From EdwardG - A little last minute planet hop (Vulcan and Perelandra) (55 points)

 Evening all, 

I hope that although this is coming in late on the submission day, I can still slide under the slowly closing stone door and make it through while still wearing my hat! 

Within the lead pile I have managed to excavate a couple of minis that are useable for my last planetary landing attempts. After this I am planning on getting my head down and attempting to finish the main target project for this Challenge. While the last few weeks speed their way past in a blur. 

My first planetary port of call is Vulcan. Now this called for something logic (not a hope in hell), or with pointy ears (slightly more potential, but only slightly). I was inspired when a comment to a previous post of Moonstone minis was commented on that the Bunnies would have fitted the bill for Vulcan had I not already entered them for another planet. This got me thinking! So a re-visit to the moonstone stockist nearby, and I came away with another box of minis! Which of course I needed....This was the Malachite Mystics box set for anyone in the know. Within this box were a couple of minis that fitted perfectly the pointy ears requirements. I decided to paint the one with the pointiest ears of the bunch. So I present Raegan, Leshavult Priestess. She has some very useful powers and seems like she could nicely buff up Boris in his bunny summoning, so I am looking forward to trying to play the mini! I decided on a yoda-esque colour scheme, and was quite happy with the final result. 

Now I have managed to finally complete the outer planetary ring, I can finally start to take small steps deeper into the Quadrant. Even though I am very late in my ventures. 

For my next planet fall, I would look to land on the sea based planet of Perelandra. The Oceanic theme was a tough one for me, as I never normally paint naval or anything of that genre. However, I did remember that I had a mini which I had bought during the course of last year on the basis that it looked fun and might be useful as a Curtgeld or similar in this year's Challenge (I really like having this reason when explaining purchases...) Tbh, I cannot remember where I found him, or his make. But for me, there are few things more of the ocean, than a pirate from the golden age of sail! Yaharrrrrrrrr!

The final mini for my submission this evening sadly did not fit any of the available planets. He is neither Good, nor Evil, and certainly not a friend to any. The mini comes from the Medieval Marginalia kickstarter, which are some brilliant sculpts that I am sure will pop up in several future Challenges. It is crazy what people would draw in the margins of books! He is mounted as my 25mm Barker Marker (a 'technical' term for Zone of Control(ZoC) markers. The ZoC being a standard part of Mr. Barker's rules). I attempt to paint a new one for each 25/28mm DBA army that I paint. It is an odd thing, but I feel the Barker Marker is almost part of the army, although it is certainly not something I do for my 15mm DBA armies. But back to the mini. He is pleasantly playing a tune on his lute, but I fear for any of the opponents minis who can hear the tune. 

So down to the scoring:

3x 25mm foot miniatures = 15pts

Vulcan visit = 20pts

Perelandra visit = 20pts

Total = 55pts!

Hope everyone stays healthy and looking forward to getting one final entry in to close out this year and with any luck, just make my points target!! 

Take Care!

Ed

***

"And I came away with another box of minis! Which of course I needed." - the story of our lives. Well said, and well-painted.

Also - squeezing 55 points out of three figures. Now THAT is what we call "Wednesday"!

GregB

From Phil: A whistle-stop tour of Babylon5 and Vulcan (54 Points)

Is it even February yet..? 

Sad to say I've been very quiet during Challenge XII so far. Not for a lack of minis to paint, just busy, tired, juggling too many projects and a sharp shift in enthusiasm to a new project putting the brakes on all of sapping the enthusiasm for the half-finished. What I intended to be painting isn't what I want to be painting. But I follow the Brush where it leads me!

On a related bright side, I'm actually getting some regular games in for the first time in goodness knows how long.  

Still, I should tick off some more planets, and a galaxy far far away has plenty I can use on my journey.

So for Babylon 5 'operatic, low-budget fun'. Star Wars itself fits the bill as a Space Opera setting and I plucked this random mini from the pile of 3D prints. It's a rather grand and rotund Twi'lek, apparently named Orn Free Taa. He's a corrupt and self-serving senator from the prequel trilogy. As I focus on the original trilogy/Galactic Civil War for my collection, he can serve as some VIP or merchant NPC. A long-lost sibling or cousin, perhaps. 

He's a resin 3D print from RavenX Studios. As can be the case with prints, I found the detail on him to be a bit soft, and had to mostly freestyle the detailing his robes. I kept to the brownish palate of the character, though liked the orange contrast with his blue skin. 

Onward to Vulcan, and pointy ears. No elves about these parts, but what's this...? Yup, another rubber-faced Star Wars alien. One of my favourites in fact, yes it's the low-rent Rodian bounty hunter Greedo. Outrageously maligned by George Lucas revisionism, for me he categorically did not shoot at Han first. No, he was gunned down in cold blood by a complete scoundrel, and don't believe any other version of the story!

Another 3D print, coincidentally also from RavenX Studios, much better detailed and a nice gunslinging pose.

I'm pleased with how his skin and googly eyes came out. I did him from a zenithal prime, tried to highlight zenithally and added some texture to the leatherwork. As Greedo only features in one scene, I used this from the Battlefront video game as a painting reference. I didn't get close to the right shade for his jumpsuit, but whatever.

Two minis scaled for Star Wars Legion 35mm, and two planet bonuses makes me a tidy 54 points, if I maths'd correctly. Next up: the new project should make an appearance.

It seems that "leveraging" has spread to Tuesdays now, but with great style! Those two figures are cracking, Phil!

Tamsin

From GeoffreyT: X is for Xanthodontous (Vulcan) (25 points)

Hello,

I was painting this fellow for the letter X, when I conveniently observed he has pointy ears as well, so suitable to claim planet Vulcan.

He is the 28mm hobgoblin that you got with the Silver Bayonet pre-order deal from Northstar miniatures.

As you can see, he is Xanthodontous

He has quite a characterful face, I hadn't really noticed that until I painted him.

This next picture is oblique, so the pointy ears may be verified.

And finally, the obligatory rear shot.

Nasty mould line over his shoulders, I should have scraped that off. 

One 28mm hobgoblin = 5 points

Bonus for vulcan = +20 points

The letter X for Xanthodontous in the alphabet soup challenge.

It has been a busy week from me, but that I think will be the end of it.

Geoff

The benefits of a classical education! Well done in knocking out pointy ears and the letter X with this chap. I like his confident skin tone. The rear shot leaves nothing to the imagination. Thanks for all your posts today, they've been a varied tour!

Barks

From DougM: A Mixed Bag Magical Planetary Spin Cycle... [Arda] [Vulcan] [Babylon 5] [Istvaan 5] [Glorantha] (242 Points)

Continuing my circuitous route round the outer ring, the next planet is Arda, Fantasy... or Tolkienesque. I have a few lurking fantasy figures in the Stash, this one I have no idea where from, was an impulse eBay buy along with another 11 mates. 

I hate close ups of single figures. They always show you all the flaws... sadly most of this post is single figures. 

 

Having just completed some complex colour schemes, (see below), I kept this one very simple, three shades of blue and various 'whites' plus metallics.

Next up a hop, skip and a jump to Vulcan via Lady Sarah's Star Yacht, with Jo Grant as the price:

Did someone say 'Pointy Ears'? Alternative Armies... this chap is more like 40mm and has splendid trousers. 

And now Babylon 5, and could there be anything more Operatic than the uniforms of Austrian Hussars? Hum the Radetzky March and enjoy the jingle of silvered bits and gloriously laced pelisse. The 7th Hussars. Perry plastic 28mm Austrian Napoleonic Hussars. I started these and kicked myself realising I could have spray painted and washed 18 WW2 GI in Greatcats for the same points..  30+ colours later.

Pretty happy with these. But no more Hussars for a while...  Where to next.. ok. Istvaan V - Loyalists...  and who could be more loyal than the ever dependable Sergeant Benton!

There's a bit of a theme developing here. I had better make sure there is something in the stash for Skaro!

Next up Glorantha, and not having any ducks or Broo to hand, how about this hero? My favourite Doctor.

 

Figure originally by Harlequin I think. Collected as part of a job lot over time...  and I think that's it for the time being...  Scoring - let's see.

5 x 28mm Single Figures @ 5 = 25 (Although big ears is more like 40) 

9 x 28mm Mounted @ 10 = 90

5 x Locations @ 20 = 100

Lady Sarah's Star Yacht @20 = 20

For a total of 235 I think? 

And 4 squirrel points to add to my previous 1 for a total of 5. 

From DaveD

Jeez I am dizzy with that whirl around the rim..thats a bounce around alright - I have topped up the lad with fine trousers for his mighty stature . I do like the Opera link for the Hussars i can almost hear them singing . Your favourite Doctor is indeed the correct choice - lights blue touch paper...

Altogether the Spreadsheet-O-Doom makes that a nice  not rounded "242"

 

 

From: Sebastian Reid Ghouls [Vulcan] (45pts)

Well, this is embarrassing; my first post, and only just before the deadline. I haven't been particularly productive this past year, despite lockdowns and such.

Pretty feeble

I shall keep things brief. This year I am trying to clear off my paint queue as much as possible, and that, of course, makes things difficult for the bonus point hungry challenger.

That being said, I am opening up proceedings with some ghouls, who indeed, have pointy ears. Thank you heresy miniatures!

 Here's the whole gang

These are a continuation of the ghouls I did last year and will be filling out a Strigoi list for Mordheim. It's pretty high on the cheese quotient and I love it.

Also among them is a Heresy Miniature... thing. I was pretty sure it was sold as a demon, but I can't find any further mention of it on their website.

He'll be pulling duty as a ghast in the same warband.

By my count thats 5pts per model for 25pts and 20pts for the challenge for a total of 45pts.

Onwards

    From DaveD,

Huzzah thats another of the Friday crew through the starting block . Pointy ear ghouls will multitask just fine I reckon - I like the RIP gravestone too .. so lets make that 46!

From DallasE: 1/56 Puma Armoured Car (Vulcan)(43 points)

 

The debate rages on over what vehicle scale is "correct" for 28mm models. I've always been a proponent of 1/48, mainly because my infantry is based on thicker GW-style plastic bases, and these just look more "in-scale" with larger 1/48 vehicles. However, there are some vehicles you just can't find in 1/48, so for these I turn to 1/56. This makes sense to me because without similar 1/48 vehicles to compare, the size of the 1/56 vehicles looks OK. Makes sense? Good...

Here we have a 1/56 Sdkfz. 234/2 "Puma" armoured car from Warlord Games/Italeri. I note the Italeri connection in particular here because this model is truly a 1/56 scale model kit, not a purpose-designed gaming piece. The vehicle's suspension is extremely well detailed and full of tiny parts that reward care in assembly.

 

Painting was more fun than building, in this case, although assembly took only one evening. The model was painted in a classic 1944 German three-colour scheme, with Zandri Dust, Doombull Brown, and Castellan Green washed with Agrax Earthshade. Tires were painted Vallejo Worn Rubber, a really great dark-grey colour.

Decals were supplied by Warlord with the kit and worked fine. After application the model was lightly weathered and matte spray varnish applied.

The kit even includes a commander figure. I had momentary indecision over whether to paint his uniform Panzer-crew black or SP-gun crew field grey - apparently armoured car crews were spotted wearing both - but opted for Panzer black after all.

I travelled to Vulcan for this submission for the "Something Logical" component. While German armament production was often not very logical, I think they nailed it with the Puma for a couple of reasons. First, the turret was adapted from the cancelled "Leopard" VK1602 recce tank. Second, the vehicle was a quite modern "monocoque" design with the armoured hull serving as the chassis, rather than the armoured body being bolted to a frame as on previous designs. And last, logic prevails with this recce vehicle as it has two driver positions - front and rear - allowing the vehicle's radio operator to speedily extricate the Puma from danger by reversing out of dangerous situations.

Points:

28mm vehicle: 20 points

Commander: 2.5 points

Vulcan bonus: 20 points

I had a 1:72 Puma as a kid; it is a lovely design. The choice between 1:48 and 1:56 would drive me batty... I'll accept your Vulcan logic about the logic of Vulcan. The Spreadsheet o' Doom has rounded you up to 43 points.  

Barks