From SylvainR: Tray 4 - 6mm WW2 Cossacks (part 1 of 3) (129 points)

Why am I painting 6mm WW2 Cossacks?  There are 2 reasons.

I am currently working on the early allies armies of WW2: Norwegian, Dutch, Greek, Belgian and Polish. My plan was to use the French army as proxy and then add whatever heavy weapons and vehicles would be needed. Of course, no Polish army would be complete without cavalry, but it's a lot of work to paint a whole battalion, even (especially?) in 6mm. To save me some work, I decided that I would create only one cavalry battalion for the Axis (coming later in 2024) and only one cavalry battalion for the allies, and the one allies cavalry unit that is most commonly known to operate during WW2 would be the Cossacks. Thus, I am painting this soviet unit now so I can use it as a proxy for Polish Cavalry.

The second reason is because among the 6mm armies I have to paint, there was already a good amount of unpainted Cossacks, and this happened to be a project I abandoned about 40 years ago. Let me explain. In the mid 80s, I was introduced to a group of people who were playing 6mm WW2 "micro-armor" as we used to call it. My friend MarcV and I paired up to build a Soviet army and we shared the cost and the painting. After a few years, the group started to play 6mm Modern, and we started new armies. Since we were not playing WW2 "anymore", MarcV and I gifted our Soviet army to RobertR. The last project I was working on, before giving away that army, was a company of Cossacks. A couple of years ago, RobertR, who still had my Soviet army, offered to give me all his 6mm WW2 miniatures and scenery, among which I found my Cossacks, still unpainted after nearly 40 years. Talk about an overdue project!

Before I present the tray, I want to say a few words about the scale. For that purpose, I chose cavalry models at 3 different scales but mounted on bases of the exact same size. Below, you have a stand of WW2 Cossacks at 6mm in front of "massive" 15mm riders, WW2 Cossacks as well. You can see there is still room for good details at 15mm, like the red line on the blue pants, or the cross on top the Ushanka hats. At 6mm, I don't have the patience to do that, so I paint more in an "impressionist" manner. Here's a spot of blue, that's for the pants. Here's some beige for the hands, etc. You can see that the 6mm minis look a bit fuzzier while the 15mm ones look a lot crispier.

In the picture below, 6mm horses are trying to keep up with a colossal 28mm destrier. This is to show that, to me, there is a lot more "room" on the base to be filled at 6mm, to make it look a bit realistic. Since the area covered in real life would be a lot bigger with the 6mm, I try to make the terrain more varied with different sizes of rocks, different colors of grass and a variety of bushes. For the Cossacks, I tried to reproduce grassland/steppe type of terrain with mostly dried grass. I also want the base to look interesting and varied between squads, so I apply the patches of grasses as if it was a camo pattern. It's fun and I'm very happy with the result.

Now on to tray number 4! Below, you can see 2 companies of Cossacks. There will be more in the next 2 weeks, since this is part 1 of 3.

First, a family picture of one of the 2 companies. For 6mm WW2 foot infantry, I usually put 9 men per base, but here I decided to use only 7 horses. Even if the base is twice as big, I wanted to leave enough room between the riders to give the feeling that they are galloping (toward victory, for sure). I also wanted to test what "double flocking" the base would look like, as I explained earlier. The miniatures are a mix of models from H&R WW2 Russian cavalry, H&R WW2 Cossack cavalry and GHQ WW2 Cossack cavalry. Each pack has only one pose, but mixing them works great for variety. GHQ's horses are slightly smaller, but not by that much and the difference is hardly noticeable. As usual, the details on GHQ's miniatures details are better defined and easier to paint. Each pack came with pack horses and I mixed them with the cavalrymen for more variety.

In this close up, you can see that I used two different kinds of material on the bases: burnt grass fine turf and harvest gold static grass flock, both products from Woodland Scenics. When I was working on my French army bases, I mixed turf and flock together, but it did not look anything special. This time, I decided to apply each one at a time and I'm very happy with the result. It looks more natural. I also make sure to let some small rocks and dirt peak through the grass.

Here is a close up on a company HQ with a pack horse. The captain is showing the direction with his saber. Even if there are fewer miniatures on the base, I opted for a large one, for consistency.

Each company of Cossacks would have a detachment of anti-tank rifles. Here they are in action, hiding in tall grass, forgetting that their supply horse is a deadly give-away.

Points claimed:

18 foot troops at 1/2 point each = 9

120 mounted at 1 points each = 120 points

Total = 129 points

This will also count towards the "Really Little Guys" duel.

Thanks for reading!

Cracking work here on your little guys, Sylvain! I like the groundwork. Woodland Scenics products have always been good to me as well. Kudos to you for getting back at this project after literally decades. Great production and looking forward to more!

129 points for you!

Dallas

 

From KyleC - Characters (15 PTS)

A really slow week due to work being super heavy, but also trialing out color schemes for armies which is always super frustrating at times. 

First up is the test model for a renewed fantasy army.. Khorne Lord on Monstrous Mount for Warriors of Chaos to be used in the renewed Fantasy The Old World coming soon. Hopefully my rule books arrive soon from Games Workshop but we shall see. 

He is the failcast version, sadly. So lots of issues with the sculpt. And weird tabs everywhere that I needed to clip (and still were clipping after painting portions of it). 

Started with the airbrush to lay down some reds using GW colors to get some intensity here and there. And then used nuln oil to darken the bottom portions some to give it a bit of a gradient. 

Brass for the trims cause Khorne.. I am really happy with how the base came out as it's a lot of sci-fi concrete piles being stuck to the base overr cork. And then dirt added. Fairly simple but yet looks the business. 

He should be a good starting point for the army and is a cheaper option for a dangerous warlord to lead them into battle. 

Then we switch gears fully... I was trying to paint some space wolves but I just couldn't get my heart or head into them. So painted an Eldar Warlock instead 😅

And in yellow of all colours?!?!?! 

It was a fun little distraction that I actually spent a few evenings on him playing around with the yellow bits. 

Am only really not happy with the sword so it might get redone at some point. But the rest of the model is how I envisioned it. And I can see myself painting a few more models randomly for this army in this scheme over the coming months. But it is definitely not a core focus army for me atm so not sure when or if it will ever get finished. 

Easy points today. 

1* 28mm figure - 5 pts

1* 28mm Calvary - 10 pts

Total - 15 pts

Really nice work here Kyle on iconic GW characters. First, the Khorne Lord... I really like this one. The red is saturated and atmospheric, of course brass trim because Khorne, the shading looks super and the base really finishes it off well. Looks like you used a new-size 30x60mm base too? Looks good and suits the model. The Warlock is really nice as well. I totally get your comment about "focus army" - it's hard to stay focussed when there's so much cool stuff to work on. But I'm glad to see you taking these diversions!

Dallas

From PaulSS: Famous Person - Civil War Generals: Meade, Sickles and Doubleday - 80pts

My American Civil War collection has grown in size over the years from a Sharp Practice force in 2017 to being able to play some sizeable engagements with Longstreet and Picketts Charge of late, but my generals for both sides have remained rather bland single officer figures on 40mm round bases. 

I'd decided that this should change so when my parents asked what I wanted for my birthday last year I suggested some of the personality packs from Perry Miniatures and am giving the Union and Confederate forces some more impressive command stands this challenge.

The first three completed this challenge represent Major General George G. Meade, Major General Daniel Edgar Sickles and Major General Abner Doubleday.

Major General George G. Meade

George G. Meade is accompanied by a staff officer from the mounted Colonels set. 

After cleaning up they are a lovely set of characterful figures to paint. 

Major General George G. Meade

Major General George G. Meade

Major General Daniel Edgar Sickles

Daniel Sickles, is also accompanied by a colonel on a rearing horse from the same pack, the rearing horse gives a great sense of movement to the vignette, the galloper returning with urgent news of the developing situation.

Major General Daniel Edgar Sickles

Major General Daniel Edgar Sickles

Abner Doubleday is also accompanied by a mounted colonel discussing strategy. 

With the exception of Doubleday's horse, which is done in Citadel Contrast Colour, everything else is painted in Vallejo Model Colour with Army Painter washes. 

Abner Doubleday may, or may not have invented baseball!

Major General Abner Doubleday

Major General Abner Doubleday

Major General Abner Doubleday

Six 28mm mounted figures and as these are all historical personalities I'll also claim the "Famous Person" bonus points for a post total of 80pts.

More American Civil War generals to come soon.

These officers look fantastic Paul! Great work here, I really love your basing technique too. Having multiple models on a base to represent higher command is a super idea and really adds to the look of the army on the table. The ACW is a cool and flavourful period and you've been turning out some cracking models. Eighty points added!

Dallas

It's Caturday again!

Everyone loves the photo booth right??

Welcome back to Caturday, we've got some great posts for you today including:

• A Star Wars Legion Battle Droid bomb from AaronH
• Rogers' Rangers and a great history lesson from DavidB
• Some nice RN and ACW goodies from PaulSS
• A very cool pair of GW classics from KyleC
• More little guys and some larger (fantasy!!!) guys and gals from SylvainR
• Hammers Slammers (one of my faves) from ChrisW
• And more...?

Sorry this is posted a bit out of order but hey - I played in our company outdoor hockey game today (9am, -22C) and I'm just now getting to this (yes there was beer :-)

Dallas

From PaulSS: Maritime - Royal Navy landing party - 60pts

 

When the "Maritime" location came up I remembered that in the pile o' shame were some Brigade Games Royal Navy Landing Party that I had picked up several years ago when I made this entry back in Challenge IX. The figures have languished ever since, but as this challenge for me is really about clearing that backlog of lead and plastic and they were dug out for completion.

I decided to use Citadel Contrast Paints over VMC light grey surface primer on these and I think I may rue that decision as they have not come out with the best of finishes. 

Some close-ups of the chaps, lovely sculpts by Paul Hicks, but you can see where the Contrast Colours have not worked that well.

Eight 28mm foot figures, plus the location bonus will add 60pts to my total.

This RN landing party looks great and is a very appropriate entry for the Maritime stack. I've struggled with this category myself in past Challenges, as I don't do any significant amount of naval gaming. One time I even entered a Porsche 928 for Gaslands under this category. But back to your entry... Contrast paints! I like the way that the shading came out on these and I've sometimes considered trying them myself - but I am a black-primer from way back and that doesn't work with Contrast. Anyway congrats on the clever entry and 60 points will be added!

Dallas

From DavidB: Rogers' Rangers (60points)

 what-cha goin' do PL

Alas, I have been busy this new year with lots of family and professional tasks. I did manage to complete another unit for my French and Indian War project. These are Rogers' Rangers and probably the most (in)famous unit of the war. Maj Robert Rogers was a commoner and raised by colonist parents who had a farm in what is now New Hampshire.  He was raised in the forests and at the time he was raised near first nations. He was very astute in diplomacy with first nations and issues on the ground with the colonies. He was well versed in fighting and traveling the forests and streams. When he initially joined the British effort he was disappointed by British use of locals. In the French and Indian War, provincial militias were used as fodder and disregarded as inept. The British Regiments relied on first nation scouts, and the grenadier and light infantry components for skirmishes and scouting. Rogers codified light infantry with the principles of patrolling and and the 28 Rules of Ranging. He recruited frontier men and trained them. He paid for their uniforms and wages when the crown would not. He attacked from places the French wouldn't expect such as miles long marches through swamps in late autumn and early winter. Moving through places deemed impassable. He would win fame and fortune and lose it all once being imprisoned as a debtor before escaping. If he wasn't defending himself against enemies in court he probably would have fought for the Americans in the Revolution. General Gage didn't trust him and had him removed as Governor of what is now Michigan.  Instead he had settled in Nova Scotia and raised more Ranger companies on his land replete with a ranger training area and target ranges, his brother assumed control and reportedly the site and training area exists today. Although he remained loyal and many of his exploits have been named lies by detractors, the price of the bounty placed on him by the French seem that those exploits are more than likely true. The exploits of the Rangers were certainly extraordinary. Also the fact that the 28 Rules of Ranging and principles of patrolling are Bible for the US Army Rangers. The modern ranger will out march, out fight, and outlast any force on the planet and for the American  Military,  Rangers are the QRF for tier one special operations. 

Like the French Marines, the Rangers are not uniformly equipped.

The caps they wore did have a bill that could be bent down to shield the eyes for precision shooting. Rangers could form up in line formation, but excelled in small  two to eight man teams. In buddy pairs one would not fire his firelock unless his partner was reloaded. Buddy pairs were the smallest of the fire-teams and emphasized covering each other with movements practiced for hunting and evading enemy forces.

12 models and Warlord gave me one repeat out of a range that has dozens of individual sculpts. .

Some flash as these are easily a decade old, but the sculpting and mix of gear is very good.

The fellow 2nd from the left above does have his bill lowered on his cap shading his eyes.

And Rogers himself with his wolf hound companion. Unless the breed changed that is. Warlord used colored woodcuts and early artwork for the uniforms and rarely did early artists show dogs and horses properly. I painted his dog wolf like as the sculpt and painting guide dictated. I did not paint the gaiters as blue felt ones. The Rangers would have used waterproof leather ones for the protection from the briers and brambles as well as the soaking the legs would get from swamps and rivers. I would not want to imagine how soggy your pretty blue felt gaiters would be after a three day March through Michigan Cedar swamps...sounds way too uncomfortable and a quick way to frostbite.

There was actual bead and tassel work on his satchel and medicine bags and the Rangers themselves are equipped with all sorts of blades, tomahawks, pistols, and proper Ranging gear.

These are the grandfather's of American Rangers and besides the French Marines they excelled at the skirmish nature of warfare in North America.  Many of the FIW veterans formed Ranger companies in the Revolution and even fought against Rogers Rangers that were now Canadian. I would argue that many of Rogers deeds were because of his tenacity and the friendships and allies he made with the rangers. I would not be surprised to learn that rangers from British and American sides aided in his escape from prison. Although Rogers did achieve the rank of Colonel, he was reduced to Major during many of his legal issues.

12 Rangers  for 60 points!

Good looking Rangers here David and a great history lesson too! I was unfamiliar with the "28 Rules of Ranging" so I appreciated learning about Maj Rogers' contribution to military learning. Nice sculpts from Warlord Games here and I really like that you painted the Major and his feline companion in this group of models, they all look great.

Sixty points added!

Dallas

From AaronH - B1 Battle Droids (154 pts)

 This entry is two'ish units of B1 battle droids for Atomic Mass Games' Star Wars Legion. they are a mixture of store bought and 3D prints. There is a blue unit, a red unit and two lone droids for a future purple unit.

22 Battle droids. Their only virtue is mass.

B1s are the worst unit in Star Wars Legion. They are also the cheapest. Think of them as the skeleton infantry of an undead army. They can carry some useful upgrades, both in the form of healing units and special weapons.

The back view. You can tell the 3D prints by the smaller backpacks.

The box set comes with a unit leader, which is the key model in the game for movement and shooting. It also comes with a missile launcher and a larger gun that throws a few extra/better dice. To get the other weapons and additional droids (healing) you have to buy upgrade boxes that come in sets of four. I have bought one of those for the weapons set so this blue squad is the only one that will have all of the options the unit can take.

The two on the left come with the unit. The two on the right are an upgrade box.

Sniper rifle and radiation cannon

Most weapons in the game shoot to range 3. The B1s will always lose a range three gun fight. The sniper cannon adds some much needed stand off range so they can plink at enemy units before they charge gloriously to their destruction. 

The radiation cannon is short range, only range 2, but it allows them to throw 2 red dice, which are the best shooting dice. It also poisons the unit it hits, killing an extra model at the end of the turn.

As a rule I don't like to paint different colors on the models or bases to tell units apart. Sadly, the rules and tactics of this faction mean they have to be standing right next to each other and you have to have a quick, obvious way to tell them apart on the table. I bit the bullet and made this unit blue, the second one red, and two B1s for a third unit purple.

Here you can see the 3D print and the company model side by side. En masse they tend to just look the same on the table, but up close the print is noticeably less sharp and detailed. I was willing to accept this because these are terrible models to assemble, coming as two legs, two arms a body and a head. their attachment points are tiny. If I only needed a couple it would be fine but since you can take up to 64 of them there was just no way my sanity would have survived that.

3D print on the left.

I've now painted units for each of the armies I'm interested in playing during this challenge. Rhys has all of the clones and, while I have the models, I'm just not able to find an empire list I like yet. I'll keep rotating through armies to make some progress towards having a painted total great enough to game with for CIS and Shadow Collective.

These 22 models will give me 110 154 points.

Thank you.

Great work on these droids Aaron, I'm sorry I didn't get to posting them last Saturday. I can see why you mixed in the 3D prints though, assembling them sounds like a pain and the official Legion models ain't cheap either. But your 3D prints blend in quite well and your paintwork looks good, I like the pop of colour to differentiate the squads.

As Legion infantry are rated at 7 points each that's 154 points for you!

Dallas