'Resistance' by StephenS: Dead-Eye Davy

 G’day,

I picked up a copy of Warlord Games’ Glory, Hallelujah! Black Powder supplement after reading the excellent novel 'Killer Angels' by Michael Shaara and developing an urge to game the period. The model came along as a freebie named 'Dead-Eye Davy' and is painted as a Confederate solely because I lost the alternative Union soldier head it originally came with.

I have to confess that up until the moment I started typing this post, I had it fixed in my head that the theme was Rebellion! With a slight swivel, though, the miniature can represent resistance — the resistance of the Confederacy to the Federal government of the day, as well as the ability of individual Confederate soldiers to endure and resist despite shortages of manpower and equipment while facing their more numerous and wealthier brothers to the North during the American Civil War.

But enough of the big ideas. The miniature is a 28 mm metal figure from Warlord Games and should net 5 points, along with the bonus, for a total of 55 points.

Cheers,

Stephen

'Toy Story' from StephenS: He-Man and the Masters of the Universe!

 'By the Power of Grayskull... I have the power!'

G'day,

I have for you two iconic characters for anyone whose childhood spanned the 1980's. He-Man and Skeletor from the He-Man and the Masters of the Universe TV show that ran from 1983 to 1985. While it only ran for two seasons, the success of its toy line helped spawn a whole industry of cartoons designed to sell toys, toys I loved playing with as a young boy. Also, who can forget the helpful 'life lessons' offered at the end of each episode. It is one of those childhood shows that has resonated over the years.

There have been a number of re-boots over the years, and a new live-action film is in the works. The models I have painted up are 28 mm plastic models from CMON's Masters of the Universe: The Board Game -  Clash for Eternia.

It is always a blast to paint up something that is so nostalgic, and I thoroughly enjoyed working on these. I will definitely be off to see the new movie.

Two 28mm cavalry models and the bonus is 70 points.

Cheers,

Stephen

'Empire' From StephenS: Another very late Roman Empire post [Empire] (90 points)

G'day,

For my Empire post I had the great idea of doing a little vignette of a Roman soldier from the various periods we game - an omage to the rise and fall of Rome. Alas, I only had the idea on the same day the post was due. So instead, you get some more Late Roman soldiers (they appear to be popular this year). These are from the lovely range offered by Victrix Miniatures and the shield decals are by Little Big Men Studios.

I believe these are the first Roman Empire figures I have painted, despite being on my bucket list for many years. Though I have painted plenty of Carthaginians wearing Roman spoils of war... I went with some cavalry first as a little nod to their rise in pre-eminence as armies and tactics evolved during this period, and the ability of the Empire to recruit, arm and pay the traditional legions diminished.

I am basing them for use in skirmish games, though if I get a taste for it, I may start dreaming of bigger things. My preference is still to do an Early Imperial Roman Army (too many Asterix comics as a kid perhaps), but the later periods are what my gaming buddies lean towards.

4 x 28 mm plastic figures and the bonus should be 90 points please.

Cheers,

Steve

'Fellowship' from StephenS: Guards! Guards!

It would not be a challenge if I did not add to my growing collection of figures based on characters from the Discworld novels, written by the late Terry Pratchett. A favourite of mine has always been his 'Guards! Guards!', a tale of four nightwatchmen regarded as a bunch of incompetents that accomplish nothing (a fairly accurate statement) who come together to take on a dragon. Despised and ridiculed by all, the fellowship they show in the face of increasing dangers in this and further novels, makes for very amusing reading.

From L to R: Corporal Nobbs, New recruit Carrot, Captain Vimes and Sergeant Colon

The miniatures are from Micro Art Studio, and are quite large for 28mm scale. A pleasure to paint. They are not quite finished, I will need to go back and add some more highlights, but the sand in the timer has alas run out. The bases are also from Micro Art Studio.

Cheers,

Steve

'Water Feature' from StephenS: King of Atlantis

For your viewing pleasure may I present to you his his royal highness, the King of Atlantis, known to his mates and most of the known world as Aquaman!

Since his creation in 1941, our intrepid hero has been a prominent feature of many a watery comic book story. I have painted him as he is sculpted, in his current comic book uniform, which is thankfully sans the underwear on the outside look that has fortunately gone out of vogue.

The model is a resin 28 mm from Knight Models. He is not for use in any game I play, I just used to like reading Aquaman comics and thought the bonus round was a great excuse to try one of the miniatures from Knight Models that I have been eyeing for some time now. It is very thin and delicate, but fortunately free of any blemishes. Knight Models makes some beautiful figures, but some of the joints and weapons are so thin and fragile that it's a wonder they manage to ship any models in one piece.

Cheers,

Steve

'Mercenary' from StephenS: Thirty Years War

This entry came about after one of those moments of hobby distraction that I'm sure many of us can relate to.

This was not what I had originally planned, I don't game this period in any shape or form. It was one of those happy coincidences where I was reading about the role of mercenaries in the Thirty Years war, reflected on the upcoming bonus round and then remembered I had a suitable figure. Poor Boba Fett went back on the shelf as I indulged myself in the cathartic process of painting a figure just for the simple joy of the act.

Whether he is a sword for hire or the captain of a renowned mercenary company I cannot say, but his scarred face, the trident main gauche hidden under his cloak and his eye-patch suggest a man who has seen his share of conflict and is still standing to tell his tales.

This 28 mm miniature was a freebie with a purchase from Warlord Games awhile back, and was a pleasure to bring to life.

Cheers,

Steve

'Sport' from StephenS: Troll!

This bonus round was the perfect opportunity to add some unpredictable muscle to my fledgling orc  Blood Bowl team.

Blood Bowl is a game I fell in love with back in 1994 when I picked up the Third Edition boxed set as a kid. The latest version seems to play like the game I remember, and the miniatures are lovely. The game is still violent, random and can swing quickly, which I love as it makes for a great casual game, but I imagine is not to everyone's taste.

I painted up an Orc Team last year, and have added a fantastic Troll to the roster. There will be some goblins added down the line, so the poor chap about to be hurled down the pitch will have some friends/replacements.

The completed team so far.

The model is a large 32 mm figure from Game Workshop and was a delight to paint up. 

Cheers,

Steve

'Reconnaissance' from StephenS: Nuns on the Run!

Hitler is poised to unleash Operation Sea Lion and complete his conquest of Western Europe, but first he needs eyes on the ground to locate or ascertain strategic locations. The stakes are high, so to ensure success he unleashes his new secret weapon:

Nuns! 

Dropped off by a U-Boat under the cover of darkness, these German agents blend in seamlessly with the local population as they reconnoiter the British defenses. Armed, they will also be able to wreck havoc when the German landings begin, or deal with any locals that get a little too 'handsy'.

The Germans can't fail - who hasn't seen a nun with a monocle and a 5 o'clock shadow...

These characterful models are 28 mm miniatures from Warlord Games and will make great objective markers or models for special scenarios. 

Cheers,

Steve

'Monstrous' from StephenS: Schreckwulfen

A trio of German Schreckwulfen from the Konflict 47 universe, an alternative WW2 game designed by Clockwork Goblin Miniatures and produced by Warlord Games. The rules are very similar to Bolt Action, though there are some significant differences in a few places.

These fearsome beasts are the result of a 'successful' German experiment to combine human and canine DNA. They are monsters in hand-to-hand combat, well, at least I think they are... The slightly different rules with regards to how shooting works in combat, means they haven't survived long enough to tell yet. However, that will all change now they're painted up I'm sure!

I love that a few small purchases can turn my 'historical' German army into something that plays completely differently, whether it is Konflict 47 or some other alternative WW2 setting.

The miniatures are 28 mm metal sculpts and were very easy to clean up and assemble, not something that I find is always a given with Warlords miniatures. It was a treat to paint the skin a blue-grey colour, something other than the usual flesh tones.

Finally, a big thanks to Curt, for coming up with another series of great bonus round themes!

Cheers,

Steve

'Childhood' from StephenS: Zulu

This was such a fantastic theme round, I tossed around so many ideas. Originally, I went down the path of revisiting a model or game from my first forays into the hobby (when I was about 14). However, reflecting on it further, my passion for miniature gaming was probably first kindled much earlier. Growing over many lazy Sunday afternoons watching old war movies with my dad as a kid. It is these sort of iconic films, whether watched when released at the cinema or as a TV re-run, that so many of us try to recreate on the tabletops.

Without a doubt, a favourite of ours was the movie 'Zulu', I still remember my dad afterwards getting me a biography of Michael Cain's early years for me to read (this was the early 90's). I have never gamed the Anglo-Zulu wars, but here is my ode to that movie and old films from my childhood in general.

The figures are all 25-28 mm models from Warlords Games, the Zulus are plastic and our British heroes are metal. The barricade is a resin piece, also from Warlords (it fills half a 6 cm cube). The uniforms are painted as per stills from the film so blame them if I've gotten anything wrong ;)

Lieutenant Bromhead and Colour-Sergeant Bourne

It was a real blast to put together, so many great memories, and I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Cheers,

Steve

'Music/Musician' from StephenS: Soul Music

A tale of sects, dwarfs and music with rocks in... What's not to love about the novel Soul Music by Terry Pratchett???

One of my favourite characters from the novel is 'Death', and luckily for everyone, the fantastic team at Micro Art Studio in Poland make a great miniature of him.

I'll save the jokes about the death of metal for another day so that nobody dies of boredom, and get straight to the pictures!

A real treat to paint up, this guy is definitely on the large side of 28 mm, and I had to mount him on a 40 mm base.

Rock on everyone!

Steve




Artist - Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band

Album - Live in New York City (2001)

'BFG' from StephenS: A Big Stompy Robot

Bringing the boom to a gaming table near you! (if you live in Sydney, Australia)

I grabbed the biggest model I own, and the biggest model I've ever painted, to really reach out and embrace the theme of this bonus round!

So here it is - one big stompy robot with a 'BFG'! It is an 'Imperial Knight' from the stables of Games Workshop. I grabbed this kit when it first came out about four years ago, and with interest in the 'new 40K' growing among some of my mates, I was excited to finally get some paint on it.

It took me a lot longer to paint than I though it would and I went through plenty of silver paint and black wash... If I'm honest, I'm happy, but not ecstatic with how it has come out. I think some parts probably need a second highlight to add some more contrast, but I was pushing to get it finished before I ran out of puff... It has absorbed all my painting time for the last week and a bit, so I will be glad to get back to something else.

For those who follow such things, it's painted in the livery of 'House Taranis' a knightly order based on Mars and so aligned with the Adeptus Mechanicus. Just because I love their 'fluff' even though I don't have an army for them. It probably won't get much game time, as I'm sure it's probably a little much for my opponents, but it will look impressive alongside my Space Marines, when it does get to do its thing.

The ubiquitous comparison photo

I have no idea how to cost its points, I couldn't find another one on the blog, so I will leave it up the judges. It's a plastic kit, in 28 mm scale, technically a vehicle I guess... Oh, and the markings are all transfers, if that wasn't obvious.

Cheers,

Steve