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

from RayR - Haitian Revolution - Rebel Slaves 245pts

What's this I hear you say?

A new period for Ray?

And Its nothing to do with Donnybrook or Beneath the Lily Banners?

Its all Stuart and his blogs fault, on Dust, Tears & Dice for the last few years, Stuart has been

painting up and gaming the Haitian Revolution 1791-1804. I was thinking of a new period

and seeing all his great figures got my Wargaming juices flowing!

There's only 1 company selling 25mm figures for the period and that's Trent Miniatures

So Father Christmas was told Trent minis are on my wish list last Christmas.

And he, (well Mrs R and my daughters) bought me a stack of figures!

These are the first results 4 units of 12 Rebel Slaves armed with muskets.

All based up on 25mm round bases, also included (not sure of points) are multi bases, enough

for the 48 painted figures.

All the bases on show.

I also have been collecting Fish Tank plants, for scenery and such, I cut a few into 

pieces and drilled and glued them in place. I think they work rather well?

So my first post on my first new period in a few years should give me

240 points for the figures

and whatever I get for the bases??

Monster post Ray. i'm just back from the pub where I have drinking Abolition - guest beer in the Uni local. Very nice - needed many more. These are fab and you deserve a bonus for foliage

Martin

From PeteF Douglas' Shallows - Raft Ranger Messing About with Boat (40 points?)

For the penultimate stop on Challenge Island I was going to do three 3-D printed rafts for use in the Rebels & Patriots river chase scenario. Unfortunately my friend's 3-D printer gave up the ghost after one raft, so for this location I have boat rather than boats to mess around with.

The 3-D file came free from Thingiverse and the designer did a great job with it. There's an alternate version with a small sail which I'll use for one of the other rafts when the printer is well again. The chest is integral to the print and adds some interest.

I tried a new technique for the wood using artists acrylic and a weathered wood medium. The whole thing was painted with a greyish driftwood colour, then the medium, then a burnt umber. As it dried it cracked - giving a more natural effect. I'm calling the result good enough for wargaming.

To make up for the lack of boats I painted a ranger to go on the raft. She is a Sisterhood Scout from Mantic's Kings of War/Vanguard Basilean's faction. I'm thinking of using this green/yellow colour scheme for a wood-elfy SAGA Age of Magic faction.  I tried more contrast/shading on the cloak than I usually manage - what do you think - could I go further? Should the final highlight be grey rather than lime green?

Not sure how to score the raft - if it's a vehicle it would be 20 points but if terrain then more like 5. 5 for the ranger and 30 for the new location - I'll leave final judgement to the minion of the day.

From DaveD - Thats a fine creation alright i will go with 40 points

From TomG: The South Rises (85 Points)

I have finally returned, and with more Confederates in tow. Following on from my Officers I bring you the final leader for my Sharp Practice force, along with the first two groups of infantry, ready to defend their home land and way of life, albeit one that is anathema to modern sensibilities, and rightly so.

With that foot-in-mouth skirting if issues far larger than I have a right to comment on, I bring your the limited edition Officer figure from the Perry Miniatures American Civil War Battle Box, and what an officer he is. With his head bandaged, and his sword held aloft, he is a striking figure in the battlefield. 

Sergeant Farley narrowly missed his appointment with Death, but hailing from the South he stands defiant, leading his men with tenacity and valour.

As my games are likely to take place all over the ACW period, I went for a mixed uniform for Sergeant Farley, allowing the idea of new pants being from the butternut range of uniforms to imply the desperate position men in campaign found themselves in. 

I tried to keep the details fairly simple for Sergeant Farley, he's a working man ready to be there for his men, but he's no hero, all the heroes are already dead. 

Following him are the men of the South, and here we have a lucky few still sporting grey uniforms, however the rigours of fighting men has seen some equipment being replaced. These figures are from the Wargames Foundry range, and what a joy they were to paint. 

I tried to keep the uniform, well, uniformed, but took the bed rolls as an opportunity to add a bit of flavour to the men. 

However the Confederacy quickly felt the pinch of economic disruption, but men flocked to the banners. These men picked up what uniform was available, or supplemented it with what fitted and worked, so with this in mind the next group gave me the chance to really dive in to the box of colours.

One chap was deliberately given the light blue pants of a Yank, if nothing else but to break the monotony of grey and butternut, however my father-in-law always loves to tell me how his 6mm Confederates have the occasional Union clothes thrown in. 

And what a joy it has been getting started in to a period that I've been fascinated by for years, from across the pond, and yet still finding enthusiasts so open and willing to share information. With 3 more groups of 8 infantry to go, along with one group of skirmishers expect more to come soon, but for now here is a family photo of the beginning, but not the end!

Points - 17 x 28mm minis = 85 points

Next up is my return to Challenge Island with a Feat of Arms... see you soon!

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These are some great looking figures Tom, I especially like the unit that is in random clothing as it shows off the figures a bit more.  Uniforms are as you say, a bit uniform, and that doesn't always allow the figures to shine individually.   That said, both units look great.

It was nice seeing several units from the civil war all in one day, as it is a time period that we do not game with here.  No one in the area that I know of has any forces for the period, but it certainly was an interesting period to recreate.

- ByronM