From JohnS - Late Romans and Late Halflings (140 points)

 Life continues throwing curveballs but I managed to get some Late Roman Cavalry finished.

 These are Gripping [Beast? Minion Dallas] Late Roman Cavalry. The sculpting is a little stiff but they do the job.  

I decided to give them a variety of shield designs, just for the cool factor.

They are based as 2 (of 3) elements of a To The Strongest unit, with the Hero on the oval base.

What you probably don't want to know is that I dropped the middle of these three elements just after this photo and snapped the lance and popped off the shield...

I have also been working my way through Mantic's Halfling Muster Battlegroup.

These are LARGE halflings, taller than GW dwarfs!

They have a cool "early 19th century English villagers" vibe to them.

They look like the local squire has called out the muster and they have answered.

Armed with their fowling pieces, they are ready to repel the louts disturbing their idyll.

The melee troops are armed with mallets, ready to tenderize.

As soon as I saw these figures I was reminded of a bronze faced maul my coachbuilder grandfather had, so bronze they are!

Once again I made the shield faces quite plain as these are not warlike people, they are armed with what is needed to do the job.

These smaller halflings (more GW/LOTR size) are a Paul Hicks sculpt.

Now available from Footsore, I purchased these in a Kickstarter many moons ago.

I have painted these as members of my ever increasing Halfling Empire Army for Old World or Warhammer Fantasy Battle. 

That's my lot for today. Apologies for the awful photos. One of this week's surprises was a need to temporarily move out of my office which means my photography set-up is adhoc.

5 x 28mm Cavalry @ 10 pts  = 50

16 x 28mm Infantry @ 5 pts = 80

2 x 20mm 28mm Infantry @ 4 5pts = 8 10 [these are 28mm halflings so I'm awarding 5 each]

Total 140 points.

Nice production this week John, and you're right - the halflings give a nice "green and pleasant land" kind of vibe, which I think was always Tolkien's idea. Their rural attire is also really good and you've done a nice job with them. The Late Romans are pretty cool too. 

Happy to confirm 140 points for this lot!

Dallas 

From TeemuL: Cocks of War (30 points)

About ten years ago I added two halflings to my project: Pair of Hobbits. In the comments section I pitied myself for not owning more. At some point during the last 10 years I have manage to acquire 6 more of these beauties and this week I managed to finish the paintjob. This year seems to be quite popular Dogs of War / Regiments of Renown year (as usual), so a perfect opportunity to add my offerings on the plate.

There are 4 different sculpts of these, two pairs with almost identical sculpts. I guess there were 4 so GW could sell 3 random minis in one blister and there would be difference. Monsters & Mercenaries Collector's Guide only shows 3 different sculpts, I guess they are so similar that they missed the fourth one... My entry has 6 halflings with only 3 different sculpts, one is there 4 times! I already had all of them before, so I guess I can live with the repetition.

I like to paint these non-uniformed minis, because they don't have uniform! Especially these halflings, because they can use all the crazy colours and still be serious representatives of their race. I used quite a lot of greens and browns, but also some brighter colours here and there. Looking at the photos I seem to chosen quite a lot of blue for these guys, too. The second from the left is painted like part of my British Peninsular Troops. Lots of different colours, but mainly base colour, wash, highlight and second highlight - choose two or four of them. :) Goblin Green bases as usual and self made tufts.

A sneaky or absent minded participant might try to claim squirrel point for these, but that is strictly forbidden in the rules: "If you would expect to see them on the same side of the table during a game, they are NOT a Squirrel Point." As I have earlier painted some Dwarf Slayers, which could easily be on the same side with these Halflings, I can't claim the squirrel. Of course in the world of fantasy (especially if the world was created to sell lots of minis and allow everyone fight everyone with anyone) this is a bit trickier than with historical armies, but since this entry is entirely about mercenaries, I would be a president of the USA if I'd claim a squirrel for these.

So just the plain 30 points for 6 halflings, which have been traditionally scored as full 28 minis for 5 points each. Below you can see the whole dozen, backrow painted in the previous decade...

P.S. My longish sickness has now ended, so I have less time to paint. Thank you all for your support and kind words! Unfortunately I have been bit slow to follow the blog and especially comment all the fabulous entries, I'll try to be more active in the future. I belive this is all from me this week, I need to finish the "Toy" bonus round, too, and I'm away from Friday to Sunday.

 

Great to hear you are restored to full healthpoints Teemu! Those venerable Halflings really are a gorgeous sight indeed, great work! 

Cheers Sander  

From ShawnD: Mantic Games Halfling Engineer (5 Points)

Halfling Engineer (Mantic Games)  

For the model, it was very difficult for me to paint.   Two reasons here; 1) the model when assembled has many cracks and crevices that cause me to make mistakes.  2)  I assembled this model from a Mantic kit and didn't know anything about glue accelerants.  If I were to build and paint is again, I would paint each piece separately and then assemble the model to see if that is a better way.   Too bad I already have scads of models built for this challenge.   You can see where the glue is a little sloppy.  

I did use a lighter primer code on this model to bring a little pop to the colors.  I really like the way the regular paint when on.  I'm going to paint with Speed Paint 2.0 for my next submission over a white primer to see how that works. 

This 28 MM model should be 5 points, that's what I am guessing.

I like to make up little stories for my figures when I paint them.  I just think of them while I paint, wondering if it's ok to share here.  If so I'll post if as a reply to this post

TeemuL: Yes, our second special guest today is Shawn, who usually is part of Wednesday group, but for reasons is today part of our Thor's Day group. And a halfling with machine gun is a nice addition to the Thor's day group. Very nice brush job and neat result for speed paints. And yes, we all love stories, bring them on!

From GeoffreyT: Books [Books](55 Points)

Hello Challengers,

The studio I enter is about books.  Books that would make a good movie.

I will start with a classic book that went to film.  Asterix in Britain by Goscinny and Uderzo.

This character is the British Chieftain, "Mykingdomforanos" raising a cup of hot water to the success of the mission.

This book was written in 1966 made into a film in 1986.  Fortunately I have a copy of the book on my shelf for reference.  The miniature is by "Metal Magic"

Next we have a miniature from a book that has been onto the small screen, in two different TV serials.

This model is inspired by, but legally distinct from Worzel Gummidge.  It is made by "Slave2gaming".

I wasn't a fan of the show, despite featuring an excellent actor, Jon Pertwee.  I always felt a bit ripped off when I saw the show as I would have preferred if Jon was doing a Dr Who episode.  Obviously I didn't quite get how TV worked at that age.

Next is a medieval crossbowman.  A home sculpted one.  He could be William Tell, or he might not be, who can tell (badda-boom).  William Tell's story was first written in the White book of Sarnen (1474) and his story has been translated into numerous more recent books as well as film (1960).

Not sure he would have had bare arms. Probably would have had sleeves for that era.  So maybe he is actually a fantasy crossbowman instead.

Finally we have 4 characters from a little known book series that might make a good film, The Lord of the Rings trilogy (1954-1955)

The four hobbits are Frodo, Samwise, Merry and Pippin.   They are all from Citadel miniatures Lord of the Rings range from 1985.   These miniatures pre-date the 2001-2003 movies, so don't have the well known style characterised from those films.

In all we have 7 28mm scale miniatures.  However 4 are half sized, so probably would count as prone.

3 x 28mm foot = 15 points

4 x 28mm prone = 10 points

1 x Books bonus = 20 points

Total = 45 points

From here I have completed every studio but the directors chair, for which the snowlord has assinged me a special task.

Goodbye until then

Geoff.

From TeemuL: In Finnish book the chief "Mykingdomforanos" is called "Veribigbos", but I know many of the names are different in different languages. Very fine British gentleman, but are you sure it is hot water in the cup, not warm ale? You have accomplished a very nice cartoonish style on him, good job.

Worzel Gummidge is unknown to me, but looks interesting, a scarecrow? William Tell I know, nice sculpting. And the hobbits are great, very characterful, and I belive we have scored hobbits in full points in the past, so I will continue that fine tradition. If anyone argues, I'll say the points are awarded from the hand painted shields. :)

From PeterB: Aliens and Daemons [LV926 to Arrakis] (252 points)

At some point during lockdown when I was going stir crazy (I don't know what month or year it was, it has all blurred in to one mush of working from home and constant handwashing) I, along with most of the hobby, decided I needed to drastically increase my lead pile. I didn't really even have much more spare time to paint it all, my job actually got busier as it involved supporting a massive workforce suddenly working from home that didn't have experience of doing so until this point.

I had previously had great results painting some of the Frostgrave plastic sets from Northstar and so when they announced a Kickstarter (or Nickstarter as they called it) for a new range of plastics for the new Stargrave rules, I decided to go all in and buy the full set, a box of crew, mercenaries and troopers. 

This meant then that in the bundle was also included some bonus metal figures (the first one a female pilot I painted up last week, see here.) So, for my trip to LV926 may I present to you a bevy of aliens and spacecraft crew.

I didn't mean it but the chap on the right has a real Dr Doom vibe.

The chap on the left has a real Peter Cushing look to him.

After this I will be jetting off to Arrakis with a Machiavellian theme. Well, what could be more Machiavellian than the Changer of Ways, the Architect of Fate, the Chaos God of change, intrigue and sorcery, Tzeentch. So, in 6mm scale may I present Magnus the Red, Daemon Primarch of Tzeentch.

I decided to paint him up in as close the the classic GW colour scheme as I could find. I also painted some Steeds of Slaanesh as well.

That then completes the Epic Chaos army that has been floating around in my to do pile for a good couple of years now.

The extra daemon princes were painted pre-challenge.

Talking of finishing armies I have also painted up some more halflings for a Dragon Rampant army. Firstly a dozen from Wargames Atlantic armed with  spears and halberds.

Then another dozen from Mantic games also armed with spears.

Finally I had a few Mantic left over, armed with hand weapons and rifles.

This then completes another army. My son has been desperate to play a battle of goblins versus halflings after I read The Hobbit to him (I suspect he will now demand I paint up some dwarfs too as well.)

The archers and characters were painted pre-challenge.

I'm tempted to look out for some kind of heroic looking halfling on a pony or similar steed as an army commander though, just to really out the proverbial cherry on top. Suggestions on a postcard to.. 

 And now to the points.

• 7 x 28mm scale Stargrave miniatures = 35 points
• 1 x 6mm scale Daemon Primarch (equivalent height of a 28mm figure)  = 5 points
• 12 x 6mm scale Steeds of Slaanesh = 12 points
• 32 x 28mm scale halflings = 160 points 
• 2 x planet bonuses = 40 points

Total points =  252 points

Which definitely takes me over my points target and into the Inner ring. There is however, more to come...

From Millsy:

WOW! What a collection. There's something for everyone in here Peter!

There's loads to love about this post mate but for me the pick of the bunch is the Chaos stuff and the Daemon Primarch of Tzeentch in particular. I'm more of a devotee of Nurgle myself but Slaanesh tempts me often (some would say that's what's meant to happen!) and this isn't helping!

I like you Wargames Atlantic hobbits too. Very nice indeed. I've nearly picked them up a few times now but not being able to build them all as one troop type always puts me off.

252 smackers added to your tally. Well done!

PeterB: Epic Chaos Space Marines + puppies [Coruscant] - (200 points)

Briefly, can I just say as a first time challenger I am really enjoying this. I didn't know what to expect but I am amazed by the vast variety of manufacturers and historical periods/fantasy worlds represented so far this year. Unfortunately as I commented yesterday on GeoffreyT's post, this just means that there are too many things already I want to buy and add to my lead pile (thus ensuring I will want to join the challenge next year to clear the pile again.)

Anyway, so consulting my star chart I believe I have already cleared 4 planets:

Arla - The Balrog

Vulcan - Legolas

Babylon 5 - The Dire Wolf

Quick yacht trip - Female Knight

Istvaan V - Iron Snake Space Marine

Therefore I shall be leaping into the middle ring on to the planet Coruscant with the theme Good vs Evil. Well what can be more evil than the armies of Chaos, in 6mm scale. 

Yep, whoever decided we should wargame in 6mm could be considered good, for we can now easily create massive fields of battle in the comfort of our own homes with just a dining table (possibly extended with the middle leaf folded out) and a green baize tablecloth.

Yet, they could be considered evil, for expecting us to paint details so tiny, it makes me weep, weep the tears of a man who has painted the pauldron trims on Space Marines in 6mm, or freestyled the symbol of Khorne on both sides of the banner flags on the back of  30 Juggernaughts of Khorne.

Juggernaughts of Khorne

Tower of Skulls and Cauldron of Blood

Minotaurs and Khorne Space Marines

Space Marines Dreadnoughts

Chaos Space marines, including a sorcerer at the front

I have also been working on a project that I should have actually been painting instead of swanning around the planets painting random things from my lead pile. I am actually currently working on a fantasy halfling army for Dragon Rampant and fell in love with these guys at Salute this year:

I am not claiming these for any particular planet. Just their points. They are pretty tall for halflings if I am honest, so I am hoping Millsy will allow me to claim 10 points a pop for them.

For the points then:

30 x Juggernaughts of Khorne in 6mm scale. 30 points

2 x vehicles in 6mm scale. 4 points

12 x minotaurs in 6mm scale. 6 points

20 x Khorne Space Marines in 6mm scale. 10 points

4 x Dreadnoughts in 6mm scale. 4 points

80 x Chaos Space Marines in 6mm scale. 40 points.

10 x Halfling dog riders in 28mm scale. 100 points.

Grand total = 194 points.

From Millsy:

Some great Epic scale Chaos stuff here Peter! I'm both horrified and seriously impressed that you hand painted (!) all those Khorne symbols at 6mm scale. Crazy stuff mate. I honestly can't decide which unit I like best from the Chaos stuff, it's all just wonderful.

I've been unimpressed with the Mantic hobbits to date but I really like these. Which is bad news. First time challenger and you're already suffering from Challenge Temptation Syndrome (CTS) and giving me a good dose too.

A cracking entry mate. I'm rounding it up to 200 points because of all that Khorne symbol craziness. Belter!