From AlanD - More Goths than a Cure Concert (200 points)

I've had a funny old challenge this year. I've been on long service leave (amazing - can recommend), but instead of painting masses of figures, I've used a lot of hobby time to think about some big projects, reorganise some storage and that sort of thing. Some of this is KenR's fault, as listening to his very entertaining Yarkshire Gamer's podcast has boosted my enthusiasm for the 'Reet Big' wargame, rather than the large skirmish sized battles I usually fight. As a result, I've been doing that thing that should only be attempted on long service leave: rebasing. My plan has been to use 50mm square bases to build up armies that can be used for To the Strongest, Impetus, Soldiers of Rome and other rank and flank ancients games I'd like to have a go at. The hairy blokes here will be used as Heruls, Gepids, Goths and whatever else seems appropriate.

Of the figures here, only 40 were actually painted in this year's challenge, so I'm claiming 200 points please Tamsin. They are a mix of Westwind, Footsore, Gripping Beast plastics and Wargames Atlantic, and I'm pretty pleased with they way they look en masse. I did have one varnishing disaster as 10 figures turned white when I sprayed them, thanks to Sydney humidity, but I managed to same them by recoating them with gloss and trying again under better conditions.

This will be my last submission for the challenge this year as I'm off to Madrid for a holiday. Thank you Curt and the Minions for making this madness possible, and to all the challengers (challenged?) for the inspiring entries you all keep coming up with. Especially those involving turnips.

They certainly look great, Alan! Sorry to hear that this will be your last entry of the year, but I hope you have a wonderful break in Madrid.

Tamsin

From Kerry T - "Hi Ho, hi ho its off to war we go"...Westwind Productions - 28mm Dwarves (200 points)

 Morning, afternoon & Evening all

I'm afraid I've been a bit slow off the mark this year (reasons shown below) so this is my first entry.

Its great fun being part of the challenge again this year, this is only my second year and I'd hoped to hit the ground running but I'm trying to remind myself its a marathon and not a sprint and trying not to panic. Already we've seen some fantastic entries and I've no doubt more will follow.

Having thrown down the gauntlet in suggesting a "my codpiece is bigger than yours" side duel I have somehow inexplicably turned my back to my erstwhile fellow Renaissance duelists for the moment and gone and painted something else. Its all down to my oh look shiny genetic defect and butterfly tendencies. Its also not been helped by the non arrival of various orders including figures, shield transfers and bases which seem lost in the post on their journey down under.

So I thought I would start with something small except that actually Westwind Dwarves https://www.westwindproductions.co.uk/index.php?route=product/category&path=192_74_174 don't seem that small when compared to others on the market.

My dwarf army (if I can call it that) started in the early 90's I think when my kids dragged me into a GW store. For some inexplicable reason I got them out of their plastic boxes a few months ago and gave them a wash and a touch up. After that I started adding to them but have not bought any of those lovely characterful old now out of production GW figures that command eye watering prices on eBay. I've made a few small purchases from Blacktree designs to make them into bigger units as they are compatible and now added these from Westwind and also have some Oathmark figures undercoated.

The existing Dwarf army so far

Last year I spent the entire challenge lounging in the bar eating peanuts and drinking beer rather than exploring the planets. This year I think I might as well have a wander around so the studio sets so these are my under construction entry.  Its an army under construction but I really have no idea where I'm going with this project as far as rules, unit sizes etc!

Notwithstanding, we all know that every army needs a Guard regiment and these are mine. The Legionaries of the Kings Guard

Down by the rivers of Babylon.... lah lah lah

These come with a detached right arm and shield allowing a variation in pose. The sculpts needed quite a bit of cleaning up but were easy to put together because of the pre-drilled holes and lugs and are quite sturdy.They come in packs of 10 troopers and a command pack of 4 giving me a large unit of 24 figures.

These are big dwarves if ever there is such a thing!

These are too big to fit on 20mm square slotta bases

The shields are big too, no figures armed with pilum though

So that's the infantry, maybe purists would say that no Dwarve army should contain cavalry and a mate says they're essentially an Hoplite army.

Now we all know that every army by wargamers law should by all account contain at least one unit of Highlanders. Mine is no exception and I therefore offer you the services of the McTartan Highland Ram Raiders. 

Down by the rivers of Babylon lah lah lah

Like the infantry these are lovely figures to paint with detail that stands out. I did however find both a bit of a struggle to finish and ran into 2 problems. The first was that I gave the infantry a wash with Agrax Earthshade and then found they were both horribly sticky and shiny. I doubt I'll do that again!

Bah bah black sheep have you any wool...

When painting the mounted troops I kept rubbing off the paint and after finishing the rams, stuck the riders on with epoxy only to decide that painting tartan would be easier if they were separated. So having separated them again and drilled their bums and superglued them to wire finished the first two. That's when I hit another snag as I could't get the wire out of their backsides and rubbed off the paint again. Back to the epoxy and finally got them finished. This is the first reason for my slow start

The second reason is below - these are not part of my challenge entry but I started these 48 AB French Cuirassiers in early December confident that I would knock them off before the 21st December. I failed so spent the first dew days of the challenge getting them out of the way. They took so long that I'm rethinking my plan to paint up a unit of Young Guard infantry for the challenge.

Not part of my challenge but they took me so long they get a photo 

So in summary

24 x 28mm Foot figures @ 5 points and 6 Mounted figures at 10 points = 180 points

Bonus points for Under Construction studio 20 points - total 200

1 measly squirrel

Many thanks

What a great set of dwarves! I fully appreciate the pain of having to un-glue and then re-glue riders.

Tamsin

From JonathanO: Steam Knight - Knight's Solar (25 points)

 Another figure from the Empire of the Dead range.  This time it is the Steam Knight.

This comes with separate pieces for arms, claws and chimney.  It is a lovely model and very crisply cast as with all the Westwind miniatures.  I decided to use one of the resin bases instead of the slot base that came with the figure.  

As I mentioned in my last post, I have lots of figures from this range, mostly acquired during the EoTD Requiem Kickstarter.

For points:  5 for the miniature and another 20 for the location bonus.  It all helps!

Cheers,

Jonathan

From JonathanO: Professor Cavor - The Laboratory (25 points)

 The next stop on my rapid journey through Level 3 is the Laboratory.  This figure is from the Empire of The Dead range of Victorian Sci-Fi / Gothic Horror miniatures from Westwind Productions.  

Professor Cavor is trying to raise funds for his Moon expedition and is demonstrating his space suit and equipment.

I own a lot of the miniatures from this range.  If you have any interest in VSF / Gothic Horror, then I highly recommend the Empire of the Dead from Westwind.  

Another 5 points plus 20 for the location = 25 points, please.  

The total is edging towards my target, but there is still some way to go.  Will I make it to the Altar of the Snowlord in time for my final challenge in the Chambers of Challenge XI?