From HerrRobert (Robert H): The female of the species is more deadly than the male (10 Points)

Now, a future entry to be posted in ten minutes would work for Sander's Sand Dunes, but everyone has been there. So, instead, I shall summon Lady Sarah's Balloon and Airmobile Assault Service to carry my agent to Bromley's Butte.

For my fare, I present two no-nonsense ladies, Sarah Connor and Ellen Landry:

Both ladies are from Spectre Miniatures Undercover Operators line:

Both were still just primer as of noon. I wanted to go with a similar color scheme as the Spectre Miniatures line, but reversed it due to fading memory.

While painting, the facial expression reminded me of Linda Hamilton in Terminator, so I went with Sarah Connor for the figure's name. Paint job was relatively simple, though I did elaborate on the running shoes. I'm not happy with the base, so I may fix it later.

The ponytail on this figure reminded me of CDR Landry in Star Trek: Discovery, so that was the name. I used Gryph-Charger Gray contrast paint on the pants, and I'm pleased with how it worked. Should be good for Civil War Union troops, which I needed.

So, another ten points.

Hopefully Lady Sarah will not mind having beer aboard for this voyage. It seems to suit the passengers more than champagne.

________________________________

Great work Robert. I have these very same miniatures and I agree they are wonderful sculpts (and the one DOES look like Sarah Connor). :) Thanks for the inside information for using Gryph-Charger Gray for faded jeans. That will come in very handy, Cheers!

-Curt

From PeterD Ballon Ride to Mudry's Mesa (15 points)

With the dress I went for generic floral print from 2 feet away!

Still not done with me!  I need to get from Reidy's Reef to Mudry's Mesa and that means painting something for 30k or a balloon- talk about a no-brainer!  

Qite happy with the hair - it got the Lynne seal of approval too.

Another Bad Squiddo Women of WW2 figure.  This one is taking notes  - perhaps she's a transporter, perhaps she's a spy or perhaps she's keeping an eye on Mrs Jones next door.

This is my 6th balloon trip and my third one today for an extra 10 points to the 5 points for the mini.

I quite like the sensible white cardigan that this figure comes with.

Following sharply on the heels of his 4th post of the day, here is his 5th. Another great lady takes him to the skies.

TamsinP

From PeterD Home Front Lady for a Balloon Trip (5 points)

It's the last day of the challenge so I'm running the table with whatever I could finish up last night.  Next up is this lady for a Balloon ride to join up with Miles and Paul...

This is another of the lovely Bad Squiddo women of WW2 range that I picked up in January.  I've really enjoyed this figures.

I think that she could give Aunt Jane a good run in a scowl off.

 

Lots of subtle details on this very sensible outfit - the belt, the buttons and the satchel.

Smile and nod boys, smile and nod

This is my fourth balloon ride and 4 is 1 mod3, so no extra point here.  Just 5 for the figure.



He's back with his second of five entries for today. Great figure Peter!

TamsinP

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.

----------

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 TamsinP: Fashionably Frequently Flying Pulp Ladies (30 points)

Extracts from the journal of TamsinP, Time Traveler, Society Girl and Adventuress

13th March, 2020, London

Feeling somewhat depressed after reading how the world as we know it might end, I find myself in need of a stiff drink. When I open my drinks cabinet I am confronted by a complete absence of bottles. How can this possibly be?

Realising I have no other option, I reach for my device and set the location and date - I should be able to get a great Martini in 20's New York. the rift opens and I step through...


13th March 1928, Harlem

...and find myself in front of the famous Cotton Club. I check my attire and I do appear to have been changed into an appropriate outfit. I walk up to the door and am admitted. Ascending to the top floor of the building, where the club is located I find myself greeted by the Maitre D who has me escorted to a balcony table overlooking the stage. The smart young waiter asks what I would like to drink.

"A stiff Martini, then champagne please!".

"Certainly madamoiselle."

He disappears and returns a few minutes later with my Martini. I take a sip - it's a bit rough (well, what do you expect from bootleg gin?) but perfectly acceptable. I sit back and look around. I have a good view of the club's orchestra, led by Duke Ellington, and of the stage.

I am suddenly disturbed by a wave of commotion through the club as four fashionable young ladies arrive. In their wake, one of the club's bouncers roughly ejects a photographer who has tried to follow them in.  I don't know who they are, but they must be famous or important because I see them being personally greeted by Owney Madden, the club's owner. He shows them to a booth under the balcony and I don't see them again.

I finish my Martini and the young waiter replaces it with champagne. Actual champagne, not some rubbish home-brew. The waiting sees the confused but delighted look on my face.

"A gift from a Mr Doyle of Salutesville. He says he has seen you there and would like to show his appreciation."

I bet he would. But he'll have no joy. 

"Please thank him for me." I tell the waiter.

I sit back to enjoy the show while sipping the champagne. The waiter is very attentive and my glass is topped up as soon as it is almost empty.

The show reaches its end and I depart feeling somewhat less depressed about the potential apocalypse. 

As I reach the street I see a familiar hot air balloon floating above.

"Ahoy, Lady S!" I call out. "Do you have room for me aboard?"

""I most certainly do" she calls back, letting down the rope ladder.

I climb the ladder and ease myself into the gondola. The champagne seems to have hit me more than it should have. It is quite possible that more than one bottle arrived at my table. 

"I think I need some coffee and a lie down." I inform our bold aviatrix. 

"I think you do." she replies, an amused grin on her face.

I collapse on one of the many very comfortable sofas. A few minutes pass and then Sarah arrives with a steaming pot of coffee and a mug for me.

"Get this down you." she tells me. "Frequent Flyers movie marathon starts in an hour - we've got all the 1970s Musketeer films!"


Four Fashionable 1920s Ladies

These 28mm figures are from Eureka Miniatures and were great fun to paint. they are also the last of my prepped-and=primed pulp figures (although I do have more which haven't been prepped and primed - maybe they'll show up next year?

For scoring:

4 x 28mm foot @ 5 = 20 points
Frequent Flyer bonus (6th balloon ride) = 10 points

Total = 30 points


Great work on these very fashionable young ladies.  I have really been enjoying your work on this project so I'm sorry to hear that the bath tub is drained of gin.  I would be worried about any drink offered by Doyle, you never know what might be in it.  But I'm sure Lady S will float you safely yo your next stop.

PeterD


Edited to Add:

Whoops! In my alcoholic haze I forgot to say where I want to be dropped off - Docherty's Docks please, Lady S!

From JezT: Sarah's Balloon - Angry Geisha (7 points)

Dear All,

A simple approach to assaulting the Peak from me ... used Sarah's Balloon to land at Bromley's Butte and then down the Path of Imagination and finally this 5th post to use the Balloon service again to float up the Peak.

Technically this figure has self-identified as a female figure, but hope the gender is clear? I have added some extra features on to the model.. Anyway this figure now represents an angry Geisha .......

The extra features were to model the longer hair, add in a kimono waist slash and bow and paint up in more traditional female kimono patterns along with the classic Geisha face make up.

Points wise think this is just 5 points for the figure as it is my second time to use the balloon. Sorry not sure on the figure manufacturer - maybe North Star?

Quite pleased with myself that I managed to at least attempt the Peak. Interestingly this is the first figure I have painted for the Challenge ever that I dont have immediate plans to use in a game and is literally for the "pleasure" of painting and the Competition - is that a good thing or descent into madness ..... who knows!

Regards Jez



Very nice work on the angry lady Jez. I particularly like the print-work on her kimono, so I'm going to give some bonus points for that.

TamsinP

From NoelW: A Persian Party: Sarah’s balloon (25 points)

Aboard the balloon space is tight for it turns out the basket is already occupied by a hen party who’ve recently discovered Lady Sarah’s emergency prosecco supply.

Lady Sarah, too, seems unaccountably expressive.

“This time, can you take us directly to Douglas’ Shallows, please?” I ask, very politely.

“No probs, matey,” says Lady Sarah. “Shall we go the – hic! – scenic route? These girls haven’t seen the island yet.”

“No – no, thanks. Straight there, please. Just head south direct to Douglas’ Shallows. It’s not far. Just follow the coast.”

“Follow the coats!” Lady Sarah frowns. “What goats? Well – hic! – I suppose you know what you mean.”

She pulls on a few ropes, as randomly as a campanologist who’s just learned how to milk a cow. The hen party, fascinated by the dangling strings, have a go, too, but find it’s complicated when you’ve a glass in one hand and a bottle in the other.

The balloon veers left, then right, then up, then down, for all the world as if it, too, had a little too much fizzy stuff inside it – which it may well have, given all the hot air vented by these delicate daughters of Eve.

And then, magically, we’re over Douglas’ Shallows. There’s our fleet below us.

“Down!” I suggest, perhaps a little over-enthusiastically. “No – not South! Down!”

We shoot past the ships in a flurry of waving hands and crashing waves. The balloon spins wildly. It heads out to open sea, then races wildly inland again.

“Actually,” I decide, as the balloon bounces off a passing mountain and spins into an unlucky clump of cumulus. “Don’t worry about it. You can drop us anywhere.”

“I can, can I? I wouldn’t bet on hic! What have they put in that bottle?”

---

These three Persian ladies will form the court for Xerxes or Darius, or perhaps other non-combatant bystanders, but they may also find themselves a couple of thousand years later as part of an Ottoman camp. One advantage of Ottoman armies is that the details of costume are not easily established, so anything middle eastern and “exotic” might just pass muster.

They’re manufactured by Casting Room Miniatures, the Wargames Foundry subsidiary, as “Persian Civilians”.

Scoring: 28mm figs x 3: 15. Frequent flyer miles (this is my third balloon trip on the way back): 10 pts 

Total: 25 points



What a great trio of ladies; they must have made fine companions for your balloon trip Noel. Your "Frequent Flyer Club" card has been duly stamped.

TamsinP

From NoelW: A wing and a prayer : Lady Sarah’s Balloon (10 points)

I see Lady Sarah has become frustrated with the vagaries of balloon travel, at the mercy of the winds, so is experimenting with what she calls “variable directional control”. Basically, it seems to be a flock of geese harnessed to the balloon and directed by waving various goose-friendly tidbits beakward.

We clamber aboard. The geese lift off. The balloon follows and, with a gentle wave of goosey-treats to the west, the balloon also cants gently in that direction, and we’re heading nicely in a Sandersly direction. Which is unnecessary, of course. If the balloon can be directed, then it can be directed towards our final destination. We really need to be heading east.

I grab a bag of Goosey-goosey Wonders, and fling a handful eastwards, towards where our ships still should lie.

It turns out, geese aren’t rational. Half of them spot the scattering sweeties, and flap east, but half continue to flap west, while half seem to become confused (maths has never been my strong point) and plunge their beaks into the balloon itself. 

Simultaneously the balloon heads west, east and down. Especially, down. 

With increasing gravity-assisted insistance.

I pray for sand. Please, lovely sand, leap towards us and save us from this terrible pending plight.

How can such a hateful silicon-based toe-infiltrating mineral suddenly seem such a glorious lifesaver? Where on earth is a wretched pile of sand when you need it?

---

Just a small vignette today, whose military relevance might not be immediately obvious, perhaps. I'm sure, with sufficient reflection, you'll see it.

I bought the two models separately, but found they fit together quite nicely, giving a rather dynamic pose which I rather dynamically like.

Score: 1 girl, 1 goose: 10 points



What a great vignette Noel. Sarah's Balloon is rather cramped today - hope you don't mind.

TamsinP

From NoelW: For Joshua: Sarah’s Balloon (104 points)

The balloon lifts off and we give thanks that we’ll never have to see that infernal towering place again. Deftly Lady Sarah turns us towards Frans Fjord, but we quickly realise we could simply cut our entire journey short by zooming straight across the island to our original starting point, Douglas’ Shallows. In wild celebration at the thought, we squeeze the last drops from the champers, almost a thimbleful each.

“Head east,” I say.

“The wind’s easterly,” says Lady Sarah.

“Brilliant! How lucky is that? We’ll be there in no time.”

“No – 'easterly' means the wind is coming from the east.”

“Well, just ignore it then.”

Lady Sarah has a certain expression on her face, an expression the Snowlord apparently is so familiar with that he made a particular point of warning us about it. She pulls on ropes, stokes the fire, trims the rigging and does whatever else a balloonist can think of to fight the Warp Factor 9 wind.

We pass over the fjord and I see small people way below us. So small. So very small. Tiny, in fact:

Is it my imagination, or are those people getting larger?

And larger!

Yes, we’re descending!

---

These are 10mm figures I’ve been working on as my contribution to the For Joshua project, a hugely worthy cause. They’ll join a few other figures and some terrain I’ve pruned from my existing collection. It’s rather a miscellaneous assortment, but James assures me all figures will be welcome. They’re a mix of manufacturers, too: GW Warmaster (undead and Empire), most of the men at arms are Pendraken and others are Kallistra, plus three figures (the Ringwraiths and cave trolls) from Hasbro’s “Lord of the Rings Risk”.

In total there are 62 10mm infantry, 16 mounted, 1 hellblaster volley gun and 4 banners, which is around 97 points. Possibly the five ogres/trolls are worth a little more but that’s perhaps counteracted by the lack of proper basing. James wants to base all the figures in the same way, so I've simply left these on painting sticks.

---

The wind has whipped us round. Now we’re heading directly for the spikiest peaks above the fjord.

Calmly Lady Sarah jettisons sandbag after sandbag. Then empty champagne bottle after empty champagne bottle. Then all unwanted baggage – I’ll miss my sergeant but I did tell him his BMI would be the death of him.

Yet still we descend. Those spiky mountains are looking closer and closer, grosser and grosser.

Then, for a moment, there’s a shift in the wind. The balloon spins in a sudden updraft. We start to rise.

And just as suddenly, the balloon stalls and we plummet again, rock-wards. Right in the middle of a steep climb, there’s nothing grosser than an unexpected stall...

So here it is, the grocer’s stall - 

---

So here’s my second small vignette: a market stall and its stallholder. I thought the miniature was another Perry model, but I can’t find it in their catalogue. She has a strong resemblance to my grandmother (Grandma TicToc, as she was known) and also to one of my primary school teachers, both of whom coincidentally were called Williams and both were formidable ladies, too, so I imagine this is not the stall to find bargains.

The stall and market goods are resin, but I’ve lost any note of the manufacturer(s). As my second returning home vignette, I suppose this is a bit of a cheat, as it's not all based together, but I wanted to keep the pieces separate so they could be used in different games and different ways.

For points, there’s 5 for the gorgeous stallholder but the stall and miscellaneous goods fill less than a twelfth of a terrain cube, so I guess that’s a mere 2 additional points.

Total points: 97+7 = 104

Noel, James will love these. They are a great collection of forces. As for the stall holder, she does indeed look terrifying. No nicking apples from her, she will know your mother. Stalls are complicated but it's worth more than 2 points. Lets go for it being the equivalent of a 28mm gum, with actual grapeshot.