From BenitoM - Oberst Steiner (20 Points)

One of the distinctive features of the challenge is the supply of a small memento to our organiser Curt, in the form of a 28mm model aligned with the theme or topic chosen each year; this not just simply a toll to participate in the contest, but Curt will generously donate a sum of money to a local charity for every model submitted by the participants.

The theme this year is a "risk-taker, a gambler or daredevil"... I did not exactly understand what he was looking to, as a risk-taker or gambler looked to me different species. Anyway, after consulting with Curt to clarify the issue, I decided to think about characters related to the projects I was planning to use in the contest. But who could fit in that role?.

And suddenly I saw the light: what better choice that very same Oberst Steiner (Michael Caine) in The Eagle has Landed; the true (albeit fictional) daredevil and risk-taker, who jumped behind the enemy lines (England) to kill Prime Minister Churchill in a suicidal attempt to reverse the course of a lost war and was willing to sacrifice himself to save his men.

The model is a Warlord reference and I have painted as he is featured in the film: German Lustwaffe blue officer hat, black leather fly jackect, British paratrooper trousers and jumping boots (you may remember than in the film, the commando unit arrived to England disguised as Polish paratroopers under British service),  Sten Gun and the Cross of Iron in the neck.

A joy to paint, of course I acquired two models, one for Curt and the other to lead my Fallschirmjager unit on the table.

Brilliant! Steiner is an excellent example of a 'risk-taker'. 'The Eagle has Landed' is one of my all-time favorite war movies. Warlord provided a fabulous casting of Steiner and you've done a cracking job on him Benito. I wonder if they'll ever produce any of the other characters from the film. A Devlin, Col. Pitts or Molly would be great (Ahh, Jenny Agutter was lovely in that film..., well, she is pretty much lovely in anything she's done actually... <ahem>).

Benito will get 20 points for Oberst Steiner and a great big Thank You from me!