From ClintB: 10mm Mahdists & 20mm Arab Civilians (41 points)

From Clint: 

20mm Arab civilians and six more Mahdist stands again rifle armed. This has finished the rifle armed marhdits still a lot of melee armed Marhdists to go though so more I suspect next week. They are again 10mm figures from Pendraken. 

I was given these Arab civilians by Tim at IT Miniatures. Seven 20mm figures 3 adult males and a young lad and 2 adult ladies and a young girl. The Children and Ladies come in one pack and the gents come in  separate pack. As mentioned they were an unexpected gift and are for my Arab revolt game. Not sure they will get too much of an active part but more as moving scenery. 

Having taken on the feedback with regard to patches on the Jibbehs I have mostly kept them but have muted the colours. The result I am happier with than the brighter patches.

Great work Clint. I like that you kept some of the patchwork as it keeps the unit varied and interesting. My favourites though are the Arab civilians. I love the kids dashing about and again the bright colours really work nicely for this group.

The Mahdists and civilians will give Clint 41 points. Well done!

From KentG: 28mm Napoleonic French Artillery (120 points)

Kent switches from the Seven Years War back to Napoleonics with these wonderful French guns of the line.

From Kent:

Here we have four 28mm Front Rank French artillery and crew. Two are line foot and two are horse artillery. 

They were very nice to paint - slightly bigger than my Perry guns, but I quite like them. Sadly they don't get to stay at my place.

Lovely work Kent. I base my stuff on thin steel in order to have a low profile, but I must say I really do like the chunkiness of your bases - they give a great aesthetic.

These four guns and their crews will give Kent 120 points. Great Guns!

Napoleonic Cossack Cavalry and Sledge Gun (75 points)

Whoa, what a week. Am I ever pooped. I was really hoping to get this submission in by the end of last weekend but the 'Poll Bot Attack' hit the blog below the waterline and I was in damage control for much of Sunday and Monday. Then the workweek kicked off at a furious pace and I also needed to catch up on other folks' entries. Nonetheless, I now I have a bit of a breather before the Hero round so I'm thought I best sneak these in while I can.

Anyway, enough whining, right? Continuing with my 1812 Retreat diversion, I thought I'd get some more Cossacks done as I'd like to put on a small skirmish game with this stuff next month. So here are 4 mounted Cossacks, a light gun mounted on a snow sledge and a Cossack commander.

The cavalry are all Perry Miniatures, a mixture of Don and Ataman Cossacks. Later I plan to add some Moscow Opolchenie (militia) riders for a bit of variation to the mix (not to mention I love their whacky hats).

I've decided to give these Cossacks relatively uniform saddle blankets and lances to better tie them together as a unit. As per my usual MO I've mounted the officer on a hex base so players can better identify him on the tabletop. (Junior leaders will be on rectangular bases.) I ultimately want around 30 of these fellows (three 'troops' I 'spose) so this is going to be a bit of a slog as I'm complete crap at painting cavalry at any real speed. Nonetheless, when they get done they should look the business careening around the tabletop, creating mischief for the French.

Also included is a sledge-gun manned by a trio of Cossacks. This is a very nice little set from Kawe's Westfalia Miniatures. I kept it pretty grungy looking and dirtied up the muzzle with expended powder to give it that rough campaign look. I can easily envision many interesting scenarios with this as the focus.

I've also added a few pics which include the other three Cossacks that debuted with the French sledges. I thought I'd include them here, rolling out with their buddies, to give me some encouragement to get the next batch done.

This group of Cossacks will give me 75 points to add to my tally. 

With a bit of luck I might get one more submission in before the onslaught of the Hero round.

From ByronM: 28mm WWI Canadian Infantry (45 points)

Byron returns to his Great War project with this excellent section of Canadian infantry.

From Byron:

Hello again, here is another submission, moving right along on my Great War stuff

After deviating once again from my Great War project, this time to the far future of the 40k universe, I am returning the the fateful days of 1915 when the brave Canadians entered the war.

This section is another towards the composition of the Canadian 10th Battalion.  These figures are from my personal favourite WW1 manufacturer: Musketeer Miniatures.  While I know there are many other great mini companies out there, so far I have personally had the best luck with Musketeer, as the figures arrived almost completely free of mold lines, have crisp detail, great facial detail, and awesome packs and rifles.  

Don’t get me wrong, I like the renegade miniatures I have, I just wish they were a little smaller and less beefy, and I love the Great War miniatures company ones, other than their lack of facial detail.  Musketeer though, offers great detailed figs at a really reasonable price, about $10cnd for 4 figs!  When your used to paying GW pricing of $10-$20 per figure, that’s down right cheap! 

Anyway, the British themselves painted up really easily and quickly.  Not 100% sold on the faces as I ran out of my favourite skin tone and wash!!!  And since they were the GW colours from 3 generations ago…  I need to find something new and haven’t gotten it right yet.  I have all the vallejo’s and use them for almost everything else, but the flesh and flesh wash was my last true hold out from GW paint lines…..  That and, yes I know the packs are too dark for historical accuracy, sorry.  I realized that after I did the other section of 10th Battalion troops I did, and corrected it on my 16th Battalion troops, but then decided to leave the 10th with dark packs and the 16th with light so that they are easier to spot the difference between them at a distance (ok, lame excuse since the 16th is in kilts with glengarries but I’m sticking with that argument)

Also included is the card I made up for them for 'Through the Mud and the Blood'.

Beautiful work Byron. I feel your pain regarding using the last pot of a discontinued colour. I'm still desperately missing GW's Bubonic Brown and Devlan Mud (or perhaps it's just the smell of Devlan Mud I miss). I also agree that Musketeer Miniatures produces some of the best 28mm Great War models on the market today. I just wish the range had a little more breadth, but I know these things take time to develop.

This section of Canuck infantry will give Byron 45 points. I look forward to hearing of their debut with the Fawcett Avenue gang in the next week or so.

From BenD: 15mm WWII Russian Sturmovik & Lend Lease Sherman and Stuart Tanks (128 points)

Hello All

I have finally got around to painting the Stuarts I have been talking about for a while now and have seemingly done everything in my power not to paint! At the same time I also painted up the Sturmovik I also need for the event and a company of Sherman 76mm for a future Lend Lease only force inspired by Steve's one.

The Stuarts are from the Plastic Soldier Company and are technically the wrong model, but they were the only Stuarts I could get my hands on in time for the event and the difference is only the turret. Also the way I look at it is a Stuarts a Stuart, as long as I don't use the same model for both types of Stuart it shouldn't be confusing. Also I loved the model so much when I did my US versions I wanted to build and paint them again.

The Shermans are also from The Plastic Soldier Company and were a lot of fun to build and paint. I did a small swap on them and used some spare Battlefront .50cals I had instead of the ones that came in the box as they are very flimsy.

And finally the Sturmovik, this is the Battlefront version very kindly given to me by Cid. It was quite fun to paint but I did have a lot of trouble were the under camo joins the top camo on the wings. Game wise I have found this to be a waste of points and it will be dropped as soon as I get my hands on some Heavy Mortars and M17 Anti Air, but I don't have the time to buy the models and to paint them up before the event.

Well thanks for looking and I hope you enjoyed the post.

Really beautiful work Ben. I've always had a soft spot for Stuarts (must have been 'The Haunted Tank' comic books of my youth) and its great to see them being put to good use by the heroes of the Soviet Socialist Republics. 

These Shermans, Stuarts and the Sturmovik will give Ben 128 points. I hope they do well for you in your upcoming event!

From SebG: 15mm ACW Union Artillery 'The West Point Battery' (30 points)

Seb continues to tear along with his ACW project with his fine battery of Union guns.

From Seb:

Following my previous entries, I've now added some heavy support for my Union brigade, with a battery of three guns. As usual, they're from Old Glory and were a joy to paint. You have 2 10" rifled parrots, and 1 Napoleon. They're supposed to represent the 5th United States Artillery, Company D, aka "the West point battery", under Cpt Charles Griffin, whom you can see observing the enemy positions with his binoculars. This chap is interesting, since he fought during the Mexican war, taught at West point, then was promoted to lead a brigade, and finally the V. Corps at the end of the war. Worthy of a hero. But all in good time. 

They're not the right guns to represent the unit at Bull Run, but it will be more practical for the rest of the war.

Now I need to finish my hero bonus entry.

Lovely work Seb. I like the fellow in his red shirtsleeves and the figure for Griffin looks great calling out orders as he ranges-in his battery.

These three guns and their crews will give Seb 30 points.

From DallasE: Warhammer 40K Ogryn (8 points)

From Dallas:

Here's my latest for the Challenge. It's a Games Workshop Ogyrn that I picked up second-hand in a mixed bag of models. 

Unfortunately, he didn't come with a head... but I'd had other plans for him anyway. 

I have started a Traitor Guard army with all gas-masked troops, and he'd fit right in with a bit of conversion. 

I superglued a wooden bead in place of his head, then sculpted the gasmask with greenstuff. His camouflage pants match the scheme of the rest of the army.

That bead=head modification turned out brilliant Dal. The gasmask sculpt is very well done - I thought it was stock to the figure when I first saw it - bravo!

This large nasty lad with his BFG will give Dallas 8 points. 

From FranL: 28mm F&IW French Regiment Languedoc & 15mm Modern British Platoon (143 points)

We can't have a Ray submission without one from Francis, and so like magic...

Here is is a 28mm FIW French "Languedoc" Regiment consisting of 12 figures from AW Miniatures for my Bloggers for Charity submission, a few issues with the figures but they should be alright once based in a unit (not allowed to base them as they are being based all in one go) with a nice flag!

The 5th,6th and last picture are of a 15mm modern British platoon with extras from Old Glory. 

Most of these figures came from my Secret Santa and should have some "Viking" vehicles to transport them soon.

Great work Fran! I must say it's kinda wild seeing you paint Horse & Musket figures - you've done a great job on them. Could these entice you into a new period perhaps? Of course your modern stuff is always top notch. I look forward to seeing the upcoming rides for these lads.

The Regiment Languedoc and this modern British infantry platoon will give Fran 143 points. Well done Mr. Lee! 

From RayR: 15mm NYW French Dragoons (94 points)

Today Ray submits a unit of Space Marines from the 'Imperial Hangnail' Chapter followed by a gaggle of unicorn-riding dryads playing harps... 

I know, not a bloody chance. Yep, more 15mm Nine Years War French donkey wollopers. 

From Ray:

I have been a busy boy with the brush and I've finished yet again another NYW unit, once again its a French Dragoon regt, the Royal Grammont Dragoons, who fought at 3 major battles of the Nine Years War, Walcourt,  Namur and Steenkirke. 

You'll all be very surprised to read that the figures are from Essex miniatures and the flags are from Maverick Models. i like this flags its not the colour of the unit, which makes a nice change for cavalry unit in the period.

My next entry won't be a NYW one, but don't panic, there'll be more NYW stuff on the way soon!!

Yeah right. I'll believe it when I see it Rousell.

Okay, so what's with that poor lonely nag in the background? Perhaps one of these poor Shining Sons of France fell off drunk a mile back...

Seriously though, this is beautiful work Ray. The buff facings of this unit are set off quite nicely with the vibrant red of the coat and trousers, very chic.  Question: Are you doing separate horse holder stands for your dismounted dragoons or just going to leave them as is?

This fine regiment of Grammont Dragoons will give Ray 94 points which places him within striking distance of his 600 point target. Nice one Ray!

From GregB: Warhammer 40K Rogue Trader Space Marines, Command Team and Rhino (100 points)

From Greg:

Well this challenge has kicked me into sci-fi gear! Building on my recent submissions here are a group of Games Workshop Space Marines (and one non-Marine flunky) from the Rogue Trader era - late 80s, early 90s.  There is one tactical squad of ten Marines, and a collection of Marine characters, specialty functions found in each company of Marines.  They are enjoyable, and really reflect the grim setting of the Warhammer 40,000 future. 

The Chaplain - back in the time when GW was much more selective with skulls (now found on every surface), the Chaplain was the exception.  In theory a Chaplain is meant to bring spiritual comfort and guidance to the soldiers, but a Marine chaplain is a grim spectre of death, with skull everything - helmet, shoulder plates, etc. If this is what gives comfort to Space Marines, no wonder they are stuck in so many pointless last stands.  And of course the Chaplain is a kick-ass fighter, hammering the Emperor's enemies with his arcane weapons and motivating the battle brothers around him.

The Medic - yet another theoretically relatable role tortured into something grim 40,000 years from now.  Although the Marine Medic can sometimes treat wounded battle brothers, mostly he goes around the battlefield putting the wounded ones out of their misery with an "Emperor's Mercy" bolt to the head.  He then recovers genetic material so a new Marine can be created.  Ah - the Emperor's circle of life…

The Librarian - very telling that in the Warhammer 40,000 setting, the gathering, storing and organizing of knowledge (something we take much too for granted these days) is an activity that is regarded as mystic, arcane, dangerous and even grounds for suspicion.  Only the rare trusted psychics - who weren't fed to the Emperor, and were tough enough to become Space Marines - carry out these duties in the Space Marine Chapter.  And, as with the Chaplain, it's no staff function - this fellow can kick ass with his funky "force sword", psychic powers, and guns. 

The Techmarine - I personally find mechanics today to be suspicious and somewhat arcane; in the Warhammer 40,000 setting, who knows how weird they would be? This fellow mends the vehicles of his Company with a mix of prayer and a huge wrench-spanner thingy…

The Astropath - this figure, "Yerl" from the old Citadel range, is based on an image from the Rogue Trader rulebook.  Astropaths are the 4G-LTE wireless communication devices of the 41st millennium, passing messages back and forth through the warp and allowing the Imperium of Man to (mostly) stay in touch across the vast distances of the galaxy.  The Astropath lives a crummy, weird-genes-and-odd-looks, who-said-you-could-leave-your-chamber life in Warhammer 40,000, so I painted his skin tone to match. This figure will be a good objective marker or model for Rogue Trader games.

There are two command-type models, one with a communicator and the other with some kind of data slate.  I put an antenna in the one fellow, and see these two guys as either crew for an emplaced weapon, or maybe an artillery spotting team. 

The tactical squad is a 10-man unit, led by a hero with "Terminator Honours".  There is a multi-melta and a melt gun in the unit, and the rest have blotters.  There are five metal figures and five classic RTB01 plastics in the group.  They are my last old plastic marines from the eBay score I made two years ago…

Painting these old figures is a lot of fun, and highly addictive.  I'm hoping I can find a few more of these old figures on eBay, although it's getting a little harder every day. 

Being a big fan of Rogue Trader-era figures and models from GW doesn't mean all of the newer GW models are bad, and I'm a particular fan of newer line of Space Marine vehicles, particularly the Rhino APC and its variants. 

Space Marines may be genetically enhanced warrior nut cases, but like anyone else they still prefer a ride if they can get one. The Rhino APC is the workhorse of the Space Marine forces, ready to take a squad of 10 Marines into nearly any trouble. The storm bolter provides a little bit of covering fire for them.

One thing I like about using the newer model with the older GW figures is that the vehicle looks much more in scale.  I remember laughing about how the original Rhinos somehow held 10 Marines - the models were laughably tiny.  The Rhinos are a lot bigger now, but of course, thanks to scale creep, so are the Marines :) But combining Rogue Trader-era Marines with the newer Rhino gives the right look. 

The slow build-up of the Crimson Fists continues…

Fabulous work Greg. I especially love seeing those old Rogue Trader command figures again. I never understood GWs insistence on 'Librarians' in their command units when everyone knows it's the Archivists that do all the heavy lifting. Librarians, pfft, tres amateurs...

I also really like the mixture of the newer Rhino model with the older figures. The scale between the them seems to work way better than with the newer figures. Hey, didn't Forge World make a up-scaled version of the old Rhino? Or was that a Land Raider? I thought I remember Dallas selling a kidney and picking one up at Salute a few years ago...

This squad, its command team and Rhino will give Greg 100 points. Great stuff buddy!