From MichaelA: 28mm Matabele Tribal Warriors (80 points)

From Michael:

As we enter the final throes of the Challenge there has been a flurry of excitement here at 'Awdry Towers' as I struggle to finish off units before the allotted deadline. To that end I present these fine warriors from the Matabele nation, all sixteen of them! They are all 28mm miniatures from North Star Military Figures and to quote their site, "The Matabele are an African tribe whose origins were in the mighty Zulu Nation. During the early 19th Century they rebelled and create an infamous name for themselves as they escaped North to settle in what is now Zimbabwe. The Matabele Kingdom was defeated in 1893 and 1896 by Cecil Rhodes and his British South Africa Company."

This entry is made up of four of their packs including Warriors in full Regalia (Insuga Regt.), Matabele Amadoda Warriors, Chief and Izinduna and finally Matabele Warriors Firing Muskets.

All took far longer than I thought they would, what with all their cow tail ornaments, shield designs ostrich feathers! Still finally done and off the table, phew!

These are beautiful figures Michael. I'm not familiar with the North Star range but I must say these look to be cracking sculpts. I really love the skin tone you've achieved with these fellows and the hide shields are marvellous. 

These sixteen Matabele warriors will give Michael 80 points which in addition to your upcoming bonus round points will put you well over you 1000 point second target. Congratulations Michael - Lovely work and a wonderful effort overall!

From ClintB: Grave Robbers, Opel & Sea Monster (!) (18 points)

From Clint:

Odds and Sods

 

Originally started these two Victorian era Grave robbers for the villains bonus round. But they were not done in time so Burke and Hare have stayed on my painting desk for too long so I thought I should finish them while watching the Curling! The 2 figures are West Wind Productions, part of the 'Empire of the Dead' range and as such are both 28mm scale. I did also consider doing them for the Casualty round but again another dead line missed (Har! Har! Har! - ed.).

Also a solitary Skytrex Action 200 range Opel Blitz Truck.  I scrounged the truck from a friend and have painted it in civilian livery as I want to use it as a Spanish Civil War truck. I know It's not exactly correct but it is close enough at 10mm that I should get away with it. I have a planned Game of SCW with Posties Rejects and am just cobbling together troops as you read this. So I hope to have some to show next week.

Additionally here is a Spartan Games Uncharted Seas Sea monster. I am not sure what scale one would attache to this resin Water elemental, as while the ships are supposedly 1/600th scale I suspect this beast will eventually be used in some 28mm Fantasy skirmish game. 

Ha! Great work Clint. Those two grave robbers are wonderfully characterful and you've done a magnificent job on their faces. (I now need a set of these...). The truck will look great for SCW gaming (you often need a lot of them and some variation adds to the overall look I think). The sea monster is very scary. We play Dystopian Wars but I've always wanted to try Uncharted Seas for no other reason for the fun of encountering monsters like this on the high seas. Fun!

This interesting selection of miniatures will give Clint 18 points, just enough for him to meet his second Challenge target of 950 points. Congratulations! Very nicely done, sir!

From SamuliS: 28mm Victorian Science Fiction Ottomans (50 points)

From Samuli:

Change of subject again with a small company of VSF Ottoman's for In Her Majesty's Name. These guys are from Lead Adventure and they great castings with plenty of detail. They are part of the Ottoman Special Operation Services (SOS) formed of some of the most highly decorated Janissaries of the Sultanate.

These buggers took a lot longer to paint than I anticipated as there is just so much detail on them and I constantly had to go back to paint something that I hadn't noticed earlier. Still a pleasure to paint and bringing a bit of change from the larger projects that I have going on.

Leading the company is Colonel Mehmet Pasha who persuaded the Sultan to let him form a small team for special operations after seeing what the Prussian Society of Thule was able to achieve. Keeping order in the company is Sergeant Yahya who had gained fame leading a desperate last stand against overwhelming odds. He survived, but lost his arm, which has now been replaced by a mechanical prothesis made by the Ottoman Master Engineers.

Responsible for the Company's heavy support is Corporal Seyit. A well known strongman who proved his strength by carrying shells to his 240mm naval gun. He is equipped with a new rocket launcher that is normally meant for a team of two. Medics of the company traditionally don't carry any weaponry except for the Janissary scimitar which they also use to treat unfortunate casualties.

Rest of the company is formed of veteran Janissaries who are supplied by the best that the Sultanate can muster. From the latest self-loading rifles to machine guns, they are prepared to deal with whatever threatens their beloved Sultan and his empire.

How incredibly fun! I love the figures from Lead Adventure as their sculpts typically have stacks and stacks of character and these guys certainly don't disappoint. Without a doubt the main characters are wonderful what with their bionics and hand cannons, but even the lowly squadies have so much to discover. I particularly like the fellow with the hooka pipe and the other with the portable gattling gun (!). And really, who can deny any figures who's are rocking the fez like these guys?

These formidable Ottoman Special Operatives will give Samuli 50 points.

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 ScottB: 28mm Horror Pulp Adventure Police Inspector (5 points)

From Scott:

A quick submission - After finishing the Goblins, I finished off the Empire of the Dead Police Inspector model I needed to head up my Police Faction. He's a 28mm figure from Westwinds Vampire Wars range, and fits perfectly in with the Empire of the Dead game.

One picture showing him in a rural background, the other venturing into the catacombs!

Great work Scott. I really like his bowler and the cobblestone base is a very nice touch as well. (He'd also make a very nice Watson, wouldn't he?)

The Police Inspector will give Scott 5 points.

From MichaelA: 28mm British Camel Corps & 7lb Screw Gun with Crew (45 points)

Michael sends in this lovely detachment of 28mm Victorian soldiery.

From Michael:

After what feels like two days of non stop painting I've finally completed my first entry!  All from the Perry brothers' Sudan range, we have three members of the dismounted Camel Corps supporting a 7lb Screw gun and crew.  Delighted to get my first points on the board before the Christmas break.

You can almost smell the axle grease, sweat and gunpowder (and perhaps a wafting scent of qabili palao and chutney?).

Beautiful work Michael. These lads with their 'door-knocker' will give you 45 points, officially marking your entry on the points roster. Well done.