From GeoffT: More pirates (85 points)

Hello Challengers,

Recently I picked up about 100 ‘pirate’ models, in varying states of disrepair.  Some unpainted, some undercoated, some part painted and some painted.  All of them were heavily chipped and not in any state to game with.  They were in a wide variety of brands, and were historical and fantasy models, with quite a few not really pirate models. It was a big and enticing rescue job.  It has been fun to sift thru, finding napoleonic officers, French revolutionary mob figures and even a ACW figure.  However, some of the figures now are scraping the bottom of the barrel as far as being able to rescue.  I’ve yet to identify the source of all the miniatures, but brands here include Redoubt Enterprises, Old Glory, Eureka and Reaper.

This batch of 17 figures is from that collection.

These four did not have guns, so I am using them for Ghost Archipelago, a skirmish game with pirates that don’t have guns.

This one looked a bit like it was from Peter Pan, so will using it for DnD NPC.

This fellow will be used as a civilian model for Sharp Practice. Could not quite work out if he had an eye patch or not.

The remainder here will be added to my collection for blood and plunder.  Four of these models here and three of those above are reputed to be Anne Bonney or Mary Reed.  Seemed to be quite a lot of female models in the collection, with a dozen or so more barbie doll shaped fantasy pirates I have yet to rescue.

In total, there are 17 x 28mm figures in this batch for 85 points. 

GT

From Millsy:

Aaarrgghhh! Another wonderful batch of salty sea dogs to brighten up a wet and miserable afternoon at Chez Minion Millsy.

And what a batch! Wonderful, vibrant, saturated colours everywhere and so much variety. The females are probably my favourite as we just need more female miniatures in our games full stop, especially when they are not just there for decoration.

Cracking brushwork all around Geoff. Love em mate.

Cheers,
Millsy

From RayR: Local History - Pocahontas (25 points)

 

I'm from Gravesend in Kent, in the south east of England, not a lot goes on in Gravesend believe it or not, we're only 21 miles away from the City of London, so often get overshadowed by our westerly neighbour. We do share the same river, the mighty Thames, just before it leads out to the estuary.

Here in sunny Gravesend, (I say sunny, because in summer its often the hottest place in the UK, dunno why? But before some smart arse says, its not because I live there!!) we are linked to a few famous names, I had the choice of two, General Charles Gordon of Khartoum.

The statue of General Gordon, in the Gordon Gardens at Gravesend Promenade.

or

Pocahontas - The statue of Pocahontas at St Georges Church

In 1616, the Rolfes travelled to London, where Pocahontas was presented to English society as an example of the "civilized savage" in hopes of stimulating investment in Jamestown. On this trip she may have met Squanto, a Patuxet man from New England. Pocahontas became a celebrity, was elegantly fêted, and attended a masque at Whitehall Palace. In 1617, the Rolfes intended to sail for Virginia, but Pocahontas died at Gravesend, Kent, England, of unknown causes, aged 20 or 21. She was buried in St George's Church Gravesend; her grave's exact location is unknown because the church was rebuilt after being destroyed by a fire.

I'm sure you all know the story of her, I won't bore you with all the details but if you want to read more, click this link.

She sure doesn't look like any of the pics above, I've gone for probably a more apt version of Pocahontas.

This is a 25mm Redoubt Miniatures figures from their FIW range.

I kept the colours pretty muted, just as they should be.

Local History: Something from the history of your own land, region or town.

Well I'd say she fits into that category?

As for the point, 20 for the bonus round and another 5 for the figure.

So a total of 25 points

TeemuL: Pocahontas might not be from you town or region, but she is definitely a part of your local history, so no problems granting you the location bonus points. I like the muted colours you have chosen for her, doesn't look like a Disney Pocahontas, but I guess anything done by Disney doesn't look right? :) 25 nice points for you Ray!

From RayR - Haitian Revolution - Jesuit Priests 30pts

Its back to the sunny climbs of Santo Domingo or Saint-Domingue as the French used to call it for this post. I did plan on painting more Haitian Revolution figures during the Challenge but ran out of time.

I've actually got around 60 figures all base-coated and ready to go from AHPC 11!!

When I first started my Haitian adventure, I emailed Stuart from Dust, Tears & Dice blog, for some advice, he'd been painting up Trent minis for Haiti, which is where I got the idea from.

He told me to get the above book, as its a great starter for the period.

How right he was.

 

Early in the book it mentions several Jesuit Priests, that were trying to convert islanders to the Catholic faith, who unfortunately came to a very sticky end. So I thought I'd paint some up, they could be used for the basis of a game.

The figures are from Redoubt Enterprises, I didn't really need two of each figure, but what the hell, when in Rome!!!

As you can see they weren't  very difficult to paint up, which was good for me!

These points will take me past my target of 1000pts!

6 x 25mm figuges @ 5 points each

30 points!

_________________________________

A nice nudge past your 1000 point target, AND we get a treat of seeing some more figures for your Haitian Revolution project. Excellent work, Ray.

- Curt

From Jez Todd: Italian Wars Gendarmes 28mm (50 points)

 Dear All,

Hope you had a great week so far? Returning to the Italian Wars for me with some Redoubt Miniatures 28 mm Gendarmes. I really like these figures and decided to blend them into my existing bases rather than create a single new unit - here am playing Basic Impetus. 

First up is a great super heavy cavalry figure, I really liked the splendid horse barding so wanted to switch this figure in to my main French unit of gendarmes. After all these are supposed to be the best in Europe! 

Redoubt figure - painted pre basing

Added to the French Gendarme base - other figures are mainly Foundry

Next I painted 3 figures up as Italian cavalry and based the colours on the Gonzaga family featuring their sun "impresa"  using the illustration in the new Osprey rival Helion publishing - Retinue to Regiment series, The Italian Wars vol. 1 based around the Battle of Fornovo 1495. 

Finally the last figure I decided to paint up and base as a command figure Francesco Gonzaga - the old commander got relegated to being a mere Gendarme on the above picture. Again followed the colours illustration for Francesco in the Helion publishing book. 

Altogether that is 5 cavalry so simple 50 points - no squirrel this time as this is a continuation of my Italian Wars theme. 

Finally if you are interested in the Helion publishing reference book here is a picture. I also have vol. 2 and just seen that vol. 3 based on Battle of Pavia is also available. Interestingly they have a Wargames series and looks like there will be a book on the Italian Wars by some guy called "The Yarkshire Gamer" ! Definitely one to look out for .....  

 

Cheers Jez

Nice work on these heavy knights, Jez. The group basing looks good. It is great to have a decent reference book to hand.

Barks

From RayR - Donnybrook - Last of the Mohicans (30 points)

 

Back in Challenge 8 in 2018 I painted up the Warlord Figures pack Last of the Mohicans here

Mainly to use as command figures for my Natives for King Philip's War/Bacon's Rebellion.

Around about the same time I bought the Redoubt Enterprises version of the same figures, Although there's no Magua, instead we have the ill fated Major Duncan Heyward.

These will also go into the Native Command box of doom. The ladies will go into the civilian box,

and poor Maj Heywood will go into the what the hell I'm I gonna do with you box!

I think I prefer these figures to the Warlord ones?

Bit blurry I know.

Cora Munro, Alice Munro, Chingachgook, Uncas

Alice, Chingachgook, Uncas, Hawkeye (in his famous, chasing after Magua pose)  and Maj Heyward

Originally I was just going to paint up Cora and Alice, just in case I needed them for Sarah Star ship, but before I knew it I'd cleaned up the pack and stuck them on sticks and lets face it, they're a pretty easy paint job.

This fine looking bunch of 6 x 25mm figures will earn me another 30 points, which leaves me just 9 points shy of Miles in 6th place.

 

***

 

Hi Ray - great brushwork as always, some interesting figures and a wonderful setting. Another 30 points for you! And I think we all have a "What The Hell Am I Gonna Do With You Box"...

GregB

From RayR - Donnybrook - Polish Winged Hussars (185 points)

  

When you think of renaissance Polish, there's only one real troop type to talk about.

The Winged Hussars!!!

These fine body of men are from Redoubt Enterprises, now sold by Grubby Tanks.

I pondered for quite some time what make of figures to buy for my Hussars, Old Glory, The Assault Group, Essex, Foundry or Warlord?

 

Price was a consideration, while not the cheapest, I chose Redoubt as the Warfare Miniatures Ottomans, I painted up during the last Challenge were a reasonable match in size.

And the rear of the year award goes to......

Flags, everyone likes a flag don't they?

These and the lance pennants are from Battleflag, they're printed on good quality paper, just wish the red was more.....red, but they still look pretty cool, I think?

The wings were a bugger, I painted them before sticking them on the back of the man, mainly to give me room to paint the leopard skins, then stuck my little fat sausage fingers to 3 of the wings while trying to glue them in place.....sigh!!!!

So lots of swearing, repainting and gluing later, they were finished.

Now on to the Donnybrook part of the post.

"What's Donnybrook?" I hear you say.

Now in Donnybrook land, Elite units, of which the Hussars must be placed in, are very small units. Mounted only get 3 figures!!! Which I'm totally ignoring as I did with the Ottomans. I've doubled the unit size to 6, otherwise its not worth painting the buggers up, is it?

So here I have 3 units of 6 figures each.

18 x 25mm Cavalry@10pts each

Making a grand total of 180 pts

***

Winged Hussars! As you say Ray, this is a sort of "period-defining" wargaming unit. People see these figures and they immediately get the period and the setting. Every time I see these, I want to paint some myself - thankfully this urge is halted five seconds after trying to understand Ottomans - but still - every time! These look great Ray, well done. I'll throw in some bonus points for hassle with banners, and for tempting me to try another period! Great job. 

GregB

From RayR - Cybertron/Transformational - Blacksmith's Forge (25 Points)

 

For my visit to Cybertron, I thought Transformational part would fit perfect for this wonderful piece of kit. A Blacksmith's forge that would transform base metal into weapons and other items a little less useful for a wargamer.

Once again its from those very clever chaps at Iron Gate Scenery, who really do make some great items for wargaming. This kit can be purchased for the modest sum of £14.

Its an all plastic and resin kit, which fits together very easily. The base is from Warbases and is left over from the stack I bought to make jungle terrain a few Challenges ago.

Its probably more based on the medieval period, but hey ho, I think this fits for the Donnybrook period spot on.

And of course you need a Blacksmith, I can't remember where this chap comes from, sorry?

But with that stylish tache, who cares!

And here's his Dad, who's a Redoubt figures, from I think their AWI range?

He's working very hard, poor chap.

There's a hole under the fire pit, for a tea light, so it looks like the flames are flickering. 

I did take a 5 second film. but can't get the bugger to work!!!

oh well

I hate working out how much buildings are worth, its 4 x 3 x 2 inches, so I'd hazard a guess at 5pts??

2 x 25mm figures @5 points

1 x 25mm horse@5pts

Cyberton Bonus 20pts

So I'd say 35pts???

What do you reckon Greg?

 

***

 

Well Ray, bless you, we have some more excellent work here - fitting for Donnybrook (and surely other rules) so nicely! As ever the brushwork is very well done. The light in the firepit looks great too, I can even feel some heat from that fire. Since it is -21 C outside, this is appreciated. I should note in general I have a lot of respect for people who find the motivation to paint terrain, since I am a total laggard in that department...

 

But...

 

For Cyberton...a blacksmith??? I'm sorry my friend, accepting that would cause The Challenge XII Quadrant to evaporate in an event horizon of strained molecular interpretation rendering all of us to particles in an instant. Not even Paul SS would be able to whip of a spaceship in time to save us...so I must decline any location bonus points for Cybertron on this submission.

 

As a consolation, I will award some bonus points for painting terrain. Painting terrain. Ugh. 25 points all in (two 25mm figures, the horse, and points for the terrain, and the emotional trauma of knowing you are painting terrain instead of figures).

 

GregB 

From JezT: Italian Wars Pike 28mm (111 points)

 Dear All 

Hi everyone as first post of this challenge will give a brief intro. 

Jez Todd - a UK wargamer based in Kenilworth near Coventry. Mainly play ancients 28mm games using the Basic Impetus rule set, and my main opponent is my brother Matt - also in the challenge. Have really enjoyed the challenge for a few years now and it is great motivation for me to blast through some painting and then I tend to relax and play games for the rest of the year. 

Anyway starting with a pike block and looks like Italian Wars pike are already very popular. In Basic Impetus I have a number of Italian Wars armies and can replay Fornova 1495 the French v Italian coalition clash. I already had some elements for a straight Venetian army but lacked a dedicated Venetian pike block - now sorted!

I went with Old Glory Landsknechts as I had some figures already and painted these in a uniform red and white scheme. To these I then added some new figures bought from Redoubt - you can buy these as single figure and I especially wanted these to add a bit more "personality" to the finished block and make it stand out as more Italian.  

Old Glory but figure front left is odd TAG figure

  

Redoubt and flag is from Pete's Flags

Next a few photos after basing for Impetus and have 12 figures on front base and 10 on rear base.

 

Tried to hand paint Venetian lion on shield - think this is old GW figure converted

Points wise for 22 figures - make this 110 points. Also as am going for some "Squirrel action" this challenge I get the first point for this. Hopefully will be able to later paint some Redoubt new cavalry I bought. Think first though will do some smaller entries in other periods to get some extra Squirrel points. 

Cheers Jez  

Welcome back, Jez. Your colour scheme works really nicely on these figures and I hope to see your cavalry in the future. I've given a bonus point for your Venetian lion freehand.

Barks