From KevH: 20mm Anglo-Saxons Thegns & Saracen City Militia and Ghazi Fanatics (182 points)

From Kev:

Sculpting's done for now so I am back at the painting table, yaaay. First up are an addition to my 1/72 Dark age collection.

The Anglo Saxon Army in "Hail Caesar" is allowed a single small unit of Mounted Thegns. I could have chose the easy route for these and just painted 4 of the Revell ones. But no, thats not me and I do prefer the Strelets. So here we go, Strelets and Revell conversions. A few head swaps and the odd body swap and all on Strelets horses. 4 mounted Thegns to give the Anglo Saxons a bit of fast hitting power.

Then back onto the Crusades. More infantry for now. First up are another City Militia unit. 12 Figures, these are 3 to a base to show they are a Medium infantry unit.

Then closely followed by the first of the Ghazi Fanatics units. This is a warband, (24 figures) hence the double ranks.

Once again a medium infantry unit with 3 to a base to show this. I decided on a uniform colour scheme for the Fanatics as I wanted them to look menacing on the table. Andy had the idea for the red headgear. Red, black with a bit of white give these the look I wanted and will easily make them recognisable on the table.

The other fanatic units will be a slight variation on this scheme.

All the Saracen figures are HaT 1/72 and from their ElCid range and painted in my high contrast style. I am now working on some of the Saracen Cavalry, at last, lol.

Beautiful work once again Kev! I particularly like the unit of Ghazi fanatics - those colours certainly reinforce their intended role. 

These fellows with their excellent banners, shields and conversions will give Kev 182 points, allowing him to wrest back control of 2nd place from Dave. Nonetheless with only a 48 point spread between the two it's really anybody's race. Pretty exciting stuff!

From KevH: 15mm ECW Earl of Essex Command Stand & Crusader Infantry (68 points)

From Kev:

Here is my current entry for the challenge. Not really had much time for painting this last couple of weeks. I have a lot of sculpting to do at the moment. First up we have a 15mm Essex Parliament command stand.

This is the opposite CinC for the Royalist Charles 1st I did earlier. This is the Earl of Essex and Staff. 3 mounted and 1 foot with another hand painted commonwealth Flag. (Jeeze, I hate how Essex sculpts the flag onto the figure!)

Also we have some more Crusaders. This time a mixed unit of Crusader medium infantry. Non Military order, a few French and germans. Warriors to the front with bows to the rear. Converted flag bearer with suitable banner.

This may well be the last of the Crusader force, I may add the odd unit at a later date. I will try to concentrate on the Saracens now. 1/72 Strelets figures.

Two wonderful entries Kev! Your high-contrast style is again making its magic with these fellows. Essex's banner is gorgeous and I'm very impressed with the shields of the Crusader front rank. Lovely, clean brushwork.

The Earl of Essex and this unit of Christian infantry will give Kev 68 points, which includes a bit extra for the finely wrought flags and heraldry. This entry will see Kev past his second Challenge points target of 2250 points. Great work and congratulations Kev! 

It looks like there will be a tight race right to the finish for all podium positions in the points standings. Many of us will be on the edge of our seats at we close in on the finish line in 23 days!

From KevH: 20mm Saracen Infantry (65 points)

From Kev: 

I managed to get another Saracen unit finished. This time it's a Light infantry Egytian mob. Sixteen 1/72 Hat figures. I converted standard bearer with suitable flag.

They are actually Almoravids, but really do have the Saracen look to them. These lightly armed troops, wearing few clothes, really did seem to fit the part as a non regular unit.

They are pretty poor troops in the game, so I guess this will be the only unit I will do.

Ghazi fanatics next. I want these to look very nasty indeed.

Lovely work Kev. I really like the high-contrast style you've used for this project. The colours are incredibly punchy, which works brilliantly in this scale.

These Saracens will give Kev 65 points.

From KevH: 28mm WotR Infantry and Cavalry, Crusader Cavalry and Command & Saracen Archers (205 points)

From Kev:

First up are more WotR. All 28mm Perry's and a mix of metal and plastic.

This time we have the Earl of Oxfords MAA retinue on foot. 12 figures with command.

I decided to go with the blue star instead of the blue boar on these.

Followed by one of the few mounted units in the current army. This is a small unit of Mounted MAA that form part of the Duke of Exeter's Retinue. 4 mounted figures with livery banner.

Then we are back onto the Crusades. All 1/72 Plastics from Strelets, Italeri and Hat. Once again a mix from both sides, We have 6 mounted crusader knights first. These are generic knights and belong to no particular military order, they add a bit of colour to the Crusader force.

I have nearly finished the Crusader mounted element. A unit or two of Sergeants to go. Then we have a Divisional Command stand. This consists of 2 foot and 1 mounted. I decided to give this a Christian feel without it belonging to a particular military order.

The Knight in a plain blue surcoat and the addition of the Monk and a standard bearer fit the bill I think. Instead of the usual cross on the banner, I went for a crucifix. I left it as a simple representation as it is quite small.

Finally, some more Saracens. A unit of Light infantry with bows. Simple figures from the Hat El Cid range again. These are actually Andalusians, but fit the part.

I will be using some of the El Cid Almoravids for the Ghazi Warbands.

The Crusader forces are coming along fine, with the Crusaders nearing completion and the Saracens (Ayubids) growing slowly.

More to follow..

Another impressive entry Kev! Oxford and Exeter's retinues look suitably ferocious in their heavy plate. This is a period I know I'm going to get into in a big way soon.  Right Greg?  The mounted Crusaders are great but the pick of the litter is that lovely command stand. Gorgeous. The banner is just brilliant.

This varied group of WotR warriors, Crusaders and Saracens will give Kev 205 points (which includes a few bonus points for the excellent heraldry and banners).  Great work Kev!

From KevH: 28mm Wars of the Roses, 20mm Crusades & Challenge Desperado (200 points)

From Kev:

Here we go with my latest random set of miniatures for the Challenge.

28mm WotR. All Perry's and a mix of plastic and metal. All for the nearly finished WotR project. First up are a small unit of Exeter's Dismounted Men at Arms (8 figs with command)

Followed by John Neville, Lord Montagu, command stand. 

Then we have the Crusades again. First up are the Crusader Turcople light cavalry. Two small units of 4 mounted. All 1/72 Strelets. Done in a very typical turcoman style.

Then we have the first of the Saracen Heavy infantry. A unit of Mamluk H/I with bows. (16 figs with command) 

Once again, these are all Strelets 1/72 plastics. Great little chunky figures.

I mixed the bow armed and spear armed in the ranks to represent the mixed fighting capability of these troops. Spears to the front and the bows behind. A fancy flag to add to their prestige amongst the Saracen horde.

My final entry in this lot is the Mexican. This is my Challenge entry figure for Curt (hope he likes it).

The figure was given to me by Loki, as last year I gave him the Samurai. He had the Cowboy to paint and I had the Mexican, and here he is. 

A foul looking desperado, if ever their was one. 28mm Foundry, I think. Cacti, courtesy of Loki.

Wow! What a fabulous mixture of miniatures. Kev, I've been a great fan of your WOTR since I saw them last year - gorgeous work on the subdued armour and heraldry. Your Turcople cavalry and Saracens are marvellous as well. It's such a treat seeing this army come together before our very eyes. Finally, thank you for the fabulous Mexican gunslinger - I look forward to him taking his place next to the other Challenge Desperados in my display cabinet!

This fine selection of figures will give Kev 200 points, which includes a few extra points added for the excellent painted shields and heraldry. Lovely work Kev! 

The battle for the top three points position continues to heat up!

From JuanM: 28mm Pack Camel & Crusaders (25 points)

Keeping in theme of 'The Year of the Camel' Juan sends in this excellent group of figures.

From Juan:

First one is a camel from "Copplestone Castings". A great all-terrain vehicle for The Back of Beyond and a very nice model from the very, very talented Mark Copplestone.

Secondly, I have painted some more plastic figures from "Fireforge Games", three new crusaders. I like a lot these figures, despite I'm not going to use them in my games, based in the First Crusade, the "true" Crusade for me.

Lovely work Juan. I love that pack camel (very handy for Pulp games I think) and those Crusaders are excellent as well, especially with their hand-painted shields. Wonderful stuff.

These four models will give Juan 25 points. Well done!