A little damage limitation - storage improvement

Having had to transport a large amount of the Sudan collection recently I found a bit of an issue with a spot of hard braking in the car, A number of bases shifted with some damage being caused - all now repaired. As I have decided this will be a real long term keeper project with yet more investment to come, it has made my mind up to move to some magentic basing to try and limit transport issues in the future.

I got in touch with the ever helpful Simon Miller for some top tips as he is always transporing is magnificent ancients collection. I have now sourced some self adhesive ferro sheet, and range of disc magnets.

Project Magnetise has now started. All new units will have them from intial build. I will be going back over the exisitng collection in a prioroty order , with most vulnerable units getting it doen first.

Here is the successful result of the application to the Naval Brigade last night

A little walk though in case you are interested:-

 

The disc magnets are 6mm diameter x 2mm depth 

I used a 6mm wood bit in the Dremel (other power tools are available)  flexible extension - just wear some eye protection and do it in a well ventilated space or wear face mask - MDF dust is not particularly nice.

My Dremel is hung from the wall , with the flexible extension down onto the work desk as it takes up less space. 

Two holes in small bases - 4 in larger/heavier

 

bit of thick superglue in the hole 

 add the disc magnet and let things dry.

The A4 self adhesive sheet added  to the box is pretty self explanatory , just make sure the box is clean before you stick it.

Sudan - back to it WIP

After a few hectic weeks it was good to get some hobby time today. I decided to crack on with de-sprueing the remaining Mahdist foot forces. These were in the form of 3 boxes of plastic Perry figures.

It's a job I hate as it seems to take almost as long as assembling and painting. I reckon it makes 16 boxes of these I have done since I started, so it's good to see an end to them.

They are now all clipped and sorted ready for a mass assemble session.

I also have a box of the plastic British infantry too. These will be used for some specials and conversion potential. I don't think the plastic bayonets will survive much past a first use though. 

In addition it has been an afternoon of placing orders with various suppliers - PayPal - pay after delivery is a bad thing! 

Simon Millers Big Red Bat Enterprisrs for large bases , magnets and a copy of TTS rules 

Perry Miniatures , for Royal Artillery guns and crew

Tiger Miniatures for limbers and horse teams 

E Models for paints and tool replenishment 

Bicorne Miniatures for the Heavy Camel Regiment

Old Glory for British Lancer regiment,,,

The overall lead mountain stock for the Sudan was looking more like a small hillock. Plenty of extras have been ordered in advnce of the Autumn preparation season ready for the winter paint a thon. 

I am also going to be doing a few bits to magnetise the bases to help with the storage and transport. I also have a few interesting bits on the go as well , but more on that another time. 

Words fail me..

Sudan - It's a numbers game - and let there be light!

Having had the Sudan collection out and being used recently I took the opportunity to be able to move them over to some new storage boxes , and decided to get around to actually counting what is in the collection. Its also helped me work out what else I want to add to the collection overall to "ahem" finish the collection - as much as you ever do.

So as of July 2016 - here is the latest position.

For the Imperials I want to add Indian Army units, Guards, 5th Royal Irish Lancers and Sudanese Infanty. For the Mahdists - I will add in extra cavalry/camels and take the variosu foot upto 1000.That should keep me in work over the winter season.

My actual next job though will be moving to magnetised bases and storage options to stop the blighters sliding around when being moved... that fien chap Simon Miller is helping out sourcing some ferro material that fits inside Really Useful Boxes for me - cheers Simon

I recently picked up a couple of new "Daylight Company Naturalight Portable LED Lamps" from Hobbycraft in the UK. I got the two for £30 (rather than £20 each), including free delivery as I am signed up to thier Hobbycraft Club on which you get various offer e mails - so a 25% one was nice to get.

They will come in very useful for my travelling painting kit, and for extra lighting for photographs too.

Sudan - Participation game at Muster on the Parade Ground

Saturday saw myself and friend Steve put on a day of participation gaming in the "Sudan" at a small local show in Stockton on Tees - our better halves helped out too on ticket/programme duty too .

We ran the same scenario as at the recent AMG weekend with the relief column having to rescue the Generals wife and daughter from the potential clutches of the Mahdi's forces.

The Column moves off

The new display sign in place - to tempt potential gamers

Its a long way

That was a bit of a suprise for the Camel Corps - where did they get that!

Oli and Jim - push the troops on.

Meanwhile pressure builds on the besieged garrison

The Camel Corps decide to take the village with fixed bayonets! - it hurt!

Having repulsed one lot or charges - the garrison was set to face another.

The 9th Bengal Cavalry provide flank cover the the R.I.F

The Mahdists breach the village walls , killing a whole company in the process. Its getting desperate

In a daring move - the RMLI commandeer the water carrier! , and double time it toward the garrison

The Egyptian garrison threw everything at the mob- - and just fought them off - the ladies took the opportunity of the RMLI being in galloping distance to mount up and save themselves! it had been a close one! The RMLI  turned over 3 blank ambush cards - any one of which turning out to be an enemy would have caused real problems - but the tales in the mess would indeed be great!

Both of the games we played went to wire - a turn of a card or throw of the dice making all the difference.

We had provided some more "props" in the form of helmet and fez - these seemed to go down well . We gave the young  Oli his own Fez to take away (and a box of plastic Highlanders!) for his bravery. Jim even picked up £25 trader prize as part of the "participation game" winners draw - lucky chap!

larger size Fez required next time!

After playing a couple of games - it was time to have a quick shufty around the traders for stash!
  

2 Dice tray from KR - 2 coloured card deck boxes from Hoka Hey

A vessel for the Mahdist navy! from Masters of War

And the seeds of a new project - Island Hopping here we come..

It had been a good day overall. It did not seem too busy overall though - and was certainly pretty "dead" post lunchtime in term of walk about punters... - I know Tom and Dave put a lot of effort into organising it, - it is appreciated. But seriously I hope it did well enough to survive.

They day was suitably finished off with a fine curry!

Muster on the Parade Ground - Stockton on Tees this weekend.

This weekend sees a new show of sorts. The organisers (Dave and Tom) have been doing various shows in the area over the years and this the latest creation. Proceeds all go to the Royal British Legion. All the games will be participation. I shall have the Sudan game out for a public outing.

You can find us at P11, if you fancy chucking a few dice .

There are a number of the usual suspect trader for a North East show, plus a number of new ones too.

The only fly in the ointment seems to be a late issue with on site catering ... So if your going have a good breakfast !