My friend Dallas taught me a sporting term a few years ago (in much the same circumstances, ahem) which perfectly describes this entry by Ray, its 'Sandbagging'.
Sandbagging: in billiards and other games, deliberately playing below one's actual ability in order to fool opponents into accepting higher stakes bets, or to lower one's competitive rating in order to play in a future event with a higher handicap and consequently have a better chance to win.
You see that crafty git Ray has been keeping this storm of 15mm Russian infantry from us until he could conduct a 'shock and awe' post - a veritable Pearl Harbour of painting.
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The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 1st Regt, 1st Brigade of the 1st East Siberian Rifle Division, (red flags), behind them are, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 2nd Regt, 1st Brigade of the 1st East Siberian Rifle Division, (blue flags) |
What you see arrayed before you is not one, but TWO Russian divisions of infantry, the 1st and 9th East Siberian Infantry Divisions which served during the Russo-Japanese War. In short there are a total of 24 regiments of infantry in this force. Wow.
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Close-up of the 3rd battalion of the 1st regt 1st ESR |
Ray did not mention the make of the castings but I'm assuming they are from Irregular Miniatures as that is what the previous entries have been (Ray, correct me if I'm wrong). Also, I know Ray does many of his own flags but he did not mention if these are his or a commercial product.
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Close-up of the 1st Battalion of the 2nd regt 1st ESR |
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The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the The 3rd Regt, 2nd Brigade of the 1st East Siberian Rifle Division, (white flags), behind them are, The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 4th Regt, 2nd Brigade of the 1st East Siberian Rifle Division, (green flags) |
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Close-up of the 2nd Battalion of the 3rd regt 1st ESR |
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Close-up of the 2nd Battalion of the 4th regt 1st ESR |
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The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 33rd regt, 1st Brigade of the 9th East Siberian Rifle Division, (red flags), behind them are, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 34th Regt, 1st Brigade of the 9th East Siberian Rifle Division, (blue flags). |
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Close-up of the 3rd Battalion of the 33rd regt 9th ESR |
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Close-up of the 1st Battalion of the 34th regt 9th ESR |
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The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the The 35th Regt, 2nd Brigade of the 9th East Siberian Rifle Division, (white flags), behind them are, The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of The 36th Regt, 2nd Brigade of the 9th East Siberian Rifle Division, (green flags). |
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Close-up of the 2nd Battalion of the 35th regt 9th ESR.
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There are 384 figures here which equates to 1152 points. This staggering leap forward places Ray within striking distance of Kent who has had the lead for the majority of the Challenge. There is an impressive amount of quality work here Ray, bravo!
Crikey! That Ray is a craft one. I don't think I eve own that many miniatures (must try harder)
ReplyDeleteImpressive work, I like the flags particularly.
Kent - any response from you?
Crafty indeed, and it is hard for me not to believe that he does not have another entry up his sleeve. I have watched Kent's pace, and I wonder if Ray has flumoxed him. This space will be very interesting to watch.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations Ray, that is a lot of soldiers.
John
Ray, you are incredible.
ReplyDelete+ I have to wonder what Fran is up to!
ReplyDeleteSneaky....
ReplyDeleteThat is some amount of brsuhwork Ray - top marks
Now who's the man, that's an incredible stack of figures well done Ray now it really is a race to the end, Oh I painted all Friday( sick day) and all yesterday should have my next batch finished today and based
ReplyDeleteThat's the spirit! We'll settle this by Wednesday.
ReplyDelete'It'll be paintbrushes at 10 yards'
(Fun, the Challenge graphic becomes reality).
Curt
Great result there Ray. Even if a bit sneaky. All of a sudden I am sitting on the edge of my chair watching them coming down the home straight.
ReplyDeleteLooking forward to it Kent!
ReplyDeleteI like that there is now drama in the race for top spot. A two horse race - a bit like the Premiership this season!
Holy C#&*!
ReplyDeleteThat's a lot of painting! I'm still struggling to break a 1,000 points and Ray lobs this in.
Very, very impressive. It will be interesting to watch what gets done by the 20th!
Come on Fran, I'm rooting for you!!!!
Ye gods that's an impressive amount of painting!
ReplyDeleteQuality work there Ray.
Cheers
Ross
Sandbagger I am!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI've been painting away like a Trojan today finishing up a few bits more, I'm not going to get everything done I want to, but it could be close and its gonna get messy!!!!!
A sneaky devil, I like it, going to have to watch this challange till its close
ReplyDeleteDamn you Ray!!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm now sending a delegation to the Fran embassy...
ReplyDeleteI know Ray and he is a sneaky fella...plus he has a far too much time on his hands!
ReplyDeleteNice work mate.
What the f......1100pts!! I struggle to get a few figures at a time and your cranking out friggin battalions!!
ReplyDeleteAwesome job at stepping up to the plate and really setting fire to the run for the finish! Kent's now looking over his shoulder and Fran is probably cursing your name!
Christopher
looking over my shoulder i don't know i'd say its side by side all the way to the end Good luck Ray
ReplyDeleteAn incredible amount of work!
ReplyDeleteForgot to say The figures are from Old Glory and the flags are from Flags for the Lads!!
ReplyDelete