Just Add Milliput....... Renedra Mud Hut

Hi,

Just a quickie to say that I last week I finished the Renedra Adobe Mud Hut plastic kit. Overall I was quote impressed by the kit although it did need some filling as you can see in the pics below. Next I plan on buying one or possibly two kits and doing some conversion work (one I have recovered my razor saw's from the Garage of Doom and /or moved house!).

Pics up of the painted article just as soon as the varnish has dried!

For now here's the kit bases and filled!

Bye for now

Perry Miniatures Converted Mounted Infantry at El Teb

So, there I was studying the Blood on the Nile lists for El Teb when I realised that Perry Miniatures did not do any Mounted Infantry that were, well, mounted. Converting what was available was to be the only answer.

After asking a few questions on the net I was just about ready to go. I ordered three packs of British Camel Corp in total, one of the command and two of the riflemen. That was the troopers covered. I ordered two packs of the 10th Hussars so they would be supplied with mounts. I used Mike Snooks excellent book and guide to the uniforms of the British, Egyptian and Mahdists from the appendix of Go Strong into the Desert  to gather all the information regarding the uniforms of the Mounted Infantry that fought at El Teb.

As to the conversions, it was really a matter of persuading the models that had been designed to fit onto camels to sit nicely on the horses. This was much more of a task than I had first envisaged. Some of the saddles had a little putty inserted but all in all, with the filing of the troopers and the saddles most of them fit quite snugly in the end.

The painting process was quite a long (but not laborious) one as it was new territory for me and I didn't want to get anything wrong on such a project. In the end I think that they're turned out quite nicely and I'm a little proud of my efforts.

And here they are, the light wasn't great so I may retake the pics and add a few of the individual bases whilst I'm at it- so, as they say, watch this space:

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.

Corp Camel Artillery Train Conversion Part One

Not exactly a great leap forward but after consulting someone 'in the know' about matters concerning Uniform I have learned that the Artillery would have been in- direct quote verbatim from the Perry site:

"16. Royal Artillery
This is their probable uniform at El Teb. A Forester’s drawing of the battle of Ginniss depicts them in what looks to be a mix of home service dark blue trousers and either dark blue or khaki frocks. Puttees are either dark blue or khaki."

So. I've decided upon using the existing Camel Corp packs for the sake of simplicity and the following mini's:

Whilst it does mean cleaning up another couple of camels and four figures it is certainly easier than filing away at the Empress Royal Artillery mini's that I had started to think of using and will save on putty time too so I can put aside the hour a day I do for putty use for one or two days! Hurrah! I'm trying to do a little putty work converting mini's for an hour a day with a view of building up to doing full sculpts. I realise that this may be a long way off but if you don't start somewhere, where will you start?

Well, that's the components of the vignette sorted out so the next time you see these mini's 

(assuming I don't have a drastic change of heart about the mini's accompanying the gun) they will be painted up and based.

Bye for now. 

Puttee Work- See What I Did? (Taken from Shooting Leave Blog)

Hi,

OK, terrible pun in the title of this post aside..... got me coat and heading out the door as quickly as my legs will carry me! Actually that's a double pun if one thinks about it.......

Very quick update before the KRRC get their black undercoat- I've sculpted the puttees and riding boots in the case of the officer where they were lacking on the backs of the legs of the troopers.

Nothing special, but some quick pics are called for in celebration:

Bye for now.

Looking for 'in scale'Ammunition boxes for Sudan Royal Artillery Camel Train- any idea?

Hi folks,

Just a quickie as I'm pressed for time.  I've got Sick of it All in Newcastle as part of my Birthday do from last week tonight (NYC Hardcore Band- we toured with them in the early 90's). Have to prepare for that- cut hair, pretend balding pate is not there- pretend I'm fitter :>)

OK, I'm looking for some ammunition boxes that I can attach to the sides of the camels, something like the pictures below:

If anyone can think of a source then I 2ould be a very happy man as it will save me having to sculpt them. (I only have my metal sculpting tools at present and a lot of my modelling gear is in my ex girlfriend's garage!).

Here's another pic of what I've got thus far. Mini's are from Perry Miniatures British Camel Corps Command and British Camel Corps,rifles on hips the gun is an excellent resin casting from North Star form their North Star Arsenal which has some great stuff including a Maxim Gun that will be seeing service a later battle that I plan to put on. It is of course Omdurman. but enough of that for now. Let's stick to the Second Battle of El Teb for now!

Also, if anyone has any ideas about what miniatures I could use as troopers, either mounted or dismounted for the vignette then please do speak up as I'm a bit stumped on that one, the only pack thus far is the Perry Miniatures Naval Brigade Command pack below:

There are a couple of miniatures that could be feasibly used but the uniforms are obviously well out. What I really need is some British Royal Artillery chaps walking along with the camels.... again, i don't mind converting (I actually like it!).

Cheers for now.