From MilesR: More 28mm Fallschirmjager & Ironclads (120 Points)

A bit of a mixed submission here - a handful of support Fallschirmjager in 28mm and 4 1/600 scale ACW ships.

The Fallschirmjager's are painted with the same Mediterranean camo as my previous submission and round out the last of my 28mm German stuff in the "lead mountain".

 Included is a Medic (who isn't really that blurry in real life, a 81mm Mortar team and a machine gun team.

There's also a Pak 40 (75mm) AT gun and crew. The AT gun and crew are from Warlord.  I did pick up some ground tufts from Tajima1 Miniatures.  I'm trying to spice up my base scenics and am very pleased with the Tajima products.

Another 4 1/600 scale ACW ships.  All of the models are from Thoroughbred Miniatures. There are three general transports and the double turreted US Monitor Milwaukee.


From Curt:

An excellent and varied entry once again Miles.

 That PAK is brilliant and an absolute terror for early Allied armour in North Africa.

I agree, the product and service from Tajima is excellent (and very economical if you purchase in quantity). I agree, they do add that something extra to your AT gun and support weapons. 

 Your 1/600 ships look terrific (as usual). My only suggestion would be to add another highlight on the grey armour edges of the monitor as that colour has a tendency to suck up light and make their subjects look inordinately flat.

Finally, congratulations on blasting through your second points target Miles - well done young man!

From AdamC - Marie Louise French infantry (65 Points)

I was going through the dead lead box and found these fellows... sadly they lack back packs and cartridge boxes.  But I thought they would be perfect for a group of French conscripts circa 1813 to 1814 or Marie Louises as the old Grognards called them.

I wanted the troops to look warn and dirty and my wash came through they look much like they have been tramping down muddy roads and across sodden fields for days.

I left a space on the right centre base as I hope to get an officer or color bearer to finish out the unit. the stands on the wings have three men each in a triangle.  I find this approach gives a unit a slightly ragged look.

From the back I had to sort of paint around the lack of back packs and boxes but I think I managed we can assume these men are carrying rounds in pockets due to a shortage of equipment.   I like having some ragged troops in my Army and these certainly fit.  I am now officially 100% out of Napoleonic troops!  Nice to have that project complete especially as 28mm Nappy was not a road I really wanted to explore but some times you just got to go with the club.

There are 13 men here worth 5 points each for 65 points.

All told I think I netted around 165 points, not quite a bomb by some standard, but at least its not another spit-wad.  I'll need a few more such to get me back on track to hit my final goal.


From Curt:

Well done Adam! You've had an impressively productive week - it's nice to see the Challenge burning through the lead (and plastic) reserves. 

No cartridge boxes!? Now that is dire straights indeed. (Though I remember reading of one of the Marshals (Ney perhaps) coming across some young conscripts who possessed all the bravery of Achilles, but did not know how to load their muskets as they were so fresh from the depots.)  This being said I'm sure these young Poilu are ready to see the Prussians (and Russians, and British, and Austrians, etc.) off French soil.  

'Attaque a outrance!'

From DaveD - Sudan - Camels for the Mahdi (241 Points)

Last year it seemed almost every challenger had a go at painting camels, and yet this year they have been pretty thin on the ground. Well I thought it time to make up for that. Here we have a top up of old school Connoisseur Miniatures camels and riders - 24 of the blighters... these are long time lead mountain lurkers, perhaps 20 years?

The camels themselves are, I think, still very good. Peter Gilder was very good at getting movement into his sculpting , particularly horses and these camels. The riders are getting a little long in the tooth design wise, but still just about serviceable "en masse"... when you have 75+ (The number I am looking at as a minimum required here) charging your square I am not sure you will be looking too closely at detail..

Right then , off to splash some more paint around, there are one or two extra Beja lying around that need completing :-). 


From Curt:

Stonking beautiful work Dave, though 20 years is a somewhat long seasoning period! As you say the riders are a bit anachronistic, but the overall effect of the unit, especially with those wonderfully loping camels poses, is just fantastic.  Also, I like how pale you went with the camels' coat/fur/hides - mine, I believe, are a tad too dark and I think I may go back and lighten them a touch. 

 I look forward to seeing what else you excavate from your lead reserves!

From AdamC - 18mm ACW Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Cadets (72 Points)

I recently got the movie "Field of Lost Shoes" and I was so impressed it did what any good historic war movie does for any Historic Gamer it inspired me to paint.  The Movie tells the tale of about 300 cadet/students who find them selves thrown into the furnace of the US Civil war.

The movie has a few scenes that seem a bit forced mostly these deal with the elephant in the room that every Civil War movie with Confederates in the protagonist role must face, "the Peculiar Institution" or slavery to give the right name.  Overall I think it faces that issue honestly and does better than some films (Gods and Generals comes to mind) when addressing this aspect of the conflict.

 I was able to find a free image of the exact flag used in the movie and carried by the Cadets at New Market.

I really liked the look of the cadet regiment in the film, gray uniforms (some of the youngest were in brown) with dark blue caps.  I did some searching through my ACW collection to find enough men with spare or no whiskers as I wanted these guys to have as baby faced a look as one can get in 15/18 millimeter.

I did a six stand unit as that is the smallest you can have in long street though at 60 to 80 men per stand this makes the unit a little over large historically. We'll assume the other are veterans attached to stiffen the boys and look after them.

The Confederate Commander Gen John C. Breckinridge wanted to keep the boys out of the fighting but at last had to send them in. Supposedly calling on God's forgiveness as he did. The VMI boys then mounted a charge the broke the Union lines and captured some guns wining the battle of New Market for the Confederacy.  The battle is well portrayed in the movie and the director struck a niece balance between action and story telling and did an excellent job of explaining what was being done by the troops and why with out becoming a documentary, I highly recommend the film.

There are 24 18mm figures so I believe they should be worth 48 points though maybe Curt will give a few extra points for their slightly lagers size.


From Curt:

Wonderful figures Adam!  I like that you took the time to cherry pick the castings to better convey the youth of the Regiment. I have the VMI in 28mm from Redoubt and, like you, really enjoyed doing the research behind the figures. Thanks for the heads up on 'Field of Lost Shoes' - it sounds like a very interesting film. I like that you bring up it grappling with 'That Peculiar Institution' as it's often conveniently glossed over, if not completely distorted, by many apologists. I look forward to tracking it down and watching it.

Nicely done!

From AdamC - Dark Age Bowmen (20 Points)

I found a bag of Griping Beast archers a couple of weeks ago at the Hobby Bunker after gaming with John.  They were on sale so I figured I would grab them and round out my forces for Dux Britanniarum.

The red brown cloak is the "leader of this merry band" of raiders.

Several of the men have swords which they don't need in Dux since they flee if contacted

I tried to paint the fletching but I don't think it came out. in the photo.

I don't know if leather shields are correct the Dark ages but they seemed to fit the size and shape of these shields.

That should be 20 points for four 28mm figures I have more of these so you may see some more.


From Curt:

Nice looking figures Adam (though the photos are a bit dark). I really like the autumnal theme with the fallen leaves, great touch there. Well done!
 
 

From BurkhardS - More Blood Berets for Warzone Resurrection (50 Points)

Well, at the beginning of the month, I posted five Blood Berets for Warzone Resurrection. I had originally planned to paint all 15 of them in one go, but had to reduce the initial batch to finish just those I needed for the tournament in Hamburg. Which was a wise decision, since I would not have made it. But little did I know how long it would actually take me to finish them. So many things in the real world demanded my attention that it took me over two weeks to do these (the initial batch had taken about three days). Anyway, these minis will now bring the close combat squad to eight troopers and the ranged combat one to seven. Although this is all a bit fluid, since the rules do not demand the whole squad to be armed the same!

To add to the minis I also scratch build nine AT-Mine markers. Each squad (or Blood Beret character) can deploy up to 3 of them and I know myself... if I do not have markers for them, I will forget them! :-/ So this last photo shows all of them (including the five posted earlier) and the AT-Mines.

From Curt:

Very nice Burkhard. I like the camo pattern on their shoulderpads and leggings. I like these models a lot better than the similarly themed Imperial Guard troops from GW - they are more lean and seem better proportioned.

BTW, what did you use for your AT mines? How do the mine rules mechanic work in Warzone ? (Sorry, I'm an unrepentant rules junkie.)

From AdamC - The Regiment with No Name (33 points)

Part of the fun I have with My Imagi-Nation the Grand Duchy of D'Argent is I get to "provide" friends and family with officers commissions.

Following practice of many an 18th Century Enlightened Despot I in my capacity as Grand Duke feel obligated to ensure that my siblings children are well taken care of. 

When I learned by brother and his wife are anticipating the birth of a second son some time in may of this year it was time to look through the collection 18th century miniatures for to provide the young lad with a regiment. 

Thus these Red and Yellow clad dragoons have been completed during the challenge. The colors were selected by the Duchess Ariana.  My Brother and his wife have not yet finalized the name of my new nephew so for now these fellows are a nameless regiment. 

I look forward to introducing the kids to their commands in few years.

There are 8 15mm figures (Essex I believe) on horse back which I make to be 32 Points.


From Curt:

Great work Adam. I really like the idea of giving 'commissions' to your regiments to family and friends - I do something similar with our Pulp and Cthulhu adventurers just for laughs. Here's to lovely May and the naming day of both your new nephew and his regiment!

From BrendonW - Mongols & Red & Black Wars of the Roses (80 Points)

Hello. This week I present 16 x 28mm plastics with 9 being FireForge Steppe Warriors and 7 Perry War of the Roses. The Black and the Red.... 5 archers, 1 Handgonne and 1 Pike. More recruits for the defenders of Beer and Bacon.

I am in the midst of reading a Mongol historical Novel series by Conn Iggulden and it provides great background for painting Mongols. While primarily a Pony mounted army on occasion they certainly did fight on foot. Not an entire army of course but parts of it.  Incredibly adaptive tactics could result in Mongols crossing terrain too rough for mounts and appearing behind an army that thought its back was protected by that terrain.

Through the books I am getting an idea of how the Mongol war aspect evolved over time. Starting with Mongol vs Mongol tribal war or raids against tribes that border Mongolia like the Tar Tars. Later Heavy armoured horse and lance influenced by the Chin (much like a European knight), siege technology such as catapults through to artillery. The array of opponents they fought as well provides the wargamer with a massive amount of Historical scenarios.

Terrain as well is hugely varied so basing is also something you can get creative with. When burning Kiev and Moscow The Golden Horde had a preference for going to war in the winter. Frozen rivers became roads for the highly organised Mongol Tumans.

Very enjoyable set of miniatures to paint.


From Curt:

Ah, it's great to see more additions to House Beer & Bacon, but I must say these Mongol fellows are top notch as well. I really like how dynamic the poses are, especially with the splayed open hands loosing the arrow and the position of their heads/necks. Very cool.

From BurkhardS - Discworld's Death: the Anti-Hero for Curt (20 Points)

I am not sure if Curt even remembers, but when he announced the theme for this year Challenge, I was cursing like mad. I had no idea what to do actually. Even worse not only was this the theme for this year (which meant the mini I would send to Curt would have to follow this theme), but also the theme for the last theme round. So I decided, that I would only do one mini for both and simply send Curt my theme round entry. Well that was about three months ago and in all the weeks that followed I contemplated what to do, I actually had a couple of ideas. And I felt that two were actually so good, that I could not decided which one to do and which one to pass by. So in the end I chose them both and here is my entry fee, which will be on its way to the plains of Canada soonish.

So what will Curt get? It is Death from Terry Pratchetts Discworld novels. I think he actually makes for a perfect Anti-Hero. Obviously when you think about Death the "Anti" part of "Anti-Hero" is obvious. Death is the inevitable end to everyone's life, coming for you without remorse regardless of your wish to remain or not. But why is he a Hero? Well Discworlds Death is a bit different. He is not unknown to show compassion for his customers, even trying to cheer them up at times. But in addition to that he is a loving and caring father and like any hero not without his faults. As such he looses his job at one time (only to get it back with vengeance). In addition to all that he is there to give a helping hand (although this can at times lead to peoples... err Death) or step in for someone else if needed. Like the time he takes over for the Hogfather (Discworlds version of Father Christmas) to make sure the job gets done. 

One thing that I love about this mini is the little details, like the Death of Rats that are part of the actual mini.

In the past years, I have always send my entries with completed base to Curt. This year I have left the base plain. The reason is simple. In the novels Death lives in a house on a plain of existence that is completely in greyscale. Now I thought, that it would be great to either have some furniture or plants painted in greyscale on the base to show this. Now I completely suck at painting greyscale, while Curt is one of the undisputed masters at it, so I thought "why ruin something, when you have someone who is great at it". I hope Curt will forgive me this!

From Curt:

A wonderful interpretation of the anitihero theme Burkhard and thank you for the lovely figure. I'm particularly impressed with your painted effect of the Sands of Time hourglass - it looks so realistic. I also like this blue 'eyes' as it gives him a softer, more humane look, which I think reinforces the overall character.

Thanks again Burkhard, Death will be a formidable addition to the Antihero pantheon forming in my display cabinet.

From BrianB - Martian Tripod (15 Points)

You can't have All Quiet on the Martian Front without the Martian Tripods. After working up my test color scheme earlier in the Challenge I finally got around to painting one up.

The plastic kit went together really well, although I had to hunt around for an assembly guide first to make sure I put together the central part of the body. The paint job went on pretty quickly and was done mostly with drybrushing with the largest brush I have. I again tried for a greenish blue metal for the main body and brass details. I think it actually works even better on the larger tripod. Unfortunately I just noticed that I forgot to put a coat of gloss varnish on the eye after I varnished him, so he's going to have to go back into the shop tonight for a touch up.

What I like the most about this model is that it simply towers over the regular troops. While the All Quiet line is big for 15mm being closer to 20mm the tripod stands about 7" tall. I guess in scale that would be about 50 feet tall. The Tommies down below look more than a little outmatched!

From Curt:

Wonderful work Brian! I really like your smooth work on the metallics, especially the green/blue hue the brass details. The posing is great as well, with one of the legs up, poised for a purposeful stride ahead - very dynamic. 

I agree with you that the choice to do this range in 15mm was brilliant as it allows the vehicles to be truly monstrous without being prohibitively expensive, taking up too much table space or being difficult to store. 

My only real criticism to the walkers' design is thier 'face'. I had mentioned this last year when Miles showed us a early release of the models. To me the face looks incredibly dorky: either it gives the impression of a melodramatic Eye of Sauron or it looks like this one, something akin to a clown's nose. I think the upper carapace would look so much better turned around, with a smooth featureless face facing forward - much more chilling I think. Saying this, I guess I should put my money where my mouth is and pick up a kit to try it out...

Nonetheless, with my hangups regarding Martian design esthetic aside, this is a great model. Well don Brian!

From ClintB - 15mm WWII US Engineer Platoon and Extras (76 Points)

Well as mentioned last week these are the last of my 15mm US Paratroopers. First up we have an engineer platoon. 

7 stands in all. A command stand and thanks to Mr Docherty the Lieutenant is called Lt Spiers. Having run out of SMG figures I have given them M1 Carbines so they will now count as a rifle command stand. 3 other Rifle stands a .30 cal LMG stand and while they are not in the rules assigned a bazooka stand they are allowed 2 Flame thrower stands. 

As with all the US Paras I have painted they all have the US flag on them. The Flame thrower stands just have a single figure on them as after all who wants to stand next to an extremely explosive bullet magnet. But they should scare the tanks and keep them away. Well at least I can hope. I could not find anyone selling US para flame throwers so I have used US Marine figures instead just thought to let you know before someone brightly points out the uniform discrepancy. I know I am a slacker and should have sculpted one from scratch. Yeah Like I was always going to! Yeah right!

Then we have the casualty figures for the game. 8 in all and all lying down. These are the figures you hope will never see the table top and then when you start playing wonder if 8 will be enough!

I did have enough .30 Cal teams so I have mad them up as well so I can swap them with Bar Gunners should points allow and these extra 5 stands should just about give me enough to replace all the BARs,  (If I add the one from the Engineering platoon). It is always if points allow and having checked with the rules writer there is nothing stopping me having both BARs and .30Cals in the same platoon as long as I have no more than 3 in total. In the army list it refers to them as 30mm Calibre, so I guess that slipped past the rules proof read. Oh well.

And lastly for the US Paratroopers I have the odds and sod. In other words any base I could make with spare figures. Which is to say 1 additional sniper, 1 additional Garand Rifle stand and one M1/ SMG stand. I think these will mostly be unused and probably never see the tabletop but they are done now and you just never know. Maybe in the future they will change the army-lists. Who can tell. Not me that is for sure.

Points wise a lot less than last time only 42 figures of which 8 are lying down. So call it 38 15mm figures @2pts a figure should be 76pts.


From Curt:

Like their compatriots from your last week's entry, these paratroopers are terrific. Your basework continues to sing with these fellows as well (I like the spray of red flowers and the reeds). 

I particularly enjoyed your 'on-assignment' Marine-come-Paratrooper flamethrower operator.  I can hear him drawling, 'So, just how far is Okinawa from Eindhoven anyway?'  :)

Capital work Clint!