From MilesR: 28mm WWII German 'Maus' Super Heavy Tank Destroyer (15 points)

From Miles:

Here’s a 28mm (1/56th scale) model of a German Maus Super Heavy Tank from Blitzkreig Models. Only two prototypes of the Maus where ever produced and neither saw combat but it’s a massive beast armed with a 128mm main gun along with a 75mm gun coax gun! It’s kind of a silly model to build for WW2, but I built it to enter into the Bolt Action Tank Platoon tournament at Cold Wars.

Like all of the Biltzkreig Models I’ve built this was a fantastic kit. The entire kit is resin cast (and weighs close to 2 lbs. I’ve put a 28mm US paratrooper figure next to model to show it’s size - it’s twice as big as a Tiger 1. I actually completed this model last february but waited to submit it so it would be a surprise at the tournament.

So how did I do? Hmmm well umm…. I came in last! It seems in Bolt Action sinking almost half your points into a single vehicle is not the brightest of ideas. I did have a lot of fun and received the last place award (which was a nice gift certificate to Warlord). Going forward I will be describing my performance as I was the highest ranked player who fielded a Maus at the tournament.

The model will be a fun component to any “Secret Mission” scenarios I cook up for WW2. I highly recommend Blitzkrieg models if your in the market for a tank from WW2.

That there is a monstrous bit of kit. Is this the same tank that couldn't go over most bridges due to both its size and weight? Ridonkulous. 

I've heard very good things about 'Blitzkrieg Models' and its great to see another example in the flesh, as it were. 

This Maus will give Miles 15 points. Thanks for showing us this Bad Lad, Miles!

From TamsinP: 15mm Mongol Cavalry (108 points)

From Tamsin:

For my 18th entry in this year's Challenge I've gone for something a little different - some Mongol mounted troops. The figures are all 15mm from Donnington Miniatures.

"Why Mongols?" you ask. Well, the Korean army lists in FoG allow you to take nomad troops either as an allied contingent or as mercenaries/auxiliaries within the main list. This provides a very useful addition to the main Korean troop types.

First up we have 24 light horsemen. I went with fairly muted colours for these, with some splashes of colour.

Next up we have a command group for when I use them as an allied contingent.

"Hang on a second - that drummer's horse's head looks a bit strange"

"Oh, that would be because it's a camel, not a horse!"

It has come to my attention over the past few weeks that there was a rule for this year's Challenge that I'd missed in Curt's email to us late last year. It appears that every Challenger must submit at least one painted camel. When I realised this omission from my plans I promptly ordered one and here it is in my Mongol command group.

I do have some more Mongols for this small force - some foot archers and some heavy cavalry - but they won't be painted until after the Challenge.

I should also note that this will probably be my final entry, unless I manage to find enough time over the next few days to complete my buccaneer dragoons or command groups.

That is a very cool add on to your Korean list Tamsin and I quite like the way you've painted and arrayed them.  Of course the star of the group is the kettle drummer on the shaggy camel - wonderful.

These Mongols will give Tamsin 108 points. An excellent finish to your Challenge run this year. Well done Ms. P!

From RobH: Silent Death Spacecraft (24 points)

From Rob:

Here is my next entry - a small Kashmeri convoy, with escort. Six Silent Death spaceships (two Lakshmi fast freighters, two Marut single man fighters, and two Deathwind III multii-man fighters), all from Iron Crown Enterprises, though Metal Express is the new caster and distributor.

In Silent Death, the Kashmere Commonwealth is the premier trading power in the galaxy, and they have the ships to back it up - and plenty of pirates willing to take their wares. 

The Lakshmi is a fast freighter, and the preferred way to get small cargoes where they need to be in a hurry. Turreted twin impulseguns and a brace of torpedoes will keep enemy ships away, while protected engines provide plenty of thrust. The Marut is a Kashmeri fighter designed to be carried in the cargo/shuttlebays of larger ships, and provide a powerful punch against other fighters it's size. The Deathwinds are a modification of the old Delta Combine, replacing the miniguns and splattergun with a impulse guns, while keeping the pilot's ion ram. 

So here we have a small, but highly lucrative, delivery being made. The paint scheme is simple - a dark brown hull, with a gold stripe and all crevices and borders blacklined. The photos I'm highly dissatisfied with, but the lighting conditions can't be helped, and I'm still learning how to take good miniature photos and tweak things in Photoshop. They'll serve.  

I have at least one, and hopefully two more entries coming before the close of the painting competition, which should put me over my admittedly small mark.

Cool! I did not realize that 'Silent Death' was still around (early '90s right?). I seem to remember the rules being quite detailed, but I may be wrong. I definitely remember I liked the design of the spaceships and these definitely look great.

These six Kashmeri ships will give Rob 24 points. I'll catch up with your next entry in a few hours!

From AndrewS: 20mm Sea Monkeys (er, People) & 28mm Farm Animals (424 points)

From LOKI:

It’s me again, I am still not hearing the fat lass singing so I am still applying paint with gusto. At this time of year we have to watch for those low flying sandbags and odd fellows in budgie smugglers .

This little lot is the first of the Sea peoples army, these are all Hat 20mm figures making up 3 warbands of 24 figures each for a total of 72 figures.

The first two units have similar colour schemes to denote they will be part of the same division, may not be a completely historical way of identifying the units but it works on the table top for me. The unit leaders are distinguished by a white reed in the front of the headgear.

The third unit is done with a different mix of colours and will form part of the 2nd division.

Also here is the first unit of Lukka Pirates to join my Sea Peoples force, 24 figures from Caesar’s 20mm range I wanted to give these fellows a similar look and make them distinct from the other units, So I went with Black kilts and bright banding on those. To set them off from the rest I decided to put freehand designs on the shields, as my research shows they are likely to have come from Anatolia or outlying Greek states so drew some inspiration from there and set about giving them a unified look. This unit has blue and red grounds for the designs and in total 20 of the group have been done this way.

 

This army should end up being a veritable riot of colour when finished, with all the bright banding and the bronze. All have been based as the Nubians were but without rocks as there literally is not space on a base for that its surprising the room one extra figure on a base takes up.

Finally, here are the first figures that I have completed as display pieces for the new range of figures from Warbases, I have a fair amount more to get completed yet.

These are all 28mm scale miniatures and consists of 2 Shire horses, 3 Highland cows, 2 Soay sheep and 2 lambs, A bloodhound, 3 Nubian Goats and A Bulldog for a total of 14 miniatures.

Ooh! New project, wonderful! These really look excellent Andrew. I've always liked Sea People figures with their whacky head-dress and kilts - a great excuse to go nuts with fun colours, which I see you've taken full advantage of. Excellent.

Love the farm animals as well, especially the long-horned cows. 

These Sea People and the charming animals will give Andrew a very impressive 424 points as he closes in on the 4000 point mark. Amazing.

From DaveD: 28mm 'Camelapocalypse' - Sudan Supply Column & Naval Gun Crew (165 points)

From Dave:

Its been a switch over to the Colonials for the Sudan.I had decided to make an effort on dealing with the support elements first. 

For the desert column I really wanted a decent amount of animals. So here we have a further addition. It's a screw gun carrying camel set, a 5 camels one rider, and 3 stores and water carrying mules and Sikh guards (I picked them up second hand unpainted pretty sure they are Connoisseur.) 

There is also a full shot of the supply column - total: 15 camels , 3 mules. Well it sure gives the square something to protect.

I also picked up some second hand painted Connoisseur naval brigade and guns.

So here is the first reworked one - 5 figures which I decided to repaint from scratch, the gun was pretty much done already so no points there.

Wonderful! As you say Dave, these baggage camels and mules will look perfect in the middle of a collapsing British square. I love all the assorted baggage and equipment festooned on these poor beasts. Very characterful stuff. I also really like the shots of the Gardner Gun fending off the tribesmen - brilliant!

These assorted camels, mules and Naval ratings will give Dave 165 points. Well done!