From MartijnN: Germanic bowmen and sundry

Yes! Invitation received. However, it will be two more weeks before I actually get my jab, so I thought I'd better get on with it. Strangely enough, I seem to be more consistent and faster now the "real" Challenge is over (although I remember struggling a bit too in the Quarantine Challenge a year ago).

Anyway, in keeping with the theme my painting seems to be taking on a bit here are six Germanic bowmen. These too are MTH figures which I printed myself.

To accompany these, and the Celtic bowmen I painted last week, is a unit of ten Celtic warriors, also from the MTH Rome series. I had a lot of fun painting these and I am quite happy with them.

Finally, a Celtic dog handler with two Irish Wolfhound-like characters. I would not much care to come across these chaps, neither on or off the battlefield! I promise to make a bit more of an effort with the next dogs.

Next up are two 32mm thieves from the Arbiter Miniatures range. These are great figures, and supportless too which is quite a boon in my book. They printed without any problems and I like how they turned out. They can be used in a variety of ways, the painting scheme is a bit ranger-like I guess.

Then, there is an armoured polar bear from Wilds of Winterland by Evan Carothers. This is a wonderful 3d print file range with ice giants, snowfolk, arctic animals, yetis, you name it. Shades of Westeros, obviously. I think the bear is a great model.

Next, the only part of this week's output that was not 3d printed: a brigade of Confederate troops for my ongoing Champion Hill project using Altar of Freedom. These are once again 10mm Perrin figures. I try to give my Union troops a more formal character, but I like my rebels to be a somewhat more motley bunch.

Finally, two pieces of terrain. A bridge and a viking burial mound. The last obviously was to have been my offering for the Tomb in the Chambers of Challenge, but I never got there. Both are 28mm figure scale miniatures, but scaled down to somewhere between 6mm-10mm.

So there you have it. For me this is a record production, pointswise:

22 28mm figures @ 5 points is 110 points;

20 10mm figures @ 1 point is 20 points;

and as I don't feel like doing the complex calculations for the terrain pieces I am awarding myself 1 point for each for a total of 2 points;

Which yields a grand total of 132 points; a veritable points bomb for me!

From GregB: Ork Dakka Jet & Ground Assets

Ork Dakka Jet and ground assets - plastic models from GW.

Hi everyone - glad to see there are participants in the Challenge getting their jabs! Here in Northern Ontario, Canada, I expect it will be quite a long wait for me, so I hope you don't mind these random submissions. You will see that further efforts on my WW1 painting have been delayed by this sudden lurch back into GW territory. This is an Ork "Dakka Jet" and set of Ork "ground assets" for GW's 40k-themed air-combat game Aeronautica Imperialis. These have been sitting on my painting desk for months, and when I finished those 10mm Roman Auxilia a couple of weeks ago, I thought I might as well finish these bits too. 

The dakka jet is the basic fighter for the Orks - can be upgraded with extra rockits for air-to-air combat, or given bombs for ground attack missions.

Aeronautica is a fun game - obviously the setting won't be everyone's cup of tea, but I enjoyed the original version of these rules that Forge World released many years ago. The re-booted version, with nice plastic models, is a lot of fun too. The rules are not complicated, and it is fun to have these little combat aircraft from the grim and dark future zipping around, blowing up stuff, and each other. 

A bunch of random colours and patterns...fun little models to paint, although it can be slow going.

The initial model range focused on the Imperial Navy and the Orks, but it has since expanded to include Imperial Army (Valkyries) and the Tau (really cool!). I started painting my initial sets last summer, with the expectation that I would finish all of the models in short order...but hobby squirrels run around in my brain and I get distracted. This is a particular issue when trying to paint Ork subjects...they don't really have a uniform look to their gear and kit, and so each model is something of an individual effort for me, which makes painting Ork stuff a slog.

And so this poor Dakka Jet has been sitting even longer than the Roman Auxilia from my last submission. Probably since last November, when I had been last working on Aeronautica stuff...this one Dakka Jet was sitting there at the corner of my painting table, falling on to the ground occasionally, with a couple of base colours already on, waiting for me to finish it. But for months I just could not find the inspiration - I didn't feel like painting check patterns at the time, and besides, I had momentum with some other projects - but I finally just picked up the brush last week, and now it is ready.

Ork ground assets...a bunker of some kind, and assorted flak batteries to protect it.

In the Aeronautica game many missions involve bombing runs. You need something to bomb - that is where these "ground assets" come in. The bunker-looking thing serves as a target for the incoming bombers...the same pack came with an assortment of Ork flak emplacements which would protect this and add to the fun in the game.

Another view of the ground assets...these are in the same "scale" as the models for "Adeptus Titanicus"....

So there we are...my first GW and first sci-fi models painted in many months! Thanks for reading, hope you are all doing OK out there. Cheers.

From MartijnN: Another mixed bag

The fact that I am happily printing away means that the stack of "things to be painted sometime" has been growing rather than diminishing lately. Still, I have managed to get some things done. It is not really much, but I do expect to receive an invitation for a jab soon, so best to get a post in while I can!

First, here are three 15mm Essex Companions for my DBA Bactrian Greeks. I had originally intended these for the Knight's Solar but I have never even been in the vicinity! I know that a DBA  army is hardly a challenge in figure count, but since this one has been in the works for the best of three decades there's no need to start hurrying now. One more element of Companions with general and four elements of pikemen to go. I may get there yet!

Next up is a brigade of 10mm Perrin Miniature ACW Zouaves for my Altar of Freedom project. I'm not even sure if there were Zouaves at Champion Hill but they made a nice change from the standard Union infantry.

Then here are two wood golems from the Scourge of Valtan Forest Kickstarter. I intend to use these as Ents for Warmaster or something similar. They are nice figures and the prints came out fine. 

Finally,  a potions shop printed in more or less 10mm scale from another Kickstarter, the Architecture Medieval Set (yeah, I know, I tend to go overboard a little when embarking on something new, like 3d printing) . In spite of its rather unimaginative name this set actually contains some very nice and creative fantasy mediaeval buildings, and this quirky potions shop is a fine example. I rather enjoyed painting it up and look forward to doing more of the buildings.

So, there we are, 3 15mm cavalry for 12 points, 20 10mm infantry for 20 points, 2 28mm figure for 10 points and a 10mm building for 1 point (80/3375 cm3 of a standard cube or 0,023 point, generously rounded up). 43 points!

From GregB - 10mm Roman Auxilia Unit

10mm Roman Auxilia...figures from Pendraken.

I am pleased to share a slight diversion from my recent WW1 efforts...here is a unit of Roman Auxilia in 10mm. The figures are from Pendraken, and they are based for "Warmaster Ancients" - although they could, of course, work with any number of other rules.

View showing some of the detail from behind the line...

The Roman Empire is a recurrent hobby interest, albeit one that never seems to make it very far in terms of painting efforts. I fascinated by the era, but for whatever reason, I get almost nothing painted, and the meandering course of these Auxilia figures beneath my brushes are a fine exhibit of this many-starts-but-more-stops when it comes to Roman subject. 

Not so many command figures with this bunch - just an officer and a musician.

During the recent AHPC XI I completed a small group of Roman Legionary infantry. Yay! I had finally made a bit of progress towards something Roman on the gaming table! These Auxilia figures were "up next" in the painting queue at that time, and I was certain that I would keep rolling along...I had finished 20 of the 30 figures for the Auxilia unit - and the remaining 10 figures were primed, base-coated and sitting on sticks, waiting for a couple colours...but...SQUIRREL! I decided suddenly "hey, maybe I'll finish some of this other 10mm stuff" and before you know it, the inspiration had moved on...

Ready to move out!

So these Auxilia have been sitting for just about three months, nearly completed, on my painting desk, but I just would not get around to finishing them. I guess they finally spoke to me or something this past weekend, as I settled down and finally finished the last of the little guys and got the group based. Here they are!

As always, the Pendraken castings are lovely and I really recommend their 10mm products. I now have four units of 10mm Romans painted - oh my! That's hardly anything, but still a massive increase over the "zero" number painted prior to AHPC XI...who knows when the Roman bug will bite again, but watch for more! Anyway, back to WW1...thanks for reading, and stay safe everyone!

From MartijnN: More small scale scenery

For some reason I do not seem to be able to get any figures done. However, I still have lots terrain pieces to paint and I spent some time on those.

First up is a Russian village from Hagen Miniatures. Funny how 1/300 seems to be just as fluid a scale as any other. These models are decidedly small, even for 6mm. Also, they are not very detailed. However, as an assembly I think it works quite ok, and as long as there are no buildings in the immediate vicinity from other makes they should be alright. The trees are from Les Hammond's  Terrain Shed.

Next up, a 6mm French house from Battlescale. I really like their buildings, both in 6mm and in 10mm.

Then, some earthworks, also from Battlescale. They are nominally 10mm, but  I think they would work with 15mm as well. These were painted in the same shade of Citadel Contrast paint (Aggraros Dunes), but one over a grey primer and one over Wraithbone, GW's recommended shade of off-white. The difference is quite marked! I disliked the darker tone so much that I drybrushed some green and yellow over it. They''ll both do now I guess. The wood by the way is Wyldwood, which is one of the best colours in the range I'd say. Just applied straight from the pot, and the shadow effect is very good.

Finally, a 10mm cottage from Battlescale, the companion of the building I showed you earlier. This was also primed grey, which accounts from the sombre tone. I will not repeat that experiment, I suppose. Still, the end result looks ok.

That's all folks! Thanks for looking, and stay safe.

From MartijnN: Some small scale scenery

Just to show that I have not completely fallen of the Quarantaine wagon (though hanging on by my fingernails) the two very small tasks that I managed to complete in the past weeks. A small 6mm/ 10mm wood from Chinese model trees from Wish, and some from Terrain Shed Wargaming, on a Warbases base:

And a small 10mm cottage from Battlescale using mostly Contrast paints. I gave it a wash with Army painter Strongtone which in retrospect perhaps was not the brightest idea. Still, it looks somewhat ok.

Thanks for looking and stay safe, even if less "lockdowned" now.

From JamesM: 10mm Fantasy Camels

Forgive me oh great blue mountain top dweller, for I have sinned.

It has been 6 weeks since I last lifted a hairy stick, and I have taken a place in this challenge and contributed nothing.

I offer up, in penance, some teeny weeny camels.

These are 10mm Pendraken Mhadists, bought for a AHPC Challenge Island entry and sadly left unloved. I have painted them as part of my 'For Joshua' 10mm fantasy project. These chaps will be joining my human knight force. One base armed with sword and shield, while another with lance/spear.

A minor honouring of Dave D and Martin C (Dave because they are camels, Martin because of the smell).

The plan for the project is still that it tour some of the UK shows and be used to generate money for the charities which supported us following the loss of our son Joshua. However, the world going mental in the last few months have forced me to rethink the schedule on all of that for a bit!

Shall I repeat my sin, now I am back on the wagon?

I have reviewed my workspace and cleared the clutter to a few bits I want to get done, thus removing some of the forbidding weight of the lead mountain which was crushing my will to continue. I have even ordered some new hairy sticks. Further production is (almost) guaranteed.

I have not been totally idle, instead turning my hobby time to prep. As such, I have the below models almost ready to go...

Some may even be done before July.

From GregB: More 10mm Bavarians for FPW

More 10mm Bavarians, ready to invade France in some Franco-Prussian War action. Castings from Pendraken.

Yet more 10mm Franco-Prussian war figures coming off of the painting desk this past weekend.  Here are five bases of Bavarian infantry - the castings are all from Pendraken. Not much to say beyond repeating what I have said before - 10mm is great, and Pendraken provides the best 10mm stuff I have come across.

This basing can work for a number of rule systems, but I intend to use them for "1871".

In the basic "1871" rules, each base would be a battalion.  So this would represent a reinforced regiment.

I love the bright cornflower blue of the Bavarian uniforms from this period.

Happily Pendraken also sell flags...it's a one-stop shop!

There are four bases of regular infantry, and one base of Jagers.  The Pendraken castings are all outstanding, but I was particularly blown away from the Jagers, which somehow managed to have the marksmanship cords and plume on the helmets on 10mm castings. My brush skills were not the strongest in terms of picking out those details, but wow - just great stuff.

As with all of my recent 10mm FPW work, these figures are part of the build up to do the Battle of Wissembourg.  A division of Bavarians took part in that engagement, and with this lot completed I have now finished painting the initial Bavarian contingent in the OOB for that scenario.

Attempted close-up on the Jagers.

Tremendous sculpts from Pendraken.

The French are already completed, and now that the Bavarians are finished, it is time to focus on finishing the rest of the Prussian contingent for the game. That will involve another eight batteries of artillery, a few more command bases, and another 12 or so infantry bases.  This will take some time to finish, particularly as I still get distracted by other projects and scales, but the Quarantine Challenge is helping me to focus, that's for sure!

Bavarian division massed on my shelf, awaiting the order to move out!

Thanks for looking everyone - I hope you are safe and healthy, wherever you are.

GregB

From MartijnN: QCwk3 Slightly less small matters

For my third weekly task I have.. well, some 6mm of course! Some more miniature real estate, a Belgian/ Northern French house from TimeCast and a church from Total Battle Miniatures. The church is actually from their North-American range, but I think it will also do nicely as an Eastern European building.

Next, let's turn to bigger matters. Now, I am a slow painter and the rate at which some Challengers turn out beautiful 28mm figures never ceases to amaze me. I myself am quite happy to have been able to produce all of twenty-four 10mm figures and a gun from the former Perrin range (they are still sold by Magister Militum). I bought these in 2004 without having any clear purpose in mind (hey, they were a bargain) but never got around to painting them until I discovered the excellent website on the Altar of Freedom rules: 6mmacw. I believe that fellow Challenger Miles has some involvement in the matter... Now, these have obviously been designed with 6mm figures in mind but I don't see why 10mm wouldn't work so here are a brigade of Union infantry and a Confederate artillery battery.

These are for my modest first ACW project which aims to recreate the battle of Champion Hill (AAR on 6mmacw here). This is one of the smaller scenarios in the rules so should be doable. Only 9 more brigades to do!

I used contrast paints again, The Ultramarines Blue turned out just a bit darker than my other Union infantry and the pants are a bit less skyblue, but all in all I am not unhappy. The flag is from Pendraken.

Lastly, I made a small piece of terrain: a swamp. It is on an mdf base by Warbases, just a simple affair but I find it quite effective.

Thanks for looking, easy on the Easter eggs, stay safe and wash those hands!

From GregB: 10mm Bavarians and Prussians for Franco-Prussian War

10mm Bavarians and Prussians for the Franco-Prussian War. Figures from Pendraken.

In this entry I return to a project that was the subject of one of my final entries to AHPC X - some more 10mm castings for the Franco-Prussian War.  Here we have an assortment of Bavarians - infantry, officers and artillery, and some Prussian Dragoons.  These 10mm figures are all from Pendraken, purveyor of the finest 10mm figures I have ever come across!

Bavarian infantry regiment - I went with yellow facings on these fellows.

Pendraken sculpts are fun to paint.

View from the rear of the line...

When I love a period or a setting, I am apt to start painting it in multiple scales. Yes, I know this is bonkers...but what can I say? I love the 28mm figures because you can enjoy the many fine details on the lovely uniforms of the period.  But there are limits to 28mm when it comes to playing out the battles of the period - they were large, corps-level battles and I'll never have enough 28mm figures, table space or time to run something like Spicheren, Froschwiller or Gravelotte-St. Privat in large scales. To play even portions of those engagements, I'll need smaller figures.

Bavarian artillery - Krupp 4-pounders, steel breech-loading pieces that greatly outgunned the French artillery.

Another view of the gunners.

Different rules can give you different options in terms of table representation. For the "1871" rules, this would be equal one regiment of Bavarian infantry (with each stand representing a battalion), four batteries of Bavarian Krupp 4-pound guns, a Bavarian brigade commander (single mounted officer on a base), a Bavarian division commander (two mounted offers on single base) and a Prussian dragoon regiment (each base representing about two squadrons of cavalry).

Prussian dragoons.

Even in 10mm, the Hussars are the glamour-boys of the cavalry arm, with their lovely finery and silk-bagged head gear.

I struggle with artillery in any scale, it's always a big stumbling block for me, so it's particularly great to get this group of batteries out of the way.  These four batteries will provide a divisions' worth of guns to my initial Bavarian contingent.

Bavarian command bases.

The single officer will lead a brigade, while the stand with two figures will serve as a division commander.

I started messing around with Pendraken's 10mm range a couple of years ago, and I was blown away by the quality and completeness of their offering.  I've been puttering away at a 10mm collection ever since! I have one specific battle in mind to start - the Battle of Wissembourg.  Using the level of representation described above, I have calculated I will need 88 different bases all in, including all of the infantry, cavalry, artillery and officers.  This is for one of the smallest battles of the war (at least for the "Imperial Phase") - and still that's a fair amount of kit to get painted.

I just need to paint these figures, and I can run my first 10mm battle...hoping to get through these during the Quarantine Challenge.

Those kinds of goals can seem so far away. And yet...progress has been made over time! In fact, I'm almost sort-of within striking distance - when Curt told us he was going to do the "Quarantine Challenge" I thought completing the necessary 10mm figures would be a worthy goal. So I am going to try to do just that...as you can see, I'll be my own worst enemy as I will suddenly feel like painting Titans or panzers or FPW stuff in another scale or who-knows-what else at any given moment...but hopefully I'll be able to stage the Battle of Wissembourg in 10mm by June.

Thanks for looking and visiting - hope you are having a good, safe and healthy day, wherever you are!