Monday 20 November 2017

The Eighth Annual Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge


As the days grow shorter and the temperatures dip below freezing, we here in the Canadian prairies start to think about the onset of winter which means snow, Christmas, snow, the New Year, snow and most likely a bit more snow before Spring arrives. For me, it also marks the start of a strange bit of madness, the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge!

This year marks the eighth edition of Challenge, which is something I thought would ever happen back when it was just me and a few other painters trying to make some headway through our unpainted Napoleonic collections. Now, with seven editions behind us, we have had hundreds of painters participate, working in virtually every scale and genre imaginable. The Painting Challenge has become a major part of my hobby life and I am mindful of the many good times and friendships which have stemmed from it. AND It's a nice way of whiling away the winter months. :)

Anyway, enough of the preamble, lets get on with the show.


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When I was reflecting on this being Challenge 8, I thought it would be fun to riff on the word 'eight' and to build a theme of ravenous, monstrous things that we all loved as kids (and, face it, many of us still do as adults).


So, Challenge VIII (or 'Challenge Ate') is dedicated to our most cherished, or feared, monstrous things. 



The Rules
The Challenge will extend from the beginning of Winter, 12:01 am December 20th , through to the first day of Spring, 11:59 pm March 20th, Central Standard Time.
Figures can be cleaned and primed prior to the start date, but you cannot start painting until December 20th. In order to be fully scored the figures should be based and any planned groundwork completed. The figures have to be painted by you. The Challenge follows the honour system in the completion and entry of figures. 
The figures can be in any scale and in any genre (pulp-adventure, science-fiction, fantasy, etc.).
In order to be scored, photos of all figures/units along with a short description must be uploaded to the Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge blog. Up-to-date scoring will be maintained on the blog's main page. I will send out an email to all Challengers prior to the event with further details.
Participants must have an entry submitted within the first month of the event (i.e. January 20th). Failure to do so will result in being dropped from the roster.
The Administrator (me) will participate, but my score will not have any standing in the Challenge (except for ridicule and any duels I'm silly enough to accept).

The Scoring
6mm foot figure = 0.5 point
6mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 1 point
6mm vehicle = 2 points
10mm foot figure = 1 point
10mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 2 points
10mm vehicle = 3 points 
15mm foot figure = 2 points
15mm mounted figure, artillery piece or large crew served weapon = 4 points
15mm vehicle = 6 points

20mm foot figure = 4 points
20mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 8 points
20mm vehicle = 12 points

28mm foot figure = 5 points

28mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 10 points
28mm vehicle = 15 points
40mm foot figure = 7 points
40mm mounted figure, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 15 points
40mm vehicle = 20 points 
54mm foot figure = 10 points
54mm mounted figures, artillery piece or crew served weapon = 20 points
54mm vehicle, limber, etc. = 30 points 
Other scales, miscellaneous models/figures will be scored on a submission-by-submission basis. 

New Insanity: Terrain Submissions

A new aspect to this year's Challenge will be the ability to submit terrain for scoring. This was a little tricky to figure out how to administrate easily, so I've tried to keep it simple: 

Think of a 6" cube. If your terrain piece (or collected terrain pieces) fill that cube, you get 20 points. If your terrain would 'fill' multiple 6" cubes, then multiply 20 points for each cube of volume. 


Terrain filling the 6" cube on the left would be worth 20 points. The composite group on the right, made up of eight cubes, would be worth 160 points.

Example 1: I've painted three 28mm barrels and six trees. They would roughly fill a single 6" cube. I would get 20 points for this. 

Example 2: I've constructed and painted a large 28mm manor that is approximately 12" wide, 14" long and 10" high. All in all, this would roughly take up 8 cubes worth of volume. This would give me 160 points.

Submissions of terrain should be sent in with a picture illustrating the scale of their work (a ruler laid alongside should do the trick). This will give your hard-working Minion a basis for scoring. Extra points for extra detail, scratch-built insanity, etc. will be left to the Minions to adjudicate as they see fit.  

The Minions

While I will serve as the master of ceremonies, I have also press-ganged a group of Minions to assist me in keeping this madhouse in order. Here are the poor sods, er, excellent fellows I've signed-up for this year's edition along with their day-in-the-sun:
  • SidneyR: Monday
  • SanderS: Tuesday
  • RayR: Wednesday
  • JamieM: Thursday
  • Curt: Friday
  • MichaelA: Saturday

Sundays will alternate for Theme Rounds and Theme Results (more on this below)

Challenger Personal Targets and Duels

Similar to previous years, I ask that each Challenger declare his/her points target that they hope to achieve by the March 20th deadline. Many participants have found this a great incentive to help maintain their pace over the three months of the Challenge. I encourage Challengers to pick a target that is just beyond your comfort zone, but still achievable. As a rough benchmark, 400 points is considered a manageable amount for someone who is new the the event and/or has a busy work/life schedule. Also remember that a significant amount of points can also be secured by participating in the Bonus Rounds (more on this below).


Relating to the points targets, many folks have a lot of fun issuing 'duels' to other participants in order to race to meet a declared target, paint the most figures for a specific period, etc. I leave this to the participants to organize, but we're happy to log the duels and keep track of their progress.


Point Thresholds & Prizes

There will be six point thresholds set out for the Challenge. Each time a participant reaches a Point Threshold his/her name will be entered for the prize drawn for that level. So, the more points you accumulate the more prizes you will be eligible for. We have many generous prize sponsors who I will introduce in a following post. The Threshold prizes will be drawn at the end of the Challenge.



Threshold I: 500 points


Threshold II: 750 points


Threshold III: 1000 points


Threshold IV: 1500 points


Threshold V: 2000 points


Threshold VI: 2500 points

There will also be prizes for the top three positions in points, Challengers' Choice, Judge's Choice and Sarah's Choice.

The Fortnight Theme Bonus Rounds

Same as previous years, we will have a series of thematic Bonus Rounds. Each Bonus Round asks Challengers to enter a submission that illustrates a particular theme. The Bonus Rounds are not mandatory, they are just a little bit of fun to pace out the the Challenge and allow people to gain some points and fame through presenting themed vignettes and single figures.


Those Challengers who submit an entry for a 'Fortnight Theme Bonus Round' will receive an extra 50 points on top of the regular entry tally.


Figures for the Theme Bonus Rounds should be 15mm or greater and can be of a historical or fictional subject.


These are interspersed every two weeks over the three months of the Challenge. Below are a listing of this year’s five theme rounds, along with their corresponding submission/display dates:

'Flight' (January 6th submission / displayed January 7th / voting results January 14th) 

'BFG: Big Freakin' Gun' (January 20st submission / displayed January 21st / voting results January 28th)

'Music/Musician' (February 3rd submission / displayed February 4th / voting results February 11th) 

'Childhood' (February 17th submission / displayed February 18th / voting results February 25th) 

'Monstrous' (March 3rd submission / displayed March 4th / voting results March 11th)


The theme submissions are to be sent in by 12:01 am (CST) on the specified date (In other words, get it done and submitted by Saturday night!).


For each bonus round I'll post a poll, listing all the round's entries so visitors can vote for their favourites.

The Call

For this edition we will be placing the cap at 80 participants, with a reserve block of slots being kept aside for those people who have participated in four or more Challenges. 

For those who have a reserve spot, please RSVP to me by December 3rd to confirm your participation, otherwise your spot will be made available to anyone who did not make the first deadline and are on the waiting list.

Otherwise, the remaining 42 places are available on a first-come-first-serve basis.

For all those who wish to participate please send me an email, providing:

1) your full name,

2) country of residence

3) your blog address (if you have one), and

3) your points target for the three months of the event.

My email address is:

curtcampbell at mac dot com


I will post a comment below when all the slots are filled and again when the roster is complete.  (NOTE: The participant roster is filled.)


The Price of Entry


In previous Challenges I've asked each Challenger for a memento in the form of a painted figure, but this year I give the option of either providing me a miniature of a monstrous creature or to make a contribution to a charity of your choice. If you are struggling to decide on a charity to contribute to, I'd like to suggest a small donation the Regina Humane Society. The donation page can be found here. If you wish, you can make it in memory of our lovely Great Dane, Clive (who was a magnificent monster in his own right).





'Challenge Ate' starts at 12:01am December 20th!

See you in a month! Now, go get some figures prepared for painting!


99 comments:

  1. I'm definitely in for this year as well! Aiming for 1000 points again, at least there's no house renovations this year round to mess with my painting schedule.

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  2. Email sent! What a fun way to while away the winter!
    Best Iain

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  3. I won't be entering this year but I will be following along and "parallel painting" in a personal challenge. Good luck and happy painting everyone.
    Thanks for plunging into the maelstrom of madness again Curt. JohnS

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    Replies
    1. Sorry to hear you can't join us this year John. Nonetheless, I look forward to seeing you in the comments over the winter.

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  4. Replies
    1. ..The GIMP is out,
      In, Out,
      You shake it all about,
      You do the voodoo painting
      And you turn it out
      That's what it's all about

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    2. Nice work! That might even be better than the Kraftwerk tribute version.

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    3. I will spare you the Everly Pregnant Brothers version...

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    4. Oh, clearly this will be fun...

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    5. @TamsinP Yes, the Bill Bailey one. Pure genius!
      @Sander What's wrong with that? ;-)

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  5. I am behind the Gimp.....count me in...

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    Replies
    1. Yeah , yeah ... it will no doubt be too hot to paint in my shadow ...!

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    2. I think Camels will count as monsters for my submissions..!

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    3. Don't they have camels in Ozz as well? Shouldn't Millsy start painting some himself?

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    4. Yes, we have feral ones. Unlike most of our fauna they're not especially deadly.

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  6. Count me in Curt, Good to be back

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    Replies
    1. I can only assume I'm off the reserve list because Miles doesn't want to be pushed too hard:)

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    2. It was done out of pure spite and a general lack of a sense of FairPlay.

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    3. Excellent, I would have done the same.

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  7. Wahey! Flight AHPC8 is open for boarding.

    Curt - I'll be happy to take up my reserved spot, near to the exit doors and the crew lounge (just in case you need to call on me as reserve crew).
    I'll be setting my target a bit lower than normal this time - just 1300 points.
    Will send an email to confirm once I have internet back at home.

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    Replies
    1. Your seat is booked. Millsy is already in his seat, smiling insanely, brush in hand, ball-gag at the ready...

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    2. Ugh - the image is mind shattering

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    3. @jmilesr You started it mate. You're to blame!

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  8. My application is now winging its way through the ether - now what suitably monstrous figures have I got in the lead pile?

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    Replies
    1. Now, this should be good...

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    2. And he said that without even the hint of an eyeroll!

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  9. I'm obviously in, but the theme is great and I am looking forward to the bonusrounds!

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  10. I'm in again this year Curt and I really like the addition of the terrain option this time as I have several pieces that need to be done!:-) I'll send an e-mail shortly to confirm my reservation.

    Christopher

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  11. The letter was sent. I hope to participate. because someone has to paint a lot of miniatures.:>))))))))

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  12. Email sent.. Low point total for me but Dad duties and a new house to sort out limit my painting time.

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  13. Señor Campbell, I'm not in the reserve list?? Being there 2 consecutive years now and I'm not willing to miss it this year!!!
    Sending you an email ASAP
    Happy to challenge anyone on painting Napoleonic minis, I have fill the ranks of a new 20mm British/Portuguese Army and to complete a 28mm Austrian

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  14. I’m in - thanks

    I think I’ll be brave and set an initial target of 200 points. Yup, lets be bold this year.

    Always grateful to participate - thanks for putting this event on!

    Miles

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    Replies
    1. You missed a zero there Miles

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    2. Oh no, I think we should all go with low targets. Mines 200, trust me!

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    3. I think you missed not zero, but two zeros ...

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  15. Winter comes!
    I will send an email shortly, I definitely want to cross brushes again this year. I'll see if I can stir the tribe up in a frenzy too.I'm already cleaning the desk and sorting through the boxes!

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  16. I'm in. I'll send an email. I still owe you a figure from 6.

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  17. I've been waiting for this. I'm back, but will dial my target back to 200pts due to a heavy work commitment next semester.
    Peter

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  18. I'll send an email application. But no problem if I've missed the cut-off limit.
    Roy

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  19. Ooooo count me in. My entry email, complete with improbable target, are flying through the ether of the interweb as I type this.

    :)

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  20. I definitely want to participate in this year too. I sent the letter with the application

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  21. Of course I'm in!

    Also, we need to come up with a badge and a name for this new caste of elite veterans of previous challenges.

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    Replies
    1. Something involving a straight jacket perhaps?

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    2. Hey! It's not nice making fun of battle scared veterans! ;-)

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  22. Fantastic, Curt! Thoroughly looking forward to helping with this Challenge. My minion dungarees are ready and waiting!

    For myself, please put a target of 400 points.

    Best of luck everyone!

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  23. As we already discussed in Antwerp, I‘m in of course.

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    Replies
    1. Can't wait to see what incredible stuff you'll be painting this year Nick!

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    2. Thanks Greg! Of course I‘m looking forward to see the results of your newest project too ;-)

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  24. Honored to accept the invite again this year. Looking forward to painting along with the rest of you.

    SteveM.

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  25. Email Sent. I have had a blast the doing the challenge the last couple years. Ir has really turned into a major painting motivation!

    EricM

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  26. I'm in and I can't wait to get this started

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  27. Email sent requesting permission to return. Thanks.

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  28. Replies
    1. Oh gawd... a minion with a sandbag...

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    2. Make him paint a sandbag golem as his tribute.

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    3. Do sandbags count as terrain???? Me thinks they do???

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    4. Yes Ray .. but Budgie Smugglers most definitely don’t!

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    5. Of course not.

      Budgie smugglers are figures.

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  29. I'm in! Now, to plot some irresponsible side duels...

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  30. Hi Curt,

    Looking forward to this year's challenge and will be sending the email of confirmation your way presently.

    Cheers, Ross

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  31. I'm in!

    RobH or RobertH, whichever one I was last year. I may need a new nome de paint.

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    Replies
    1. Put me down for 200 points, which I WILL make this year. Unless the stupid dam goes again, and we have to evacuate 200,000 or so people.

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  32. Great to be back in the game after last year's Rookie Season! Thanks Curt for organising again. This year I will mostly be painting 28mm WW1 Mesopotamia and 28mm 1941 Desert vehicles.

    No where is my black primer spray !

    Regards Ken
    The Yarkshire Gamer

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    Replies
    1. 1941 desert? Great! Looking forward to seeing a bit of that Caunter camo action, Ken!

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    2. Cheers Evan, Blitzkrieg Miniatures have been doing half price offers every Monday so I've got buckets full of 28mm armour.

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  33. Wahoo! Now my prep is starting to have some sort of meaning other than just continuous building of miniatures.
    Cheers all

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  34. Fin there is room please count me in I'd love to have another crack

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    Replies
    1. Kent, please drop me a note so we can set up communication.

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    2. The email didn't go my email is kcgalpin@xtra.co.nz

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  35. The highlight of the international hobby calendar. Cant wait and in for a more modest 500 this time around.

    Let the banter, sandbagging and spreadsheets begin!

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    Replies
    1. We'll probaly even paint something along the way!

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  36. Okay folks, we have had over 70 people register in the first 24 hours. I think that's a new record for speed-of-response - Whew! Anyway, if anyone is on the fence about joining, you had best decide quickly before all the spots are taken.

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  37. As we spoke Curt, am in. 1000 points to start but if all goes well I should be able to blow past that quickly.
    Happy days with it being a monster entry! I have a few of those at the ready here!

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  38. Not sure if a spot is left, but I'd like to participate. 1000 points.

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    Replies
    1. John, drop me an email so we can set up coms.

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  39. Hey, sent an email at 1000ish this morning. If you're replying to them, I haven't received any confirmation.

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    Replies
    1. Obviously would love a spot if one's still available

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    2. You're locked-in mate. Get your brushes ready!

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  40. That's it folks! I know it was quick but we have our full compliment of Challengers. If you want to be on the waiting list for a spot please drop me an email.

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  41. I may be in and I may not take part
    Email sent to Curt
    but my participation (IF included) will be
    MUCH smaller than previous years
    It is up to him and him alone

    If I do not take part I wish ALL participants well and happy painting.

    Good luck to you all.

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  42. It is a great thing that I had a reserved spot or I would have completely missed it this year! Thanks for the reminder email Curt! I look forward to painting up a storm and seeing everyone else's painting spree as well. I have added significantly to my pile-o-shame this year and look forward to cutting it down by at least as much as it has grown!

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  43. NB the new banner on the top right links to AHPC VII.

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  44. Looking forward tothisnyear’s challenge to nudge me back to the brushes!

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    Replies
    1. We're going to bludgeon you back to them, if needs be. ;)

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  45. Great!!! Put me on green, please!!!

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  46. Awww man, missed it. Email has been sent

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  47. Hi Curt,

    it's great to see that the challenge will take part in 2017/18 again. Since we met in Antwerp I've been pondering whether or not I should take the challenge again but honestly I just don't see that I'd be able to make a modest contribution. So I shall leave my seat to a more diligent candidate.

    Nevertheless I'll follow the challenge and I'm looking forward to seeing a lot of wargaming goodness presented.

    Cheers
    Stefan

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  48. Hullo,

    ...and hearty congrats on running what appears to be a tight ship for this painting challenge. Inevitably I've stumbled across it too late, but I hope to be able to take part next year, eh?

    Good luck, everyone!

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