More Commanders for the Sudan

With the focus on the SCW platoon, it had slipped my mind that I'd offered to put on a game at a Operation Market Larden 3 at Wyvern in early June. Not only that, but I've the esteemed Mr Roundwood playing  one of my sessions. A panicked list of what I should get done in the six or so weeks before that set me off: it was time to get cracking.

I started with a couple of 'nice to haves': two more Commanders or 'Big Men' in Sharp Practice terminology. The first being a mounted Egyptian officer.



Fairly standard stuff and a quick paint, I gave him a darker blue uniform that my officers in units. When I get around to him, the Egyptian C-in-C will wear black.

I'm also a bit light on Mahdist emirs, so fished out another from the lead pile. This was probably one of the original packs that I bought a few years ago, no idea why he hadn't then painted yet. 

Not much to say: he's in a colourful patched jibbeh that's sculpted on the Perry emirs.

Next to paint are some more Bazingers, then I've quite a bit of terrain for the rest of May. I would have liked to finish the highlander unit, but I just can't see me having the time.

After the creeping worry hit, I also got started on the necessary cards and Blinds for Sharp Practice. Using an excellent free texture from borealnz on Flickr (thanks for the tip, Mr Roundwood!) and some era-specific images, voila:





They'll be printed and laminated. I've finished the generic cards, it's pretty quick once you have a template made up. Next up is to make the cards for each Big Man.
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The Last Mahdists

...for a while.

No, not new output, rather a belated post as I didn't get around to posting the miniatures I finished up for the gaming day at Wyvern. It was such a rush I just didn't get time to snap them before they were packed up with the rest of the troops. Well, a month later here they are, though I warn you that you've seen the likes of them all before. First up are more horsemen of the Baggara tribe, including a Sheikh to lead them. I replaced the Perry spears with wire ones - the Perry ones bend so much it drives me up the wall. These don't bend, but will ping off if you catch them at the right angle, whatever glue I use. Some to be packed carefully.



Next up a load more infantry. A few each of warriors and riflemen. This does make my force even more rifle-heavy, over 25%, which I should rectify at some point. But not for a while - other projects beckon!



The Anglo-Egyptian force also got a little love - just a handful of troops I have prepped to round three units up to an even number. Not an efficient way of doing things, but I didn't have time to finish more.



Thanks to all the kind words on my last post. I've not really pushed past the malaise yet, but have started to dabble a little more: finishing up odds and sods and digging the 15mm WWII back out to get sprayed up. Little steps but in a way it is nice to just meander.

Sudan Stocktake: The Egyptian Forces

The Egyptians were never intended to be used as a force on their own, instead to be garrison forces or brigaded with the British to add colour and variety (and more of a challenge to the British command). But while they aren't enough to face the Mahdists alone, their numbers are creeping up. Though the recent Sudan games including the Battle of Shaykan by Lonely Gamers have been very inspiring - you never know, I might eventually collect enough to do some Egyptian/Mahdist games. Or even, just maybe Egyptian/British...

I've small units of both mounted and foot Bashi-Bazouks, both pleasingly colourful. 

One under-strength unit of Egyptian infantry in their white summer tunics. 

My favourites, the stalwart Sudanese IXth infantry (I noticed after putting everything away that I'd forgotten their regimental colours that were stored elsewhere).

The 'must add' is again quite short - depending on the number of players, I might make my first game British-only, but if I get enough interest someone will get to try their hand commanding an Egyptian brigade. For that eventuality I'll bolster the Egyptian infantry unit to a better size. These have sat half-painted months, interrupted by the challenge. Well overdue being finished, they shouldn't take too long. I've also a small unit of Bazinger riflemen that I've just finished prepping and should paint up.

I'd like to add one or two Egyptian command bases that I haven't got the figures for yet. Also some Egyptian regular cavalry and a proper Krupp gun rather than borrowing the Mahdists'! Then if I perhaps add a third unit of regular infantry and I'll have the basis for a couple of brigades from small beginnings. 

Fuzzy Wuzzies sir, faahsands of 'em

Alright, not quite thousands. But as the summer rumbles on, the Sudan project continues bearing fruit. Another ten Mahdists ready to throw out the 'Turks' that are interfering in their tribal lands again. 

A mixed group this time, though mostly the most feared of warriors, the Hadendowa of the Beja tribe. To borrow from Mr Kipling (not a cake in sight though):

   So 'ere's ~to~ you, Fuzzy-Wuzzy, at your 'ome in the Soudan;
   You're a pore benighted 'eathen but a first-class fightin' man;

As well as five plastics, the five on the left are metals from pack SA10 and will serve as a small unit of Beja marksmen.



I've a game arranged with Samulus on Saturday so it is great to have these done to make a near round fifty Mahdists. I'm not quite ready really but about 80% of the minis used will be full painted amd the rest base coloured, which is very pleasing considering I've done the whole project myself in around 12 months.

I also knocked out two Egyptian officers in just two nights, so they will be able to lead from the front on Saturday. I think the poses are fantastic, the Perrys do such great command packs. I made the mistake of not shaking the Windsor and Newton Galeria varnish before applying so they came out really shiny. But I think two coats of Dullcote had saved them.

The Anglo-Egyptian field force assembles

Having a few spare moments, I took some snaps of my Anglo-Egyptian force for the Sudan so far. It is starting to look lie, a force rather than a pile of lead, at least! 

They will be bolstered by more regulars (RMLI and Egyptian), plus a screw gun and a few hussars.

I've put them on their sabot trays (Warbases, of course), these will be textured and tufted when I have a weekend for a really dull job. 

And to round off, the now obligatory vintage effect photo.

I have also found myself volunteering to paint a few minis for a charity game at Triples 2014,  all funds raised will go to good causes Help for Heroes and Men Matter. they've created a blog to highlight what they're doing and progress: Bloggers for Charity. I'm hoping I'll be able to make it along to Triples to see the game and meet some of those involved.