From StuartL - Challenge Island Safari Journal - 18th March (265 Points)

Greetings implacable C.I.S.T.ers,

Today we're heading to a little known spot on Challenge Island, the site of the Challenge Island Airport, or at least a field where a hot air balloon can land.
Joining us on our visit to the trip are the Challenge Island Reenactment Society, here to faithfully recreate the bygone days of when the American Continental Army defeated the dastardly British. As I am sure every red blooded hatted patriot knows, the Continental Army defended the airports of America and prevented the British from using these vital transportation hubs.

Here we can see the Reenactors in their replica uniforms preparing for the event, forming up as their fore-fathers did many years before.

The American War of Independence shaped the modern world as we know it today, though numerous historians often debate the turning points in the conflict, the truth is that the British were not prepared for the war in any way.

When the colonists stated that there should be "No taxation without representation!" The British leadership scratched their heads in confusion.

"So... they are okay with being taxed if we let them have politicians?" said one British general.
"I'd gladly pay more tax to get rid of them to be honest," said the second.
"It must be a wind up. Nobody would actually want that," said the third.
"Agreed!" said the other two generals. "Let's have some tea and wait for all this tomfoolery to blow over."

And so began a conflict which changed the course of history and gave rise to some of the most memorable battles of history. The JFK International campaign. The Battle of LAX and of course, the great siege of Chicago O'Hare.

Sadly, not all of the reenactment group appear to be enjoying their day out. Mrs. Mosswell came along with her husband to show her support for his hobby and to enjoy the tropical delights of Challenge Island. In an effort to join in, she has donned settler's garb from the 1770's and helped out around camp. Mr. Mosswell however has spent most of his time chatting with his friends and fellow hobbyists about the minutiae of musket drill and the correct way to wear the 1781 issue canteens, leaving his better half thoroughly ticked off.

In an effort to cheer herself up, and to get away from dozens of middle aged men mucking about in fancy dress, Mrs. Mosswell has decided to take a trip on Lady Sarah's Balloon. Fran's Fjord is only a short hop away and it sounds quite exotic, so maybe some time spent enjoying one of the island's beauty spots will brighten her mood. 

Have a safe flight Mrs. Mosswell.

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Ok, I'll admit, the American War of Independence isn't a conflict that I know a great deal about. Apologies to any American challengers from my tongue in cheek view of one of the key points of their history.

Back before Challenge IX, a friend suggested that we work together on a new historical project and eventually we settled on the AWI as something neither of us had done before. It helped that the Perry Brothers had a wonderful range of minis to work with. My friend was planning to order the minis in September 2018, but that date quickly fell by the wayside and so did October and November. He promised to order them before Xmas and I had hoped to get my part of the project done in Challenge IX. In the end, I ended up ordering the models myself in summer 2019, with the intention that both my friend and I would get the first units done and on the table in early 2020. We did manage to get in one game of Rebels and Patriots from Osprey, but my friend is leaving the area in a couple of weeks to take up a new job 350km away. Suffice to say, this project has not been one of the more successful ones. Still, I have the start of an army done and more minis to work on for when my friend comes to visit.

For the challenge I have painted:

40 Infantry (there are 42 models and an officer in the top picture, but two of them were done as a test before the challenge and the officer was done before Challenge IX) - 200 Points

1 Gun with 4 Crew - 30 Points (Is that correct?)

1 Disgruntled Housewife - 5 Points

Plus 30 Points for my first trip on Sarah's Balloon, stopping at Fran's Fjord.

That should be 265 Points I think.

You think correctly! That's a good looking set of Rebel Scum - sorry! Wrong game system! We've had far too many SW Legion posts! - continental army troops. Poor Mrs Mosswell though; she tries to show an interest in her hubby's hobby and gets abandoned in the camp.

TamsinP