From Sylvain: 28mm Napoleonic Russians in Early-Period Uniform (Novgorod Regiment) & Command Stand (80 points)

Sylvain sends in this excellent battalion of early-period Napoleonic Russian infantry to add to his other fine unit he did for last year's Challenge.

These are 28mm metal Victrix castings sculpted by the talented Paul Hicks. Sylvain has painted them to depict the first battalion of the Novgorod Regiment. I've always liked how colourful Russian flags were during this period and these are no exception (done up by 'Flag Dude').

Above is a very nice command stand that Sylvain will use to indicate a Brigade-level commander. Great work and I like the incorporation of the junior officer on foot.

I've been teasing Sylvain pretty hard to get more Russians done so I'm delighted to see these emerge from his paining desk.

Some of the models for this unit were done before the Challenge began so 12 foot and 2 mounted will be scored. Nonetheless that gives Sylvain a very nice 80 points - well done and welcome to this year's Challenge, Sylvain! 

From PhilH: 28mm Pulp Action Femme Fatale and Pink-Arsed Baboons (36 points)

These baboons show to le Femme their collective opinion of 'Le Societe Archaelogique'.

Phil sends in this eclectic selection of figures: six baboons and a French femme fatale for his Pulp adventures.

Phil wanted Rhesus monkeys but happily made do with these baboons from Obelisk Miniatures in Germany. I really like them! They look suitably ferocious and very animated. Phil says he's never had to ponder the shade of pink that should be used for baboon arses...

Next up is a 'femme fatale' from the 'Societe Archaelogique'. Made complete with a jaunty beret, ubiquitous scarf and a small yet businesslike automatic pistol, one cannot help but look at her and say 'Allo Allo!'. She is a West Wind Production sculpt from their French Resistance range. Great plaid pattern on the skirt! Sarah quite liked the self-possession that this lass shows (speculating that her handbag must hold a bottle of Chanel, a make-up compact and an extra 9mm clip).

These seven will give Phil 35 points but I'll nudge it up to 36 for the nice pattern on le femme's skirt.

From ChrisP: 15mm WWII New Zealand Maoris (264 points)

I really like this stand with the camels and bedouin - no mistaking where this is!

Chis sends in this great force of WWII New Zealand Maoris in British desert service dress. 

These are 15mm Battlefront castings.

The 25pdr battery below benefits from a scavenged 105mm German gun. 

From Chris: 

'The Maori fought as part of their own battalion (the 28th), and were legendary as great light infantry, but also as amazing scavengers! There was a period of time where a company command's transportation was provided by a captured german halftrack- complete with towed 88!'

This group will give Chris a very tidy 264 points. Great work, Chris!

From TimB: 28mm Dark Age Scots, Vikings and a Norman (195 points)

Tim has been stoking the furnace of industry and sends in this great collection of ferocious, bloody-minded Dark Age Scots ('Pre-Feudal' Scots in DBA-speak) that would even make Lady Macbeth proud.

These are an assortment of Old Glory, Gripping Beast and Black Tree Design.

The round-based vignettes are to be used as Army Markers for Tim's DBA campaign system but I can see where they would be great Warlords for SAGA as well.

...plus a few Viking berserkers and a lonely Norman looking for a good time.

This collection of 35 figures will give Tim a base of 175 but I'm going to give him 20 points extra for the hand-painted shields, flags and plaids. So 195 points. Great work Tim!