From JamesB: 28mm Afghan Cavalry, Bengal Lancers, Ghurkha Rifles & Ronin (377 points)

James has the most ambitious points target within the Challenge this year and to start biting into that goal he sends in this very nice mixture of figures from the North-West Frontier and Feudal Japan.

From James:

I have had a few questions about my lack of entries this year so far so just wanted to put things straight. I have three main areas that I am working on this winter the North West Frontier, The Sudan and the Zulu war. 

I had always intended to dedicate one month to each area, and with the extra week added on to the start of the challenge I started with the NWF as the tribesmen are a true irregular force. I have painted many irregular forces and found the quickest way is to break the force down to small batches (10 figures) each batch is painted the same and when all complete the figures are mixed up giving a great irregular look to the army. All this means that until all tribesmen are finished the army will not look as I wish it to. So while I have been busy painting Afghan's like a mad thing I will be showing all the Afghans in my next entry at the end of the first month (20th).

An exception to this is the mounted unit that I painted all at once but in irregular colours I have completed this unit and they form part of this entry.

The Colonial side of this conflict has been easier to paint and I have had real fun doing them in this entry I offer you a unit of Bengal Lancers which are one of my favorite units I am very happy with these and the lance pennants I scratch built myself.

I also offer you two sections of Gurkha Rifles.

Last but by no means least I have a few Ronin figures I have been painting along side all the NWF stuff.

Very nice work James. The ronin, rifles and Afghans are great but I really like the Bengal lancers with their flapping pennants and colourful turbans.

This selection of figures will give James 377 points, with extra added for the wonderful lance pennants. Well done!

From JamesB: 28mm North-West Frontier Infantry & Cavalry (320 points)

James enters our paint-spattered melee with these lovely North-West Frontier figures.

From James:

Here is my first non-bonus entry. I have the first of what will be several lots of NWF figures. 

These are all from the very fine Foundry Miniatures range and most were purchased during last years Challenge with a view to this year. 

I have a unit of 15 Sikh Infantry a unit of 20 Guide Infantry, a Screw Gun and crew and my favourite unit so far, the Bengal Hussars. 

These are all based individually on round 2p bases so we can use them for skirmish games but I have loads of movement trays from Warbase so I can also play Black Powder for bigger games.

Beautiful work James! They are all wonderful figures but I have to agree with you on the Hussars, they are gorgeous.

These great NWF figures will give James an impressive 320 points. Good to see you in with the heavy-hitters, James!

From JamesB: 28mm Romano-British Cavalry, SYW Artillery & 54mm ECW Shotte (499 points)

From James:

Thank you Curt for a great winter Challenge, may I present my last entry for this year. First up I offer a unit of Romano British Cavalry (see above and below) from Foundry Miniatures.

I ran out of time to create the standard but I am happy with my shields, these complete a Foundry Army deal I painted for my friend Bernard. 

Next up is my effort to shoot to the top, I have been gunning for that all Challenge but I may have run out of batteries (ok enough puns). 6 Cannons from Front Rank for our French SYW army 4 of these are battalion guns and the last two are bigger pieces.

The last entry has been inspired by Kev and his 54mm entries, I picked up these figures a couple of years ago with a plan to use them to encourage my niece and nephew into gaming but they were not needed as with both their Grandad's wargaming they decided it was a super cool thing to do.

So I offer my last figures: 21 54mm ECW Musketeers I have painted these as the NMA so I can now say I have painted the MNA in 3 scales in pre-history I did them in 15mm, I still own a 28mm army and now 54mm.

So there you have it.  By my calculations I have complete 646 figures in this challenge making it an average of 7.1 figures a day. Can I take this chance to say a huge Thank You to Curt for creating this competition it has been a blast. I hope to catch up with many of my fellow Ronin at Salute this year, till than guys keep your brushes sharp and you paints wet.

Peace James Brewerton Ronin #17

Lovely work as always, James. Those 54s turned out brilliantly (dip?) and I also really, really like that unit of Romano-British cavalry.  Top shelf stuff.

These lads, both great and small, shields and all, will give James a very impressive 499 points - just enough to slip past Chris.  At least for now (bites fingernails in anticipation)...

Thank you James for participating in the Challenge and keeping us inspired with both the incredible quality and quantity of your work. Bravo!

From JamesB: 28mm Seven Years War Dragoons, Light Infantry, F&IW Indians, WWI British & Ronin #17 (whew!) (639 points)

From James:

So as we enter the last week (or so) of the challenge an entry from me that gets me over my par mark. I have more of my SYW French, we have 8 Dragoons from Crusader Miniatures then we have 12 Light Troops from Front Rank. 

24 Musketeers from Crusader these I have painted up as a foreign unit namely the Scottish. I have 2 units of Grenadiers 2x 20 (I have changed the units sizes just to get them in my light tent.) I have also added a picture of the whole Brigade.

I have a few bits of F&IW stuff left to paint here is on nice model from Redoubt Miniatures a pair of Indians carrying their canoe.  

Next I have my entry fee. He is from Perry Miniatures.

Last but not least is another of those projects this challenge has given me the kick I needed to finish WW1 Brits, 25 miniatures from Renegade Miniatures.

So that gets me over my par and gives me a week or so to see how far I can push, I have French SYW Cannon's and Generals plus the odd F&IW figure.

Whoa! That is an staggering shedload of fabulous toys James! It's really hard to pick any favorites as its all so darn good. I have to say that the indians hefting their canoe in portage is fabulous, all the SYW is beautiful and then there's the samurai - brilliant. I love the horse colour and the sashimono is elegantly done. I could go on and on...

This astonishing haul of miniatures will give James a staggering 639 points! This moves him past Chris into First Place in the points standing. Amazing. Well done James!

From JamesB: 28mm Seven Years War & French and Indian Wars (495 points)

From James:

Long time since my last entry, in between looking after my wife pre-op and a weeks holiday post op I did manage to pick up a brush for an hour or two. I offer you my next entry 3 units of SYW French Cav, these are all painted as Heavy Cav as I hoped the off white uniform with red cuffs is a great look. Of the 3 units 2 are Front Rank, again great sculpts. The third unit are Crusader miniatures my first painted from them, I have 3 units of Infantry to paint next from them. 

The next lot you should all recognize as this is the forth unit of Foundry Hussars I have painted during the challenge, these are painted the same as the last lot of Hussars in blue and red.

Back to the F&IW for the next lot I have 8 more civies and 12 Canadian Militia - French Irregular troops from Galloping Major. I took a few figures with me to Norfolk to paint and the last lot of figures are the result 7 Forest Indians from Conquest.

I am well on target for my par score and I want to see how far passed the 3000. Hopefully that will give me my par target for next year. Next on my painting table is 2 units of Grenadiers and a unit of Musketeers plus 12 French light troops.

Fabulous work James! Wow, three unit of cavalry PLUS a passel of foot figures!? Simply amazing.

This impressive collection will give James 495 points. Again, astonishing work.