From MartijnN: Homes under the Hammer (terrain & 28mm Vikings)(Swords & Sandals and Fantasy)(147 points)

Having been shown the error of my ways and being reminded that backtracking through Studios already visited is allowed we swiftly proceed to the Swords and Sandals studio. Here we find the set of the popular BBC series Homes under the Hammer, where people try to buy property at auction, renovating it and selling it at a profit. I always enjoy this long-running program, when the participants are successful and also when they are not (yes, I have a nasty streak sometimes). In keeping with the Swords and Sandals theme I present to you a slightly dilapidated property at the fringe of the romantic Arabian desert. It may be a bit of a fixer-upper, but it it's full of original details, it was previously owned by an old lady and has always been parked inside. It only needs some minor renovation to turn it into your next client's dream home!

All well and good, I hear you say, but now we have two problems: where are the swords and sandals, and where do we stay while the building works are going on? Fear not, we have you covered on both counts. Here are two luxurious Arabian tents, which will serve admirably to accommodate you and your team of reliable and fast builders while the renovation proceeds apace:

I really brought swords and sandals, but at Stuart's suggestion I left them in the tent.

Well, alright, just to protect you I will provide with you with an escort. Although they apparently prefer axes (which might come in handy should you ask them to assist in the renovation) some swords are clearly in evidence. They prefer their sturdy shoes over sandals, though.

These are all 3D printed 32mm "heroic scale" miniatures from Iain Lovecraft's Viking Legends Kickstarter. They are great sculpts and painted up really nicely. The range was designed in cooperation with two Swedish Viking museums, and so historically accurate, as far as possible, I hope. I kept the shield designs simple, but they are all hand painted.

Now to keep your Vikings happy we also provide you with this great opportunity for plunder and destruction in the shape of this chapel:

It actually is a 10mm Church model by Cromarty Forge (this one of course 3D printed), but it will serve quite happily as a 28mm chapel if asked nicely.

From The Swords and Sandals Studio we immediately proceed to the Fantasy Studio. In case you are not really the person to live on the fringes of the desert, we have a nice alternative dwelling for you:

This, too, is a model designed by Lovecraft, Hemlock Cottage from his Tale of Two Cities.Whether you are looking for a country residence in a small hamlet on the way to King's Landing or for a pied-a-terre in Bree, this dwelling will be admirably suitable.

It comes with its own little garden terrace with ornamental statue:

And should you require a lookout point to keep an eye on your neighbours, this might be your thing:

It's in need of a little repair, but once done up it will allow you to see anyone approaching your home from miles away!

Lastly, I have this 28mm ACW wooden church. You may have need of this, if by any chance you have failed to use your outpost properly...

Okay, that's it for me today. Now for points. I suggest 5 points for the ruined terrace with statue (the statue stands about 50mm tall). The Arab house is 3.5 x 3.5 x 2/4.5", the tents are a little over 3"x 3", so say 15 points together? The little outpost is 5x4x1.5", perhaps 5 points? The chapel is 6x6x4", and the church 8x5x7"to the top of the spire, while Hemlock Cottage is 4x4x5.5". Some 40 points together? So altogether I'd suggest 65 points for the terrain, if our esteemed minion agrees.

So to sum up:

8x 28mm foot = 40

Miscellaneous terrain = 65?

Swords and Sandals Studio bonus 20 points

Fantasy Studio Bonus 20 points

Grand total 145 points (plus two squirrels, one for the terrain and one for the vikings)

Next stop: Superheroes!

I hate scoring terrain, it is never in nice, neat little cubes. I ran the maths and your scoring seems about right. I'm also going to throw in a couple of bonus points for the hand painted shields. The Vikings look superb, and the buildings are great. I like the greenish tint you've used for the wood on the church.

ChrisW Go west old geezer! [360 points]

So the Western studio is the last of the regular studios for me to visit, only the directors chair is left. This was almost a single themed post, almost all western, except for the Martian Marines left over from last week.(maybe they are western Martian marines). I still managed to get a few squirrels out of this despite the thematic integrity.

First, as usual, a limo ride and these ladies will provide the ride.

Limo ride

The Western studio

Mexican villagers [22 figures]

First up a quick trip 'south of the border' to visit some 22 Mexican residents. All of these are Foundry miniatures. 

 

US cavalry [6 figures]

Again, all of these are Foundry figures

Lawmen [7]

The Earp clan and three deputies. The deputies are Foundry, the Earps are, well, I know I should know but I cannot remember. I do like the dedication of the lawman in his underwear as he is wearing his badge even while just in his skivvies!

Cowboys [6] 

Again, all these are Foundry, I am finally getting through this collection! Quite nice looking figures even if they are dwarfed by more modern ranges. Some nice iconic classic cowboy figures. From the ten gallon hat dude to the old timer cook, this grouping is all set for rowdy work.

 

Hired guns [5]

Some toughs to go up against the lawmen. The guy in the pinkish shirt reminds me of a Mickey Mouse villain. All Foundry.

Town folk [6]

All of these are large Blue Moon miniatures. They are kind of crude looking and low on detail compared to the much smaller Foundry figures. They do posses a certain charm just don't look too closely at the facial details...

Martian Royal Marines [12 figures]

These are all Parroom station figures. They are very slight figures with lots of hard to reach places.

Points total this time

• 20 points for the Limo ride
• 20 points for the Studio 
  
• 320 points for 64 x 28mm foot 

Total of  360 points

Squirrels this time around [+7]

1. Mexican civilians
   
2. US cavalry
3. Cowboys
4. Town folk
5. Lawmen
6. Hired guns 
7. Royal Martian marines
   

 New squirrel total 50

 Previous squirrels

1. Back of Beyond
   
2. Mad figures (Top hat toffs and companions)
3. Greek skeletons
4. Sisters of Sigmar
5. Ancient Germanic women
6. ECW cuirassiers
   
7. Monsters large
8. Post apocalypse
9. Tekumel Palanquin
10. Empire Pike
11. Jazz Band
    
12. French Cuirassiers on Mars
13. Court of Dr Koo
14. Movie makers
15. Gothic/movie Vampires 
16. Gladiators
17. Women rocket corp
18. Supers
    
19. Forest scenery
20. Robin Hood
21. Gorillas 
22. Dr and his pets
    
23. Nuns
24. The flying squad 
25. Mechanical spiders from Mars 
26. The Gorgons
    
27. Cthulhu creatures
28. Mad gardeners and their plants
29. Pulp mummies
30. Pulp Egyptian skeletons
31. Jason and the Argonauts
32. Asylum residents 
33. Dwarf Roman style troops
34. Hatchet/axe wielding maniacs
35. Free range lunatics 
36. Gunslingers
37. Hill Martians
38. Martian artillery
39. Lizard infantry
40. Tekumel monsters
41. Failed experiments
42. Dr Frankenstein and monsters
43. Cold hearted mad scientists
    

 Only 360 points this week, are you slowing down? Excellent work on all of these models, Foundry do have some fantastic wild west minis in their line-up, and you've made short work of them. I particularly like the Mexicans, but the Mickey Mouse villain is cool too.

The Saturday Sardoodledom

    Greetings oh magnificent and munificent challengers. Welcome once more to the mind-blowing and, dare I say it, fantabulous world of the Saturday crew. On this day, quite unlike any other of the week, we have prepared dazzling works and sumptuous painting that will astound and surprise.

    These masterful workers of wonder have slaved doggishly through conditions that would tax even the mightiest of mortals and emerged triumphant with their heads raised high.

Um... actually, there don't appear to be many entries this week, just one finished post and another in draft.

Luckily the post that is done is by that eminent playwright ChrisW, so be prepared for an epic story involving Lawmen, Bandits, Illegal Aliens, Mexicans and more.

Fingers crossed MartijnN can get his dramatic muse to supply the goods and we'll see a tremendous tale about Vikings, Arabs and a selection of fine dwellings.

C'mon Saturday Crew, don't let me down.

Side Duels Update THREE

G'day All,

My sincerest apologies for the length of time since the last Side Duels update.
A healthy dose of conjunctivitis has meant all hobby activities have been curtailed in favour of (gasp!) saving my peepers for work. Fortunately some new meds are helping out and I may even pick up a brush soon.

PLEASE submit each update separately and only after your submission is live! If an entry qualifies for two or more Side Duels, that's two plus Side Duels forms to submit too. It makes it much easier for me to accurately tabulate your scores as I can filter the sheet by the selected Side Duel question. Thanks!

And now, some updates!

A Squirrel a Day

We've had almost too many squirrels to count. I say almost because here's the current tally: Chris W - 38, StuartL - 26, KyleC - 21, KerryT - 18, MikeW - 9, MartijnN - 7, BenitoV - 4, JezT - 2, AdamC - 1. everyone else zero.

Carausius Emperor of Britain

PeterD STILL the only one to score and now on a mahoosive 227 points!

SPQR

MattW has stretch his lead now on 425 points, but with Peter D (130) and SimonG (100) both putting in a respectable showing.

Turnip28

CurtC remains atop the turnip pile on 292 points. AlanD has added another 60 taking him to 169 with PaulOG making a solid crabwise advance to 160. StuartL has increased his score to 115 as well.

Neverending Cold War

MattW is now on 104 points and along with everyone else on zero is eating DaveD's dust. 896 points is just crazy Dave...

Airbrushes at Dawn

KyleC has a respectable 4 points, Curt's now on 3 and everyone else is still yet to register.

Codpieces & Ostrich Feathers

It's codpiece season! KerryT has amassed a humungous 755 points, MikeW is flying on 461 and ChrisW has moved up to 200. Everyone else? Nada...

Terrain du jour

I'm still the only one to score but I suspect Miles has experienced a level of fatigue you can only get from terraforming entire islands. If he can be bothered to enter a score he'll wipe me out in one go!

And that's it for Update Three. Still no score in the TFL America 500 (are you guys even awake?) and still quite a few entrants yet to register in other duels too.

Cheers,

Millsy the Duels Wallah