From ChristopherS: Confederate Cavalry (60 points)

This will be third submission to the challenge and my second cavalry. I painted a union cavalry and now I'm adding a confederate to keep pace with the union. I really would like to find a way to paint cavalry quicker, but how I prefer my models to look pretty much requires the same method every time. Something about old dogs and tricks comes to mind....

The figures are once again the very lively and characterful Sash and Saber range which are really fun to paint and make you hum a civil war tune as you go through the process.

The paints I used were mostly Foundry as they have been my go to brand for many years plus of course the ever trusty Vallejo line with some Mig pigments for weathering rocks and stuff.

I'm not sure what I'll paint next as I still need more cavalry and dismounted cavalry for ACW, but some of my other collections are really in need of some additions right now.

Thanks for viewing!

That's 6 mounted figures at 28mm for 60pts. 

Well, I'd say it is not really necessary to learn new tricks when you are so very good at the old ones, Christopher! These Confederate horsemen look absolutely stunning. The painting is immaculate, with the meticulous highlighting and shadowing, and the variety in the "uniforms" is really very, very nice. You may be slower than others, but your results are definitely worth the wait. 60 glorious points for you!

Martijn

From PeterB:- More journeying through Paradise (Warriors of faith, The Just Rulers, Contemplatives) (80 points)

Last week on my travels I was left at The Wise with Gandalf. So next stop, Warriors of Faith. This Western Priest may be returned from the dead, but he is still fighting the good fight.

It's not my favourite paint job, the photo doesn't really help, but it will work well in my old west town for some zombie hunting.

Next stop, The Just Rulers. Well, you may have noticed last week the Fellowship was not quite complete. So of course we needed Gimli and the one true king, Aragorn.

"A day may come when the courage of Men fails, when we forsake our friends and break all bonds of fellowship, but it is not this day." - Aragorn, Lord of the Rings - Return of the King

I've tried to keep close to the pallette of colours from the movies. It helps with the likeness. I really like these more realistic scale models from GW.

Finally, for the Contemplatives, or thinking, I have a model of Krang, the evil villain from Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Krang cannot compete with the Turtles in a physical way, so he uses his smarts and even builds himself a giant robot body to get around in.

To the points. 4 x 28mm models at 5 points each = 20.

Three locations for 60 points.

Total 80 points.!

More Lord of the Rings, excellent! I particularly like your Aragorn, although your Gimli looks very good too (and another great backdrop!). The priest is slightly disturbing, but I'll take your word that he is fighting the good fight... Krang is a nice find, and a corresponding nice paint job too. Another highly effective post nets you 80 points.

Martijn

From Mike W: More 15mm Carthaginians and 28mm Landsknechts (Greed)(295 Points)

 What no Arthurians! No, not this week - but there are more on the workbench for next week...

Warlord Games, 15mm Epic,  Allied Italian Infantry

Warlord Games, 15mm Epic,  Celtiberian Infantry

First off, this week I have two more units of 15mm Warlord Games Epic Carthagininans. Namely a unit of allied Italians  and secondly, a unit of Celtiberians, each of three bases of 20 figures. 

Now I must say  that my knowledge of the Punic Wars is pretty sketchy, mostly based upon a once long running campaign run at my Wargames Club, so my uniform guide on these figures was basically taken from the Warlord Games website and the desire to base my Carthaginian Army largely based upon the Red, Black, White & Gold colours scheme of previously completed units. 

 The method of painting was similar for both units and basically the same as last week's units.

Close-up of the Allied Italian unit from the left. Again shield designs have been done free hand

Same unit from their right side, all crests and plumes on this unit are white.

Final shot of the Italians, from their rear, showing their armour
and the light grey tunis that they all wear.

I had no real idea about who the Celtiberians were, so after a quick check it appears that they were a Celtic people who lived in the north of what is now Spain - many believe that the Basque peoples are derived from these ancient guys. The Celtiberians, have been depicted with a slightly less uniform stance than other units in the Carthaginan Army. So I assume that they were somewhat less disciplined than their Lybian, Italian & Carthaginian comrades.

The Celtiberians, from the left side of the unit, again with
red, white & black shields, crests and plumes.

The same unit from thier right

And teh rear of the Celtiberian unit, showing their light brown tunics and sparce armour

Again I have to thank Nigel, from my Wargames Club, for the donation of another plastic frame of figures - this time Warlord Games 28mm Landsknecht pikemen, who will join my existing collection for the period.

As these Landsknechts mercenaries were renowned for their excessess - in particular in their clothing and carousing, I am taking the liberty to claim the Greed Bonus for 20 Points.

6 x 28mmLandsknecht Pikemen, based and ready to go!

Same guys but with the the rear rank to the front.

I must say that I enjoy painting Landsknechts, at first it seemed daunting but having discovered a 'recipe' for doing them, it is really quite fun.  As ever a white undercoat and then literally picking paints at random to colour in sections of their dress. In this case - Red, Blue, Yellow, Purple, Orange etc picking figures and painting panels and stripes as I see fit.

I used brown as a unifing colour to tie in all the leather jerkins and belts etc and the obviously silver for the armour. The secret is a watered down black ink wash that adds definition between the colours and in my mind finishes off the figures nicely.

Close-up on two of the little guys.

And aother two

And the last two!

Next week back to Arthurians and hopefully the balance of the 28mm AWI infantry frame that I started last week, as well as some 15mm Punic Wars Cavalry and Skirmishers!

SQUIRREL POINTS                                                    +1 Landsknechts

POINTS

120 x 15mm Carthaginians @ 2 Pts ea                        240 Points

6 x 28mm Landsknechts @5 Pts ea                               30 Points

Greed Bonus                                                                   20 points

TOTAL                                                                         290 Points

It's hardly an original thought, but I keep being struck by the great effect of these Warlord Epic figures when deployed in mass. Great work Mike, they look absolutely fine! The Landsknechts are also very good, your recipe definitely works. Your calculations are spot on, but I'll throw in a couple of points for the free-handed shields, so 295 points it is.

Martijn

From LeeH: Smolensk Dragoons and Officer (90 Points)

I needed to get more cavalry completed so this week I have focused all my efforts on a unit of Dragoons. By 1812 there were somewhere around 37 Dragoon Regiments in the Russian Army. This had risen in stages from about 15 regiments back in 1801. 1812 would be the high water mark because in December of that year, partially in response to battle losses, some regiments were converted into Cuirassier Regiments and some reduced regiments were absorbed into equally understrength Hussar regiments. 

Russian Dragoon uniform for 1812 was largely established in the 1807 changes with troopers wearing a Dark Green jacket with coloured facings and collars of various colours. The Yellow cuffs can’t be seen under the Greatcoats but the Yellow collars and the trim around the Shabraques (saddlecloths) reveal that this unit is the Smolensk Dragoons, originally formed as part of Catherine the Great’s army in the previous century. Troopers wore grey trousers, often reinforced with black leather, with black-buttoned over trousers and boots. 

Typically each Dragoon was armed with a cavalry musket, a bayonet and 2 pistols. The Russian musket was significantly shorter than the French version which made it easier to use on horseback, although it limited its range. This was normally carried on the right side of the saddle but in 1812 many of the Dragoon regents lost their muskets which were given either to the infantry or the many Militia units that were being raised. Instead, they relied on their pistols for short-range fire and their stout cavalry swords for close action. 

(Scoring: 9x28mm Cavalry = 90 Points)

Another great step towards completion of your Russian force, Lee! I am glad to see that you got to paint some green again. I painted a lot of Russians for the Crimean War, and although greatcoats make it much easier, they can also become a bit dull after a time. The saddle cloths and collars bring some nice colour to this unit. More crisp and neat painting. I also love how you built the first rank thrusting with their sabres, and the second rank holding them at the ready. A very nice unit, great job! 90 points it is.

Martijn

From JP: Rattray's Sikhs and odds and ends (65 points)

These chaps started life as Jacob's Rifles for Maiwand -  that was the plan... But I found I was more interested in the Malakand Field Force and so they eventually morphed into Rattray's Sikhs, a distinguished unit. It just took a little fiddling with the paint job.

Along with them is the soon to be well known reporter fo the Portsmouth Funnel Times, Winston Jeremiah Eccles along with a couple of shifty Pathans (by Foundry)he has hired to keep him out of mischief.

So, a basic claim this week:

13 x 28mm figs =  65 points

They are destined for 'Sword and the Flame' and 'Triumph and Tragedy' games.

As ever, thanks for looking!

Nice work, JP! I had never heard of the  Malakand Field Force, but a quick Internet search brought some light in the darkness. Your models seem to suit these very well, and you have done a fine job with them. Compared to the traditional vibrant red coats, late 19th century troops can be a bit drab, but your painting has brought these to life. I love your War Correspondent! I wonder whether he will make it to Prime Minister some day... Well done, 65 points added!

Martijn

Yup. Friday again!

Today, on Saint Valentine's day, no beer. Valentine's Day is not really a big thing in Belgium, although shopkeepers, chocolatiers and florists do ensure that it does not pass by completely unnoticed. What we do have, however, are some great posts by members of the Friday Crew:

- Lee keeps riding high;

- JP goes Colonial;

- another epic post from Mike:

- Peter cruises through Paradise;

- and Christopher provides some Southern Comfort.

Enjoy!

Martijn