From SanderS - 80's Pulp Revealed Part II (85 points)

Hoi,

After the revealing of the fact that my 80's Pulp Project is basically about a very popular 80's Action Figure line and cartoon series I cannot omit at least one entry concerning "The Enemy". As I have said somewhere else on this blog, I believe as a response to a post by Greg B., the ARBCO company is a cover up for operations by that insidious terrorist organisation out to conquer the world:

Sorry I couldn't resist that :-P So yeah here are some snakes in the grass. The miniatures are mostly from the range of figures done by a sculptor for his private collection and not commercially available. Two of the vehicles are 3d prints from Thingiverse, made by the talented Jabberwock. The truck is a Rubicon models American truck which is great for this purpose as they have been in use for quite a long time after the end of WW2. I have included links to the excellent 3djoes website for all the named stuff so you can check it out if you'd like.

Commanding the troops are the Crimson Twins, Tomax and Xamot (yeah I know!).

Here are some regular Blueshirt infantry, accompanied by a Stinger driver in grey using a RPG. These sculpts are far more realistic than the figures in the cartoon series as they all sport pistols and combat knives next to the regular weapon, which in this case is ether an AK47 or M16 rather than the silly lasers used in the cartoons.

As you have noticed I am making troopers on "urban" bases as well as on more regular outdoor bases. Slightly different angle:

Here's the ASP AA or FLAK gun, a 4 part 3d print in regular plastic. I have not included decals yet because I don't know if I want to, so for now it's done.

Rubicon models do an excellent quick build plastic set of an American truck which I think will be very good for scenarios. I kept the driver and cab separate so I can leave it parked as well as use it being driven.

Next up one of my absolute favourite a Cobra Firebat fighter. It used to come with the awesome Terror Dome playset (in a maroon version like mine here) but was later released in a bright red mail-away version too. This vehicle is a 3d print done in resin which is brilliant!

I also made a flight stand for the Firebat using a lasered acrylic base and an old radio antennae.

To finish off a shot of one of the actual action figures (the stinger Driver)  with it's 28mm counterpart, and yes I should have done the 28mm version up in a lighter grey, I might just

Perhaps you have concluded that I am very enthusiastic about this project and you would be totally right! Not only are these figures perfect, but creating the terrain, vehicles and scenics is absolutely brilliant! Let's end this post with points... well 8 figures amounts to 40 points, there's two vehicles of 15 points each making a total of 70 and then there's the ASP. As a matter of fact it's an artillery piece, but it looks more like a vehicle, so I will let Sylvain decide for me how to score it :-)

Cheers Sander

What can I say? I watched a few episodes of G.I.Joe when I was (ahem) younger. For people of my age, G.I.Joe is also the "Barbie" size boy doll that you could dress in battle gear and use to attack your sister's own dolls. But I digress. You sure threw me back to memory lane with this highly original project. And I will never stop being amazed at what a 3D printer can do for the hobby nowadays. For all your brush strokes, I award you 85 points. Given its size and look, your hack-hack should count as a vehicle. Bravo! (Sylvain)

From KenR - 1/2400 WW2 Naval (17 points)

My second entry of the week is this small collection of WW2 ships, all by GHQ and all in 1/2400 scale.

If I was a chef I would definitely say that Naval ships are my "signature dish", I have masses of these around the place and last year painted all 250 ships at Jutland for my sins. The ships are mini, metal models fixed to MDF bases on which I sculpt a sea texture, undercoat and then paint.

The first up are three German Destroyers, these have been specifically done for a club display / participation game of the sinking of the Tirpitz.

Followed by the mighty Tirpitz herself painted in her final 1944 camouflage scheme with dark grey hull and lower superstructure and light grey uppers. The iconic red party flag on the bow was gone by now, too much of a target.

And finally an Armed Merchant / Passenger ship same range and scale, this will be used with my WW1 fleets.

So something a bit different, I have no idea how many points these are but they were great fun to do.

You have done a great job on highlighting the details of these small miniatures. I really like the way you sculpted the sea and you gave a good representation of the waves. These are indeed the "special du chef". For the Challenge, usually capital ships and cruisers are worth 3 points and destroyers and smaller are worth two points. Thus your new units are worth 12 points. But I will spice up you dish with 5 more points for sculpting the sea surface. Well done! (Sylvain) 

From KenR : 28mm WW1 Highlanders for Mesopotamia (45 points)

Another 2 smaller entries this week as I cleared a couple of mini projects off the paint table.

As soon as I found out in my research for WW1 in Mesopotamia that Highland Units had fought in the theatre, I was on the hunt for suitable figures which was when I came across Minifigs "Setting the East Ablaze" Range which had six suitable figures amongst the ones available, I ordered one of each as a test and was very impressed with the detail and animation of the models.

There were however no Command Figs and no Lewis gunners so I had to look around again for suitable figures which is when I located the Empress Miniatures Jazz Age Range, yes dated slightly after the WW1 period they would be destined for but not out of the range of possibilities, so I ordered a couple packs for a look see.

Empress Lewis Gun Team

Size comparison Minifigs left, Empress right.

Although the Minifigs are a bit more on the chunky side they are not a million miles away and I am happy enough to have them in the same unit, so here we have 9 x 25mm Foot figures for a cheeky 45 points.

I really love the character of these figures, the poses are great and the detail of the kilts peeping out from behind their khaki covers is just great. These will definitely be upgraded to a full 34 fig Battalion  (4 x 8 Fig Coys and 2 Command) in the near future.

I have painted the models up to represent the 2nd Battalion of The Black Watch (42nd Foot), they arrived in Mesopotamia just after the start of the Siege of Kut-al-Amarah having just left the Western Front, they march onto river Boats and within 3 weeks they were in action trying to break the seige, hastily thrown in to the fray they went from 950 to less than a 100 men in their first battle.

You just proved splendidly that kilts can be worn anywhere on the planet, on any war theater. Thanks for sharing your research on this part of the Great War. You already have all the required scenery to give them soon a baptism of fire. 45 points for your efforts. (Sylvain)  

From MattT - Mixed Bag (90 points)

Sometimes I can get bogged down painting a unit and other times they seem to fly over the painting table. This is one of those times as I have 3 entries to post in one week, after struggling to finish the first one.

First up is a continuation of my 28mm Blucher project. One of the things I like about this scale is I can paint and represent some of the more fringe units without having to paint up hundreds of figures. So here in all their glory are the 3rd Provisional Croatian Regiment that marched with Napoleon in to Russia as part of Oudinot's II Corp. Pretty dashing in their green.

Next up are some Celtic Skirmishers based for Impetus. I already had some Gaul/Celt warband bases done for my Punic Armies but needed these skirmisher to play an Ancient Briton army from the new Basic Impetus 2 rules. Really fast to paint up, especially off the back of painting up some Napoleonics.

Quick group shot of the whole army ready for action.

Finally what must be one of the most awesome creatures ever imagined - an Owlbear. Painted this one up for fun as most of fantasy gaming, D&D days are behind me. Mini is part of the Reaper bones line that work really well with the larger creatures. Still enjoy painting fantasy minis, they give me a sense of nostalgia, and i loved the movement in this mini.

18 x 28mm figures for a total of 90 points.

 Wow. You do a great job on your bases. Not only are the figures amazing, the pictures are also very well done and really make the subjects stand out. Unfortunately, I can not give you points for the pictures, but you will have an additional 90 points to your tally. (Sylvain)

From IanW - Ancient Tanks (12 points)

Sticking with 6mm but a much smaller entry. My Persians are still without any command bases so I thought I may as well start big.

Whilst this will not be the King of Kings, it can be used as the C-in-C as I am sure more than one would have used chariots at some point.

I have based the model on a 2p coin, this gives an indication of size, or should I say lack of.

The three scythed chariots were bought for my Persian army but these can be used for later Macedonian based armies. Indeed I will need a total of six for the game Lee and myself are looking at putting on at next years Joy of Six, this being the Battle of Magnesia.

I took great delight breaking one up to have s a wrecked chariot. I was copying a previous model I did in 15mm.

As for points I really have no idea, the models are all from Baccus with the chariots being three piece kits with the wheels attached to the sides of the chariot.


Tiny but colourful. Well done! I feel sorry for the tiny horses and people involved in the "accident", but if there is no risk taken, there is no glory and no fun. You could maybe use these chariots for a tiny chariot race. You will gain a total of 12 points for these, as I will count each chariot as two vehicles. (Sylvain)

French Friday

Phil asked me to assume minion duty today and you have no idea how pleased I am. Since I now have your complete attention, why not impose on all challengers a little lesson of French? Have you ever wondered where the word “minion” comes from? (Probably that no one cares, and for good reasons. But I do!) "Minion" comes from the French word “mignon”, you are correct! Two points to Griffindor! But strangely, in French, “mignon” means “cute”, while in English “minion” means “servant”. Both these words come from the  Frankish “minnjo” (“love, friendship, affection, memory”) but why are their meanings so far apart?

Prononciation exercise.
 Repeat after Cléopâtre: "Oh qu'il est mignon!"
(From: Astérix et Cléopâtre)

At first, in French, “mignon” would be used to designate your lover. “C’est mon mignon” ["he’s my lover"], would say a widowed Baroness about the young man escorting her to the court. Ronsard, a poet of the 16th Century, famous for his beautiful sonnets and for being far from handsome himself, would vainly try to seduce women by writing them hundreds of poems, calling them “mignonne”, but to no avail. Today, we have Ronsard's poetry but no descendants.

From 1574, “mignons” would designate the frivolous young men who became the favorites of King Henri III of France. Of course, there was the implied connotation that these “darlings” were lacking some virile qualities. From then on, the word in English stuck to meaning a “devoted servant”, while the meaning in French reverted to “someone or something that is lovable”, just like the delicious “filet mignon” you will find in fancy restaurants.

There you have it, your French lesson for Friday!

Now on the menu for today:

Entrée:
- Ancient Tanks
- Mixed bag
- WW1 Highlanders
- WW2 Naval

Plat du jour:
- 80's pulp
- Iberian Cavalry
- SCW La Legion
- WW2 Cossacks

Fromage:
- Mish Mash
- Arena Rex

Dessert:
- Special du chef

Bon appétit!

Sylvain

From RobH: Ships of the Desert (32 Points)

I have worked on this submission since the start of the challenge. It was the constant project sitting on my painting desk. A dab of paint here, another dab there. The figures are based as two DBA nomadic camps and another two baggage/transport for WRG style games.

The rider I picked out of my spare box and added him instead of the baggage for one of the camel figures. The foot figure was previously painted and pulled out of the same spare figure box. It does not count towards my painting total.  Looking at scoring 8 x 15mm camels with baggage and a sole rider.

Oh we love ourselves some camels in this here Challenge. These might have taken you a ltitle while, here and there, but are fine example of Bactrians, with their very colourful loads.I particularly like that they camels' coats are varied in colour, as you often see whole squadrons of mounted troops on mounts of just one or two shades (something I'm guilty of too, I'll admit).  

I'll score these camels, loads singleton rider as 8 cavalry, so a tidy 32 points for your baggage humps! 

Phil 

From RobH: Heroes of the Soviet Union; Armoured Fist (47 Points)

Better late then never. I had hoped to have these done for the tank challenge, but it was not to be. As my second submission I offer the Warlord Games, Bolt Action Soviet Tank Platoon. I have not assembled models of this scale since high school, which is now a long faded memory. The kits were relatively easy to put together and I wanted to add some mobile firepower to my Soviets.

When searching for the link to the Warlord Games site, I discovered that they now sell additional crewmen, as well as stowage kits and tank riders. I have since placed an order.

First up Rob, and apology from Minion Phil: You had these posted up well in time, but somehow I missed that in the draft queue, and you had emailed me, but somehow I missed that aswell. So these didn't get posted when they should. But as you say regarding the theme round: better late than never!  

These T34s are the classic Soviet armour, and look great in their rich green. I'm glad the kits were easy to fit together I've heard mixed things about the Warlord ones, but hear Rubicon are excellent. They could perhaps do with a bit of dirt, to get away from the 'factory fresh' look - I'm no expert on the dark arts of weathering tanks, but I'm sure fellow challengers can offer many great tips.  

Three 28mm vehicles, and two bonus points for the tank commander makes 47 Points

Phil

From SimonM: "Black Tree Design" Sutekh The Destroyer (5 Points)

"It was a deliberate attempt to block my cytronic control."

This 28mm metal model of Sutekh is manufactured by “Black Tree Design” and can be bought as code DW412 from their "Doctor Who" range. An Osiran "who planned to destroy all life in the Universe, this extra-terrestrial was eventually defeated by his brother Horus and, having been imprisoned beneath an Egyptian pyramid was first seen in the October 1975 BBC Television science fiction serial "The Pyramids Of Mars".

Before painting this miniature I decided to invest a little time and money constructing an Egyptian-flavoured base for the figure, and resultantly super-glued Gabriel Woolf's character onto the (hollowed out) metal throne which accompanies him. I then placed the model upon one of the thin 50mm round plastic bases I use for my larger objective markers, and used two 40mm square "Lord Of The Sand" resin bases as an improvised backdrop. Unfortunately, it was only once I had started painting Sutekh that I realised what an unwise decision I had made...

"All life shall perish under the reign of Sutekh the Destroyer!"

To begin with both the immobile Osiran and his basalt chair were painted with two coats of "Citadel" Abaddon Black, whilst the carved wall behind him was primed with "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand. I then dry-brushed Nephthys' husband with "Vallejo" Heavy Charcoal and gave him a wash of "Citadel" Nuln Oil. His throne was repeated with more Abaddon Black in order to make it stand out from the seated figure.

The relief sculpture was subsequently washed with "The Army Painter" Strong Tone Quickshade and dry-brushed with more "Vallejo" Iraqi Sand. I did consider picking out some of the characters on the wall with blue, red and gold. However, I felt this would detract from the central all-black figure and draw the eye away from where I wanted it to go. I therefore left the sandstone backdrop alone.

Sutekh WIPs - The Osiran was undercoated with "Citadel" Abaddon Black

It was at this point that I encountered my error in super-gluing the Typhonian Beast in place, as it meant I could no longer get my brush-tip behind the miniature and 'pick out' some of his red piping. This led to my colour scheme taking a couple of departures away from the 'official' televised version, as I could only paint the hands, arms and face of Sutekh with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Red and "Citadel" Carroburg Crimson; thereby missing out the piping around the waist and on the neck.


For all the issues, he does make an impressive objective piece. I quite know the pain of building before painting. On the one hand I find it easier to paint GW marines and most multi-part kits in sub-assemblies. The con would be losing components in the pile-o-lead before completion. He still looks initimidating although you weren't able to hit a few areas though. I like the addition of the slabs behind his throne. They enhance the stage further!

From PeterD Seven Years' War Camp Scenes (40 points))

This week I have two posts, both for my on going SYW Sharp Practice project.  First up is this set of 8 figures from Camp Scene with a couple of personality and leader figures.

Group shot, blurry but shows the whole gang

Heinz is trying to get in Katerina's good books by being helpful around the campfire.

Most of the these figures come from a Perry AWI camp set.  It says much about my Challenge Progress that these were originally set as a "Home" theme entry and then as a "West" theme entry (as in Westfalia).  I am picturing this as a camp shared by Hanoverian Jaegers and British Light Dragoons.  The AWI uniforms are spot on for the Jaegers (in green waistcoats) and close enough for the Light Dragoons in red.  The dragoons have changed their riding boots for more comfy footwear, the Hessians have taken off their coats and gaiters and some non-regulation head gear has appeared.

He's tempted by what she's got cooking, and supper smells good too!

Franz is explaining that Handel is vastly over-rated and that Bach is the true musical genius of his generation.  Joseph doesn't look convinced.

I am pretty sure that we've all had this conversation with Franz at some point in our lives 

While Schmidt scans the horizon, Herr Mueller is more interested in his book.

 These two figures came in a command pack of Hessian infantry at rest.  The fellow on the left was a quick conversion to a civilian.  I cut out the gorget and added a ruffle with paint.   I picture using him as a physician, clergy man or spy.  The fellow on the right has been painted as a Hessian artillery officer to act as a junior leader for my Hessian gun crew.

From the rear.  These were lovely sculpts to paint.

The other dragoons are very jealous of Thomas for winning fair Sophia.  The colour of Sophia's dress has absolutely nothing to do with a still from Emma Watson in the live action Beauty and the Beast.

This scene reminds rather of "historical" pictorials in certain magazines that I read as a teenager during the Carter era.

Back side view of the campers.

Points wise that's 8 28mm foot figures.  For the record one figure (Franz) is seated and Joseph and Thomas are recumbent, if that affects point scores.  All three figures are quite complete but I'll leave that to the minion's judgement.  Also I'll note that the presence of Katerina and Sophie mean that this is a potential entrant for Sarah's challenge. 


HMMM, I dunno, Peter. I think that with Katerina's posture, she seems to be seconds from smacking Heinz with her ladle( I KNOW that body posture well thanks to my wife!) As for music, Beethoven is the master, but not yet as he is almost a decade away from birth! ;)
I like this camp set quite a bit and they will dress up the table quite well. you just need some stacks of firewood, carts, wagons, some tents, a barn, you'll also need a borrowed manor house as we know full well the senior oficers just get grumpy if they have to sleep on the ground! I think my favorite part of this group is incorporating a few of the fellows into your painted regiments. That simple bit of brushwork really ties them into your force.