From AdamW. A last huzzah! (272 PTS)

 I'm pleased to squeeze these in before the end of the challenge.  After doubling my original goal, I gave myself the luxury of prepping some figures, so didn't think I'd get these finished, so a nice little bonus.

My last entry is some 15mm American Civil War Cavalry, mounted and dismounted.  

I already have a pile of these on bases that just need flocking, and these lot needed painting up to join them.

There are four units of mounted and four dismounted in this batch, with a mixture of figures. There are minifigs,  a load of Essex, a couple of Peter pig and a load I don't recognise at all.

It does add another Squirrel, although my first attempt at Squirreling is poor.  That is also a good thing as I remained focused and painted what I needed to paint, rather than paint a whole load of odd bits just to increase my count of the fluffy tailed chaps.

My second AHPC and another successful one.  Having a dedicated painting station makes life so much easier, meaning I can dip in for the odd five minutes while the kettle is boiling.

Hope to see you all again next year, where I will either be deep in the middle of my first proper 25mm project, or knocking out some old 15mm bits to have a break. Thanks to the Overlord and all the minions for their hard work.

Four of the mounted cavalry where old, bashed about but painted, so just needed touching up, so I haven't counted them in my points total.

15mm Cavalry x 44 @4pts = 176

15mm foot       x 48 @2pts = 96

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Total                                      272 pts  + 1 Squirrel

From DaveD . Well done Adam thatsa lot of blue! Great to see them both mounted and dismounted too. Is there a Custer in there somewhere? This takes you over 2500 points a fine tally indeed well done.

From AdamW: In the jungle, the mighty jungle......15mm Jangalis 370 pointed.

This weeks entry is ten units of Jangalis for my Dunsterforce campaign.

I'd be surprised if many of you have heard of the Jangalis. They were the fighters of the 'Jangal (Forest or Jungle) movement'.  This was a movement setup against the monarchist central government of the Sublime State of Iran in Gilan and lasted from 1915 to 1921.

In October 1915, Mirza Kuchik Khan, an experienced activist in the pro-democracy and nationalist Constitutional Revolution, launched the Jangal movement, which was broadly religiously Shia Muslim, in the forests of Gilan, demanding autonomous status for the province, an end to central government corruption, an end to foreign interference in affairs of local peoples, and land reform.

The British didn't get on to well with them and after a failed assassination attempt on Mirza, they were not to keen to allow the British, in the form of Dunsterforce, to pass through Gilan on their expedition.

I have gathered the figures from a variety of sources, to represent the varied dress of the Persian/Trans-caucas people.  There is little information available, but I have gone for a non-uniformed force with a variety of dress and headgear.

The majority of figures are Blue Moon 15mm from their North West Frontier range, mixed in with some Peter pig Russian civil war figures and the odd minifig.  There is a pack of Blue Moon Cossack Guards, who stand head and shoulders above the rest.

My first pic is a cautionary tale. When picking up a can of varnish, make sure it is varnish and not white undercoat.  I know I have been inspired with all the winter units being posted, but I wasn't really wanting to start an army.

After much swearing and repainting, here they are all ready for action. I tried to get a few close ups as well as the usual bulk pics.

Become we come to the points, I wanted to share a tip that may help anyone new to painting an irregular force to get a nice variety in colours.

I always stick 6 figures to a wooden tongue depressor stick. Traditionally the way to paint a mixed force was to mount the figures of the same pose together and then paint every fifth or so jacket with a colour throughout the army. Then repeat with another colour and so on.

Recently I have found it quicker to mix up the figures on a stick so they are all different poses or clothing etc. (depending how many different figures you have).

The idea is to then paint all the figures on one stick the same colour scheme ie the same colour jacket, another colour for the trousers etc. There  may be some added variance if they have a colourful hat, or are in shirt rather than jacket, but in general they are all dressed in the same coloured clothes.

This process is repeated across the army with how many colour schemes you fancy, for example I think I used eight different jacket colours and six different trousers. Combine that with hat colours and great variance is made very easily.

 

When they are all painted, mix the figures up again and you are done . I have found this a  farquicker method and I've ended up with  no two figures the same.

Points

180 15mm figures @2pts = 360 pts

One squirrel.

That should me through my target :)

Not sure I'll have the next lot of figures ready for next week as I'm away this weekend, but I will try!

From DaveD. Oh these are right up my Back of Beyond street alright . Nice to see a decent mass of them too .i think your process for painting them and mixing it work is a great idea -its worked well . 370 it is . Indeed that is you through your target - time to double I say !

From AdamW:'Fez up and other khaki adventures -15mm (321pts)

 This weeks entry is a mixture of periods, WW1 and the first Balkan War 1912, so hopefully picking up my second squirrel.

Apologies in advance for the photography, colouring and quality, and for how rough the figures look in the close up shots :)

Most of these figures have been picked up second hand, reducing other gamers lead mountains, without reducing my own.  The MG and firer are new figures added especially for Dunsterforce to complement the already published mobile MG mounted Model T fords.

The first completed units are five units of Turkish/Ottoman infantry for the Balkan Wars. They are in the blue uniform of the reserve 'Redif' regiments. Mostly with the red fez, but a few with the later khaki one for variety. 

The figures are mainly minifigs with a few other odd unknown makes, and are made up of Turks and Egyptian figures.

Next up is a unit of Serbian infantry for the Balkan wars.  Just the one unit that I picked up at a show with a couple of generic (probably RCW) officers added in. The chap selling them wasn't sure what they were. It is possible they are actually some of ranger/pioneer infantry from a much earlier period.

I have no Serbian infantry for the Period yet, so these are seriously outnumbered.

Lastly we have four MG units for Dunsterforce in WW1. Another mishmash of figures, mainly Peter Pig and minifigs.  I seem to remember it being half points for a sitting down figures, but I have ignored that as I thought the MG would balance it out. Feel free to alter if needed :)

Points

90 Ottoman infantry @ 2pts = 180pts

18 Serbian infantry @ 2pts = 36 pts 

50 WW1 British @2pts = 100 pts

Total pts = 316pts

From DaveD. Adam is off with a kaboom this morning . That’s a whole load of figures , which is what we like to see . Excellent effort. Reanimating other gamers lead piles is I guess all part of our glorious hobby , One man’s lead mountain turned into another’s armies is just the job. I will top you up for the multiple flags - that 321.pts to you tally . 

From GrahameH: 15mm Early World War One German Infantry Peter Pig (384 points)

Probably my last entry this year as I am not likely to finish this army until the weekend.

These are 15mm Peter Pig Early World War One German infantry structured to use with the Rapid Fire Rules. Hence scaling of 1 figure represents 15 men. Each battalion therefore, of which there are 3, has 64 figures divided into four companies and an HQ. 

There isn't much point publishing too many photos as the figures are mainly the same so below is an example of a company and an HQ group. 

A company which contains 15 figures 

HQ with a CO and 3 men 

I have some artillery, a Jager Battalion and the RHQ left to be painted at the weekend. 

Then I need to decide whether to make this a Brigade size army of six battalion and add a cavalry regiment. Obviously the sensible answer is, to leave it as it is, but who needs sensible!!!

Total points for this entry 384pts

TeemuL: Nice and simple entry from Grahame, in other words half an army. Not as varied models as your Samurai armies, but it must take some focus to paint that amount of quite similar minis, but I guess you are used to that already. You get close to 5000 with this post, surely a motivator to finish and publish little bit something to get over that honourable line.

I'm loving angels instead. (Angels Sphere) 36pts

My last entry for Dante's challenge is for the Angels sphere.  This is the last in the 18 circles and spheres and I'm pleased to have managed to get them all done. The extra 360pts was handy as well :)

It was a lot of fun finding ways to fit the themes, even if it did distract me from grinding out some armies.

For Angels, I first thought of nurses and I originally intended to make up a field hospital, with some nuns assisting in a nursing capacity. 

However, time constraints have meant I have decided just to do the nuns for now to complete the challenge.  Funnily enough the game I put on this week (A battle of the Vendee war 1793) required some nuns. The only ones we have are pushing bicycles, so this spurred me on to get some without modern contraptions.

They were a nice simple paint after the complexities of the Samurai.

This may or may not be my last post of the challenge as I may t paint some more bits this week, but I may also start some bigger projects that will take longer.

Anyway. here they are,15mm nuns from Peter Pig.

Points

8 x 15mm foot@2pts = 16pts

Angels bonus = 20pts

Total 36 pts

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Wow, congratulations Adam on making it through all the locations of Hell and Heaven! When sketching out the themes I didn't know if many could complete them all over the three months, but I'm delighted that you proved it can be done. 

I think offering nuns as 'angels' is a perfect interpretation of the theme - bravo! I also like the sound of your 1793 Vendee War game. I'm sure these angels helped dress the table and tell a story within the game. Well done!

- Curt

From AdamW: What did I do wrong? What do I see in him? (The contemplatives) (30 points)

 My second sphere entry this week is for the Contemplatives.  This one I, Ironically, spent a lot of time contemplating.  Until recently I was going to use one of the ACW general groups stood around the table contemplating the battle ahead.

I looked at the Sphere and found that it is 'Associated with contemplation and the souls of those who were contemplative in their earthly lives'.

So an alternative idea came to mind.  The below vignette features the unlucky(?) chap in the stocks contemplating what he has done wrong in life.

Whilst the two chaps pelt him with whatever they have in their hands, a lone female stands by watching. Maybe she is the wife of the man in the stocks, stood quietly contemplating what she did to deserve such an unlucky husband.

The chap in the stocks is from Donnington miniatures at Ancient and Modern Army supplies. The lady is a Peter pig model.  I think the other two are ships crew from Capitan Miniatures at Stonewall Figures.

Points

4 x 15mm foot@2pts = 8pts

The contemplatives bonus = 20pts

Total 28pts 30 points

The Challenge theme this year has definitely inspired you, Adam! Another fabulous interpretation, a fun idea well executed. I really have loved your contributions, and this one is no exception. Let's round it off to 30 in honour of your creativity. Very well done!

Martijn

From AdamW: A clash of clans (the Just Rulers) (64 points)

 As the challenge gets close to the end I have concentrated on finishing the last few Spheres of Heaven to make a full set. 

This entry is for 'The Just Rulers' sphere.  I tried to think of a just ruler that follows a code and the law, and I thought of the great Samurai leaders. They led by example in combat so, to me, they were 'just'.

One of our group wants to put on some Samurai battles. Luckily I don't have to paint any armies as they are a fiddly bunch.  I had planned to paint a load of 3D printed buildings for the challenge, but now terrain doesn't count I've left that till later.

The 15mm figures here are all bits I had with the aim of making some command groups and some other interesting bits and bobs. So an existing project rather than something new.

My entry is for the two command areas, but I have lumped in the other bits to save putting up another post.

The figures are a mixture of Peter Pig, and Museum miniatures. The latter are a bit bigger so I've kept the two types separate.

1st Command group

If you're not on the list you're not coming in.

2nd Command group

Wishing they had worked harder at school.

Big loud drums and those conch things.

Peter Pigs smaller drum...Although carrying it while its being played doesn't look fun.

Small weapons/camp scene.

Samurai confronts the Amazon delivery man.

Points

9 x Command group figures @2pts = 18pts

The Just Rulers bonus @20pts        = 20pts

13 x other foot @2pts                      = 26pts

Total                                                    64pts

Oh, these are nice Adam! What a lovely bunch of varied figures. I love the command groups (the map is fantastic!), but the odds and ends are very great too. The chaps with the drums and the two porters are very nice indeed! As I love how you set up the figures in their little dioramas (very atmospheric), I'll use my last Friday prerogative and give you something extra for those, so 70 points for you. Good job!

Martijn

From AdamW: A nasty habit (The Warriors of Faith) (50pts)

 My second Sphere of heaven entry this week is for the Warriors of Faith. This is a nice straightforward one with no stretching of the imagination needed.

I suddenly realised I needed to crack on with the Heaven entries as the end of the challenge looms at speed.

As with most of these entries they are being done for fun to meet the challenge, but with the intention of using them in a game somewhere along the line.

With that in mind I have pulled together a unit of 15mm monks of various denominations, shapes and sizes. The figures are a mainly Peter Pig, with a few spear armed monks from Ancient and Modern army supplies, and some old minifigs(?) shoved in to make up the numbers. A couple of them have muskets so are ideal for 18th century, but if you look the other way they could be spears and usable for medieval or dark ages.

Points

15 x 15mm foot@2pts = 30 pts

Warriors of faith bonus = 20pts

Total = 50pts

As sou say, a fairly straihgtforward one, Adam. Nicely done, they are lovely figures and they take the paint very well. They look more than ready and willing to knock some Faith into anyone! Well done, 50 points for you.

Martijn

From AdamW: Up the Tigris (other rivers are available) (90 points)

 Similarly to the junks these are some old projects that I have had in boxes for some time.

These two 15mm gunboats will be employed in some Mesopotamia games, but hopefully will be employed in other theatres as well.

The first is a rear paddle steamer that I scratch built probably about twenty years ago. I decided to upgrade it a bit with some decking and rails and a few hasty repairs, before completely repainting it and adding some new crew.  It has plenty of flaws and is a bit childlike/amateur, but so am I :)

The second is a resin  model my friend gave me to revamp. I did have a search but couldn't find out who manufactured it. Some railings added and repairs also needed on this one before painting.

The photos definitely show up plenty of flaws, but it's two more pieces completed and ready for the table. The crew are a mixture of figures. mostly Peter Pig and QRF with a few odd minifigs and other unknown ones.

Points

Hopefully straightforward as the crew are all from a large batch of sailors I had already painted, so I am only claiming for the ships. On is 11" long and the other 10".

2 x 15mm gunboats @40pts = 80pts.

More great riverine goodies! I like these a lot Adam, you may think them an little toyish, but for me they perfectly represent the image of colonial gunboats! The little paddle steamer is especially nice. Yes, 40 points each seems about right, but I'll give you 10 extra for scratchbuilding, renovation and general coolness. So 90 points it will be. Now go find yourself a nice river to steam up!

Martijn