From MartijnN: Sweet Sixteen Wrap-up

I had a plan for this Challenge. Now, I am fairly harmless when I have a plan, for it usually does not survive first contact with the enemy, if that long. It was no different this year. I have been struggling to get up to speed, and that I eventually did hit my target surprised me as much as anyone. What is more, I have reached it without many bonus points at all, for although I enjoyed other participants' entries, I only took part in one bonus round and that was more or less by accident. In previous years, I collected a fair number of bonus points, and must confess that I have missed the thrill of running around different locations trying to come up with something that, maybe, fitted the theme. That said, I fully comprehend the work and thought going into thinking up and preparing such a work, most of which would obviously come down on Curt. As a result, however, my painting has been singularly focused, for me anyway, and that is reflected in that I did not collect more than four squirrels this year! 

I also painted exclusively 28mm stuff this year, which is rather surprising. I have always been more of a smaller scale guy, and if anyone had told me a few years ago that I would be painting only 28mm figures during the Challenge, and many WWII ones at that, I probably would have laughed incredulously.

So:

- I painted my first 28mm WW2 figures;

- I painted my first 28mm vehicles;

- I painted my first Silver Bayonet figures;

- I painted my first 28mm Ancients mass battle game units ever;

- I painted my first 28mm mass battle Napoleonics since the 1990s;

- and I did not paint any fantasy or smaller scale figures at all for the first time.

Which has left me with a fully functional French WWII force and a complete unit for The Silver Bayonet, both of which have seen the tabletop already, as well as a solid base to work from for both Hail Caesar and Black Powder (or any other set). I am very happy with that!

Siena and Lucca, the main cause of my distraction. They are not always as quiet as this!

As always, many thanks to Curt and Sarah for hosting the Challenge, and to all the long-suffering Minions, especially my own Minion Sander. Once again you made it a great experience!

I was not as much in on the Challenge as I would have liked or am used to, so I really commented only on a very few posts, sorry. I may be backtracking to see what I have missed, though what I did see was absolutely wonderful once again. I will do better next time! Many thanks for those that commented so kindly on my own submissions, it was and is much appreciated.

See you all in December!

Martijn

From MartijnN: Just past the post! (402 points)

Wow, I don't think I have ever been cutting it so close in the Challenge. I have been painting steadily throughout, if not as often or as much as I would have liked, but never seemed to get anything really done. So, I have only managed a few posts this time on my appointed Saturday (sorry, Sander!). However, I really wanted to get as close to my target as I could get, so here are my final contributions:

First, there are two more vehicles for my Bolt Action French army. As I said before, I really like the quirky French camouflage schemes, and these two are no exception. Here is a Panhard armoured car, a Warlord resin and metal model that arrived on my doorstep recently. It's a nice model, and I think the Panhard looks surprisingly modern.

Then, there is a Hotchkiss light tank. It is a 3d printed model, designed by Counlane Models. It is a very detailed model, and it went together nicely; it would have been even better had I used a less flexible resin. However, the end result is quite acceptable.

Then, I printed and painted more of the excellent Colonel Muller figures. Here is another squad of reservists, complete with VLB grenade launcher.

I also painted two LMG teams. I put them on a single base, just so that the loader is always with the gunner, and I like them that way.

Finally, a few regular infantry and an officer. In all, there are 20 28mm figures.

Then, I have painted my first "mass" units of 28mm Napoleonics since the 1990's. They are two 24 man battalions of the 28th French Line Infantry, the first battalion with the eagle and the second with the fanion, No, that is not a white flag, thank you very much. I also painted two mounted officers to go with them. The first battalion are Warlord plastics, the command figures and the mounted officer in metal; the second battalion are the gorgeous Piano Wargames figures, now also available in plastic, but these were 3d printed by myself. I have since switched over to a more flexible resin, which is just as well for the first bayonet has already broken off and disappeared into the unknown, However, the unit still looks good I think.

So there you have it. I'll claim 2 points for the Panhard commander, so as not to go down the 0.5 points route. The tally should be, then:

2x 28mm vehicles @20 = 40

2x 28mm mounted @10 = 20

68.4 x 28mm foot @ 5 = 342

For a total of 402.

Must be the most points I have ever gathered in a single post! And hit my target after all, phew.

See you in the wrap-up!

Martijn

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Martijn, lovely work on this veritable points bomb you have for us! I've very much enjoyed watching the progress on your WWII early French project. The armoured car and Hotchiss look suitably en français in their distinctive ameba camouflage. I also like your soon-to-be-demobbed reservists (and agree about having the squad weapon loader based with the gunner). Finally, your first mass units since the 90s! Well, that is something to celebrate, especially when they look as good as these. Again, I have to agree with you in that those Piano models are very nice (and now available in plastic, no less). The only thing that would make them better would be them in the early Empire uniform, but that's just me. :)

I'm delighted that you hit your target with this last post, Martijn and I hope we enjoy your company for the next Challenge.

- Curt

From MartijnN: Even more Early War French (90 points)

Well, I have been painting but not getting much finished. However, today I have yet more early World War II French.

First there is a Somua tank. This is  a Warlord model, partly resin and part metal. Though it is a simple model to build, there were some metal parts which did not have an obvious place to go to, so that took a bit of researching. However, in the end it was simple, of course. I like this model very much, which it's adventurous colour scheme. I did take inspiration from illustrations and photographs, but did not copy any exactly. I am, however, pleased with the end result.

Next, there is a Schneider half-track. No, not only the Germans had half-tracks! This is 3D printed, the files coming from BattleCat. A very nice model, and even though the paint job is nothing complicated I also like how this came out.

Then, I painted some bits and bobs that I needed for my very first Bolt Action game yesterday at the club. They are all Warlord figures, the office with his attendant, the Hotchkiss machine gun in metal, and the anti-tank rifle and the light mortar teams in resin. 

So that's it. My French, partly reserve infantry just inexperienced as I, fought the German veteran paratroopers to a standstill. Fair to say though, that it was my first game and my opponent's second, although we had an experienced games master. Many mistakes were made and much fun was had by all, and we could all very much live with the resulting bloody draw. I am already looking forward to my next game, but I will have some more infantry to paint first!

Pointswise, we have:

2x 28mm vehicles @20 = 40

5x 28mm @ 5 = 25

6x 28mm prone or half @2.5 = 15

1x crew-served weapon @ 10 = 10

For a total of 90 points.

Thanks for looking!

Martijn

 

Another excellent addition to your French WW2 army Martijn and again the camo scheme is very well done!  Great to hear that the force has already expierenced combat on the tabletop as well. Perhaps next battle you could snap some pictures to show them in action as a whole? 

Cheers Sander 

From MartijnN: More Early War French (125 points)

Last week, I painted my first 28mm vehicles for Bolt Action. Today, there are my first 28mm World War II infantry. These are mostly 3D printed figures. First, I have a squad of ten regular infantrymen from BattleCat Miniatures. They are very nice figures, nicely varied and sturdy. They are just a little on the large side, but on the table you can't really notice. Still, if I print more I will likely scale them down to 95%.

BattleCat Regular Infantry

 Next, there is a squad of French Reserve infantry. The French army was among the best and the largest in the world in 1940, but many of the troops were reservists. These figures are 3d prints again, designed by Colonel Muller. These are very compatible with Warlord plastics, and they really are very nice indeed. They are armed with older firearms, and carry what was essentially the 1893 model backpack. Apart from the colour of the uniform, they actually look hardly different from the poilus of the Great War.

Colonel Muller French Reserve Infantry

I like how they even have a bugler!

Finally, there is a 80mm mortar. These are Warlord metals. The figures are okay, but quite less detailed than the 3D printed ones. Still, they look quite good now they are finished I think.

Warlord Metals

I painted all these using contrast paints again, and I was quite surprised by the result. I am  not particularly happy with the helmets, which are a touch too green for my taste, so I will be looking for another colour to use on future miniatures. However, I used Aggraros Dunes for the units and I think that suits them quite well. I might have given them a wash with Military Shade to give them more of a green tint, but I think they will do fine for now. Especially on the 3D prints the effect of the contrast comes out nicely. As a result, these were relatively easy and fast to paint, which is a bonus when you have to get quite some done.

My first game is on the agenda in a couple of weeks' time, and I think I may have enough for a small game already. However, since I still have some cool models lying around I might do a couple more to increase my options.

In all, there are 20 infantrymen and a mortar with three crew. Again no squirrel though, as this is the same army as last week. So that is:

23 x 28mm foot @5 = 115

1 crew served weapon @ 10 = 10

For a total of 125 points. 

 Martijn, you really have taken a shine to your new project! It is progressing in a grand old way with this excellent infantry and mortar support! The 3d print figures do really look good and yes that bugler is an awesome addition.  

Cheers Sander 

From MartijnN: Silver Bayonets and Bold Action (82 points)

No, that's not a typo. These vehicles are indeed for the game Bolt Action, but I consider myself taking up any 28mm WWII game at all, as quite a bold action, as I have often said that my wargaming interests do not stretch beyond 1918. I have dabbled in 6mm Western Desert, and still have armies for that, but I can't remember when I played my last game with them. Sometime in the last century I think. However, I recently joined a local club (The Tin Soldiers of  Antwerp, known for organizing the Crisis show here in Belgium), which of course I should have done years ago, and Bolt Action is quite popular with them. To keep somewhat in the spirit of my self-imposed time limitation, though, I have opted for an early war French army. These two tanks are the first units of my new army. A Char D-1 infantry tank and a Renault F35/39 light tank. They are the first 28mm vehicles I have ever painted, I believe.

I like the fancy camouflage patterns the French used. Apparently, once the war truly started they switched over to a more practical scheme, as the originals did not do very well what they were designed for (that is, camouflaging). But I just applied the rule of cool. And contrast paints.

Infantry tank Char D-1

Renault F39

Anyway, I am very happy with how they came out. They are Warlord models, which are OK (though not great) but ridiculously overpriced. I did buy a French starter army from them, which provides good value, but I also found some digital sculptors online who produce STL's for some very nice figures, equipment and vehicles, so my printer has been running pretty continuously. I hope to finish some more during the Challenge.

Now, I have been aware of the game The Silver Bayonet for quite some time, but again, that was nothing I thought I could be interested in. Weird sh***, as some would call it. However, once again this is popular at the club, and people are quite obviously having a great time with it. As a warband numbers only eight figures, I thought I'd give it go and bought a unit of North Star Austrians for the game.

I found these a lot of fun to paint, something out of the ordinary and I like how they turned out. I am less enthusiastic about the cuirassier officer, as the right arm came separately and I quite dislike that with metal figures, but he is still OK. I struggle with white uniforms in any case, but I have not found a way yet to do them satisfyingly with speedpaints, so I had to fall back on acrylics. It did not turn out completely like I was hoping for, but let's say he is acceptable.

 

Cuirassier and Hussar

 

Coachman and Highwayman (Think I would rather not let either of them drive my coach)

 

Doctor ("trust me, I'm the doctor") and Tactician

 

Irregular and Woodsman

So there you have it, two new projects (as if I needed those). 8.5 28mm figures for 42 points (let's not go down the .5 route, and the tank commander is not only half a figure but a very simple one too), and two 28mm vehicles for 40 points. And two squirrels!

8.4 28mm foot @5 = 42

2x 28mm vehicles @20 = 40

Two squirrels

Total 82 points

Oh boy Martijn, those are a lot of "first times" for you here! Great work all round, I specially the FT's since they are your very first 28mm vehices and still have turned out gorgeous! Painting white is one of those old problems we painters face but we should meet up one time and we could exchange tips and perhaps the good people here can help you? 

From MartijnN: Some heavy hitters (28mm Roman cataphracts)(120 points)

 I have slowly been getting my painting mojo back. Boy, has this Challenge been a slow starter! I started working on these 28mm Gripping Beasts before the new year began, but I have just been finishing them recently. I thought I'd experiment a bit, so I gave them a back undercoat and a white zenithal, and then had the luminous idea to airbrush them in silver, trying not to hit the areas that would not be metal (which, on these figures, frankly isn't a lot). However, I forgot that I would be using speedpaints again. And as you know, these are fairly translucent, which is the whole point of them. This, of course, meant that all colours  applied over them ended up as metallics. Which again meant that I had to do them again, either by applying a new white undercoat or by layering them up with acrylics. I'm pleased enough with the end result, but my shortcut sure took me the long way around!

Anyway, here they are. Their name is Greek in origin, being derived from kata and fraktos, meaning "completely covered". Sometimes, we find the term clibanarii also (probably from a pun, meaning something like "oven-men"), and historians are still divided on the question whether these were different types of cavalry or simply two synonymous terms for the same type of horsemen. There were numerous units of these super heavy cavalrymen in the late Roman army, although not much of their is history is very certain. They probably first appeared in the East, and at first the Romans used cataphracts levied from allied or subject peoples. They were regularly employed by the Sassanid Persians; there is a famous description in Ammianus Marcellinus' book XXV. They were probably armed with the long lance, the kontos, although they have also been described as using mattiobarbuli, heavy darts. In the Roman army, they increased in numbers as time progressed, but there were not very many of them at any given time it seems. However, just like the Grenadiers of the Old Guard, any wargamer should have at least one unit of them!

These Gripping Beast plastics look the part. I think they are accurate enough; I have my doubts about the saddles, for since the Romans probably did not yet use stirrups at this time, I feel the famous horned saddle would have been a better choice. Using a standard saddle without stirrups while wearing 40 kilograms of armour und being just a little top heavy might result in some highly undignified and unsoldierly experiences with the forces of gravity... Still, the figures were relatively easy to build, even for a clumsy oaf like me, and the result is pleasing enough I think. (Yes, I noted I had forgotten to paint the front of one of the bases, this has been corrected 😉). They go together well with the Victrix late Roman infantry I painted last week. As they are part of the same army, again no squirrels...

So, there we have it. Twelve 28mm cavalrymen should net me another 120 points and bring me to about a third of my target. Onwards and upwards!

12x 28mm horse @ 10 points = 120 points

Martijn

Wow Martijn those are some very well painted cataphracts! But more importantly: I am glad to hear your mojo is slowly returning, thank your time!

Cheers Sander 

From Martijn: More Late Romans (120 pts)

I think this is my sixth Challenge, but this is the first time I have been really struggling to get started. Up to now, I have painted all of eight miniatures.... For my next contribution,  I decided to take some rather simple figures to start with, but even so they took me an age to finish. However, they are sort of done at last, so here is the Late Roman Legio Quinta Macedonica. I have used the Victrix  Late Roman Unarmoured Infantry miniatures for them. I'm not much of a model builder, but they seemed to go together fairly easily.In all probability, these troops would have worn armour in most cases (although they leather armour on the officers is suspect anyway), but as with almost everything about the late Roman army we cannot really sure, so I am fine with them. They are based for Hail Caesar (which I have not played yet), but they can of course be used for any game, even Saga at a pinch. I think they could also fit into any post-Roman or Arthurian setting. I struggled a bit getting four figures on a base, but the end effect is nice enough.

I used mostly Contrast and Speedpaints again. I like the effect of them, but especially the way they flow from the brush. Somehow, I always struggle with acrylics,  as I either leave them too thick or make them too thin. I mean, the advice is to get them to the consistency of milk, but what is that? And should that be skimmed or half-skimmed or not skimmed at all? I find contrast paints, sometimes in combination with acrylics, a very convenient solution, often in combination with a wash. Here I used "marine juice", a combination between Reikland fleshshade, Softtone and medium. I gave the figures all the same tunics, but varied a bit with the trousers, to achieve something of a balanced between uniformity and interest. The Victrix set has a lot of options, so all figures are slightly different. I like that look; although a regular army like the Romans would also look very good with more mono-pose figures, I think the slightly irregular impression this units gives is fitting for those 5th or 6th century situations. Now all that remains is to give them a coat of  varnish once the weather clears a bit. The shield designs are the excellent transfers from Little Big Men Studios, sold by Victrix. Take note, however: the designs are symmetrical, but the transfers actually have an upper and lower side. So be careful when applying them. I wasn't, please ignore.

This is the very first time I painted a "largish" 28mm unit in one go (Yes, I can hear Yarkshire Ken's Homeric laughter in the background). So that's 24 28mm foot @ 5 points for a total of 120. Not a squirrel in sight though.

24x 28mm foot @5 = 120

Martijn, I feel your pain mate, sometimes getting the painting mojo back is a real poser indeed, but today's entry is awesome all the same! I really like your classic choice of colours and the shield designs are really striking, maybe entering this splendid unit gets your juices flowing again!

Cheers Sander 

From MartijnN: Challenge XV wrap up

 Well, that's it then. Spring is well and truly upon us, and another Challenge is over. I have made my donation to Artsen zonder Grenzen/ Médecins sans fontières so all that is left is to oversee the carnage.

I had a very slow start this year, slower even than is my custom. I did not feel too well, after a singularly dank and gloomy December, and painting felt like a struggle. Also, I must confess that at first I did not really know what to think of the Dante theme. However, as always the inspiring of work of my fellow Challengers, you fine folks, soon altered that. I was (and still am) amazed by the fantastic work you lot put out and in, and not least by the creative and sometimes quite hilarious ways you tackled Dante's world. What a great theme after all, and what fun and fabulous stories have been told about human vices and paradise. I enjoyed it immensely, and after a slow start I was quite productive in the end. Contrary to expectations, I easily reached my (admittedly rather modest) target, and even almost reached a 1000 points. Also, I painted mostly 28mm figures this year, although I mostly usually paint smaller scale miniatures. And I had a blast. I am very pleased to have finished my Saracen warband for Saga (on to the Crusaders now!), and I made good progress with the ASOIAF starter set. And what is more, I have not lost my painting mojo and have been working on some models started before the Challenge. And even have completed some 😉.

Thanks to Curt and Sarah for once again organizing a great Challenge! And to my fellow minions and Masters of Duels, especially Sarah for putting up with me as my minion! Thanks to you, my fellow Challengers, for sharing your fantastic and inspiring work an your great companionship with me, and for your encouraging and supportive comments. Much appreciated, all of them. 

Finally, thanks to this year's Friday Crew. You were a fantastic bunch, and I immensely enjoyed minioning your contributions and interacting with you. Great job, all! 

For those who reached their targets, well done indeed. And for those who didn't, I hope you enjoyed yourselves anyway, and remember, there's always next Challenge!

See you all in December!

Martijn (Emjenic)

From MartijnN: The last post (The Inconstant, The Ambitious) (137 points)

Phew. Managed to get my 6mm cavalry and artillery done just in time. So here are my last figures for Challenge XV:

These are five bases for my Blucher French force. There is a brigade each of dragoons, cuirassiers and chasseurs a cheval, and a both a foot artillery and a horse artillery battery.

Horse artillery and foot artillery

A brigade of Chasseurs a Cheval

Cuirassiers and Dragoons

They are all Baccus miniatures.

There was one Circle of Hell left to visit, Treachery. I had a great idea to paint up a 6mm figure representing the Count De Bourmont, a French Géneral de Division commanding the 14th division, who deserted to the Allies on the morning of the 15th of June, 1815. However, I also had an idea for the first two Spheres of Paradise, so I had to get my priorities right. Having done enough Circles, Paradise was in reach!

So, for the Inconstant and The Ambitious, as must surely be a shock for anyone who followed me along during this Challenge, I have painted two Iain Lovecraft figures. Here is the wobbly old King, representing the Inconstant, and his just a little too eager son, the Crown Prince, representing the Ambitious:

As you can see, the old King likes his liquor a little too much, and his crown is tottering as a result. I will leave it up to you to decide if he is either eagerly reaching for or desperately rejecting the cup his son, who thinks he has been waiting for the Throne quite long enough, is offering him."Come on, dad, one more won't hurt, right?".

They are 3d printed figures. I really love these Lovecraft figures, they are so full of character. I will probably never find any use for them, but they are fun to paint!

And I also painted a log cabin. No points, just for show (and hopefully help persuade Curt to let terrain back in next Challenge 😉). It is a very bad photo, it is a lot more colourful in real life. Very simple paintjob, but I am pleased with it:

So I made it to Paradise in the end. Scoring is easy I guess:

66 6mm cavalry @1 = 66

7 6mm guns @1 = 7

28x 6mm foot @0.5= 14

2x 28mm foot @5= 10

2 Challenge locations = 40

For a total of 137 points. 

Thanks for looking. I'll leave the formal thanksgiving for the wrap-up post, but thank you all for the support and the encouraging comments. I am already looking forward to Challenge XVI!

Martijn 

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What a lovely last post Martijn! I particularly like your Napoleonic French Horse Artillery, but have to laugh and admire your Inconstant and Ambitious. You've been a great booster of Lovecraft's miniatures and these two are worthy additions to your collection. The cabin looks very nice and cozy. Who knows, perhaps my heart (or head) will soften to terrain for next year. :) 

Last but not least, thank you so very much for serving as our Friday Minion. Your comments and support were well received and I very much enjoyed your grand tour of brews and spirits that can be found in the Low Countries. I hope we can imbibe a few in a future visit (along with a rousing rematch of SAGA)!

- Curt