From NoelW: For Joshua: Sarah’s Balloon (104 points)

The balloon lifts off and we give thanks that we’ll never have to see that infernal towering place again. Deftly Lady Sarah turns us towards Frans Fjord, but we quickly realise we could simply cut our entire journey short by zooming straight across the island to our original starting point, Douglas’ Shallows. In wild celebration at the thought, we squeeze the last drops from the champers, almost a thimbleful each.

“Head east,” I say.

“The wind’s easterly,” says Lady Sarah.

“Brilliant! How lucky is that? We’ll be there in no time.”

“No – 'easterly' means the wind is coming from the east.”

“Well, just ignore it then.”

Lady Sarah has a certain expression on her face, an expression the Snowlord apparently is so familiar with that he made a particular point of warning us about it. She pulls on ropes, stokes the fire, trims the rigging and does whatever else a balloonist can think of to fight the Warp Factor 9 wind.

We pass over the fjord and I see small people way below us. So small. So very small. Tiny, in fact:

Is it my imagination, or are those people getting larger?

And larger!

Yes, we’re descending!

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These are 10mm figures I’ve been working on as my contribution to the For Joshua project, a hugely worthy cause. They’ll join a few other figures and some terrain I’ve pruned from my existing collection. It’s rather a miscellaneous assortment, but James assures me all figures will be welcome. They’re a mix of manufacturers, too: GW Warmaster (undead and Empire), most of the men at arms are Pendraken and others are Kallistra, plus three figures (the Ringwraiths and cave trolls) from Hasbro’s “Lord of the Rings Risk”.

In total there are 62 10mm infantry, 16 mounted, 1 hellblaster volley gun and 4 banners, which is around 97 points. Possibly the five ogres/trolls are worth a little more but that’s perhaps counteracted by the lack of proper basing. James wants to base all the figures in the same way, so I've simply left these on painting sticks.

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The wind has whipped us round. Now we’re heading directly for the spikiest peaks above the fjord.

Calmly Lady Sarah jettisons sandbag after sandbag. Then empty champagne bottle after empty champagne bottle. Then all unwanted baggage – I’ll miss my sergeant but I did tell him his BMI would be the death of him.

Yet still we descend. Those spiky mountains are looking closer and closer, grosser and grosser.

Then, for a moment, there’s a shift in the wind. The balloon spins in a sudden updraft. We start to rise.

And just as suddenly, the balloon stalls and we plummet again, rock-wards. Right in the middle of a steep climb, there’s nothing grosser than an unexpected stall...

So here it is, the grocer’s stall - 

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So here’s my second small vignette: a market stall and its stallholder. I thought the miniature was another Perry model, but I can’t find it in their catalogue. She has a strong resemblance to my grandmother (Grandma TicToc, as she was known) and also to one of my primary school teachers, both of whom coincidentally were called Williams and both were formidable ladies, too, so I imagine this is not the stall to find bargains.

The stall and market goods are resin, but I’ve lost any note of the manufacturer(s). As my second returning home vignette, I suppose this is a bit of a cheat, as it's not all based together, but I wanted to keep the pieces separate so they could be used in different games and different ways.

For points, there’s 5 for the gorgeous stallholder but the stall and miscellaneous goods fill less than a twelfth of a terrain cube, so I guess that’s a mere 2 additional points.

Total points: 97+7 = 104

Noel, James will love these. They are a great collection of forces. As for the stall holder, she does indeed look terrifying. No nicking apples from her, she will know your mother. Stalls are complicated but it's worth more than 2 points. Lets go for it being the equivalent of a 28mm gum, with actual grapeshot.

From JamieM - ghouls and ghosts (122 points)

Anyone else remember that classic arcade game ghouls and ghosts? Boy, was it tough..... designed to get you spending lots and lots of ten pence pieces and no mistake.

Anyway, February has seen me start about 5 projects, faffing about doing bits on each and finishing absolutely nothing. Until now that is! Herewith find some ghouls and ghosts from GW’s Nighthaunt range.  Why did I start a new army? Well, my son has been dead keen to play miniatures games and we've bought a few GW ones to play.  He also started badgering me about Age of Sigmar and so I caved in and bought the mid level starter set GW does for it, which is ridiculous value for what you get.  And this way I can say that my spending is so I can spend more time with him.... and it has nothing at all to do ith my lack of willpower..... honest

These first chaps are Grimghast reapers.  I went for ghostly paint for everything except weapons.  i figure that the unquiet spirits dredge up the memory of clothes, chains, etc. but the evil necromancer keeps a supply of rusty weapons that they all pick up when summoned.....

Next up are the Glaivewraith Stalkers.  Wouldn't fancy meeting them in a dark alley.

These are Myrmourn Banshees.  I actually bought these in addition to the starter box (see: lack of willpower above) as GW are doing one of these partworks magazines for AoS and for £6 I got these, a pot of white paint and a starter brush for my son to use.

The sculpts are amazing, whatever you think of GW and their practices, they are absolutely at the cutting edge of plastic miniature technology.

These poor souls are Chainrasps.

The next one is the leader, a Lord Executioner.  True to GW form, he's somewhat over the top and carries around stuff for two different forms of execution.

Lovely sculpt though.

And here is a family photo (except for the banshees, who I forgot to put in there)

Right, I'm off to work some more on my coliseum (I had to look up the correct spelling of that) as random ideas for extra stuff to add to it keep running through my head!

There are 23 28mm figures and 1 40mm figure for a total of 122 points I think?

I absolutely love these, the colour is spot on. Your son will love playing with them

Martin

Adamc- French Brig (12 points)

Another Brig completed this one in the Yellow and Blue of the French Navy. She'll be a nice addition to the French forces for the Quasi-War.  

 I don't have a particular historical ship to base this ship on she could be one of several small French warships/privateers I came across the name Chien de Chasse (Hunting Dog) which I like so I'll call her that for now.

The ship has four flags and the three national flags can be switched out allowing me to change her allegiance.

Here is my French "fleet" as it stands right now.  It should be joined by one more Frigate and another Brig plenty of ships for any historical or speculative battle of the Quasi War.  The ship is 10 points plus any that should be added for Flags and rigging.

Your fleet is coming along nicely, will look great on the sea.

Martin

From DarrellH Battle of Shrewsbury 1069 Norman Outer Wall

By DarrellH

20 points- (maybe a wee bit more for the painted detail?) ;>)

EDIT: Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge folks- I've taken stock of my painted miniature collection for the suitability of said collection for Hereford and changed the game to that of the Battle of Shrewsbury 1069.

My Reconquista project has stalled a little as I await some miniatures from the USA which are taking far too long to get to me for my liking as the deadline is Partizan on May 16th! Not that I'm complaining....... OK, maybe a bit but we all want everything yesterday these days :>)

In the meantime I've been working on plan B which is the Battle of Shrewsbury 1069 as I at least have a lot of Normans and some Anglo Saxons painted up from years ago! The battle took place in front of the Norman Motte and Bailey in Shrewsbury as Edric the Wild leading an army of Anglo Danes and Welsh besieged the Norman occupants of the town.

More on the history in a separate post very soon.


I've got various pieces of terrain, which I have painted up in no logical order at all! I've had the pieces for over fifteen years and they have not seen a lick of paint in all that time. Shameful really :>)

The piece below is by Grand Manner and is one section of the Norman Motte and Bailey Outer Wall, which will serve as the town walls of Shrewsbury. Grand Manner is simply the best terrain that money can buy IMHO. No one else comes close for historical resin. Oh, Dave Bodley who runs the company apart from being very nice chap he has a real passion for his subject which shows in both the depth of research and detail.

So, without further ado, a wall section! The bases started out mainly with the hobby paint equivalent of Vallejo Model Colour German Black Grey and were highlighted up with various creams etc to replicate the look of old wood and soil etc. Greens were then added ans were the greys for the rocks as I wanted them to look cold and wet to suit the climate.

I've become a little obsessive about the details such as the shields, crossbows and quivers lying around on the battlements. Given the time I have to prepare the game this is probably a little too much but I cannot seem to help myself!

Details:

This is a lovely piece of work. I have fought a large scale version of Battle of Hereford. The Normans won, not me, mainly because some ropely Saxon cavalry proved to be indestructable and held the line for far too long. Good luck with both / either Partizan battles. This is worth a bit of a bonus

Martin

From DaveD - 10mm terrain -15 points

A few new bits of terrain for our up coming For Joshua game.

First up part of a  Tower of Babel ruin . It is an aquarium ornament that’s been give a bit of brush work and tufts etc ..

a tower of Babel ruin of sorts

its 12 inches high and 10" across but hollow!

I need to create some fallen bricks bit yet I think

Also a stone circle that is based on an old CD . Its made from XPS foam with a bit of kit bashing and will be used as an objective/camp

Points - no idea!! but lets go with 10!

Looking forward to seeing these on Saturday. Loving the aquarium thingy. I reckin it's worth 15 points As you can all guess my early meeting is tedious

Martin

From AlexandrosL: 80's Dwarf at Millsy's Millpond. ( 35 Points)

This little Dwarf was one of my first minis from games workshops that I bought in the end of 80’s

There was a model shop on the way home from school. It was a small shop where I bought the models. One day I discovered a few metal blister with some figures. At that time I did not know games workshop or wargames. The closest were the dungeon and dragrons role games with my friends.

I always liked this dwarf very much, halfway between fighter and beer drinker. because you can always annihilate your enemies enjoying a good drink.

 
I bought some dwarfs just to paint. It çwasn't until some years later that I didn't start playing.

Some more dwarfs in their original state before the challenge

really love the shading and highlighting on this guy. Top work

Martin

From GrahameH - Bromley’s Butte - Recon & some bits

The next stop for me on the island challenge is Bromley’s Butte. For this I decided to paint a squad of  10 x 28mm scouts conducting a recon and some surveillance. Unfortunately, being very professional at what they do (apart from hiding behind a lone tree) it is hard to see them, but I am sure you will take my word for it. So I think that is 50 pts. 😇

Camouflaged so they can’t been seen - 10 x 28mm Scout Squad 

Just in case you didn’t believe me I painted something more visible, three 15mm WW2 SAS jeeps from Battlefront. These were quiet fun to paint but not as easy as the 10 figures in the picture above. 6 x 2 for the crew and 3 x 4 for the jeeps. That’s errr 24pts plus 30 pts for the island challenge, 54pts

15mm SAS Jeeps from Battlefront

I had a few Lombards left over so I have have painted them as German Cavalry for my Carolingian Frank army. I say army, but these are the only units I have painted.  All Essex (love Essex Miniatures) 15mm. 72pts

15mm Essex Lombard FIgures painted as Other Dark Age German Cavalry

I also finished off the last of my Lombard army ( apart from the camp) by painting the final two bow units. I had a couple of figures left over so these will be “Heroes” for To the Strongest Rules” and the extra points 😋. 36 figures and 2 mounted 80pts

More 15mm Essex Lombard archers and a couple of 15mm cavalry

Also finished were the last of my Eastern Cavalry again with a few “Heroes” 84 pts

The last of my 15mm Legio Heroica Mongol Miniatures 

That brings my total for this entry, not including the hidden 28mm Scout Squad, to 290 pts.
All 15mm
3 SAS Jeeps = 54pts
18 German Cavalry = 72
36 archers = 72
2 cavalry = 8
21 Mongol 84

Next. Something to do with Mountains????

Great post and a nice points bomb. My 1st ever army was an Essex one. Love the basing on these. Please add labels 

From ScottM: Flight to Awdry's Atoll (5 Points)

Having completed my last stop on the Path of the New Shiny, I'll be charting a ride on Sarah's Balloon to Awdry's Atoll. And here is my toll:

This 28mm fig comes from the same set of female civilians that I've used on my other balloon trips. This figure is from Sash & Saber's French & Indian War range.

So that should be: 1 x 28mm foot fig = 5 points

She is a great figure and you've done a fine job on her

EricM-28mm Late Roman Infantry and Cavalry (290pts)

This week I was lucky enough to have a three day weekend and I put it to good use.  I was able to knock out a 24 figure unit of Late Roman Infantry. The first two rank are uniformed armored infantry supported by a third rank of light bowman.   All the figures are from Wargames Foundry.  Even though these figures are 20+ years old, I think they are still some of the best out there.

I was able to get started on the Late Roman heavy cavalry as well. For the project we are going with smaller cavalry units 8 figures instead of the normal 12.  I am not sure if I like the look as well but they do paint faster.

The first units shield is from the front cover of Warhammer Ancient Battles (hows that for some historical research).  I really do like the design

For the second unit of cavalry I went with the traditional Chi Rho design.

Finally here is a full class picture of the infantry completed so far.

I was able to complete 24-28mm foot and 16-28mm Cavalry for a total of 280 points
Thanks for looking!

These are lovely and I will steal the shield design for mine, especially the raven on the infantry and they deserve a lovely bonus of 10pts. Please add labels to your posts in hte future.

ta

Martin