From MichaelF: 28mm Viking Archers, Casualties and Markers (45 points)

Michael sends in these last bits for his 28mm SAGA Viking warband. Here are six archers, casualties and a collection of discarded shields to serve as fatigue markers.

Michael told me that he was not too enamoured with the idea of Viking archers and so did not feel too inspired with them. Nonetheless he did a simple but brilliant conversion with one of the Foundry Bondi castings, depicting the fellow drawing out a arrow from his quiver. I'm going to have to give this a try. Well done!

The casualty on the left somehow reminds me of Trinity in 'The Matrix' leaping in 'bullet-time'.

This group will give Michael 45 points. Very nice work.

From ChristopherS: 28mm Sudanese Archers (24 points)

New in from Christopher:

This is my next entry, two units of Sudanese archers in skirmish formation for my Ayyubid Muslim Arab army in 15mm. 

They are based for Impetus and are from Legio Heroica which I personally believe make some of the best 15mm miniatures on the market. The man behind the figures  is a real first rate person and a pleasure to deal with. Not surprisingly I highly recommend the figures and his company.

The figures are painted with Foundry paints and I used a watered down devlan mud wash which I applied carefully to keep it in shadows. A highlight was added before sealing the figure. The base is fine sand, small stones and some army painter winter tuft for the sparse grass.

Excellent work, Christopher. I really like how the Devlan Mud wash worked with these fellows. I'm currently using the same effect on some upcoming figures and I hope they turn out as nearly as nice as these.

These two stands will give Christopher 24 points. 

From KentG: 28mm English Civil War Commanders, Cavalry & Shotte (354 points)

Kent grinds forward like a painting juggernaught and so sends these excellent ECW commanders, cavalry and musketeers for us to enjoy.

First the commanders. Both are Parliamentarians (or blackguard Rebels, if you prefer). The topmost figure depicts the warty and pugnacious Oliver Cromwell, while astride the white charger is the much respected Sir Thomas 'Black Tom' Fairfax. Both are from Bicorne Miniatures' excellent range of 28mm figures. I quite like the blue harness on Cromwell's horse - very sharp.

Next is a beefy unit of twenty-four ECW horse. These 28mm (closer to 25mm, actually) cavalrymen are all from Wargames Foundry. Kent has done these up for a friend who wanted to to the basing himself (thus the reason why they look like they're charging through a gravel pit ;)).

Last but not least is a unit of twenty-four commanded Shotte. I believe all of these figures are from Foundry as well.

This collection of figures will give Kent a very respectable 354 points. A very, very nice collection - bravo!

From ChrisP: 28mm WWII Australians (50 Points)

Chris sends in this very fine set of WWII Australian infantry for upcoming games of 'Force on Force'.

Take it away Chris:

First up, is an Anti-Tank Team comprised of one cobber with a Boys AT Rifle, and one cobber with a good old SMLE. The Boys miniature comes from Warlord Games' Bolt Action range (he is really a Chindit), the rifleman is from Artizan.

Next up is my first half squad, comprised of 3 riflemen with SMLE, one NCO with a Thompson and one gunner with the Bren Light Machinegun. These guys are all from Artizan.

Next, is two spare chaps! The rifleman will be used as the spotter for my Sniper team, the NCO with a Thompson... Not sure what I will do with him! Again, these are Artizan.

Last up, is a downed Airman from Warlord Games. I painted him up to be nice and bright, I figured that if anyone was going to be clean in the pacific war, it would be the guy who just landed because he had his plane shot out from under him! It also gives a nice contrast to the dark and dingy Australians. The airman will be used as an objective in one of our scenarios.

This downed pilot is brilliant.

I am not that happy with the Artizan models- their faces are a bit ugly for my tastes! Not that australian soldiers should be chiselled gods, but they wouldn't have been as ugly as Artizan makes them out to be! Perhaps there is some feud with australians, a stolen girlfriend of a sculptor in the past? I don't know.

Even with their ugly mugs these lads will give Chris 50 points, keeping him well within range of the Challenge leaders. Well done!

From DaveD: 28mm General Colbert of the Lancers of the Imperial Guard (Red Lancers) & Mameluke Standard Bearer (40 points)

Dave submits two beautiful cavalry figures that have benefited from his usual attentive conversions. First is a 28mm Perry casting depicting a wounded General Colbert as he would have been seen on the field at Waterloo. The British casualty at his feet is from the Elite range.

From Dave:

I remade the cords and rackets so they are loose off the czapka , and replaced his sword with something less chunky, and freeed up all the chunks of metal on the casting the reins, behind the scabbard , the saddlecloth etc  - I must be mad you see...- well more just particular!

Indeed! Second, we have a Mameluke eagle bearer in the midst of being unhorsed - poor chap.

This is a 28mm Bicorne model in which Dave has repositioned and has soldered new reins and loops.

These two (with the casualty) will give Dave a base of 23 points but due to his extra conversion work I'm topping it up to 40 points. Lovely stuff, Dave!