From MartinC: Sneaky 2nd one Today (20 pts)

The best thing about the challenge, as you all know, is the mutual support and advice. So earlier today I posted the Picts and had failed to do tattoos. Paul Smith reminded me that you use a pen. I'm a typical absent minded professor. So I dug out my micro pen, I even had a blue one. I'm a geologist by trade and we use micro pens in the field for writing thousands of readings on a map in very tiny letters.

So for no extra points my Picts have got drunk and got some late night tattoos

Obviously they will regret it in the morning as they all try and work out who Morag is

I have done something else today. We are putting on a game at Hammerhead this year and I'm running it - my 1st game to run outside the club. It will be a 1930s Pulp affair set in the South Seas. So I needed a village. These 2 huts and a pig sty are from Sarissa and are lovely, although they don't quite fit together

2 huts

1 hut

1 hut door

Pigsty with pigs (painted ages ago)

The 3 buildings are as close to a 6" cube as possible to get (212 cubic inches to the target of 216 cubic inches). look guys I know we may be leaving the EU but we are not going back to bloody imperial measurements - it's a dumb as system depending on the number of knuckles on a Babylonian's hand. Anyway that is 20 points.

I hope you all have a brilliant Christmas, I'm getting a 15mm Classical Indian army with 9 elephants.

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Haha! Excellent stuff Martin. Love the 'night of shame' tattoos on those Picts. I'm looking for the one that says, 'Fiona's Forever' but in hipster Chinese characters. Those huts are terrific as well and absolutely bang-on for a South Seas pulp setting. Brill. 

20 Points for you, and not a knuckle more.

Happy Christmas!

From GregB: 28mm Franco-Prussian War - French Artillery & Prussian Command (62 Points)

28mm castings from Wargames Foundry's Franco-Prussian War range.

Greetings again to all participants in the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge.  It is lovely to be back with you all, bending brushes, flinging paint, and sawing away at our respective piles (or, in my case, hoard) of unpainted stuff.  For my first entry to the Ninth Edition of the Challenge, I will pick up from a theme from my body of work in the last edition - namely the Franco-Prussian War of 1870 in 28mm.

It was just over a year ago that I plunged into this period and setting, tempted by the amazing uniforms, cast of characters and compelling setting I found reading about the period.  I have pursued this project at two different "levels" - a collection of individually-based 28mm figures for skirmish gaming, and a collection of 28mm figures based in groups to represent battalions/regiments with the goal of, at some point, playing a small battle using the "Black Powder" rules.  The items in this submission are part of the latter effort - two command bases for the Prussian forces, and an artillery piece for the Imperial French Army.  The figures are all from Wargames Foundry's excellent collection, which was sculpted by the Perrys.

French Artillery

French 12-pound artillery piece and crew from 1870 in 28mm. 

The Franco-Prussian war occurred at the very end of the "Black Powder" period.  Rifles and artillery were starting to achieve much longer effective ranges on the battlefield, such that having artillery on the table for a 28mm-scaled game is a bit of a stretch.

Nice animation on the gunner figure, ready with the lanyard. 

Or, at least it is for the Prussians, perhaps. Not so much for the French. This French 12-pound piece with four crew looks like a formidable weapon, but the French artillery, particularly in the opening "Imperial Phase" of the Franco-Prussian War, was ineffective-bordering-on-useless.  Time had passed these muzzle-loading pieces by. Toss in the dud fuses, lack of percussion-triggered shells etc. and you have yet another chapter to add to the "All The Sh*t That Went Wrong In 1870" book for the French.

Great sculpts from the Perrys...little things, like the one crewman with the rag wrapped around his head, an example of the great stuff you see in Perry castings. 

The uniforms of the French gunners bear a striking resemblance to the uniforms of the Union Army in the US civil war - the blue cloth, the kepis...thankfully the gaiters set them a touch apart, as does (I hope) the red piping on the pants and kepi.

"Vive l'Empereur!" (sadly, basically a flag with the word "bang" will be all that happens...if they are lucky....

This piece will represent a French battery on the gaming table, perhaps getting one or two shots away before the Prussian breech-loading guns blast it to vapour.

Prussian Command

Like the most "Black Powder" players, I usually represent commanders on round bases - the more figures on the base, the more senior level of command being represented. There are two bases, and two levels of command represented here in this entry.

"Over there sir!"

The mounted officer, based together with a foot officer, will represent a "Brigade" commander for the Prussians ("Brigade" in the general, Black-Powder-Rules sense, not necessarily an actual brigade).  It is fairly similar to another command base I painted in October - there is only one casting for the mounted Prussian officer in the Foundry collection, so I use different foot officers to give some variety.

"You know, from up here on my saddle, I really don't think that is such a big deal..."

I like the combination here - the infantry officer is pretty animated, gesturing with his sword (like, "The French are dug into the ridge straight ahead!"), while the senior commander is fairly indifferent to whatever information is being relayed ("Don't bother me with excuses. Forward!"). It strikes me as a nice encapsulation of the command attitude that sent a sizeable portion of the Prussian Army into the teeth of the French Chassepot rifles during the battle of St. Privat (which, of course, the French still found a way to lose, but anyway).

Prussian high command vignette from Wargames Foundry.

The larger round base with the three figures and the table will represent the "Army" commander for the Prussian side in my "Black Powder" game.  Again, I love the spirit conveyed by these castings - the senior officer has reviewed the latest dispatches brought in from the cavalry scouts (the fellow in green is a Hussar).  He is utterly perplexed - surely the French couldn't be doing...that? Better smoke my pipe and think it over while my ADC (the Uhlan rocking the long red coat) deals with this messenger.

"Latest dispatch from the front sir!"

Overall I continue to absolutely love this period.  The sculpts from Wargames Foundry - cast in proper metal, like all real, true and honourable wargaming figures should be - are an absolute joy to paint.  The high-command vignette in particular was a treat - I love the beard on that senior officer! It's so serious, it almost made me think it could have been the Prussian King himself - but there are no Iron Crosses or other frippery on the figure, so I expect he represents another one of the senior Prussian echelons instead of a royal persona.  The pose, chilling with his pipe, with the awesome table, covered in dispatches, a Prussian picklehaube and a sabre...just brilliant, great stuff from the Perrys.

"But where are those lattes we asked for? Are we in France, or not?"

So, for points, well...we have 8 foot models, one mounted model and one artillery piece, all in 28mm...I think that is 60 points? Do tables count for points? I will leave that for Curt. Anyway, hopefully enough for a decent opening entry.  I hope to fire in some more stuff before Christmas but...in case I don't, Merry Christmas to all Challenge participants!

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Great work Greg! I remember us visiting Les Invalides a few years ago and both of us staring slack-jawed at the Franco-Prussian War displays, especially the one for the Battle of Sedan. I should have known then you wouldn't be able to help yourself once you found some figures that struck your fancy.

Knowing how much you hate painting artillery I'm guessing you're getting this one out of the way early so you can get onto stuff that you actually like to work on. Nonetheless, the gun and crew looks terrific, if somewhat hapless. I particularly like the guy at the rear of the base. That is one dejected Poilu. He's probably saying something like, 'Oui, riiight, 'we're really going to plaster them this time. I'm not even going to cover my ears...''

The Prussians, as usual, look like they have their sh*t together and are ready to kick Gallic butt. But this is at the cost of being known as 'those guys'. This is like the 19th century version of a tier-one 40K power-gamer. Yeah sure, they win all the time, but everyone, no really, EVERYONE, absolutely hates them. ;P

As to scoring. The artillery and command figures are easy: 60 points. That table must be equal to at least a 28mm tank, right?! Geez, look at all the German stuff on it! In game terms it must be the equivalent to a French brigade at least. Okay, lets go with 2 points. 

Great work Dude, now bring it on!

From PaulSS - The Gift of Gunners (25 Points)

 

As it's the festive season I wanted to paint up some gifts for fellow members of the Madison Tea & Crumpets wargames club. Having some Perry Miniatures artillery crew left-over from the last couple of sets I painted for myself I decided to do a Union gun crew for chum Drew.

These are based individually for use in our Sharp Practice games, Drew shall have to add his own gun and base them to match his own collection.

For visuals, here they are crewing a 12lb Napoleon from my own collection.

Points would be 25, but as I am letting Drew base them to match his own collection that is reduced to 18.75.

I'll also claim these in the North and South duel.

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These are a lovely set of Yank gunners, Paul, and I'm sure your friend Drew will be delighted to receive them. For points, I'm going to pop them up to 25 points being as they are gifts. Well done!

From MilesR: 15mm Napoleonics - British Marines, Wagons and a Wee Gunboat (238 Points)

This submission continues on a 15mm scale Napoleonic theme with some British Marines, some wagons and a small gunboat.

First up are 2 units of British Marines.  These figures are from Old Glory's Blue Moon line and do the job well.  To be honest, I'm not that happy with the paint job as my right hand had a slight tremor that flares up from an old ailment now and then.  No whining though as these will still serve well on the tabletop.

The units have no flags with them as British marines lefts their colors aboard ship when deploying on land.

Here I am trying to be all artistic with the photo. This year I am going to try and learn to take better pictures.

Next up, we have some more Old Glory stuff in the form of a Wagon Train - 8 equipment wagons and 8 horse teams to pull them.  I put the horses on separate stands as I can envision some scenarios where the wagons are an immobile objective.  I really like how these came out.

The artillery ammunition wagons (in green) look sharp.  I made need to get more of those.

Lastly, we have the smallest of the seven 15mm scale boats that will be submitted this year (hopefully).  It's a single cannon armed gunboat.  I'm still deciding what to use for the sails.  I may 3D print something or just use the paper sails that came with the kit.  The model is from Thoroughbred Miniatures Sea Eagles line.  The model is six inches long.  I've learned over the years that extensive rigging looks wonderful but doesn't hold up well on the table top.  I go with what I call a "hint of rigging".  It sets the right look but is a whole lot easier to fix when required.



How does it compare to some of the other ships in the dry dock?

It's pretty small as compared to this French Polacre.

heh, heh, heh

What's next - more Old Glory Nappy stuff - some French Marines and British artillery and limbers.

Ok the sharp eyed amongst you may point out those are actually US marines.  You're right - but I'll paint them up as Frenchies - don't tell anyone.

As for points, here's the tally

56 British Marines: 56 * 2 = 112 points
16 Draft Horses: 16 * 2 = 32 points
8 Wagons: 8 * 6 = 48 points
1 Gunboat = 30 points?

Duels Wallah Paul - please include the points for the gunboat in the Naval Challenge.

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Lovely work, Miles. I sold off a significant 15mm Napoleonic collection years ago and have always regretted it - to the extent that I'm seriously thinking of doing it all over again, which is complete madness but there you go. 

I like that you're getting all arty n' stuff with your photos. Nonetheless, I warn you, it's a slippery slope. Next you'll be growing a beard and riding a single speed bike to your local fair trade coffee shop.

I appreciate the various wagons and carts you have here - things you rarely see on a tabletop, but should - another great aspect of these smaller, 'roomier' scales.

The gunboat is terrific and I like your 'hint of rigging' as it provides a wonderful impression of the ropey-canvasy things that kept these boats zipping about.

I agree with your call on the gunboat, but the wagons are classed as vehicles, so they get 8 each, not 6. So we'll go with 238 points for this haul. Boom Shakalaka.

The coffee is excellent btw, thank you very much. (Sorry, inside joke folks!)

From DaveS: Filling out the Ranks (120 Points)

So, my first entry, on my first time in the Challenge.  My first entry consists of 24 Wars of the Roses troops from Perry.  These are part of a new army that I have been aiming to build for most of the last year.  I've decided that I am finally going to get it finished, and to motivate me, I have the painting challenge, and a Swordpoint Tournament that I am taking it to in February (I'm sure that it doesn't matter that I'm planning to take an army that isn't built and painted to a tournament for a system I've never played, right)

So without further ado, I present the first 24 (of 141!) models that I have painted for the army in my push to finish it.

12 Billmen, all painted in the colour of the Duke of Buckingham. (60pts)

12 Retinue Archers, again in the Duke of Buckingham's colours (60pts)  Except one.  Where I got the colours round the wrong way, and was too lazy to repaint him.  So, here's hoping that he can hide in the masses.

These have all been painted very quickly and simply with washes and dry-brushing.  The aim is to get them ready to go on the table as soon as possible.

Finally, a wide angle photo of the current state of the army.

So 120 points in (I think), and hopefully going forward, a mix of finishing this army, and some other stuff painted with a little more detail to keep me interested.

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First, welcome to the Challenge, Dave! I'm delighted that you're using the event to focus on getting a force done for a tourney. After my Napoleonic binge I find I struggle in committing to one period for too long. Maybe I'll get inspiration for your gambit to try to get another army done. We'll see.

A Lancastrian, eh? Well, someone's got to be on the 'other' side, I guess. :0) Seriously, great work on these bills and bows, Dave - the red and black livery always looks sharp. I have a few of these in my collection as well and love the attention to detail the Perry's put into creating these in plastic - they are truly little gems. It looks like you have quite a few archers ahead of you so we look forward to seeing those over the coming weeks. 

120 points for you, sir. Well done!

From MarkB - 3mm Swedish T2 Floatplanes from WWII

Here is my first submission to this year’s challenge. Two Tumbling Dice 3mm Swedish WW2IIT2 Floatplanes. These are He-115 A2’s that the Swedish military purchased from Germany in 1938.  The Swedish purchased 12 of these planes and they were used for a number of different missions and stayed in service until the mid-1950’s.  

This was the first time I used magnification glasses to help me paint and they were very helpful. I hope to paint more Swedish aircraft for my What if Sweden invasion by the Germans in 1940.  I am not sure how many points these should get at there is no point on the list for 3mm vehicles.

Have a Merry Christmas! Skål!!

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First, welcome to the Painting Challenge Mark! We're delighted to have you a part of the crew this year.

Now here's something you don't see everyday: 3mm Swedish Floatplanes. Wow. Very cool work Mark and interesting background to them.  I like your clean brushwork (score for the mag goggles) and how you've based them on the beefy hexes. They look great.

We do actually have a scoring matrix for 3mm, but it's variable on vehicles, depending on the models being submitted. So, with that in mind I'm going to give you 4 points for these (equivalent to 6mm vehicles) due to the extra work for the bases. Well done and Merry Christmas to you!