From LeeH: Russian Line Musketeers 1812 [40 Points]

I have a system for painting during the challenge, and I’m sure it is one many painters adopt. I always have multiple projects on the go at the same time. This means that while I’m waiting for one stage of painting to dry I can shift to another set of models and do the next stage on them. Impatience is the mother of ruination in painting and waiting for stuff to dry before starting the next stage may be annoying, but it is essential. So while I was working on the latter stages of my Grenadiers I was already beginning this unit of Russian Line Musketeers. 

Once again they are wearing the 1808 pattern ‘stovepipe’ Shako, this time covered with an oilskin cover to keep them clean on the march. I will eventually get some infantry with the 1812 Kiwer Shako but many regiments hadn’t adopted the new style before the French invasion. One thing my troops have in abundance are Greatcoats. So as well as making my figures considerably easier to paint than the French troops, they were also much more comfortable in the harsh conditions of the Russian winter. Ironically as my boys are warmer than the Frenchies the greatcoats are also a great way to show the cold by dusting the lower edges with frost. 

More Russian reinforcements arrived on the 25th of December (thank you Santa) so I’ll be spending the next few evenings cleaning and priming the next sets of figures for this project. I have already started on some units of skirmishing Jägers which I hope to finish later in the week. No project ever stays ‘small’ of course so I am looking at the force I have gathered so far and will make a 'few' last-minute additions. I need more cavalry (I have two units so far) and I don’t have any militia yet. So in the time-honoured tradition of wargamers the world over I’ll be expanding my collection before I have even finished the first batch of models. What can I say, I’m weak and I love it.

(Scoring: 8x28mm Foot = 40 points)

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Lovlerly work on these musketeers, Lee. I greatly admire those who have these mysterious 'systems' aiding their hobby time. I'm afraid my approach is not dissimilar to a racoon on meth - everything all the time with detritus everywhere.  

Very nice and tidy brushwork on these Russian lads. When I did my Russian Retreat project a few years ago I found that the basing took as much time as the figures themselves. Your cold-weather work here has really paid its dividends, especially on how you've carried over the effect to the sabot trays. Wonderful stuff. I look forward to seeing your upcoming Jagers.

- Curt

From GrahameH: Lord of the Rings and even more Napoleonics (1410 Points)

The second and final post contains some Games Workshop Lord of the Rings (LOTR) figures and even more Napoleonic cavalry and artillery. Hopefully, there is a little more colour than the last entry, well apart from the Gondor troops.

LOTR - Gondor

The LOTR are again Gondor figures, although this time I have put some grass on the bases which I think I like better than just a lonely tuft, as show on the figures in a previous post. These figures were a cheap purchased, years ago, from Ebay. 

Numenor Warriors (12 Figures = 60pts)

Gondor Archers (31 figures = 155pts)

Gondor Swordsmen (2 Figures = 10pts) - Photo bombed by a couple of Gondor spearmen

Gondor Spearmen (13 Figures = 65pts)

Total for Gondor Figures = 290pts

MORE NAPOLEONICS "HURRAH"

Love Napoleonics, and some of you may have noticed I love painting Napoleonic Cavalry 

Spanish Cavalry (AB Figures - Unit of 24 Cavalry = 96pts)

This was the only Spanish Cavalry I had left to paint and I can't now remember which regiment I painted it as, and I can't find the Reference Book at the moment. Anyhow they are done. 

Russian Napoleonics (AB Figures)

Some of the Cavalry Units are not shown here in full, as I had already painted part of the unit before the challenge. However, all the Cavalry would usually be 30 figures strong. 

The Lithuania Uhlans (27 Figures = 108pts)

Pavlograd Hussars (27 figures = 108pts). Front rank with lances.

Irhoutz Hussars (30 Figures = 120pts)

These don't have the lances in the front rank, this is because they were Dragoons converted to Hussars in 1812 so I don't know if they received lances. Some Hussars Regts didn't get their lances until 1813. Really, I forgot to order hussars with lancers and only ordered normal hussars 😫

Mitau Dragoons (30 Figures = 120pts)

Kharkov Dragons (30 Figures = 120pts)

Mounted Guard Regt (30 Figures = 120pts)

Empress' Cuirassiers (18 Figures = 72pts) because you have got to have troops with pink facings in your army

Don Cossack (20 Figures - 80pts) One of the many small Cossack units in my army. Don Cossack were apparently known for their red lances.

Russian Limbers (4 Limbers (3 Foot and 1 Horse). Gun 4pts, Limber 4pts and crew and horses 18pts = 26pts per Limber.

Total 4 Limbers = 104 pts 

Russian Heavy Battery (6 Guns and 24 crew = 72pts)

Russian Batteries were large units and so are represents in General de Brigade with 4 Guns and two howitzers. Being a heavy battery these are modelled with  4 X 12pdrs and 2 Licorne. 

And that is it.

Total for this post 

Gondor 290pts

Spanish 96pts 

Russian 904pts

=1290pts 

I can now take down the table that I have had set up in the living room for painting for the last three months. Thank everyone running and taking part in this year challenge, especially Curt and my long suffering "Friday Minion" PhilH, who has had to re-total every entry I have submitted. REALLY SORRY PHIL 😳 

So Overall Result

Tennis elbow, a sore neck, a stiff back and a very small bit of the lead mountain painted, which I dare say will be replaced by new lead in the near future. My name is Grahame and I have a problem....

But best of all, loads of fun.

Again thank you to every one involved in this years challenge, can't wait for next year. Might have to buy some more Napoleonic Cavalry though.

Friday Minion: Congratulations on a spectacular challenge Graham, great to have you along for the ride. I do not know how you can bear to paint so many Napoleonic cavalry, it is extremely impressive.

You under counted your Russians and missed a unit, I make them 1024 points, plus the rest for this post totalling 1410! Meaning you've hit 5500 points, which is a massive score  (if a suspiciously round number). Not that it's about scores, folks. Now you can kick back and relax for the year knowing you've painted enough to last until next challenge.