Tuesday, December 31, 2013

From MarkG: 28mm New Figure Debut: Chaco Wars Bolivian & Paraguayan Infantry (120 points) AND A New Challenge Sponsor


Here are some very, cool and exciting figures from Mark, but I'll let him explain in more detail:
For my next entry I have completed 16 x 28mm figures for the Chaco War (1932-35). This was an extremely bloody Interwar conflict in South America which saw extensive trench warfare, use of tanks, HMGs, Flamethrowers and air attacks.

Though little known now, this was a closely followed conflict in newsreels and newspapers at the time, so much so that Hergé dedicated a whole Tin Tin book to it (The Adventures of Tin Tin - The Broken Ear [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Broken_Ear ] )
There are 8 figures of Paraguayan infantry (the ones in Olive Green fatigues and floppy hats), and 8 Bolivian Infantry ( in a mix of Khaki, with peaked caps).


These are actually part of a new range of figures which have been released today by Orinoco Miniatures (http://www.orinoco-miniatures.com/) , so these are the first painted examples to be seen anywhere. I hope you like them :-)






Fabulous work Mark and I'm very honoured that you debuted your new range with us here. As many know, I'm a big fan of obscure and/or little-known conflicts so I'm very chuffed to see these (reaching for wallet...).

These excellent Bolivians and Paraguayans will give Mark 120 points with a little extra added in celebration of their debut and for the note below. Well done and thank you!

IN ADDITION:

Mark has generously offered (with the subtle prompting with my sibilant silken words) to offer prize support for the Challenge with his wonderful new range of figures. Thank you so much Mark!!


...And take note Anne, Mark's Irish!


From MartinN: 28mm Dark Age Franks (40 points)

Being a rather slow painter I finally managed to get the figures for my next entry done. These Saxon Gedrith will feature in future games of Dux Britanniarum and Dux Bellorum. I intend to use them as Franks as I want leave the British Isles story wise. 
Although the Age of Arthur in good old Britain is for sure one of the most interesting Periods I'm a bit over saturated by the concentration on British history while there was so much more going on on the continent. The Franks struggling for a place in the corpse of the Roman Empire, the final death throws of the western Empire when Aetius led a coalition of roman and Frankish troops to victory over the Huns, the Visigoths carving out their empire in Italy and so on...
I wanted the miniatures to look like they were about to emerge out of a wood maybe attacking some merchants or a roman patrol on their way home.
The four long bearded models are from the superb Early Saxon range by Musketeer Miniatures. The two other guys are from the nice Arthurian Saxons by Westwind Productions. Both ranges fit together quite well although the Musketeer figures are more detailed.

I wish a Happy New Year to all fellow participants and bloggers.

Absolutely gorgeous work Nick! I really like the edging on their tunics and the weathering on the shields. When you and Axebreaker (Christopher) get together with your collections it must be a real feast for the eyes! I also really appreciate your desire to situate your Dark Age setting on the Continent as there was so much happening all over the world during this period in history. Well done.

These six fierce Franks will give Nick 40 points, which includes a little extra for the shields and excellent groundwork. Great Job!

From BenG: 20mm Napoleonic Artillery (140 points)


BenG finishes one of his Challenge projects with this great entry of Napoleonic artillery.

From Ben:
That's Borodino IV Corps done with a day to spare! The game starts on Thursday, so I'm now madly sticking labels on the movement trays.
As promised, the second Italian 12 pounder battery using Zvezda figures (another with a Franznap head-transplant). Unfortunately, in one of the photos, the flash has exposed the lack of paint on the inside of the wheel hub! Otherwise, it's not noticeable.  


The other stands are of French 12 ponders using the guns and figures from the HaT French artillery set. The first includes two figures from the Strelets French artillery from the Egyptian campaign range. All figures, HaT and Strelets, have head replacements using heads from HaT infantry (except the piratical-looking barrel humper) to replace the bicornes with shakos.

The quality difference between the Zvezda figures and the others is self evident, but I needed to get these stands done quickly and there are less parts in the HaT set than the Zvezda ones.
What you see here are two Italian 6 pounders foot batteries of 5 guns each, hence the narrow bases, and the last 3 regimental guns. All are using the Zvezda French artillery figures, but the 6 pounder guns are the easier to assemble, though aesthetically less pleasing, guns from the Italeri horse artillery set.

The regimental guns are Eureka/AB 15mm guns posing as 3 pounders and 2 of the gunners have had head mods using another Franznap bare head, and a Lancier Bleu pokalem head. I did also by a bag of bonnet de police ad pokalem heads from Franznap, but in the chaos that is my work bench, I can't find them!

Well, it's almost 2014 on this side of the international date line as I write this, so Happy New Year to all the Challengers!




Wonderful work and a monumental effort Ben! These look great and as I mentioned before I like your 15mm swap-in to make the 20mm scale regimental guns - brilliant.

This 1/72 scale artillery park will give Ben 140 points, including extra for the very effective head swaps. Well done!

From KentG: 28mm Napoleonic French Infantry (242 points)


And The Machine grinds on...

From Kent:
48 Front Rank French Line infantry with a few light and grenadiers added.


This is the end of the French line infantry that I have been working on for a commission over the past 2 years, just some grenadiers, more light and a few guns and I'll be starting the next job which is Russian Napoleonics.

Amazing work Kent! Greatcoated infantry are a godsend to Napoleonic figure painters as it provides a much needed break from having to deal with waistcoats, lace, braid piping, facing colours, etc. 

These 48(!) infantry will give Kent a staggering 242 points. Whoa! Great work Kent and you're back in the lead.

Top in Votes for Non-Combatant(s) Theme Bonus Round

Well, we had a very successful first Fortnight Theme Bonus Round with 36 Challengers sending in a submission for the 'Non-Combatant' theme. Of this illustrious group the following entries secured the top three places in the voting poll:

For 3rd place we had a tie with Tim's colourful 'Feudal Japanese Civilians'...



...along with Sidney's excellent vignettes of 'WWI Journalists'. Tim and Sidney will be awarded another 25 points to each of their totals.



AnneO'L claimed 2nd place with her wonderfully vibrant 'Guinevere' and will get an additional 50 point bonus.



And 1st place was taken by ByronB with his fabulous 'Old Queen from Snow White' who will get 75 points along with... 


...this characterful non-combatant vignette from Westfalia Miniatures!


Thanks to all the Challengers who entered and congratulations to the winners! The next Fortnight Theme is 'Villain(s)' so be sure to check back to see what The Wild Bunch has dreamt up for their entries.