From PeteF Ill Buono, Ill Brutto, Ill Cattivo (35 points)

These are gift for my sister, who was and is a top fan of the Man With No Name. I can remember watching all the Spaghetti Westerns with her (BBC 2 reruns) - the music, the tension, the extras. Iconic moments abound - Clint striking a match on Klaus Kinsky's hump (For a Few Dollars More), the cemetery showdown (The Good, The Bad & The Ugly), the Stranger who for some reason won't die when shot in the heart (Fistful of Dollars)....

Clint Eastwood as the "Good" Man With No Name and Lee Van Cleef as the "Evil" dude - always for some reason being mean to helpless extras - with Eli Wallach along for the ride - are my entry for Coruscant - completing the Middle Ring. Time for a Warp Maelstrom journey to the central ring in a desperate attempt to catch up and complete the quadrant quest before winter has gone!

The figures are from Artizan Designs - after I'd started painting them I found that they're not the cleanest casts - especially poor old il Cattivo whose 2 halves didn't quite go together in his mold. Nothing that a bit of paint can't mostly hide. 

Although this is a squirrelly project at only 15 points won't be worth a Squirrel Point. At least for now.

3x28mm foot = 15 points plus 20 for Coruscant = 35 Total

Squirrel +0 (Total 6) (+4 incomplete squirrel points)

Skulz +0 (Total 1)

Excellent work on these classic characters!  Really like the faces on these sculpts.  Well done.  

From PeteF: I Am The Law! ( 52 points)

 What's this? A third entry in a single week (thanks for you patience)! Entering the warp maelstrom I was deposited on Krypton and happened to have this superhero on the pile of shame.

I remember the first issue of 2000AD in the 1970s and how I enjoyed this comic well into my 20s before life's other distractions finally displaced it. All of its characters, and perhaps most of all Joe Dredd, have a big place in my heart. Maybe one day I'll rebuild my collection.

It was exciting when Warlord Games took over the license and I of course immediately ordered these minis - which have sadly remained unloved for a few years.  No longer. I finally got some paint on Judge Dredd and his Lawmaster bike this week.

I went for the cartoon look and I'm happy with the way the Judge turned out. I don't love the rubbery plasiticy material that Warlord uses for these sculpts but I like painting it even if it lacks the heft of metal (my preference for skirmish games).

1 x 40mm foot figure (serious scale creep) = 7 points

1 x 40mm mounted figure = 15 points

bonus for warp maelstrom planet = 30 points

TOTAL= 52 points

I am totally at sea with most Superhero Comic Book characters, but I like what I see!  Nice work on the blue/yellow colours on bike thingy (it seems a bit like a cross between a MX bike and a steam roller) and on the Doc.

From FrederickC: Another Mixed Bag of WW2 Vehicles (267.5 points)

 

Last November fellow Conscript DallasE and I were discussing the idea of a France 1940 scenario for Bolt Action. We had played 'The Battle of Stonne' scenario from the Bolt Action campaign book 'Germany Strikes' in October 2021, and were looking at another chance to pit French and German armour against each other. We settled on 'The Battle of Orp' where the 3rd Panzer Division met the 3^e DLM (3rd Light Mechanized Division). A few of the vehicles needed were not in either of our collections, plus I had been looking at ordering some German and Soviet trucks to transport troops on the battlefield, as well as some more early Soviet armour. In the end  I ordered 3 GAZ AAA trucks, 3 T-26 tanks, 3 Krupp Protze trucks, 2 Panzer III Ausf E tanks, and a Hotchkiss H39 tank from Rubicon Models. The past week has been a mad scramble to get all the kits assembled and painted in time for Monday posting day.

 

A group shot, just for Teemu.

A size comparison of the three tank types, all 1/56 scale.

The GAZ-AAA was a truck produced at the Gorkovsky Avtomobilny Zavod (Gorky Automobile Plant) from 1936 to 1943 as the company's first 6-wheeled vehicle. During that time, over 37,000 trucks of various patterns were built. The Rubicon kits were easy to assemble, and  could be completed with or without a driver in the cab. (I went with the driver option.) It comes with a one-piece tarp that can be snapped into place, so I can field them with the tarp on or off. They will provide some necessary transport for all my Soviet infantry.

 

GAZ-AAA truck with tarps

GAZ-AAA truck without tarps

The T-26 tank kit comes with all the necessary parts to build one of ten different variants of the tank, which was based on Vickers E Six Ton. The T-26 entered active service for the Red Army in 1932, and it was used in many conflicts of the 1930s as well as during the Second World War. When production ceased in 1941, over 10,000 tanks of all variants had been produced. Of all the options available, I went with the M1933 turret, and assembled one with a radio aerial along with a commander that came with the Warlord Games BT-7 tanks I had painted in January. 

 

The German Krupp Protze was a truck used by the Wehrmacht to transport troops and tow the 37mm anti-tank gun. While I have a number of German 251/1 half-tracks, the reality is that most Panzergrenadiers rode in trucks. Using Bolt Action rules, the cost of a truck is less than half the cost of a half-track. The Rubicon kits can be built as the troop transport variant, with the tarp either up or down, or to tow the PAK. I built all of mine as transports, so I may end up ordering another as a towing vehicle.

 

The German Panzer III Ausf. E was an early model of that tank armed with a 37mm gun in the turret. It saw service in Poland and France before being replaced by upgraded versions. The Rubicon kits supply enough parts to build one of the E, F, or G variants of the tank. I added a commander that came with the Bolt Action Panzer I tanks I built in December as I liked it better than the one that came with the models. I painted up my Panzer IIIs as part of the 3rd Panzer Division with the Berlin bear symbol on the side of the turret.

 

The French Hotchkiss H39 was an improved version of the H35. Some models were further upgraded to a longer-barrelled SA38 37mm anti-tank gun. The Rubicon kit is a resin model with enough extra parts to build the French tank with either the SA38 or the earlier Puteaux SA18 low velocity gun, as well as a different cupola if you want to build a version of the tank in German service. 

 

The points being claimed are as follows:

12 x 28mm vehicles @ 20 points each =240 points

5.5 x 28mm figures @ 5 points each = 27.5 points

(I am counting the 3 Soviet drivers and two tank commanders as half figures)

I am really enjoying this collection of early war kit.  Although I had to do a double take as your lead into France 1940 was followed by T-26s, but what the heh?  I am pleased to see that you went for the premium AAA grade GAZ instead of the standard utility grade (poor pun), and more over that you've got a proper amount of soft skin transport for both Soviet and German forces.  I've always had a soft spot for the T26, and French armour is always entertaining.  Well done.

Monday AdamC: Terra the Ship as Home 80 points

A ship is usually how one travels away from home but for some it becomes a home and here are two examples from the Audrey-Matuirn series.

So I present HMs Surprise and HMS Leopard.  Both ships are 3d prints (both Simmon Mann I believe).

HMS Surprise is what I consider the 5th key character of the series (Jack, Steven, Sophie and Diana being the others). As Jack say Surprise is a "Fine Sea Bird.. Stiff, weatherly and very fast if well handled." Steve calls her the "Dear Surprise" and goes so far as to buy her as private yacht (privateer) when she is sold out of the Navy. She is always spoken of with reverence and love. Jack especially seems more at home on board then he ever does ashore. One of Surprise's characteristics is a tall mainmast and you can see her here with Leopard who's height she almost matches.

Unlike many other 3d prints this one has a fine stern gallery.  She's a fine 6th Rate to add to my English Fleet.

HMS Leopard is possible the most famous 50 gun ship in history thanks to it's attack on USS Chesapeake. Jack gets command of her some time after this but before the war of 1812. He and Steven both refer to her as the "Horrible old Leopard" but do so with what can only be called increasing affection. The suffer one of their most grueling cruises in the Leopard but despite almost sinking several times she gets them to safety a good ship despite her age and checked past.

I used some old plastic stern windows to finish her look.  This is a great addition to my collection 4th rates of this type where a mainstay of the Royal Navy in the American Revolution.  

Another 3D print a sh shore fortification based on the Château du Tourneau. You can get the file here https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:3936544

It's a simple design and paint job not a lot to talk about but it's the last piece I need for a game I am running on Friday.

Based on the dimensions I think it's fair to ask for 2 points.  And one more ship...

So Evelyn has been asking me to let her paint a ship... After some discussion she agreed it would be Ok for her to suggest the colors to use. Purple and teal (changed to sky blue) So I present the First ship of the D'Argent Navy the Princess Evelyn. 

The ship is a 3D print based on Santisima Trinidad. I did some modifications and added a figure head (where I used the sky blue) 

The stern was another leftover from my plastic 3rd rates. Evelyn is quite happy with how Her ship looks.

The D'Argent Navy flags are still in development but I may rechristen her the Infanta Evelyn and have her join my Spanish fleet. 

Points:

HMS Surprise 15 Points

HMS Leopard 15 Points

Terra 20 points

Château du taureau 2 points (?)

Princess Evelyn 25 points (and 1 Squirrel if you let me count her D'Argent Imagination Navy 'persona')

That comes to 77 points

Lovely ships Adam, and I appreciate the links to the Aubrey/Maturin series.  Having a naval officer father I'll buy the ships is one's home on the waves argument for Terra.  I have actually sailed past the Chateaux du Taureau with my Dad, and will up your points to 5 for the fond memories.  Have fun with the "really like what daddy likes" stage of parenthood.  I leave Squirrel judgments to the appropriate parties.

From Mike W - 28mm Arab Cultists (50 Points)

This group of figures is the start of a small band of Arab Cultists that will be in some way involved with the raising of forces of the Undead in Egypt, in the late 19th and early 20th Century. Think of the films 'Indiana Jones and the Raiders of the Lost Ark' and 'The Mummy' - you'll get the idea!

The completed group of ten Arab cultists

I drew inspiration form Hollywood - so these are in no way meant to be historically accurate, they are just meant to look menacing and evil!

First group of four musketeers & riflemen

These figures are mostly Perry Afghan plastics, plus a couple of Wargames Atlantic Afghans to add some variation, I think that they have come out pretty well, despite the blatant transplantation of dress styles between continents - that's Hollywood for you!

A group of three more cultists

I interchanged arms and weapons between the Perry & Wargames Atlantic kits to give a good variety - you'll see various muskets, Jezails and more modern rifles in their hands as well as some with swords and even a bow man.

Five running cultists with various weapons

With the Archers I added Gripping Beast Arab arms and quiver, to a squatting Perry figure. Almost all of the figures had head swaps, utilising Gripping Beast Arab heads that were shrouded in cloth - to give a suitably mysterious appearance. One figure had a Wargames Atlantic head, which was suitably covered whilst the Archer and one other were given a open faced Arab heads. I also tried to tie the look and feel of the figures together by giving many of them a brass shield.

The remaining group of three cultists in close-up

Regarding painting the figures I undercoated all in white before painting in the flesh and washing this with sepia, allowing a heavy coat to give a darker toned skin. Their basic rode colour was Citadel 'Wazdakka Red' washed with purple ink, whilst sashes, head scarves and pants were all painted dark grey and wash with Army Painter Dark Tone to give a nice shaded & faded black appearance. 

Another view of four of the cultists

After a matt varnish, straps, sandals and weapons were painted as required and given various washes, bases had fine sand applied and dried, rocky grass tufts applied sparingly.

POINTS

10 x 28mm Foot Figures = (50 Points)

Nice work on the Hollywood Arab cultists. I like the red tunics that you've used, it gives unit cohesion to them.  I am sure that there is a correct word other than tunic, but it escapes me now.  

AdamC yacht to Arrakis (95 points(=)

So the start of the challenge had me digging through the pile and discovering I had very few Female miniatures. I did find a few that would suit...

My daughter coopted one of them. When your daughter beggs you to paint soldier with you you don't argue.

This is work in progress. I'll update it if we get it done.

This is a reaper priestess who will be good for Frostgrave or other fantasy games.

Bones figures are a bit soft on details but she'll do as priestess or wizard for Frostgrave, Dragon Rampant or Saga age of magic.  

Now 10 Arab bowmen from Essex.  I plan to use these for Saga and possibly Lion/Dragon Rampant.

I tried to use a variety yellows, browns and grey's for their main clothing. 

Then I went with a variety of brighter colors for their turbans and scarfs.

Points all the figures at 25mm 5 for the priestess and 10 for the the yacht. 50 points  for the bowmen plus another 20 for the planner.That comes to 85 points in total. The bow men should net me another Squirrel Point.

Now on to the inner ring. Set course for Terra.  

Great to see the younger generation with the paint brush and figure.  Keep us posted on her progress.  I believe that you get 20 points for each trip on the Star Yacht so have adjusted your point total.  But I am following my normal practice here of shooting my mouth off blindly and waiting for Tamsin to tell me I am wrong.

Good work on these figures, love the purple.