From JasperO: 1/56 234/1(/2) Armoured Car - Caprica 45 points

I’ve painted a Warlord resin 234/2 (Puma) in a previous challenge, but I just love these giant German reconnaissance vehicles, here to sniff out (or set) ambushes! So I made another. They were, of course, only made in small numbers in 1944 and 1945, which doesn’t stop any wargamer wanting to field a bunch of them.

Unlike that previous model, this is the Warlord plastic 234/2 Puma, which I have wanted to convert into the /1 version with the 20mm turret. As it happens, that turret is exactly the same as the one on the 250/9 Neu, and Rubicon makes a conversion set. The space for the turret ring is slightly too small on the Warlord model, but only by 1mm or so. Nothing that can’t be fixed by some judicious application of a file.

234/1 during conversion - blue-grey is Warlord plastic, the other from Rubicon

The original Puma turret is entirely unaffected by all this, though a strip of plastic around its ring insert helps it sit better in the ‘reamed’ ring. In all, I figure this is one Caprica bonus, plus one 1/56 vehicle and a few points for the extra turret?

From DaveD

Well that's the second cracking camo scheme of the day . There is always something about these big armoured cars. I have gone with 5 for the extra turret for you . always good to have options . Great job Jasper.

From MartijnN: Doctors on Skaro and Württemberg Napoleonics (90 points)

 After a smooth cruise aboard Lady Sarah's Star Yacht we set foot on Skaro. The name seems quite fitting, as we encounter two very strange doctors carrying somewhat oversize "medical" implements of probably questionable design but definitely scary application. 

These are again 3d printed. I think one of them is by Iain Lovecraft, and I think the other is from the Kingdom of Tiradom series. They are both definitely a  bit over the top but that seems quite okay for this kind of fantasy figures.

One of the things I love about the Challenge is that on the one hand it takes me back to my early wargaming days, and on the other hand prompts me to try new things. A mix of both is in this photograph:

These are 28mm miniatures by Piano Wargames. They are Württemberg Napoleonic line infantry. I backed two Kickstarters by Piano Miniatures and opted for the STL-files, so these were printed on my Anycubic Photon Mono. However, you heavy metal aficionados can also get them in white metal.

Now I started my "serious" wargaming career (after the usual dabbling in Airfix HO/OO plastics) with Hinchliffe and Minifigs 25mm Napoleonics. However, I got rid of my modest collection decades ago and since the late eighties I never painted a 25mm or larger Napoleonic figure again (as a matter of fact, I think the last unit I painted may have been a battalion of 16 Minifigs Württemberg Light infantry). I say nothing particularly profound when I say that time has not stood still, and the 28mm figures available today are lightyears ahead of those early figures. These miniatures are prime examples and tempted me back into Napoleonics (I am looking to try my hand at Sharp Practice). Detail, variety and quality of these miniatures are simply amazing, and I still find it totally mindboggling that these can be conjured up through the magic of a simple machine in my hobby room and a bottle of liquid. They printed beautifully, although some layer lines are visible and I really must be more careful and observant when removing supports.

So, the command figures:

The flag is also by Piano Miniatures.

 The NCO's:

And the six different privates.

I used mostly contrast paints and a wash of Agrax Earthshade. It s not to everybody's taste, but I like its effect. Next time I will probably not use Apothecary White; it's ok, but for these models the effect is perhaps a little too grey. If my confidence grows enough I might try a little highlighting. The basing was done using Geek Gaming's Base Ready.

Onwards to the second ring!

Points:

14x 28mm foot @ 5 = 70

Skaro bonus points = 20

For a total of 90 points and a squirrel! 

From DaveD

EEEK - can I have the oversize syringe to administer Millsy's meds this morning please ! Certainly over the top but in a fun way. Nice to see some Naps  make there entry here to - 90 points it is!

From JohnE - 28mm Jagdpanther - 22 Points

Another one from the "drawers of shame" and the last completion for this year's #danktankuary - a Warlord Jagdpanther. Never say never, but I'm fairly sure this is the last of the "jagd" series. This one was a lot of fun. I experimented with InstantColors on the tracks and links, and am feeling ok about the results. Armor tracks are somewhat of an Achilles' Heel for me so any improvement helps my morale.

Points Summary:

1 x 28mm foot @ 2 points = 2 points

1 x 28mm vehicle @ 20 points = 20 points

Total = 22 points

From DaveD

aah everyone's favourite nasty tank destroyer. That is a fine colour scheme as well. Well done on making progress on the drawer of shame . 22 it is !

From MikeF - World Eaters Deredeo Dreadnought - Glorantha - 40 points

Next up on the World Eaters invasion tour is Glorantha. This is a place of Heroes...apparently. I think earlier Challengers have already used the dreadnought angle for this planet, but luckily there are no points awarded for originality. 

Space Marines really love war! Unfortunately death can really get in the way of that. Luckily, the most "Heroic" members of a chapter who are suffering mortal wounds from battle can be "rewarded" with entombment inside a Dreadnought, allowing them to fight on for all eternity. The Horus Heresy space marine legions have numerous types of dreadnought. The version I painted up is the Deredeo Speedboat Dreadnought! It's pretty goofy looking, but you can't argue with the ridiculous number of weapon on it. It's obviously a long range unit, which doesn't traditionally match the berserk World Eaters. My rational is that this is 30k and the World Eaters are not full on psychopaths yet. They're a legion who subjugate planets using the full spectrum of weaponry and tactics available to them. They just love chopping things up with swords and axes a little bit more than most!

The white is painted with Vallejo ghost grey with a Nuln oil recess shade and Vallejo dead white highlight. The blue is painted with GW Macragge blue followed by Altdorf Guard blue. I gave it a recess shade of Drakenhof Nightshade and a highlight of Calgar blue. The Altdorf allows the transfers to contrast a bit better than the Macragge.

28mm vehicle - 20 + 20 for the planet = 40 points

Thanks for visiting.

From DaveD

That's a fine entry with massive guns! 40 points it is!

From BenitoV: Canadian Infantry Rifle teams (30 points)

This week I'm still avoiding additional intergalactic travelling and have concentrated in my core Challenge project again, the WW2 Canadian Infantry platoon for Chain of Command.

 

I have concluded in time for posting the first of the three rifle teams included in the platoon TOE. Each of the three platoon's squads is made of a Bren gun team and a rifle team. All Bren gun teams have been completed and now my focus is on the rifle teams as well as the different leaders.

 

The Chain of Command rifle teams in the British and Commomwealth armies for North Europe comprise 6 privates at full force. This probably was true at the time of the Normandy campaign, but in Zuehlke's book on the Scheldt campaign it was crytal clear that by September/October 1944 the Canadian division were sorely depleted and and in need of additional manpower. Platoons likely had a coupe of squads at ebest and not always at full manpower by then.

 

The models shown in this post are all from the Warlord's plastic British and Canadian Infantry box in 28mm. The multipose possibilities are almost infinite and combined with the wide array of equipment, helmets, heads and webbing you can easily personalized each and one of the 30 models included in the box.

The sculpting detail and the manufacturing quality areexceptional too, nothing to do with the earlier plastic releases and particularly the first British infantry box.

 

Thanks to the 6 models presented in this post I will add 30 points (6 x 28mm @5 points each) to my Challenge score. Having passed first third of the context, I reckon to be slightly behind my plans to achieve the 700 points target. Still early to concede defeat but not happy with my progress so far.  I will need to catch up in the next weeks.

From DaveD

No Surrender Benito! you will get there . These lads are another fine addition to your Cannucks well done

 

From LeeH - French Foreign Legionnaires in Fatigue Whites - (108 Points)

I bought two styles of Legionnaire for this project. One group wear the dark blue greatcoat called a Capote and this batch just have their Fatigue or barrack whites. I plan on using these guys to defend the fort I completed last week, so it makes sense that they are not wearing their packs and coats. 

These Legionnaires wear their white Fatigue blouse and trousers with the blue sash under their belts. I always thought the sash looked terribly uncomfortable but it seems it offered good back support when carrying their heavy packs. Over the Sash is a belt with bullet pouches held up with a Y-Strap and vertical braces at the front (which was only moulded on some figures so I hand-painted them in any way). They also carry a canteen and musette bag as well as their rifle. 

The white uniform was a real challenge to paint, but I got there in the end. I applied a thin black wash to fill the creases and then dry brushed pure white over the top. It actually looked a little grey still but that was ok, I had a plan! After I had done all the straps, belts, sash, pouches etc I reapplied the white as a highlight and in the process cleaned up a few mistakes and wobbly brushwork. The result is a white uniform that really ‘pings’. Of course, being slightly nuts I couldn’t leave it there so added dirty knees and elbows as a finishing touch. 

The officers have been given campaign dress, hence the white Kepi and white trousers rather than red. The Men Who Would be Kings rules mean that each unit comes with its own Officer but I decided I needed someone to command the whole group, so I used a spare bugler and based him with one of the Officer figure as a little vignette. 

Points wise these are pretty straightforward. Four units of twelve men, plus an officer for each unit and a senior officer with a bugler on a separate base. That's 54 figures x 2 points each for 108 points.

From DaveD

So on last nights chat Ray says he "encouraged" you to buy this .and now its looking wonderful - he did suggest he could have some points for that ! Cracking job Lee - I am loving this . MORE please!!

From DaveD - The Friday Minion - Nurse ouch it hurts!

 Welcome back to Friday - the best day of the week. Unfortunately yours truly had a "minor" argument with gravity last weekend. 

Its all MartinC's fault - I went in search of my MDF stash for the bootleggers - and missed the step out of the loft .. 9 foot later..i found myself on the floor . Fortunately nothing broken - just battered and bruised. My painting hand is though still recovering - I reckon another week before I can  wield a brush properly . Lets not mention my job used to be H&S eh...

It was great to see two of the Friday crew nominated for the Minions Monthly award , good lads the whip cracking is working well . Well done on getting the award Benito. 

so what goodies do I have for you today -so far we have 

LeeH - more desert goodness. 

MikeF - is eating the world 

BenitoV - More wonderful Cannucks 

Right - time for the 2nd coffee of the day