From JamesM: Necromunda Goliath gang and industrial vehicle (77 points)

Hi folks,

My final entry for this years challenge, and the fourth gang I've painted for Necromunda. This time, the mighty Goliaths - vat born abhumans with more brawn than brains. 

This gang, the 'Skull Boltz', was initially themed around bolt weapons. However these weapons are bloody expensive and so make for a small starting gang. As such, I went with cheaper options of weapons and focused on axes... with a plan to equip with bolt weapons as we play through a long campaign. The gangers are plastic GW offerings, with some plastic and resin upgrade bits and a couple of beastman axes. 

Paint scheme wise, I was really impressed with the Vallejo Xpress orange colour - so matched that in with some greys and the likes for a nice bright and industrial looking gang. 

I also painted up a proxy model for a 'Zerker' - described in the game material as 'a fighter whose body has become warped and swollen to gigantic proportions by the effects of the combat stimms pumping through their veins'. This model was purchased via Etsy from CrisisActorMinis (who incidentally also sell blanchet esq models which might be suitable for root veg enthusiasts). It's worth noting that I sought a proxy for this model as the Forgeworld kit is hideous as well as expensive. 

The gang contains few heavy weapons currently, with only a Rivet Cannon and Storm Welder providing short range but heavy firepower. 

I actually had to add another model to those I had prepped, as while still primed plastic this gang had fought a couple of games and added another member. 

In total, this gang has ten 28mm models, and one 40mm model (for a total of 57 points). 

Alongside this gang, I quickly painted up the partner vehicle of one I'd already entered. This is another GW kit I picked up a while ago on the cover of a magazine, and will primarily be used as scatter terrain. I've painted it to match in with my scenery - the rusted and decrepit remains of industry in the deep underhive. 

This single GW 28mm vehicle is worth 20 points, giving me an entry total of 77 points. 

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What a great looking gang and gothic machine-thingy, James. The orange of your Goliaths' armour adds vibrancy to what could be a pretty dour looking mob. I also like how you've designed them to 'grow' into their more heavy-hitting bolt gun aspirations. The 'Zerker' is truly a beast, and I'm definitely going to be checking out the designer so see what else he has to offer.  

An excellent final entry James. I look forward to seeing you next time we roll out.

- Curt

From ArthurS: The final post! (10 points )

Hello everyone! 

Today I would like to show you all my last two figures of this Challenge. It has taken me a while to paint them, but I am mighty proud of them. These figures are from the Reaper DnD range just like my baby griffons. I like to think they are twin brothers who roam the woods as rangers. I am a fan of the book series The Grey Hunter by John Flanagan and have taken inspiration for the colour scheme from those books.

 

The figure with the bird, I will use as an alchemist, the bird itself is a phoenix and I think it worked out well. The greys and purples used on the figures I mixed myself.

To reach my goal of 100 points I needed 2 more figures and now they are done I am happy to have reached that target.

I do hope to see you all again next year!

Groetjes Arthur 

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Fabulous work Arthur! I really like this pair of adventurers, especially the vibrant phoenix and the green-fletched arrow in the archer's quiver. I will have to check out the John Flanagan series based on your work here.

I look forward to seeing you with us for Challenge XIV, Arthur!

- Curt

From TomC: A Fistful of Morphine [Western] (25 points)

The Day of Reckoning approaches, the end is nigh, but fear not, for salvation is at hand and this will be my last post. For my swan song, at the Western studio, there was but one choice available to me (without gratuitous use of the shoehorn).

 This is Doc Amos from Great Escape Games's Dead Man's Hand range, which they kindly gave me at the first Salute I went to (2015?) when I purchased some Dullcote from their stand (there's nothing special about me, I'm sure it was a promotion). Needless to say, eight years later, Amos was still unpainted and the gangs of the Wild West were still without due medical care and attention from a licensed professional...

 When I was initially thinking of colour schemes, the miniature reminded me of Javier Bardem's character from No Country For Old Men, but on double checking, the relentless hitman just wears all black. This wasn't quite what I was in the mood for, but Javier Bardem's character in Skyfall however has a bit more going on (although I passed on the heinous patterned shirt). Raoul Silva doesn't carry a doctor's bag, but a quick google for inspiration turned up a pony-skin bag and, once I spotted this, that was the picture complete, it just screamed Wild West (to me at least, historical accuracy be damned!).  

 The sculpt wasn't completely clean, so having checked their website, I don't think what I took to be a monocle was actually meant to have been there...

I've never played Dead Man's Hand, I assume you whack him behind your favourite bush-plate armoured maniac and make friends?

 Scoring should be super simple, one 28mm miniature for 5 points and 20 points for the Western studio, at which point I'm sincerely hoping that my maths has served me well enough that that (25 points) is enough to see my over my Challenge total?

 If so, then I would just like to say thank you to Curt for arranging the challenge, Sidney for the wonderful studio destinations and the various people who have had kind things to say about my posts (so far!), thank you all so much!

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Lovely brushwork on this doc, Tom. I like the juxtaposition of his light grey coat against the green of his waistcoat and trousers.  You know, a monocle would kinda work for this guy... Anyway, yes, this entry will put you past your points target for the Challenge, so well done on both doing it in style AND in the nick of time. :)

- Curt

From MartijnN: A very tiny Director's Challenge - 2mm TYW and Empire Steam Tank (Director's Chair) (91 points)

Last week I finally arrived at the Director's Chair and awaited, rather ironically, directions. The Show Lord asked me if I had anything in my collection that I'd been avoiding or putting aside due to its complexity, or because it seems intimidating. Ha! Talking about an embarrassment of riches! Answering the question alone was already a cause for stress by itself.

However. During this Challenge I have been following Ray's progress with his 2mm Almansa project with much interest. I have had in my collection quite a substantial number of Irregular's 2mm blocks for years, and have added tot that considerably since the advent of my 3D printer. However, I had not yet been able to find the courage to actually try painting any of them. There was my Show Lord's Challenge!

So, without further ado, I present my first ever 2mm troops:

These are from Irregular Miniatures' Thirty Year Wars packs. I bought two armies over time, an Imperial one and a French one, but to be honest I could not really tell the difference and I guess most types of troops will be found in most armies anyway. It was not, in the end, a very quick job. Because uniforms were largely unheard of in this period, I wanted the troops to have a rather mixed outlook. But that meant picking out 2mm figures and painting them in different colours, which in the end is rather time consuming. I suppose painting uniformed blocks will be a much quicker job.

Artillery and generals

Cavalry

Infantry

Actually, the sculpts themselves are really quite good. I honestly would not have expected to see muskets and crossbelts on figures this small, but they are there. Obviously, nobody is going to paint them (I didn't), and nobody would ever notice them, but they are there!

It was a learning experience. For instance, I love contrast paints, and they work for these figures, but in hindsight I probably should have used bolder colours, so traditional paints would have worked better. Also, because of the contrast paints, I undercoated them in a creamy white; a dark undercoat would have worked better in hiding any unpainted areas in dark shadows.

Still, I am not dissatisfied with this first attempt. On the table they work fairly well (provided that you can see the little rascals, that is).

I told the Show Lord I might have a little something to honour his latest project too, and that is this:

More than two decades ago I acquired a fair number of Warmaster figures, largely through Ebay when they still could be found at prices that did not require you to re-mortgage your house. As things go, I admired them, assembled the coolest model, the Steam Tank, and put the rest in a drawer somewhere. The Steam Tank ended up, unpainted, on a bookshelf in my study, and has moved to a new shelf in every study or hobby room in any house I ever lived in since, looking at me with reproachful eyes (or gun barrel, rather). So now, having seen Curt's wonderful Empire army, I decided that it was time to paint it. It is actually a very nice model to paint, so perhaps I should dig out the other Warmaster figures and have a go.

So that's it, my last contribution to this Challenge (bar the wrap-up post). My final map:

I will reserve the official thanksgiving for the wrap-up, but I had a great time again and will probably start prepping for the next Challenge in a week or so. For now, I'll just say thank you all for making this once again a fantastic experience!

Points:

Going on Ray's posts the 2mm bases should, I guess, net me 2.5 points each, and 0.5 for the generals, so:

- 25x 2mm bases @ 2.5 = 62.5 points 

- 5x 2mm generals @ 0.5 = 2.5

- 1x 10mm vehicle @ 3 = 3

- Director's Chair bonus= 20

Grand Total = 88 91points. And a final squirrel!

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I think you've provided us a wonderful Director's Chair submission, Martijn. SidneyR and I did some of these a few years back for a joint 30YW project, and I think your efforts here are better than ours. I especially like the minimalist green groundwork you've created. Something that many overthink and overdue with these tiny miniatures.

I also really like your Steam Tank! I've been having a great time working on my Warmaster Empire force and quite look forward to you showing us your efforts next Challenge. Who knows, maybe we can organize a game the next time Sarah and I visit the Low Countries.

Congratulations on completing the Challenge Studios and shattering your initial points target. Bravo!

- Curt

From RayR - Haitian Revolution - Jesuit Priests 30pts

Its back to the sunny climbs of Santo Domingo or Saint-Domingue as the French used to call it for this post. I did plan on painting more Haitian Revolution figures during the Challenge but ran out of time.

I've actually got around 60 figures all base-coated and ready to go from AHPC 11!!

When I first started my Haitian adventure, I emailed Stuart from Dust, Tears & Dice blog, for some advice, he'd been painting up Trent minis for Haiti, which is where I got the idea from.

He told me to get the above book, as its a great starter for the period.

How right he was.

 

Early in the book it mentions several Jesuit Priests, that were trying to convert islanders to the Catholic faith, who unfortunately came to a very sticky end. So I thought I'd paint some up, they could be used for the basis of a game.

The figures are from Redoubt Enterprises, I didn't really need two of each figure, but what the hell, when in Rome!!!

As you can see they weren't  very difficult to paint up, which was good for me!

These points will take me past my target of 1000pts!

6 x 25mm figuges @ 5 points each

30 points!

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A nice nudge past your 1000 point target, AND we get a treat of seeing some more figures for your Haitian Revolution project. Excellent work, Ray.

- Curt

From StuartL - Final entry for my various duels - 198 Points

Hello all,

This is my final post for the challenge, and I have been working hard to clear my work space, finish off a few bits and pieces and add a couple of final points to my various duels totals. During the course of the challenge, I was involved in three duels, Skullz, Squirrels and Turnips. So, lets see how I got on.

TURNIP DUEL

    

    I had planned to finish off my first force of Turnip28 by the end of the challenge, but sadly I am still 1 Toff and 1 Unit away. I also had an idea for a second force, but sadly didn't have time to assemble and convert the models let alone paint them. So, for the Turnip duel, I have no more points to add. :(

SQUIRREL DUEL

    I have been able to get a few more Squirrels done and off my desk over the past week or so, most of them were halfway done and just needed those last few licks of paint to get them over the finish line.

First of all, some Chaos Marines for my 40K Iron Warriors force. I figure that these are different enough from regular marines to count. Being chaotic renegades, they come packed with skulls, 19 in total.

Next up, a squad of 10 Night Goblins. These diminutive fellows are from one of the Warhammer Fantasy starter boxes, Battle of Skull Pass I believe. They are single piece minis but they are super cool. I really wish I had more of these as they were fun to paint and look awesome. Note the musician has a skull atop his gong. 

These two mannequins are animated constructs for the Showgirls crew for Malifaux.

I painted the three models at the back as payments for trips in Lady Sarah's Limousine a couple of weeks back. The addition of the mannequins means that they now qualify as a full Squirrel point.

The start of a new project for me, 5 USMC for 'Nam. My local model shop (not a games store, a dedicated scale model shop) has started to stock Rubicon models, so I picked up a bunch of marines, some VC and a huey. I plan to work more on these over the summer. The plastic is not the usual type and needs some fancy glue, but they paint up quickly. The detail is a little fine in places, but I like how they look.

These five elves are from a company called Mirliton Miniatures based in Italy. They are pretty old now, I have had them for about 20 years. They are very reminiscent of old citadel minis. These will be used for Saga: Age of Magic.

So, that is 5 Squirrels and there should be one more Squirrel below.

SKULL DUEL

Honestly, the Squirrel Duel has kept me away from painting up many skulls this challenge. I had a large undead army and a ton more Space Marines (and all their tiny skullicious iconography) sat in the 'to-do' pile, but as I couldn't claim any more Squirrel points after painting the first five of each, they have languished there throughout the challenge. As mentioned above, there are 20 Skulls so far in this post, plus a few more below.

This archway is from Reaper Minis. I'll probably end up using it in a D&D game when I need to mark an important exit in a dungeon. The back of the arch is totally blank, but the front has 5 lovely skulls to add to my tally.

582 Skullz

50 Skullz

342 Skullz

154 Skullz

35 Skullz

The above are all terrain kits from GW from around 2006 I think, with the exception of the final piece which is slightly newer.

All of the above including the archway and the skullz on the models in the Squirrel section comes to 1188 Skullz.

The central panel has 46 skulls, with 8 more on either side of it, 7 underneath it and 2 on the back.

As well as the central skull, there are 4 more tiny skulls, picked out in bronze.

There are even skulls in the ceiling.

Each panel measures 2 inches by 3 inches.

For the measurements of these ruins, I have ignored the balconies on top and any odd outcroppings or pillars.

The first building is 8"x6"x6" = 288 cubic inches.

The second building is 2"x2"x3" = 12 cubic inches.

The third building is 8"x2"x6" = 96 cubic inches.

The fourth building is 6"x2"x6" = 72 cubic inches.

The fifth building is 2"x3"x9" = 54 cubic inches.

Total = 522 cubic inches = 2.4 Challenge Terrain Cubes, and more than enough points for a Squirrel

And finally, I have just one more mini to post. 

This fish seller is going to pay for one final trip in Lady Sarah's Limousine to take me out of the studios in style. Having spent the last three months travelling very short distances in a very large car, I am planning to do what any real Hollywood celebrity would do, lecture people on being more environmentally friendly!

My final additions to my score are:

18x 28mm models @5 points = 90 Points

10x 20mm goblins @4 points = 40 Points

2.4x Terrain cubes @20 points = 48 Points

1x Limo ride @20 points = 20 Points

Final Total = 198 Points

For my side duels.

Squirrels +6 - 47

Anglo-Saxons, Vikings, Dwarves, Fire Giants, WW2 Polish, Daemons, Viridians, Vasa, Junkers, Turnips, Necrons, Tau, Genestealers, WW2 Japanese, Teutonics, Lizardmen, Gnolls, Arabs, Space Marines, Kung Fu Chinese, Wolf's Dragoons, Merfolk, Fishmen, Fish, Mummies, Greek Myth, Peasants, Desert Terrain, Guild, WW2 Africans, WW2 French, WW2 Germans, WW2 Russians, DKoK, Sengoku Fantasy, Fantasy Zombies, Undead Pirates, Blood Bowl Orcs, AWI British, Modern Zombies, Skaven, Iron Warriors, Goblins, Showgirls, USMC, Wood Elves, 40K Terrain

Skullz +1188 - 1575

Turnips - 115 Points 

See you all in the Challenge Review Posts

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This is an excellent Challenge wrap-up, Stuart. I really enjoyed your Turnip28 entries, and am delighted to have another rootish commander in our little community. My favourties of this group has to be your Night Goblins and the dancing mannequin constructs.  Soo creepy and cool. 

Thank you again, for all your diligent work being our Saturday Minion. You helped keep this crazy, shambling monstrosity of a Challenge on the straight and narrow. Cheers mate!

- Curt

From RayR - Almansa 1707 - The Commanders 20pts

 An army cannot work without its commander, so here are both sides for the Battle of Almansa in 1707.

The English, Portuguese and Dutch

The English/Portuguese/ Dutch army was led by a Frenchman

Henri de Massue, 2nd Marquis de Ruvigny, Earl of Galway, accompanied by the Wing Commanders, General Thomas Erle, General  John Shrimpton, Lieutenant General Charles O'Hara, 1st Baron Tyrawley, Dutch General Friesham, Portuguese Cont de Alayda, Marques de Minas, General Villaverde and Don Juan de Alayda.

The Franco/Spanish army were led by an Englishman!

James FitzJames, 1st Duke of Berwick, 1st Duke of Liria and Jérica, 1st Duke of Fitz-James

The Duke of Berwick was the illegitimate son of King James II by Arabella Churchill, sister of the Duke of Malborough. 

Berwick was ably assisted by Lt Gen Abre, Lt Gen Hessy, Marques d'Avaray, Lt Gen Labadie,

Lt Gen San Gilles, Lt Gen D'Asfled, Duque de Popoli and Maj Gen Vincentelo.

So to the points

There are 2 bases 2.5mmx2.5mm@2 points each = 4

and 16 bases 2mmx2mm@ 1 point each = 16

So a grand total of 20 points!

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I had a longer write-up for this, but I suspect 'someone' went in and inadvertently deleted it and put it back in draft mode. *grrr* 

Anyway, great work Ray. I admire your very neat and tidy labelling and basework. Well done!

- Curt