From JamesM: Necromunda assortment (79 points)

Hey folks,

Some more models for my Necromunda collection, taken from my painting shelf, where they've been 'resting' for over a year. 

First up, a small group of Goliath gangers. The two larger ones are Goliath Stimmers, gang champions, while the more diminutive guy is a Forgeborn - the Goliath version of a 'prospect' - almost like a juve champion.

Histerically, I hadn't written down how I'd painted the rest of this gang. Thankfully I used Vallejo Xpress paints, so the options were limited. 

So far in our ongoing campaign, the Goliaths have done well. They have above-average strength and toughness and decent armour. Some of these chaps will be added to my gang once they've enough credits to buy them. 

Next up, some Hive Scum and Bounty Hunters. The chap in yellow is a 3d print proxy, the beastman is a Forgeworld model and the other two are plastic hive scum models. 

I'm sure the guy in yellow and black armour has nothing to do with the fact that the Imperial Fist Space Marine chapter has a fortress on the planet, and recruits from the underhive...

Next, a random model. A conversion I made from an Age of Sigmar figure that came free with a magazine (because #everymodelisanecromundamodel). I've painted her as an Imperial official - maybe she's an Enforcer Judge or Sister of Battle. Or maybe just a senior bodyguard from some Sisters of Battle order. 

She still has some gloss, as I'm awaiting appropriate 40k decals (which may or may not include Ordo Hereticus markings). 

Lastly, a small herd (coven?) of cultists:

Useful for a whole range of scenarios. 

13 x 28mm models = 65pts

2 x 40mm models (for the big Goliaths) = 14pts

Total = 79pts

TeemuL: Nice to see your well rested models so well painted, James! A nice and varied entry, but still everything is for Necromunda. I was wondering, if you can finish this entry in time and if I wake up early enough to post this in Canadian Thursday, but it all sorted out! Good work, and don't worry too much about the paint recipes, it is unlikely that Necromunda gangs would be uniformally dressed anyway?

From JamesM: 15mm De-frocked Priests, passengers and RE trucks [Limbo] (250 points)

Hi folks,

This entry represents the culmination of years of planning, collecting, and stalled effort - and several months' worth of distracted painting.

The original focus of my 15mm WW2 collection was the 1st Canadian Army's Operation Totalize in August 1944, so these early 'Kangaroos' or 'De-frocked Priests' have been on my to-do list for a long time. Unfortunately, I painted my first few when I started my collection, and they took ages - a feature of my inexperience at that time. The vehicles were fine; the issue was the passengers. 

This then tainted my thoughts about painting more of the bloody things. To make matters worse, my collection grew from a mere infantry company to an entire battalion. Which meant I needed to collect and paint more of the buggers. 

Earlier last year, before being distracted by 40k models, I dug out my selection of FoW blister packs and started on this clergy, hoping to have them done by summer. The plans of mice and men, eh? 

Thankfully, the challenge gave me the impetus to push on and get these all done. 

In total, I've painted 14 of these early tracked APCs. These are Battlefront resin and metal 15mm kits. 

And two passenger stands per vehicle. 

For those not in the know, these vehicles were American M7 Priests, operated by the Canadian 3rd Infantry Division as part of its D-Day assault division organisation. Instead of towed 25-pdr guns, the division was equipped with self-propelled M7s, which fired American 105mm rounds. 

Eventually, in July 1944, the Canadian and British units equipped with the M7s were requested to stop using them and return to British equipment due to ammunition supply issues. 

At the same time, the various allied armies in Normandy were struggling to find a way to advance infantry under armour in a battle dominated by machine guns and mortar fire. A Canadian engineering officer proposed stripping the gun from the M7, welding some steel over the gap, removing the ammo storage and other irrelevant internal fixtures, and using these hulls as armoured personnel carriers. They were used with some success, and later - when the M7s were returned to the Americans, Canadian surplus Ram tanks, with turrets removed, were used in the same role - going on to equip one Canadian and one British regiment. 

As such, my vehicles have been split into groups bearing the markings of 3CID artillery units. 

Alongside these, as a belated part of my preparation for the D-Day games played last year, I painted a pair of cut-down Morris gun tractors. These were primarily used by British airborne forces as tractors for their 17-pdr anti-tank guns, but my research showed they were also used by Royal Engineer units on D-Day as transport off the beaches. 

I've more passengers to paint for these, but they count as painted now!

And because I forget that not everyone is familiar with the scale (and the effects of mobile phone macro photography)... here's a reference for how small those decals are. 

18 x 15mm vehicles = 144 points

2 x drivers = 2 points

28 x passengers = 84 points (counting each strip of three men as 3 points)

'Limbo' = 20 points

Total = 250 points

TeemuL: Just counting my fingers, but your logic on the passengers seems valid and the spreadsheet approves, so I'm quite sure it is okay. That is quite a lot of vehicles, quite a lot passengers and quite a lot of green! Some history lessons, too. I understand that they might have felt overwhelming, especially when more and more is added to the initial project, but these are all done now and lots of points are coming your way!

From JamesM: Primaris Jump Assault Squad (37 points)

Hi folks,

Another small entry of bigger than usual models from me. A squad of five Primaris assault marines of the Crimson Fist chapter. These are the newer GW figures, wearing the jump-pack-equipped version of Mk.10 armour. 

At the end of December, I used this squad in a basecoat stage for our club's 'one-page rules' tourney. They were less effective than I'd hoped, but fingers crossed, now that they are properly painted, their performance will increase!

Still, they are cool models with lots of nice details. I've decalled them up as per the rest of my painted collection of these marines. Rather than putting them on flight stands, I decided to have them land, take off, and leap over piles of rubble. This should hopefully provide a bit more stability than flight pegs. 

In total points, 5 x 40mm minis are at 35pts in total. 

TeemuL: A nice group and variation for the wintery theme we have had today. I guess I have painted one squad of those, too, and I have another one in a box. Crimson Fists are iconic part of the 40k lore and you have done terrific job on highlighting them. Extra mention to the dusting of legs and tying them to the bases. I'll give a small bonus for the overall effect.

From JamesM: Crimson Fists snipers and APC (46 points)

Hi folks,

This is my first post of the challenge, as the days have just been speeding past. 

In an ever-so-slight shift in direction, I've recently been working on filling out and updating a 40k Primaris Space Marine Crimson Fist army I picked up for a song a couple of years ago at a show in Newark. I believe it worked out as over £400 worth of okay painted minis for £50. These are mainly used to play 'One Page Rules'. 

Unfortunately, the paint jobs needed some work, and in true megalomaniac I also started expanding the collection. As such, I've some units to paint from scratch and some that need significant re-work. 

The before:

With our Xmas club game rapidly approaching, I updated (significantly) the paint scheme of an already painted Impulsor APC. This vehicle received some 3d printed upgrades, mainly in the form of an enclosed rear hull. The basing was redone to match my marines, decals added, etc. 

Hopefully, the difference is obvious!

As I knew some of the players for our Xmas game would be fielding tanks, some emergency anti-tank firepower was needed. So I painted up a squad of Primaris 'Eliminators'. These were 2nd hand models, re-based and painted. Effectively, all three are armed with 'las fusil' weapons, although the Sargeant model actually has a bolter converted by adding a 'silencer' (a bit of 3D printed pipework). 

In 40k terms, this is a 3 man squad mounted on 40mm bases. 

Forgive the amount of brown. My logic was that the camo cloaks should reflect the terrain. In this case, the rusty environs of the deep hive - I plan to use my existing Necromunda terrain. 

Now for the points. Measuring the standing figures, they are 1 or 2mm short of 40mm from base of feet to top of head. Much closer to 40mm than 28mm. So 3 x 40mm infantry (21 points) and one 40mm vehicle (25 points). Total of 46 points. 

TeemuL: The scale creep of GW is real, and it has been real for some time. I'm fine with that, but it makes the scoring in this Challenge a pain. :) I'm quite sure several Primaris marines have been scored as 28mm minis, even though they are significantly larger - I have painted some myself. But I'll score them as 40mm minis and keep the responsibilities. A few editions ago Space Marines were not supposed to be using any camo, just going forward with their striking colours, but this has changed, too. Your brown camo cloaks look great and fit the bases.

From JamesM: 15mm Bobbins, Fireflies and Battery CP's (48pts)

Hi folks,

More green painted tanks from me, to end my challenge on. 

First up, some D-day oddities. 15mm resin printed 'Bobbin' AVRE Churchills. These tanks were 'carpet layers' designed to unroll a reinforced matting over soft sand/clay areas. This would provide a very temporary surface which other vehicles could use to prevent getting stuck on the beach. It could have the additional effect of flattening barbed wire to allow infantry easy crossing. As far as I'm aware, these attachments only really saw action on D-Day, although the concept was pursued in other forms post war. 

I've added some paint bottles for size references to some pictures, as it has been mentioned it's hard to define the scale sometimes - unfortunately I don't keep a banana near my desk. 

These models came from 'Butlers Printed Models' who have an excellent range of 3d printed 'funnies'. This was an expensive buy as I went for the 'all resin' option, but as soon as I saw these I knew my 'breaching teams' needed some. 

These tanks will see the table soon - this year me, MartinC and DaveD planning to do five large 15mm games - one for each of the D-Day beaches. 

Of course, it wouldn't be a challenge without me painting more 15mm Shermans*. 

Since I'd finished my Sherman DD's earlier in the challenge, I also painted the three firefly tanks that would join the squadron once the beach was a little more secure. 

These models are old metal and resin Battlefront kits I've had for a while. However, they have been 'upgraded' with more modern plastic Battlefront 17-pdr gun barrels, as the plastic offering is far thinner and more realistic looking than the old metal offerings. 

Decals and such are for the Fort Garry Horse. I've kept them very light on stowage, as they were a rush job and I can always add that later once I've seen what reference pics might be out there. After much interanl debate I also decided to base these the same way as the DD tanks. 

Lastly, a Battlefield3d resin printed Sexton Command Post model. 

This model has no real purpose other than it was unusual and I wanted to add one to my collection. As my Canadian Sextons has a Ram OP tank, I thought I'd add this oddity to my Polish artillery pool. Really just set dressing for games, it does look cool and took little effort, what with the canvas cover. 

Six 15mm scale tanks, at 8 points each, for a total of 48 points. 

* Like DaveD with his camels, although I've made sure the type of Sherman used is correct. 

_____________________________________________

It wouldn't be a proper Challenge without James doing some 15mm WWII armour, would it? Love the assorted 'funnies' and the oddball Sexton Command vehicle. It's these outliers that really make for an interesting tabletop. Well done James and best of luck with your upcoming D-Day monster games! 

Until next year!

-Curt

From JamesM: 28mm Necromunda beasties (30pts)

Hi folks,

Having painted the Escher gang, I had a few little pets for them still to do - with a couple more hopefully in the mail. These didn't take me too long, once I had an idea how I wanted to paint them. 

These creatures are 'Phelynx', which are apparently "gene-smithed Venom Cats are fast, stealthy and can really do some damage if they sink their teeth into you". The models are plastic, and come from the Escher Death Maidens and Wyld Runners box. In game terms, these creatures have a poisonous bite, capable of felling even the toughest opponents. 

My Goliath gang also had a pet waiting to be painted:

This is a Forgeworld resin Goliath Sumpkroc. The answer to the question "what happens when upper hive nobles buy exotic and expensive pets as fashion accessories, that they then flush/throw away when they are bored of them (or when the pets have eaten too many servants/children/fingers)". 

This creature is pretty big, sitting on a 40mm base. In game, it has decent combat abilities and can 'counter charge' anyone trying to charge it's master. 

______________________________

Gene-Smithed Venom Cats? Sumpkroc?! Ewww!  And you guys gave me gears for some simple turnips! 

Seriously, great looking minis, James. I especially like the skin and cyber-gear on that Kroc. I'm sure he'd be Captain Hook's absolute nightmare! Well done.

- Curt

From JamesM: 28mm Necromunda Esher gang (70 Points)

Hi folks,

During last years challenge, I managed to make a start of my Necromunda gangs. One gang which was built but didn't make it to the painting desk was lined up for this years challenge. 

"House Escher is unique among the great Houses of Necromunda, for its gangs are made up entirely of women. Masters of pharmaceuticals and chemical manipulation, what an Escher may lack in terms of raw physical strength, she more than makes up for in speed, skill and sheer psychotic flair."

Some of these ladies have seen the table, but in a sadly unpainted state while we were getting to grip with the rules. 

I'm having real issues with lighting for photographs currently. My desk painting light seems to sync with my phone camera and causes a flickering effect that shows up on pictures. This is impacting the brightness of my photos. So below is one of the images, but with the gamma turned up:

Basing is done as per my other Necromunda models, using the GW plastic underhive range. The gangers are a mix of the basic plastic gang, the add on box of Death Maidens and Wyld Runners, plastic weapons upgrades and forge world upgrades. 

This entry consists of fourteen 28mm infantry figures, giving 70 points. 

TeemuL: Getting decent photographs can be a real pain sometimes, but I'd say the last three look great. And the minis look great, too! I really like the bold colours on the hair and the uniform look, but not too uniform. Good that you managed to get your Necromunda project(s) to finish line. Necromunda is one of the games I have never tried, although I'm quite sure I would like it. I guess the on/off support GW has for the game and relaunches and new editions and new rules kind of push me away, but gaming it friends it only takes a decision to use a certain rule system and that's it. It could be done.

From JamesM: Three Battlefleet Gothic Chaos Fleets [Overdues and Returns] (338 points)

Hi folks,

This weeks entry took me a while to put together, and hadn't really been planned for the challenge. I had hoped to move on to some Necromunda bits before moving back to WW2, but thought some of these models would fit the theme for 'overdue and returns'. These models having been sitting in a '2nd hand' state for a number of years, needing dusting, repairing and painting. Some of them had a basic paintjob already, although that was a paintjob that had been rattling around a shoebox for 15+ years. 

First up, fleet number one and a mini force within a force - a Deathguard Plague Fleet. 

The models I'd picked up over the years included a Nurgle infested blessed Battlebarge and cruiser. I did a bit of work upgrading the paint jobs, replacing missing antena and finding a new bases - then decided a pair of cruisers would be better. I made an attempt to make these ships tarnished and suitably grotty - to best reflect the influence of the god of disease, rot and decay. I used 'dirty down' rust for the first time on these, alongside painting skin tones which were then mucked up.  

This mini fleet consists of a Death Guard Battlebarge - technically the famous 'Terminus Est' model - alongside two 'Murder' class cruisers, a trio of Iconoclast destroyers and six Infidel class raiders. My fluff for these is that this is a detachment of Deathguard Chaos Space Marines supporting my larger Chaos fleet. 

My second force within a force is a small fleet of ships dedicated to the worship of Tzeench. No doubt their presence indicates a wider plot is afoot by the changer of ways. 

Here we have Slaughter and a Devastation class cruisers, backed up by six Idolator class raiders. The Devastator class cruiser has an unusual bridge, which might reflect a possessed ship rather than just fancy ornamentation. Again, I wanted to do something special with the converted ship, and cruisers work best in pairs. 

Lastly, the main fleet - painted in a very 'old school' way, as per White Dwarf battle reports and the origional rule book chaos ships:

Led by a Repulsive class grand cruiser, this monster was placed on a larger base - allowing it to have more shields than a standard grand cruiser. 

The Repulsive is backed up by a gaggle of heavy cruisers:

Two Styx class heavy cruisers (dedicated carriers), a Hades class heavy cruiser and an Archeon class heavy cruiser. These are the same plastic kit as the cruisers, but with additional weapons. I've fighters and bombers for these carriers to do, but they need a bit of work so may not be done this challenge. 

The main force is made up of a fleet of cruisers:

Here we have two Slaughter, one Devastator, two Carnage, one Inferno and one Murder class cruisers. One of these Slaughters needs weapons removed from the dorsal mounts and other bits added, but I'll fix that later. I'll also need to add another cruiser in order to make this a 'legal' fleet without the inclusion of the Tzeench ships. 

Lastly, the ragtag bunch of motely raiders, escorts and transports:

Twelve Infidel class raiders. 

Six Idolator class raiders. 

Six Iconoclast class destroyers and a trio of chaos transport ships. Because someone has to move the slaves, loot and depraved murder cannibal ground forces around. 

Yes, the red tones vary - this was a deliberate thing! I wanted to show a force which was both uniform and individual, in keeping with the chaos theme. My head canon is that the darker ships are older, having had more layers of baked on sacrifice's blood on the hull. Or something equally nasty. 

In total then:

2 large 'Capital' class ships - pointed as per 20mm vehicles (these things are chonky, and bigger than the cruisers) - 30pts

15 cruisers - as per last year, pointed as 15mm vehicles - 120pts

42 escorts - as per last year, pointed as 15mm artillery - 168pts

Lastly, these fall into the 'Overdues and Returns' category. As I may have mentioned last year, back in around 2006-2007 I sold all my Games Workshop collections. However, I had massive buyers regret with my BFG collection. Thus, I began to slowly buy models as I encountered them at decent prices online and at bring and buys. This collection of figures has been in my 'to do' pile for over a decade. I've kept getting them out, looking at them and putting them away as I didn't have the confidence to paint them and was perhaps overly worried about how to transport them. The transport issue remains, but at least I can worry about that with a painted fleet. 

Now I've just the Imperial, Eldar and Ork ships to worry about! And all those sites that produce lovely looking chaos light cruisers...

As an aside, this is the largest single points bomb I've managed so far!

TeemuL: That is a points bomb indeed, well done James! Yes, it would not look too real, if all the ships in the fleet would have exactly the same tone on them, allthough that is something GW seems to think. There are lots of ships there and I'll take your word on the count, I have too tired eyes to calculate them. :) BFG is a game that intrigues me, but so does many other game. To try it, I guess I would need to get the rulebook and paint two armies and then someone to play with me. And I already have the issue with Vikings, Napoleonics and couple of other projects. :) And yes, there is the issue of funding them all, too...