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 JuanM: 28mm Taliban Mortar Team, Al Qaeda Fighter & Modern US Infantryman (30 points)

From Juan:

Here is another entry for The Challenge. This time, some models from "Empress Miniatures", from their Modern Range. They are a Taliban Mortar Team, an al Qaeda "Freedom Fighter" and my first US soldier with ACU uniform. I have painted them to become part of my "Skirmish Sangin" games.

These are very nice models, clean and really easy to paint. I expect to prepare, soon, a game based in the "Lone Survivor" film/book.

Beautiful work Juan. The Empress range is fabulous and you've really done them justice with these figures. I'm especially impressed with your rendition of the American ACU camo, which can be very tricky to pull off. Well done!

This assortment of modern figures will give Juan 30 points. Great work!

From JuanM: 28mm Battle of Otterburn - John Dunbar, Earl of Moray (21 points)

From Juan:

I have managed to paint a few more models. These ones are also from Claymore Casting, a Scottish command group with John Dunbar, Earl of Moray. The banner is specially designed for Claymore from 'Flags of War'.

This year´s Challenge is fantastic, what a great level of painting and of fast-painting as well! Great job everyone.

Beautiful work Juan. You've done a wonderful job on the armour, the banner is magnificent and the heraldry on Dunbar's surcoat is particularly fine. 

The Earl of Moray and his retinue will give Juan 21 points. Very nice Juan. You've certainly added to the excellent level of painting that we've been enjoying these past few months.

From JuanM: 28mm WSS French Officer, Chaos Dwarf & Otterburn Scots (50 points)

From Juan:

Another entry for "The Challenge". I have painted the "Crisis 2013" special figure that I was able to buy from a visitor. This is a very nice 28mm sculpted by Paul Hicks that I have painted as a Bourbon Field Officer on foot for the WSS.

Secondly, there is an old 28mm model from "Mirliton Miniatures", a Chaos Dwarf.

And finally, eight Scott foot soldiers for Otterburn. They are 28mm miniatures from "Claymore Castings" also sculpted by Paul Hicks.

 

Fantastic miniatures, really fine. I am painting a 24 models unit to use with their own ruleset, "The Hollow Crown" that I am adapting a bit.

Wonderful work Juan! My favourites are that WSS French officer (love the wig) and the Scots.  This entry makes my resolve waver on this Otterburn line - they are sooo nice!

This selection of miniatures will give Juan 50 points. Lovely stuff.

From JuanM: 28mm Pack Camel & Crusaders (25 points)

Keeping in theme of 'The Year of the Camel' Juan sends in this excellent group of figures.

From Juan:

First one is a camel from "Copplestone Castings". A great all-terrain vehicle for The Back of Beyond and a very nice model from the very, very talented Mark Copplestone.

Secondly, I have painted some more plastic figures from "Fireforge Games", three new crusaders. I like a lot these figures, despite I'm not going to use them in my games, based in the First Crusade, the "true" Crusade for me.

Lovely work Juan. I love that pack camel (very handy for Pulp games I think) and those Crusaders are excellent as well, especially with their hand-painted shields. Wonderful stuff.

These four models will give Juan 25 points. Well done!

From JuanM: 28mm Crusader Spearman & Arab Civilians (40 points)

From Juan:

Here is my second entry for The Challenge. I have a lot of minis half painted on the table, from very different projects and ideas, so it is a bit mad!

I have painted a Crusader spearman, a 28mm plastic figure from Fireforge Games. I don´t like plastic figures because they are, in spite of all the complements they have, a bit basic and "plain". I prefer the white metal ones, but these ones have some interesting poses and are really fun to paint. I´m reading "Deus Vult" in this moment, so I´m testing also some figures I have...

Finally, there are the Arab civilians I was unable to paint last week. They are 28mm Perrys. Small and very fine figures that I´m going to use from Palestine to Afghanistan.

Lovely work Juan. Civilians are such great figures to have on the table as they really help establish the setting and these are a real treat. 

The Crusader and civilians will give Juan 40 points. Well done!

From JuanM: 28mm Spanish Gladiator & British-Crewed Breda (32 points)

Juan, a veteran Challenger, joins us and submits these two fine entries for his debut this year.

Here are my first entries to The Challenge.

The first one is a 28mm gladiator, a 'Hoplomachius', from Brigade Games. This is a fantastic figure from Paul Hicks, the first one for another project I want to begin with my club´s mates. So here is 'Viriato', an Spanish gladiator. It has been a true pleasure to paint him.

The second one is a 28mm Italian Breda AA gun with British crew. This model is from Offensive Miniatures, a very nice one that I expect to use in my games of "Chain of Command", in scenarios based in the Dodecanese Campaing; for that reason, the crew are from the RAF Regiment.

Beautiful work Juan. You've such a smooth style with the brush, it's always a pleasure to see your work.

These two subjects, separated only by around 2000 years, will give Juan 32 points (including a bit extra for the great arid basework on the Breda). Welcome back Juan!

From JuanM: 28mm Afghans, Poles a Mercedes & Ronin #20 (65 points)

From Juan:

Here is, I think, my last entry for this year´s "The Challenge". I have been able to paint an small group of figures, but I have had no much time, I´m painting terrain elements for my Afghanistan first game and, also some Science Fiction figures. At least, this years I have been more disciplined with my topics! 

First up, is an Afghan insurgent and a civilian from Eureka Miniatures in 28mm. Really nice models very easy to paint.

Secondly, a Mercedes SUV from Company B, also in 28mm. This one is for my Contractors team.

Thirdly, at last, Curt's Ronin. This figure is an old Dixon Miniatures model I have had for many years. I like a lot these figures, and would like to paint some more of them, specially for this period, the Mogol Invasions.

And finally, two Polish soldiers in the French pay, 28mm models from Murawski Miniatures (only the sapper and the soldier at his left can participate in The Challenge). These are fantastic models sculpted by Paul Hicks. They are wonderful, wonderful.

I have other two figures on the table but I´m not sure if I'll finish them on time.

Awesome work as usual, Juan. That civilian checking out the bloomers just kills me. His expression perfectly conveys that race, religion and politics aside, shopping is truly universal. Your Ronin #20 is beautiful and you've done a wonderful job on his ornate armour. Finally your Poles are marvellous - I'm very jealous of you as I've not been able to source these figures yet but look forward to trying them out.

Ronin# 30 along with his Afghan and Polish compatriots will give Juan 65 points.  Well done and thank you very much! 

From JuanM: 28mm Mechanic & Contractors (15 points)

From Juan:

Another small entry for The Challenge; only three figures. Where is all my painting work? 

First one, is a "Lead Adventure Miniatures" mechanics in 28mm (a big 28mm). I'm painting some of these excellent figures to use with a near future game. 

Next one, other two contractors from "Eureka Miniatures" also in 28mm, from their "Blackwater" series. Very nice figures.

Perhaps not much quantity, Juan, but you more than make up for it in the quality. Beautiful work. That mechanic looks a bit hapless but those 'contractors' seem to have their act together. As you say, very nice figures.

These three figures will give Juan 15 points. Great stuff!