From MartijnN: Just past the post! (402 points)

Wow, I don't think I have ever been cutting it so close in the Challenge. I have been painting steadily throughout, if not as often or as much as I would have liked, but never seemed to get anything really done. So, I have only managed a few posts this time on my appointed Saturday (sorry, Sander!). However, I really wanted to get as close to my target as I could get, so here are my final contributions:

First, there are two more vehicles for my Bolt Action French army. As I said before, I really like the quirky French camouflage schemes, and these two are no exception. Here is a Panhard armoured car, a Warlord resin and metal model that arrived on my doorstep recently. It's a nice model, and I think the Panhard looks surprisingly modern.

Then, there is a Hotchkiss light tank. It is a 3d printed model, designed by Counlane Models. It is a very detailed model, and it went together nicely; it would have been even better had I used a less flexible resin. However, the end result is quite acceptable.

Then, I printed and painted more of the excellent Colonel Muller figures. Here is another squad of reservists, complete with VLB grenade launcher.

I also painted two LMG teams. I put them on a single base, just so that the loader is always with the gunner, and I like them that way.

Finally, a few regular infantry and an officer. In all, there are 20 28mm figures.

Then, I have painted my first "mass" units of 28mm Napoleonics since the 1990's. They are two 24 man battalions of the 28th French Line Infantry, the first battalion with the eagle and the second with the fanion, No, that is not a white flag, thank you very much. I also painted two mounted officers to go with them. The first battalion are Warlord plastics, the command figures and the mounted officer in metal; the second battalion are the gorgeous Piano Wargames figures, now also available in plastic, but these were 3d printed by myself. I have since switched over to a more flexible resin, which is just as well for the first bayonet has already broken off and disappeared into the unknown, However, the unit still looks good I think.

So there you have it. I'll claim 2 points for the Panhard commander, so as not to go down the 0.5 points route. The tally should be, then:

2x 28mm vehicles @20 = 40

2x 28mm mounted @10 = 20

68.4 x 28mm foot @ 5 = 342

For a total of 402.

Must be the most points I have ever gathered in a single post! And hit my target after all, phew.

See you in the wrap-up!

Martijn

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Martijn, lovely work on this veritable points bomb you have for us! I've very much enjoyed watching the progress on your WWII early French project. The armoured car and Hotchiss look suitably en français in their distinctive ameba camouflage. I also like your soon-to-be-demobbed reservists (and agree about having the squad weapon loader based with the gunner). Finally, your first mass units since the 90s! Well, that is something to celebrate, especially when they look as good as these. Again, I have to agree with you in that those Piano models are very nice (and now available in plastic, no less). The only thing that would make them better would be them in the early Empire uniform, but that's just me. :)

I'm delighted that you hit your target with this last post, Martijn and I hope we enjoy your company for the next Challenge.

- Curt

From MartijnN: Even more Early War French (90 points)

Well, I have been painting but not getting much finished. However, today I have yet more early World War II French.

First there is a Somua tank. This is  a Warlord model, partly resin and part metal. Though it is a simple model to build, there were some metal parts which did not have an obvious place to go to, so that took a bit of researching. However, in the end it was simple, of course. I like this model very much, which it's adventurous colour scheme. I did take inspiration from illustrations and photographs, but did not copy any exactly. I am, however, pleased with the end result.

Next, there is a Schneider half-track. No, not only the Germans had half-tracks! This is 3D printed, the files coming from BattleCat. A very nice model, and even though the paint job is nothing complicated I also like how this came out.

Then, I painted some bits and bobs that I needed for my very first Bolt Action game yesterday at the club. They are all Warlord figures, the office with his attendant, the Hotchkiss machine gun in metal, and the anti-tank rifle and the light mortar teams in resin. 

So that's it. My French, partly reserve infantry just inexperienced as I, fought the German veteran paratroopers to a standstill. Fair to say though, that it was my first game and my opponent's second, although we had an experienced games master. Many mistakes were made and much fun was had by all, and we could all very much live with the resulting bloody draw. I am already looking forward to my next game, but I will have some more infantry to paint first!

Pointswise, we have:

2x 28mm vehicles @20 = 40

5x 28mm @ 5 = 25

6x 28mm prone or half @2.5 = 15

1x crew-served weapon @ 10 = 10

For a total of 90 points.

Thanks for looking!

Martijn

 

Another excellent addition to your French WW2 army Martijn and again the camo scheme is very well done!  Great to hear that the force has already expierenced combat on the tabletop as well. Perhaps next battle you could snap some pictures to show them in action as a whole? 

Cheers Sander 

From MartijnN: More Early War French (125 points)

Last week, I painted my first 28mm vehicles for Bolt Action. Today, there are my first 28mm World War II infantry. These are mostly 3D printed figures. First, I have a squad of ten regular infantrymen from BattleCat Miniatures. They are very nice figures, nicely varied and sturdy. They are just a little on the large side, but on the table you can't really notice. Still, if I print more I will likely scale them down to 95%.

BattleCat Regular Infantry

 Next, there is a squad of French Reserve infantry. The French army was among the best and the largest in the world in 1940, but many of the troops were reservists. These figures are 3d prints again, designed by Colonel Muller. These are very compatible with Warlord plastics, and they really are very nice indeed. They are armed with older firearms, and carry what was essentially the 1893 model backpack. Apart from the colour of the uniform, they actually look hardly different from the poilus of the Great War.

Colonel Muller French Reserve Infantry

I like how they even have a bugler!

Finally, there is a 80mm mortar. These are Warlord metals. The figures are okay, but quite less detailed than the 3D printed ones. Still, they look quite good now they are finished I think.

Warlord Metals

I painted all these using contrast paints again, and I was quite surprised by the result. I am  not particularly happy with the helmets, which are a touch too green for my taste, so I will be looking for another colour to use on future miniatures. However, I used Aggraros Dunes for the units and I think that suits them quite well. I might have given them a wash with Military Shade to give them more of a green tint, but I think they will do fine for now. Especially on the 3D prints the effect of the contrast comes out nicely. As a result, these were relatively easy and fast to paint, which is a bonus when you have to get quite some done.

My first game is on the agenda in a couple of weeks' time, and I think I may have enough for a small game already. However, since I still have some cool models lying around I might do a couple more to increase my options.

In all, there are 20 infantrymen and a mortar with three crew. Again no squirrel though, as this is the same army as last week. So that is:

23 x 28mm foot @5 = 115

1 crew served weapon @ 10 = 10

For a total of 125 points. 

 Martijn, you really have taken a shine to your new project! It is progressing in a grand old way with this excellent infantry and mortar support! The 3d print figures do really look good and yes that bugler is an awesome addition.  

Cheers Sander 

From MartijnN: Silver Bayonets and Bold Action (82 points)

No, that's not a typo. These vehicles are indeed for the game Bolt Action, but I consider myself taking up any 28mm WWII game at all, as quite a bold action, as I have often said that my wargaming interests do not stretch beyond 1918. I have dabbled in 6mm Western Desert, and still have armies for that, but I can't remember when I played my last game with them. Sometime in the last century I think. However, I recently joined a local club (The Tin Soldiers of  Antwerp, known for organizing the Crisis show here in Belgium), which of course I should have done years ago, and Bolt Action is quite popular with them. To keep somewhat in the spirit of my self-imposed time limitation, though, I have opted for an early war French army. These two tanks are the first units of my new army. A Char D-1 infantry tank and a Renault F35/39 light tank. They are the first 28mm vehicles I have ever painted, I believe.

I like the fancy camouflage patterns the French used. Apparently, once the war truly started they switched over to a more practical scheme, as the originals did not do very well what they were designed for (that is, camouflaging). But I just applied the rule of cool. And contrast paints.

Infantry tank Char D-1

Renault F39

Anyway, I am very happy with how they came out. They are Warlord models, which are OK (though not great) but ridiculously overpriced. I did buy a French starter army from them, which provides good value, but I also found some digital sculptors online who produce STL's for some very nice figures, equipment and vehicles, so my printer has been running pretty continuously. I hope to finish some more during the Challenge.

Now, I have been aware of the game The Silver Bayonet for quite some time, but again, that was nothing I thought I could be interested in. Weird sh***, as some would call it. However, once again this is popular at the club, and people are quite obviously having a great time with it. As a warband numbers only eight figures, I thought I'd give it go and bought a unit of North Star Austrians for the game.

I found these a lot of fun to paint, something out of the ordinary and I like how they turned out. I am less enthusiastic about the cuirassier officer, as the right arm came separately and I quite dislike that with metal figures, but he is still OK. I struggle with white uniforms in any case, but I have not found a way yet to do them satisfyingly with speedpaints, so I had to fall back on acrylics. It did not turn out completely like I was hoping for, but let's say he is acceptable.

 

Cuirassier and Hussar

 

Coachman and Highwayman (Think I would rather not let either of them drive my coach)

 

Doctor ("trust me, I'm the doctor") and Tactician

 

Irregular and Woodsman

So there you have it, two new projects (as if I needed those). 8.5 28mm figures for 42 points (let's not go down the .5 route, and the tank commander is not only half a figure but a very simple one too), and two 28mm vehicles for 40 points. And two squirrels!

8.4 28mm foot @5 = 42

2x 28mm vehicles @20 = 40

Two squirrels

Total 82 points

Oh boy Martijn, those are a lot of "first times" for you here! Great work all round, I specially the FT's since they are your very first 28mm vehices and still have turned out gorgeous! Painting white is one of those old problems we painters face but we should meet up one time and we could exchange tips and perhaps the good people here can help you? 

From FrederickC: Early WW2 French Motorcycle Troops (350 points)

French motorcycle troops halted while the officer consults his map

My fifth submission for AHPC XV is a group of reinforcements for the early war French Division Légère Mécanique that I painted last year. To add to the tanks and motorized troops, I have added a small platoon of a headquarters and two sections on motorcycles. The figures are a mix of metal minis from Crusader Miniatures and 3D prints using STL files purchased from MyMiniFactory for a total of 24 foot and 23 'mounted' figures. I really liked the Crusader motorcyclist, which will be a good match for the dragons porté I painted. The 3D prints also go well with the metal minis, but I have two minor criticisms regarding the files: (1) 'slung weapons' have no slings, and (2) most of the carbines have the bolts on the wrong side.

In the case of the dismounted motorcyclists, I cleaned up the figures and glued them onto 1" fender washers. I then added some fine sand to the base with PVA glue. In the case of the 3D figures, these were printed by a friend of mine who has done a number of projects for me in the past. He did most of the cleanup prior to delivery, but I went over them again to remove any missed supports and make a few repairs. These were glued to popsicle sticks with PVA glue to give me something to handle while priming and painting. I made bases for all of them using the plastic from old restaurant gift cards. I can get three bases from one card. I did all the ground work on these bases separately and glued the motorcycles on once all the painting was complete.

All the figures were primed with Vallejo USA Olive Drab Surface Primer using an airbrush. The bodies of the motorcycles were left that base colour. I then painted the rest primarily with Vallejo acrylics (unless indicated otherwise) as follows: faces and hands - Flat Flesh; uniform - Green Grey; boots - Chocolate Brown; belt, pistol holster, and ammo pouches - Leather Brown; leather pad on helmet, chin strap, gauntlets, and motorbike seat - Army Painter Leather Brown; canteen cover - English Uniform; gas mask bag - German Camo Beige; saddle bags - German Camo Orange Ochre; goggle frames, engine and muffler - Army Painter Plate Mail Metal; helmet - Olive Grey; goggles strap, scarf, and jacket buttons - Tan Earth; goggle lenses - Army Painter Runic Cobalt; rifle stocks - Beige Brown; motorcycle tires - Black; pistols and metal on weapons - German Grey; highlights on SMG and LMG - Gungrey. Once completed, everything got the ol' "Army Painter Strong Tone Quick Shade" treatment. When that was dry, the motorcycles were removed from the popsicle sticks and glued to their bases with Super Glue. Here are the final results.

 

French motorcycle platoon mounted and dismounted

View from the left

View from the right

 

No. 1 section dismounted

Platoon Headquarters dismounted

No. 2 Section dismounted

No. 1 Section on their bikes

 

No. 2 Section on their bikes

 

No. 2 Section on their bikes (flip side)

My one attempt to hand-paint a licence plate

French motorcycle troops halted while the officer consults his map

The points being claimed are as follows:

 

24 x 28mm foot figures @ 5 points each = 120 points

 

23 x 28mm 'mounted' figures @ 10 points each = 230 points

Total = 350 points

Thanks for stopping by.

Sylvain: If I were marking your submission, I would give you 10/10 and write the following comment: "the description of the painting process is fully detailed and your list of paints is exhaustive." I also like the clear explanation regarding these troops, so we know where they fit in the big WW2 picture. Your scenery also looks fabulous and provides a great background for your photos. And to top it all, this is another points bomb for you! Great submission!

Ready. From ScottR Early War French for Flames of War

 A couple of years ago I was fortunate to be given an Army Box of the Flames of War, Early French.  I spent the next few years tracking down the metal and resin tanks, trucks and extras.  So over time I have managed to collect everything that was available from Battlefront.

This is a pretty Big project and I had planned to get it all done and post up.  But life and work soon take over.  So in order to get a post in before the first deadline, I have to do a Part 1 and Part 2.  So Part 1 will be all the the trucks and the first half of the tanks.

To get the project rolling I did open every blister, cleaned them up including sanding and removing as much flash as possible.  It included 164 infantry figures which included the gun crews, mortars and HMGs.  Plus 71 vehicles made up of Trucks and tanks.

The blisters to be opened for cleaning and prep.

So this took a couple of days to open, clean and glue together.

The work begins, Day 1.

So two days and all the blisters are now cleaned, built and undercoating.

Day 2, final build and a mahogany brown base coat.

So pulling out the trusty airbrush I undercoated the whole collection with MIG paints Mahogany Brown. This was a slow process doing each piece individually.

Next up was choosing a base green that would suit the French Armour vehicles of the period.  One of the things about 15mm is colours tend to darken too much so i wanted a colour that would add a bit of brightness to the overall look.  So I chose Gunship Green from Vallejo as the base for the vehicles.

Base Gunship Green for all the vehicles and British Uniform for the French Infantry and crews.

So next up was choosing some suitable camouflage patterns for the vehicles.  I decided that all the transports i would keep as the base green with just a highlight to help them stand out.  

A bit of brown camo for the recon vehicles.

Detail work done, wheels, canvas, crew, tools and seats.

Now the final wash and clean up with a Matt finish.

Last step Decals and another varnish coat.

 

Next up the tanks and reconnaissance vehicles, tankettes etc would have a camouflage pattern.  So checking my bookshelves, online for inspiration I got started on the tanks.

Base Camo down for the armour.

Decided to do the guns as well.

Along with the detail work, I magnetised all the tank turrets.  Well I magnetised the small turrets on the recon vehicles as well.  With a gloss varnish after the wash I added the decals.

So the downhill run. 

Last of the decals for the armour is done and the final Matt Varnish coats to finish off Part 1.

Ok so here is Part 1 complete.  Just ignore the mortar crews at the top, never got them based so they will be in Part 2.  When Part 2 is done i will do a small final post worth zero points just as a photoshoot of each platoon.  But for now hope you enjoyed Part 1.

So ended up with 52 x 15mm vehicles for Part 1.  (Points ?)

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Hi Scott

Oh wow ... this hurts my head! What a whole lot of little vehicles which must have been tedious and fiddly to prep and assemble and then to do camoflage and then add decals ... madness! 

Full disclosure, I know nothing of Flames of War  and even less of French Army vehicles, but these look super good.

8pts 15mm vehicle x 52 = 416

I do see that there are seated figures in the vehicles, but as no 'body count' provided I will just round up to 450 points. 

- Sarah