From SimonG: Jewish Mounted and Archers in 28mm for Arrakis (90 points)

"Dune, Arrakis, a desert planet" ... an apposite description for first century Judea and we are back with my ongoing Jewish Revolt project with some support for my larger warband -- archers and a smattering of mounted soldiers.

The archers are a mixture of Crusader and Gripping Beast, and the mounted are Crusader. Head swaps and some cloaks are from Anvil then I added bow strings and arrows, strings for tzitzit plus the cloak details such as the flow onto the horse for the mounted figure which were modelled with Milliput.

Stringing bows is one of those modelling activities that gives me the most pleasure. It's almost like problem solving to work out where to take the thread -- It's pretty annoying how impractical and inconsistent designers are in their sculpting. For example I'm not sure that one in ten figures displays any consistency between the length of the draw at full tension and the length of the arrows in the archers quiver -- the former is always so much longer! And don't get me started on resting the arrow inside or outside the bow at the grip!

I really liked the thread of the bow-string on this one

Unfortunately no easy way to thread the string here,
doing two lengths and joining tends to make a mess

LHS is an example of two strings, hand ends up as a blob!

I also discovered that doing resin head swaps on metal figures is a lot harder than on plastics -- there are some quite suspicious (lets say exceptionally hirsute) neck lines among this lot. I will say however that there’s a pleasing lack of fiddly tack on the horses which made painting them a breeze!

Suspiciously hairy chest on this one

Anyway fiddling with thread and necks besides these came out well -- although having tried to make sandals out of brass wire and milliput I'll say that once was enough (the archer with the cloak)

This little group should add another 80 points to my total (six figures at 5 each plus three mounted at 10 and the 20 point bonus for our dodging the worms on Arrakis)

Next up a superhero -- although a real person this time plucked from history and symbolising resistance to imperial might (read into that what you want in light of current events)

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I always enjoy seeing updates to this project, Simon. It's such a unique and colourful period, easily capturing the imagination. I particularly admire all the extra effort you've taken in customizing these figures in order to make them your own (especially the bowstrings and head swaps). Definitely worth a few bonus points to your total, I think.  Lovely work Simon!

- Curt

From DaveD: WWII 15mm US Soft skins and bits (212 points)

While I was at the WW2 Normandy terrain I dug out the 15mm soft skin stuff to add to the US forces .Mostly battlefront resin items, and a few 3d printed options

 

 

6 trucks- 2 are 3d printed Studebakers from BPM, the others are from Battlefront 

two jeeps - two trailers - two m32 cargo carriers 3D printed from BPM  bit ropey but they are from the where the hell do I get these from stable. 

4 3/4 ton trucks - 4 drivers - 6 crew , two guns - all from battlefront

2 DUKWs , 2 drivers , 14 full figure passengers - plus two separate interchangeable cargo loads - (2 points)

so :-

Vehicles = 18 = 144

Guns/Trailers = 6 = 24

drivers - 10 = 10

full figures - 16 = 32

cargo load - 2 points = 2 

total 212

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Geez Dave, even with taking a week off to game you still managed to get a load of minis done for us to enjoy. Great stuff! These are rather excellent. We often get caught up with the sharp end of our miniature armies, focusing on the tanks and assault infantry, and frequently forget the long, long trail that is is needed to keep them moving forward. I particularly like the Studebakers and have always been fond of the awkward and wacky looking DUKWs. 

Lovely work Dave!

- Curt

From GregB: To The King! (Arda) (200 points)

Erkenbrand and Eomer lead the Riders of Rohan to war!

Having arrived on Arda, I now wish to present something "Tolkeinesque" - here are a group of Riders of Rohan from GW's "Lord of the Rings" figure line. The Riders are lead by Eomer, Marshall of the Rittermark, and Erkenbrand, Lord of the Westfold. They are mostly plastic, but there are a couple of metal castings in the lot, as well as one "Finecast" (which still sucks!) figure.

I can hear you asking "Hey, Greg, didn't you have these guys already? I mean, you painted Erkenbrand back in 2019, right?" Well yes...without making the story too long, some participants may recall I moved house in 2020. That was quite the process, it all happened a bit suddenly, and required some hard decisions when in came to my large collection of figures. Some parts of the collection had to go...and one of those was my Riders of Rohan, who were sold to a new hobby home.

Some of the regular warriors, mounted and ready to fight for Rohan!

The whole move was not easy, but it got done (and many friends, participants in this Challenge, were critical to that - thank you!). But wow, did I find that, as I unpacked my stuff, I regretted selling those Riders of Rohan. I had enjoyed so many great games of "Lord of the Rings" over the years with my friends, and I missed seeing those riders on the shelves. The ache was accentuated by the Painting Challenge, which would feature many great submissions of LOTR figures (this year being no exception). 

So, I cracked, did that dumb thing that we hobby people do sometimes, and this year I ordered replacements to re-start my Riders of Rohan collection! 

Erkenbrand, on foot and mounted - figure from GW.

Of course, things have changed over the years - GW still makes the figures, and broadly supports the game and the range, but many figures that were once metal are no longer available as metal castings. Erkenbrand is now "Finecast". The plastic-resin of "Finecast" was rightly reviled when it came out, and it still sucks @ss today - the sword on the foot version of Erkenbrand here was drooped like a noodle, and even after a LOT of effort and boiling water, the sword it still not fully straight. Let's hope the Lord of the Westfold stays mounted...

Eomer, mounted and on foot - plastic kit from GW.

The new plastic Eomer is tricky to assemble, but just a stunning figure.

Then Eomer, who used to be a metal casting, is no longer available as a metal casting - he is, in fact, a multi-part plastic model. This brings some challenges - the head was TWO parts, for a single 28mm figure, WTF??? But on the whole, this is really nice - because while I really like the previous metal Eomer, this plastic one is amazing. The pose is incredible, you get options for heads and weapons. The horse is customized, and because both horse and rider are plastic, you avoid another issue...

Generic Rohan command, mounted. These are metal figures on plastic horses, held up on the base by one leg...f*ck...

Generic Rohan command figures on foot. Note the finial on the standard was a mis-cast...oh well. These guys shouldn't be on foot too much anyway!

...and this will be familiar to many Challenger already. GW is prone to brain cramps, and they had a major one when they designed the plastic horses for the LOTR range. These horse are bound to the base by a single, thin leg! This is the height of stupidity, and makes things tough - for example, the generic command figure and banner-carrier are both metal figures, and the single, thing, plastic leg is holding them all up. This is idiocy...but it is all we have to work with, so, prayers to the hobby gods...

A selection of plastic Riders.

I also want to thank Curt for his help in figuring out Eomer's armour. It is pretty complicated, with leather patterns worked on to sections of plate...not sure how well I managed it, but it was definitely a Challenge and I am pleased overall with how he turned out. It will be good practice for when I turn to King Theoden, who wears armour with similar complications.

To the king!

Anyway, it is lovely to be back in the LOTR game again! It warms my heart to once more see the Riders of Rohan on my shelf! For scoring purposes, we have 16 mounted 28mm figures, four 28mm foot figures, and a one planet bonus, which should come to 200 points. This amounts to a nice jolt towards my points goal. To the King!

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Wow. Greg these are tremendous. I was personally shocked when you sold your previous collection, so I'm very happy to see you're beginning to replace them - they are such a lovely looking force, all arrayed and charging forward. Beautiful sculpts aside, I have to agree with you on GW's decision to utilize plastic horses, pinioned on one hoof, to hold metal riders. It just makes me cringe to think of it. Prayers to the hobby gods indeed. I'll let you handle those ones when we play. :)

Wonderful work, mon ami!

- Curt

From TamsinP: Senatus Populesque Romanus (90 points)

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

Chapter 9

In which our hero hopes never to return to that nasty jungle...

Row! So where has it brought me this time? It's not the jungle and it's not the desert, so that's good. There's no explosions, so that's very good. It's cold, but not too cold, there's grass and there are trees...hang on, those trees look familiar...aren't they the ones where those hairy, half-naked men chased me?* I rather think they are. Oh, and there were squirrels too! 

I'll sneak up and see if the hairy men have gone. OK, the coast is clear - now to find some of those funny red-brown squirrels to slay! Aha! I see some up that tree...

Row-row-row! Row-row-row! Row-row-row! Row-row-row! Row-row-row!

That's another five that I've slayed! This is sooooo much fun! Hang on - I hear people over there. Best shut up, sneak over and take a look...

Phew! They're not those nasty, chasy, hairy men! Are they all men? Some of them seem to be wearing dresses and holding bent sticks in their hands? And they're pointing at me! Ruh-roh - this could be bad! And they've shot a load of smaller sticks at me! That's definitely bad! Best run off, find some cover and get out of here!

OK, here's a nice bush to hide in. Why is it that whenever I'm having fun slaying squirrels, something happens and I have to run away? I'll try the green button again...

* See Chapter 2

When I started my ancient Germans for "Infamy, Infamy!", I also started a force of Early Imperial Romans, with the intention of eventually expanding it to allow me to field an army for Art de la Guerre. The Infamy force had enough Auxiliary infantry and cavalry for ADLG, however I was short on Legionaries, light-foot archers and light cavalry. To top up the force, I ordered some extras, but that was before the version 4 rules came out - auxiliary infantry can now be taken as heavies rather than just as mediums. I'm still debating whether or not to do some of those. 

"But what is in this post?" I hear you ask.

Legionaries

These four bases of Legionary heavy infantry take me up to nine bases (of a maximum of sixteen). I might add another seven bases at some point to max the list out. Not that I'd ever use that many in a typical game, but it's nice to have the option.

The shield designs were hand-painted, to match my original five bases. I wish that I'd gone for something simpler, but that's life.

Auxilia Sagitarii

Auxiliary archers can be taken as either medium foot or light foot. The list allows a maximum of four bases, of which two can be mediums. I had two of each from my original force, so decided to add two more lights.

"Errrmm, if you only needed two more lights, why are there five bases here?"

Aha! Well, spotted! The simple reason for that is that you can add missile support to Legionary (max 4) and Auxiliary (max 2) bases. 

I still need to do the light cavalry for this army. I have some which might appear later in the Challenge.

All the figures are 15mm from Lancashire Games.

For Scoring

42 x 15mm foot @ 2 = 84 points

Total = 84 points

And that sees me through my original target of 1300 points. Curt - let's raise it to 1700 points!

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It's nice that Oscar is getting a little change of scenery, though arrows are definitely not the 'sticks' he's come to love. I do like me a Roman (or ten) and these legionnaires and archers look quite fabulous. Such nice and clean brushwork, Tamsin, and those hand-painted shields?! Wow, they look superb. I think a few extra points are in order for those, especially in light that you are increasing your points target to 1700. Well done Ms P!

- Curt

From DaveD - 15mm Normandy Hospice St. Mere L’Eglise & Azeville Battery (25 points)

 This is a bit of a catch up post as things have been a tad hectic the last few weeks with lots of gaming and little painting. 

First up a nice new large 15mm building . this is a a 3D print from Frontline Terrain. It’s a copy of the Hospice building at St Mere L’Eglise in Normandy . Size is 11 x 3 x 4 for the basic building = 132 cubic inches - so 12 points worth  . The walled and garden area is an A4 sheet with walls etc made from balso walls , ready mix tile grout . The gates are from plasticard. the cobbled paths are from a sheet i found in the bits box.  - so let’s call that 3 points so 15 altogether . 

Looks like General Patton has his eye on it !

I have made it removable from the walled area so it can be used in a more built up area .

There is a great photographs from just after D Day that shows more detail of the large walled area with extra buildings and a crashed glider etc . So something for future developments 

 

Next up are the four main casemates for the Azeville Battery . This battery was located north of Utah beach and the para DZ’s and was armed with 105mm guns . It was assaulted by a small number of paras on D Day  but they didn’t take it . It took a proper assault on the 9th of June to knock it out along with fire from the USS Nevada’s 14” guns.

I visited this site last year on holiday and it’s very intact - we were able to wander around the underground galleries, rooms and casemates. That is where I picked up the camouflage options . These will see action this weekend for an attack on the battery as part of my US forces campaign ladder .

These are 3D printed- again by Frontline Terrain 

 

And here are a few shots of the weekend game 

Each of these casemates are 5x3x2 = 30 - total = 120. , so 10 points

So overall I would suggest 25 points of terrain . 

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Fabulous work Dave. That Hospice building is gorgeous and you've brought it up to another level with the bespoke grounds and walls. And if you're gaming Normandy you have to have lots of defensive works, and these casemates certainly do the trick. I like the whimsical graffiti on the them, are those historical to the period?  They will be excellent additions to your upcoming game.

- Curt

 

From GregB - A Ride on Sarah's Star Yacht - Elucia Vhane (25 points)

Elucia Vhane, Rogue Trader. 28mm plastic figure from GW.

My exploration of the Challenge XII Quadrant started on Istvaan, and then moved to Glorantha. Further progress in the outer ring will require a journey on Lady Sarah's Star Yacht. For that purpose, I present Elucia Vhane, Rogue Trader and leader of the Elucidian Starstriders. Elucia Vhane is a 28mm plastic figure from GW.

Elucia's wardrobe combines elements of style AND practicality very nicely.

"Rogue Traders" are agents of The Imperium in the GW's Warhammer 30k and 40k settings. While the Imperium is vast, the galaxy still bigger, and Rogue Traders have the authority to explore, trade, conquer, pillage, negotiate - and more! - outside of the Imperium's boundaries. Rogue Traders therefore tend to be very interesting characters. They also get stuck into sticky situations...Elucia Vhane and her ship were no exception - I won't get into the details here, but let's just say things did not end well, and Elucia Vhane's team is a group of "survivors"...

I hope Elucia will enjoy Lady Sarah's Yacht, after things on her own ship, New Dawn, did not work out so well...

Elucia Vhane certainly evokes the style and poise one might expect from a Rogue Trader! She looks sharp, but also emits the proper level of menace. That pistol may look antique, but it can probably take out a squad in one shot. This is a brilliant sculpt from GW, and a lot of fun to paint. In fact, the entire group of Starstriders are excellent figures, and I hope to finish one or two more of them before this edition of the Painting Challenge concludes!

In terms of passage, I am hoping Lady Sarah's Yacht will take me to Arda - where things Tolkein-esque await...and that will be the subject of my next submission, later today!

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What a fabulous figure, Greg! I admire how you've managed to pick out all of Elucia's wonderfully baroque costume and arcane accoutrements. I especially like her mysterious veil and walking stick (which I'm sure is far more than what it appears to be). 

Consider your passage booked! I look forward to your upcoming fantasy submission for Arda.

- Curt