Happy New Year!

This comes around faster every year I am sure! Best wishes to you all, and I hope you have great year  coming up.

This last year has seen an upturn more gaming in than I thought which has been really good. The social interaction on some forums and Facebook pages has also brought a number of us together virtually and literally that culminated in a full days gaming yesterday - I think that will happen more often next year too.

A few shots from yesterdays game day at Scruton :-

Project wise the Sudan has had enough completed to be able to put on very large games - I hope to get this to a a campaign game next year and to run a play by blog game of it later in the year to.

Projects for next year are - finish the Sudan , a 10mm ACW project , and a new improved larger man cave - more about those another time.

anyway - until next year .. have a Happy New Year!

Sudan - Last of the Naval Brigade

Here we have the final installment of the Naval Brigade for the Sudan collection. A further 24 matelots "at the ready" to flesh out the the existing company of 18, plus  various gunners.  

28mm  Perry Miniatures

And here is the full Naval Brigade accumulated over the last few years - various unreliable machine guns, crew and limbers, close-order and skirmish companies. 

The latest batch have soft caps, rather than the more interesting sennet hats that some of them have. 

When I take the the Sudan game out of the show circuit it is run as a participation game and part of this is providing some head wear for the participants - Pith helmets, fezzes - ok Tarbooshes really. So I recently commissioned a bespoke original pattern straw Sennet (boater type) hat from Philip Wrights, a traditional old milliners in Luton in the UK - the home  of hats. They have recently been making them for the Royal Navy Museum in Portsmouth so that was good enough for me. I has a generic Naval Brigade tally on it. I shall source a few specific ship ones as I get some more information on units represented.

I have also added in a couple of new single figures as well- that appeared as my opening post in the painting challenge

The lady is the limited edition Mary Seacole figure from Partizan this year. The officer sipping tea was picked up from a mixed box of figures at a show and is of unknown provenance. The poor soul on the loo is part of a toilet humour set made by Colonel Bills - and the Thunderbox is by Foreground, if I remember. 

Its that time of the year again. So here is wishing you and yours a wonderful time.

The Christmas elves have been busy and have delivered a haul of stash for me...

Books , paints, 10mm ACW, 54mm cowboys and 28mm Sudan figures

This is from my Secret Santa - good choice! - so good its already now got some paint on it.. 

Getting ready for painting...

Its almost time to get the brushes put to work with the start of this years 7th Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge. I have not painted anything in a while for one reason or another , but there has still be some serious levels of preparation going on over the last few months.

My aim is to "finish" ahem... the Sudan project, well perhaps be able to draw a line under it for the start of a new one.

I have been working on a large British Infantry unit - it will be 60 figures strong , made up from two Perry plastic sets. To make a change I will also do these with the classic red coats too.

Also some work on a British Limbered artillery battery.

The final forces for the Mahdi have also been prepared which will see the collection rise to 1000 Mahdists foot figures , and over 150 mounted figures, and a vessel for the Mahdist river forces.

The "before" shot - everything primed and ready to go - the preparation desk area is full. 

 I am looking forward to getting these all done - and getting ready for a few new projects in the New Year - more of that another time.

Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge

It is that time of year when our own corner of the blog-o-sphere is invited to particpate in Curts winter painting challenge. Well done Curt..

I have been involved since the second one , and its been a highlight of the year in terms of getting stuff done , and making new friends.

We are running some on line paint and chat sessions amongst the challengers via the Google+ and Facebook pages. So if you would like to meet up "virtually" with fellow particpants feel free to join either/both groups.

I intend to finish the Sudan project this winter - there i said it!

Battleground Show - 26th November

Its coming up time for the bookending show of the year at Stockton on Tees. Battleground as a show seems to be going from strength to strength. A perfect time for stocking up on winter goodies and presents to oneself as well. I really need to get my head around a new project for next year - though that may be subject to a move of the man-cave to new and improved location.

Myself and friend Steve will have the Sudan collection out this year (we did the cowboys last year).

It will be run as participation - and can take 4-5 players, and takes about 3 hours to play. I have places reserved for "Roy" ; "Roger" and "Martin C"so there are a couple left yet.

                        

I am looking forward to it - so if you are there pop by and say hello..

Hints for Santa

Its secret santa time in blog land - so a few hints below - but really happy with anything!

PULP
Bob Murch Pulp - Gangland Justice sets:-
Boys of the Bowery
Boss McCoys office 
Gunshoes


COLONIAL
Baggage Camels, Water Camels , Camel Caravan  - castaway arts , or redoubt enterprises

Stand To! Game Report

Last Sunday saw the the "Stand To!" event at the National Railway Museum in Shildon. Sad to say this was very poorly attended by the local wargamers. We did have a number of museum visitors walk by and chat , and a number of children seemed to enjoy themselves looking at the games and trying hats on - so not all bad. Its a pity really as I think its a decent venue. Its modern , light, reasonable catering , free parking, free entry , free tea and coffe while you set up- and you end up surrounded by large trains!  Without some significant effort by the organisers to drum up support I dont see it lasting though.

The Sudan game had another run out. This time I had new players from the Miniature Modelling Mayhem facebook group  - Roy , James and Steve. Again this was the rescue the General daughter scenario.

The calm before the storm

 the relief colum - this time led by 3 Regiments of the Camel Corps

The siege is under way

The 19th Hussars charge in to deal with Fuzzy Wuzzy "marksmen" on the flank

The Imperial mounted troops move off at thier own speed leaving the infantry behind

A caravan of "friendly natives" appear wanting to sell thier wares. The Camel Corps commnader was having nothing of it - with with 1/2 d6 turns half speed if they ended up haggling .. he was in a hurry

However these only riled the townsfolk who rose up in rebellion with a cracking high roll for the number of Mahdists created - (tee hee!) and charged out to the surprise of the mounted gentleman of the Guards Camel Regiment.. - my there is a lot of Fuzzies they commented!

Meanwhile at the town the leading mob of Ansar had breached the Egyptian defenses - time to defend yourselves gentlemen!

A cricket bat and your MCC colours is just what you need!

The Camel Corps managed to see off the mass charge - But there will be much discussion of the sad losses in the Gentlemans Clubs of London! It was a close run thing..

Baggara cavalry took on the Light Camel Regiment - with their swift horses and spears - they certainly bested the inexperienced camel riders - with 3/4 of the Regiment becoming casualties.

Two Egypian companies to the rescue of the Civilians and Engineers..

The Black Watch set off at a forced march speed - watched by the General and the War Correspondants.

 It was getting all very messy - but the Bangal lancers had worked a way through on the flank with only a small unit in the way . In the centre a number of large Fuzzy Wuzzy formations had been broken and cleared. 

the Black Watch were motoring down the table - taking heat casualties when they had to turn and step back step back from a Fuzzy charge to deliver a  "rapid fire volley" on a mob had broken through the Camel Corps (again!) .  Another painful short range volley followed by bayonet work - the Highlanders were made of stern stuff - they lost a company to heat and the melee..but saw them off. "Never any doubt lads" ...

Meanwhile the Bengal Lancers had rescued the girl - 

 

 Time to head home for tea and medals!

Many thanks to Roy for assistance in setting up and packing away. And Roy, James and Steve for making it a fun day out. 

 The Black Watch commander James 

the gallant hero of the day "Roy" who got the girl and the medal - and the headlines in the papers! I expect the Knighthood will be along soon.

I shall be at Battleground in Stockton at the end of November with the game too. 

And just a short note for any members of the AMG forum . Following the decision to focus that forum on 18th only  (which had not been communicated directly) it seems i can no longer log on - nor no longer have any wish too - so just saying bye .

oh and stash - was a few MDF wagosn from Col Bills - winter projects! 

Stand To - Shildon NRM 16th October

I shall be attending this regional show put on by the Wear Valley Gamers with the Sudan game if anyone wants to play

http://www.nrm.org.uk/PlanaVisit/VisitShildon

Free admission
Free parking
Catering
Wargames stuff to buy
Big trains to look at
A WW2 cruiser tank
A big well lit spacious modern venue

If you in the area why not give it a try

Sudan - Bits n Bobs

A few more bits completed this week. Some singleton figures , and a set of skirmishers for the recently completed Sikh battalion.

 

These are all Perry miniaures. Most of these were also even fairly well cast for once! 

I am booked up for the Battleground show at Stockton in November, plus also now looking at the Hammerhead shown in March.