In Memory of Woody - former Ral Partha employee
Please read the In Memory of Woody article posted on Ral Partha Legacy. They are offering a Limited Edition Model that all of the proceeds will go to the gofundme set up for Woody's wife.

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CATALYST GAME LABS ACQUIRES IRON WIND METALS
Catalyst Game Labs is pleased to announce it has acquired full ownership of Iron Wind Metals, located in the Greater Cincinnati area. While Iron Wind Metals (and its Ral Partha brand) is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Catalyst Game Labs, it will continue as its own division, specializing in metal miniatures manufacturing for a variety of companies, with a heavy focus on BattleTech.
“I purchased my first Ral Partha miniature–a Warhammer–in 1987, with no idea of where BattleTech would take me,” said Randall N. Bills, Creative Director at Catalyst Game Labs. “By 1996 I was working at FASA Corporation, and of course had a regiment of heavy metal by that time—including a swath of Earthdawn and various dragon miniatures from Ral Partha, which my wife Tara painted wonderfully.
“Soon thereafter I met Mike Noe for the first time and continued to work with him–and his great team–in a variety of capacities for the next thirty years, continuing through the transitions from FASA to WizKids to FanPro and to Catalyst, and Ral Partha to Iron Wind Metals. To me, Mike Noe is Iron Wind Metals. And Iron Wind Metals is BattleTech. While it’s been magnificent to launch millions of plastic miniatures onto gaming tables around the world, the metals will always have their crucial place, mortaring the seams of BattleTech.”
Catalyst is committed to this portion of the Ral Partha legacy begun fifty years ago, ensuring metal miniatures of all kinds continue to flow to the tens of thousands of hobbyists who enjoy the craftsmanship and passion in this all-important part of the hobby industry.
“Last July marked my 42nd anniversary in the game industry, and I had no plans to quit any time soon,” said Mike Noe, President of Iron Wind Metals. “However, Melissa, my partner in life and in Iron Wind, has been battling health issues and now needs me with her as often as possible. So, after more than 40 years in the game industry and more than 20 with Iron Wind Metals, it was time for me to step back and take care of my family.
“Fortunately, Loren Coleman and Catalyst Game Labs stepped up, allowing me to gradually back away and stay home with Melissa while letting Iron Wind continue with business as usual, bringing metal BattleTech under their wing. I remain involved with IWM on a limited basis and will continue to do so for as long as my help and input is needed or wanted, but it brings me great joy to know, as I let go of the reins, that Iron Wind is in such experienced and capable hands.”
“I cannot thank Loren, Randall, and the rest of the Catalyst team enough. Nor can I sufficiently thank all our loyal customers and friends for all their help and support these many years.
The last four decades have been an amazing run, but as they say all good things must come to an end. I leave with many happy memories, secure in the knowledge that the company I founded and the legacy from which it began will carry on stronger than ever under Catalyst’s able stewardship.
“I hope to see many of you at game cons in the years to come, but for now, farewell and good gaming…”
About Catalyst Game Labs
Catalyst Game Labs is dedicated to producing high-quality games and fiction that mesh sophisticated game mechanics with dynamic universes—all presented in a form that allows beginning players and long-time veterans to easily jump into our games and fiction readers to enjoy our stories even if they don’t know the games. Find Catalyst Game Labs online at www.catalystgamelabs.com.
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IWM Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2024 20% Coupon
Starting Wednesday November 27th through Tuesday December 3rd, the coupon code IWMBF24 for 20% off an order of $100 or more for your holiday shopping needs. The only exclusion to the discount is on the resin products.
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New Flat Top Hex Base is released
New Flat Top Hex Base that is the size as the plastic hex base on the CGL Battletech miniatures.
I have added measurements to the various hex bases we have for purchase to the product descriptions.
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A special holiday 2023 promotion
Happy holidays from Iron Wind Metals.
As a special holiday promotion, IWM is pulling a couple of unavailable Mechs out of the vault for a limited time.
The 20-5145 Wasp, and the 20-5149 Valkyrie will be available on our webstore for two weeks only, from Saturday December 9th thru Friday December 22nd. You can click the mech names below to be taken to the product page.
20-5145 Wasp - $15.00 (Parts to build one of 3 variants)



20-5149 Valkyrie - $16.00

Get them now, before the vault doors swing shut once again…
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