From BrendonW: 28mm Villagers with 50 Shades of Filth (20 points)

Brendon sends us these wonderfully vile villagers for our appreciation.

From Brendon:

The manufacturer of these figures is Gripping Beast. The man with the shield is a plastic Saxon with a head from another GB plastic set. The angry village mob perhaps need a flaming torch to complete the 'lets git Dr Frankenstein!' look as they try and break down a door. They are a part of the GB baggage blister for the Saga 'Escort' mission. 

After completing them I think there may be room on the base to place a barrel of mead. That will give them courage and something to fight for. I wanted them 50 shades of filth looking and I think they are close to that. 

Those Bernard Cornwell novels really create an image of filth in my mind when it comes to Dark Age Britain. Only 1 more large base to go and I will have the 3 bases required for the mission. Excellent!

Wonderful 'local colour' Brendon (in fact, he had one of his image files titled 'Stinky Peasants Back' - perfect).  I like the idea of adding a cask of mead to the base, or perhaps some local loudmouth haranguing them into action.

These poor unfortunates will give Brendon 20 points to add to his total. Nice job!

From TamsinP: 15mm Swiss Halberdiers (144 points)

I'm getting a bit of deja vu here. Didn't we do this around a year ago? Nonetheless here we are on Christmas eve with a horde of Tamsin's Swiss demanding to be registered on the points chart. Really, who can deny them?

From Tamsin:

Is there any sight more certain to inspire terror in the hearts, minds and bladders of medieval Austrians, Burgundians, Italians, pretty much anybody in medieval Europe than a phalanx of Swiss halberdiers using both hands to wave their big choppers at you? 

What's that? Oh, yes, a phalanx of Swiss pikemen holding their huge poles with both hands and pointing them threateningly at you. I'll give you that one, but you'll just have to settle for these halberdiers as I won't be doing any more Swiss pikemen - 256 of the blighters is more than anyone can handle!

Figures are 15mm from Donnington Miniatures New Era range. These were very nice and quick to paint up (these took just 2 days to paint and base). The colours of all the cantons at Morat are represented here in this group.

Like I said, deja vu. That's 72 wee Swiss on the make - very impressive Tamsin. These lads along with the other 184 makes for a very impressive sight. Well done!

This unit of halberdiers will give Tamsin a very tidy 144 points. Great work Ms. P and Happy Christmas!

From AlanD: 28mm Citizens of Hurricane (45 points)

Alan's been a busy lad as he adds more new citizens to his town of 'Hurricane'.

From Alan:

Here are the latest inhabitants of Hurricane. Figures are mainly from Wargames Foundry, with just the young guy foolishly about to draw from Great Escape Games. I'm really enjoying painting these guys. The Foundry figures I think were sculpted by Mark Copplestone, and are full of character, and the newer ones from Great Escape mix in perfectly.

My favourite is the reporter, and I'm interested to see that even in the 1880s whenever a reporter was talking to somebody there was always some other bloke standing gormlessly in the background. 

My painting elves will have other tasks for the next week or so, so this is probably it from me until the New Year. Merry Christmas to everyone, and best wishes for a happy and healthy 2014.

Yes, another great set of additions for Hurricane - lovely work Alan. Like you my favourite is the reporter - great face on that fellow and I love his open notebook. 

This group of citizens will give Alan 45 points. Well done and Merry Christmas!

From EdwinK: 28mm Santa (7 points)

Edwin sends in this wonderful Santa, who by looking at him, would seem more at home in a B-25 than a Christmas sleigh.

From Edwin:

I owe it to the kindness of fellow painters.  I casually observed on the Facebook page that I thought that North Star's Christmas freebie (28mm) would make an nice entry in the non-combatants' round and Paul Brewerton promptly offered to send me one.  Of course, I later put in an order to North Star of my own, so I've an extra.  I shall have to put on my thinking cap to see what I'll do with that one.

As we see, Santa is armed and determined looking.  Those Sky Pirates could stoop to anything...

Excellent work Edwin! Is that a DFC that I see pinned on his chest? Very suitable I think. 

This grimly jolly (is that even possible?) St. Nick will give Edwin 7 points. I know he should be 5 points, but it somehow seems churlish to score less for Santa (and besides, he's due at my house in a few hours...).

From LordH: 28mm British Officer (10 points)

Lord Hill enters the fray with this fine Napoleonic figure depicting Major MacLean of the 73rd Foot. 

From LordH:

I've come to realize that my Henry Ford approach to painting might be a quick way to paint 400 figures but it won't add much to this great competition until March! I'll therefore be trying to submit some completed figures just to get on the board.

Here is Major John Maclean, killed whilst commanding the 73rd Foot at Waterloo. Terrible pic - but it's like the end of the world outside and thus no light even at miday. A measly 10 points I think! Really enjoying seeing all the great entries -  Well done!

Excellent work LordH! What make is the figure? Nonetheless, Mr. MacLean will be a great addition to your mammoth project. 10 points it's true, but you now have a place on the scoreboard - welcome to the Challenge and Happy Christmas!