A Big Sudan Project. Part 1.

 So.... last week, our Glorious Leader outlined his plans for a new Sudan campaign to take place in a year. The scenario would involve the French in the 1880s, some years before the Fashoda incident in 1898. French troops, suitable for the 1880s, would be needed. The plan is also to have any French troops on the table to fit in with rest of the Glorious Leader's Sudan collection that is almost exclusively from Perry Miniatures. Gringo's 40 Tonkin range was spot on for the date, but the figures are simply too big to sit comfortably next to Perry sculpts. 

Something that will match and REPRESENT French troops of the era will be required. The brief here is to have some figures that LOOK LIKE French troops from the era, rather than historical accuracy.

Looking at the figure on the right of the above illustration of French Marines of the period, we have a figure in gaiters, a haversack, two pouches on the belt, a plain frock coat and a sun helmet. Essentially a Perry Miniatures plastic Zulu War British infantryman. I have a number of these left over from a previous project, as well as some Perry Plastic 1880s Tommies. Time to mix and match and do some very minor conversion work. Here we have the first company of "marsouins" destined to deal with the Mahdists and no doubt challenge British control in the region. 

The rifle is a Martini Henry rather than the French Gras 1874 bolt-action weapon, but we can live with that. Some press moulded greenstuff provided something to replace the waterbottle and give a small pouch at the centre back of the waist-belt. For the most part here, the arms come from the Perry 1880s Infantry box. If Zulu War arms have been used, the cuff detail has been removed with a scalpel. Everything else is in the choice of paints. More porpoise will follow, and in the fullness of time, French Foreign Legion, Algerian Tirailleurs and some Chasseurs d'Afrique, after all, I have a year to work on this.

10th (Prince of Wales' Own Royal) Hussars, Sudan.

 This must be the fourth time that I have painted up figures for this particular unit for action in the Sudan. Here with improvised lances fashioned from copper wire rather than the soft metal spears that the figures are supplied with. A fun commission to undertake and a pleasure to return to the late Victorian era. 

Dipping a toe into the Italian Wars.

 So... Back to doing some commission work now I have the time. This was fun. My first foray into the Italian Wars. My favourite type of job being a small number of figures that the client intends to use together in a vignette of some sorts. I don't often get the chance to paint a yellow and black paint scheme. All five figures from Perry Miniatures.

Jazz Band Restored.

 Many moons ago, I painted up the Eureka Miniatures 1920s Jazz Band and dancers for my late friend Adrian Shepherd. A few months ago, Shep's collection of early 20th century figures passed into the ownership of another gaming chum and friend of Shep. I was lucky to come into the possession of many of his WW1 Tommies which now live in the cabinet along with my own figures. The Jazz band and dancers were originally painted for a demonstration game that was held at York over a decade ago. This game was the Wake Island 192? scenario that we revived for Partizan last weekend. The Jazz band was restored, paint chips repainted, the old basing removed and a new stage and dance floor was created upon which the Wakey-Wakey Jazz Band would perform and the happy well-heeled tourists would dance in the latest style. Picture credit to Jono Carter, fellow gaming chum.

Some painting for a chum.

 Something different. Some German Paratroopers, a group of plucky english locals and a dodgy looking Nun all from Wargames Foundry.

Crann Tara Palatine Pfalz Kürassier. 1740s.

 These chaps are Crann Tara French Fitz James' Cavalry figures from their WAS/SYW range masquerading as Kürassier in the service of the Rheinish-Palatinate 174?. The Cornet is a WAS Savoy figure from the Lead Pile....I neglected to order a French Cornet figure. 

Crann Tara/Minden Miniatures Palatine Hohenhauser Dragoons 1740s.

 The Palatine Hohenhauser Dragoons from the 1740s. The troopers come Crann Tara Miniatures and are re-purposed Savoy cavalry figures. They look like generic Dragoon types with the important aiguillettes on the right shoulder. The figures on the Command stand come out of the lead pile and are from Minden Miniatures mounted on three available standing horses. There is a little artistic license with the uniform details (black turnbacks instead of red) simply for more visual interest. I am fairly agnostic about the details being perfect.