From PeterB: Blood Angel Terminators - The Angels (40 points)

Well, it was tight, but I managed to get to every location. Last week we left the Fixed Stars of Faith, Hope and Love. So, there is just one stop left, The Angels.

My first ever attempt at painting was a Space Marine that came free with the first issue of White Dwarf I ever bought. I only had my Dad's Humbrol gloss paints to do it and I am a little bit glad that I no longer have that model. I do have the magazine though, not the original copy, but a recent ebay bargain replacement.

Keen FW historians will know that this issue has the photo in it that I shared on the blog back in January as inspiration for my recent Blood Angel project.

I am still painting more of the vintage models I have for these Angels, so to finish off I have four Blood Angel Terminators. Three of which are armed with my favourite of all close combat weapons in the Warhammer universe, the lightning claws. (Snickety snick!)

There should be a fifth one for the squad but as I only have four painting handles I normally paint things in fours. I have not had time to finish number 5 as these were finished just five minutes ago. (Including still drying transfers.)

So, finishing off with a score.

Location 20 points

4 x 28mm infantry, 20 points

Total 40 points.

Oh PS, skull count. Those lovely lightning claws have loads of skulls on them.

Sergeant has 9 skulls.

Each other chap has 11 skulls.

Total skull count 42.

Congratulations on completing your Dante journey, Peter! These Blood Angels don't look very angelic to me with their menacing claws, but there you go. They are very well done though! Thanks for showing us all your fabulous work, and perhaps we will see the final Space Marine (or something else) in the final days of the Challenge? In the meantime, 40 more points for you.

Martijn

(PS: don't forget to report your skulls to the Duels Wallah!)

From Barks: More 40K (136 points)

Because of reasons, this may be my last post this Challenge. I've not reached my ambitious target, but it has been good to get paint on figures. Starting with some 'nids:

10 termagants

6 genestealers. I really dislike these particular sculpts.
Full of moldlines and soft detail, and hard to parse what is what.

Next we have some more sneaky specialist marines, to round off the lads I did a few weeks ago:

Medic

Comms dude

Heroic commander

These next troops are Reivers, specialising in behind-the-lines terror with their signature Crocodile Dundee blades, skull helms, and anti-grav backpack vanes that I'm sure will snap off. I used 3D printed pauldrons- and I don't actually like them. They lack the charm of the hand-painted ones.

5 Reivers. I do like their dynamic posing.

Sergeant denoted by helmet stripe

So, 16x 28mm tyranids: 80 points

8 x big marines: 56 points

Can-opener +56 points

Skulls +20 (total 38)

I'll see if I can get a small amount more done before the end.

From Millsy:

More glorious 40K for me to drool over thanks mate!

I totally agree re these genestealer sculpts but unfortunately there's not a huge choice on offer so we have to make do. They look great regardless and will still terrorise your enemies I've no doubt.

I'm not sure how being bright yellow and eight feet tall qualifies as "sneaky", especially given how much electromagnetic radiation these guys must give off! Whatever else they may or may not be they're superbly painted and a reminder I must try your yellow recipe.

136 points added to your score Barks. Can you get to 1000 be Challenge end or will "reasons" prevail?

Cheers,
Millsy

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 DallasE: The Emperor and Horus - Homage to Mike McVey (20 points)

If you're over 40 and played Warhammer 40K I bet you recognize these models. Back in the days of second edition, one Mike McVey headed up the painting crew at GW and what a talent he was. One of the amazing projects he undertook for the Studio was a diorama based on an Adrian Smith illustration, "The Emperor vs. Horus" from back in 1990. I've put a pic of the illustration at the end of this post.

So ever since then I've wanted to have these models to paint for myself. This desire was only reinforced when I saw the original diorama at Warhammer World in 2019. Unfortunately the models in the diorama were one-offs converted and sculpted by McVey - he said in an article in White Dwarf #183 that the Emperor model had parts from eight other models and some sculpted detail too. Horus was similar.  I even tried my hand at a Horus conversion myself, so desperate was I.

Fast forward to this year. I'd seen some 3D prints of models sculpted by a man called BigMrTong, a fellow who's also an enthusiast of the Golden Age of GW. In fact I bought a set of amazing Rogue-Trader-style skeletons in spacesuits (wielding RTB01 bolters no less) and needed to know more. So I joined his Facebook group...

...and nearly lost it when I saw this model, painted by one of the group's members. I hoped it was a 3D print but was quite deflated to learn that it was a metal sculpt produced (along with Horus) in a limited run by BigMrTong. He picks up the story of their origin: "a guy was finding all the parts used in the original conversions and I found the final few bits and then tracked down all the original parts, then resculpted the custom parts, finally casting up a few sets with that base for display." 

Sadly (and unsurprisingly) they quickly sold out, but after I reached out to him, BigMrTong came to the rescue by offering to sell me a set he'd held onto himself. I couldn't get out my wallet fast enough, and after a week or so the parcel arrived with the Emprah, Horus, the 3D-printed diorama base, and a smaller bit of stair for the Emperor to stand on. 

What can I say about these models? They're fantastic and were super-fun to paint. I'd always wanted a set of these models and BMT made it happen.

                                       

Freehand here on the shoulder pad and power fist [pats self on back]

Here's Horus, looking mean and moody. A word about the painting. Having only a fraction of Mr. McVey's skill, I painted the armour in straightforward red and white. However, if you've seen the original models, you know that McVey painted the armour in a very detailed freehand filigree style, it just looks stupendous but like I said, well beyond my skill level.

I cheated a bit on the freehand here, the base was a decal from "Chaos Decal Sheet 1" from the 1990s. I painted the white around it and the colours on the eye.

As you can see here I've actually magnetized these too. I ended up sinking one small neodymium disc magnet into the bottom of one foot on each model, then putting a somewhat larger disc magnet in the appropriate positions on the diorama base and 32mm round bases.

That way Horus and the Emprah can actually take part in a tabletop game if we want - however unlikely that is.  

Supposedly the original head here was a part from the old Leman Russ model, with the hair carved off. Looks scary.

Here's the original diorama just in case anybody needs a reminder of how good it was. 

And here's the picture it was based on. So good.

I know that the world of GW has moved on some in the last 30 years, but I miss metal models and the original lore, before everything got so serious. Let us not forget that the "Horus Heresy" was only invented because Space Marines were the only models made for the Space Marine (epic scale) game and there had to be some reason that Space Marines were fighting each other. But that was before there were 200 books published telling the story of the Heresy. Whatever.

Anyway I had such fun painting these models. Gotta say a big thank-you to BigMrTong for the sculpts and for selling me these models from his personal collection. If you like RT-era GW please check out his stuff (Facebook or Google works) and support his work.

And also - big thanks to the Snowlord for setting up the Challenge and to my minion Kyle for his work too.

Lastly - for these two 28mm models and the diorama base that's... 15 points :-D 

TeemuL: There seems to be no "Nostalgia" topic in the Library, this would have scored about 40 000 bonus points from that section, I think. What a story to get your hands on these models, tells a lot about the part of commuity that still exists there and loves the good old GW stuff. Tracking all the parts and then sculpting the rest and casting in metal... And your brushwork, you might not be Mike McVey, but you have honoured his work in an excellent way. I'll throw 5 more points for the free hand, the pure nostalgia and the reason's of the spreadsheet. :)

From PeterB - The last visit to the Library with a few stragglers - 65 points

Are we really at the end already? It seems like five minutes since we started. My favourite thing about the challenge is that it fills that gap between Christmas and the first show I go to each year, Salute. Next month I will be off to London for the day where I will do my best to refill the leadpile again. These couple of months really keep my hobby itch occupied until then.

When I first glanced at the challenge map I wasn't sure I would be successfully traversing it, never mind visiting every stack. A task that wasn't necessary and only a crazy fool like myself would attempt. Last stop, Biography.

For this stop I have painted the historical figure of Jeanne De Clisson, known as the Lioness of Brittany. Jeanne was a French/Breton noblewoman born in 1300. In 1330 she married her husband Olivier de Clisson. Both of them were previously widowed and Olivier had a son from his first marriage. They then went on to have five children. In 1342 Olivier was captured by the English when they attacked the city of Vannes. His release was eventually arranged but the French Kings Lieutenant, Charles de Blois, declared the ransom too low and therefore accused Olivier of being a traitor and not defending the city to his fullest. After a failed attempt at a rescue by Jeanne and Oliviers oldest son, Jean, Olivier was beheaded in August 1343.

For her attempts to rescue her husband, Jeanne was now charged with Rebellion, disobediance and excesses against the King. (Oh and she also tried bribing the King's Sergeant) Jean died in June of that year and now Jeanne was tried in absense. Jeanne swore revenge against the King, sold all her estates, raised a force of 400 men and had three ships converted for Piracy. A 13 year career of piracy and privateering for the English followed. Jeanne died in December 1359 a few weeks after the death of her fourth husband Walter Bentley.

The model as you may have guessed (if you didn't already know) is from Bad Squiddo Games. She is sculpted by the talented Kev White.

The Space Orks painting has continued as well. A slaver and some Nobs. (They really did have fun with naming stuff back in the 90s.) The Nobs were all missing arms, so a good delve in the bits box later and some cutting and filing and I was quite pleased with the result.

As I have left it to the very end to complete all the stacks, I shall not be requesting a challenge from Head Librarian Curt for the last stack for Rare and Antique books as I have run out of time. I will however, give an alternative finish to the challenge that I have been saving from my old school 40K project. What better to paint for the end of the challenge than a Librarian?

Another model that I first painted back in the 90's, he has had a good dip in biostrip. He did have a couple of layers of paint on him. I first painted him entirely red, then discovered that in those days Librarians all wore blue and only had their army colours on one shoulder. Then he had another layer of paint from repainting all my Spam when I was enthusiastic about Brazen Brass shaded with brown ink. 

It took a good 24 hour dip to get him shiny and new and now you can see the details again that were lost in the thick crust of paint. I'm not overly happy with the banner, but I can easily print off some others to try until I am happy. 

So to my final points

7 x 28mm infantry. 7 x 5 = 35 points

1 x 28mm cavalry. 1 x 10 = 10 points

1 location = 20 points

Total = 65 Points.

From Millsy: Ahh..... seeing goblin green bases on orcs is like sitting in the sun, it's just good for the soul. Love what you've done with them Peter, especially the deep red and the arm conversions have worked a treat. I wouldn't have known some were swapped in had you not said so. Jeanne De Clisson is great work too and I really enjoyed the backstory. Nice work and another 65 points for your tally mate!

From Scott R Last Post (450 Points)

Hello all,

Well its been a very limited productivity period this year thanks to work.  My work makes me travel a fair bit so having time to get some painting done has been challenging this time around. In fact I am writing this in California instead of Canada.  I took all the photos as I went and i keep them in an article drive just for the article writing part.  

 In order to make the most of what time I did have, I aimed to get some smaller projects finished and make a start on some of the new ones I want to get up and running.  My friend DennisC aka 'Matt Varnish' on Youtube for our Games, always says 'paint just one"  and this is usually the driver to go, oh yeah that looks good and now I want to paint more.

So I did manage to finish off the 3 x 8 man units of Light Infantry, a small 6 man unit of the 60th rifles for Sharp practice along with some of the hero or commander figures I was missing.  I didn't get the chance to do my Spanish Guerillas but at least my commander is done.  The British are Warlord and the Spaniard is from Bad Squido Games or Colonel Bill's in the UK.  There female line of which you have seen many of my girls from the past mixed in.

Before I could get into the painting there was the prep.  I had pulled out and cleaned up about 60 figures in total plus 8 Light dragoons.  This was the standard remove the flash, undercoat black and white glue to strips ready for painting.  I had to go back and re-glue onto the wooden bases specific for sharp.  they were originally white glued to 40 x 40s ready for Black Powder.  But figured it didn't work for Sharp.  However, doing it the other way could still work for both.

To get things started I did a few of the British Officers including one in rifles dress and my female Spanish Guerilla leader.   The British Officers and Light Infantry are based on the 68th Durham Light Infantry.

Here are the command figures.  Here we have the rifles officer with his whistle and the British senior Commander. 

Next up, One of the Light Infantry Officers and the Guerilla Leader.

The Group.

Next up are the 6 figures from the 60th (Royal American) Regiment. These will be one of the two skirmish units for Sharp.

The 3 units of 8 figures for Sharp was the remainder of the 68th.  I have painted the standards and musicians as well that can be put in to the skirmish bases to make up a 24 man unit for use in Black Powder if I want to use them in there as well.

Unfortunately, I forgot to take Pics of my standards and drummers before I left.

Ok next up and from my last post i mentioned I was doing 40K.  So i managed to get a few more bits done.  I finished off a small unit of Blade Guard Veterans for my Salamander successor chapter the Basilisks.  These guys are actually 3D prints.  I was pretty happy with the quality and the detail..

I did finish off my Eldar but these were done outside the challenge.  So I made a fair dent against the Basilisks.  I finished off the dreadnought but not the base.  I did get the Land Raider finished as well.  Again another 3D print and its massive.  

It was in multiple parts and was joined together using a slicer program.  I then printed it as one piece with the weapon options, doors etc printed separately.  So here it is assembled and primed with its extras also primed in wraithbone. 

 I wanted to use citadel contrast colours so there was a match with the figures.  I did this through an airbrush because of the large surface areas.  You can see I have taped the model so i could get cross colour pattern.

Here is the first base colours laid down with the airbrush.  Some of the base black panels have been done along with the weapons casings.

Here is the finished Raider.  I missed the pics for the interim step.  But the dragon or lizard scales were done with Citadel contrast to match the marines.

Also, here is the Dreadnought, although the model itself is done the base isnt finished.  So not sure if I can claim points for it......

As i mentioned I also managed the Blade Guard veterans.  3 figures.  My Army theme since they a fire based faction have all been mounted on cork terrain and then painted to look like lava.  My first attempt the whole lava look, it was an interesting challenge.  I have added my Captain and LT as well but only  as a photo no points as these were done before the challenge.  

Here are the rest of my Basilisk Marines ready for the bases to be done to finish them off.  My travels dashed my plans to have these done for the challenge.  I did get a fair bit of it done which is good though.  Had I space in my suitcase then I would be doing these in my hotel room! 

Here are the Captain and LT.  I wanted to just show my first attempt at doing lava and heat swords.  Again not finished for the challenge.

My last project was to make a start on my Zulu Army for Black Powder and if the basing works then also for Sharp practice.  I have about 100 figures from Casting Room Miniatures I picked up a couple of years ago at 'Colours' in the UK.  So i painted up two units of twenty figures.  One Regiment of Unmonambi and one Ulthawana.

As always this starts with the clean up.   The shields and weapons are separate pieces and needed to be cleaned and attached.  I then did something completely new for me.  I attached to their bases before undercoating.  I also attached some resin rocks before doing the basing as well.

The clean up and base attachment.

Layout of the two Regiments.  I also added some British casualties here as well.

I did two tests.  I painted up one each of the skirmish bases for each Regiment to get my colour pallet sorted. 

Once the pallet was done then i could get on and paint the rest of the units.  So two units of 20 plus 2 skirmishes for one and 4 skirmishes for the other.  Then another 3 casualties, two being Royal Marines or sailors and the other a 24th Regiment to match my friends British.

here are the finshed Regiments.  They are based 5 figures to a 60 x 60 base with 4 bases to make up the unit.  Each has its own skirmishes.

Unmonambi 

Ulthawana

Ok well thats it for 2024.  I wish i could have done more and i had the figures ready to go.  Just not having the time at home interrupted my plans.

So for this post:

28mm British Naps 33 figures at 5 points ea             = 165 points

skirmish bases 3 bases fully done to match                = 5 points

40K vehicle @ 20 Points                                            = 20 points

40K 28mm figures by 3 @ 5 points                           = 15 points

28mm Zulus 49 figures @ 5 points                             = 245 points

Total                                                                            = 450 points

_______________________________________

Great work Scott! I know how work can mess with the important things in life, but I think you've done an amazing job with the constraints that you were under. Fabulous mix of minis here. From your Napoleonics to 40K, and finally to your Zulu War project, this is a feast for the eyes. I'm especially taken by that 3d printed Land Raider - what a beast, and great detail to boot. Well done.  

Thank you for participating in this year's Challenge and I hope we see you out with us for the next edition!

- Curt