Over the finish line

For the first time ever i have beaten my pre-challenge total(pending judges decision).

So a very happy painter i am indeed.

Here are my entries to push me over total.

The first one is this

 These are 6mm scale strips of trees to represent an orchard, they are from Baggage train and are very nice little castings in resin. These have sat around in a base colour of dark green for a couple of years, so now was the time to finish them. Easy enough, 2 levels of over-brushing on the trees in lighter shades of green, and the same on the base using brown.
6mm viking leader by Baccus for scale purpose only.

 I was not sure how to score these, so if the judges are happy with it, i will take a point for all 5 strips.

Next are 2 panzer 4 tanks from Battlefront, both nice sculpts and very detailed, these are the older models made from resin and metal.

Both have sat neglected as my existing painted panzer 4's are from forged in battle, and are slightly different in scale, however they can now join the ranks.
2 x 15mm vehicles = 12 pts

Okay, being a bit cheeky with this one, i present a single 15mm door gunner,by Battlefront.

 I had painted the loach around a year ago, and had left the door off with the intention of fitting the door gunner model that came with it. i found him in a drawer still naked metal on the sprue.
Here he is in all his glory, strapped into the chopper.
1 x 15mm infantry = 2 pts

Next are a pair of Cobra gunships also by Battlefront, these are the old models made from resin but with the new plastic blades.

 These are nice models although the new plastic model looks an awful lot easier to build and probably less prone to damage, a simple enough painting experience but the sheer amount of decals to be arranged is a chore, but worth the effort.
2 x 15mm vehicles = 12pts

Now these two have been used in many games and had been never taken past a basic green base coat.
Both were extras that came with the initial vietnam forces from Battlefront through wargames illustrated back in the day.

 I cant decide if they fall under scenery or vehicles, so as it seems fair and would be less in points i have decided on vehicle.
2 x 15mm vehicle = 12 points

And finally, the simplest of the lot, 4 Hetzer tank destroyers from Forged in battle. As usual very nice sculpt and casting, easy to paint.

 I have just noticed that i think i have glued the MG in the wrong place and have forgotten to paint the handles on the shovels, may have to change that.
4 x 15mm vehicles = 24 pts

So to sum up,
1 point for some trees
12 pts for 2 panzer 4
2 pts for a door gunner
12 pts for 2 cobras
12 pts for 2 hueys
24 pts for 4 hetzer's

which i think is 63 points.

Thank you all for looking and i hope you have managed to get to your personal challenge totals.

Arnhem

I have been ridiculously busy in the last few weeks so progress has been very slow.

However I got some more buildings nearer finished and did a quick layout for the game.

The whole layout 

And again 

And just for fun a german convoy passing through.

Arnhem 3

Got a little work done tonight but nothing major.

The SS platoons have been flocked and finished off the panzerwerfer platoon that's been sitting for months.

There's an interesting small objective marker in this batch too, but I leave it up to you guys to spot it, here they all are drying off before a couple of coats of Matt varnish.

Chow for now.

The year ahead

Well in between all the recent activity I have had a few moments to ponder where the brush goes next.

I have also decided what will go to other homes as I have too many projects and not enough time.

Hordes and uncharted seas have been binned, the former for financial reasons, the latter as I haven't enjoyed a single game of it!.

I will continue with the ridiculous challenge that is my collection of 15mm ww2 purely as I really enjoy painting them and like the look of the games in this scale. Which rules I use is another matter, it's FoW at the moment but I have a home brew set of rules that are fun and have looked at many others.

The 15mm mongol army has received some reinforcements so it will be revisited shortly. It can be used for many systems, my favourite being war master, but also impetus.

In 28mm I have many choices but I think the TAG Chinese may go. I have never gotten to grips with it and it may be a popular seller.

The curteys Chinese I picked up will be getting built, it's a cracking looking army with chariots and foot, big ostentatious banners etc. it's one I'm looking forward too.

My beloved celts/Gauls, what can I say, these are the reason I started historical gaming. There's a lot of work still to do on them but the finished article will look amazing.

Dark ages British. I don't know if I will build this one or not. Lots of current players have this already or similar, can't decide, one for the back burner.

Perry twins plastic figures. I have a box of these as I just wanted a dozen or so figures, but I can't help thinking it could be the start of yet another army.

Vikings, yet another started project that never got off the ground. I have painted up about 20 and can't decide where to go now.

20mm Germans, this one I'm really stuck with. I have some plastics and some cracking metal models but I can't get started. The desire to paint them just isn't happening, time for pastures new maybe.

6mm sci fi, loads of this but no one plays epic! It's only bonus being it doesn't take up much room. Another non decision there then.

So a few will go and a few will get done, no more new stuff getting bought as I'm still waiting on 2 kick starters from last year to start shipping the goods I've already paid for!  

To round off, looks like the busiest part of my little hobby this year will be my poor brushes and the sellers enclosure in eBay.

Who knows, this time next year I may have them all done LoL