From DaveD - 44th Foot , Last Stand at Gandamak - (90 points)

Well I am signing off this years challenge with something that’s been set up on the paint desk since Christmas Eve with an odd twiddle of brushes every now and again . 

As with most challenges this one involved ending  up going down a route that wasn’t anticipated so this is from that particular fork in the road. I blame MartinC for talking us into a visit to the Hindu Kush .. but perhaps I am easily led. Anyway having bought Afghans various (not done yet ) and having knocked off my Ghurkas I then remembered that I had bought the wonderful Last Stand at Gandamak set from Iron Duke Miniatures  (sculpted by Paul Hicks) after it was first released and it has seasoned in the lead pile for a few years . The set is modelled on the painting by William Barnes Wollen which now hangs in the Regimental museum.

The 13th of January 1842 saw a battle near the village of Gandamak on the road from  Kabul to Jalalabad The 44th foot were the last remnants of the 16,000 that tried to retreat from Kabul in the First Afghan war.  . It depicts their last defence of a rocky outcrop just outside the village It is said that bones could still be found at the site of the battles up to the late  1970’s . Lt Thomas Souter wears the regimental colour wrapped around his waist under his Poshteen coat - something that saved his life as when captured they thought he was important enough to ransom. There was one acknowledged survivor of the whole column who made it out to Jalallabad , but several hundred others who were captured and eventually released .Of course it’s another in the line of great colonial disasters depicted in pictures of the time .

Lt Thomas Souter wears the Regimental around his waist to protect it.

 

 

The last group cling to the rocky outcrop .

Consultant geologist Martin C says it’s made of sandstone ..

 

And here is the picture 

And just a little bit of creating it . Figures are based on 20mm MDF circles. 

The large display base started out as various MDF bases and was built up.

Eventually covered in tile grout, rocks , PVA and sand.
With the figure positions marked out .
 I also has to make about 200 snowy tufts !

These should do nicely for Martins next visit up the Khyber 

16 figures = 80 pts 

So that is me done . I have posted every week - the painting target points wise has been met with it nearly all being actual painting not just bonus stuff and a number of collections have had some love. There are a few quick wins to do after the challenge , I need to give the 10mm AWI some attention , and of course there are still some hangers on that  will be held over until next time. I normally write out an Autumn / Winter wish list - so here is the progress , a good 50% completed 

I will see what can be moved into Spring /Summer list coming up . 

If any of you are getting your 10mm stuff from Pendraken then you might just find me making it as I now have a hobby job casting toy soldiers for a few  hours a week . Toy soldier heaven .😀😀. 

If you are in the UK and attending Partizan in May , please pop by , the Sudan stuff will be out for a demo game (look for North Riding Wargames Club).

So thats me - over and out - Huzzah! 

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Thanks Dave for this wonderful entry, and for another terrific Painting Challenge. I have to say, this whole "I know, I'll do a list" thing seems a touch heretical to me, but you can't argue with results. 

This submission is particularly lovely, very well done, and will be inspiring for a number of us who have some projects on the go for this general period and setting. And it's always great to see a Challenger complete something that has been sitting on their shelves for a while!

Given the terrain work, and what a hassle that can be, as well as the general awesomeness, I have added 10 bonus points - so that will be 90 points for you!

Great stuff Dave, a wonderful Challenge!

GregB