From ChrisP: 28mm ACW Federal Infantry & Artillery (235 points)

From Chis:

First up is three units of ACW infantry. Sadly for my points total (or perhaps gladly for everyone else) two of these units were started before the competition, I still went to the effort to finish them because I really wanted to get them off my painting table! The models are just basic Perry Plastics, these three units will get flags in the future, once I figure out what unit they are going to represent! Likely they will be the 95th New York, 147th New York and the 56th Pennsylvanian, which when I paint up another unit, will mean I have painted the whole Second Brigade, from the 1st Division of the 1st Corps.  

Naturally, there needs to be some elder statesman on a horse directing things, so my General is suitable bearded, reading some sort of notice about something going on. Perhaps a rise in beard taxes? Who knows.

Lastly there is three units of Union artillery, of varying calibres, but all looking super swish in their blue uniforms with red trim. These guys were a bit of fun to paint to give me a change of scence, although they still are in regulation Union blue.

So, just 27 Infantry, 3 Guns and 1 Horseman. I have plenty more Union to paint, but I think I will paint something different for a little while - something not blue. Perhaps red? Not yellow, I don't like yellow. Perhaps a big green thing?

Is that a clue? Or a sign that the last few marbles I had have finally rolled under the refrigerator.....

'Just' 27 infantry, 3 guns and 1 horseman, Chris? You must be slipping... Seriously, yikes, that is an impressive amount of work! But hey, where are the colours for the infantry? Already snatched away by the Rebs I expect. For shame!  ;P

This passel of Bluebellies will give Chris an impressive 235 points, allowing him to close in on his 3K target...

From AndrewS: 28mm Viking 'Loknar' for Curt (15 points)

I'm a big fan of Andrew's work, particularly his Dark Age figures (see here and here). 

So, being the cheeky git that I am I 'invited' him to paint me a Viking figure for my collection. The man, being a consumate gentleman in not telling me to get stuffed, acquiesced and so I present to you the fruits of my impertinence: 'Loknar' the Viking.

He's pretty awesome, huh. I quite like his stripped trousers and shield, but oddly enough I especially dig his beard and braids. I'm thinking the dude could go into the scandinavian Death Metal scene if the whole viking thing doesn't work out for him.

Thanks so much Andrew! He'll take a proud place amongst my other honoured Vikings from last year's Challenge. (And yes Fran and Ray, I will get a post up featuring the whole group - I promise!)

Loknar will give Andrew 15 points.

From TamsinP: 28mm Norman Warband (242 points)

Tamsin makes her bid for glory with this impressive submission of Dark Age Normans.

For my 12th entry, here are 44 28mm Norman knights on foot. These are from the Conquest Games plastic Norman Infantry set.

The the guys without armour or just with padded gambesons will be "Sergeants" (= Warriors in Saga).

The eagle-eyed and elephant-memoried amongst you may have spotted that the shield designs are the same as for the mounted knights I submitted a week or so ago. I figured that any knight called to serve his Lord would be expected to bring a couple of footmen along with him, so it seemed reasonable to do them with the same shield designs.

Wow, you sure have built up the steam now Tamsin. I remember at the beginning of the Challenge you thought that you'd be hard pressed to meet your original target, but here you are, not only past your original goal but sprinting past Ray! Well done! These fellows are great and I always like your shieldwork.

This formidable force of Normans will give Tamsin 242 points, with a few extra added for her work on the shields. 

From JuanM: 28mm Taliban, Civilians & Modern Contractors (50 points)

From Juan: 

I have painted some more models for The Challenge.

These models are from "Eureka Miniatures" in 28mm; excellent figures I´m going to use in my modern warfare games. I am going to test the new skirmish rulebook I have bought, "Skirmish Sangin".

I have painted five Afghan insurgents, two civilians from a wonderful set I found in the E.M. catalogue, a Somali Eureka Miniatures sent me without cost and the first two "Blackwater" contractors I´m going to use in my first game. All of them are fantastic figures, really nice, and, IMHO, better than those of "Empress Miniatures".

Wonderful work Juan. All are excellent but those mercenaries, er, 'contractors' certainly look the part. I always enjoy your painting style as it's so clean and smooth.

These ten figures will give Juan 50 points. 

From KaweWZ: 28mm Napoleonic Vignettes (75 points)

From Kawe:

I finished 2 more vignettes for our booth at the Tactica tomorrow that I wanted to enter in the competition.

One shows Westfalias Prussian Ambulance and an ad Hoc Operation table. It's basically our 2 Prussian medical sets with Perry Horses and Aufsitzer which Niels buys from them.

The next piece is a hell of a rushed Ammo-caisson. Half painted and burried under a lot of snow BUT... I've strangely fallen for it, and I might do another one like that soon.

Sadly, I doubt that I really meet the points target, but I really had to finish these vignettes first.  I could plough on and just sinish a few ranker quick and dirty, but that's not the spirit of a sportsman. :)

Awesome work Kawe! They're both brilliant, but I agree with you in that the snow covered caisson seems particularly evocative of the 1812 Retreat. Beautiful.

These two vignettes will give Kawe a base of 65 points but I'm adding a few extra for their excellent overall composition. This places you well within striking distance of your Points Goal, Kawe...