From GaryA: First Submission - A mixed bag of 15mm figures and no mistake (166 Points}

 

 

Tamsin claims that this is easy, but I'm a bit rusty so, God help us, here we go!

OK, all the figures are 15/18mm size (not 'scale' so let's get that argument going). All the guns and artillery crew and a couple of the mounted are Peter Pig; the mounted are AB or Blue Moon on AB horses and the Austrian Grenadiers are Blue Moon. Being a thoroughly good egg, I've noted them below.

To be truthful, the Napoleonic figures are a paint queue shortening exercise and have nothing really to do with the main drive of my intended effort: Early's Division of the Army of Northern Virginia, at Gettysburg. The start of two armies designed for use with the Picket's Charge rules. Being consistent in my approach, you'll notice I'm really focused of this ANV formation and haven't deviated at all - honest😕

So, I'll start with the Napoleonics:

 

'German' and French Brigadiers c1809. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The figure on the lighter horse and his foot companion are from the old Battle Honours range and are intended for use with a Confederation of the Rhine contingent. The other, single, figure is from AB. (2 x 115mm mounted @ 4pts + 1 x 15mm foot @2pts = 10 pts)

Austrian Grenadier Bn 'Georgy' c1809

This was a composite battalion drawn from the grenadier companies of I/R17, Reuss-PLauen, I/R36 Kolowrat and I/R42 Graf Erbach. When forming armies for campaign, it was common practice (and had been for about 100 years) for the Austrians to strip the grenadier companies from each regiment and band them together in battalions, named after their commander, usually of 6 companies (two from each of three regiments) to use as a reserve. All Blue Moon figures.

(18 x 15mm foot @ 2pts = 36pts)

And now the part you've all been waiting for: Major General Jubal Anderson Early's Division (Lee's 'Bad Old Man') at Gettysburg - TA DA! Well, the first bits of it - not much really 😳

To start with, three batteries of the divisional artillery (Lt. Col. Hilary P. Jones):

Louisiana Guard Artillery (Capt.Charles A. Green)

Charlottesville (Virginia) Artillery (Capt. James McD. Carrington)

Courtney (Virginia) Artillery (Capt. William A. Tanner)

All the guns and artillerymen are by Peter Pig. The batteries don't all have the correct complement of guns yet as I've still got 2 batteries to do and I paint the guns in batches. However, the bases could represent just about any Confederate battery, so it's not a heart breaker and, although these are to represent Early's artillery at Gettysburg, they could just as well represent his artillery at Chancellorsville or indeed any formation you like, if you swap the guns around.

(24 x 15mm foot @ 2pts + 6 x 15mm guns @ 4pts = 72pts)

CSA Brigadier Stand and  an ADC

The single figure is from Peter Pig and, although I  really like this range, he looks a bit 'dumpy' compared to the other two who are Bllue Moon riders on AB horses. None of the figures are meant to represent anyone in particular, but I think the pointing brigadier was supposed to be Jackson. That being the case, I've painted his horse to look like Jackson's horse Little Sorrel.

(3 x 15mm mounted @4pts = 12 pts)

My excuse for the next batch is that they were primed and ready and it was a shame to pass up the chance of painting some more AB horses. Anyway, I wanted to see if I could do a decent 'Union Blue' in 15mm - which I can't, but is OK really. So, there follow a few bases of Federal brigadiers and the like.

US ADCs or whatever

The figure on the left is from Peter Pig and the one on the right is an old Battle Honours figure (who is identical to the newer AB figure!). 

(2 x 15mm mounted @4pts = 8 pts)

 

US Brigadier Stand

The figure pointing is a Blue Moon rider on an AB horse and the other figure who's pretending he's Napoleon is from AB. He's a nice figure and well posed as he's sold as General McClellan who was a decent enough organiser, planner and administrator (if he had enough staff), but, once in the field, he lacked confidence and continually imagined he was vastly outnumbered (which he wasn't) and that his opponents were up to some cunning plan (which was often true, I suppose). At one stage he was known in the press as 'The Little Napoleon'.

(2 x 15mm mounted @4pts = 8 pts)

Another US Brigadier Stand

Both Blue Moon figures on AB horses and, again, they don't represent anyone in particular. I can't remember if Blue Moon intended them to be anybody, but you can always look on the Old Glory UK site or ask Andy Copestake. 

(2 x 15mm mounted @4pts = 8 pts)

 

 

Brig. General Gamble (1st Bde., Buford's Cavalry Div. 1863) Stand

The figure with the binoculars is a Blue Moon rider on an AB horse and the other two are AB. The Gamble figure doesn't look much like him, but he seems to suit the less dressy look of the cavalry (except Custer!). He's actually sold as 'Uncle Bill' Sherman.

Buford's cavalry division (less one brigade) were the first Uunion troops at Gettysburg and was the unit Henry Heth's (pronounced 'Heath') division bumped into and got  bloody nose - course I  would say that!

(3 x 15mm mounted @ 4pts = 12 pts)

Scoring Summary:

'German' and French Brigadiers c1809                                         10

(2 x 15mm mounted @ 4pts + 1 x 15mm foot @2pts) 

Austrian Grenadier Bn 'Georgy' c1809                                          36

(18 x 15mm foot @ 2pts) 

Confederate Batteries                                                                 72

 (24 x 15mm foot @ 2pts + 6 x 15mm guns @ 4pts)

Confederate Brigadier Stand and ADC                                           12

(3 x 15mm mounted @ 4pts)

 US ADCs                                                                                     8

(2 x 15mm mounted)

US Brigadier Stands                                                                    16

(2 x 2 x 15mm mounted @ 4pts)

Brig. General Gamble Stand                                                         12

(3 x 15mm mounted @ 4pts)                                                     ____

                                                                                               166

Welcome back, Gary! That is a fair mix of figures and they all look spiffing! 166 points it is!

Tamsin

From SteveM: The Squirrel Hunt (75 Points)

 

Thinking of what  "squirrels" I could do for this years challenge and figured why not start the hunt off with a squirrel battalion for Hedgerows and Heroes; only these 15 squirrels might fight back as they look like they are out hunting.

 These are based for the game by Splintered Light Miniatures. This is my first time painting some anthropomorphic animals for gaming. They were quite fun to paint. They are so cute.

 

 

 

 

 

As my first post, this is the first batch for the squirrel side-duel.

Squirrel Point Tally: 1

1. 28mm Squirrel Battalion

Challenge Points:

28mm foot figure @ 5 points * 15 figures = 75 points

I suspect young Oscar might have an unexpected surprise if he comes across this bunch on his time-travels! What a great idea to start off your squirrel hunt with a bunch of hunting squirrels!

Tamsin

From SarahHC: Senior Flight Attendant & Female Buccaneer (Sarah's Star Yacht & Caprica) (50 Points)

Hello Everyone!

Well, I had high hopes of completing three figures to present today, but truth be told … I struggled with painting 28mm. I had a panic attack this afternoon, neither of my figures were completely painted, still had basing to do and also the write up! Work definitely gets in the way of quality hobby time.

Good thing I have an ace photographer and brush advisor on retainer!

One of these figures was a 3D print found on MyMiniFactory, while the other one was a metal miniature from Curt's stores (shhh, don't tell him...).

I decided to paint the not-Rachel “Trya Olds, Cyber Detective” as Tamsin, Senior Flight Attendant & Chief Morale Officer. Keen eyes will notice that she holds an orange crayon in her hand, thus preventing MartinC or Ray from snapping the last one on board!

I used a variety of blue shades on her suit, and I’m quite pleased with my free hand light blue panels and black belt. The hair turned a little too red, I wanted more of a strawberry blonde look for MissP.

Lady Buccaneer suffered from wardrobe indecisions: I initially painted her breeches a grey colour, but I decided too boring for a swashbuckling privateer, then changed to a tan colour, then finally the glorious Snakebite Leather which looks super with the deep wine red of her coat and blue scarf and hair ties.

I will use The Lady Buccaneer as my ticket to summon Lady Sarah’s Space Yacht to travel from Solaris to Caprica, the doomed planet. Tamsin, Senior Flight Attendant and now Health & Safety Officer will surely be the DOOM of many crayon-snapping (eating?) passengers if they don't behave.

As to points, these two ladies will give me a base of 10, with another 40 bonus for the Yacht and Caprica.

Next week, I’m back to a 54mm figure and perhaps something else. Maybe enough to claim a chocolate cake, unless Natasha thwarts me!

- Sarah

Oh, wow! Captured in miniature form by another Challenger yet again! I think this is the best one yet! My immediate thought was that it was a not-Rachel figure. As for the hair colour, I do go a darker shade of red (sadly with a smattering of white these days...) in the winter, so you inadvertently got it about right.

As for the buccaneer, what a fine looking scoundrel!

Tamsin

From SanderS: Continuing the Quadrant journey to Arda (105 points)

  Hoi,

Next stop Arda, something with Old School fantasy/ Tolkienesque figures eh?! Well I could paint over my old LotR Fellowship, but another chance popped up unexpectedly. Arthur, my gaming buddy Mark and myself have been dabbling in Blood bowl lately and what do you know: two other of my colleagues play the game as well! Looks like a school league in the making to me. 

To get to the point: co-worker Menno had several unpainted Blood bowl figures and I offered to paint one  team up so he could use them on the pitch. He chose his Ork team for this as he had already thought up a background story for them. Apparently they were an amalgamation of two teams that sported yellow and purple outfits respectively... Am I ever going to get rid of that scheme?! 

Anyway he didn't only have a regular old school team kicking around but also some specials and so I set to work.

Menno wanted them to look clean and bright like the older style GW figures and I think I managed that quite alright. My favourite must be the Troll it almost painted itself and just oozes character.

Now as far as points and skulls is concerned: if I am not mistaken there are 24 skulls in total on these old skool GW figures Barks ;-)

Pointswise there are 12 regular 28mm figures and the troll so that's 13 x 28mm figures = 65 points and if this entry is worthy enough the bonus for Arda is another 20 resulting in 85 points total.

EDIT: as Teemu so kindly pointed out; there's 12 orks in the team AND 4 specials and a troll. So that's 17 figures amounting to 85 points. Together with the bonus that's 105 points total. Thanks Teemu!

Cheers Sander

Well, they are fantasy creatures, so I guess they qualify for Arda...

Nice painting, Sander!

Tamsin

From MattT - Dark Age Warband (50 points)

I managed to aquire a box of 2nd hand minis (who can resist the lure of lead) last year, and my main focus this challange will be getting them painted and looking like cohesive units. The figures are a mixed bag including some old foundry vikings, some footsore goths, the odd fanasty figure and a few i have no idea about.

The goal is to use them as various generic dark age types. Based for Impetus which is the system me and my brother mainly use. Plan is to keep quite a tight palette and not use to many overtly pagan or christian symbols on the shields.

I have enough lead to get several warbands done, some with spears, others more axe heavy. 

One of the more axe heavy units, with a slight fantasy twist be led by fearsome shieldmaiden. Flag from LBMS.

 

8 x foot - 40pts, 1 x mtd - 10pts, Total 50points.

***

My brain often misfires, but I feel almost 100% certain that I saw these yesterday? At any rate, perhaps they look so nice that my brain wants to see them twice. Besides, Impetus IS popular, right? Well done Matt - in particular, I remember saying that I think there is always something to be said for two-handed-axes and the solutions-oriented chaps who wield them with the hopes of making the world a better place. I stand by that today - or whatever day it is...well done. 

GregB

From MartinC - Some Random Stuff Wot I Painted (245pts)

 Hope you are all well and cracking on with painting and the such like. I had a fun weekend fighting with the Dunsterforce, Lionel Dunsterville was killed by a direct hit from a light howitzer but my Hussars made a valiant charge and captured the Turkish commander, a machine gun and a howitzer. I also went shopping at a bring and buy and bought loads of things for the challenge, including all things Were.

I have also done some painting, with no general theme to it, just some stuff I fancied painting.

WW1 Arab Irregular Cavalry - can't remember the manufacturer but think it was Great War or Artizan or somebody else

These will double up on either side as Arabs or Turkish Irregulars

Next up 15 Russian Civil War Whites. These are Old Glory Boxer Rebellion Russians but uniform is the same. Plan to do lots of Back of Beyond gaming this year

Old Glory are terrible looking unpainted but paint up very well

In a similar vein, 4 Russian sailors

Finally 12 more Sci Fi troops, these are from the Stargrave Mercenaries box with a few hand cast bodies and legs by me - there are so many spare weapons and arms and heads that I can cast up 50 bodies and build them up in 1 box. Great value. Today's task is to find out which ones I cast.

Scores on the doors

31 x 28mm infantry = 155pts

9 x 28mm cav = 90

Total = 245pts

I think, for a "consideration", that I can keep it quiet from Nick at North Star that you have been recasting bodies and legs of his Stargrave figures!

What an eclectic collection of figures. Lovely stuff!

Tamsin

Tamsin's Tricky Tuesday

 

"Good morning, Ladies, Gentlemen...and Ray! Well, it's been another busy week with all the comings and goings at Snowlord's Peak Resort Station. Eight more guests have begun their explorations of Challenge XII Quadrant and three more arrived last night and begin their travels today. Hopefully the remaining 19 bookings will show up before the security systems on the arrival portal are activated at the end of the day on Friday. Extra staff from the Stewards Department have been rostered to deal with the expected flood of late arrivals."

"In the past week, our guests have travelled 7,079 parsecs, bringing the total so far to 22,657 parsecs from our pledged goal of 82,505. Although this week is down a bit from the week before, the predictions show that even if we continue at this lower rate we will smash through the pledge with ease."

"Today we have several entertaining exploration reports for your, well, entertainment:

• ChrisW discusses the chances of anything coming from Mars
• MartinC looks at randomness in the application of paint
• SanderS takes some bloody Orks bowling
• PhilH (a new arrival) is currently feeling drafty
• SarahHC unveils her 3D portrait of yours truly
• SteveM (another new arrival) expounds on intergalactic squirrel hunting
• GaryA (our third new arrival) will be handing out pick & mix

...and further exploratory reports are anticipated to be submitted throughout the day."

 "I have a PSA from the Station Master, Captain Campbell:"

"Well, hello everyone. I hope you are all well. Just a quick little announcement, nothing to be concerned about really, but I do hope you will remember this and act appropriately."

"It appears that a number of our guests have visited LV426. Now, I don't want anybody to be worried, and, please note that this is purely precautionary, there is no evidence whatsoever of anyone actually having been harmed..."

"However, we do ask that any guests returning to the Station having visited LV426 report directly to the LV426 Quarantine Chamber that our wonderful Maintenance Department have established:

...You will find it located on Deck C Gamma, just off the shuttle hangar."

"Oh, my word! I do hope that any guests who have visited LV426 are safe and well."

"You will be pleased to hear that the resupply of coloured wax crayons has arrived and we should be well-stocked enough to still have some left at the end of this event."

Toodle-pip!

Tamsin

From BradS Heroes of Hoth [Glorantha][Istvaan V](95 Points)

 After a lot of Soviet miniatures I decided I needed a break. I have always thought about doing a Hoth battle from Star Wars. It has always appealed to my gaming side. The Idea of entrenched troops desperately holding off a superior foe has all the foundations for a great miniatures game. Put on top of that the magic of Star Wars and you have the formula for a great convention game. So this week I have decided that when I am not working on my Cold War forces I will chip away at a Table Top version of Hoth.

First up is a trip to planet Glorantha with two heroes of Hoth, Chewy and Han Solo. These are 3D printed figures and were a lot of fun to paint. Defiantly different than my Soviet figures.

I couldn't resist doing a downed pilot fresh from his shot down T-47 Airspeeder. The Orange flight suit was really fun to paint! Finally another color besides green and brown.

Next up I have a all Female Rebel Recon Squad always loyal to the Rebel Cause! These tough fighters are heading to planet Istvann V to recon. 

Finally I have assembled all of the forces I painted up this week. 11 Figures in total. 

I thought it would be a ton of fun to paint these up but in the end the dominate white color proved to be really tricky. Not really happy with how they turned out but I am done with them. I will see how the next set turns out. It defiantly pushed by boundaries. Now back to my Vietnam project for next week.

Point Summary

11 28mm figures = 55 points

2 Planets = 40 points

Total: 95points.

Nice work on the Star Wars figures Brad.  That one pilot does stand out doesn’t he?  At least he gives the enemy someone to shoot at.