From RayR: 15mm Russian and Japanese Machine Gun Teams (320 points)

Ray tells me that he is punch drunk with painting but sends in this great submission of Japanese machine guns to keep the pressure on.

All of these models are 15mm Irregular Miniature castings. This first group are the Russians.

Ray makes us wonder how the Japanese won the war with their apparent inability to load their machine guns...
:)

Next are eight teams of Russian machine guns.

Excellent stuff, Ray! These guns and their crews will give you 320 points which places you just in front of Kent! You have First Place! But wait, I think I have an entry from Kent in my email folder...

From RayR: 'A Bid for Glory' 15mm Russian Infantry Divisions (!) for the Russo-Japanese War (1152 points)

My friend Dallas taught me a sporting term a few years ago (in much the same circumstances, ahem) which perfectly describes this entry by Ray, its 'Sandbagging'. 

Sandbagging: in billiards and other games, deliberately playing below one's actual ability in order to fool opponents into accepting higher stakes bets, or to lower one's competitive rating in order to play in a future event with a higher handicap and consequently have a better chance to win.

You see that crafty git Ray has been keeping this storm of 15mm Russian infantry from us until he could conduct a 'shock and awe' post - a veritable Pearl Harbour of painting. 

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 1st Regt, 1st Brigade of the 1st East Siberian Rifle Division, (red flags), behind them are, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 2nd Regt, 1st Brigade of the 1st East Siberian Rifle Division, (blue flags)

What you see arrayed before you is not one, but TWO Russian divisions of infantry, the 1st and 9th East Siberian Infantry Divisions which served during the Russo-Japanese War. In short there are a total of 24 regiments of infantry in this force. Wow.

Close-up of the 3rd battalion of the 1st regt 1st ESR

Ray did not mention the make of the castings but I'm assuming they are from Irregular Miniatures as that is what the previous entries have been (Ray, correct me if I'm wrong). Also, I know Ray does many of his own flags but he did not mention if these are his or a commercial product.

Close-up of the 1st Battalion of the 2nd regt 1st ESR

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the  The 3rd Regt, 2nd Brigade of the 1st East Siberian Rifle Division, (white flags), behind them are, The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 4th Regt, 2nd Brigade of the 1st East Siberian Rifle Division, (green flags)

Close-up of the 2nd Battalion of the 3rd regt 1st ESR

Close-up of the 2nd Battalion of the 4th regt 1st ESR

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 33rd regt, 1st Brigade of the 9th East Siberian Rifle Division, (red flags), behind them are,  the 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of  the 34th Regt, 1st Brigade of the 9th East Siberian Rifle Division, (blue flags).

Close-up of the 3rd  Battalion of the 33rd regt 9th ESR

Close-up of the 1st Battalion of the 34th regt 9th ESR

The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the  The 35th Regt, 2nd Brigade of the 9th East Siberian Rifle Division, (white flags), behind them are, The 1st, 2nd and 3rd Battalions of The 36th Regt, 2nd Brigade of the 9th East Siberian Rifle Division, (green flags).

Close-up of the 2nd Battalion of the 35th  regt 9th ESR.

Close-up of the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 36th regt 9th ESR.

There are 384 figures here which equates to 1152 points. This staggering leap forward places Ray within striking distance of Kent who has had the lead for the majority of the Challenge. There is an impressive amount of quality work here Ray, bravo!

From RayR: 15mm Artillery from the Russo-Japanese War (288 points)

Building on the cavalry he sent in previously, here is Ray's next instalment on his Russo-Japanese foray. This time we have a large contingent of Japanese artillery to join with his upcoming infantry.

These are all 15mm castings from Irregular Miniatures.

This last group is artillery supporting the Japanese Guard infantry.

This group will give Ray a very tidy 288 points. Nicely done! Now, next will be the infantry...

From RayR: 15mm Japanese Cavalry from the Russo-Japanese War (288 points)

Ray has a large entry in the pipeline and this, the cavalry, suitably serves as the vanguard. These four units represent regiments of Imperial Japanese cavalry from the Russo-Japanese War.

1st Regiment

All of these 15mm models are from Irregular Miniatures. 

4th Regiment 

12th Regiment

Finally, the Guards Cavalry

These four units will net Ray 288 points. Well done!

From RayR: 15mm 1904 Japanese Cavalry (144 points)

Building upon the theme of the infantry he sent in a few days ago, Ray has here two units of Japanese cavalry from the Russo-Japanese War.

This first group of three pics is of the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. While the last trio are of the 1st Regiment.

These are all 15mm Old Glory castings.

Very sharp units. I really like the groundwork on these two regiments.

Next up from Ray will be Nine Years War Huguenots which will be very interesting to see.

These two units will bring Ray a tidy 144 points, which will slide him into second place! Bravo! (Now just double it and you'll be within striking distance of Kent...)

From RayR: 15mm 1904 Japanese (288 points)

Ray has changed gears from Russian partisans and submits here a group of 1904 Japanese infantry from the Russo-Japanese War.

These are 15mm Old Glory castings. Ray says they are nice models but a bit fiddly to paint.

Nonetheless, I like the variation of uniforms and colour in the unit. Well done!

We have here six groups of sixteen figures so that nets Ray a very handsome 288 points! A very respectable haul.

Ray tells me that he has a couple Japanese cavalry units coming soon and then its on to Nine Years War Huguenots.