models often – such as Onslaught, for example – but where's the imagination in basic forms? I *love* those Martian cephalopods (e.g. TMP link) from @stroezie – why don't we see that kind of imagination from commercial manufacturers? "Alien" by definition means different, unexpected, unusual, weird!

I generally agree with these. As 6mm Sci-fi is all I do now. And has been for sometime. It seems some only want "proxy" GW 40K aliens etc. I'm not one of those. "Think out of the 40K box" is what I do. It is a big galaxy and bigger universe. Nothing wrong with GW "proxies", but there should be more than just those.

CinC SEM does make a number of great non-GW aliens. As well as a few others. The good thing about today's 6mm Sci-fi market. Is there are a lot of newer 6mm sci-fi model companies out there. So there is hope they may steer away from a GW40K based Universe. As I said, CinC SEM is the leader in that … But Microworld, Onslaught, DRM, etc., and even the old GZG line has some good aliens too.

Strange animals, civilian vehicles, field artillery and more alien infantry that aren't starship troopers ripoffs.

@Legion, completely agree. The GW legacy was positive in that it "legitimised" sci-fi gaming and generated huge numbers of models, but it has probably stifled imagination -as you say, too much demand for proxies.

That said though, I still think manufacturers are culpable (and this isn't just a 6mm issue). We've seen an explosion over the past couple of years in other rulesets and universes (Polyversal et al), but mostly the models we're seeing to support these still just look too much like GW retreads. Especially around basic alien forms, and vehicle function.design, where's the imagination?

Yep CinC get an honourable mention, but even there we're still looking at humanoids (or quadrupeds like cats standing on their back legs) as far as I remember? Nice figures (I have some!) but again, lacking in basic variety?

I could make the same complaint though of movies and TV programs; they at least have the excuse that non-humanoid aliens cost too much. That one is wearing thin though as CGI has become so dominant – do we just find it too hard to imagine the unimaginable?!

More millimeters?

Small walkers/mechs/big power armor. I'd love to see two factions with big/medium/small options ranging from ten to twenty mm tall. There are lots of choices out there, but almost none that have three or four size classes (which is what most rules sets have).

@mwindsorfw, :)

Interestingly though, I think all of the topics raised here apply more widely – it isn't just because the models are small.

I'd say issues like the lack of imagination around alien forms and the poor (read virtually non-existent) selection of civilian and transport vehicles apply at all scales in sci-fi gaming, not just 6mm? If anything, 6mm has more variety in ranges (and vehicles especially) than any other scale.

Dropships for infantry

Dropships for armor

In 15mm scifi, there's like a million dropship models so maybe we can get some of them scaled down :-)

HW, you may be on to something. I'm generally a fan of 6mm. I like the massed look of troops when armies are supposed to be fighting, but I feel like that look disappeared in the 20th Century, and I don't imagine that when I imagine sci-fi. I am also a big fan of GHQ and similar WWII and modern 1/248 models. I can see a number of sci-fi situations that could use a similar treatment. I wonder, however, if sci-fi loses something at a smaller scale. One thing that makes sci-fi unique is … aliens. At a smaller scale, I wonder if aliens lose their unique qualities, and it devolves into the blue guys with hover tanks vs. the red guys with walkers. That's not necessarily bad, but it seems a little like WWII with slightly different equipment.

Yes, I know the model makers in some cases tend to do proxies but as I said not all. I have posted pics of all CinC Aliens here on this board. For the past couple of years. The Alien Merc packs are very interesting. See here – link A couple of non-humanoids there.

Khurasan has a proposed 6mm Jasmine Throne Aliens which have some interesting type too. However, for years now, I have e-mailed him with no reply. Someone else should try to email him. So I don't know if we'll ever see those. Scroll thru this link to see them – link

There are some 6mm Dropships here, if someone is looking for those – TMP link

Dropship Commander has some Snake Aliens too …

Barsoomian men and Tharks would be great. It might even be feasible to have a Martian airship combat game at this scale.

L4, I really like the aliens from Aliens.

Thinking about this more, I'm trying to think of distinct sci-fi "universes" are (a) distinct, and (b) would translate to 6mm.

Let's face it, from the side of the table, it's hard to tell individual soldiers apart except for the paint jobs. GHQ does really good work, and their individuals look great up close. But move two feet away, and a lot of that detail disappears. Therefore, I wonder about the "distinctiveness" of a number of sci-fi troops.

The distinctive groups I can think of are:
Star Wars (no idea how much that license costs).
Warhammer 40K (big suits, little heads).
Battletech (giant mechs).
John Carter/Flash Gordon (retro look).
Alien/Predator/Arnold (not much equipment except tha' choppa).
Ogre (all the other units are fairly standard).

A lot of the other sci-if I can think of is primarily space ships, or not that distinct. Sorry Slammers, but I think I could use WWII figures with hover tanks to fit the bill.

I too would like to see a large Barsoom line. In general more VSF and some dieselpunk or weird war II stuff would be great. Also some Star Wars or "not" versions would be awesome too. Oh and would love to see Epic 40K return to GW.

This is all great stuff – I'd be happy to start knocking items off this list for the community!

I would be all over 'Stroezie' aliens, someone needs to snap them up and put them into production!
I have an army of 'bio-tech' vehicle types but would love some more alien types to bulk them out, a race that bio-engineers for specific tasks….octopiod blobs for assault infantry or super fast 6 legged bugs for recce troops and that kind of thinking…..

I have taken to scratch building shuttles etc but a simple 'drop ship' – a one use LCA type craft is needed…..

Somebody did make Martian tripods and catchers……I have a couple but would like more as they are very different especially the LOS advantage and if equipped with shields/force fields or point defence systems would be a viable army…….now who made them!!!?

Add on greeblies for vehicles, dozer blades, cranes,radomes etc, extra guns,mini turrets and partial crew figures with support weapons are needed too.

Crusher Joe vehicles and power suits.

Well, one manufacturer is listening! And one of the best IMHO.
Thanks, Deacon ( If I can use that name here :) ) – If anyone is filling in the blanks, it's Onslaught! :)

And as for dropships, I'd say we are well served for heavy transports, but light to middle range is lacking: To put it in aviation terms we have Galaxies and Starlifters, but fewer Globemasters and Atlases, and virtually no Hercules or Spartans. ( I would have counted the CAV Syram Merlin, but it seems OOP again last time I tried Reaper. :( )

Yay, great to see Onslaught pitching in – if anyone can fill in the gaps and give us more variety, it's you! Let's see more weirdness, some proper Bug Eyed Monsters rather than just bipedal / humanoid.

@Legion, sorry I forgot about those alien mercs, though they do tend to reinforce my point as they are pretty much the only "different" figures out there!

If people are looking for Giger-type (i.e. movie) Aliens, Pendraken do nice ones in 10mm – I use them a lot in 6mm, they're a little big, but look great. Also, GZG's "bugs" are pretty good lookalikes for Starship Trooper warrior bugs if you paint 'em up right. Both can be seen here; sorry the pics aren't too clear.

I have some very old but nice quadcopter/Osprey-ish dropships from I think GZG, not sure if I've remembered that right or if they are still available? They are also a bit too small for the size I think they are meant to be (if that makes sense!) – they need to be a bit larger to look convincing as vehicle carriers. As someone else mentioned earlier, ensuring transports look capable of carrying their loads gets my vote too.

If you aren't picky about your bugs you can buy plastic bugs online. A lot of them would be Godzilla-like giants in 6mm, but some are smaller. I think they make realistic-sized plastic ants for pranksters. Nice thing about the plastic bugs is that they are really cheap.

L4, I really like the aliens from Aliens.

If you mean those from Tac Cmd link, Khurasan made those and Agis painted them.

This is all great stuff – I'd be happy to start knocking items off this list for the community!

U R da Mann !!!!! And I do like the aliens you make. I got to get some Tazcol too!

Sorry Slammers, but I think I could use WWII figures with hover tanks to fit the bill.

My 6mm Slammers Infantry is GZG, AFVs are Old Crow …

Oh and would love to see Epic 40K return to GW.

With all the new 6mm sci-fi out there today. Who needs GW ?

Hey people,
Thanks for all the kind words about my octopoid aliens ;-)

You'll be happy to know then that I've just started up a few dollies with an eye to resculpting them to make them castable.(way to many undercuts as they are right now)

I also have some idea's for 3 more alien races, a gorilla/armadillo cross man in rubber suit type and 2 more alien looking, one centauroid and one tri simmetrical one(if I can pull it off).

I've also been remastering my retro scifi flyers with an eye to maybe casting them in resin.

Why am I doing this? Well I'm thinking of starting my own 6mm Sword & Planet line hopefully by the end of this year or the beginning of the next. We'll see as it is all new to me and I have no idea of how long stuff takes to get done :-)

And as for the OP's question:
Transfigurable mecha, jet to bot and tank to bot about the size of a 15mm figure in bot mode.(2 factions)

Cheers,
Stroezie.

Viva the Stroezie Octopoids!

Yeah I'd like to see those made for us minions too !

I'm thinking some floating tentacle guys like jellyfish – completely inhuman. I'll post sketches when I have them.

@Stroezie, you are talking my kinda aliens! Any radially symmetric species would be interesting – Tripods would look very distinct, if they could be managed>

@Onslaught, floating aliens are certainly "alien" but maybe not all that practical form a biology standpoint – Though that's just me :) Have you thought of something more like a kangaroo or theropod dinosaur in for, but with more than four limbs? I'm thinking the Gorm from Starfire as a great example – somewhere between mammals and saurian, they walk on four limbs in heavy gravity, and use their middle limbs for heavy carrying and manipulation in lower than 1.5 G conditions.

I have some sci-fi civilian vehicles that I've Sketchup'ed, but they are too expensive to sell through Shapeways and I haven't found a producer to cast them in metal. I might end up selling the STL files through cgtrader.com so people can print their own at home.

Cars:
link

Trucks:
link

Nice !

Great selection of vehicles…….

@Javelin, more than up to your usual standard :) Have you approached Studio Bergstrom or Brigade Models UK on the subject of casting? Both of them work from 3D printed masters, so they might be able to help :)

I haven't, CW, but I'll drop them a line!

A somewhat similar discussion is going on at Tac Cmd. It may be of interest here. link

Man I'd love those vehicles Javelin, both in 6mm, and uh, in 3mm too! Hopefully there's a way to get them into metal.

As discussed before Javelin, I would very much like to see your 3mm vehicles in metal production. I've not been able to buy printed versions yet. hopefully Brigade in the U.K. can be persuaded to do them.

I wish I could, Commanderroj, but they, GZG, and PicoArmor were all no-go's. Maybe I should ask Irregular if they want them, since they have everything else under the sun…

Did you try Onslaught or Microworld ?

No, I haven't, but I'll shoot them an email and see what comes of it. Thanks!

Let us know !

Would any of these models as 6mm mini's take your fancy?

‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ :)

Foxfire, I like the top/red one, especially if there were alternative pallets available (mammoth radar, command post, flatbed, ICBM)

Javelin, that's a shame. I really want them too.

CommanderRoj, actually, I hadn't thought about that. Good idea. I've only got a blank tray as an alternative currently. I should do more configs…

@Foxfire, damn right I'm interested! That flatbed heavy load truck would be amazing, especially if the tractor front unit could tow a variety of other trailers. The Pod hauler looks great, and would make a useful automated system for refueling/loading space craft at a port facility. Actually, your style is so compatible with my own vision for SF vehicles, I'd like to see *anything* you do here!

@Covert Walrus, the truck has a standardized ball-join connector, so yes, he can interchange all day long. :)

Well, I'm still in the pre-phase of getting mini's made. 3d masters printing and casting. Having some initial pains of chemical leeching to the mould. All things to be ironed out.

I'll post some pictures up here as I get samples in. If my CAD style fits into what you like in SF. You can always check out the other modular bots/vehicles here. gunslave.com
It's my intention to get the first 27 models done in absolute highest detailed white metal.

@Foxfire, splendid! And you work with Nic at Eureka? Well, well what a small world it truly is!