From Mike W: Warlord Epic 15mm Numidians & Celts, plus some others! (185 Points)

 So this last week has been really disappointing in terms of free time that I could put towards painting for the challenge, with real life again throwing up unexpected obsticles to resolve! Who said being retired was easy, with nothing else to do except your hobbies, everyone seems to believe that you're the guy who can do everything at the drop of the hat! 😀

That said I have concentrated on trying to break the back of my 15mm Carthaginian army, with Light Infantry and Horse all lurching towards completion.

The bulk of this week's submission is focused on the Carthaginian's allied Numidian and Celtic forces, with the foot all being depicted as Light Infantry. I have noticed that Warlord Games do a close formation Celtic frame, so I'll be looking to acquire one of these in the near future - plus some elephants of course!

Anyway on to this week's figures, first the Numidians:

The Numidian contingent, Horse, Javelin men and Archers.

A close-up on the horse, 2 bases each of 5 men, all armed with Javelins
and their distinctive hand painted cow hide shields

Another shot of the mounted men, sorry having trouble getting a clear shot of these small guys

The Javelin men, again two bases each of five figures.

Two bases of Archers, again two bases each of five figures.

And with the rear rank brought to the front

A better shot of the Javelinmen

Now the Celts:

The Celt contingent, 2 bases of cavalry and two bases of skirmishers

Close-up on the Javelin armed skirmishers, shields are again hand painted

Another view of the Javelin men. 

Celtic Cavalry, javelin and sword armed with a mix of armoured and unarmoured figures

Another view of the Celtic horse.

And finally the others!

Two bases of Lybian Skirmishers armed with spear and shield

Rear rank brought forwards

Two bases of Iberian slingers

And the rear rank of the slingers brought forwards

Hopefully next week back to 28mm Arthurians - although I do have some 20 or so more Carthaginian Horse to get completed!

POINTS

10 x 15mm Numidian Horse @ 4Pts ea           40 Points

20 x 15mm Numidian Foot @ 2Pts ea             40 Points 

10 x 15mm Celtic Horse @ 4Pts ea                 40 Points

10 x 15mm  Celtic Foot  @ 2Pts ea                 20 Points

10 x 15mm  Iberian Slingers @ 2Pts ea           20 Points

10  x 15mm  Lybian Foot @ 2Pts ea                20 Points

TOTAL                                                           180 Points

Ah, a slow week. Only 180 points! Oh my. Well, at least you made the effort, Mike! All joking aside, you have been busy. I always like your Epic contributions, and this is no exception. A fine and varied entry. I particularly like your Celtic troops, but the others look good too. I'll top you up to 185 points for the handpainted shields, they really do something for these 15mm figures. I am looking forward to seeing a group photo of all your epic troops when you have finished them. Well done!

Martijn

From Mike W: More 15mm Carthaginians and 28mm Landsknechts (Greed)(295 Points)

 What no Arthurians! No, not this week - but there are more on the workbench for next week...

Warlord Games, 15mm Epic,  Allied Italian Infantry

Warlord Games, 15mm Epic,  Celtiberian Infantry

First off, this week I have two more units of 15mm Warlord Games Epic Carthagininans. Namely a unit of allied Italians  and secondly, a unit of Celtiberians, each of three bases of 20 figures. 

Now I must say  that my knowledge of the Punic Wars is pretty sketchy, mostly based upon a once long running campaign run at my Wargames Club, so my uniform guide on these figures was basically taken from the Warlord Games website and the desire to base my Carthaginian Army largely based upon the Red, Black, White & Gold colours scheme of previously completed units. 

 The method of painting was similar for both units and basically the same as last week's units.

Close-up of the Allied Italian unit from the left. Again shield designs have been done free hand

Same unit from their right side, all crests and plumes on this unit are white.

Final shot of the Italians, from their rear, showing their armour
and the light grey tunis that they all wear.

I had no real idea about who the Celtiberians were, so after a quick check it appears that they were a Celtic people who lived in the north of what is now Spain - many believe that the Basque peoples are derived from these ancient guys. The Celtiberians, have been depicted with a slightly less uniform stance than other units in the Carthaginan Army. So I assume that they were somewhat less disciplined than their Lybian, Italian & Carthaginian comrades.

The Celtiberians, from the left side of the unit, again with
red, white & black shields, crests and plumes.

The same unit from thier right

And teh rear of the Celtiberian unit, showing their light brown tunics and sparce armour

Again I have to thank Nigel, from my Wargames Club, for the donation of another plastic frame of figures - this time Warlord Games 28mm Landsknecht pikemen, who will join my existing collection for the period.

As these Landsknechts mercenaries were renowned for their excessess - in particular in their clothing and carousing, I am taking the liberty to claim the Greed Bonus for 20 Points.

6 x 28mmLandsknecht Pikemen, based and ready to go!

Same guys but with the the rear rank to the front.

I must say that I enjoy painting Landsknechts, at first it seemed daunting but having discovered a 'recipe' for doing them, it is really quite fun.  As ever a white undercoat and then literally picking paints at random to colour in sections of their dress. In this case - Red, Blue, Yellow, Purple, Orange etc picking figures and painting panels and stripes as I see fit.

I used brown as a unifing colour to tie in all the leather jerkins and belts etc and the obviously silver for the armour. The secret is a watered down black ink wash that adds definition between the colours and in my mind finishes off the figures nicely.

Close-up on two of the little guys.

And aother two

And the last two!

Next week back to Arthurians and hopefully the balance of the 28mm AWI infantry frame that I started last week, as well as some 15mm Punic Wars Cavalry and Skirmishers!

SQUIRREL POINTS                                                    +1 Landsknechts

POINTS

120 x 15mm Carthaginians @ 2 Pts ea                        240 Points

6 x 28mm Landsknechts @5 Pts ea                               30 Points

Greed Bonus                                                                   20 points

TOTAL                                                                         290 Points

It's hardly an original thought, but I keep being struck by the great effect of these Warlord Epic figures when deployed in mass. Great work Mike, they look absolutely fine! The Landsknechts are also very good, your recipe definitely works. Your calculations are spot on, but I'll throw in a couple of points for the free-handed shields, so 295 points it is.

Martijn

From PeterD: Late Roman Archers and Epic Halberdiers [Gift Shop] (120 points)

This is the first post from me this week, a unit of 12 formed archers for my Late Romans.  My wife flew off to Phoenix for the week yesterday and I've been left to deal with a blizzard with up to 40cm of snow expected.  So I am left at home with lousy weather, the Briar (national curling championship) on TV and some free time...

Shields are made up, based on pictures in the Notitia Dignitatum

This was not a planned unit, it just kind of happened.  I bought a pack of Victrix Late Roman Archers and Slingers over the summer mostly for the slingers, but also thinking that I could use the bow arms for Pict archers.  It turned out that the 2/3 of the figures are archers with composite bows that look out of place in the hands of Picts.  So there were 24 archers and I felt I needed to do something with them...

These are nice figures and there are lots of variant arms and heads.  I like the variety of loading, shooting and admiring one's last shot poses.  I included an officer and a musician who is likely over armoured but was fun to paint.   

My previous Roman archer units had been light infantry and I'd filled my quota under the TtS army lists, hence the formed bowmen unit.  I've given them the title Sagittarii Nerviorum. There are three units listed as Nerviorum under the Dux Britanniarum in the Notitia Dignitatum.  The name comes from the Nervii, a Belgic tribe from Northern Gaul as I continue to try and butter up my Belgic minion.  Other Nervii units served in Northern Gaul, Spain and even as an elite Auxiliary Palatina unit in the Eastern Empire.

The officer and musician come from the Armoured Infantry kit.

No Challenge bonus points, but I will claim the points on the Legions of the Empire Side Duel.

Also counting for the Legions of the Empire Side Duel are these Epic Empire halberdiers.  I am also going claim the the "Gift Shop" bonus points because Curt told me I could when I Voluntold me to paint these.

Curt has been running a Old World themed TtS! Campaign using these Epic scale figures and I've been running the Empire side.  More like the Sacrificial Offering giving my skill at these games.  One thing that I've finally figured out is that the bog standard grunts like these Halberdiers and pretty darn useful (and cheap to boot). 

Curt has a sizeable Empire contingent which looks lovely in a mostly blue and yellow livery.  To mix things up I went for a Crimson and White livery, which I believe means that these lad don't follow any of the Official liveries.  I will note that I've left their based un terraformed as Curt will want to base them according to his own system.

I had more fun painting these than I thought I would once I figured out a system.  By system I mean going with a wash technique and not worrying about the small details.  The flag and a couple of shields are free handed to kinda look like Imperial Eagles if you squint hard and have had enough wine.

Points wise I make it

• 12 archers in 28mm @5 pts each =60
• 36 halberdiers in 10mm @ 1 pt each = 36
• Giftshop bonus =20
• Total 116 points.

This takes me over my 500 point Challenge Target.

Finally since Martijn's been suggesting books, I have a book suggestion for him Buried by Alice Roberts.  it's a survey of archeology over the first 1000 years CE, looking at a number of specific burial sites.  She's got two others in the series dealing with the BCE and medieval eras (just out now in Canada).  The first two have some great history about the archeology in Britain and challenge a lot of ideas.

Well,  the first rule about buttering up minions is not to confuse Belgians with Dutchmen! However, as I am by now at least part Belgian, in mind if not by birth, I won't hold it against you. Too much. All joking aside, though, another fine post from you Peter! I like the variety in the archer unit, and I am sure Curt will be thrilled by those nimble halbardiers. Your method really works, and even without the wine the flag looks fine too. Well done! Thanks for the book suggestion, was it you who suggested it earlier? It is on my shelf now, I'm looking forward to reading it. Pointswise I agree with you, but will give you the by now customary bonus for shields and flag for a total of 120 points. Good job!

Martijn

From Mike W - 15mm, 28mm Historical, Fantasy and more! Squirrel (520 Points)

 I'm back from my travels and back to this year's challenge! I have a fairly wide range of items to show and tell this week, some of this is left over from my shorter than usual week at home, last week and the rest is this week's output.

I'll start with a quick nod to Lady Sarah's Trolley with another female Tau Gue'Vesa fighter who will help me to travel to the DIY section.

Female Tau Ge'Vesa, carrying a Combo Weapon and dashing to next objective.

The figure is based upon a Wargames Atlantic Sci-Fi figure with a head from their biker gang kit and GW Weapons and shoulder armour.

Another view, the figure is depicted wearing sun glasses but I'm not sure that my painting
skills have not resulted in her looking like she's having a bad make-up day....

And the rear view, showing backpack and the dark grey under-armour

Under the DIY banner I present a group of Medjai, or Pharoah's Guard, think as per the film 'The Mummy' or other archaeological adventure films. As with posts on this subject in older challenges, I must again apologise for the Hollywood style misrepresentation of culture and dresses etc. That said these guys are to be used in a number of scenarios ranging from the 19th - 20th Century, thus the mix and match of weapons etc.

The completed group of 14 Medjai Warriors.

Another view of the Medjai group.

These fourteen figures are based upon Warlord Atlantic's Afghan warriors with various heads, weapon and equipment from Gripping Beast Arabs or other suitable figure kits. The paint job is black robes with blue accessories and pretty much as described in my older posts. This group is to be used to re-enforce the figures I completed previously.

Close-up of 5 or the Medjai, including a Standard Bearer carrying
the 'Eye of Horus' banner, plus an archer.

In actual fact the original set I did a couple years ago were based upon the Perry Miniatures Afghan boxed set - now comparing the two sets of figures, I must say that I prefer the Perry versions

Five more Medjai, including swordsmen, archer and clubman.

Last four Medjai, a musician, spearman, swordsman and a guy with a Jezail.

Next up are 90 new 10mm Flodden Scots figures. That is 30 x Archers on three bases as per my previously posted Hand Gunners, plus 60 x Pikemen on six bases that will form one of the Scots Pike Blocks. Front ranks (bases) are fully armoured with the rear ranks either unarmoured or only partially armoured. I envisage the block to be deployed in a 2 x 3 rectangle, much as shown in the photos below.

30 x Scots Archers, 10 to each base!

Painting of these tiny figures is as per previous posts. I've added a lot of flags - just because I can and these make the bases look better in my opinion. I've done a bunch of generic St Andrew's crossess then some varied other banners to make up the numbers...

Archers in column, from their right flank.

Archers in the same column, from their left flank.

The pike blocks are based in the same manner as the Archers and hand gunners, however in line with my view that 'its the bling' that catches the eye, I have given the pike blocks a lot of flags. At this scale the flags are what is noticed, not much else!

Completed 60 figre Pike Block

A view form the left, I have added a lot of flags, two Crosses of St Andrew on each rear flanking base and a family banner, Roayl Scots banner and Cross of St Andrew on the centre rear base. Not sure how historically accurate this  but it will help to identify units on the tabletop!

A view form the right, this block is under the command of the Stewarts,
you might just make out their family banner in the centre rear of the block

I have tried to have standing figures at the back and those with pikes ready to the front

Another view

And finally a close up of the centre bases of the block, the Stewart banner is obscured by the Royal Scots banner.

Next, off on a flight of fantasy I have completed a small group of 10 x Skeletons, these you will quickly see are in the ancient Roman style. I recently saw a video on YouTube where a guy was doing an Ancient Greek themed Warhammer Old World army, based upon the Tomb Kings army lists. 

Ten armoured Roman Skeleton Infantry, all armed with Gladus and Scutum 

These guys are all on the old style 20mm square bases, ultimately if I go down the route of getting the Old World Rules, I'll have to get some base converters to meet their new frontage rules

I thought that was cool and then thought why not do something based on Romans, as ever my thoughts appear to not have been that original and I found some suitable 3D modles on eBay and invested in thes eto see what they looked like.

Another view, with the rear rank brought forwards

In general I'm really pleased, the shields - having moulded designs - are tickly to paint, but the overall effect is fun. I'm definitely going to invest in a Command Goup and another 20-30 rank & file to complete the unit.

Last photo showing the fiddly shield details

If I go down the route of  raising a whole ancient Roman themed skeleton army I might go to Wargames Atlantic skeletons (who are ironically Greek themed) and then add in Warlord Games Roman shields and weapons etc. Benefit here is that I can then use shield transfers and save my eyesight!

Next back to the Tau factory and a group of 16 x Tau warriors and/or drones. These are all painted using the same recipe as I have described elsewhere. Sadly, I'm pretty much at the end of my Tau journey, I have a couple of odds and ends to do, figure wise, and at some point I need to look at getting some vehicles.

The completed batch of 16 Tau Warriors and Drones.

A slightly different view

Again I have created a number of unarmoured Tau Jueveniles, just to stretch out the figures in my army and indulge in some kit bashing! I decided to make one of these a Medic, as I found a nice little piece which appeared to be a bunch of medical instruments - waste not want not....

5 x scratch built unarmoured Tau, In the right an unarmed Tau Medic, others with a variety of weapons

I had a few arms left over which were in the act of throwing a grenade - thus you will see these in this week's group. Also a couple of arms that had drone control devices!

Close up of 4 x Tau, all with a range of weapons

Three more close-ups of the Tau figures,
painted with the same scheme as others in this army,
On the right is a human Gue'Vesa

A Tau warrior with a device to control the armed drone to the right.

So just as a hint as to what I may look to do next is a paint job on a very old lead Necron figure that I had kicking around, it is now nicely completed and based on a terrain that is similar to the Tau figures!

A hint of things to come?
An old lead Necron painted up to face off my new Tau army!

Slightly different view

And the rear view!

Another divergent route I have explored is toying with the Italian Wars of Independence using Warlord Games Epic ACW & Napoleonic figures. This has been inspired by KenR's submissions in previous challenges and realising that I probably shouldn't do these in 28mm - not least for space considerations!.  Here is a test regiment of Garibaldi Volunteers, 100 figures on 5 bases.

5 x Bases each of 20 figures, unit in line of battle. Generic Italian flags on command base.

I undercoated these little guys in a 'Linen' colour and then drybrushed the trousers white, before applying an Army Painter Grey wash. Jackets and Kepis were done with AP Speed Paint and then when dry any figures that I had mistakenly overpainted their trousers with red, had grey/blue trousers added to cover the mistakes!

Straps were a nightmare - done with GW Contrast Paint but really hurt my eyes doint this. Blanket rolls and accoutrements were added before doing muskets in their natural colours. Green cuffs were added as best as possible, as were a variety of slouch hat colours

Unit with the bases at front and two behind

Three ranks deep, with command base to the front

And in column of march going => way

and going <- way!

So that's all that time allowed for this week. I have very nearly finished my mounted Lizardmen, but they are not quite ready yet! And I hope to dig out some old Necron plastic figures, if I can only remember where I last saw them. I also have another Epic 15mm unit to test paint - this time an Irish-American  Fenian Regiment from the invasion of Canada.

Rooms visited & Bonuses claimed to date!

POINTS

Lady Sarah's Trolley Bonus                                              20 Points

Female Tau Gue'Vesa                                                      5 Points

90 x 10mm Flodden Scots @ 1 Point ea                                    90 Points

14 x Medjai Infantry @ 5 Points ea                                      70 Points

10 x 28mm Roman Skeletons @ 5 Points ea                                 50 Points

16 x Tau Warriors @ 5 Points ea                                         80 Points

Necron Warrior                                                           5 Points

100 x 15mm Warlord Epic Garibaldi Infantry @ 2 Points ea               200 Points

TOTALS                                                                 520 Points

+3 Squirrel (Undead Romans, 15mm Italian Garibaldi Infantry, 28mm Medjai)

 

Sylvain: Every week, you impress me with your productivity and your squirrelness. You seem to be so at each with different genres from historical to science-fiction. All these are very well painted and it makes me which I could one day peek at your gaming table with all the goodies in battle order. I have a soft spot for samller scales and I really like your tiny Garibaldi infantry. Expertly done!