From RichardM - The Sudan and a few others from AHPC XV

As I have said previously, a huge thank you to Curt and Sarah for the Challenge, our small group who meet for a paint and chat on Tuesdays, Millsy as our minion and chat organiser and all of you who commented on my posts and gave me so much encouragement.  Also to the others participating, whose posts served as constant inspiration.  

I have managed to get all of the Sudan forces done during the Challenge onto the table - but unfortunately there is not sufficient room to lay them out ‘in action’. 

To cover that, I have put a few photos further down showing a set of action shots taken around the mid-point of the Challenge.  

There are also two photos of the Sassanid Persian units done at the beginning of the Challenge.  

And if you’re not bored / asleep by the time you reach them, I have also dropped some photos of my favourite units painted for the Sudan during the Challenge.

So firstly, this is all of the Sudan painted in the Challenge on the table.

A shot of all of the British Empire and Egyptian troops.

And the Mahdists.

And finally, the two 28 mm Sassanid Persian units that were done at the beginning to finish off a project that had been going for the second half of last year.

A couple of ‘action’ shots from earlier in the Challenge.

And if you’re not too bored, some reminders of my favourite units done through the Challenge.

From RichardM: More from the desert - but separated by 1300 years (234 points)

Entries from two projects this week.

Firstly, a small continuation for the Sassanids with two skirmisher bases of slingers.  As previously, they are based for Impetus and are quite an effective weapon.  The figures are from Aventine Miniatures and are their generic slingers.

Then moving onto the first of the Sudan project.  It is a 10mm project using the figures from Pendraken. I am not going to slavishly stick to one of the various campaigns in the Sudan - so over time there will be red, khaki and grey coated British infantry, Egyptians, cavalry and the Desert Column (which makes an appearance today).  

I intend to use the Sands of Sudan rules published by Carlo Pagano based on the work of Peter Gilder. One of the attractions of the rules (especially with the 10mm figures) is that the units are large - 60 or 72 figure British Infantry battalions for instance and 48 camels in the Desert Column regiments.  

I have plans for various desert buildings / huts, oasis, Khartoum and its walls as well as a ‘Nile’ with all that should accompany it - paddle steamers, native boats and of course a crocodile.  I may paint some of the terrain during the challenge (once I get to 1200 points goal).  

First up then are some Beja warriors - and I have discovered how hard it is to photograph 10mm figures, especially when they are dark skinned.  

Then the first of three Desert Column camel regiments for the British - there will eventually also be Mahdist, sitting and baggage camels.  

The points tally:

Sassanid slingers:          6 * 28mm foot             = 30 points

Beja warrior foot:          60 * 10mm foot           = 60 points

British camels:               48 * 10mm mounted   = 144 points  

Total: 234 points

From Millsy:

This is such a cool post Richard! I'm a big fan of all things desert and colonial stuff too so this really hits my sweet spot. Carlo's rules are really well written and full of flavour and will give you great games with your new collection.

I'm just amazed at the quality and consistency of your paintwork at 10mm. My initial thought was they were 15 or even 20mm given how much detail you have packed in. Presumably you will do dismounted camel riders too at some point?

Super stuff mate. Can't wait to see the Beja!

Cheers,
Millsy

From RichardM: Sassanid dismounted Savarin Knights 28mm (200 points)

I have been painting a Sassanid army for Impetus as one of my projects through 2024.  Not long after starting to play Impetus, I saw a Sassanid army and since that time have wanted to paint one.  Over the intervening years I collected figures from Aventine, A&A Miniatures and Gripping Beast.  I also grabbed hold of any (and all) that I could find on bring and buy stands and online.  The results of the purchases mean I have now painted just over the 500 points worth for a reasonable Impetus force - and have as many again still sitting in the box.  There are a few more units that I want to complete now and I will leave the rest to paint until later when I have an opposing force that is of sufficient size to face close to 1,000 points.

These figures are claiming the ‘Limbo’ theme in Dante’s challenge as painting had started.  However, as the Impetus list does not have any provision for dismounted knights, I focused on completing other units that were on the list.  Having seen these figures on another blog, I decided I needed to get and paint three bases worth regardless of what the list allows.

These figures are all Aventine in 28mm and the banner and shield transfers are from LBMS.  

The points calculation:

36 figures @ 5 points each = 180 points

Dante’s Limbo theme = 20 points

TOTAL: 200 points

Unconnected to the Painting Challenge - but here is a quick photo to show their relatives that they will be joining 

From Millsy:

Wow, what an amazing image the whole army presents when arrayed en masse! It's an impressive sight and even more so when you know how well individual units are painted based on this submission.

Such vibrant colours, beautiful shields and the composition of the bases giving them a feeling of a moment captured in time. And speaking of bases, very similar to my own style for my Arabs and really setting the minis off well.

200 glorious points. Cracking work mate!

Cheers,
Millsy

From RichardM - Sassanid Persian Infantry 28mm - 110 points

The 6mm Adler Napoleonics project that I showed last week will involve 10,000+ figures over the next 18 months.  

So I also need a 'sanity' project to help with burnout and to not lose touch with different painting techniques.

I have had these Sassanids for about three years waiting for the right moment.  Having started to read Adrian Goldsworthy's book "Rome and Persia", I got the itch and so the moment had arrived.  

Like all my Ancients armies, these are based for the Impetus rules.  The first two units are a heavy foot unit of Levy spearmen and some archers.  Basing is pretty simple with just a layer of AK Interactive Dry Ground Terrain Paste which has then had a light drybrush and some tufts applied.

These miniatures are 28mm from Gripping Beast.  The army will also include figures from Aventine and A&A Miniatures.  

Hopefully next week will see a return to the Napoleonics with some Saxons and Italians.   If I have the time, there may also be another unit of Levy spearmen for the Sassanids which I have cleaned of flash  today.  

Points

The spearmen have 12 figures and the archers 10 - so 22 figures at 5 points each should be 110 points.

From Millsy: These are absolutely lovely in so many ways Richard. You have a really clean painting style and it suits the subject matter so well. The palette is nice and tight but they're not boring at all despite that and the diorama style basing finishes the minis off nicely too. Cracking work!