From PeterD: Femmes Fatales for Biography and True Crime (50 points)

Once again.it is a two post week from me, but smaller than I had planned.  It turns out that those 4Ground pdf chariots are really fragile when dropped from table height....

Two figures from Bad Squiddo Games, Zenobia on the left and Nancy Wake on the right.

This is a nice casting with lots of potential for bling.  Were I to do her again I'd do the robe in a darker colour (purpled maybe) to show off the gold better.

Empress Zenobia of Palmyra is my entry for Biography.  She was a serious challenger for the Roman Emperor Aurelian during the Third Century Crisis.  She acted as Regent for her son after the death of her husband and then declared herself Empress and conquered most of Rome's Eastern Empire.  Aurelian eventually defeated her army and captured her.  Her ultimate fate is debated, but her story has inspired numerous books, paintings and Operas and she is still seen as a cultural icon in Syria.

She had me dipping into both Crimson and Purple, left overs of the former for me started on the livery for my Empire Halbadiers.

The camera tends to pick up flaws that aged eyes miss. Zenobia's cloak has picked up some white which will be fixed after post time.

The female of the species is more deadly than the male!  A bit of Kipling Poetry to annoy GregB.  

Nancy Wake was another SOE operative in occupied France.  Her life story is (as expected) literally the stuff of adventures and films.   I will claim her for the True Crime section, as the Germans certainly considered her a criminal, and as she has a serious femme fatale look to her.

A little powder and a little drink on the way, and I'd pass their (German) posts and wink and say, 'Do you want to search me?' God, what a flirtatious little bastard I was

Once again, the colour palette is based on the Bad Squiddo examples in their online store.   It's lovely oufit.

My updated Map shows that I have ticked off at least two sections of four library rooms which means that I am ready for the Rare and Antiques books section.

That's 10 points for the two 28mm foot figures and 20 for each of two bonus sections for a total of 50 points.

Zenobia is a lovely figure, Peter! Once again a very original choice, well done. Nancy Wake really steals the show though, what a fantastic model. I like the way she is casually inspecting her fingernails while holding a deadly argument behind her back. Fabulous, and you did a fine paint job on her too. I am not entirely convinced of the true crime connection, but I definitely agree that she has a criminally enticing look about her. 50 very efficient points then!

Martijn 

From PeterB - Into the final section with some more 2nd Ed 40K and friends - 145 Points

I've finally hit the last section of the library. As you can probably tell I am unnecessarily trying to cover every set of stacks. So first of all, Oversize books.

Having been playing some Gaslands, I felt I needed a vehicle with a bit more craziness. What can be crazier than a monster truck with oversized tyres. This beast is definitely going to be intimidating the other drivers.

The vehicle is originally a cutesy cartoon vehicle from a kids show and had a smiley face on the front. A no-prize to anyone that can name the character/show. Some additional bits added from the instruments of carnage sprue from North Star and it now looks the part.

Next up, we head to true crime.

In the Warhammer 40,000 universe, the job of investigating crimes and keeping the peace amongst the miserable masses falls to the local Adeptus Arbites. (At least from third edition 40K onwards anyway,) Amongst the underhives of the spire cities where gangs roam, they are mostly kept in check by these guys, keeping them from bothering the rich families of the upper levels. Quite obviously inspired by the Lawmakers from Mega City One in the pages of 2000AD, these Judges are also Jury and Executioner when required. 

Then we head to cookery. 

I struggled at first with this category, then a delve in my "to do" box and I found this Spartan taking a break on campaign. Not sure of the manufacturer unfortunately, it was a second hand gift from a friend amongst some other bits. I also pulled out some pots and fire left over from the Renada Viking House set and a bunny from Bad Squiddo Games. It looks to me like the soldier is wondering what he is going to cook that evening, then has inspiration when an inquisitive rabbit appears. Maybe he is about to cook up some carrot broth and will share the carrot tops with his new friend?

Next we head to self help.

As everyone knows, the keeping and caring of plants is also an excellent balm for the mind. I myself am not that green fingered but do enjoy planting the odd bulb here and there to make the garden look nice. Although after completing this project my fingers were indeed definitely a shade of goblin green.

Some of you old school 40K players may recognise these plants as inspired by all those magnificent battle reports from old White Dwarfs that have been the inspiration of my main project this year, 

Yep, you too can have dangerous alien plant life as terrain on your wargame table by shoving some cocktail sticks into polystyrene balls. (Some are actually egg shaped, handy it being Easter soon.) The whole project took a lot longer than expected due to the layers of cheap craft paint taking an age to dry and needing multiple coats. The balls were attached together with very careful application of hot glue, too much and the polystyrene would just disintegrate. PVA glue however just didn't cut the mustard.

Scale shot for reference

The cacti are around 3 inch cube and there are six of them, so probably 15 points?

Finally, not for any location, just a little bonus for those of you that were missing the back banners and skulls. I present Zodgrod Wortsnagga. (That is a mouthful of a name.) Zodgrod is a slaver amongst the Ork society, preferring the company of Grots/Gretchin. 

A member of my local club very kindly swapped some old school Orks with me for some Chaos Dwarfs, so I had to paint this chap up this week for my retro Ork army.

To the scores...

1 x 20mm vehicle = 15 points

5 x 28mm Arbites infantry. 5 x 5 = 25 points

1 x 28mm Spartan infantry = 5 points

4 x locations. 4 x 20 = 80 points

terrain points = 15 points

1 x 28m Ork infantry = 5 points

Total = 85 points 145 points

 

 Sylvain: Nice completion of locations this week! Your "Big Foot" vehicle is hilariously tire-obese. Fantastic submission.

From BruceR: Spies like us, the book cart from Lady Sarah, Wee troops (302 points)

Nearing the end, as I go on vacation Friday it's likely I will not be producing anything near the finish line.  No minis heading to the South with me.  Never fear, traveling to AdeptiCon soon and will be able to reload on buckets of minis.  I'm happy with the completed units I've done and the new epic project I've embarked upon with the help of the challenge.  

I want to thank Curt and Lady Sarah for their endeavors, as well as Temuu for guiding the Thorsday crew.  On to the post.

I've not done as much in the library as in the past and I blame being more focused on my projects.  

While expanding my epic ACW project this week and did take a break it did give me a recharge.  I usually paint 28mm and in small batches.  So, my break was few 28's.  

Here is a gift a friend gave me, of the Queen (RIP), while in service in WW2.  I don't even know the maker.  I will use this miniature to ride the Library Cart to the True Crime book section.  

I did her majesty with, what else, English Uniform Vallejo, wash, highlights.  

In the True Crime section, I'm offering Sinister Spies.  They all look very criminal and as you can get life for espionage I figure a good fit for True Crime.  These are super fun figures from Pulp Miniatures, Bob Murch.  I like the bulk of his figures and I have no idea why I have them, but here they are for your review.

Sinister Spies: Jasper Gutworth-international scoundrel, Count Stransky, the unpleasant Mr. M, Seigfreid Holtz, Bronstein-the 2nd man 

Next, I have continued on with my ACW epics.  I had done these first two stands prior to my break to the 28's.  After my little painting break and not so great weather I did 2 more stands, 2 artillery, 2 commanders, and a test stand of confederates.  With the 4 union stands I will need to do 2 more command stands to give me 6 regiments for a good start.  I did again experiment with the light blue pants and used a mix of contrast for the 2nd batch and you can see the difference.  Did mean only one coat so a time saver.  I'll just claim one unit has been in the field longer or the dye maker shorted the government on this batch.  Add character maybe?  I intend to shift over to the rebs, as at this point only one of our group is actively putting out the South so some reinforcements will be needed.  Will see if I can keep going as Spring will call, with my road bike and lake cottage calling.  

1st two stands.

Production from the week.

Johnny Reb test stand.

I'll keep monitoring from the South (cool one in hand) and hopefully sending the positive painting vibes and comments your way.  

Stay well and carry on.  Cheers.

Bruce

Points:

Sarah's library Cart                    20 pts

1 28mm Queen                            5 pts

True Crime shelves                    20 pts

5 28mm spies                             25 pts

100 15mm ACW                      200 pts

2 arty ACW (8 crew)                  24 pts

2 cav ACW                                    8 pts

Total                                          302 pts

TeemuL: That's a great way to end a Challenge, Bruce, and thanks for being part of the Thor's Day crew! You have smashed your original target, well done. I really like your Queen and Spies, very characterful minis and great brushwork on them, good work. It is also nice to see your ACW project going on and I think the colour variation is key to reality and shows that they are painted by hand and not by a machine, should look great on the table. Have a nice time in the South!

From TomL: True Crime for 70 points

Guiding us to the True Crime stacks of the library via the cart is The Duchess - a woman who knows her way around the underside of the city.  Duchess is from Crooked Dice Miniatures and was painted using Foundry and Two Thin Coat paints.

 

These boys are experts at robbery, smash and grab and general violence.  The "Criminal Firm" set is also from Crooked Dice Miniatures and was painted using Foundry and Two Thin Coat acrylics.

 

 

Points: 70.
6 28mm figures @ 5 = 30
Library Cart = 20
True Crimes section = 20

From Millsy: I really like "The Firm" Tom, especially the faded denim effect you have achieved on their jeans. I certainly wouldn't want them muscling in on my turf! I can't be sure from the photo but it looks like you have done a faded effect on the hair of the duchess which is pretty cool if that's correct. Nice work all around.