From JuanM: 28mm SAS, Taliban & Highlander (45 points)

 From Juan:

Here is my last entry to The Challenge. This year, the levels of participation and "products" have been fantastic, and I´m sure you have had a lot of work.

Well. First one, here is a SAS team in 28mm from Empress Miniatures. They have been painted for my "Skirmish Sangin" games and my idea has been to give them their particular look, with a lot of civilian equipment.

Secondly, there is a group of Taliban and al Qaeda fighters also for "Skirmish Sangin" and also from Empress Miniatures. Very nice figures.

And lastly, my first 28mm Highlander for the Third Afghan War. Another 28mm figure from Empress Miniatures. I have been testing a new khaki "recipe" with this veteran of the Great War, and I like the result.

And this is all.

Again, a fantastic Challenge with wonderful painted figures and models. Thank you a lot Curt for your perfect work!!!

As usual Juan you've provided us a wonderful selection of lovely miniatures to feast our eyes upon.  Your modern figures are always a treat, especially your work on the various contemporary camo schemes. I'm also delighted to see your new foray into the Third Afghan War. By the looks of this first 'test' Highlander you will have a very enviable collection when it's complete.

These nine miniatures will give Juan 45 points. It's been a pleasure Juan and I look forward to seeing you join us again next year!

From GregB: 28mm Mujahideen Rocket Launcher (25 points)

Greg sends us another addition to his modern Afghan Wars collection.

From Greg:

Here is a Mujahideen/Taliban team operating a Chinese towed rocket launcher.  This is the sort of heavy equipment is perfect for firing inaccurate heavy shells at Russians/NATO/DRA/Northern Alliance/Pakistan/Oil Company/UN/Hamid Karzai Kleptocracy facilities as needed.  It will be more of an objective for gaming purposes, since the range of the weapon would far exceed the distances represented on a gaming tabletop.  Often mounted on the back of Toyota pickup trucks (the infamous "technicals") in Afghanistan this stays on a portable trailer for ease of concealment in a local cave. 

This is a nice addition to my 28mm Mujahideen collection, which is already heavily armed with recoilless rifles, MGs and mortars, ready to fight the Soviet Union (and anyone else who happens into that horrific part of the world). 

These Eureka models are fun to work with - easy to paint, although the size of the hands on the crew is a little large.  You also get some nice scenic extras - ammo crates with extra shells for the rocket launcher.  This is a nice way to add flavour, and can serve as an "objective" type token for games that call for that.  

Overall, another great little piece from Eureka. 

Awesome job Greg! I really like the addition of the ammo crates and leaning AKs. I wonder if this is really that big of a leap from Michael's 19th century Screw Gun...

This artillery team will give Greg a base of 20 points, but I'm adding another 5 for the ammo crates. Well done!

From GregB: 28mm Downed Soviet Pilots & Mujahideen with Stinger Missile (15 points)

From Greg:

Just a small submission to try and keep the momentum up. Not many points, but these have been in my pending pile since the summer and I want to get them moved off. This is a pair or downed Russian chopper pilots, 28mm scale from Mongrel Miniatures.  They will make excellent objectives for Afghanistan games pitting the Mujahideen against the Soviet army. 

The Mogrel sculpts are fantastic to work with - their modern range is one of the best.  These pilots capture the character present in much of the range - the one fellow looks to have a separated shoulder, and both look wary of their circumstances...

Lastly, a 28mm Afghan guerilla from Eureka armed with a stinger missile.  He completes the downed Soviet helo pilots - mujahideen armed with stingers became a factor late in the USSRs ill-fated occupation of Afghanistan. 

This guy will be a nice addition to my large assortment of mujahideen from Mongrel miniatures.

Very characterful models and you've done a fabulous job with them, Greg. 

These three figures will give Greg 15 point to add to his total.