Entry 8 - Vth Analogue Painting Challenge - 1 15mm Sci/Fi Vehicle

This next entry is for my son Rhys.  He's been getting 15mm Sci/Fi models as rewards for doing well at school.  He and I play Gruntz together.  Part of the deal is that I'll paint them for him, though he likes painting his models as well.

Light tank for Gruntz.

Entry 6 - Vth Analogue Painting Challenge - 6 28mm Haradrim Riders

This is my entry for the mounts and riders bonus round for the Analogue Painting Challenge.  These are six 28mm Haradrim from Games Workshop, for Lord of the Rings.  They are led by Suladan the Serpent Lord.  Suladan was killed by Eomer on the Pelenor.

Suladan with two infantrymen

28mm Barbarians

These are two 28mm Celtos barbarians that were given to Rhys years ago.  There were three in the package.  He asked me to paint two of them while he did the third.

Two barbarians, ready for action.

Entry 5 - Vth Analogue Painting Challenge - 8 Uruk-Hai

This is the final entry of Uruk-Hai for this challenge season, if for no other reason than the rest of my unpainted models have at least one color put on them already so are ineligible for inclusion in the challenge.

Entry 4 - Vth Annual Analogue Painting Challenge - 8 x 28mm Uruk-Hai pikes

This post is eight more Uruks for Isengard.  These are eight pikes, one of the stronger features of the army.  I actually don't play with them as much as they warrant because I hate the pikes in game.  I don't mean the rules are bad.  I hate that I am always stabbing myself with them or knocking them or other models over because of them.  The physical limitations are frustrating.

Entry 3 - Challenge - Bonus round: Cold

The first bonus round was themed: Cold.  These are each worth 50 points but, more importantly, are where you see some of the very best work in the challenge.  Competitors will often build dioramas and put extra love and attention into these entries.  I'm ahead of schedule this year so I had time to spend a bit more

This one was so obvious to me that I just had to go with it.  Villains and cold together made me think of a Dark Elf Cold One Knight.  The model is one of GW’s better efforts.  These are a huge improvement over the old models.  

Entry 2, Vth Painting Challenge - 8 Uruk-Hai swordsmen

"There were four goblin-soldiers of greater stature, swart, slant-eyed, with thick legs and large hands.  They were armed with short broad-bladed swords, not with the curved scimitars usual with Orcs; and they had bows of yew, in length and shape like the bows of Men.  Upon their shields they bore a strange device: a small white hand in the centre of a black field; on the front of their iron helms was set an S-rune, wrought of some white metal."

Eight swart, slant eyed gobin-soldiers.

Entry 1, Vth Annual Analogue Painting Challenge

This unit is six 28mm Romano-British levy from Gripping Beast.  I bought the starter army for Dux Brit from Too Fat Lardies and it includes 18 of these guys.  I had planned to paint the first six as my last entry in last year's challenge but ran out of time.  I finished them up after it was over, and haven't painted a thing since then other than some of my son's 15mm Sci/Fi.

Six levy from Gripping Beast.

It finally begins. The painting challenge is underway

The Vth annual challenge has begun and I'm off.  Having barely touched a brush in the last six months I am starting off with a small batch, just to get the juices flowing.  I've planned out my painting to reach my goal of 650 points.  Each entry is sitting in a group on the book shelf with an index card showing me when they have to be done.

WiP Romano Brits

This is the last time you will see these lads until they are displayed on the painting challenge blog.

In the mean time I've got quite the selection of models coming up.  Uruk-Hai, 15mm Sci/Fi, Celts, U.S. WWII GIs, Rohan, WW II German infantry, and a planned entry for each of the bonus rounds.  This year the majority of the painting will be the Celts since I want to get that army onto a good foundation.

It felt great to start putting paint to lead.  That first brush stroke was liberating.  I'm glad this has finally started.

A hobby weekend

Last weekend was looking to be a tame, stay at home and not do much sort of affair.  That lasted until 5th Monday (sometimes known as Friday in places that aren't my work) kicked in and the work crew decided we needed beers to help ease the pain.  So far, a not uncommon tale for the end of a week.

All New! Painting Challenge gets its own page! Read all about it!

The Vth annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge is getting ready to kick off on December 5th.  As befits this pillar of the game community, Curt has given the Challenge its own blog.

The Painting Challenge page will now be located at its own address.  Curt is working on getting the first four year's content loaded into it as well so it will be the one stop shop for all things Challenge related.

The first post starts off in fine fashion by listing all of the participants (72!) as well as their stated goals and links to their blogs, if they have them.  Curt also provides some demographic data, which I always find interesting.

I love this idea.  It will give the Challenge a permanent space on the web which should really allow it to gain the attention it deserves.

Vth annual Analogue Painting Challenge

Based on my hobby activity over the last few months it would be insane of me to participate this year.  I've only gamed twice.  I haven't painted since the spring.  I haven't assembled a single model since last winter.  Of course I threw my hat in the ring.

Since there's no logical reason for me to think this is a good idea, I wend ahead and upped the bet and raised my goal by 50 points, to 650.  I barely cleared the 600 mark last year so this makes perfect sense.

The Challenge starts on December 5th.  Details can be found on Curt's blog, Analogue Hobbies.  The rules are the same as last year with a few added twists.  Curt is all sorts of clever, which makes my head hurt, but should make this the best challenge yet.

I'm madly assembling and prepping models this weekend.  I have tons of assembled and primed models already, so of course none of them will do.  We are headed into winter here so I need to get things primed while the weather is warm enough.  Once the cold sets in priming involves holding my breath in the basement.

Just the thought of the challenge has breathed new life into my hobby account.  Now I just need to keep it rolling for the next five months.  Should be easy enough.

Gruntz Batrep - Rear guard action

This report is from a game Nick and I played a week ago.  Both of us were a little rusty, but the rules came back pretty quickly.

The Lt didn't like how this briefing was going.  By the look on his face, neither did Capt Al Tharki.  Things had been going great.  They'd fought the United Nebula Space Command (UNSC) peace keepers and pushed them back.  The Federation's own recon units were in other areas so they had been fighting mercenaries of one unit or another and more than holding their own.

The abandoned base.  Only the scouts and snipers are in residence.

Updated Online army builder page

I've not had energy for much of anything gaming the last month.  I've played a couple of games of Gruntz with Rhys as well as a few X-Wing games.  Nothing worth blogging about.  I've also not picked up a paint brush in so long I'm not sure I remember how.

I did update the online army builder page on my Manufacturer links page, however.

I've got a couple of games scheduled in the next week so I will hopefully have something worth posting soon.  Perhaps they'll even get my mojo back.

Gruntz Batrep - Patrol action on Malvee

Rhys played his first game of Gruntz the other day.  He has been collecting his army slowly over the last couple of months and I've been painting them for him.  He gets units or vehicles as rewards for being good at school.  As I've mentioned before, Rhys is special needs and having that goal helps.  I print out a picture of the model he's aiming for that week and put it in his folder so the teacher can remind him of his goal when necessary.

The buildings are from the Ion Age line.  I need to take a moment to gush here.  I've seen them online, and they look good, but I was not prepared for the quality of what I got.  These are on a par with the best in the business.  Sharp, clean and clever.  Buy some.  You will not regret it.  the turrets that come with these fit on their vehicles as well, giving you a huge number of options for both vics and buildings.

The following battle report is a squad level game between Rhys' Raiders and the 47th Infiltration Company.  We played on a single 2ft x 2ft table tile.

Star Wars Armada - Coming soon

Fantasy Flight Games has just announced another game off of their Star Wars license.  Star Wars Armada, scheduled for release in early 2015, will bring fleet battles to the table top.

Picture from Fantasy Flight Games.  

Captain Raouf Al-Tharki - 47th Infiltration Company

Captain Raouf Al-Tharki, recently promoted from command of the 47th Infiltration Company's infantry platoon, now commands the 47th Company, 12th Al-Thani Infiltration Battalion.

Rebel Minis Sahadeen officer.

A bit of Star Wars Silliness

I came across this awhile ago and forgot to post.

What's your Star Wars name?

15mm Sci/Fi - Rhys' Raiders Bug APC

The Raiders are well known on the battlefields of the Fury March.  They are masters at combined arms, using tanks, infantry and mechs in close cooperation.  They use a common hull for both tanks and APCs, simplifying their logistics and maintenance.

The Bug APC is the standard model APC for the Raiders.  Able to carry ten fully equipped infantry/scouts it is fast and nimble.  

Bug APC of Rhys' Raiders.

Gruntz 15mm - Earth Force APC

I buy a lot of stuff from Rebel Minis.  They are located in the US, so no extortion from the Royal Mail.  They have great service and good sculpts, including my favorites, the Viper mechs.  I've built quite a bit of my 15mm collection out of their models.  They boys both want their own models and due to all of the above factors I ordered theirs from Rebel.

Rhys got his first, which is what drove Owyn's "need" for models of his own.  They both earned infantry right off the bat.  They had to be good at school to get their rewards, and one bad day cancelled the whole week.  Rhys' infantry can be found in this post.  He wanted them to look like clones.

To sweeten the deal I also bought them each a couple of vics.  Just like the infantry I queued up all of the various vehicles on the web site and let them choose what they wanted.  Rhys chose the Earth Force APC.

Turtle Mk 1 tank.

In Her Majesty's Name - Manufacturers updated

I've been studying for a professional certification at work.  The kind where they fire you if you don't get it.  Pretty much all of my free time has been spent on that, oddly, however I did take a couple of minutes to update the links on my Manufacturers page, specifically for the Steam Punk / VSF sellers.

Please check it out, as well as all of the others.  If you have any to add that I have missed I'd be happy to throw them on there.

Bloggers for Charity

For anyone interested in the French and Indian War (FIW) or Queen Anne's war as it was known, this is a chance to pick up some very nice, painted, figures for a reasonable price.  Or, if you are awesome, to pay way too much for said figures as they are for charity.

Please go over to the Bloggers for Charity site and bid on one, (or more) of the lots and make this a success.

Here are some of the pictures on my painting table.

Edit:  Someone has bid 15 quid on my entry.  I'm pleased that they have been that well received.  I wish you well of them.

The XX Legion

I'm currently in the UK for a brief vacation.  We stopped in Bath a couple of days ago and one of the exhibits talked about the XX Legion.  Their symbol was the boar and there is the remains of a carving as well as a re-creation of what it would have looked like when it was created.

An actual boar of the XXth Legion, recovered at Bath.

The Police sketch artist version of the boar.

History - WWI Marine discharge papers

For Christmas my parents got me a discharge certificate for a Marine from WWI.  I just recently got it framed and mounted.

This is hand written, with the personal information added later.  It is signed by the Commandant, Major General George Barnett.

Major General George Barnett

I know nothing about Harry Haffner, other than that he served aboard Parris Island, so did not fight in France.  This is a fascinating piece of history and I'm pleased to have it.  Once the basement gets finished this will hang on one of the walls of the man cave.

Exeter or Bust!

In a week the family and I will be heading back to ol' Blighty for an eight day vacation.  It's hard to believe that we haven't been back in ten years now.  We'll be staying down around Exeter, except for two nights in London on the way home.  If any of my British readers have any "must see's" down in the South West, I'd love to have your recommendations.

Terrain - Country roads

I've been on a roll this weekend, cranking out all kinds of stuff and even finishing some things up.  The big thing is the completion of the first seven dirt road sections.  I started these months ago but finally got back to them.

The Empire's finest walking along a dirt road.

Liebster Award

I'ts been a busy week with more social events than are normal for me.  Spending time with real people meant that I did not spend the usual time with you fine folks.  So imagine my surprise when I went through my blog roll and found that I had been nominated for not just one, but two Liebsters.

Memorial Day

It is Memorial Day in the United States.  It's a three day weekend and Americans traditionally go camping and have BBQs on this day.  It's also the day we honor those who have fought and died for us.  As always today I'll be presenting you with my friend John Maloney.

LotR Battle Report - Harad vs Dol Amroth and Wood Elves

A couple of weeks ago four of us got together to play some Lord of the Rings.  This was not an ordinary gathering.  Keith, who introduced me to the game, and Tim, who used to manage Collectormania were both there.  As well, Steve, a long time denizen of the shop.  This was a special night because Keith has been working out of town for the last two years.  I haven't seen much of Tim or Steve in the same amount of time.  It was great to sit down with three old friends and just play a game.

My battleline with Steve's Mumak on the right.

Romano British Levy

I've completed the first six models for my Romano British force for Dux Brit and Hail Caesar.  These are Gripping Beast models, purchased from Too Fat Lardies.  There were a lot of models in that purchase.

The leader of the six levy.

Astounded, Amazed, Awestruck - The tale of an Easter basket

Chris over at Sippin' On Paint Water had an Easter basket giveaway on his blog.  Please check out Chris' blog.  I don't say this because he gave me stuff and I feel obligated.  I say this because his War in Africa posts set the benchmark for building a story, setting a scene and tying it all together.  If we all go and study his methods then our blogs will all be more interesting to read.

It was the end of a very long day when I on his blog and saw my avatar staring back at me.  I have to admit to several moments of confusion.  I actually closed the tab and went back to my blog roll and clicked again.  When I saw the same thing staring back at me it hit me, I'd won.  After squealing like a little girl I set about sending off my address to Chris.  Several weeks later I received a fair sized box in the mail.  This is what was contained therein.

Chuckles was on the top of the basket.  His carrot was broken and he'd lost his head in all of the excitement.  Good as new now.

Gruntz Battle Report - The Battle of Ifs

Lt Al-Tharki's orders were simple, right up his alley.  He was to take his reinforced platoon and clear the village of Ifs.  United Nebular Space Command (UNSC) peace keepers had been spotted moving towards the village and Division didn't want them sticking their noses into this area.  The Meddlers were reported to have a couple of their Paladin tanks, "Peacekeepers my ass", Al-Tharki thought.  Due to the heavy enemy armor, 1st Plt was being reinforced by a single Babylon tank.  Al-Tharki hoped it was enough.

Ariel recon of the approaching UNSC forces.

Mech Factory - The Crusader

I couldn't resist assembling the other mech from the kit.  Have to start with desert, you may not live through dinner.  This is the Crusader, or whatever it's Macross name was.

The 1/100th Macross - Crusader.  (Yes, I understand the irony).

Rhys' 15mm army

Rhys has desperately been wanting his own models.  The problem is that the few he's had he has played with like they were lego or army men, and they've ended up broken and lost.  He has also been known to play with mine, almost always with catastrophic results.

Rhys has been having some behavior issues at school.  They were talking about putting him on a behavior plan, the first step in their kicking him out of school altogether.  We are fairly certain his issues are all to do with his SPET teacher, since he has been fine in the past and is fine when he is not under her care.  Pondering ways to keep him motivated to behave until the old bat retires I decided that it was time for Rhys to start his first army.

Rhys' clone troopers.

A worthy cause

There are many worthy causes in the world.  Some help those in serious need, such as Bloggers for Charity.  Others help to feed intellectual growth, and share the love we all have for this hobby.  This post is about the latter.

Mech Factory - The Warhammer

I've made some progress on assembling the Mech Factory.  I couldn't resist getting the Warhammer put together.  This is one of my all time favorite mechs, so I just had to see it in person.

The Warhammer next to a Medium mech from Rebel minis.

Owyn's first model

Owyn has been playing D&D with his brother.  His first character was a thief.  He got frustrated by the fact that he was squishy and didn't fight very well.  For his second character he decided that he wanted a fighter.

Lips pursed in concentration.

Mech Factory - The Contents

A recent purchase, 30 years in the making, recently arrived.  I couldn't be happier.  John Bear Ross made this find, and shared it on the 15mm Sci/Fi Facebook page.  As soon as I saw it I was taken back to my childhood.  This was something that I had wanted desperately but could not afford.  I'd looked at it in the store for two years before giving up.

A big box of awesome.

Gruntz AAR - Resource Raid

Last week we got in another game of Gruntz.  This was a 1v1 game between the Traveller and I.  Yet again, we really enjoyed the rules, although we are still making some mods.  We both agree that smoke is a must; something I haven't been able to find in the rules.

Drone shot used in pre-mission briefing.

Off the rails

I'm going to go way off topic tonight.  It's not that I don't have gaming stuff to talk about, I do, and it's awesome.  It's just that several things have come together lately that I need to talk about.  This will not be pretty and it will not be the usual.  It will, likely, not be interesting for most of you.

The Analogue Painting Challenge Retrospective

The annual Analogue Painting Challenge is over.  It passed in a flash, and yet the beginning feels like it was years ago.  As is traditional, and true to my character, it's time for a quick retrospective of what I accomplished.

This year's banner.

Painting Challenge XVII - Entry fee model

The Fourth Annual Analogue Painting Challenge is wrapping up and I finally got my entry fee painted.  The theme this year was Sam Peckinpah movies and the entry fee was a model from one of those movies.

A French lancer in Maximillian's service.  About to die gloriously in a muddy river in Mexico.

Gruntz AAR

Last Sunday we played a big game of Gruntz, two players to a side, 500 points each.  Nick, of Little Nicky's Gameroom was on one side with a new player, Kurt.  I was partnered up with the Traveller for his second game.  I brought an extra army in the hopes of sucking someone new in so Kurt was able to try out the rules.

The invaders, an alliance of Principate Rangers Nick's other dudes.

Painting Challenge XVI - Bonus Round - Last Stand

  Here’s my entry for the Last Stand.  It’s Boudicca being done in by a Roman auxiliary all in 28mm.  Boudicca’s ultimate fate is not recorded, but I prefer to believe that she died fighting on the field of the Battle of Watling Street.

Top view showing all three models.

Gruntz BAR (Before Action Report)

Lieutenant Al-Tharki was roused from a restless sleep by the beeping of the com unit in his APC.  Pulling himself off of an uncomfortable bed of web gear and robes he rotated towards the radio.  "Red Snake 6, this is Black Snake.  Come in, over".  Red Snake 6 lifted the com unit and spoke, "Black Snake 6, this is Red 6. Go.  Over".  "Unidentified units are landing at 345AB12794358, 20 klicks north of you".  "Investigate, report and engage.  Out". 

Lieutenant Al-Tharki switched channels and ordered, "All Red Snake units, mount up.  We're OM (On the Move), in fifteen minutes.

The 47th Company, 12th Caliphate Infiltration Bn was going to find out who had come to join the party. 

I'm off to play a game of Gruntz.  Stay tuned to find out who the 47th discovers at the LZ.

Painting Challenge XV

This entry is a 15mm Mech from Critical Mass Games.  It was part of their Kickstarter to expand the ZAS mercenaries.  It’s a big chunky resin walker with a nice few options.  They make two versions of this mech.  

Mech from CMG.

Painting Challenge XIV

This is another missed opportunity on my part.  These were intended for the casualty bonus round but then I had to go out of town at the last minute and didn’t have time to finish them.  I was also delayed because these are my first Celts and I vapor locked on doing patterns.  I just couldn’t picture what I wanted.  A few hours spent going through some of the great blogs I follow finally gelled it for me and I was off to the races.  I actually enjoyed painting these, so perhaps I should knock some more out while that feeling is strong.

Three dying Celts.  

Steampunk Silliness

I found this over on John's Toy Soldiers Blog.  It's a silly, but fun, little name generator.

What will my name be?  Let's see, after the jump.

Painting Challenge XIII - Favorite Character Bonus Round

I pondered for a few weeks trying to figure out what to paint for this round.  In the end I plumped for Aragorn.  As a teenager, reading the Lord of the Rings, Aragorn was a true heroic character.  His selflessness, courage, compassion and skill were all features that I found worthy of emulation, and in fact, influenced my development into the man I am today.  To this day, Aragorn is still one of my favorites.  Uncomplicated by any of the current fad for anti-heroes, he’s just a well developed character with widely admirable traits.  It seems fitting that Aragorn will take me above my challenge goal. 

Old Stuff Day

Today, March 2nd is Old Stuff Day.  In the blogging arena that means pulling out some of your old classics to share with a new audience, or share again with long time readers.

Paint Table Saturday 2

Here's my second entry for Sofie's Paint Table Saturday.  It's been a few weeks since my last one, so at least I've made some progress since last time.

Painting Challenge XII

Here’s my last WWII entry for the challenge.  This round consists of five more 28mm WWII GIs from Warlord.

All 25 GIs, ready to roll.

Next Project

Tonight's just a teaser.  I don't normally show WiP pictures but it's been awhile since I had anything to show and my next entry in the painting challenge hasn't been posted yet.

What are they?

These were a quick bit of work tonight.  They'll get wrapped up in the next couple of days, then back to painting models for the challenge.