Messing about on the water.

After all that figure painting through the challenge I need to do something different for a bit. So here is the first of the Nile flotilla. An armoured paddle steamer. Its a resin kit by Grand Manner, with a few bits of extras added.

Its a big old piece of kit. It went together pretty well, it just needed all the parts to be given two washes to get rid of the release agent. After that a fairly simple bit of paint some parts before assembly. I have tried to just make it look "distressed and messy. I need to pick up a few crew figures - something I will be on the look out for at Salute I think.

Off to play with another one - er yes.. I have 3 of the things altogether.

The Challenge Roundup.

Well that is the end of this years Analogue Hobbies Annual Paint Challenge. It was a very productive time overall. I have completed a real mountain of work over the 3 months. I even managed to top the points table. The simplicity of the volume of Beja that was completed really adding to the point total. I also really enjoyed the laughs and banter along the way, a few side challenges with Millsy really helped keep us both chained to the paint desk I think.

Discussions have been had with Mark at the Wargames Holiday a Centre with regard to staging a large Sudan game later in the year , so watch out for the announcement.

So here are a few round up shots.

The Imperial forces , almost all of these were done this painting season.

A further top up for the Mahdist forces, with over 300 figures added, so a third of these were added

And to provide a little variety and extra colour some more for the gangster collections.

The man cave has been given a complete tidy. The run down lead mountain has had a serious restock. 

The bulk of the remaining figures for the Sudan are on order or have been delivered. 

Work has commenced on the paddle steamers..

Arrangements are sorted for a day out a Salute, and I am looking forward to catching with fellow bloggers.

Sudan - Ambulances, baggage, and Mahdist Cavalry

The latest additions to the Sudan forces. I recently placed an order with Castaway Arts in Australia for their Ambulance And baggage camels and mules.I must say service from them was top notch , good communications all the way through , very reasonable postage rates and they arrived in just over a week - I will be back for more.

I had in stock a couple of camels for the Camel Corps - walking and laid down, so I have done these too as the last major unit to complete for the collection is now on order.

I also completed another 8 Perry Baggara cavalry to add to the 12 I did last year. I took the opportunity to change the bading to a looser more irregular style.

These finish off my last entries in the Painting Challenge - I seem to have finished top ! It has been a busy few months.

Pulp - G-Men and Cops

MAs well as completing the recently shown Guys and Dolls there was also a delivery of G Men and Cops. These are by Blue Moon. While in the raw they don't have the excellent sculpt of the Bob Murch or Copplestone figures they do I think they have something appealing about them, especially when you hand them over to a talented painter like Loki.

The G Men.. 

The Cops.

I think I may need a bigger Police House, and a few more bad guys, and some vehicle drivers and passenger.

Sudan.. The horde is growing

 The drums have beating and the army has assembled - its now a full 6 foot wide!

All together its is now 880 foot, 36 mounted camel riders, 12 Baggara cavalry, 1 gun. There are another 120 foot on order to take me to 1000.. Then a top up of mounted to take them toward 100, and a couple more guns. So nearly there..It may be time for the main man to make his appearance too

The latest batch are shown below.

Connoissuer Miniatures - Mahdist Camel riders

Pulp - Guys and Dolls

Meet the newest additions to Serenity City. "Loki" over at Brigantes Studios has recently completed the commission work for my gangster collection, which will complete the figures I need/want for this - and what a job..

"Dolls"

 Copplestone Castings "Swell Dolls" set - they sure are.

"Guys"

 Copplestone Castings - "Honest Citizen" - hmm i think not - the "Boss" wears the snazzy Argyle sweater from now on..- great painting. The 5 o'clock shadow on the bag man is brilliant, and the detail on the paper seller is wonderful.

 

I really can't praise these enough - well done "Loki"

I also  have some more by Blue Moon which will be posted on the blog in the next few day, but for now these deserve thier own place in the sun.