From BenF: Bagging the Hun 1/300 Aircraft and 1/1200 Ships (108 Points)

Well, it's been an eventful few weeks for me, with a trip to the Snowy Mountains taking up a decent chunk of my painting time before heading back to work this Monday just gone. The trip was great, getting to spend some time with friends and climbing to the top of the tallest mountain in Australia felt like an achievement, even if it's no monster by international standards. While the 14km round trip was rather challenging, the fact that it is largely paved should tell you that i'm no Sir Edmund Hilary! :)

As far as painting goes, i've managed to get a bit completed, though i've not managed a blog update until now. As Bag the Hun 2 is continuing to go great guns at the club, this submission is firmly centred on this project.

First off, the first of my Fleet Air Arm aircraft. I've always found the FAA fascinating. Besides the carriers, the fact that they had to struggle with aircraft and equipment which was not up to the standards of that used by the RAF, let alone the Luftwaffe. While i've got Sea Gladiators, Sea Hurricanes, Martlets, Skuas, Albacores and even a Roc in the painting queue, i've started off my FAA force with a flight of Fairey Fulmars. The Fulmar was designed to fit in with the RNs view that carrier based aircraft must have a pilot and telegraphist/air gunner. While hardly as sleek as the Spitfire, I do like the no-nonsense lines of the Fulmars. These are marked up for the 806th Naval Air Squadron, based on the HMS Illustrious during it's time in the Med protecting the Malta Convoys during 1941. The models are Heroics and Ros, declas are from Dom's Decals. This lot has already served in a game, tangling with a dozen Savoia SM.79 bombers over the Med, so I've included a photo I took from the game of Sub/Lt. H. 'Slippers' Duncan bagging an 'Eyetie'.

Continuing with the naval theme, here are some 1/1200 and 1/1250 scale ships to be defended or attacked in BTH2 games, depending on the scenario. I've based these using artists impasto gel, and find that the scale works perfectly for BTH2. This was my first attempt with Naval figures, and i'm pretty happy with the way they've turned out. The scale difference looks 'right' with fighters and bombers swirling in the air above the ships. Below is a Type IXC U-Boat, the U-805 and a Räumboote, or R-Boat minesweeping motor launch, the R-401. Both are Neptun from eBay which i've repainted.

Below is the HMS Hotspur, an H-Class destroyer. This is a decent size, coming in at just under 10cm. The Hotspur is another Neptun repaint. I've got a couple of Bogue class escort carriers and an HMS Illustrious on the way from eBayland. The Escorts are around 14cm, and the Lusty is over 20, i'm looking forward to painting them up.

Next, a pair of Merchantment. I wanted to keep these relatively generic so that I can use them for Allied or Axis convoys. These are Len Deighton sculpts from eBay which I've repainted. I do plan on getting some larger merchantmen as targets for FW200 Condors and Sunderlands over the North Atlantic and North Sea.

Next up, we're back over dry land with an Avro Anson. The Anson was used as for reconnaissance, light bombing, and as a utility aircraft. This one is marked up from No.326 Squadron in 1940. This model is H&R also. Decals are from Dom's.

Next, we have two schwarms of Messerschmitt Bf 109E-4s. I had two of these painted up previously, and together with these lots that is a complete staffel. They're marked up from Jagdgeschwader 2 'Richtofen', and one of the aircraft is painted up as that of Luftwaffe experten (or top ace) Helmut Wick. The engine cowling has a small blue triangle with an approximation of the yellow sword and 'Horrido' written on the original. The mottled sides of Wick's aircraft was also noteably darker than other aircraft of JG2, so I've tried to give this effect. These aircraft are all from Scotia, declas from Doms.

Next, some British Anti Air bases in the form of two 3.7" AA Guns and a command base with an Austin Tilly and a Bedford MWC tanker. While these will work for BTH2, they can also serve with my Blitzkrieg Commander forces. All equipment is from H&R, decals are i-96 and Dom's.

Finally, here's a picture of me at the top of Mt. Kosciusko, I'm on the left wearing the blue shirt.

Next up, i'm working on some more aircraft, Blenheims, Fairey Battles and Heinkel He-111s along with some FAA odds and sods.

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What a brilliant post, Ben! 

It strikes particularly close to home as Sarah and I holidayed in Malta this autumn. We both had a great time taking in the newly renovated National War Museum at St. Elmo which had an entire wing dedicated to the WWII siege of the island. It was amazing and I heartily recommend it to anyone who loves a good museum.

Anyway, back to your fabulous entry. Your Fulmars, Messerschmitts and Anson are terrific. I especially like the work you spent on the canopies and the decals as they really finish the models off nicely. The 1:1200 ships are real lumps of goodness as well (love the basing). I've not seen a U-Boat in this scale before and it really is impressive. I agree with you on the great use of scale distortion, in having 1:300 scale aircraft over 1:1200 ships - the forced perspective is a brilliant touch.

Finally, that's a great picture of you and your friends atop Mt. Kosciusko - it looks to have been a fine day out.

I'm counting the 1:1200 ships with their nautical basework as 28mm vehicles so this will plunk you in at 108 points. Well done Ben!

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From DebD: Judgement 52mm (40 points)

Hello!
Judgement is a 54mm kickstarter game out of Australia. This is my first time painting 54mm miniatures.  At this size, it is much easier to add extra detail.
https://judgement.game

Scale: 54mm
Mfg: Gunmeister Games
Material: Resin

Product: Doenrakkar - Minotaur Shaman

This guys sculpt was amazingly detailed. He is mostly skin and to get the blending and highlights smooth, I had to do one muscle at a time, of which he has many. Needless to say, I felt muscle cross-eyed by the time I was done.

His spear stone is supposed to be turquoise stone. It was so fun to paint,  I think I need to find more semi-precious gemstone wielding miniatures... 

Artwork for Doenrakkar - Minotaur Shaman. He somehow seems less muscle-ly here...

https://judgement.game/collections/heroes/products/doenrakkar-minotaur-shaman-defender

Product: Thrommel Ironbeard - Dwarf Warrior

Dwarves, war hammers, braided beards... what's not to like with this guy?

Artwork for Thrommel Ironbeard - Dwarf Warrior

https://judgement.game/collections/heroes/products/thrommel-dwarf-warrior-defender

Product: Saiyin - Elf Priestess (Soulgazer)

For her eyes, I was trying to paint a purple version of Storm from X-men.

Artwork for Saiyin - Elf Priestess (Soulgazer)

https://judgement.game/collections/heroes/products/saiyin-elf-priestess-soulgazer

Product: Istariel - Elf Misteress of the Flame

Her colors are so bright, she would have made an excellent anime character. I guess that is fitting for someone wielding flames.

She is wearing many, many tiny chains. They look nice, but are very tedious to paint. 

This was also the first time I tried to paint a figure exactly like it's 2d artwork.  At first I wasn't too keen on the idea, but after the miniature was finished, I enjoyed being able to look at both side by side. It was like she had popped out of the painting into real life. fun!

Artwork for Istariel - Elf Misteress of the Flame

https://judgement.game/collections/heroes/products/istariel-elf-fire-mage-aggressor

4 x 54mm Judgement figures @ 10 pts each for a total of 40 pts

Thanks!
Deb

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Wow, once again absolutely stunning work Deb. Each one of these is superb, the minotaur with his excellent skintone and turquoise stone weapon, the dwarf with his muted armour and gold filigree, the fire effects of the flame priestess... again wow. I must say that my favourite has to be elf priestess with the rising spectre and the energy bloom in her right hand. Absolutely beautiful stuff.

40 very well-earned points. I'll also mark these as contenders for Sarah's Choice. Thanks for sharing your work with us Deb! 

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From VictorC - 1/16 Scale Knight and some 28mm Figures (70 Points)

I've been practicing my painting skills using oil paints on larger figures. So these are my attempts at painting something larger than 10mm and with a completely new medium.  The Knight was bought some years ago at a Oregon Model Show. I finally got up the nerve to paint it.  I have no idea what the points would be for the knight.

28mm figures I'm test painting.

I received this 28mm figure for attending Historicon this past summer.

A Foundry WSS figure.

A Foundry Renaissance figure 

Another Foundry WSS figure

Perry Miniature AWI figures.

The Knight by Miniart. 1/16 scale. 

Size comparison between the 28mm and 1/16 scale 

This kit was a pain to put together but was a joy to paint.  The decals on the shield and tunic were very brittle and torn repeatedly while trying to apply them.  I would not recommend this kit to anyone.

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Great work on this disparate selection of periods and scales, Victor! 

I think of the selection of 28mm figures, my favourites have to be the AWI infantry, especially that last fellow with his musket tucked under his right arm. The 1:16 scale knight is a tremendous bit of work in its own right. In particular, I think you did an excellent job on the blackened armour and heraldry - wow. I know for myself that I can be a creature of habit, and that it can be quite revealatory when I do manage to try something out of my comfort zone, so good on you for stretching out to experiment with some new scales and paints. 

70 point for your efforts Victor - thanks for sharing these with us. 

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From SanderS - Some more Heroquest stuff (68 points)

Hoi There,

While I know it is Ray who is the Moaning Minion (now there's a nightmare vision: imagine an ethereal version of Ray haunting the ladies loo at your local Wizarding High-school?! Because let's be honest Hogwarts is but a high-school compared to Unseen University I am sure), I realise I am becoming somewhat of a croaker too.

Sadly I have still not managed to really get going on the painting. I have prepared more then enough figures to last me all year but somehow real life keeps throwing spanners in the work. The latest spanner came in the form of a freak wind-storm with gusts of 8 on the scale of Bofort making short work of one of the sheds I've build in my garden.

All the same I have been trying to get some painting done and have managed to finish some more Heroquest related figures and a 1:72 vignette.

First up are some Greenies. These are figures that came with the original Warhammer Quest box. These I will use for the Heroquest games at school and at home by dividing the group.

The next two figures are figures used by two of my pupils. The Female figure is a Blood Elf named Baroness Blackwood used by Vanessa and the other one is Collin's henchman called Cor Netto (Collin's main character is a Chaos Ice Magician called Icicles) they've asked me to paint these figures and here's the result.

Both 4 of the Orc archers as well as the figures mentioned above where used today at the school club as you can see below.

Last up is the vignette I have mentioned. It is made by Hagen Miniatures and depicts Sergeant Charles Ewart of the Scot's Greys capturing his Eagle at Waterloo. It's a nice little vignette and I am so happy to have finished it.

Points wise 11 x 28mm figures amounts to 55 points and 1 foot and 1 mounted 1:72 figure amount to 12 points so that should be 67 points added to my total.

Cheers Sander

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Wow, sorry to hear about your recent wind storm. It's a pity about the shed but it's good that the damage was limited just to your garden.

 I really admire that you've taken the time and effort to paint figures for your students' characters - I think that's just wonderful. Both Baroness Blackwood and Cor Netto are excellent, especially Netto's skin(!) shield and the Baroness' striking red skintone. I'm sure they must be delighted with the figures.

I was just going to ask you about your 1:72 Napoleonic project but then you came in today with this beautiful Waterloo vignette. I didn't know that there were manufacturers that were offering vignettes in this scale, so this is quite educational for me (I sense a few hours of fun online perusals coming on). Your vibrant reds and blues are set off strikingly by the grey charger - excellent work.

I've popped in another point for the French Eagle (it only seems proper) so 68 points to add to your roster's total. Well done Sander! 

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