From JezT: Silver Bayonet Part 2 - Assorted 28mm (22 points)

Dear All, 

Its a Thursday so must be time for some more snow bases and Silver Bayonet figures? This is my second batch and just four figures for 20 points. Pleased with these as they mean I can now field a squad and hopefully shortly play my first game. All were painted with Games Workshop paints. 

The basing style came about by chance when I was doing Part 1 as I started using some clear bases and initially just placed some snow basing on the metal part of the figure; I liked the way it looked as the terrain sheet will show through the base on the table and I am only planning to use these as individual skirmish figures. 

In more detail - first up we have the squad leader. The leader is Marshall Ney from Giants in Miniature to which I made a few conversions. I beefed up the musket as the original was a bit skimpy, I especially wanted a cartridge box and added this and a backpack. Originally I tried to sculpt a cartridge belt with Milliput, but the result was a bit clunky, so I pragmatically decided to paint it as a blanket role.   

As I am using a French squad option I really wanted to include a Vivandiere. I am not sure of the maker origin of the female figure and don't think it was a Napoleonic figure; I added in the wine bottle as her sustenance for the squad (not sure if that will go very far). 

The next two are North Star figures and painted them to fit in with the French squad. I like the sculpting of both of these and the male figure can take on a variety of squad roles - Junior Officer, Veteran Hunter and so on. 

So four figures and just a simple 20 points for me.

Cheers Jez

TeemuL: You are absolutely right, snow bases, Silver Bayonet and Napoleonics are exactly what the world is expecting from Thursdays and that is exactly what Thursdays are delivering! Nice addition to your squad and good luck with your games. Interesting to hear your story about the discovery of the basing style, sometimes accidents are great innovations. As it seems to be a tradition of today, I'll give you two bonus points for conversion work and telling the story of the bases. :)

From RayR: Retreat from Moscow - North Star, 24th Legere (35 points)

Surprise Surprise! Here's more figures for my and Lee's  Retreat from Moscow project. 

These poor chilly souls are painted up to represent a detachment of the French 24th Legere, who fought in Ney's Third Army, 10th Division (Ledru), in Gengoult's Brigade. But in all honesty they could be from any French light infantry unit.

In Sharpe Practice, skirmish units are usually in 6 man units. The figures are from the great range of figures made by North Star for the Muskets & Tomahawks ruleset, which I bought as a set. I've included a commander, once again from North Star's range.

I hope more figures will be added to this great looking range........not that I actually need anymore figures???

But who am I kidding!

Once again I've included their very own base, which I painted up before the Challenge, when we found out no terrain items were allowed this time round.

I'm hoping to add another post later today, if I can get the figures finished?????

Onto the points, nice and easy...

7 figures at 5pts each = 35 pts

TeemuL: I have said this before, but I believe this is a fine example of this Challenge, you and Lee working together for a common target side by side. I'm sure the Challenge itself is a great source of inspiration, but your side duel lifts it to the next level. Talk about the positive peer pressure!

I like these models, too, I have bought something from this range in the past and have been happy. Your brushwork and frosty finish does them justice. Let's see if you finish a second post.

From LeeH: More Russian Line Infantry and two officers (58 Points)

More Russian infantry have marched across my paint desk this week leaving me clear to get started on more ‘interesting’ units such as artillery and cavalry. I’m still slowly cleaning and priming the figures I got for Christmas and at some point this week I’ll place an order for the ‘last’ units for my army (who am I kidding!). 

This is my second unit of Line Infantry/Musketeers for the Retreat from Moscow. These are from North Star’s Muskets and Tomahawks Range (all the stuff I have painted so far has been from North Star). To slightly differentiate them from the almost identical unit I painted a couple of weeks ago, I have changed the colour of the waterproof Shako covers. In every other respect, these are painted like the first unit. 

I have also been trying to get a few more officers painted and will try to do at least one each week if I can. First, we have this mounted officer from Wargames Foundry. He looks suitably animated, bellowing orders to the infantry. I also painted a foot infantry officer in greatcoat, again from Wargames Foundry. 

Then we have some scenic elements, starting with the dying horse. Like Ray I raided Tiger Miniatures stand at Warfare in November for a few of their horses, specifically to use as dead animals. I had to do a lot of cutting and filing to get this thing to lay flat on its base but I’m pleased with the finished model, as the horse lifts its head one last time before giving in to cold and exhaustion. 

Last is a set of filler bases for my movement trays…but these aren’t worth any points because I painted them before the Challenge started. When we realised that terrain wasn’t included this year I decided to get these out of the way in the last week or two before the competition started. I was eager to get started on something from this project, so these were a fun little side project while I waited for the Challenge to get underway. I love movement trays but I hate vacant holes when models are removed, so these can be swapped in to keep the tray looking the part. 

(Scoring: 9x28mm Foot = 45 Points,  1x28mm Mounted Officer = 10 Points and 1 Prone 28mm horse = 5 3 Points for a total of 60 58 points)

Another fine contribution to your project! The infantry look absolutely great, and I like the martial look of the officer. The subtle highlights on his coat work very well. I also very much like your idea of fillers for movement trays, they look very nice and varied! 

Once again, I am to be a little stern. The horse is a prone figure, so at half value. In recognition of the work involved in getting it to lie down and because I hate half points, I'll score it at 3 points. So 58 points for you!

Martijn

From LeeH: Russian Jӓgers & Officer 1812 [95 Points]

Originally I was only going to do two of these units but when I looked at the packs of models I had I realised I had enough ‘spares’ to make a third unit. So here I present three units of Russian Jӓgers in skirmish formation with an officer to lead them.

Russian Jägers were light infantry known for being superior marksmen and agile fighters. They could form line units (indeed I intend to add a Jäger Line unit to my force later) but their primary use was skirmishing in open order. In many ways, their uniform was very similar to that of regular line/musketeer units. The main visible differences were black leather belts rather than the white of musketeers and grenadiers, and dark green breeches rather than white. These models all wear the soft forage cap which was used, as far as I can tell, by most branches of infantry. Indeed North Star (who make these figures) describe them as Musketeers/Jägers so they could be used for either type, just with different colour belts showing the difference.

Next on my desk are more infantry but I have already started to assemble and prime a 12pdr artillery piece and crew from Perry Miniatures. Lovely looking models and I’m looking forward to working on that in a week or two.

(Scoring: 19x28mm Foot = 95 Points)

Again, some excellent work on these Napoleonic Russians, Lee! The project seems to trundle along quite happily. I really like these North Star figures, and you have done them proud. Well done, and 95 points it is.

MartijnN

From LeeH: Russian Line Musketeers 1812 [40 Points]

I have a system for painting during the challenge, and I’m sure it is one many painters adopt. I always have multiple projects on the go at the same time. This means that while I’m waiting for one stage of painting to dry I can shift to another set of models and do the next stage on them. Impatience is the mother of ruination in painting and waiting for stuff to dry before starting the next stage may be annoying, but it is essential. So while I was working on the latter stages of my Grenadiers I was already beginning this unit of Russian Line Musketeers. 

Once again they are wearing the 1808 pattern ‘stovepipe’ Shako, this time covered with an oilskin cover to keep them clean on the march. I will eventually get some infantry with the 1812 Kiwer Shako but many regiments hadn’t adopted the new style before the French invasion. One thing my troops have in abundance are Greatcoats. So as well as making my figures considerably easier to paint than the French troops, they were also much more comfortable in the harsh conditions of the Russian winter. Ironically as my boys are warmer than the Frenchies the greatcoats are also a great way to show the cold by dusting the lower edges with frost. 

More Russian reinforcements arrived on the 25th of December (thank you Santa) so I’ll be spending the next few evenings cleaning and priming the next sets of figures for this project. I have already started on some units of skirmishing Jägers which I hope to finish later in the week. No project ever stays ‘small’ of course so I am looking at the force I have gathered so far and will make a 'few' last-minute additions. I need more cavalry (I have two units so far) and I don’t have any militia yet. So in the time-honoured tradition of wargamers the world over I’ll be expanding my collection before I have even finished the first batch of models. What can I say, I’m weak and I love it.

(Scoring: 8x28mm Foot = 40 points)

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Lovlerly work on these musketeers, Lee. I greatly admire those who have these mysterious 'systems' aiding their hobby time. I'm afraid my approach is not dissimilar to a racoon on meth - everything all the time with detritus everywhere.  

Very nice and tidy brushwork on these Russian lads. When I did my Russian Retreat project a few years ago I found that the basing took as much time as the figures themselves. Your cold-weather work here has really paid its dividends, especially on how you've carried over the effect to the sabot trays. Wonderful stuff. I look forward to seeing your upcoming Jagers.

- Curt

From LeeH: Russian Line Grenadiers 1812 [40 Points]

My first EVER unit of 28mm Napoleonics is completed. Let's be more specific.. my first Napoleonics in any scale! It’s all Ray’s fault. He rang me a few months ago and suggested a collaboration and about five seconds after suggesting The Retreat from Moscow in 1812 I was online and making my first order! My first impression…28mm is waaaay more expensive than my usual 6mm projects! I often paint single 28mm figures for the challenge, but it has probably been three decades since I last painted units of 28’s so I had no idea how long these would take to complete to a standard I was happy with. Fortunately, I had quite a bit of time during the opening weekend of the Challenge and I rocketed through this first unit. 

These are 1812 Russian Grenadiers, but they are wearing slightly out-of-date equipment. They still wear the 1808 pattern ‘stovepipe’ Shako with its enormous plume. From February 1811 regiments started being equipped with the new ‘Kiwer’ style shako with a much thinner Plume. Still, many had not received these before the French invasion in 1812 and some regiments didn’t fully change to the new regulation uniform until 1814. Fortunately for me most of the models I have chosen for my Russian army are wearing Greatcoats making painting them a lot easier. (Ray keeps mentioning this but I don’t feel guilty at all. First, he should have started the conversion by bagsying the Russians first and second he’d just cost me £200 I wasn’t planning on spending!)

One of the reasons I so quickly agreed to this project was that I felt the hand of fate on my shoulder. I have most of the Blandford Colour Series books and just a few weeks earlier I filled a gap in my collection when I found a copy of Uniforms of the Retreat from Moscow in a charity shop for the ridiculous price of one pound. So when Ray suggested the period for our collaboration project I knew I couldn’t ignore the obvious hint from the gods of wargaming. Serendipity had spoken and I had to go with the flow. Besides, being a bit of a butterfly my will was too weak to resist. 

(Scoring: 8x28mm Foot = 40 points)

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First, welcome to 'The Beautiful Game' Lee. Your first unit of Napoleonics... Wow. To me it's like some one announcing the arrival of their first child. Fabulous work my friend. I love that you've done them in the earlier stovepipe brush shako - literally over the top stuff. Good call on the greatcoats and I also like your snowy bases which really highlights the intended setting. Lovely stuff. I look forward to the next installment in this project.

Speaking of which, where is Ray's contribution? You're barely of the gate and he's already shirking his responsibilities.. :)

40 Points to you Lee, well done.

From GeoffreyT: The silver bayonet, Canada (35 points)

Hello challengers,

I do very much enjoy The silver bayonet game and the sculpts from Northstar are great, adding some brilliant variety to Napoleonic wargaming which is often typified by endless ranks of similar figures.

This week I am painting some of the miniatures from the Canada range, and have finished six so far.  I copied the box art as I have no idea what Canadians wore in 1812.  The dude in the middle's jacket looks like a 19th century hi vis equivalent.

Also this week I complete another of the Banhus Miniatures shell creations.  This one is like a crab man and might be Useful in Ghost Archipelago.

Seven 28mm foot = 35 points for the tally this week.

Kind regards

Geoff.

From Millsy: Thus far I have resisted the Canada expansion but you're making that a harder ask with these fine fellows Geoff. I'm particularly impressed by the Indian Tracker (I think that's what he is?) with the striped jacket. The preacher/priest is also pretty cool and looks ready to knock some sense into whatever comes his way. Never argue with a ginger armed with a big stick! 

From GeoffreyT: No bonus points for me (25 points)

Hello Challengers,

This week I have a few minis I have worked hard on, trying to get a smoother look and using nice matte finishes.  Black lining with washes and inks to delineate areas rather than just rely on colour contrast.

The first three are from Banhus miniatures, cast by mammoth miniatures.  I have no idea what they are, but I like them a lot and am sure I could use them in one of many miniature agnostic games.  They are very beautiful sculpts, but there was some very thick flash and some bubbles in the casts which is annoying.

Next I have an elf character from inquisition miniatures.  Might use him as my next ranger from Rangers of shadow deep, as the last one died a horrible death.

Finally a baddie from Northstar minis, it is a Krampus, a bonus fig that came with a Silver bayonet package deal.

These are all 28mm, so 5 x 5 = 25 points.  Sadly I have already scarfed all the bonus points and there is none left for me, but it does push me over the 1000 point target I set myself.

There is a skull on one of the Banhus miniatures, and also 9 skullz on the Palanquin of Nurgle I forgot to claim last week.  So these extra 10 skullz brings my total to 17.

Kind Regards

Geoff

From Millsy: Your efforts to produce a smooth finish on this batch of minis has paid off in spades Geoff. I'm particularly impressed by the snail-turkey(?) thing's shell but they are impressive in their own way. If you want some other minis to fit alongside have a look at Eureka's chaos stuff. Proper weird! Super brushwork mate...

From GeoffreyT: Assault on the rotunda. (Maritime, DIY, Literature, Travel, 149 points)

Hello Challengers,

I resume my library trek in the central room, where I tackle the Maritime section.

This rather odd miniature is from Mammoth Miniatures and cast in resin.  I don’t know what it is, but importantly the sculpt was made from shells recovered from the Thames Estuary, as such I consider it Maritime.  I loved the concept of the shell made miniature and could not resist this random purchase.  It is about 40mm scale.  I guess estuarine shells are 'inshore' and not 'offshore', but close enough match Dewey’s shelf classification I hope.

From the central room I move east into the rotunda main level, perusing shelves as I go.  The first is DIY, where I paint three miniatures I sculpted myself from epoxy putties.  They are 'caucasian zombie hunters in summer attire'.  A bearded man armed with a beer gut and chainsaw, a teen with a bat and bin-lid and a youth riding a skateboard with an over and under shotgun, grinding a hand rail.  They are 28mm scale. 

Also in the rotunda we find the Literature section, where '10,000 words will do'.  This immediately made me think of Tolstoy's war and peace, therefore I have 8 Napoleonic Russian figures from Northstar Miniatures ‘The Silver Bayonet’ range which could fit said book nicely.  Admittedly, I already have far more of this range than I can practically use, but they are such fine figures I cannot resist them.  No doubt I will buy whatever comes out with every new supplement.

After completing the rotunda lower level, I now climb to the summit, and go to the Travel section.

Here I have a vignette of a travel experience, with me waiting patiently for a plane whilst flanked by recalcitrant vending machines.  These pieces were second hand and I don't know their source, so I cannot credit the sculptor sorry.

The library now as stands, with me standing in the rotunda.

Points:

1 x 40mm infantry = 7 points

12 x 28mm infantry = 60 points

2 x widgets = 2 points

4 library topics (Maritime, DIY, Literature,Travel) = 80 points 

Total points for this post = 149 points and 1 skull (raising Skullz tally to 5)

Kind Regards

Geoff.

From Millsy: This must be one of the most eclectic and interesting posts this year Geoff! Its packed full of all sorts of weird and interesting stuff, all beautifully painted to boot. Your rendition of yourself at the airport is absolutely hilarious and something I suspect many of us can empathise with.

Great too see someone else has dived right in to Silver Bayonet and not held back, although I'm not sure I understand what you mean about having too much stuff :-P

149 points for your tally mate!