From PhilH - 28mm Spanish Civil War Carabineros (35 Points)

The best laid plans...

A fortnight ago, Juan and I were hurtling towards the showdown of our duel. I was a fair bet that Juan would enter into the 'Victorian' bonus round, smashing his target. But our entry days would score first. At 180 points, if I could paint 14 miniatures in one week, I could have made it. I ploughed into the first batch of my Spanish Civil War project.

Alas, my painting plans rarely survive contact with an average week. As the first week dragged on, it became less and less likely that I'd finish the first batch, let alone a second. Juan's Wednesday entry pushed him over the line. In an attempt to recover some honour, I worked late last Thursday before hanging up the brushes well after I should have hit the pillow. Fourteen miniatures in one week? Fat chance, unless they're Mahdists - seven was too high a bar!

Still, it meant I could recover my energies and not rush such fine miniatures from Empress. One week on, this starts my SCW project proper. Seven Carabineros in trousers and shirts and their very fine peaked caps. They have been joined by the test mini in his overalls, whose webbing was tweaked as suggested.

The carabineros, or more accurately, Real Cuerpo de Carabineros de Costas y Fronteras were the Spanish frontier guards and customs police and fought on both side of the Civil War, though siding perhaps slightly more often with the Republicans. Though largely deployed at ports and frontier crossings, they were responsible for patrolling their area of responsibility. They were lightly equipped, with just one Hotchkiss machine gun in the armoury of a command of multiple companies. During the Civil War, support weapons would have been drawn from army or other units, which is what the Chain of Command list allows. 

I've not seen any carabineros painted in 28mm, though I found examples in smaller scales. I'm pleased with how their 'grey green' has come out - a noticeable colour and my worry it would look lurid on larger areas was misplaced. But boy was it slow work, probably eight highlights. 

As they are on the same sized bases as my Sudan British, my skirmish trays can be dual-use.

Seven 28mm miniatures, 35 points. First batch done - two more to go - overalls and tunics - then onto something different!


From Curt:

Lovely work Phil. That grey-green you've concocted for their uniform is just wonderful, but EIGHT highlights - are you mad!?  Nonetheless, your brushwork is as smooth as butter so what do I know. 

In the pictures some of the shirts have a washed-out pinkish undertone, is that from the paint or an artifact from the photo?  Anyway I quite like it. Also, the mix of leather tones for their cartridge boxes is a great approach as it reinforces their non front-line status (perhaps having to resort to un-matching, ad hoc equipment?). 

I probably don't need to remind you that you and I have a duel coming to its conclusion as well. If memory serves, it is to see who can first paint 100 points of infantry from any civil war ('A Duel So Civil'). With this entry, along with your test model and your priest you have 45 points. I have 65 from my Russian Civil War Czechoslovakian infantry (I'm not counting my Tachanka as it's a vehicle).  I can pretty much guarantee I will hit (and hopefully exceed) my 100 point goal by this Sunday, but in the spirit of competition I challenge you to hit our 100 point target, or better yet, match my Sunday tally, with your next Thursday submission (Jan 29th). I know you can do it.

Are you up for it Mr. Hawkins?  :)