KenR - Obwalden & the Rear Rankers, Swiss Pike - 323 points

 

My final entry for this years Challenge (where did that go !) suspiciously sounds like a 1970s Folk Rock Band, in fact I'm thinking of forming a little pop combo called "Obwalden and the Rear Rankers" myself.

One of the main focuses this year has been to add to my Swiss pike collection and with 160 new figures done over the last few months this group of 64 finish off my target for the Challenge.

First up is the contingent from the Canton of Obwalden, these will form the final "column" in the overall 128 figure block I've completed. A nice and simple red and white scheme based around the flags which are from Flags of War.

Figures are of course 28mm and as previously are a mix of Perrys and Steelfist with a guest appearance from Petes Flags range of Renaissance figures (which he kindly sent me some samples of a while back). 32 figs here, 8 per base on 60 x 50 bases with an extended front base to protect the figures (and players) from those pointy sticks.

Added to that we have the Rear Rankers, I needed an extra base for four previously painted "columns" to extend another block out to 128 figures and whilst I was knee deep in Pike it made sense to get these done. Figures here are either Perry or Petes Flags.

No extended bases here as these 32 figures will join the back of existing units, the 4 "Cantons" represented here are Zug and Lucerne (blue and white) Basel - Stadt (Black and white) and Bern (red, yellow, white)

So for the final entry of the year I have 64 x 28mm foot at 5 points each and 3 Flags for a total of 323 to add to the total.

It's been another great challenge and although I'm well short of my target I really feel as if I've got something done.

I'll sum up in a Wrap Post after we finish, but a special thanks once again to Curt Campbell for organising this wonderful worldwide event.

Oh go on then, here's a 160 figure Pike Block 

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Wow Ken, these are the kind of posts I love the challenge for and wish we saw more of.  A HUGE massive unit of models, and every one of them stunningly painted!  This is what we all need to be doing and posting!  Although what on earth you need a 160 figure block of pike for is beyond me, but we are all mad in our own way.  Thank you for such a great post!

- Byron 

KenR - 28mm Swiss Thun Pike - 163 points

 

As we enter the last few weeks of the Challenge I have switched full production to the Swiss Pike in an attempt to get the planned figures done before the end of the Challenge.

Here are the boys from Thun, 32 x 28mm Perry and Steelfist Miniatures painted up in a mainly red and white scheme to match the flags, these will form a "column" within the main block.

The 3 rear bases have 8 figures and are 60 x 50, while the front base is extended to 60 x 110 to accommodate the levelled Pike at the front. Flags are from Flags of War.

Points wise it's 32 28mm figs at 5 pts a piece plus 3 flags at a point a piece for 163. I have one more "column" to do which are underway and then I have 32 more Pike to extend the rear ranks of an existing block (because 96 figures just isn't big enough 😄) and of course heres a group to date shot.

What a Thun-dering great pike block Ken!  (Don't worry I am only here on a limited engagement.). There's just so much to love here.  I know these fine figures and they've been beautifully painted, posed and based.  The read and white scheme is very effective and love the flags.

KenR - The last 28mm Italian Wars Spanish Cavalry (75 points)

 

As it's the last one I thought I would start with a group shot ! 48 Spanish Gent d'Armes (12 done pre challenge) are complete, for now. If you think it's a lot it's half the size of Italian horde 😁

This week's entry is 6 28mm Spanish Heavy Cavalry from The Assault Group, based in twos on a 50 x 60 base, with Petes Flags to finish them off.

Points wise is 6 x 10 for the figs and a couple of Flags for another 2 making 62 points in total.

With about 3 weeks to go I need to crack on with the Pike and with two entries in this week, let's see if I can make it 3.

Just smashing work again Ken, a lot of eye candy to feast on here.  I am a little sad that this particular project has come to an end.  Surely you can find more can't you.  The opening shot is breath taking.  I am bumping your score to 75 to recognize the sale and quality.

From KerryT: Italian Wars cavalry (120 points)

Morning, afternoon & evening all

In previous challenges, a good proportion of my submissions were from one of my favourite periods, the Italian Wars though this challenge seems to be quite different. Not surprisingly perhaps I'm all over the place again but that does at least keep me productive. I've always admired the dedication of those who decide to focus on one army and project and manage to see it through. I just have to wander around though around several periods in order to keep my focus. In trying to add to my Italian wars collection, I have printed off some Wargames Atlantic Gendarmes but if I'm being realistic its seems very unlikely that I'll get to them this time. I have managed to get some paint on a dozen TAG Italian Elmeti though. These are another unit that were bought and prepped for last year's challenge

Putting them in front of the church reminds me that I do need to finish more Italian style buildings

I don't have many TAG figures but I've always enjoyed painting the ones that I do have

Flag from Pete's flags

I've just gone for a mix of colours in an attempt to make them a generic/mercenary unit

The horses are pretty solid and seem to take paint well

Running away

I need to flesh out some Italian states cavalry and I think I'll try and get a few more of these in the near future.

On reflection it may have been better if I'd painted them up as Venetians, Milanese or Florentines to bulk those evolving armies out a bit. They would probably look a little better with lances rather than spears but I must have used the remainder of my supply of lances from Wargames Foundry. I'll try and pick up some at Partizan I think but that means I'll see and want to buy more Gendarmes

So just a quick post from me this week, thank you all once again for your continued support and encouragement. Apologies,  I've been a bit slow off the mark commenting on others work this week but hope to catch up with my comments on the weekend

In summary

12 X 28mm Mounted figures @ 10 points = 120 pints

1 Squirrel

Best wishes

Valleyboy

From Millsy:

I never cease to be amazed at the speed you can paint cavalry mate. We were only talking about these just recently and you were trying to decide what colour to paint all the tack. All the various colours you've used really do look great and have repaid the effort in spades. Matched to the coat colours on troop's tabards it looks so cohesive and convincing, especially what paired with your usual high standard of basing.

The TAG miniatures are really good kit aren't they? I have some Ottomans to paint at some point and I'm a little apprehensive because they are so detailed and packed with flavour.

That's another 120 points add to your tally. You're just about at the 2000 mark now and with a decent lead over the rest of us. Cracking effort all round.

Cheers,
Millsy

From GrahamB - Italian Wars Swiss Pike Block (253 points)

I finished painting these a couple of weeks ago but hadn’t got round to making the flags until recently. Then I suffered from technology challenges and was not able to upload photos for a couple of weeks.  

I have been interested in the Italian Wars since the late 1970s and the fabulous Hinchliffe Italian Wars figures by Hinchliffe sculpted by Peter Gilder as featured in Battles for Wargames magazine.  A couple of years ago, I was fortunate to win several eBay lots of vintage Hinchliffe and Connaisseur Italian Wars figures.  2025 saw the release by Warlord Games of their Death and the Landsknechts Pike and Shotte supplement and several of the scenarios therein prompted me to increase my Swiss from a contingent to an army, and this is the latest addition to my Swiss.  This pike block inspired by my long-gone Hinchliffe 1970s collection comprises veteran Hinchliffe, Connaisseur and the odd Minifigs figure.  Unlike my earliest Italian Wars collection from back in the 1970s, many of these figures have been converted by the use of Perry metal heads, Perry plastic and Wargames Atlantic Conquistador components to make a unit of Swiss from the Canton of Grisons. 

The unit comprises of 9 stands of 4 pike including 3 flags, 3 stands of 3 double handed weapons, 4 stands each with one skirmisher and a separately based figure for the blood flag.  The 16 stands depict one Large pike blocks under the Pike and Shotte Italian Wars rules and represent the unit upgrades of heavy armour, halberds forward, aquebusiers forward and a blood.

So 36 pike, 9 double handers and 5 skirmishers = 50 figures @ 5 points each plus 3 flags at 1 point each gives a total 253 points.

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Well, that is quite the pack of chaps with long, pointy pikes! There is something deeply awesome about a miniature pike block on the gaming table, and when you factor in the splendid setting that is the Italian Wars, I totally get the appeal of the setting! I nearly been trapped into it myself - and submissions like this from Challengers don't help me stay focused, that's for sure. 

Glad the technology challenges have been sorted, at least for now. 253 points for you!

GregB

KenR - 28mm Swiss Pike - Glarus (175 pts)

 

After a week off last week for a birthday trip away with Mrs YG, it's time to get back to the grindstone, or in my case the Pike Block.

So this is the "column" of the block from Glarus, a city and Canton in Switzerland. The figures are 28mm and are a mix of Perrys and Steelfist. There are quite a few more Steelfist in this "unit" mostly on the front base.

There were no uniforms in the Italian Wars but to get a feel for a unit I have used the colours from the flags, which are mostly red, so to give me a bit more variation I used a deep red and a scarlet red as two separate colours, along with black, yellow and a touch of white.

In total there are 32 x 28mm figures at 5pts each for 160 points plus 3 flags at a point each making 163 in total.

I'll leave you with a couple of pictures of the block so far (half finished), I will be doing a "Thun" column next. But before that I've some obligatory Spanish Heavies to do along with some Prussian Landwehr.

Great Schnabziger Ken, those are amazing!  Love the mass, the posing and basing and the colours.  I agree with your idea of using a key colour to identify units, and the red from the flag seems an excellent choice.  I have to say that's sinister looking preacher on the lead base's flag.  I am rounding your score up to 175, cos I get to do these things.

KenR - 28mm Spanish Heavy Cavalry 4 & 5 (124 pts)

 

Not one but two units of Spanish Heavy Cavalry for my Italian Wars collection this week, a slight brain slip meant I ended up doing two horse units back to back as I forgot to do the planned infantry unit in between !

You should be familiar with these by now, 28mm figures from The Assault Group (TAG) based 2 per base on 50 x 60 bases with 6 figures per unit, horses painted in oil, figures in acrylics, flags by Petes Flags.

Unit one in a red, yellow, white and black scheme (based on the flags), I realised after doing the photos that the centre bases were in the wrong units !

Unit two in a yellow, red and blue scheme. Points are 12 x 28mm mounted at 10 points each plus 4 flags at a point each giving 124 points.

And finally because I know you like to see here are the Spanish Gent d'Armes so far, just 6 more to go, which could be done next week. On the table at the moment are the Prussian Landwehr Battalion I should have done this week 😆

They may be early, but they are a wonderful sight Ken.  Fantastic as always. Now put a sticky note up to work on the Prussian Landwehr. 

KenR - 28mm Spanish Italian Wars Heavy Cavalry Tres (70 pts)

 

No alarms and no surprises with the 2nd entry this week, it's the ongoing saga of my Spanish Gent d'Armes for the Italian Wars and here is the third of six units I have planned.

As previously the figures are 28mm from The Assault Group and Flags from Petes Flags.

6 x 28mm Cavalry at 10 pts each and a couple of Flags for 2, gives me 62 pts.

So that's half of these done, and there's just time for a couple of group shots (cause I know you like them !) of the completed units to date (plus the two pre Challenge)

See you all next week with some Swiss.

Another fine set of Spanish HC Ken.  I've bumped up your points score for the overall impression of the work  you've done on these riders.  That groups shot at the bottom is marvellous.  Does the tabeltop shake when they gallop across the field of battle?  The flags really help make the scene for this period.  Well done, and I for one am looking forward to seeing more Swiss next week.    

KenR - 28mm "Spanish" Heavy Cavalry Dos (62 pts)

 

Here is the 2nd of 6 Heavy Cavalry units I have prepped for the Challenge and a nice little Palette cleanser after the Pike guys I did last week.

The figures are 28mm Spanish from TAG (The Assault Group) with flags from Petes Flags, these are banners for Neopolitan Condottieri so the figures will have a dual use as and when required. Figures are based 2 per base on a 50 x 60 base which is my standard for the period. 

As always I've used the colours and designs in the flags as a guide to my Palette and look to the riders, 6 x 10 points for 28mm Cavalry plus a couple for the flags nets me 62 more points.

I've got some French Command Stands on the go (which may be a late entry this week) being finished off before I do the third unit of these and then its back to some Pike.

Below is a picture of the growing Spanish Gent'd'Arms (12 done pre challenge) so you can see how the group looks.

Wonderful stuff Ken, I just can't say enough about your units.  The full array is awe inspiring.  

KenR - 28mm Swiss Italian Wars Pike (Basel) 170 pts

 

This is my main focus for this years Challenge, an expansion of my Swiss for the Italian Wars hopefully adding another 2 x 128 figure units during the 3 months, and as every journey starts with a single step, every Pike Block begins with a 32 figure "column"

These figures carry the flags of Basel and always I have simply taken the colours of the flags as the Palette for the figures. I will produce 4 such "columns" each from a different Canton or City for each block so the units will be 4 bases wide by 4 bases deep or a Pike Square.

The figures are 28mm Perry (both metal and plastic) with a couple of Steelfist Miniatures in the front Rank. They are slightly larger than the Perrys but you can't really tell in the unit as a whole. Figs are 8 figs per base on a 60 x 50 with the front base (with lowered Pike 110 x 60) to protect people's fingers from the sharp Pikes.

So points wise there are 32 x 28mm foot at 5 points a piece plus 3 flags at 1 each, giving a total of 163 points. The flags are from Flags of War.

The 2nd unit of Spanish Heavies is nearly done after which I have some French Napoleonic Generals (for the Empire Bonus Round) then Spanish Heavies 3 before I return to the next Pike Column. So I should have some Cavalry for you next week.

It wouldn't be a Tuesday without a paints bomb from ken, and what a wonderful one this is.  Lovely work all around, the figure selection and posing, the basin, and painting and the flags. I am rounding this up to 170 points and then getting out of the way so that others can drool.

 

Peter