From SteveM: 15mm WWII SSF Platoon 'The Devil's Brigade' (246 points)

Steve sends in a fine unit of Flames of War infantry depicting a platoon from the famous 'Devil's Brigade'.

These are 15mm Battlefront miniatures.

The 1st Special Service Force (or 'Devil's Brigade') was an elite formation composed of Canadian and Americans who were specially trained for operating in very adverse conditions.  They gained particular notoriety for their service in the Italian campaigns, especially in the mountainous regions of that country. In my work I've had the pleasure of meeting several veterans of the SSF and they were all very gracious yet still very impressive and martial in their bearing - 'Hard Men' as they say.

This group of 82 figures will net Steve 246 points. This shoots Steve to the leading group - well done, Old Boy!

Next for Steve is a German Sturmkompanie and then onto some figures for 'Force on Force'.

From KentG: 28mm Early Imperial Romans (129 points)

Kent comes in once again with another fabulous group of Early Imperial Romans and a base of slingers. (If it was during Caligula's reign that would be a base of 'Swingers'. Har, har, har.)

These are 28mm Wargames Foundry castings. Lovely groundwork, especially on the slinger stand. I quite like the high contrast effect of the dark greys and the foliage.

This group has 27 figures but I'm awarding these casualties 2 points each (basically as half figues), so that gives Kent 129 points. Excellent work.

Kent tells me this is the last of the Romans and now he's on to painting 28mm WWII British. More on that soon!

From GregB: 28mm Napoleonic Austrians (100 points)

Greg follows up from his Syrian T55s with this excellent battalion of Napoleonic Austrians, the IR#27 'Styria'. 

These are venerable 28mm Wargames Foundry castings. This unit is 40 figures strong but Greg tells me that of these only 20 figures fit within the timeline of the Challenge.

Greg and I are getting together later in January for a weekend gaming blitz. One of the games we'll be doing is Vandamme's assault on the Pratzen heights. This battalion will serve as one of the six battalions that made up IR#23 'Salzburg' that were part of the Allied position on the Stare Vinohrady.  

Greg's Austrian collection is beautiful so it will be a real treat to have it out for a big game (well, big for us anyway).

These 20 figures will give Greg 100 points to add to his score. Great work Greg!

From TimB: 28mm Ancient Greek Psiloi (15 points)

Since Kent's charge to the lead Tim is having to take time to dig deep. In the meantime he sends in this stand of Ancient Greek spearmen.

These are 28mm Crusader miniatures. Tim is using them for his DBA Greeks acting as Psiloi. Man, I really like the varied groundwork Tim has done for these guys. Excellent stuff!

This group will give Tim 15 points.


Next for Tim will be more early-war Great War British and then on to Greek hoplites.

From PhilH: 28mm Spanish Clergyman with Pistol (5 points)

Phil couldn't take watching the growing spread in points so when he got back from Christmas holidays he knew he had to get something in sooner rather than later.  So, acting as a vanguard for his upcoming stuff, here is a Spanish clergyman about to give his sacrament with the aid of a dragoon pistol (!).

This is a 28mm Perry Miniature casting from their Carlist Wars range. Most of the Spanish civilians and clergy from that range could easily be used for Peninsular War Spanish guerillas  - check them out as they are pretty awesome models. Well done Phil! He's now trying to think of a name for him. There was that Irish priest, Reverend Patrick Curtis from the Sharpe novels and we do have a Juan Mancheno in our merry band of painters...

This will put Phil on the board with 5 points. Welcome aboard, Phil!