Sudan Stocktake: The Mahdists

People keep noting that I've been so dedicated to the Sudan project, I surely must have enough to put on some more games. Of course, this is true, but as the project has evolved (read: grown), I've settled on new targets quicker than the minis roll of the painting table: larger units, more units, different rulesets. Only now am I just about approaching being ready to put on the complete games that I want to put on. 

The Analogue Hobbies Challenge provided some necessary impetus over the winter and it seems like a good time for a stocktake. Of course, that means getting all of the toys out and taking some photos to share with y'all. 

First up, the Mahdists

One small Mahdist horde: check

While not a patch on DaveD, it is a fairly respectable tally of:

3 command stands

24 Beja infantry

10 Beja rifles

3 Beja Camel riders

33 Arab infantry

8 Arab rifles

3 Baggara Horse

Captured Egyptian Krupp gun

The fierce Beja contingent, now with a new standard from my Salute supply package

 To maintain focus, I've roughly categorised everything that I'd like to add into 'Must' (minis that I will paint before putting on some games), 'Should' (I'd prefer to finish before putting on some games), and 'Could' (the nice to haves minis to round out the force). 

The Mahdists have the shortest 'must finish' category; I'd just like to bulk out the Baggara horse to a more fearsome size. These are currently on the table in the process of being prepped.

I also must get the sabot bases done for all of the infantry, which I think will be a long and thankless task. I've also a cunning plan to reduce the number of infantry I paint - more on that once I've run off a test.

More Arab infantry

I 'Should' round out the infantry units to make them all up to groups of 10 men of each type. Bit of an issue looming on that one - the Mahdists are based on English 2 pence pieces and I've ransacked the change jar and run out of them. It seems I don't use cash enough to stockpile more! I've six Arab rifles prepped and aim to finish those off too. Finally, they could do with a commander-in-chief stand.

'Could' is mostly infantry, infantry and more infantry, then perhaps a few more horse and camel-riders. I'll ad some proper wounded markers too. There isn't that much in the way of variety when it comes to the Mahdist forces!