Colonel Fred Burnaby Belligerent!!

What can one say about Colonel Frederick Gustavus Burnaby? He joined the Royal Horse Guards in 1859 no doubt that he was 6'4", 15 Stones and boasted a 47inch chest all being to his advantage but finding little chance for active service he was ideal Shooting Leave material known for being the first person to cross the channel in a hot air balloon an activity he exported to Spain and Russia. He was larger than life in an age of Victorian heroes who were larger than life. He is famed for riding to the Khanate of Kiva on an unofficial mission to detect if possible the latest Russian moves in the Great Game. He spoke seven languages and was correspondent for The Times with the Carlist forces in Spain.

He's one of those larger than life characters that looms above anyone interested in the Sudan or indeed other Victorian wars. That he made his own way to the Sudan in the first place gives us a hint into his character. to leave Fred Burnaby out of the Sudan just wouldn't be doing his name or indeed wargaming the Sudan a great disservice.

I've put together my version of Burnaby at the Second Battle of El Teb, shortly after gunning down several Ansar with his shotgun. Hopefully it catches something of the real man in a tight situation braving it out.

Bye for now

Next Brit Conversion... Sneak Peek!

Here's a sneak peek at what's up next for the Brits.... once the conversion is finished that is!

As you can see it's going to be a Screw Gun on it's travelling canopy for the Royal Artillery. I'm thinking of adding an officer leading the force on a camel but i'm a little worried about the base size of the unit being very large as it is. Time will tell.

Darrell.

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:

Pre-Salute Plea!!

Hi,

I may (or may not) be able to get to Salute this year. If I can make it I will almost certainly be helping out with the Agincourt game that the Lance and Longbow Society will be putting on which means I will not be eligible for the free Agincourt Giveaway designed by the Perry Twins.

So, I was hoping that given my obsession with Late Medieval Warfare I was hoping that one of you guys and gals would be willing to part with their mini? I know it's a bit of a cheeky question but it may be the only way I can get hold of the miniatures.

I'm happy to pay for the mini as is only correct.

Anyway, if anyone is willing to part with their mini and sell it to me please contact me at:

darrell.hindley@googlemail.com

You will make me a very happy man.

Of course, if I am able to make it to Salute I will let you know in advance.

Bye for now!

Finished Baja Bases and Sneak Peek!

So, I finished the first two test bases of the first Beja unit a little while back but couldn't find the time and room on the painting table to take any pics. This I did today having finished glossing and matting the Mounted Infantry for the Second Battle of El Teb.

First the Beja bases. I'm really pleased in the manner in which these mini's have come out. The skin tones are almost exactly what I was looking for and the basing has worked well and as it's a light desert colour it really sets off the miniatures. The Glossing and Matting down phases of painting cannot be overstated IMHO, the Gloss smooths and blends whilst the Flat Matte gives the miniatures in a really pleasing look  without the glare of the light which one gets when leaving miniatures unvarnished.

Take a look for yourself, hopefully you will agree that they're turned out well(?):

As I've mentioned I also managed to get the Mounted Infantry conversions for El Teb finished but as yet they remain un-based. The Matting Agent I use can easily take 12 hours to go off and be completely dry. It's worth it as it is by far the best Matte Varnish that I have ever used. I don't miss the old formula Dulcote at all these days.

In all there are six mini's that were requited. Here's a Sneak Peek prior to basing:

That's all for today. I've got a lot to do tonight..... ;>)

New Artizan Designs NWF (No Pics!)

Here's the links.....

Artillery:
http://www.artizandesigns.com/list.php?man=23&cat=160&sub=197&page=1

British Infantry Marching:
http://www.artizandesigns.com/prod.php?prod=1989

Highlanders Marching rifle at trail:
http://www.artizandesigns.com/prod.php?prod=1991

Highlanders at Ready:
http://www.artizandesigns.com/prod.php?prod=1992

British Infantry Kneeling. In Poshteens.:
http://www.artizandesigns.com/prod.php?prod=199

Hopefully we will see some NCO's for all the troop types available thus far. That's the only reason why I haven't spent quite a lot of money on this range. It has great promise, I really hope that it does become the premier range for the NWF as I love Mike Owen's sculpts- bags of character and brilliant for the (large-ish) skirmish level that I have planned.

Bye for now.

General Roberts, Second Afghan War

I was recently sent a conversion of General Roberts to paint up who led the British army the Second Afghan War. The mini is a Perry Miniatures figure form their British High Command on English Mounts pack (The Graham figure at the right) with a poshteen added and a suitably whiskery Victorian beard! I have to admit that the NWF is one of the (semi-new) areas of modelling/wargaming that I was looking at the mini wish some relish when at the prospect of painting it up. I even had a go at converting a Third Afghan War mini from Studio miniatures but with less than satisfactory results! (you can see my in an earlier post HERE).

Genaeral Roberts met with great success during his efforts in the Second Afghan War which was to include his famous forced March to Kandahar following on from the British disaster at the Battle of Maiwand where he decisively defeated the army of Ayub Khanon September 1st at the Battle of Kandahar which pretty much brought to a close the Second Afghan War which was concluded at the Treaty of Gandamak.

Well, the mini is now done and here are the pics- hope you like them(?):

Bye for now.