From FrederickC: More Polish 10th Motorized Brigade and a Circle of Paradise [The Inconstant] (195 Points)

There is less than a week to go now, so this may be my final submission, or possibly my penultimate, if I put my nose to the grindstone. This week I present some more troops for my 10th Polish Motorized Brigade, also known as 'The Black Brigade'. 

10th Polish Motorized Brigade

 

Ten of the figures are from a box of Warlord Games Polish Infantry Squad in Greatcoats that I bought last July at Historicon. After I got back home I decided I would rather have fourth squad for Black Brigade motorized troops and did a bit of conversion work, carving away the gas mask bag and replacing it with a German style canister and swapping out the heads with Polish helmets for spare German ones. The M35 helmet doesn't have quite the same profile as the M16 helmet, so I added 'ventilation horns' characteristic of the earlier helmet. 

The remaining 24 figures are 3D prints using an STL from MyMiniFactory of Polish motorcycle troops wearing the black leather coats that gave the formation the nickname of 'The Black Brigade'. I am generally pleased with the look of the prints, but again there are a few niggling errors - the bayonet looks more like a belt knife, being rather small and mounted too high, the profile of the helmet is off at the back, rising much like a Soviet helmet, and two of the figures have 'carrying straps to nowhere', running over the shoulder, but with nothing suspended from them like a haversack or gas mask canister.

All the figures were mounted on 25mm round bases, and some fine sand was added using PVA glue. They were then primed with Vallejo Black Surface Primer using an airbrush. Painting was done using Vallejo acrylics as follows: faces and hands - Flat Flesh; greatcoats and trousers - Green Brown; haversacks and equipment straps - Green Grey; gas mask canister - Luftwaffe Camo Green; helmets - Brown Violet; belts and ammo pouches - Flat Earth; rifle stocks - Beige Brown; rifle slings - Mahogany Brown; leather coats and metal weapons parts - German Grey; jackboots - Black, bayonets - Gungrey. When all was done, the figures got a coat of Army Painter Strong Tone Quick Shade. 

 

Polish motorized infantry squad (front)

Polish motorized infantry squad (side)

Polish motorized infantry squad (back)

Closeup of conversion work (gas mask canister)

Closeup of conversion work (ventilation horns added to helmet)

Polish motorcycle infantry Squad 1 (front)

Polish motorcycle infantry Squad 1 (back)

Polish motorcycle infantry Squad 2 (front)

Polish motorcycle infantry Squad 2 (side)

Since I got the dismounted motorcycle troops printed, I acquired another STL from the same designer for motorcycles with sidecars and the field car similar to what I painted up last year, but I haven't got them printed yet. A project for AHPC XVI?

The last figure for this post is an officer that came from the box of Wargames Atlantic French Infantry that I painted at the beginning of the challenge. Rather than paint him in Horizon Blue, I have done him in colours appropriate for May 1940. I am going to apply him to what will be my only Circle of Paradise of the Divine Comedy - The Inconstant - which is described in the theme guide as 'something which may try its best but often falls a bit short'. The French army in May 1940 had more men than the Germans, and more tanks, with better armour and firepower than most German tanks, yet when push came to shove, it crumbled in the face of 'Blitzkrieg'. The troops at the ground level fought hard, but the leadership at higher command seemed to be lacking. 

French Officer - May 1940 (front)

 

French Officer - May 1940 (back)

The points being claimed are as follows:

35 x 28mm foot figures @ 5 points = 175 points

1 x Circle of Paradise - The Inconstant = 20 points

 Thanks for stopping by. 

Sylvain: Another greatly educational and entertaining post from you, Frederick. Your production for this Challenge was stunning, again, and I am very curious to see the picture of your wrap up, next week. I hope I will be able to see you across the table this year. I plan on going to Brandon in May, and maybe you will be there. It was an honor and a privilege to be your minion this year.

From QuinnM: The lovers, the wise and the birds (90 points)

 For my last weekly post I have just a variety of things again. 

First, we have three Stormhawks from Stormcast Eternals. These guys were ever so slightly difficult to paint as they are on a long spring that if you hold them by the base constantly moves the model as you're painting it. So I just ended up dry brushing them with a variety of colors just to add some visual diversity if they ever get put on the table top. 

Next we have a singular lizard man from Warhammer underworlds. First time doing non-metallic metals. I'm quite happy with the final result and wanted for a more muted color palette. 

Then we have a centaur lady. As I'm writing this up, I'm too lazy to go check the rule book from Super Dungeon Explorer on what exactly her name is. I didn't do any fancy paint job on them as the models are not the highest of quality. And I have a fair number of monsters from this game to paint for a game I don't play regularly at all. I don't want to put too too much time into all the models.

Which leads us into one of the monsters from the game that I painted. This is a ancient owl wizard which I painted up for the theme of wisdom. Same reason for why I went with a More simplistic paint scheme in brighter colors. 

Then lastly we have Galen and Doralia Van Denst, a Witch Hunter father-daughter pair that I painted up for the themes of love. because what's more loving than charging into a horde of demons from hell with specifically enchanted weaponry to banish them back to once they came with your family watching your back.

6x32mmfootman@5points = 30 points

2x54mmfootman@10points = 20 points 

The Lovers 20 points 

The Wise 20 points

Total 84 points

Sylvain. What a lovely parting post. You offer a brilliant demonstration on how to adjust your palette to the subject you paint. Galen and Doralia are definitely from a grim and dark world while the characters from Super Dungeon Explorer immediately evoke a bright and colorful japanese-style anime universe. It was a pleasure to be your minion and I wish you a productive rest of the year.  

From IanS: 6mm Napoleonic Cavalry (150 points)

Hi So for my second post this week we have my favourite era and scale 6mm Napoleonic Cavalry. All the figures are from Commission figures and are MDF. I have an itch that makes me look at a figure and ask the question how can i enharnce this, and so it is with these figures. I have found that adding pieces of kitchen brush for swords scabards and lances helps to bring these figures to life. I have in the past also added carbines and haybags but that was just a tad to far. so first up is a picture of what i am adding to these figures. Yes i have added a square of cardboard to the top of the shako to make a Czapka, never again!

So onto the painted guys. Two regiments of Chausseur a Cheval the 7th and 20th

The two regiments together

Next up is the 8th French Lancer regiment formerly the Vistula Lancers so Polish.

and rear view

So for the heavy guys we have the 14th Cuirassier (ex dutch Cuirassier)

again a rear view

Divisional commander

and finally the commander with the Cuirassier and Lancers

Points 147 6mm Cavalry figures at 1pt each = 147pts 150 points

Nice, Ian! Obviously, I especially appreciate you painting the 14th Cuirassiers ;-). However, I am quite impressed (and not a little bit frightened) by your conversion work on the Polish lancers. Wow, you are indeed a brave man! I am constantly amazed by how great these Commission MDF figures look when painted. In recognition of your hard work I'll round it up to make it 150 points. Well done!

Martijn

From EdwardG: A quick bit of steel (80 points)

 Hej hej! 

I know two posts in a week is rather greedy, but I was blessed with an all day senior management meeting today! I had to step in for my boss last minute this morning, which I meant had to dial in but only actually present in for 15min! Not wanting to look a gift horse in the mouth, I quietly turned off my camera and grabbed these minis I had prepared on the table. 

These are again for Saga Age of Chivalry. They're a mercenary unit of heavily armoured knights which can come in very handy when facing an opponent who favours shooty type of troops. 

They're made straight from the Perry plastic set. I admit they were sprayed silver to speed up the painting process. I'm sure I could have given them a far fancier decoration, but time didn't allow and I'm happy with them as they are.  

Points:

8 x 28mm Mounted figures = 80pts

As these chaps were an unexpected boon, I'm not sure if I'll have another post before the challenge end. I hope to be lucky! 

TTFN!

Ed

Nothing wrong with a devious plan well executed... Even spray cans are allowed if they get you your toys on the table in a way you are satisfied with, and your knights in shiny armour look very okay to me! I'm sure they will be a useful addition to your Saga force, and for now they will indeed net you 80 points.

Martijn

From PeterB: Blood Angel Terminators - The Angels (40 points)

Well, it was tight, but I managed to get to every location. Last week we left the Fixed Stars of Faith, Hope and Love. So, there is just one stop left, The Angels.

My first ever attempt at painting was a Space Marine that came free with the first issue of White Dwarf I ever bought. I only had my Dad's Humbrol gloss paints to do it and I am a little bit glad that I no longer have that model. I do have the magazine though, not the original copy, but a recent ebay bargain replacement.

Keen FW historians will know that this issue has the photo in it that I shared on the blog back in January as inspiration for my recent Blood Angel project.

I am still painting more of the vintage models I have for these Angels, so to finish off I have four Blood Angel Terminators. Three of which are armed with my favourite of all close combat weapons in the Warhammer universe, the lightning claws. (Snickety snick!)

There should be a fifth one for the squad but as I only have four painting handles I normally paint things in fours. I have not had time to finish number 5 as these were finished just five minutes ago. (Including still drying transfers.)

So, finishing off with a score.

Location 20 points

4 x 28mm infantry, 20 points

Total 40 points.

Oh PS, skull count. Those lovely lightning claws have loads of skulls on them.

Sergeant has 9 skulls.

Each other chap has 11 skulls.

Total skull count 42.

Congratulations on completing your Dante journey, Peter! These Blood Angels don't look very angelic to me with their menacing claws, but there you go. They are very well done though! Thanks for showing us all your fabulous work, and perhaps we will see the final Space Marine (or something else) in the final days of the Challenge? In the meantime, 40 more points for you.

Martijn

(PS: don't forget to report your skulls to the Duels Wallah!)

From AdamW: Love is all around us (Faith, hope and Love) (30 points)

 My hat trick of Sphere entries this week is for the Fixed Stars of Faith, Hope and Love.

This 15mm scene is made up of figures I had bought a while ago from Donnington miniatures at Ancient and Modern Army supplies. So, again, it is another mini-project ticked off.

The scene fits the sphere in a few ways, but I see the loyal servant having 'Faith' his master will return safely from battle, The Knight having 'hope' that he will overcome the odds and win, and his faithful Irish Wolfhound 'loves' his master and awaits his return.

Points - As the hound is a part of the story I felt he must contribute a point, then we have the falcon with his hood on, so I thought I could combine the two to make one figure?

2 x15mm foot@2pts = 4pts

1 x 15mm mounted@4pts = 4pts

The Fixed stars bonus = 20pts

Total 28pts 30 points

Out with a bang, I say! Your final Friday circle is once again a gem, Adam. A lovely scene, well painted, and a nice explanatory story. I really hope to see more of these little vignettes next Challenge! Thanks for entertaining us with them, much appreciated.  I'll make it 30 points again.

Martijn