Saturday 5 March 2016

From DaveD - Sudan Camel Corps - Part 2 (240 Points)

So part two of the Camel Corps consists of  a unit of close order infantry , and a set of skirmish order troops. It's taken an age to complete the whole Corps, so I am pleased to see the end of this lot.

36 troopers in double rank , front rank kneeling - with Martini-Henry's levelled ready to fire!

The breech-loading, single-shot .458in (ouch that is going to hurt) Martini-Henry rifle became a symbol of both the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 and the numerous battles in Egypt and the Sudan in 1884-85. Its invention and introduction into British service were in direct response to the success of the Prussian Dreyse needle gun, which demonstrated that the breech-loading rifle offered faster loading, improved accuracy and superior range. Significantly, the weapon could be loaded and fired from a prone position, thus offering the rifleman greater security on the battlefield.  



These are old Connoisseur figures , and i found them a pain to paint (which is unusual) as they were really showing their age , and some soft detail . 

My rules also allow units to break up a company or two into skirmish formations , to help with recon and flushing out the bad guys.  I have 12 figures from Redoubt, these are individually based , and set into various free form sabot bases. This mean I can choose to field a number of "skirmish units" on the sabot base with between 2- and 5 figures so it make them go further. I just then fill in with tall grass / rocks etc for visual effect. 


  

 These were a lot nicer to paint than the close order ones. 

So that is 48 foot... 240pts
Cracking! Your first volley of the day is right on the mark, Dave.  Fabulous work. It's too bad that the Connoisseur figures gave you a bit of stick, but these venerable castings still look terrific all ranked-up. Again, I really like your skirmish sabots, especially the rock and grass inserts - very well executed.
And so with this entry Dave's begins his march back into the top ten... Thank you sir, may we have another?

34 comments:

  1. Lovely stuff. I dread to think the size of the table you are going to need

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  2. Great additions to your collection! How large is your Sudan collection at this point? I'd expect it to be quite an effort to even take it somewhere to play!

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    1. Cheers. The troops are reasonable to transport, and a lot of the Fuzzies are plastic so not too heavy. The terrain transport might be the challenge!

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  3. Splendid chaps and camels, our wishes have been truly fulfilled!

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  4. As I sit painting on a dull and raining Saturday morning looking at these I just KNOW that this is more figures that I will get painted between now and the and of the challenge. Brilliant stuff mate. I am really impressed. More so by the hint of the "First Volley" of the day comment. Utterly brilliant.

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    1. Cheers Clint.. Oh yes the ammo dumps are being readied

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  5. Lovely work Dave :)

    Clint will be happy - camels! ;)

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  6. I am an old school colonials fan and this stuff suits me to a tee. Well done Dave, the camels, the blue on the jackets, the skirmish sabots and whole damn shooting match. Let's not also forget the Martine-Henris place on the NW Frontier.
    Wow!

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  7. Cheers Peter.. One day ( way in the future) I want to run 4 games at once ... Soldiers of the Queen war gaming weekend .. Sudan, Zulu, NWF, and I have an eye on Taku Forts or Maori Wars

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    1. I am looking forward to that Dave!

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    2. Me too!... The whole thing has been bugging me for years... The itch needs scratching..once I get the big Sudan games out of the way

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  8. another camel trophy, congratulations!

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  9. Absolutely smashing stuff Dave! There's something special about an orderly colonial firing line and the older figs look the business when used on mass.

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    1. It true , a line of levelled rifles is something you don't see often . And they do still do the job ranked up...

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  10. Impressive stuff once more, Dave - how do you do it? They look magnificent!

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  12. Your games table must groan under the weight! Such fine minis.

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    1. It's a good job half of this collection is plastic I must say

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  13. That view with the camels sitting serenely behind the firing line is brilliant.just what great tabletop battlefields should look like!

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    1. Yep, it was just how I wanted it, getting planned for the big game now

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  14. More excellent looking camels!

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  15. Congrats on another huge painting lot Dave - the Camel Corps are among my favourite gaming units, period - love to see them ranked up and ready to deliver a volley!

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  16. Excellent opening volley, Dave! They do look impressive ranked up and the camels held in reserve really adds to them. I really do like your skirmish bases too! ;)

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  17. Very nice! I like the skirmish bases! The camels look exceptionally disciplined...

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