Spanish Civil War Figures for Nick and Christopher

During our last Painting Challenge I had a fun brush duel with Nick, Christopher and Phil to see who could paint the most points of Spanish Civil War figures. I really thought I had it in the bag by establishing an early lead, but Nick took the prize in the last few weeks with a tremendous entry which, try as I might, I couldn't manage an effective riposte. Well done Nick!

So, here I present my tribute figure to Nick for his well-fought win: a Republican dinamiteros preparing to throw his pipebomb IED. 

This figure is from the excellent Empress range. 

I'm also sending along a LMG team as a belated reply to our Annual Friendly Figure Swap.

These guys are from Wargames Foundry's French partisan range which I think work very nicely for Republicans. If you squint a little, the Bren becomes a period appropriate Czech ZB vz 26. :)

AND for Chris, a Canadian standard bearer from the 15th International Brigade for being such a great supporter of the Challenge all these years.

Again, another Empress figure. He's carrying the Mackenzie-Papineau Battalion colours

I'll be following up with a figure for Phil in a few weeks. That one I plan to hand-deliver later this autumn when we visit Crisis in Antwerp (SO excited). Now, how's that for service!

Next Up: An AAR from our '43 Italian campaign

From ChristopherS: 28mm AWI American Infantry 'The Maryland 400' (80 points)

From Christopher:

Busy days, but managed to Add more to my 28mm AWI collection with the 1st Maryland Infantry Regiment (16 figures).

It's a regiment I've long wanted to do as they were a very active regiment that fought in both the Northern and Southern campaign's that earned them the nick name "The Maryland 400" for holding off 2000 British at Long Island by charging a half a dozen times to allow their parent brigade to escape an entrapment before withdrawing themselves. Plus others will remember them for their stubborn stand at Guilford Courthouse. In terms of the American army I would for sure consider them as an elite formation.

I painted them in the regulation Continual army uniform of blue coats with red turnbacks with a few extra change in clothing and equipment to take the edge off uniformity as I believe Americans units were rarely if ever perfectly turned out, but still kept enough uniformity to distinguish them from militia.

The figures are from Perry and Foundry (early Perry) with a GMB flag which I particularly really like. If you like AWI then stay tuned to this channel as I have more AWI planned.

Simply stunning work Christopher. I can't say I'm a huge fan of the AWI but seeing a unit finished like this makes me truly waver. I really like the subtle mix of uniformed troops alongside those with civilian clothing. As you say it really gives this unit a great sense of character, of the men being composed of citizen soldiers. 

This wonderful regiment of renegades, er, I mean 'patriots' will give Christopher 80 points. Again, marvellous work.

From ChristopherS: 28mm AWI Virginian Continental Infantry (76 points)

Christopher sends us this beautiful unit of AWI Virginia Continental infantry to feast our eyes upon.

From Christopher:

The unit is the 1st Virginia Continental Infantry Regiment and is a period that I've long worked on, but haven't done anything for in quite some time. It's been fun to come back to the AWI period and will likely feature a lot more in my project plans this year as I wish do some more gaming in it.

The uniform is their early uniform in hunting shirts (my favorite) with a red trim, before later adopting the blue coat and red turn backs. I don't believe American units were ever completely uniformed so I made changes to colors, hats and other things to reflect this, but at the same time I put most of them in a unifying light grayish off white color and gave them all a red trim (a distinctive trait of the regiment in fact) so as to avoid them looking like militia.

The figures are Perry miniatures which make a brilliant AWI range that just keeps getting better. The flag is from the very nice Flag of Wars range of AWI flags.

Simply gorgeous work Christopher. I really like these early units that were dressed in the hunting shirt as it provides such a marked contrast to their more formal red-coated opponents.

This fine unit will give Christopher 76 points.

 

From ChristopherS: 28mm Dark Age Early Saxon Gedriht (37 points)

Here is another wonderful unit of Dark Age Early Saxons from Christopher.

Here is my second unit of those elite Early Saxon Gedriht who look like ZZ top on steroids who are just as proficient with their weapons as the others are with their guitars. It's what I think of when I look at them and partly why I like them so much. 

Bill(the sculptor) just made these guys look cool and are a must for any painter interested in early Saxons imho. I added a banner to these guys even though in Dux Brittani rum they have no effect, because I think banners add a bit extra in terms of looks to an army. 

These superb figures are again Musketeer with the equally superb LBM for the shields and banner. The weathering on the rocks and shields is done with MIG pigments which I really enjoy using.

Lovely work once again, Christopher. I agree with you in that these fellows absolutely demand a banner as they're such hard-asses. 

These six warriors will give Christopher a base of 30 points but I'm adding a few more for the excellent banner, shields and groundwork. Well done! (But you're still behind me. Y'know, just sayin'.)  ;-P

From ChristopherS: 28mm Dark Age Saxon Gedriht Warriors (35 points)

Christopher sends in this beautiful unit of Dark Age Saxons.

From Christopher:

My next entry is Saxon Gedriht which are elite fighters typically members of a Warlords family, close retainers and household guard (Huscarls) and are professional warriors armed with the best armour and weapons in the army. 

When I first saw these on the Musketeer web site I knew I had to have them as they looked seriously hard and fearsome. 

They are based on individual bases mounted on a sabot movement tray. The shields are LBM with some MIG pigments I added to give a more used effect. 

They are mostly painted with Foundry paints which are my personal favorites and some Vallejo.

I always really enjoy your Dark Age work Christopher, and these lads certainly don't disappoint. You're right they do look suitably ferocious and hard-bitten, especially with their motley assortment of armour and well-used shields.

These six Saxons will give Christopher a base of 30 points, but I'm adding another 5 for the great basing and weathered shields. This will give Christopher enough to pip past me and Martin into first place in our private duel to 500 points. Well done but this lead won't last for too long... ;->

From ChristopherS: French & Indian War Compagnies Franches de la Marine (62 points)

From Christopher:

These gentlemen are my Compagnie Franches de la Marine for my French & Indian War project to be used for This Very Ground and Muskets and Tomahawks. I used round bases as I prefer that for skirmish games. I will of course be taking the role of the French and their Indian allies and my friend Mike's the British. I depicted the Marines emerging from the woods conducting a flanking attack or perhaps even surprising a British column or camp.

The models are from Redoubt and like their Indians are packed full of character that just really draws me to them. For me the Redoubt line gives a very intense and dangerous take on the French and Indian war that I really like. The flag is from the superb GMB designs. Colours are mostly Foundry with some Vallejo.

I think like many of us what drew me into the period was Daniel Day Lewis version of Last of the Mohicans that I've watched repeatedly over the years. The film for me ranks as one of if not my all time favorite non documentary war movie where the cast, cinematography and music where about as perfect as you could get IMHO. The music has already started in my head just thinking about it!

Stonkingly beautiful work Christopher! I really like the vignette shot of the figures emerging out of the terrain. 'Last of the Mohicans' is a superb film, but my memories of it always seem to get hijacked by enchanting images of Madeleine Stowe...

These dozen brave Marines, with their proud standard, will give Christopher 62 points. Well done!

From ChristopherS: 28mm ACW and Ronin #5 (50 points)

From Christopher:

First up is a Confederate artillery piece ready for action. I used a mix of browns and grey's to give that campaign feel, but still kept the red in the uniforms as that was the color of artillery for both sides during the war and one man wearing regulation sky blue trousers. I've seen several colors used for gun carriages, but I've always liked the green and so used that. The cannon is 12 pounder smoothbore and so received  a bronze barrell.

I'm pretty happy that I've managed to stay on course and do another ACW piece and I hope I can keep focused and do some more as that's always been hard for me to do (stay focused that is).

Most of the paints I used are once again Foundry with some Vallejo. The figures are Perry and as expected the sculpts are very nice, but do require some clean up.

The Japanese Warrior Monk (Sohei) is for Curt and his Samurai Ronin project. I asked Curt if I could do a warrior monk and he said no problem as he thinks at least one of them did join a monastic order. I've always thought warrior monks are well....just cool!

I kept the colors very traditional using black armor, a white robe and dark brown prayer beads and a rawhide leather. The only "splash" of color to adorn this otherwise very practical monk is the light blue which also in fact was common. 

Paints were again from my Foundry/Vallejo combo I like and figure is from the Perry's. The sculpt is very nice(they have a great Samurai range), but had more clean up then I would have liked and some of the detail was quite difficult to do as it was very fine.

On to the next project. Reaching 1,000 points does look like a fool's bet, but I'll keep trying.

Lovely work on that artillery piece its crew Christopher, I particularly like your groundwork. The warrior monk is also excellent, he definitely looks the business and will be a fine addition to the 47.

The gun, its crew and Ronin #5 will give Christopher 50 points. Brilliant stuff!

From ChristopherS: 28mm ACW 4th Texas (82 points)

From Christopher:

Next up my favorite theme.....ACW!

The 4th Texas regiment was organized in Richmond, Virginia in 1861 from various companies that made the journey from Texas to Virginia. Like the rest of the Hood's Texas Brigade these were elite rock hard fighting men from a brigade that can arguably be called the best in the American Civil War. 

They included some colourful companies like "the Robertson Five Shooters" and "the Lone Star Guards", and "the Mustang Greys" to name a few of the 10.

The figures themselves are from Redoubt which is my favourite ACW figure range in spite of the often arduous amount of clean up needed on some of them. I just really like the look of the figures and the extra touch of silver stars added to the hats of the models which the Texas brigade really did have and so is not a gimmick. I had a great time painting the figures and look forward to doing more.

I painted the figures using mostly Foundry paints and some Vallejo. The flag is from the wonderful GMB. I opted for the battle flag as the state flags usually remained in camp.

Oh btw never bother Texans while they are eating their first hot breakfast in days as the Union found out at Antietam(Sharpsburg)! Talk about stirring up a hornets nest! 

A stonkingly beautiful unit Christopher - really lovely work here. I agree with you regarding Redoubt's line of ACW figures, they do take a bit of work but they often pay dividends in their animation and character (as we can readily see here).

The 4th Texas will give Christopher 82 points.

From ChristopherS: 28mm Seven Years War Russian Regiment Apcheronski (95 points)

Well, its been a night of pike, cannone & shotte (and units with odd names) and we end it with this wonderful regiment of Seven Years War Russian troops painted and arrayed by Christopher.

From Christopher:

This is my second entry into the competition a Russian regiment of the Seven Years War. I had hoped to be painting faster, but things just always take longer then I expect.

The unit that stands before you is the Apcheronski Regiment which for many Russian Seven Years fans is a must do unit as they have a very distinctive trade mark. The gaiters on Russian regiments are normally white or black, but the Apcheronski Regiment fought so hard at the battle of Kunersdorf they were said to have stood "knee deep in blood" and so are allowed to wear red gaiters. The red I used for the gaiters was more of a dried blood(maroon) which I also did for the red leather parts.

The figures are from Wargames Foundry with a mix of older and newer versions. I prefer the older range to the newer one, but will happily mix the two. It's a good thing Wargames Foundry has made changes in management and brought back their older ranges which are brilliant coupled with the new pricing and the old buy x and get x free deals has really put Foundry back in my good graces. Since their paints are my favorite coupled with what is now once again a huge amount of lovely figures to choose from at what are now at least affordable rates has put on smile on my face.

The unit was painted using mostly Foundry paints with some Vallejo. The standards are from GMB designs and are great as always.

On to the next unit as to what I'm not sure yet......typical of me I know.

Well, that's just a gorgeous unit of troops. Well done Christopher! I also quite enjoyed reading the background on the regiment's distinction of wearing red gaiters - very cool.

This SYW regiment will give Christopher 95 points which includes a little extra for those grand banners and the lovely groundwork.

From ChristopherS: 28mm Successor Pikemen (120 points)

Like Brer Rabbit meeting the Tar Baby Christopher has been stuck with this unit since the Challenge started. Nonetheless he is finally free of them so we can now admire his efforts and he can get on to his next project.

From Christopher:

I've finally finished my first unit for the competition! I didn't think it would take so long, but somebody should have smacked me with a reality stick before I started! These gentlemen took me the better part of my vacation to do which doesn't help when trying to rack up some points! Anyways enough of my moaning and on to the unit.

The figures are from Aventine which I personally believe are hands down among the best you can buy for this period. The shields are from the wonderful LBM and the bases are from Warbases. The unit is based for Impetus which in addition to the game I like both the look of the bases and that they give good protection to the figures as you primarily handle the base and not the figures. Also, I can use the units for Hail Caesar which is another game I quite like.

I saw in the new Successor osprey book they showed guard infantry pike in purple helms and I quite liked it  and so decided I would use that as the theme to the unit. The armour is fuchsia which is a mix of pink and purple and so goes with the helm and shield I think. I kept feathers and such all white to give a nice contrast to the purple. Except for the clothes I kept them uniform in appearance as I feel it gives them a more elite feel. I should also add the front rankers are deliberately more elaborate as they had the best gear in every formation.

Beautiful work, Christopher! I love that hedge of pikes. You can't argue with a wargames unit that can actually draw blood on the table. :) I also really like the eggplant-purple of their uniforms and I agree that the uniformity gives them a more elite bearing.

These twenty-four pikemen will give Christopher 120 points.