From: IainW Soviet MG team (25 points)

And now for something completely different! Although I've only done renaissance figures on the Challenge, last year and up until now, these are the start of a Bolt Action soviet army. 

I wasn't initially keen on doing ww2.  Napoleonic was the closest I came but both my nephews (who I game with) have been very enthusiastic about it and I have finally succumbed! I had a first game playing the U.S. last week, really enjoyed it and am now hoping to complete my soviet force before the end of the Challenge.  Of course I am now assembling tanks and the like and I still have plastic figures to assemble, never mind prime but I'm trying to get these done.

These three chaps and their maxim took longer than the four minutes each I'd allowed them but hopefully I can push the average time down, it's also my first go with block colours, wash and highlight, I think it's turned out ok.

The crew are Black Tree Design.  I picked them up at Colours for very little and the Maxim is from Warlord Games. I've gone for a really dark colour for the basing, the snow is some display snow I ended up with, I think it'll do.

As I'm doing patchy snow so I can maybe get away with some other bits of terrain without snow! I recently got hold of a great book on snow terrain. I think the first run is sold out but I would definitely recommend it.  It's by Pat Smith who's Silver Whistle blog is great for figures and terrain.  Nick who's doing the challenge and is a fellow Monday contributor has some figures in the book too.

I've been in something of a hurry to get these done. I just wanted to do something! Sorry if it's late Sidney, I have been using the hairdryer on them in order to get them done!I should have a decent sized post by next Monday. 

All the best Iain.

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Ooooooo....how can I possibly turn down a fine submission like this...especially as, even by my watch, it's only 10pm in London.  Oodles of time left for a Monday posting, Iain!!

These are a terrific submission, and had you not mentioned your speed painting, I would never have guessed the time they'd taken.  The dark basing works very well, especially considering the lighter uniforms of the crew.  And yes, that snow works a treat!  Pat is one of the hobby's great Gentlemen, and his wonderful book will be a bible of the hobby for many years to come, inspiring so many of us to have a go at winter-themed terrain!

So well done indeed for getting these figures finished in time, Iain.  With 5 points for each crew member, and 10 for the crew-served weapon, this will add a well deserved and timely 25 points to your total!