From DaveS: More Adventures In the Congo, and something Newly Acquired [New Acquisitions] (95 points)

So, I've painted some more of the miniatures that I got for playing Congo, although I have never actually played the game (or even read the rules for that matter), relying on the prebuilt "Expedition Packs" from North Star to decide what I should include. These are made up of the rest of the units that were unpainted from the last post, plus a few additions to units that I realised I hadn't fished out of the "Drawer being used as a shelf support".

First, we have the final 2 archers for the unit.  These were painted in an identical fashion to the others, using predominantly contrast paint.  Since severl people asked, I used GW Contrast Wildwood for the skin for all of the Natives in this post.

Next, we have another Askari that I found, to bring the total unit size to 5.

A unit of scouts.  These didn't come with spears, and led to some consternation, as I know that when I first bought these, a friend kindly donated some brass wire spears for me to complete them.  Several years later, I have no idea where these are (believe me, I looked), and so having checked the online stock, I tried my FLGS.  Who showed me to a 10'x4' display of blisters, and let me know they were in there somewhere!!!!!! (I should stress that had I ordered them from the website, they would have dug them out for me).  As the wife was in the car at the time, I declined to go through 100s of blisters, and so these have spears donated from some sprues of Ancient Celts.....

Next, we move on to what are referred to on the box as "Explorers".  These were again, painted mostly with contrast paints.  I'm probably most happy with these of all the models that I painted from this set.

Finally for now, the two characters.  Lady Isobel Poppington herself, and the Professor.

I'm not hugely happy with how Her Ladyship's glasses turned out, but I will live with it I think.  I still have some "Soldiers (Acutally Sailors)" to paint to have the complete expedition finished, but I haven't quite got them polished off yet, so they will have to wait.

As a break, and because I finally got hold of them, I have also painted some of the new GW Legion Imperialis Space Marines. Space Marine was the very first wargame I ever got bought, for christmas when I was still at school. I never played that edition, and a few years ago sold on my attempt to start collecting a force for the NetEpic version that was around online.

But since I had bought a small (honest) number of titans to use with it when this was first announced, I decided that this would break my embargo on buying new models for the challenge.  And thus I present my first 4 bases of Tactical Marines. Since 6mm is .5 points, and 10mm is 1 point per model, I propose .75 points for the 8mm that these are claimed at.  I'm also going to claim New Acquisitions for these, if I may.

So that should make

13x28mm Models at 5pts = 65 Points

20x8mm Models at .75pts = 15 Points

New Acquisition Desk = 20 Points

For a round total of 100pts

TeemuL: More warriors for Congo. The Contrast paints seem to work very well on these minis, they all look great! The Space Marines look good, too. But in the future posts, could you include more photos from different angles and the Challenge Map, please? Especially the Explorers, they do look good and I'd like to see more of them.

I understand your scoring proposal and that was discussed before the Challenge started with Minions, but in the end it was ruled that 6mm category will be known as 6-8mm category from now on, so they are only worth half a point, so total of 10 for Space Marines and 95 in total.

From DaveS - Exploring the Congo - 70pts

 So, it's my first entry into the challenge this year.  I have set myself a very modest target this time, and my goal is to try and use the Challenge and the library to work my way through the "Pile of Potential" (or cupboard full of shame depending on whether the wife is listening)  To this end, I have decided that I will be trying very hard not to buy new models for this challenge.

The fates have already conspired to make the Challenge as hard as possible for me.  Whilst I was basecoating a pile of Battlemechs in grey, I noticed that the Airbrush trigger had gone weird.  Closer examination revealed that the bottom of the lever mechanism had broken off, rendering the brush inoperable until I can replace it.

So, faced with having to change plans very early, I reached into the drawers of potential, and came across the models of Lady Isobel Poppington's expedition.  I bought these for Congo by Studio Tomahawk a long time ago (Years........), and when I looked at the quality of the casting, I simply lost heart, and they got put in the drawer.  But since I am supposed to be reducing the pile of shame, I got them out and got going.

First up, I tackled the Bowmen (women?).  These were probably the cleanest of any of the casts, and were also really easy to paint, simply using citadel contrasts.  They aren't the best models that I have ever done, and the photos show up a LOT of issues, but at gaming ranges they look good enough.

Next were the two Bearers.  These models are again painted really simply with contrast paints.  Again, I am happy with the way they look for "tabletop use"

And finally, we have some Askaris.  These were also painted with contrasts in the same way as the others, and again I am happy with the results.

One consequence of finding these mixed in with a load of other "potential" in a drawer was that I managed to miss a number of the models in my first gathering.  What this means is that I have another Bowman, and Another Askari to paint for these units, as well as the rest of the expedition.

So this should count as 10x28mm models for 50 points, and I am also going to claim the overdue and returns bonus from the library since they should have been painted several years ago, making a grand total of 70 points to start me on my way.

_________________________________________

Welcome back Dave!

While you may be a little uninspired by these models, I think they look excellent. I really like the contrasting yellow and the bases fit the theme perfectly. If I may ask, what Contrast colour did you use for their flesh? The results look great. 

Well done and Happy New Year!

- Curt

From SanderS: On to Benito's Brook with some Belgians! (40 pts)

Hoi,

The criterium of a famous or heroic last stand was an easy one since I had gotten the Crisis special figures this year that really matched the description. I'll let the guys from TSOA themselves explain who these two brave men were:

Lieutenant Lippens and Sergeant De Bruyne where stationed in the centre of slavetrade, Kasongo, ruled by Sultan Sefu to end the trade. But unfortunatly, Sefu resisted this and led an attack on the forces of the Belgians.  Both where captured, but a deal was struck for their release.  Lippens was in bad health, and while De Bruyne could have escaped at his expense, he refused to do this and stayed at the side of his comrade.

Eleven days later, the Belgian forces invaded the Arab zone, and over 3000 people fell in the bloodbath.  Out of revenge, Lippens and De Bruyne where executed in a gruesome fashion.

The models this year represent Lippens and De Bruyne taking a stand, with Lippens lying on the floor barely able to stand due to his bad health at the time.

Once again cleanly cast, these models are in scale 28mm, and lend themselves excellent to any games in the Darkest Africa period, as they where made in their stripped down clothing from their time of capture, instead of their formal military uniforms they are honoured in with a statue in Blankenberge.

So I couldn't find any decent painting clues and played it safe with blue trousers and white shirts. I have no idea what I could use them for but they are a nice enough looking vignette to be on display in the cabinet.

Two 28mm figures with the bonus from the Brook get's me another 40 points. On to Millsy's Millpond!

***
Wow Sander, some great brushwork here, and a grim tale behind these fellows - yikes! I think you have done a fine job, not only on the figures, but the groundwork too is just excellent, and fits in well with the setting.  

That will be another 40 points for you, sir! Well done. 

GregB

From JohnM: Congo Figures (175 points)

 

One of the last piles of 28mm lead, I have are the figures I bought for the game Congo, which I have yet to play. I painted up the Explorers box in a previous AHPC, but still had the African Kingdoms box. I have a very small lead pile and to be honest all I think is left is some Perry Samurai figures.

Certainly I have some plastic and resin figures lying around from some games like Mansions of Madness, some Games Workshop figures and a few Carnival figures. So here I believe we have 35 figures, hopefully I will get to play the game soon.

King and Wardrums

Askaris

 

Married Warriors

 

Young Warriors

Scouts

 

Princess and Hostage

 

Hostage

 

Bearers

 

Fanatical Warriors

Witchdoctor

Warhorn

Prince

 

War Leader

Nice to get them done.

-----

By Paul:

Thats a great collection and no doubt! 

Congo is a fun game - I've only played it the once but I found it very thematic. I think that having a good pool of characters and figures to draw upon will really help the wonderful narrative aspects of the game, and this entry delivers that in spades!

The jungle drums tell me these are indeed worth 175 points - great job John!

From PaulO'G: African Hunting Party (50 points)

Having enjoyed an introductory game of Congo a few weeks past, I thought I would pay some attention to some long neglected figures in the lead pile to start my own White Explorer force.  This is my initial Hunting Party, comprising 2 Big Game Hunters, 3 Askari Guards, and 5 Bearers/Servants:

AFter a bunch of my submission have taken much longer to finish than anticipated, I challenged myself to do these rapidly and got them done over an aggregated 3 evenings. Unfortunately, they are a bit grainy - likely it was too hot when I applied the undercoat (its been a stinking hot summer here in Sydney). Still, they are good enough for the Congo methinks

Figures by the lesser known Askari mini: https://askari-minis.com/
Thats ten 28mm figs for 50 points Bwana!

JamieM - now these are very nice indeed.  Congo is one of those games that looks like a bunch of fun and I keep being tempted to get it...... and then I look at all the other rulebooks on my shelf and take it out of my virtual internet basket!

These have come out wonderfully and the natty red hats really set them up nicely - 50 points as you say.

From JohnM: More Africans for Congo (50 Points)

I have to say that I am really enjoying painting this diverse group of figures from Wargames Foundry for the ruleset Congo. The paint just falls on them.

Up next is some groups a little lower on the pecking order than the Askaris I presented last week. This time I have gone with very muted colours, these chappies are just out of the bush looking for adventure. 

First up is the Ruga-Ruga. These men are the orphans of their tribes, left to fend for themselves. They are the mercenaries of the expedition age, hiring themselves out to whomever will pay. They are undisciplined but not lacking in courage. Armed with muskets.

Next up is the Young Warriors. These are young men of the African tribes, they join up looking for adventure, experience and glory. Armed only with spears and shields.

So another 50 points which I believe will push me over my goal. I actually never thought I would find the time to paint up 400 points for this year's Challenge. I was hoping to have my next detachment and supports of Blood Angels done for Epic 30k, but alas I was missing one vehicle to make up the grouping. Fortunately, I was able to find some on eBay, and they are now on their way to me. I am hoping to able to put them up next week. I am planning to finish off the Challenge with some left overs from last year, but we will have to see.

ByronM: Another great entry for your Congo game John!  The skin tones are really nice as are the shields and clothing.  You make it hard to not get into this game!  Keep up the great work and hopefully we get to see more either in this challenge or next year.  I still want to see what you are going to use for jungle terrain too!