From Barks: 40K supplies (80 points)

The blessing and curse of GW's 40K terrain is that it is festooned in little grimdark details. You can really go down a rabbithole trying to pick them all out.

I have acquired a few sprues and bits and bobs in the last couple of years, so I assembled them and set to work. I used rattlecan sprays and masking tape for the two-coloured barrels and shipping containers. I sponged on orange and brown, followed by a wash of Woodland Scenics Burnt Umber which gives a wonderful rust effect. Then I picked out a lot of fun details.

The collection

Shipping containers

Pipes

Crates

Toolbox and fire extinguisher!

Barrels

I really like these next two pieces. I don't know if the first is a comms device or a snack dispenser. I think it is a jukebox- after a long shift in the factory, you can put a credit in and hear some inspiring martial music.

Grimdark jukebox

This one is an exterminatus WMD planet-killing bomb, with the timer on 007. This would be a great objective to claim or defend, or just a cool thing your gang found. We don't know what it does, but every now and then the counter ticks over!

Exterminatus device

The rust trinity

I like the look of these, and was quite happy with how the chipping and weathering came out.

There's 4x Standard Terrain Cubes here, so 80 points.

More importantly:

Skull-o-meter™: 134

Cumulative Skullz: 183

After Paul's last entry, I don't have a chance of victory in our side duel, but I'm not done with skulls yet. I'll go down swinging!

MilesR: These are really very nicely done and I may steal your rust trinity concept. Well Done

From StephenS: Ninjas (not really) ((JMR: well they're Ninja's now)) (((50 points)))

Hi

These guys were interesting to paint up, as I decided to only use the new(ish) contrast paints from Games Workshop as an experiment.

These figures are the 'Untamed Beasts' war band from the Warcry starter set that Games Workshop released last year. As I have little emotional attachment to the figures (though they are quite good) or the game (also pretty good), they made the perfect opportunity to trial the new paints.

As most people have reported, they are good for some things, not so great at others. I don't know that I will have much use for them except for getting projects like this finished quickly (it was blistering quick to get these nine miniatures finished). Apart from the odd brief flirtation with something different, I'm pretty wedded to using black undercoat. So the effort to get a smooth base of white or cream over the black to use the contrast paints negates any time that would be saved using the contrast paints for small sections.

All in all, a fun experiment, and I definitely got better at controlling the paints.

There are nine plastic 28 mm figures for 45 points.

In an aside, my 3 year old son saw them this morning and declared them to be ninjas, a stance from which he could not be shifted, hence the title of the post.

Cheers,

Steve

MilesR: Who am I to go against the decision of your son - Ninja's they are.  +5 points for son's keen ability to actually see the ninja's in their elaborate disguise

From StephenS: Defender of the Realm! - For Sarah's Balloon (5 points)

Hi,

As an offering to Sarah's Balloon, I present this lovely miniature from Warlord Games' Defenders of the Realm! pack.

Originally bought to flesh out some 'Operation Sea Lion' scenarios in Bolt Action, she is the sort of utilitarian miniature that will no doubt hit the table in various guises over the coming years.

A metal 28 mm figure, it was quick to get her painted to a table-top standard.

As this will be my second trip on the balloon, just the 5 points this time.

Next stop is Benito's Brook.

Cheers,

Steve

MilesR: A very nicely done defender, indeed!  With her defending the realm, Sealion would have failed for sure

From Bill A - The King in Yellow arrives in O'Grady's Gulch (37 points)

I had struggled quite a bit with O'Grady's Gulch, trying to find the right figure and the right person to gift it to.  When I pulled this figure (Reaper's "Crimson Herald," produced in Bones as part of the Bones 4 Kickstarter) I knew what to do with it instantly.  I'm not the first to see parallels between this figure and the mysterious, robed "King in Yellow" of the Cthulhu Mythos, but I'm quite pleased with how mine came out.

I'll be shortly sending him along to Oscar Rios, an author and publisher of scenarios and supplements for the Call of Cthulhu roleplaying game.  Over the past few years, Oscar has taken me under his wing and taught me a great deal about writing for publication in the RPG industry, and has helped me enter the field for myself as I've transitioned from Oscar's apprentice to his colleague.  Appropriately, Oscar himself entered the field with a scenario relating to the King in Yellow.

He's 28mm scale, but 40mm-ish tall, and I've affixed him to a 40mm round base.  I kept him very simple, with a solid yellow robe, black-green skin with a minimum of highlighting, and only a little freehand, to draw the ominous and sinuous "Yellow Sign" into his book.  I'm thinking he should work out to 35 points?

MilesR:  Ahh maybe a bit more points wise 'cause he's a large lad - and scares me a bit - lets rate him as a 40mm!

Rousell's Sandhill From Pete F: Tour Complete - Bruce for G'Day Donnybrook? (40 points)

The grand tour of Challenge Island comes to an end at Rousell's Sandhill. It has been an adventure and taken me to several obscure crevices on the shelf of shame that I would not have otherwise visited this winter. This entry is no exception.

Although I love Pikeman's Lament and bought up a bunch of minis to make ECW armies, the project has slipped down the priority rankings since my friends have plenty of troops for this period. On the upside this meant I had a few floppy hats to choose from.  This figure represents a Monmouth Rebellion rebel - whitish coat with oak leaves for unit identification. He's from the depths of Warlord's For King and Country box. I gave him the floppiest hat I could find. 

I didn't have a badger for the badger bonus points so Bruce got some, er, badger substitutes. The echidna and platypus were bought from a vendor at our local annual wargaming convention (Enfilade!) who sells various metal figures by weight. I got them for a Kings of War unit of woodland critters which has not yet come together.  

The Sandhill requires a story and this is Bruce's: there was an accident with a teleporter and a time machine. Bruce was impressed that, producing both eggs and milk, his new companions could make their own custard. The End.

Challenge Island Challenge Complete

One foot figure for 5 points - new (and final) location explored for 30 points. Anything else up to you.

I'm not sure exactly what happened, but I did minion this post last night. I can only assume that Pete decided to edit it at the same time and finished after me, reverting it to draft. Oh, well. Never mind.

That's a great character and I love the basing. The two critters get scored as 2 points each and I've added an extra point for the basing to give you a nice round 40.

Well done on visiting every island location. Now, you have six days left to do a Noel and revisit them all in reverse order!

TamsinP

Dave Humps It Up Snow Lord's Peak

The camel train crests the ridge and Dave, looking very much like A'lawrence with his chequered keffiyeh and flicking his long reed switch.

The final week of Snow Lord's Peak brought to you by Mount Rundle, Alberta

'Hut! Hut! Hut!' The camel train circles around Paul's herdstone (now festooned with skulls), and then they slowly drop to their knees with much honking and chawing filling the crisp air.

'Awesome!' The Snow Lord claps his hands in delight, 'More manure for the gardens! Thanks very much Dave.'

'Not a problem, matey. Anything to help.' Dave slides down from his perch atop the camel and stretches his legs. 'Mind, the smell will be right awful for the next few days.'

'No worries, it couldn't be worse than Paul's Beastmen. Now, those lads are proper rank, let me tell you. Wheeew!'

Dave wrinkles his nose, 'Yes, I think I can still catch a wiff of them. How does Paul put up with it? No matter, I'll be quick to we can have a drink before I head back. I've heard that there's treasure up here and that you require a boon for us to get a proper taste of it. So, with that in mind, what would you like me to do so I can get my paws on this fabled loot?'

The Snow Lord kicks over a wayward skull and looks over to the chainsword propped up against the Tower of Skulls (soon to be the balloon staging platform). He thinks of that nice, soft-spoken chap Kharn, who left it to help with the trimming the verge. The Snow Lord snaps his fingers. 'I know! In all the years you've been in the Challenge you've mostly worked on historicals, with hardly anything to show that's proper sci-fi. So, how about you do something featuring geeky lasers 'n stuff? That should be a good challenge for you, eh?' 

Dave smiles, 'Not a problem, oh Snow Lord. I have something in mind that should fit the bill nicely.'

_______________________________________________

Okay Dave, you crafty lad, let's see what you've got up your sleeve.

Curt

From AlanD: Thracians and Teensie Huns (130 points)

I can't match Paul O'G's Skulltacular skull overload, but at least I can offer a severed head.

It has been a pleasure this week starting on a little project painting Thracians for Mortal Gods, a game I have very much enjoyed playing with the said Paul. The real appeal of Thracians is partly the opportunity to paint these beautiful figures from Wargames Foundry, but mostly because they will annoy the hell out of Paul as they run around throwing javelins at his hoplites. It will be like playing Welsh against him in SAGA all over again.

In all seriousness though, these Foundry figures are just lovely, and worth the nightmare that is painting Thracian cloaks.

This week also saw the end of my 6mm Late Roman project, with a bunch of Huns and subject infantry skirmishers from Baccus. 

As far as points go, that should give me 45 points for the Thracians, then 48 cavalry and 48 infantry in 6mm (72 points), for a total of 117. Thanks!

____________________________________

Lovely work, Dux. I have been a long admirer of the Foundry Thracian range and using Mortal Gods as the vehicle in which to stick one's toe is genius. As usual I'm impressed with your freehand brushwork with the patterns and shield devices - really lovely stuff. This extends to your 6mm Huns where the time you've spent on the details really do pay off in the end product.

I'm going to give a few extra points for the patterning on the Thracians to pop this up to 130 points. Again, wonderful stuff Alan!

-Curt

From DaveD: 15mm Normandy building (40 points)

The latest work has been adding more of the superb 15mm Tiger Terrain building to the collection.

I have in my head a Normandy town that i want to create - its called St Martin (although MartinC of this parish for who its named is no saint!)  .

   

The "Marie" - or "Hotel de ville"

the town hall building is modelled from the actual one at St Marie du Mont its is a cracking piece - it also has a swappable damaged roof



they all have removable roofs and floors . i have magnetised all of that as well

the out houses are another nice touch i think

with my other already completed bits 

These are brilliantly cast in resin by Stephen for who these are a work of love. No warping , no bubbles etc. I really enjoyed bringing them to life .

I plan to pick up another set of these later this year - as they are available with variable roof, dormer, and shutter options that give a lot of variety. 

Altogether - they are just about 40 points worth

right then - what next - maybe Old Blue might expecting something on his throne ? or is it a peak

Those buildings look great Dave - you've got quite the village now.

TamsinP

From MIkeW, 22 x 17th Century Balkan Infantry (115 Points)

So into the last week of the Challenge and although the deadline has been extended - I have a 'hard stop' the 19th March, as the following day we're away to attend a family wedding.

Undercoated figures

That said I'm hoping to finish on a high with this the first of two batches of figures that I have got ready and here's hoping I can get a third batch done in time for the big stop!

Unit's Left Flank, with drummer in right of picture

Anyway this post is regarding a second batch of 17th Century Balkan Infantry that I have been able to complete this weekend. First batch was posted as part of this challenge <here>.

Centre of unit, to left of picture is the unit's Officer

This batch of figures consisted of 22 x 28mm Perry plastic ACW Zouaves, converted much the same way as the first batch, substituting heads from Gripping Beasts' Arab Light Cavalry and Infantry packs and converting a couple of the figures into a Turkish musicians, one with drum and the other with a  horn

Focus on the command stand, flag is home made

A third figure was converted into an officer and an officer to lead the unit, he ha a shield and sword arm added from eth Gripping Beast Arab Light Cavalry box and a feather from the Warlord Games Landsknecht box.

Typically I would do a unit of 20 or 24, but with only 22 figures renaming from the pack I allowed each flank stand to be of only three figures, giving the front rank, 12 figures and the rear rank just 10

Unit's Right Flank

POINTS
22 x 28mm Infantry Figures @ 5 Points ea = 110 Points


From Daved - and still they come, MikeW gives us another entry today - its another fine one , netting 115 for the extra conversion stuff.  ,  maybe we might make this points target ? 1341 so far today - huzzah!

right thats me out of here - i have some painting to finish don't ya know..

From SidneyR: Regiment de Varennes, Flemish Stragglers and Enfants Perdus, 1688 (140 points)

More French cavalry for this post, this time being the regiment of Varennes.  Again I used 28mm figures from the older Wargames Foundry range.  Each of them comes with a couple of sword arms, allowing you to chose the pose of the arm, hand and sword. I swapped the Officer’s arm for a sword, which always - for French cavalry - seems a bit more formidable than waving a soft-leather gloved hand in the Flemish air.  

I added a fair amount of green-stuff for feathers, knots of ribbons on shoulders, cravats and some extra hat lace.  I've been enjoying doing this for the French cavalry, and foot.  Trying to make the army stand out, by the addition of unique features, is something which is always fun to do. The standard finial is from Bicorne and the lovely flag is from GMB Designs.  I thought that you can get quite a nice effect on the flag by painting the edging along the flag, including making sure the tasseled edge looks the part.

I kept the horses the same as before, with the Regiment de Luxembourg.  I tried an experiment with using inks on the horses, but this didn't really work well.  So I was back to a quick base paint on the horses and two layers of highlighting.  

Then, for my next "destination", I chose Benito's Brook.  Benito had asked for "A figure or vignette related to some brave feat of arms, almost hopeless against impossible odds".  I chose the defiant, but defeated, stragglers from a glorious Flemish defeat for the army of the (fictional) city of Laarden in 1688, trudging along the dusty summer roads of the Spanish Netherlands away from chasing French cavalry, dragoons and hussars.  

I had fun assembling the figures from a variety of manufacturers.  There's a mix of Dixons, Perry Miniatures, Wargames Foundry, and Colonel Bills - a variety of defiant, wounded, straggling and fallen figures.  I made the battle-ragged standard out of some art paper, suitably cut with a scalpel, glued in place with Bostik, and fixed in place with a PVA wash.  A defiant task, taking the regimental flag away to be repaired and re-embroidered by a Laarden seamstress.

I also wanted to enter the stragglers into my very self-indulgent "Characters of Laarden" collection.  Here's their collectible card.

And finally, one of the things I like about the Challenge is the chance to finish off older figures which have been lingering in a box for years.  These figures are from Reiver Castings, and I've wanted to do something with them for some time.  I had the idea of cutting them in half and painting them up as making a river crossing - or, in the case of the Laarden campaign of 1688, wading through a flooded inundation created by the increasingly desperate Laarden high command.

I painted them up as French enfants perdus, leading the line against the obdurate, stubborn Flemish defenders.  The Reiver castings looked slightly rough when I got them out of the packet.  The metal was fairly shiny, and they looked to be overly-lumpy.   However, once undercoated, painted and inked, they started to look hugely better.  Their slightly exaggerated style of casting takes paint very nicely indeed, and they look rather good from a distance, I felt!   They were also very reasonably priced - so a good result all round - perhaps the rest of the 15 figures I bought might find their way into a future Challenge.

But, before anything else, I also created a "Characters of Laarden" card - although identifying them more as a 'Nemesis of Laarden' might be more appropriate.  Here's their collectible card:

So, on to the points. 

= For the Regiment de Varennes, six figures, at 10 points each, adds 60 points to the total.

= For the Flemish Stragglers, six more figures, at 5 points each will add another 30 points, with an additional 30 for the "Benito's Brook" destination - so 60 points to the total.

= And for the Enfants Perdus, I want to request 5 points each - but, hang on Sidney, the guys' legs are missing.  So, perhaps 10 points for the three is reasonable?

And, overall,   (60+60+10) gives another 130 points for my total.

From DaveD -aah young Sid my lad.. thats a fine bit of painters fancy alright..i love the look of whole ensemble - so let call this 140 !