From Millsy: More 28mm WW2 Aussies in the Western Desert (150 points)

G'day All,

I'm back with the second batch of stuff for my Bolt Action 2nd Australian Imperial Force (AIF) for the Western Desert in WW2. This time it is a couple of guns and some mobile pie tins. This lot completes the entirety of the 8th Army Starter Set plus extras.

First up is the iconic QF 25-pdr howitzer. Used by British, Australians and other Commonwealth countries it was a staple of Allied artillery in the Wester Desert and Europe later in the war. Capable of delivering a thumping artillery barrage or firing over open sights in a pinch its a must have in any British army in Bolt Action, fulfilling both the indirect and direct fires roles in a single unit. The turntable and gun shield only add to the versatility and survivability. 

Next up is the QF 6-pdr anti-tank gun. These didn't arrive until well after the campaign started and I wouldn't have one at all apart from it was in the starter set. For now it will do as a proxy for the 2-pdr which is the correct calibre for my 1941 themed force.

Finally here's a couple of Universal Carriers with crews. These are amongst my favourite vehicles for the period for many reasons.

They were used in any number of roles and performed admirably, but look like they were a complete bugger to drive or ride around in under the scorching desert sun. Any Australian will know what a summertime seat belt buckle can do to the inside of your arms and these would have been much, much worse.

Not the easiest things to paint with all the nooks and crannies but an absolutely necessity for my Aussies to feel complete. FWIW I was somewhat tempted to paint these in the controversial Caunter colour scheme but I have never found any in Australian service with that applied so it wouldn't feel right to do it.

Points-wise we have two guns plus six crew at 25 points each, plus two carriers plus eight crew at 40 points each and I'll use this as my "New Acquisitions" entry for the Challenge Library at a further 20 points. All up that makes a nice round 150 points this time out.

Hope you enjoy them and thanks for looking!

Cheers,
Millsy

*****

Fantastic brushwork on these Western Desert Aussies here Millsy. Leaving aside the total nightmare that is the "Caunter" cammo, even finding the right tones for the sun-cooked-khaki-sand is always a b**ch and you have nailed it here. It is great to have you back in the Challenge and once more turning out large amounts of kit painted to a lovely standard. Well done. 150 for you!

Greg 

From IanS: New Acquisitions, 15mm Sassanid Persian Heavy Horse Archers (68pts)

Dear All 

I hope everyone had a merry Christmas and a Happy new year.  For the first time I did not receive any figures or wargaming related presents.  Power tools instead never mind.

First post of the new challenge, this is my fourth time in this prestigious event and the first time I will be attempting the actual challenge within the challenge.

So my submission is for the section New acquisition and is a unit of heavy cavalry archers for my Sassanid Persian army in 15mm.  The club I am a member off has its own ancient rules written by a member and they recently changed the points system for the armies which means I need more units for all my ancient armies (did drop a hint to family will need larger club next year).  

My Sassanid army is all from Lancashire Games but unfortunately they have just retired this range, so these figures are from Museum Miniatures nice clean sculpts with a lot of hidden detail which contrast paints bring them to life.  I am tempted to get some more of these especially as they have a sale on.

Sassanid Heavy Horse archers on the move

Points being claimed:

12 x 15mm Cavalry at 4 pts each - 48pts

New Acquisition section submission  - 20pts

Total - 68 pts 

I really like those vibrant colours, Ian! The Sassanids always speak to the imagination (to mine at least) and these look splendid! You seem to have found a good alternative for your Lancashire Games figures as these Museum Miniatures definitely look the part. Also, it always pleases me to see the trusted 15mm figures getting some love. Good job! That's 68 well-deserved points on the board.

From SimonM: Black Númenórean Warriors by "Fenris6661982" + Fantasy Books Bonus (40 points)

These four 28mm 3D printed Black Númenóreans are sold by "Fenris6661982" on "eBay", and can be purchased as part of a six-figure 'Buy it now' auction. "Seduced and corrupted by Sauron", the resin miniatures were bought as infantry proxies for my Barad Dur army until "Games Workshop" once again produce the "cruel oppressors" for their "The Middle Earth Strategy Battle Game".

The quartet were initially primed using a mixture of "Vallejo" Surface Primer Black and "Warlord Games" Pitch Black, before being heavily dry-brushed with “Vallejo” Heavy Charcoal and soaked in "Citadel" Nuln Oil. I then 'picked out' their belts and shield straps with a combination of "Vallejo" Heavy Sienna and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, before applying some "Vallejo" Gunmetal to the warriors' ornate armour, and swords.

These metallic areas were subsequently drowned with (more) “Citadel” Nuln Oil and later dry-brushed with (more) “Vallejo” Gunmetal. To dirty the armour down somewhat and create a contrast between it and the Númenóreans' blades, I gave all the plate armour a splash of "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade. Lastly, I 'picked out' the models' teeth using a little "Two Thin Coats" White Star and "Citadel" Agrax Earthshade, as well as their chins with a dollop of "Vallejo" Heavy Skintone and "Citadel" Reikland Fleshshade.

These supposed 3D printed proxies are bound to cause a little controversy as having scrutinized the sculpts closer, the manufacturer has quite possibly just somehow scanned the old "Games Workshop" miniatures and then digitally tidied-them up - as some details, such as the models' sinister teeth aren't present on my versions, despite being clearly visible on the now out of production (OOP) official models. However, as I don't have any of the metal or "Finecast" originals, nor am willing to pay a whopping fifty quid to own one second-hand, I can't say for certain.

This ethical conundrum has definitely curtailed my enthusiasm for the project though, as I absolutely don't agree with the re-casting of other manufacturer's figures. I suppose some might say that as the Black Númenóreans are no longer available to buy, and the products are clearly advertised as being "not [an] official product", then there's an element of acceptability in this instance..? But, I for one, see this as being part of a bigger problem where so many unlicensed or rather 'fan-art' 3D prints are flooding the hobby, and some sellers may well be sailing far closer to the wind than others.

Setting aside any debates though, I thought the foursome would make an excellent subject for my visit to the Fantasy Books area in the Challenge Library.

Four x 28mm scale foot figure = 20 Points

Fantasy Books Bonus = 20 Points

Total = 40 Points

Well, we definitely have some dark things going on here, Simon! However, whatever their provenance, you've certainly done a sterling job on these Black Númenóreans. Black is not an easy colour to work with, but you seem to have developed a good recipe. Well done, and 40 points it is!

MartijnN

From MartijnN: The Tuesday Tomes, Volume 1

First of all, I would like to wish each and everyone of you all the best for 2024! Now the new year is finally truly underway, I hope you have all survived the festive season and are ready to rumble through Challenge XIV.

I am Martijn, and this is my fourth Challenge. I live in Belgium, but I am a Dutchman by birth and inclination. One of the traditions we have in The Netherlands is to eat oliebollen on New Year's Eve. They are balls of sweet dough and raisins, deep fried, eaten with powdered sugar. This is not a tradition in Belgium, but I have continued to bake oliebollen each year, and I am happy to say that my Belgian family has been taking to them quite enthusiastically. Here are some; I only wished mine looked as good!

I will be your Tuesday Minion for most of the rest of the Challenge. As the new Junior Assistant Librarian, confusedly circulating the corridors, cellars, crofts and chambers of the Challenge Library, it will be my duty to adorn the book display in the Library Entrance with the tempting and marvelous contributions produced by the Tuesday Troopers. 

I am not an early riser, and a bit of a slow starter, and it seems like the Tuesday Troopers are of the same ilk. However, for today we may have some masterpieces lined up:

- a tribute to Tolkien from SimonM, just in time for the Professor's birthday tomorrow

Well, that's it really, for the time being. We may have some Cold War Gone Hot from DaveD as well, and we will see what the rest of the day may bring. Enjoy!