From TimG: 1/72 scale Portuguese (!?) Mk IVF Blenheim (15 points)

From Tim:

This is part of a batch of very knocked about 1/72 models that I am tidying up for possible game use.  Or to help with the gathering of dust.

Having mended this monstrosity as far as I could - it now has paint and markings. The limiting factor in terms of the choice of nationality was the fact that the kit had been built as a Mk.IVF. This ruled out jollies like Finnish and Romanian. Yugoslav and French (the original kit included Free French markings) were also out. More internet research offered a solution.

Apparently a couple of Fs were interned by Portugal - and I just happened to have a set of Portuguese markings (from an incomplete Spitfire kit) in the decal box.

Last pic:  The underside - showing the 4-gun pack. Sadly it also reveals the mangled undercarriage and missing exhausts....

Good to see old models getting refurbished for future action (this one probably scheduled for Angola or Mozambique?). 

This Blenheim will give Tim 15 points.

'The Fighting Cocks of the Army': Portuguese 6th Line Infantry from Porto

For the past few months the excellent Napoleonic forum 'La Bricole' has been hosting a painting competition focusing on 'bog average' troops. You know these lads, these are the dust-pounders, the beetle-crushers, the poor dog-faces that make up the vast majority of any army. So members of the forum have been busy producing a fine assortment of units ranging from Austrian Landwehr, French Chasseurs a Cheval, to Prussian Musketeers and Bavarian Chevauleger (just to name a few)
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From Curt: The Last Post - 2nd Annual Analogue Hobbies Winter Painting Challenge

Well everyone, we've done it! After three months of mad building, painting and basing the Challenge has finally reached its conclusion. And boy, am I knackered! I took the day off today knowing I'd be deluged with entries, and I was very, very busy with 20 submissions rolling in right until the last minute (yes, you Ray!).

Below is the list of participants and their final scores for the 2nd Annual Analogue Hobbies Winter Painting Challenge:

RayR: 4940 

KentG: 4724

TimB: 3385

FranL: 2152 

SteveM: 2044

ChrisP: 2029

DaveD: 1975

MilesR: 1061

GregB: 1019

JohnM: 1000

IanW: 900 

MikeW: 867

Curt: 791

Scott: 695

PhilH: 519

JuanM: 446

ChristopherS: 442

DallasE: 420

Michael: 315

JohnB: 310

RossM: 269

TimmyD: 138

Sylvain: 90

PaulP: 34

As I stated from the beginning I've always envisioned the Challenge not to be a competition where painting is judged, but rather an event where people of all abilities can challenge themselves to 'get stuff done' and more so to enjoy the energy, good will and camaraderie of other like-minded souls.  

In regards to the success of the Challenge, the 24 participants submitted 273 entries from all their corners of the world. As a merry band, we generated just over 30,000 points, which if roughly equated to 5 points per figure, equates to well over 6000 miniatures painted and based. That is freakin' incredible.

It was an amazing event with all of the guys being gracious, supportive and such good sports. It was also a great experience for me and I'm delighted to have made many new friends over the past few months. So to all you guys I lift my glass - you made my winter very entertaining and enjoyable!

So, before my blog returns to its sleepy corner of the blogosphere I thought it apropos to close the Challenge with a rear-guard entry of my own. I'm afraid its negligible in comparison to the titans at the top of the point standings, but nonetheless I humbly present a battalion of Portuguese infantry accompanied by a lone French unit/casualty marker to add to my others. 

Thats 145 points for me... ;)

So, until we meet next winter I wish you all the best of health, happiness and an unerring brush.

Warm regards,

Curt

PS: Be sure to check back in the coming weeks as we conduct the Judges Choice, People's Choice and Sarah's Choice. I'll also be posting shots of all the lovely Vikings that I coerced the Challengers to paint for me as 'Curtgeld'. Oh the suspense, the bright lights, the glamour!