From TimG: 20mm WWII Trucks (24 points)

From Tim:

More 20mm Sovs now. The Katyusha on Studebaker chassis is a Russian plastic kit. It was a truly horrible thing to build. I wish I could remember the maker so I could warn you against it! The launcher rails are the best bits but even they needed a deal of straightening so they'd fit and then bracing with steel wire. The cab? Let's not go there. If the outsize red star distracts the viewer from the model's shortcomings that's no bad thing!

The ammo carrier is a good old Airfix Opel - now under new management!

It's too bad that the kit was such a bear to assemble but you did a great job and it looks very good!

These two trucks will give Tim 24 points.

From GregB: 28mm Modern Soviets in MOPP Gear (20 points)

Greg, having just recovered from his Primer Rage, sends in this this group of 28mm Soviet infantry in chemical suits.

From Greg:

A small submission today as I clear the baffles of some more long-pending modern bits.  These are 28mm Soviets in MOPP gear from Eureka with special weapons - two RPGs, one PK MG and one dude with a flamethrower.  These Soviet MOPP dudes are a favourite collection of mine, and we know them informally as the "Chemical Commies".  A soldier wearing MOPP gear is a particularly terrifying sight in my view, and the Soviet MOPP outfit looks spookiest of all. It was the release of these figures several years ago that sparked our bonkers entry into modern 28mm gaming, a period of collection escalation still unmatched in recent times of the Fawcett Avenue Conscripts. I think Dallas and I originally thought it would be fun if we got a squad of MOPP guys to fight some Zombies - before we knew it I had the better part of a motor rifle company on the table, with Dallas matching me by fielding the Bundeswehr!

On the Fawcett gaming tables the Chemical Commies have repeatedly fought NATO troops in diverse western Europe locales, as well Zombies, insurgents and other ne'er do wells.  They have even served as mercenaries in the pay of Big Pharma during Dallas' "World War Z" games. These special weapons will give my Chemical Commies a nice firepower boost. 

There was an extra challenge that came with these in the form of bad primer.  About a year ago I had problems with Krylon. Well, I was out of primer, and I thought "well, it's been a year, so what could be wrong? Let's give it a chance."  Wrong decision - terrible, flaky texture finish.  I scraped off what I could, and went and purchased my usual Chaos Black spray paint to cover the figures.  Overall, it's OK, but the flamethrower guy in particular is still pretty rough. Some Sudan-era British cavalry was not so lucky - two models ruined beyond recovery.  So fuck you Krylon, and the horse you rode in on. 

On to some British Sudan cavalry that survived the Krylon, and then to 28mm Napolenic Austrians...

So it is written so shall it be done. Considering the volume of supplies Greg goes through in a typical year this might well mean a drop of a few points in Krylons trade volume.

Theses four spooky Russians will give Greg 20 points. Nice job!

From ChrisP: 15mm WWII American Infantry (104 points)

From Chris:

Good news! Apparently shopping with the mother-in-law doesn't require me. Net result? Painting!

Here is some more of my 15mm Battlefront Americans.

First is the first Rifle Platoon, all older Battlefront miniatures, pretty stock standard. 9 Rifle teams, a Command team and the all important Bazooka!

Then we have a 4 stand Intelligence and Recon Platoon. I chose to put 3 guys on these medium bases so that I could tell them apart at a distance. The I&R boys will have some jeeps coming in the future, my plan is to re do all the infantry first, then the vehicles!

Last photo is a comparison shot of the old and new models. I promise that at least a few of the people reading this have said "they aren't bad" or that there "was no need for me to redo them". I disagree.

Probably a few went "god those are ugly" too....

Anyway, more 15mm US up next, then I think something different....

Keep avoiding the Monster-in-Law, you're doing great. I think the redux version looks very good and seem to be an improvement from your earlier work (though that wasn't shabby at all either).

This Rifle Platoon and IR Platton will give Chris 104 points which places him in the lead. Awesome work!  Now, you best tidy the house for Smaug's return...