Sudan - Bashi Bazooks and Mounted infantry

Typically of  course when I came to run the recent battle of El Teb and looked at the OOB there were a couple of small scout/skirmish cavalry units in it. While I could have just used some of the existing units that were not planned to be used I decided to actually get on and paint these up.

These bring a nice splash of colour to the table

I was really impressed with the standard of the casting of these (big improvement Perry - big tick from me)  , and faces are really good. The first 6 completed - I think I will take these up to a 24 figure unit.

I picked up some Boer War Wargames Foundry mounted infantry figures at the York show . They mix in well being sculpted by Perry's anyway - almost near identical bar a different water bottle and kind of rifle - I can live with that. I also found an Empress Miniatures figure in patrol jacket which I just fancied painting up.

Both these units were fielded last weekend - while neither actually ran away - I don't think they did much - but at least they are now blooded!

Sudan - Major Kitchener

It is great getting to the point in a large project where you can indulge yourself with oddball bits and pieces. I have over the last few years acquired a number of reference books and frequently take inspiration for thing to do from them - this little addition is one of them.

Major Kitchener was one of the most brilliant intelligent officers of his era fluent in local languages. He spent the winter of 1884-5 criss crossing the Sudan by camel with his guard of  'Ababda Bedouin (I need to make a small unit of these yet) scouting out the way for the Gordon Relief column. He eventually rose up the army ranks and led the reconquest of the Sudan in 1898, becoming Kitchener of Khartoum , Earl Kitchener and on to become the face on the WW1 recruitment posters. Of course like most famous British Generals he was Irish!

The rider is a Perry Bashi Bazook figure with old long musket. 

The camel is a Perry British Camel Corps one with milliput saddle/cloth added. I remade the rein with garden twisty wire and soldered it into hand and onto the camel head bridle

I think his services will be useful when it comes to any large game for scouting the enemy positions.

The original inspiration for this one.