From MilesR: 28mm Confederate ACW Regiment (121 points)

Miles adds to his American Civil War collection with this fine regiment of Rebs from Hood's fierce Texas Brigade.

From Miles:

Attached are some photos of my second entry into the challenge - yet another 24 figure Confederate infantry regiment.  The figures are from the 28mm Perry plastic Confederate Infantry box set.  These troops are modeled as the 5th Texas infantry regiment of Hood's Brigade. 

I finished the 1st Texas as part of last year's challenge and now just have 3 left to fill out the Brigade. This regiment will bring my Confederate army up to 12 out of a targeted 15.

Wow, twelve regiments done! I trust we'll see you finish off the other three during this Challenge. Am I right? Of course I'm right. ;)

This fine regiment, representing the Lone Star State, will give Miles 121 points which includes a bit extra for the Battle Flag. Great job Miles!

From JuanM: 28mm Spanish Gladiator & British-Crewed Breda (32 points)

Juan, a veteran Challenger, joins us and submits these two fine entries for his debut this year.

Here are my first entries to The Challenge.

The first one is a 28mm gladiator, a 'Hoplomachius', from Brigade Games. This is a fantastic figure from Paul Hicks, the first one for another project I want to begin with my club´s mates. So here is 'Viriato', an Spanish gladiator. It has been a true pleasure to paint him.

The second one is a 28mm Italian Breda AA gun with British crew. This model is from Offensive Miniatures, a very nice one that I expect to use in my games of "Chain of Command", in scenarios based in the Dodecanese Campaing; for that reason, the crew are from the RAF Regiment.

Beautiful work Juan. You've such a smooth style with the brush, it's always a pleasure to see your work.

These two subjects, separated only by around 2000 years, will give Juan 32 points (including a bit extra for the great arid basework on the Breda). Welcome back Juan!

From AlanD: 15mm WWII German Halftracks (41 points)

Okay! We've had our fun with the first Theme Bonus Round now back to the trenches (well, for me anyway). 

Alan sends in this great set of German WWII era halftracks.

From Alan:

One of my best gaming discoveries of 2013 was Battle Group Kursk, which made me enthusiastic about painting WWII stuff for the first time in years. I particularly love the fact that the rules actually give you a reason to paint up and use lots of support vehicles, such as these 15mm half tracks from Forged in Battle. 

What we have are two Sdkfz 251/3 command vehicles, a 251/8 ambulance, a 251/11 telephone cable layer to increase the chances of those artillery requests getting through and a Sdkfz 10/4 flak vehicle.

Wonderful stuff Alan! As I mentioned to you before I particularly like the communications halftrack with the elevated wiring guide for the cabling. 

This group of vehicles will give Alan 41 points (which includes a few for the crews). Great work!

Announcing The First Fortnight Theme Bonus Round - 'Non-Combatants'

'It's not over until...'

Well, it took a bit of work but I think I have it all sorted and ready for prime time...

I'm delighted to announce that we have our first Fortnight Theme Bonus Round ready for viewing. Please follow this link or use the navigation bar above to navigate to the page.

From my last count we have nearly 40 entrants for this round and they are all wonderful. To kick off the fun, here is my submission, 'It isn't over until...'

I feature my entry to both open the Theme Round, but more importantly, to show off one of Kawe's figures, Maria Theresia of Austria which I've shamelessly defaced to depict a simple opera singer. So why is this figure important? Well, Kawe is going to ship each and every participant of the Challenge a copy of this limited edition casting as a special memento of the event. And this is on top of generously providing prize support for other elements of the Challenge.  An amazing gesture Kawe - I thank you.

So, please visit the Theme's gallery and look in wonder at all the entrants' wonderful work. Also, don't forget to vote for your favourites using the poll I've made up for this bonus round (you'll see it on the right-side panel). Vote for as many entrants as you like - there is no limitation. 

Enjoy and Have Fun!

From StefanK: 28mm Drunken Monk (5 points)

Stephan debuts with this great little vignette of a inebriated friar.

From Stephan:

This is a nice 28mm miniature by Shadowforge. It's a rather old one which I bought ages ago. Since then it had been hiding somewhere in my lead mountain but now I found it time to paint this little fellow.

Ha! That is a great little vignette Stephan. He would be great as a watchman whose job it is to look out for Viking raiders - a Lindisfarne stamp on the keg would be quite fitting...

This happy tonsured chap will give Stephen 5 points to put him on the board. Welcome aboard Stephan!