From MartinC - The Might and Glory of Port Vale - O'Grady's Gulch

As I sit here and type my entry for Challenge Island I am listening to Manchester City vs Port Vale in the 3rd round of the FA Cup. For those of you not familiar with football (FOOTBALL not bloody soccer cos you play it with your feet) such as Americans, Canadians, Scots, the FA cup is the oldest domestic cup competition (first played for in 1871) and pits amateur teams against the professional giants such as Liverpool, Manchester City etc, with over 700 teams entering to play against the elite. It is famous for passion and upsets. Port Vale, the mighty Port Vale are the 78th best team in England, Manchester City are 3rd. Anything better than a 6-0 defeat will be a moral victory
When I started editing the photos the match started, I am now a few sentences in and we are losing 1-0.
On to the painting. I've had a productive day.

1st up some early WW2 French transport for my 28mm Bolt Action French army, they will fight their 1st battle in 2 weeks.

This is a Laffy S20 transport and can hold a section. It is a cross between a truck and a prime mover. Nice model from Warlord

Next up is this cute little artillery tractor is a chenilette and is armoured but carries no weapons, there is a rifle inthe stowage but don't think that counts

The trailer is unattached so i can swap it round.

Still 1-0, but not sure how

Next up back to my Japanese project.

This palanquin is from AW minis and was an easy built. It decked out the bearers and palanquin in matching livery. This will be used to bring in nobles and tax collectors to the village.

STOP THE PRESS. WE'VE BLOODY SCORED 1-1

meanwhile back at the palanquin

The village is a thriving hub and can employ more than 1 musician. This is Hayate (which means "sudden, sound of wind". Could well be the Japanese for fart.

AW Mini

 Then it's the last of the villagers, not sure who made these

All good oriental scenarios have warrior monks, so mine does as well. 

I have a similar number painted up differently and maybe there is opportunity for rivalry

2-1 - the joy of supporting Port Vale is short lived

Couple of bandit types

Finally my submission for O'Grady's Gulch. DaveD of this parish gave me a bag of colonial British troops that he didn't want, they were mainly Foundry and would work nicely for Zulu war or similar. In them was a vignette of a wounded soldier being helped by a comrade. It was a nice sculpt but looked wrong. A bit of research and it is a Foundry Indian Mutiny figure. So I decided to give it him back as it will work for his Sudan collection, especially if I paint it up in Khaki.

Think it's come out really well

He'd better like it or no more bonus points on Thursdays for him

Scores on the doors

15.5 x 28mm infantry = 77.5

1 palanquin - about same size as a gun  = 10

2 French vehicles = 40

Island Location Bonus = 30

Total = 157.5

We made it to half time 2-1 down but we have scored. It's all gravy now

MilesR: A world spanning entry.  My head is spinning a bit with the variety and quality of your painting.  Your point-o-logical divinations seem correct to me - I think this post may put you into the lead - for now.  :)