From Mike W - Odds & Ends (55 Points, 1 Squirrel)

 I don't know about everyone else but I'm often trying out new figures to see how they paint-up or to add one or two additional details to existing collections etc.

Here are a few that have been on my workbench the last few weeks awaiting finishing and I finally go around to completing them.

First up is a 35mm Gladiator figure to add to my Jugular collection, this guy is in the Greek style, armed with a short sword and a small shield, with just his sword arm armoured.

Jugula Gladiator

I kept the paint scheme simple, with a red loincloth, brown leather straps and shield cover and brass and iron armour and fittings.

Rear view

The skin was given a flesh wash and coloured washes were applied elsewhere as appropriate before varnishing and basing

Another view

Next up are two Spartan warriors, not your historical kind but more akin to those found in the 300 films. These are 28mm 3D prints and were so much fun to paint. Red cloaks, a lot of brass work and a lot of skin tones!

The two '300' Style Spartans

Spartan spearman

Spartan swordsman

Next, some people may have caught a sneak peek of a couple weeks back, a 15mm mounted figure representing Captain Nolan at the Charge of the Light Brigade, by Eureka Figures. Not much to say here but a lot of gold braiding & bullion on show

Capt. Nolan charging headlong down the valley

Reverse view

Next two 28mm Ottoman Turkish Officers. These have been converted from the Perry Miniatures Afghan plastic set by adding resin heads and that's pretty much it! Painted to represent Ottoman Officers and to be used as markers to impart additional morale to units in upcoming games.

The Two Ottoman Officers

Without too much scrutiny, these simple conversions make passible Ottomans!

Another view

Rear view of the Ottoman Officers

Next is a Space Marine on a Motorcycle, I usually go for Ultra Marines but this guy was part of a set given to me some years ago and believe that these from the Deathwing of the Blood Angels? Anyway  have been playing with it for the last few weeks and finally gotten round to finishing it.

I counted the Motorcycle as a vehicle for 20 points and then added the marine for an additional 5 points. Not sure if this is OK but will allow Peter D to decide. If OK this will count as an additional Squirrel point for the Space Marines

POINTS

1 x 35mm Gladiator            = 6 Points

2 x 28mm Spartans             = 10 Points

1 x 15mm Captain Nolan    = 4 Points

2 x 28mm Ottomans            = 10 Points

1 x 28mm Motorcyclist       = 25 Points

TOTAL                                 = 55 Points

When you say odds and sods you really mean it Mike. 

Love the gladiator, your simple is best works very well on this figure.  As an owner of a historical Spartan army, I keep a 12 foot xyston's distance from those type of Spartans, but I appreciate your fine brushwork. 

 Really like the quick converts on the Ottoman, if I can figure out where you sourced the heads I may try that one my self.  My biggest issue was trying to figure out what the round sword pommel attachment was on the first picture of the lad in pink.  Then I realized that it was the hole punched in the piece of looseleaf used as a backdrop!

Capt Nolan looks a right nutter, and has his match in the motorcyclist.

From MikeW - At Benito's Brook - 12 x 18mm Crimean War British Hussars (126 Points)

This entry is my step into the realms of Benito's Brook, and it was quite some challenge to figure out what from my lead mountain would qualify for this post!

Post Marked 2006!

Eventually I opted for a box of 18mm Eureka Miniatures I'd rather rashly ordered back in 2006, whilst away from home on a business trip, during which time, I was finishing reading the rather good 'Hell Riders' by Terry Brighton.

A few lessons learned by this experience, don't order figures on a whim after reading an inspiring book - by the time these little chaps had landed on my doormat from Australia, my fickle fancy had moved on to other areas of interest!

I did try to paint up some lancers - maybe 5 or 6 years ago but this came to nothing and I'm not even sure where these half painted chaps are now.

Finished 11th Hussar Squadron of 12 x 18mm Eureka Figures

So now for Challenge X - I took 12 troopers from the package and determined to paint these up as a squadron of 11th Hussars - or for those that remember the film - these were Lord Cardigan's 'Cherrybums', on account of their red trousers. It was also the regiment from which the unfortunate Captain Nolan, was detached to HQ duties and led to the late unfortunate mix-up.

For those who are not sure of the story of the Light Brigade - On 25 October 1854, during the Crimean War, the Light Brigade of the British Cavalry Division made the most magnificent and most brutal and pointless charge in military history.

Fantastically detailed book
on the Charge of the Light Brigade

Almost 700 men armed with sabre and lance, charged straight at the muzzles of Russian cannons and massed Russian Cavalry and Cossacks behind. But it was a blunder, they charged down the wrong valley, into the Russian guns instead of scaring off Russian infantry men that were stealing away allied guns in the adjoining valley!

All because Captain Nolan and Lord Cardigan hated each other and could not communicate properly.

As soon as I started painting these guys, I remembered why I'd given up on the lancers, at 18mm scale they have fantastic detail but are so small my ageing eyes really struggle. Difference now is that I've accepted wearing glasses when doing figure painting and results are better.

View from the flank

These Eureka figures are significantly bigger than 15mm counter parts - you do have to get the detail done to make the most of them but they are still smaller than 25/28mm figures that I have been mostly painting recently. I persevered but they were hard work!

A bit more detail

Since my last post - where I detailed how I paint horses - I got some great additional tips on horse colours from Tasmin - so I have tried to incorporate those tips in this batch of horses (See below) - allowing for 'Chestnut' colouring. Thanks for the advice Tasmin! See Chestnut horse below...

Anyway here they are - hope they are presentable as part of the famously futile 'Charge of the Light Brigade' and as such qualify for Benito's Book brief of a Forlorn Hope!

Hopefully a 'Chestnut' horse - without Black fetlocks!

I changed my usual basing technique for these figures, I felt that static grass and flowers would be out of scale and not look right. Instead I found a pot of old 'course scatter' in a light green finish and used static grass very sparingly in clumps. I like the effect at this scale.

Despite my complaining I do like the final result, I did plan to do two squadrons per regiment, plus officers and character figures. Maybe I might take another look and see if I can find those Lancers again!

POINTS (Controversy?)

So The Challenge has points rates for painted 20mm and 15mm figures but not 18mm figures. The gap between the two scales is quite significant for mounted troops - either 4 points for a 15mm figure or 8 points for a 20mm figure.

I have opted for the following scoring system - score them as 20mm figures (nearest scale) but subtract 10% score as 18mm is only 90% of 20mm - Minon of the Day please feel free to adjust according to you r guidelines or Whim - ed - "ah lets confound Miles spreadsheet  I will round these to 20mm "

12 x mounted figures at 8 points each = 96 Points
Bonus Points for Benito's Brook = 30 Points

TOTAL = 96 +30 = 126 Points

From DaveD . Its not often you see Crimean war stuff, its certainly something that keeps piquing my own interest - but i haven't found figures to match the desire yet. I will have to look at these. Nice job . Also you may need to check the pictures as due to sausage fingers I think i deleted one as i posted ..so feel free to add it back in! 

From MikeW. No worries Dave - happens to us all. Have added the photo back in as suggested!