Sudan Swag from Vapnartak, York Show Feb 1st 2015

Well, I got back about 7pm, prepped my meal, edited a load of pics taken at the show (they will be making an appearance on my Just Add Water Blog  tomorrow as I'm too knackered now!

I thought I'd share my Sudan Swag with you and a few notes to go with what I bought and why.....

Yesterday I was convinced that I was not going to make the effort and go to the show, just didn't feel like it really but come 9am this morning I got the itch...... and that was it, quick wash, down to the train station and down to York! Got the bus right up to the end of the road that leads to Vapnartak and was at Dave T's stand by 12:30! Immediately picked out the packs I wanted barring three that had evidently already been sold. Asked Dave to keep them for me until later so I wasn't humping them all 'round the show- my bag was already filled with a down lined puffa jacket and a woolly hoody!

Swag wise, it was a good day, likewise, socially it was nice too. I got to see Andy S, Simon Curtis, Dave T, Neil, a few of the Durham Club lot who's names I forget!! Sorry chaps! I didn't have the chance to see all the games, nor indeed all the traders, it was really a case of pick out the traders I wanted to buy from and then try to find the time to look at some of the beautiful games that were on display.

What was I on about originally? Oh yeah, swag! Well, it went a little something like this......

Mini's are all Perry Miniatures except where stated:

Dismounted Camel Corp/ Mounted infantry Command, standing and advancing

Well, the conversions that I've been working on for the Mounted KRRC at El Teb will need to dismount at some point won't they!!?? One or two will be making their way to the Mounted Royal Artillery Camel Vignette that I'm working on. Strictly speaking the Royal Artillery would not have been wearing the Camel Corp kit at El Teb but I'm making a serious exception as they were kitted out thus at Abu Klea

SB42 Dismounted Camel Corp/ Mounted infantry firing line

Ditto!

SB3 British Infantry command standing (2 officers, 2 serjeants and 2 drummers)

Some of these fine lads will be making an appearance in various regiments and some are destined for command base vignettes, that type of thing. Nice standing poses usually do very well on vignettes often having the same sense of interaction as the more dramatic poses.

SB4 British Infantry command advancing (2 officers, 2 serjeants and 2 drummers)

These lads will likely be included in the commands of a marching and running at trail British infantry regiments.

SB36 19th Hussars, command

They fought at El Teb so it would have been silly of me not to have bought them whilst I had the chance. Unfortunately with me getting to the show at a relatively late hour I'd missed the chance to purchase the 10th Hussars, who will have to be ordered soon as I want to complete the Cavalry Brigade before that of the infantry for reasons explained in an earlier post.

SB37 Hussars charging with swords

Ditto. I bought two packs so I'll have one spare as I'm looking for a unit of 8. Thinking more about the Cavalry Brigade, my plan is to buy six models each of the 19th and 10th Hussars respectively so they can be used in later battles. At El Teb the Brits had not encountered the Mahdist tactic of lying prone when attacked by cavalry, to spring up at the last minute and ham string the horse to get at the trooper! I expect that they felt this ruse to be most unsporting!

SB19 Gatling gun and Naval Brigade crew (gun + 4 crew)

Gotta, gotta have a Gatling!

SA2 Mounted Command (1 Khalifa and 2 Amirs)

Needed for the command of the Mahdists and will of course be included on a command stand or two, possibly three!

SA12 Beja dead and wounded

One or two of these will be added to a British regiment! What?? Eh?? You'll see. Quite simple really.

Bearers - DA021

Well, someone has to carry the baggage for the officers.... By Gaw'd you simply can't have more than one bat man you know!

Ainsty Castings- Trade Goods

A couple of crates to be added to the Mounted Royal Artillery Screw Gun Train. The rest will appear dotted around the place here and there.

Dave Lancaster Books (link HERE!)

I bought both the books below from Dave who always has a bountiful supply of interesting reading material. From Ancient to Modern warfare, from Osprey to Academic. Always worth visiting at shows. I usually want to buy a host of books but usually settle for just one or two as I need to make sure I actually read them. There really are times in the past where I've got over excited and bought too many damn books and some, sadly enough, remain unread. The shame! :>)

I was very pleased to get this having read Go Strong into the Desert and Into the Jaws of Death. Both of which, although different in terms of style and academic intonation, are extremely accessible. What the man doesn't know about Late Victorian warfare......  the books are very informative and cleverly avoiding the dry trap that some academic writers can fall into when writing a book for general consumption.

Like Wolves to the Fold, Lieutenant Colonel Mike Snook

Omdurman, Philip Ziegler

To be honest I'd never heard of Philip Ziegler until I noticed this book. Bought second hand and at £5. it had to be worth a punt. My copy has an older cover and has clearly been read by its former owner/s. 

And that, as they say, is that.