From TamsinP - 28mm WW2 Japanese (150 points)

The Adventures Of Oscar: Time Traveler, Slayer of Squirrels and Very, Very Good Boy

Chapter 1

In which our hero concludes that pressing that button might not have been such a good idea after all...

Ruh-roh! This isn't Daddy-Curt's hobby room. Where am I? How did I get here?

It's very hot and very sticky, so it's definitely not home. The trees and bushes look and smell different to home too. The smells are different as well, but I do love that stench of rotting plants - must roll in some; Felix will be so jealous when I get home smelling like that! Oooh, it tastes great as well!

Is this a jungle? Do they have squirrels in the jungle? I think I'd better explore and find out...

No squirrels so far. I'll go on a bit further...

Hmmm. People. But they don't seem like friendly people. I'd better hide behind this bush...

Definitely not friendly people. Daddy has pictures of men like these, but they would have been a long, long time ago. Have I time-traveled? I think I'd better go back to where I arrived.

What's this on the floor? It looks like that metal box of Tamsin's. I pressed one of the buttons and found myself here. Is it some sort of time travel device? It must be. I'm a time-traveler! Felix is going to be so, so, so jealous. Now, how do I get it to send me back home? I must press a button, but which one? Let's try this one...ruh-roh! This isn't Daddy-Curt's hobby room either...

Stay tuned for further adventures!

OK, that's enough introductory silliness for one post, onto the "meat" of this submission. In the last-but-one photo above you should have glimpsed some figures in the background. Removing trees to give a clearer picture, here's what's in my submission this week:

Having painted up WW2 Australians (in both Khaki Drill and Jungle Green) a few years ago, and US Airborne last year for my WW2 New Guinea project I decided it was time to paint up their opposition - the Japanese. This is the start of my force for Chain of Command - I suspect Oscar will be returning to the jungle several times before the Challenge ends.

Jump Off Points

I ended up with more officer figures than I would actually need, so I decided to put them to good use as jump off points. Having made that decision, I then decided that it would also be a good way to make use of some of the small palm trees that I'd tarted-up over the summer. Then I thought it would be good to add some other jungle vegetation to the bases, and this is what I ended up with.

Senior Leaders

I opted to paint up two of the officer figures to be platoon commanders (Chu-i - Lieutenant; Sho-i - 2nd Lieutenant); the third figure is the platoon sergeant (Gun-so).

Rifle Squad

This is the first of three rifles squads for my core platoon. I also have a fourth in the queue as a support option. The big problem with the early war Japanese platoons is that they are so freaking huge - three 13-man rifle squads, one 13-man grenade discharger (aka "knee mortar") squad and two senior leaders. That's 54 figures just for the core platoon. 

Junior Leader (Go-cho - Corporal)

LMG Team

Rifle Team

Adding the gold and silver stars to the rank tabs on the collars was a little tricky, to say the least, but I think I did a good enough job.

Type 95 Ha-Go Tanks

The Japanese don't appear to have used many tanks in New Guinea. I've read suggestions that there might have been some medium tanks used on the North coast during later campaigns, but the only confirmed use was two  Type 95 Ha-Go light tanks of the 5 Kure Special Naval Landing Force that saw action during the Milne Bay campaign.

From the available photos of them, it appears that they were painted in a two-tone camouflage. As the photos of them were all black and white, I chose to go with khaki and green as the colours.

I haven't added markings to them. The photos don't show any on the right hand side, and there are no clear pictures of the left side of the tanks. 

Over the coming weeks, you can expect to see the rest of the core platoon and support elements. I'm hoping to have everything painted by the end of the Challenge.

Scoring

21 x 28mm foot @ 5 = 105 points

1 x prone 28mm foot @ 2.5 = 2.5 points

2 x 28mm tank @ 20 = 40 points

Total = 147.5 points

The officers are all from The Assault Group (TAG); the sergeant is from Eureka; the rifle squad are a mix of TAG, Eureka and Warlord Games; and the tanks are from Warlord Games.

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Hahaha! Well, you certainly come out in style with you first substantial post of the Challenge, Tamsin. Of course, I can't help but love the time-travelling adventure that Oscar has embarked on. He's such a good boy (and, you're right, Felix will mad with jealously)! I wonder what mischief he'll get into next.

Now, that Japanese force is something to behold. I'm taken aback by the sheer size of their platoon organization, wow, you've taken on a lot of work here Tamsin. Excellent brushwork on these officers and troops. And those Type 95s look fabulous. Really smooth work on their camo, and I really like the subtle weathering on their undercarriage and track assembly. Really lovely stuff.

I'm going to round things up to 150 points because of the more involved Senior Leaders bases. 

Wonderful work Tamsin!

- Curt

From PeterD Ruins at Arda (115 points)

 

The planet Arda carries a Fantasy theme, so I've gone with this Giant attacking a tower in 28mm.  Just for fun note that the top two levels of the tower are removable allowing me to do this.

In an homage to this classic DnD module...

Ok let's break down the components here.  

First up is the Giant, who is a Wizkids Stone Giant in 28mm scale.  I will note that the figure is about 90mm from sole of foot to top of head and that the tower he's standing next to is 6" high (152mm) for comparison.  I will leave scoring him up to the Snowlord.  In the Beowulf adventures Giants are more generic than straight DnD, but I tried to keep to the Stone Giant Theme.  It's a nice sculpt with facial features midway between an Easter Island Moai and Grace Jones.

Backside view as I am thinking that's the view my adventurers want to see!

Next up are the human foes who are from the Gipping Beast Arthurian (mostly) and other ranges.  I painted the fighters up to represent the Comitatus of a local Warlord, using the red tunics and shields with double headed dragons to provide a unit theme.
.  

I will come back and touch ups he shields but wanted to get these posted today.

The seventh figure is the Merlin figure who has a lot of the age old mystery to him. I love the metal bird on his staff, is it the Eagle of the Ninth?  Seven 28mm figures is 35 points.

These are good solid Beastie boy figures, lots of individual differences.  They can serve in Beowulf adventures as friends, foes or neutrals as required.  I my also do some Sub-Roman Britain skirmish games using Lion Rampant or Dux B.   

Finally we have the Ruins which I am revealing in full glory below.  This is a Sarissa Ruined City set consisting of 8 modular bases that can be rearranged as suits the scenario or decided in to smaller ruins.  I figure it can serve as a Roman ruin in Beowulf, or a generic ruin for other RPGs os Moonstone for later period historical games.  The total set covers an area 8" by 16", and is mostly 3" tall except for the tower which is 6' tall.  My math makes this exactly 2 cubes of terrain for 40 points.

Arrangement 1

Arrangment 2

Arrangement 3

Points wise I cout up

• 35 points for the humans
• 40 points for the 2 cubes of ruin
• ? points for the Giant
• 20 points for the Arda location
• Merlin and the Giant should count against the forlorn hope of the Challenge Duel

Having completed four planets on the Outer Ring, I am ready to explore the Middle Ring and all step on one of the Warp Maelstorms either side of Arda to see where I end up.

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Fabulous work Pete!

I've seen that giant at the FLGS and was really impressed by it. Now, all painted up and based he looks magnificent indeed (love the X2 Module reference too). I really like those Dark Age Gripping Beast figures. They paint up so nicely, and you've done a terrific job on this group, especially that Merlin with his trophy staff (Rosemary Sutcliff would smile at that). Finally, that castle ruin is a wonderful piece of kit. I like how it can be broken down and set up in a variety of layouts - very versatile! As a suggestion for further weathering, you may consider pimping it out with some swaths of grass, flowers and tufts (especially along the foundations) as Mother Nature would be busy at work reclaiming it.

 

For simplicity sake I'm counting the Giant as the equivalent of two 54 mm figures. 

A grand entry Pete, well done.

- Curt 

From DaveD - Thwump, thwump, thwump. 1/48th Ch47A Chinook (65 points)

 Ok, so this must be todays bonkers post . I have spent all the last week working on one model to add to my Vietnam collection. We did a big game that JamesM and MartinC played in after Xmas where we used our full complement of US air assets - 4 Huey Slicks and a Skyraider and we (well maybe just me!) still want more -go big or go home being the group motto . Over the last year I have picked up a range of larger scale aircraft models one of which was an Italieri early model Chinook used in Vietnam . It’s a big beastie . I get these over my house and you always hear them before you see them . 

With these 1/48th kits it’s a balance between full on scale model nerdery and making it more wargame suitable where it needs to be stored , transportable and gameable . To do this the rotors and 20mm cannon  have been magnetised so are removable for storage and transport. The tail door opens and closes with magnets . It has a 50 cal and  gunner added to the tail door  again it can be removed when needed. There are two metal door /window gunners added. The kit came with plastic 50 cals for those and these were switched out for metal M60s (less likely to break} and gunners from The Assault Group helicopter crew set . This also supplied the two figures for pilot and co pilot figures. As ever doing these 1/48th kits I continue to learn and improve - its a bit of a different skill set , with more patience required .

You can just about make out the crew behind the windscreen 

As this wasn’t going to be a model that just sits on the ground I needed a heavy duty flight stand solution (it’s going to be needed for another of the stash too - no it’s not a B52 honest )  - this was created from an old metal shower rail tube and wall fixing that can be pushed up into the model and comes out of the base. There will be 3 height option , very low, medium (as shown) and high that will be cut from the tube . The base  is made from MDF from the stash and some milliput at the moment .I still need to add a load of extra weight to the base and then texture and foliage etc - but as that’s not being used for  scoring I will catch up on it when they arrive. 

 the rotors and guns removed and tail door closed for transportation 

It will soon be seen over one of our large tables - of course Bob from the group says I need to do a shot down version ! Jeez -it never ends 

Points :-

1/48th vehicle - 30 points I have gone for a 54mm sized vehicle for this as it’s mahoosive!

5 crew they are all full figures - 25 points 

I couldn’t fund a planet with big machines drat! 

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Wow! That is a tremendous bit of kit, Dave! After reading your description of its build and various modifications, I have to take my hat off to you mate.  I like your specially designed flight stand for this beast, but you and the missus must hate the lack of privacy and all the water on the floor. :)  I'm also admiring the shots with all the lovely terrain - that is some fabulous work by you and your crew.

Aaand, it's in proper 1:48 scale (y'know, just sayin').

I'm going to give you an extra 10 points for the extra work you've put into the build, Dave. Brilliant stuff!

Now, you just need to mock up a crashed version...

- Curt

From Barks: Dernhelm [Solaris] (50 points)

Then Merry heard of all sounds in that hour the strangest. It seemed that Dernhelm laughed, and the clear voice was like the ring of steel. 'But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn am I, Éomund's daughter.'

JRR Tolkien, The Return of the King (1955)

Deception and illusion at Solaris! Éowyn masquerades as the Rider Dernhelm, pulling the wool over the eyes of Théoden, Merry and the Witch King. This is a gorgeous plastic kit. You get a mounted Dernhelm and Merry- and Merry is detachable. He sits solidly without pinning or magnets and is easily removable. I enjoyed painting the cloaks, with a more grey tone for Merry's elven one.

"... maiden of the Rohirrim, child of kings,
slender but as a steel-blade, fair yet terrible."

sans Merry

You get a dismounted Dernhelm and Merry.

"Her eyes grey as the sea were hard and fell, and yet tears were on her cheek."

I also had a metal Éowyn - if I'm already painting two Éowyns, what is one more?

"... the helm of her secrecy had fallen from her, and her bright hair,
released from its bonds, gleamed with pale gold upon her shoulders."

1x 28mm mounted figure: 10 points

4x 28mm figures: 20 points

Location bonus [Solaris]: 20 points

Slowpainter's ABC: R for Rohan

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One of my favorite passages from the books, captured brilliantly in film, and here in miniature! Lovely work Barks. I really like the colours and shading you've done on the mounted set (I had no idea that the Merry figure was removable - an amazing bit of sculpting, that). The dismounted set is excellent as well and I'm very much admiring how your basework matches your table surface. Nice.

That nasty Witch-King is in for a big surpriiise...

- Curt