From TeemuL: Wild West and Eastern Front (71 points)

Two different projects gaining additions this week, and both of these are projects I have already played games with and hope to play more in the future! Let's start with Old Wild West or how you want to call it. This fellowship of nine are Great Escape Games multipart plastic gunfighters from Gunfighters and Gunfighters II boxes - the first one contains the gentlemen and the second one the ladies. I shared these boxes with a friend and painted one lady on last challenge, hence the odd number. What a Cowboy is the ruleset I have and have played with, so I went with varied weapons to have all kinds of different options available. I have painted some several Old West minis in the past, now I should have quite a large selection - barring the mounted options.

I used mainly quite dull, earthly colours and drybrushed everything in the end to get a dusted appearance, but tried to add some bright colours here and there - the scarf, undershirt or something. So you see lots of different browns here, lots of Reikland Flesh Shade everywhere, but still not exactly Sergio Leone dust levels. :)

Playing around with some other environment than the dungeon (see below), I decided to use Last Chance Saloon for my Gunfighters, and it is quite ok. I just need something colourful for the background.

I painted some SU-76s for the Soviet Army for Bagration and since I'm in the process of painting the both sides, it felt only fair to give something for Germans as well. I guess the Russians have quantity and Germans have the quality, here are two Hornisses, also known as Nashorns, and officially as Sd.Kfz. 164. These are part metal part resin figures, a bit painful to assemble thus, but they look quite nice when ready. They are tank hunters, rather cheap and manouvarable solution to break Allied tanks. Open topped with a highly effective Pak 43 gun, similar gun was used later in Tiger IIs and Jagdpanthers. And of course as anti tank gun as itself. Hornisse first saw action at the battle of Kursk and remained in the service until end of the war.

I have used Averland Sunset as the yellow colour, then some green DIY store green added with blister foam to create the camouflage and finally some XV-88 (nice connection to the gun "8.8cm Pak 43" this vehicle carries) to finalize to overall look. AA gun was painted black, same as the wheels. Tracks are some greyish colour I had. Reikland Flesh Shade is used here, too, some touch ups and identification info. Glued on MDF base with some green sawdust and tufts to tie them nicely to Eastern Front in summer 1944. My philosophy with late war Germans is, that anything goes. I mean, there are of course rules to follow, but as long as playing Flames of War type of games, which are not strictly historical battles, rather generic encounters of what-ifs, German forces are happy to field what ever they have available. Retreating units from the front line, reinforcements from the reserve, you take what you have to fight for the Motherland. So these two Hornisses should have no trouble finding a home in my army.

The crew was painted separately, because that was easier and I could then claim full points of them. Khaki jacket and caps with dark brown and bright green camouflage pattern, grey pants and black boots. And that famous Reikland Flesh Shade pretty much everywhere.

Nine 28mm gunfighters for 45 points and a "28mm Old West Squirrel!"

Two 15mm vehicles for a total of 16 points and then 4 and 2 halfs of crewmembers for 10 points, 26 in total and a "15mm WW2 German Squirrel." It's amazing how they plan these "Squirrel in a box" products!

Total for this post is 71 points and 2 squirrels, no skulls or stompy robots, but something for Lady Sarah, if that is still a thing. :) And three cardboard boxes are now empty and ready to be recycled.

Fellowship of Nine on the balcony

P.S.While I was taking photos of these, my 10 year old son was bored, because screen time was all used up and he then spent some time chatting with his mother and I overheard this kind of question:

- What is that "Desert song" that is always played in the movies, when they are in the desert?

I'm quite sure he means Youtube videos and such like, since he doesn't watch movies, they are too long and boring. My wife was a bit puzzled about this "Desert song", but our son insisted that it is a real thing and told her to search for it. She thought a while and then played this song from Youtube and that actually was the "Desert song!" So now you know, too! :)

P.P.S. I did write the text about "Sergio Leone dust levels" before this conversation!

There's nothing better to get the vreative juices going then playing the game that needs painted miniatures and while those Eastern front tanks are awesome, for me it's the Wild West figures taht are the star of this post, more so because of the very recognisable story about your son and his questions... it's no different at this end of the line mate. 

 

Great work and see you next week, Cheers Sander 

From AdamC: Old West gunfighters (30 points)

Theses figures were all produced by Bloody Scotsman Games for their Devil in San Miguel game (C'thule in a steampunk Old West)

The first is very much inspired by Clint Eastwood "Man with no Name." I did my best to follow the costume.

I'm very pleased with the results and hope you will all feel the same.

Next we have a rather dandyish gunfighter with his cape and tall hat.

I like that he's realistically only trying to aim with one gun at a time.

This gunfighter made me think of a native (Indian if I can use the term). 

I think it's the long hair that suggested this to me. 

Another dandy gunfighter. The big sombrero indicates he's from South of the Border or maybe went native on a visit.

The lace on the cuff of his jacket was a nice detail and makes him stand out.

This guy has a rather distinctive look, beard but no mustache, balled on top but long hair in the back. 

Still he seems to know what to do with a sixshooter so I won't question his fashion sense to much.

Finally we have the bartender a man everyone will want to be on good terms with.

It's nice to have "Civilians" doing civilian things on the game table. I'm sure this guy has a derringer in his pocket or a shot gun under the bar... It's only prudent after all in the Old West. 

So that is six 25mm figures for 30 points.

 

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Sylvain: While reading your post I had the theme song of "The Good, the Bad and the Ugly" whispering in my ear. Your figurines are full of character and will bring fun gaming to your evenings. Très réussi!

From AdamC: Gunfighter, Chaos Cruisers, Anglo-Dutch Warships and Japanese warships (85 Points)

First up a lady gunfighter a 3D print from Bloody Scotsman Games for Devil in San Miguel. They aren't selling miniatures any more but you can buy at least some of their games.

I made her outfit vaguely US cavalry, perhaps a sutler or camp follower of even a woman scout. 

I'm please with how the skirt pinstripes came out.

A pair of Battle Fleet Gothic Chaos Cruisers. These are 3d prints, not the originals. 

I came up with theses colors purple and bronze with black, seemed like they would be striking.

Ships are sort of my thing. These are Anglo-Dutch wars vessels for the game "Mad for War" 

This first is a Dutch frigate 

Then we have two 50-gun English ships of the line

In this era the 50 gunner is a true line of battle ship not the awkward isn't a ship of the line isn't really a frigate it will be in the more familiar Napoleonic period.

We also have an English frigate.

I wouldn't call these my best work but they should be OK on the table top.  The print weren't as good as some I have worked with and there is less art for inspiration showing how individual ships looked in this period.  If anyone has a good source  I would welcome the info.

Two Kamikaze class Japanese destroyers 

These were state of the art in the 1920s but clearly second line units by the Second World War, 

Still they saw a lot of action in the war. Early in the war the Japanese tended to have red Hinomaru, often called "meatballs" by the Americans, for identification usually on the turrets but as these are open gun mounts I put one on the top of the bridge.  Such recognition is clear sign you fear friendly fire from your own aircraft more than you fear the enemy aircraft (rightly or wrongly).  Its a fun distinctive look even if it was sort lived. 

Points : 

1x 25mm figure for 5

2x chaos cruisers for 16 points (counted as a 15 mm vehicles I believe )

4x Anglo-dutch wars ships for 60 points (these are similar in size to the Black Seas ships I did in the past at 15x points each)

2x 1/2400 ships for 4 points (2 each I believe)

Total: 85 points 

 

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Sylvain: Adam, you offer us a very eclectic selection of models. I especially like your BFG chaos cruisers. Their esthetic is very unique and your paint job enhances their menacing look. You will definitely keep naval wargaming alive. Joli travail!

From AndrewG: 'Red' Kelly's Gang (20 points)

“Cattle rustlers and horse thieves… the whole lot of ‘em!”

As I continue working through the small pile of Old West miniatures I bought many years ago, I have been able to put together two gangs in addition to the lawmen I showed last time. Up next in this series is a bunch I've labeled Red Kelly’s Gang. I had previously painted the rascal with the red necktie as a test model for the look I wanted, so I’m not including him in my points claim here. The remaining four gents however were completed during competition time to round out this crew.

If memory serves these are all dismounted versions of metal Foundry figures sculpted by Copplestone for their Old West Cowboys range. I wanted them to easily represent either side of the law, so while I’ve styled them as potential train robbers I could probably also just as easily use them as Pinkertons or other hired law enforcement deputies. I have a stagecoach that I’m currently working on that will be a likely target for them in an upcoming game, so they needed to pass for potential raiders (or protectors) of the mail and the fort commander’s lock box.

As far as figures go these are a relatively quick painting job. I have a good palette of browns at hand that either lean towards red or yellow in their tone – thus the majority of the colours are a mix of Vallejo and Army Painter browns - saddle, leather, oak, and bootstrap for example. A bit of Vallejo mahogany tends to be my go-to for weapon stocks, otherwise it’s just the usual washes and highlighting to bring them together. A splash of colour just to give the figures character, but not too much. Last a bit of blue and grey in the cloths and bandanas tie all the figures together, giving them a subtle uniformity for the gaming table.

Again, the bases are simple 2mm thick rounds, and were done with basing paste, grit from the driveway, and Vallejo or Tajima tufts. Vallejo flat earth was used to finish the rims. Two coats of varnish to seal them, and they’re ready to chase down the stagecoach or take on the Sheriff in any town!

Claiming 4x 28mm = 20 points.

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Some great looking desperadoes here, Andrew! As you say, a little spot of colour here and there does wonders for these fabulous figures from Copplestone. Terrific brushwork!

- Curt

From AndrewG: Law, Order, and the Undertaker (15 points)

Tap, tap…is this thing on? Okay! Hi everyone, my name is Andrew and let me start by saying thank you very much to Curt et al., for the kind invitation to participate this year. This being my first time doing the challenge, I set my own bar relatively low with a modest 300 points goal.

My own painting objectives over this winter are twofold. First, complete some small warbands for various skirmish games as my local group tends to play a lot of these. Second, add some more units to my ongoing big battle projects, specifically the Battle of Northampton in 1460 (Wars of the Roses) and the Battle of Bunker Hill/Breed's Hill in 1775 (American War of Independence).

My first entry is a simple one and consists of a couple of 28mm Old West characters which I can use for skirmish games such as What a Cowboy or Dead Man’s Hand. I bought these over a decade ago at a show in the US, and they’ve been sitting in the pile of opportunity since then waiting patiently for the paintbrush.

 

 

From left to right – a Wargames Foundry character (Judge Guthrie Prentice dismounted), the 2012 Partizan Show figure (No.15) - ‘The Undertaker’ - sculpted by Mike Owen, and an Artizan Gunfighters figure representing ‘The Bad’ in the Good/Bad/Ugly set. These will form the core of my law-and-order folks, soon to be challenged by a couple of gangs which I’m currently working on.

I find Western figures a joy to paint – the colours are simple, yet small touches can add some nice variety to an otherwise dull palette. The Undertaker’s waistcoat for example done in purple betrays the fact that his business is booming and he can afford some nicer threads. For the other two, functionality is the key. Simple clothes that hide dirt and a long day’s work.

I painted the figures with a range of Vallejo and Army Painter paints. I started with a black primer and then worked up from there, using colour, washes, and quick highlights where appropriate. The bases are simple plastic 2mm thick rounds. The basing materials consist of tufts from Vallejo scenery and Quicksand basing paste from Legendary Paints, over which I add a highly complex mixture of the free sandy grit that collects at the end of my driveway every spring before the dust cleaners go by (if you live in Canada and suffer winter road conditions, you’ll immediately know what I’m referring to). Once dried, I gave it a wash of Army Painter Warpaints Soft Tone to bring it all together. A bit of Vallejo Flat Earth covers the base rim.

Finally, I do two coats of varnish to protect the miniature for play. Done and dusted and ready for the table!

Claiming 3x 28mm foot = 15 points to get things rolling.

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First off, welcome to the Challenge, Andrew! It's terrific to welcome new people into the fold of Challengeristas. 

These gunslingers look terrific and compliment each other wonderfully even though they are from different sculptors. Very neat and tidy brushwork, and your basing is equally on-point (what did we ever do without tufts?). 

This trio will give you 15 points to work towards your target. Well done! I look forward to your upcoming entries over the next three months. 

- Curt