From JP : Last Cimbrian German Units (I hope) (130 points)

These are the last of my Foundry Cimbrian Germans, excepting leaders and heroes (for To The Strongest). It has taken me a while and I wanted to put them in together instead of a boring trickle...

The cavalry unit is one of three I plan to field and is a mix of  noble horse with their mixed foot contingent, which helped Germanic cavalry have some 'punch'.

As you can tell from the number of pics, I'm rather fond of how these turned out!

And now the foot unit:

So:

 Cavalry    6 x 28mm     =  60

Foot         14 x 28mm    =  70

                                         130 points

Thanks for looking folks 

 What a whopper to finish this great project JP! I specially love the combined mounted and foot troops base, it gives for a very dynamic looking unit indeed! Awesome painting as always and I am looking forward to what you will be showing us next!

 Cheers Sander  

From TeemuL: Army of the Dead (50 points)

I told last week, that I was going away for the weekend, and I did. It was hard to get back to painting minis after the break and I was busy with other life, too. I decided to paint something simple I had prepared and here you are. Feels almost like cheating, I could send these to Byron as statues and he'd give me 1 point per model, but since they are not terrain, I get 5 points per mini! :)

These are all old metal minis, Army of the Dead for the world of Lord of the Rings. I have previously painted a lot of plastic ones and some characters, but these are the really old stuff I have managed to acquire somewhere sometime. Nice minis, lots of different sculpts and being ghost-like rather easy to paint, since ghost skin, ghost clothes, ghost armour and ghost weapons are exactly the same colour. There is one king of course and then nine soldiers, these were sold in boxed set like this.

King of the Dead

Here's what I painted 8 years ago: 2018 Army of the Dead

And 4 years ago I toyed with idea to paint these ten during that challenge (Fool of a Took!): 2022 Army of the Dead

Lots of ghosty cloaks

Minis were primed black and then two coats of grey to get an even finish. Then some very old Dark Blue Ink all over them before a light bone coloured drybrush. Basework is my usual Lotr base, brown with brown sand and brown wash and finally brown drybrush. :) Some tufts here and there. It is kind of shame to paint these nice metal sculpts so fast, but I don't know how paint them "better" either. Looking at the photos again, I think they are quite nice in the end, the deep blue shadows and pale highlights create kind of a ghosty feel - I've never seen a ghost, so I'm not sure, but something I might imagine.

Ten of these nice minis should give me 50 points (I told this feels like cheating!). They are ghosty, but there are no skulls. One squirrel though, "Lotr Forces of Good", which should give me a total of 10 at the moment.

There's no cheating here Teemu, these are proper 28mm figures and you can paint them as complicated as you like or not. They still look really good! I also really like that you have included your earlier efforts in bringing these to the table, brings back good memories to earlier Challenges!

 

Go strong Pippin me lad! 

MarkG: Bolshevik infantry from the Russian Civil War (75 points)

This week I’m continuing the Russian Civil War project with a unit of Bolshevik infantry. 

All Copplestone Castings again. Given the add-hoc, and often ragged appearance of the Red armies, I’ve tried to mix up the uniforms a bit, and equally give them a toned-down look.

I painted one of the officers/commissars in a conjectural Cheka uniform, with the mandatory black leather jacket and hat (though at the time, they were most likely dressed the same as the rest of the infantry). Let’s just say he needed to resemble “Strelnikov.”

The flag is one I lifted off the internet, apparently representing some Red unit opposing Yudenich’s White Army near St. Petersburg in 1919.

The points summary:

15 x 5 = 75 points for fifteen 28mm foot miniatures.

Mark, you are beavering away on this most excellent Civil War project of yours for sure. Another great unit to bolster the bolshevik ranks. The banners really enhance the overal look of the unit. Well done can't wait to see a group shot of the entire project!

From MartijnN: Silver Bayonets and Bold Action (82 points)

No, that's not a typo. These vehicles are indeed for the game Bolt Action, but I consider myself taking up any 28mm WWII game at all, as quite a bold action, as I have often said that my wargaming interests do not stretch beyond 1918. I have dabbled in 6mm Western Desert, and still have armies for that, but I can't remember when I played my last game with them. Sometime in the last century I think. However, I recently joined a local club (The Tin Soldiers of  Antwerp, known for organizing the Crisis show here in Belgium), which of course I should have done years ago, and Bolt Action is quite popular with them. To keep somewhat in the spirit of my self-imposed time limitation, though, I have opted for an early war French army. These two tanks are the first units of my new army. A Char D-1 infantry tank and a Renault F35/39 light tank. They are the first 28mm vehicles I have ever painted, I believe.

I like the fancy camouflage patterns the French used. Apparently, once the war truly started they switched over to a more practical scheme, as the originals did not do very well what they were designed for (that is, camouflaging). But I just applied the rule of cool. And contrast paints.

Infantry tank Char D-1

Renault F39

Anyway, I am very happy with how they came out. They are Warlord models, which are OK (though not great) but ridiculously overpriced. I did buy a French starter army from them, which provides good value, but I also found some digital sculptors online who produce STL's for some very nice figures, equipment and vehicles, so my printer has been running pretty continuously. I hope to finish some more during the Challenge.

Now, I have been aware of the game The Silver Bayonet for quite some time, but again, that was nothing I thought I could be interested in. Weird sh***, as some would call it. However, once again this is popular at the club, and people are quite obviously having a great time with it. As a warband numbers only eight figures, I thought I'd give it go and bought a unit of North Star Austrians for the game.

I found these a lot of fun to paint, something out of the ordinary and I like how they turned out. I am less enthusiastic about the cuirassier officer, as the right arm came separately and I quite dislike that with metal figures, but he is still OK. I struggle with white uniforms in any case, but I have not found a way yet to do them satisfyingly with speedpaints, so I had to fall back on acrylics. It did not turn out completely like I was hoping for, but let's say he is acceptable.

 

Cuirassier and Hussar

 

Coachman and Highwayman (Think I would rather not let either of them drive my coach)

 

Doctor ("trust me, I'm the doctor") and Tactician

 

Irregular and Woodsman

So there you have it, two new projects (as if I needed those). 8.5 28mm figures for 42 points (let's not go down the .5 route, and the tank commander is not only half a figure but a very simple one too), and two 28mm vehicles for 40 points. And two squirrels!

8.4 28mm foot @5 = 42

2x 28mm vehicles @20 = 40

Two squirrels

Total 82 points

Oh boy Martijn, those are a lot of "first times" for you here! Great work all round, I specially the FT's since they are your very first 28mm vehices and still have turned out gorgeous! Painting white is one of those old problems we painters face but we should meet up one time and we could exchange tips and perhaps the good people here can help you? 

From the Saturday Minion: another shinig new day in the Challenge!

 Hoi there,

 

Yes yes, it's Valentine's Day, the perfect day for your loved ones to show you they love you by leaving you alone so you can paint figures just the way you want it!

The Saturday crew has some lovely stuff in store for us, amongst this is:

- Teemu revisits an old love

- Mark just loves his Russian Civil War project

- Martijn has not just found 1 new love but 2! 

- JP sure loves his Cimbrians 

 

For the rest of you: open the paintpots and get those brushes cracking and paint paint PAINT!

From StuartL: Even in death, I still serve (20 points)

Hi all,

    Just a short post from me this week. I work part-time teaching junior high school students to speak English here in Japan. I have roughly 300 students at any given time, and this month is when they write essays. So, I have 300 essays to proofread and spell check. Fun. Unfortunately that really eats into my painting time. I had hoped to get more done for today, but even getting this done was a struggle.

    This model is a contemptor dreadnought of the XIII Legion, Ultramarines for my Warhammer 30,000 army. (Well, one of them). It is an older plastic kit from the Betrayal at Calth box set that came out in 2015. The model is very mono-pose, so I used a spare arm from the newer kit to build it's melee arm, complete with a massive chainfist and built-in melta gun.

    I originally had the model done yesterday, except for the decals, but when I went to apply them, I had a number of mishaps. The first few just would not release from the backing paper and wound up disintegrating instead. Once I got a new batch cut and ready, the first one went on fine, but as I moved the model to set up the next one, I touched it and it adhered to my finger. The decal on the kneepad refused to line up where I wanted it. It was.... frustrating.

    Eventually, I got everything in place and varnished, so those pesky things are there for good now.

    One of the differences between Warhammer 30K and 40K is that the 30K models have less skulls on them, a travesty, I know. So I did what any right thinking person would do and added some of my own. There are only 4 skulls, so not an amazing increase. I will take what I can get. It also adds to my Big Stompy Robots count for that side duel. Not enough for a Squirrel point sadly.

    This is a single 28mm scale vehicle, so 20 points for my tally this week. Not a lot, but it keeps my score moving in the right direction.

    My ongoing duels information:

Skulls - 222 (+4)
BSRoD - 17 (+1)
Squirrels - 14 (+0) - D&D Animals, 30K Militia, Plague Clowns, Afghans, Robots, Anglo-Saxons, Medieval Polish, Clan Smoke Jaguar, 81st West Africans, Undead, 10mm FPW French, Daemons of Khorne, Modern Vehicles, Turnip28

    That's it from me for now, back to the proofreading. See you all next week.

From Millsy:

Your line about "right thinking people" and extra skulls made me laugh mate. Clearly you are fully invested and anyone who thinks differently is a heretic and should be purged!

As someone who has been suffering the pain of decals of late I can sympathise. Seems like there is no way to know if a set have degraded until you try to apply them unfortunately. They came out well in the end so kudos for persisting! He looks sweet and the script on his chest is a great touch.

Well done! That's another 20 points added to your tally.

Cheers,

Millsy

From SteveG: Scipios of Rome. 3 Generations in 28mm (60 points)

Multiple famous Scipios of Rome are well documented in the historical archives.  Here's the most famous few....

Gnaeus Cornelius Scipio Asina, Consul 260 and 254 BCE

Earned the dubious title Asina ( female donkey) after his fleet was cornered and surrendered in 1st Punic War at Lipari, off Sicily. He was commanding an inexperienced fleet cornered by the more experienced sailor headed by Hannibal Gisco. After his later release he managed to be re-elected consul in 254 BC. Back in action he captured Panormus in northern Sicily and so redeem his reputation. But the cognomen " Asina" stuck :)

figure by Battlecat

I couldn't resist using a donkey transfer for his shield.

Publius Cornelis Scipio is best remembered as the father of Scipio Africanus. He first came to prominence early in the 2nd Punic war when his scouting cavalry skirmished w Numidians in northern Italy. He was wounded and assisted , or possibly even rescued , by his teenage son.

Once fully recovered, he was sent, along with his brother Gnaeus Calvus Scipio, to Iberia. Hannibal received much financial support from the mines there as well as many hardy infantry and cavalry mercenaries. As such the Romans wished to disrupt his war efforts in Italy by cutting off supply.

The brothers fought many successful campaigns over a number of years. They managed to get many cities to defect to their cause. In 211 they fought a series of engagements with Mago Barca and Hasdrubal Gisco. At Castulo , in central Iberia, the Carthaginians had then surrounded so Publius slipped out at night with 1/2 the army. He was possibly attempting to attack hsotile Iberians before they could join the Carthaginians. They clashed in a narrow pass. Numidian Cavalry soon added to their woes. It was all over when Mago and Hasdrubal Gisco brought up forces to attack their rear. Publius died from a spear wound to the chest. Little of his force escaped.

Gnaeus Calvus was now the next prey. He withdrew to the east but was caught up with by his 2 adversaries as well as Hasdrubal Barca. In the Battle of Ilorca his force built a stockade atop a hill and fought gallantly but were overrun by a larger force attacking form all sides. Gnaeus Calvus Scipio perished here just 1 month after his brother.

Publius Cornelis Scipio model with downed horse by Aventine. Covering hastati is plastic Agema figure.

Gnaeus Calvus Scipio is Agema w Aventine head. 

Publicus Cornelius Scipio (the younger) was present, with his father, from Hannibal's initial invasion of northern Italy. He is believed to have fought at the disastrous battle of Cannae. When his father and uncle died in Spain years later he petitioned the Roman Senate to send him as their replacement. His youth was against such an important command but due to a lack of other keen applicants and his family name he got the job. Quickly he earned a reputation for daring command as well as diplomat skills. He brought many Iberian tribes to the Roman cause. His conquest of Nova Carthago on the south east coast of Iberia was a masterful deception. With a large force attacking 1 wall he snuck another across a lagoon at low tide and caught the Carthaginians completely by surprise.

Later he visited North Africa and succeeded in bringing Massanisa and his Numidian Cavalry across to Rome. These were pivotal in his successful defeat of Hannibal's army at Zama in 202BC. Hereafter known as Scipio Africanus. Model is 3D print by ResinWarfare. Lovely model. The best Scipio Africanus 28mm mini I've seen.

Lucius Cornelius Scipio Asiaticus was the brother of the legendary Scipio Africanus. They served together in the Spain in the 2nd Punic War. He was elected consul in 190 BC, and later that year led (with his brother) the Roman forces to victory at the Battle of Magnesia against Antiochus III of the Seleucid Empire ( featured a few weeks ago). His victory earned him the title Asiaticus and spelled the end for the Seleucids. Figure is by Aventine.

After the successful conclusion of the 2nd Punic war, soon post Zama , Rome moved onto other area and the hugely truncated Carthage scraped by. In surprising time, however, Carthage began to recover and even begin to prosper. This sent fear into the paranoid Roman'. Cato The Elder was infamous for repeating the line "Carthage must be Destroyed" at every opportunity. His persistent genocidal rhetoric eventually triggered the 3rd Punic War. Despite stripping Carthage of most of its weapons in pre war negotiations the initial invasion was a complete flop due to Punic desperation. Aemlianus was the adopted grandson of Scipio Africanus . He fought in The Macedonian Wars at the decisive battle of Pydna. He was friends with the famous historian Polybius. Scipio displayed great personal courage in Spanish campaigns; in 151 he killed a Spanish chieftain who had challenged him to single combat, and at Intercatia he won the mural crown (corona muralis), which was awarded to the first man onto the walls of an enemy town.

From 150BC Rome invaded Carthage and besieged the city. After 2 years of indecisive combat he was given full African Command and in the spring of 146 it fell to his final assault: after six days of street fighting the citadel was captured and Carthage was destroyed. He later defeated the stubborn Celtiberians with the siege of Numantia in 132 BC. He was active in Roman politics championing Italic allies rights and came into conflict w Tiberius Gracchus. In suspicious circumstances he suddenly died when he was due to make a speech on the Italian question in 129BC. So ending 3 generations of remarkable Scipios of Rome !

Model is a Victrix Roman w Aventine head.

Scipio Amelianus- 3rd Punic War

S.Asiaticus

Warlord Games metal

 

Hastati by Battlecat.  

From Millsy:

Great stuff Steve. Loved the potted history behind your submission which capped off some wonderful modelling and painting work. The armour on Scipio Asiaticus is particularly impressive!

I count this as 8 x 28mm foot and 2 x 28mm cavalry (including one "dismounted") so that's another 60 points for your total. Nice one mate.

Cheers,

Millsy