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

______________________________

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 MartinC Bob Gnarly and the Bambi Wood Elf Stripper (190pts)

 Hope the title has sparked your curiosity.  But first the undercard.

Bavarian artillery, 2 6lb and a 12lb gun.

These are mainly Perry figs with a couple of kitbashed figs as I had a spare gun already. Perry ACW plastic gun set was helpful here.

And I've had a new cutting mat

Next up a Warlord M20 scout car. Really need a gunner but the one with the set was a bit rubbish

Still no stripper yet.

The Bloodbowl mania continues, we have started a league to see how that works.

Couple of lizardmen players, they could be star players or the start of a lizardman team, I have figures i could use.

Next up is the Khorne team. These guys get extra experience for causing injuries, to keep the blood god assuaged 

Marauders, the backbone of the team. All have frenzy

The Blood Spawn, big guy, big hitter, also with frenzy

Khorngor. Beastman blitzers, no frenzy!

Blood Seekers, tough, strong and with frenzy. Basically this team is mad.

We have recently spotted that some of these resin teams come with star players

The Khorne team comes with Lord Borak the Despoiler. A massive guy but very expensive to field.

Finally the main event. I present Bob Gnarly.

*

The Khorne team comes with this player, can't find him in the star player list, any guidance would help. He is a great figure on roller blades. So he is being fielded as an experienced marauder with +1 speed

I have a wood elf team made from repurposed resin wood elves. The figures are all in ballet dance poses, odd enough, but I needed an extra player and finding suitable figures in dancing attire and poses is hard. So I present Bambi the wood elf stripper

As you can see, she is definitely a stipper, her main armour is boob tape

The pose is very dynamic and I really like it. Would be better with bigger pants, although there was a nude option, and I dread to think.

Scores on the doors

1x28mm vehicle 20pts

3x28mm cannon with crew 75pts

19x28mm bloodbowl figures 95pts

There are times is I wonder if I really want to pick up that From:MartinC rock to see what scuttles out.  Not this week however, that title had me hooked.  A typical all over the place post Martin with lot's to enjoy, or make you avert your eyes.   Fine stuff all around but I think my favourite is Bon Gnarly.  He's going to have a challenge with those rollerblades on a field however, he should have limited mobility unless he's on a floor or paved surface.  I concur with your tally.

 

From MattW: Judge Dredd Hurley Block & Planet of the Apes (105 points)

 

Hurley Block 

Vestal Virgins 

My first Perp gang for my Judge Dredd collection are the Vestal Virgins for the Liz Hurley block in sector 10. The Vestal Virgins are named after Liz Hurley‘s Punk Rock band, I have elected to paint them in bright red clothing, with white highlights, white boots, armour and pink hair. The figures are a mix of Warlord Games Resin Judge Dredd range and Mongoose Publishing Block Wars figures with green stuff added Mohawks and some sculpted body armour. 

Citi-Def 

A Citi Defence unit for Hurley Block using a mix Mongoose plastics with a bit of green stuff and a future soldier for the leader. I elected to use a simple brown and cream palette, really happy with the result, basing is simple grey to match my asphalt table top roads. 

Para 3 Bots

I picked these up off eBay about 5 weeks ago to add to my Dredd collection, they are circa 1978 and I had a few in the mid 80s which I used in Rouge trader games, God knows were they ever got too. The figs originally were West End Games for the Paranoia Game I think, then citadel purchased the rights to produce the figure while in Newark. Citadel released the figures as Para 3 Bots. They come with separate tops and bottoms so you can mix and match to suit roles and were random in the box of 3.

2 Fast food bots on wheel base, for my yet to be named Nachos and cheese restaurant (ideas anyone)

A Dental Bot and Maid bot 

A heavy lifter and security bot

Planet of the Apes 

 I picked up these chimps from a bring and buy stall at Partizan this year in a 1£ bucket, they have a very Socialist/communist vibe about them, the chimp with the hammer also had a sickle but I removed that and intend to add a flag at some stage. I elected to paint them in worker blue clothing. They will join my Ape collection. 

 Major Tom

I also picked up this spaceman in the same box and opted for a orange suit for him, really happy with my colour selection. He will join my generic space figures.

Total 28mm Figures  @ 5 points = 21 Figures 

Total points 105 points 

Squirrel 3 points (Dredd, Planet of the Apes, Spaceman) 

Robots = 30

Cheers
Matt

From Millsy:

This is a very cool collection Matt. The vibrant colours are spectacular! The Vestial Virgins have a definite Necromunda vibe going on and the Citi-Def are reminiscent of early 40K Cadians too. Nice work and 105 points added to your total.

Cheers,
Millsy