From PaulJ: 28mm Steampunk Royal Navy Armoured Landing Party (50 points)

PaulJ sends us this wonderful Victorian steampunk diversion for us to enjoy.

From Paul:

My first submission for the competition is a Royal Navy Armoured Landing Party for In Her Majesty's Name.  Led by a Lieutenant assisted by a Chief Petty Officer, they command a 4 man rifle unit and a 4 man cutlass and pistol assault unit. 

The landing parties of the Royal Navy are well armoured to withstand fire while closing with the enemy to take defended ships and locations.  Supported by ship launched support dirigibles or light steam contraptions, these sailors give Naval Commanders many options to take the fight to the enemy both at sea and ashore.  

Landing parties can also be deploying via war-dirigibles of the Royal Naval Air Service, extending their utility significantly. The exploits of RN landing teams in recent history are an inspiration to many. British newspapers were abuzz with the feats of Commander Everton in the Orient, for which for was knighted upon his return. More recently, young Midshipman Hornblower (the latest personality of that reputable naval family) and the grizzly but ever loyal Petty Officer Bowlin, have built a reputation in action on the Nile and the rivers of the Dark Continent.

All 28mm figures by Ironclad Miniatures.  Now to start on their support dirigible and contraptions!

Excellent work Paul! I particularly like the Union Jack emblazoned on the Lieutenant's breastplate. Flag close to heart, wot! I also like your backdrop of soil and grass as I whimsically look out my window at three feet of snow...

This squad of Her Majesty's finest will give Paul 50 points. Great job! Now, please get back to us with that dirigible you had mentioned.

From FranL: 28mm Plains Indians, Tunnelling Machine, Steam Tank, Wagons, Cowgirls and a Bleedin' Rocket (320 points)

From Francis:

This is my last entry and while the challenge has been a blast, it has drained me, well mainly listening to Ray has drained me, he gets a little obsessive!

We have a real mixed bag here and some of it was no internet for two days at home last week and this is especially evident with the V2 rocket, anyway here we go........

We have 19 28mm Foundry Plains Indians for the wild west shenanigans.

We have a 28mm tunnelling machine from Ironclad Miniatures erupting from beneath the earth possibly full of chinese invaders.

Two 28mm MDF wagons from 4Ground plus 2 resin wagon loads specially designed to fit the wagons, these were really well designed kits but very fiddly, you can see were there should be 5 wagon hoops but there are only fecking 4, damn these shovel sized hands!

Two 28mm Ironclad Miniatures Steam Tanks with gatling guns, currently painting some Hinterland Miniatures to go with these.

9 28mm horses from Dixon Miniatures, 6 are Apache and 3 are cowboy, these are primarily scenery.

A mounted and dismounted princess from Hinterland Miniatures with a queen Victoria from Eureka Minis.

Some apache females and scouts from Dixon Miniatures, 7 figures plus 1 horse (I promise there is a figure behind the horse). 

4 28mm female gunfighters from Eureka Minis called The Earp Sisters with Dr.Holly Daye.

This is either a 1/48th or 1/35th scale WW2 V2 rocket which will be used for 28mm Pulp gaming, there is a 28mm Ironclad Miniatures scientist pushing the button beside it and to give an idea of scale!

There is a rumour circulating that next year you're doing the challenge dedicated to the 300 at Thermopylae, just a rumour though Curt! An excellent challenge this year, congratulations my friend.

Ha! 300 Spartans? Now that is an idea... Can you imagine? God's Holy Trousers, I'd be a gibbering mess in the first 3 days.

Funny you should mention 300, I see my blog has just tipped over 300K hits today. Whoa. I would have never guessed when I started this ...

Okay, a tunnelling machine and a steam tank?! (sigh) Whatever. I'm too tired to say a word...

Lovely work Fran. Your submissions never fail to make me smile. That rocket is completely mental btw (your reflection in the window is excellent).

This final submission by my favourite Irishman will garner him a well deserved 320 points. Hey, this almost doubles what your original target was. Great work Francis! 

It has been a pleasure, mon ami. Until next year...