From LeeH: More Russian Line Infantry and two officers (58 Points)

More Russian infantry have marched across my paint desk this week leaving me clear to get started on more ‘interesting’ units such as artillery and cavalry. I’m still slowly cleaning and priming the figures I got for Christmas and at some point this week I’ll place an order for the ‘last’ units for my army (who am I kidding!). 

This is my second unit of Line Infantry/Musketeers for the Retreat from Moscow. These are from North Star’s Muskets and Tomahawks Range (all the stuff I have painted so far has been from North Star). To slightly differentiate them from the almost identical unit I painted a couple of weeks ago, I have changed the colour of the waterproof Shako covers. In every other respect, these are painted like the first unit. 

I have also been trying to get a few more officers painted and will try to do at least one each week if I can. First, we have this mounted officer from Wargames Foundry. He looks suitably animated, bellowing orders to the infantry. I also painted a foot infantry officer in greatcoat, again from Wargames Foundry. 

Then we have some scenic elements, starting with the dying horse. Like Ray I raided Tiger Miniatures stand at Warfare in November for a few of their horses, specifically to use as dead animals. I had to do a lot of cutting and filing to get this thing to lay flat on its base but I’m pleased with the finished model, as the horse lifts its head one last time before giving in to cold and exhaustion. 

Last is a set of filler bases for my movement trays…but these aren’t worth any points because I painted them before the Challenge started. When we realised that terrain wasn’t included this year I decided to get these out of the way in the last week or two before the competition started. I was eager to get started on something from this project, so these were a fun little side project while I waited for the Challenge to get underway. I love movement trays but I hate vacant holes when models are removed, so these can be swapped in to keep the tray looking the part. 

(Scoring: 9x28mm Foot = 45 Points,  1x28mm Mounted Officer = 10 Points and 1 Prone 28mm horse = 5 3 Points for a total of 60 58 points)

Another fine contribution to your project! The infantry look absolutely great, and I like the martial look of the officer. The subtle highlights on his coat work very well. I also very much like your idea of fillers for movement trays, they look very nice and varied! 

Once again, I am to be a little stern. The horse is a prone figure, so at half value. In recognition of the work involved in getting it to lie down and because I hate half points, I'll score it at 3 points. So 58 points for you!

Martijn