One of those classic British Imperial units the Bengal Lancers. The 9th were moved to the Sudan and fought around Suakin. With those pesky Fuzzy Wuzzies not playing the game and lying the on the ground what you really need as a cavalry man is a 9 foot pointy stick to get them with.
So here I have two squadrons (two more along later) of old school Connoisseur Miniatures with some heavy conversion - only the officer is a straight figure. This range never got around to making buglers so the bugler is made from a trooper figure, arm removed remade with solder and soldered into position holding the bugle to his lips. The bugle is made from garden twisty wire formed into shape and the bell of the bugle created from solder. 10 of the troopers have their lance arm removed, repositioned or remade and soldered back into a variety of thrusting type position. The lances are made from 0.8mm piano wire so won't bend and are then soldered into the hands of the trooper along with lance strap. The idea is to give the impression for the these two squadrons at full charge ready to hit their quarry.
I did the heavy duty conversion work a few months ago, so good to see these first lot completed. I can heartily recommended a bottle of Bengal Lancer while fettling away in your man cave!
From Curt:
What a gobsmacking entry Dave! I love these guys (and their loyal ponies). As usual, your customization work is peerless, just gorgeous. I also love their red and white pennons snapping fiercely to the pace of the charge - wonderful stuff.
This entry has a base of 120 points but I'm adding another 36 for Dave's fantastic modding work with his magical soldering iron. Beautiful work Dave and thanks for taking it up a notch. Millsy my good man, the heat is being turned up...
Great job on these Dave! The use of the piano wire is brilliant.
ReplyDeleteNice choice of beverage to go with these guys!
thanks Anne
DeleteTerrific stuff Dave, just terrific. Speechless stuff :-)
ReplyDeleteAmazing work! Nice work converting the guys too
ReplyDeletecheers
DeleteKaboom! Points bomb dropped. Top job on these. Looking good and they even have a beer. Cheers
ReplyDeletei was going to drop the whole regiment in one go. but as these were done nad it was my positing day thought i would bank the points. - cheers
DeleteMagnificent.
ReplyDeletewhy thank you
DeleteMy dad always claimed to be a Bengal lancer, which is odd as he was an electrician from Stoke.
DeleteWonderful - another classic unit of the Sudan. Really impressive conversions Dave
ReplyDeleteThought you might like em!
Delete"Millsy my good man, the heat is being turned up..."
ReplyDeleteIndeed it is, but who by I wonder? 36 bonus points for conversion work done months ago? Geez... :-)
Well done Dave, these are a stonking entry and eye wateringly pretty. I'm insanely jealous of now and it will likely result in me buying more lead.
Ah, but I've given similar point bonuses in the past to people who've sculpted and cast their own miniatures (yes, prior to the Challenge) so I see no problem here. It's the extra effort beyond the norm that I'm recognizing.
DeleteAbsolutely right you are too mate. Just indulging in a little bantz :-)
Deletethe beggars take way longer to convert than they do paint! - bu tnever fear young Millsy.. only 3 more cavalry reginents to do!!
DeleteSounds a lot like the orcs I'm painting at the moment. All I can see are endless rows of green bodies with too many teeth.
Deleteyup!!! i feel your pain!
DeleteAnd here those two go, shame you and Millsy are in a sprint and a marathon but your forgiven as the figures are lush
ReplyDeleteIan
yeah , get yer finger out!!
DeleteWonderful work!
ReplyDeletethanks
DeleteFabulous work on these Dave. I shall answer next Tuesday with Mahdist Cavalry! (That is not your cue to do oodles more of these blighters) And by mid January with Camalry!
ReplyDeleteaah the promise of camels! - i got some planned - but might be into Feb
DeleteI have the promise of British Camels and Mahdi camels as well as dismounted camel corps as well. No Idea when, all depends on when my friend (Matt) wants them done so he can smuggle them back indoors!
DeleteWondefful work Dave. Things are already looking interesting at the top of the table :)
ReplyDeletethanks Tamsin... i don't much like the look of Millsy rear......
DeleteUghhhh - that visual is searing through my brain - please pass the mind bleach.....
DeleteEr yes... Sorry about that..
DeleteSuperb work and very well deserved bonus points for the conversions. Hmmm I may have to pick up my pace to keep up with you check devils!
ReplyDeleteI have been wondering what you've been up to. As my mate Evan pointed out, it must be difficult painting while looking over your shoulder...
DeleteSadly, work has intervened and I had to pop over to the UK for a few days to deal with a struggling investment. Alls good but British Airways does frown upon one pulling out your painting kit on the flight. Don't even get me started on the X-Acto knife and the TSA....
DeleteI do have a few things in the can for scoring on my appointed day of the week (Thursday)
As usual, the Challenge is proving to be both great fun and really inspiring given the great quality of work everyone is submitting
Great stuff! That beer is well-deserved.
ReplyDeleteThanks Edwin... It was most enjoyable and was on offer for 3 for a fiver!
DeleteStunning unit. Very well done, Dave!
ReplyDeleteCheers Stefan.
DeleteJust stunning. Congratulations Dave.
ReplyDeleteglad you like em!
DeleteSuperb!
ReplyDeleteNow to find a Napoleonic themed beer!
cheers... now there is an idea!
DeleteSuperb work!
ReplyDeletethanks Roy
DeleteI would not want these fearsome lads heading my direction they look great.
ReplyDeleteindeed not!
DeleteWhat an absolutely smashing looking set of horsemen! Very imposing for those being ridden down no doubt.....
ReplyDeletecheers, glad ya like em
DeleteOh those look special indeed!
ReplyDeleteChristopher
glad ya think so
DeleteWonderful painting work, with a lot of conversion work in it too! Really nice, sir.
ReplyDeletethanks Juan,
DeleteBeautiful stuff, inspiring. Incredible work Dave.
ReplyDeletecheers Greg
DeleteFantastic work! They really have a lot of movement to them.
ReplyDeletethanks - that is one of the reasons I use the Connoisseur light horses - I still don't think you can beat them for movement, and once you tweak the rider it all comes together
DeleteFreaking awesome Dave! I always have a soft spot for Bengal Lancers, seeing as my mother was one in her youth. Great looking post - you've well earned your IPA.
ReplyDeleteCheers
PD
I did indeed.. Cheers Peter.
ReplyDeleteHighly impressive conversion and excellent painting! They definitely look the part.
ReplyDeleteCheers.. Yes I was pleased with the end result.
DeleteGreat looking squadrons and one of my favorite regiments for eye candy! Top notch on these fellows from lances- turbans they look great!
ReplyDeleteCheers David
DeleteVery nice work, DaveD! I was just watching the old "Gunga Din" on TV last night - not exactly about the Lancers, but I think some of them show up when the column moves out...?
ReplyDeleteAs to that brew - we probably can't get it on this side of the Pond...? :-(
Cheers Kevin, more is the pity it's a grand beer. Ooh you reminded me to look that film out for Christmas festivty time
DeleteHoly conversion, Batman! There's something wonderfully old school about using a soldering iron to mod your figures, and what a fantastic end result you've gotten. Great work!
ReplyDeleteOh very old school , only a very few of us old timers do that.. Glad you like em
DeleteGreat stuff! The thought of converting with a soldering iron is both thrilling and terrifying. I've seen some using them on 1/72 plastics. Beyond my skill set at the moment.
ReplyDeleteFYI Curt, I hadn't noticed it before, but I'm getting the p.txt download every time I try to click on a picture from the blog. From the feed reader it opens a new tab with the picture as expected. So I'm wondering if there is something hinky with the blogs light box feature.
Hmm, I just turned Light Box off. Can you confirm if it helps on the viewers' end? Thanks!
DeleteHi Curt, just saw this and then somehow deleted my post before sending. The first two images may be the culprit. They have a different link showing on mouseover.
ReplyDeletehttps://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F4.bp.blogspot.com%2F-gSlMcIJ62X0%2FVI6qAj-VGbI%2FAAAAAAAAIYs%2FCHD-5TSiv1g%2Fs1600%2FIMG_1575s.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*
Where as the rest of the pictures and other randomly selected ones have a normal URL.
http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wMO9p0TPMpU/VI3APik8GGI/AAAAAAAAIX0/0-olwiG1Tw4/s1600/IMG_1577s.jpg
I think it's that first bit, with the proxy etc that is the problem, not the light box.
Okay, perhaps is has something to do with how Blogger is dealing with multiple authors sending in various image files. I'm not sure what I can do on my end to correct this.
Deleteperfectly painted and presented miniatures
ReplyDeleteCheers Alex.
DeleteVery nice work!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks Ray
Delete