Well this week was a painting success. 15 models finished and a few more well on there way. On the other hand, I think we also saw the last set of purchases before this challenge ends.
So lets take a look at the finished models! First up we have the USMC Force Recon set from Eureka Models. These guys are pretty cool, slightly older style gear than my previous models. The .50cal is going to be fun to use and also was a cool model to base. Tempted to buy some more and a ghille suits to them to give the UKSF some longer range punch. The only issue is that these models are about a head smaller than Empress or Spectre but match up to Radio Dishdash. If anyone asks, they are from South East Asia
Next, we have Empress PLA Special Forces. I wanted to do something different than the camo everyone else had and so went with urban/night time clothing of navy blue clothing with black vest. I did the blue by darkening down some Kantor blue, applyingĀ two coats of it and then drybrushing the undarkened colour. Overall, fun models to paint and should be cool to have as an alternative to the Western black ops troops
Finally, I got round to painting the first of the VIPs figures I have. This is one of my weak points – no webbing to hide their clothing and often no gun or head gear. However, I’m relatively happy with my first attempt. Doing a suit meant careful work to fill in the shirt and then adding the tie colours. Face details follow then a liberal grey drybrush to give the black some depth and make it look painted. These guys, along with the VIPs I have on the way, are just waiting to be piling out of SUVs and fighting off ambushers.
As for new purchases, well, its that time where Spectre reveal a few more figures. This time, they have added a load to the Task Force Operators range, with a new dog team, a breacher (who I spotted at Salute earlier this year) and a figure with a pirate gun M79. I also picked up a few operators (both standard and marksmen) I hadn’t grabbed before. As a fan of Strike Back, I was also really excited to see the Deniable Operators turn up. With modded AKs and civilian gear, these guys will be used as everything from Russian contractors to undercover SF to well equipped survivors. To make sure the order got over the free postage, I also added two African Soldiers with special weapons. This brings the squad up to 7 figures, perfect for a colonial nation mimickingĀ the French system or leaving space in the vehicle for a Western SF advisor. I also managed to get some Airfix 1/48 scale vehicles at a ridiculously low price but I’m not adding them yet – need to see if I have time to assemble AND paint them seeing as I have to source some crew for them. They might end up being a post challenge reward – a kit with a bit deeper instructions than a simple bit of super glue.
Looking ahead, this will be my last set of purchases for a while – Christmas coming up means everything slows down. But, I am going to have plenty of time to paint when I’m back in Leeds over Christmas break and so should just finish the challenge. Hopefully Santa bring some wargaming things. In addition, hopefully going to start back in on writing up AARs.
So how does the list stand?
Painted, varnished and based ā 165:
- 38Ā Empress ā Modern British Infantry
- 14Ā Spectre ā UKSF (of various types)
- 6 Spectre ā Task Force Operators (painted as SAS) + 1 Spectre Dog
- 10Ā Spectre ā AK armed contractors
- 5 Spectre ā Western Contractors (being used as US Special Forces)
- 11 Spectre ā Task Force Operators (being used as US Army Rangers
- 2 Spectre ā Intelligence Agents
- 5 Spectre ā African Soldiers
- 4Ā Empress ā Armoured Troopers
- 4 Empress ā US SEAL Team 6
- 8 Spectre ā Task Force Operators (To be split between UKSF and Rangers)
- 17 Radio DishDash ā Ā Taliban
- 4 Spectre Direct Action GRU
- 14Ā Spectre ā Insurgents
- 4 Empress ā US Frogmen
- 1 Eureka – Taliban Sniper
- 2 Spectre ā Hostages
- 1Ā Evil Bear Wargames ā Hardsuits
- 1 Eureka – Force Recon .50cal Sniper
- 6 Eureka – US Force Recon
- 4Ā Empress ā PLA Special Forces
- Spectre ā 1 VIP and 3 Bodyguards
In the process of being painted, varnished and based ā 22 :
- 1 Empress ā Dog for Counter-IED Team ā Based, needs painting
- 1 Spectre ā Dog ā Based, needs washing
- 1 Empress ā Warrior IFV āĀ Repainted in Desert Tan
- 1 Spectre ā UKSF (ghille suit with M4)
- 5 Spectre ā Western ContractorsĀ (Converted with Shemaghs)
- 7 Spectre ā Task Force Contractors (To be split between UKSF and Rangers)
- 5 Spectre Covert Action GRU
- 1 Evil Bear Wargames – Panther – Base coated in Desert Tan
Basecoated with Basing Materialā 39:
- 1Ā Evil Bear Wargames ā Hardsuits
- 5 Hasslefree Miniatures ā Modern Troopers
- 8 Spectre ā SMG Armed Contractors
- 6 Spectre ā Intelligence Agents
- Spectre ā Female Contractor (Salute 2015 model)
- Spectre ā 1 Agitator and 1 Bodyguard
- 6 Spectre ā African Locals
- 2 Spectre ā Deniable Assets
- 8 Gripping Beast – Falklands War Brits
Basecoated ā 1:
- 1 Spectre āĀ Contractor (being converted)
Not Arrived ā 45:
- 3 Spectre – VIPs
- 4 Spectre – Close ProtectionĀ Agents
- 19 Spectre – MENA Militia
- 1 Spectre – Offroad SUV
- 2 Spectre – SUVs
- 2 Spectre – African Forces Special Weapons
- 6 Spectre -Deniable Operators
- 2 Spectre – Task Force Operators
- 2 Spectre – Task Force Operator Marksmen
- 2Ā Spectre – Task Force Operator Breachers
- 1 Spectre – Task Force Operator Dog Handler
- 1 Spectre – Task Force Operator Grenadier (pirate gun)
Total Models: 272
Models finished (Based, painted and varnished): 165
Percentage of collection finished: 60.66% painted
ExemptĀ (Not Arriving in time)Ā ā 28:
- 8 Radio DishDash DELTA Force
- 12 Radio DishDash US Army Rangers
- 8 Radio DishDash Somali Gunmen