Sunday 24 December 2017

From KenR: 28mm WWI Indian Mountain Gun (30 Points)


A short first entry to begin my second attempt at the AHPC, I thought getting a few points on the board "early doors" would get the painting mojo in top gear.


So I present for your delight and delectation a WWI Mountain Gun with four Indian Crew. These are made by Empress Miniatures in 28mm as part of their Jazz Age Imperialism range. There are some excellent figures in the range (including some gorgeous Highlanders coming soon) that help fill out a WWI range nicely.

I have gone for a basic basing style with no grass tufts as they are to fit into a larger pre existing collection which pre dates those lovely pre glued accessories.


The gun was specifically designed for use in mountainous terrain and broke down into lots of smaller individual pieces so they could be carried by mule. The Indian units brought them with them from the sub continent to Mesopotamia and I have pictures of them being used in Palestine in 1917.

The Empress model breaks down into a similar number of pieces which is wonderfully realistic but a right royal pain in the ........ sorry, challenge to put together.


One of my two main themes this year is my Mesopotamia collection and this is a nice little start to that. I am off to work tonight (Xmas Eve) so I will wish you all a Merry Xmas and I hope Santa brings that Lanchester Armoured Car you always wanted.


I make it 5 points each for the crew and 10 for the Art Piece, a nice little 30 points to get me up and running.

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Welcome back to the Challenge, Ken!

I love seeing figures for these 'along-the-margins-of-history' being done. I've covetously perused the Jazz Age of Imperialism range and completely whiffed on connecting them with WWI Mesopotamia - duh. Now the wheels are turning! The gun is excellent and I really like their regimental turbans and the blue-grey of their service shirts. 

Excellent work Ken!

28 comments:

  1. Great work Ken, it’s a lovely model. Though I’m not sure, despite its ‘portable’ tag, that I’d want to be part of the crew in charge of lugging the gun and its ammo up and down mountains ;)

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    1. Cheers Steve, I think the donkeys did most of the work !

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  2. I really like the gun and crew, Ken! The gun I would've splashed with camouflage or weathering, but I really like the plainer look you preserved. Really focuses the eye to the Canon and it's gapping barrel! ;)

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    1. Cheers David, I could only find a couple of pics of them in Mesopotamia and plain was the colour of the day, it does have it's advantages in a painting competition 😉

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  3. Welcome back, Ken - lovely opening salvo there!

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  4. Lovely gun and crew Ken. I've been looking forward to seeing new stuff for Mesopotatmia project.
    What's the chappie at the back got cukes under his arm?
    Any plans for a mule team to transport he gun?

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    1. Thanks Peter, I have to say I'm not sure about the contents of the tube, I would guess at a range finder but I would be keen to know.

      As for a mule team, one day.

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  5. Nice work Ken! I watch The Northwest Frontier last night and saw a few of these in action.

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    1. Cheers Millsy,thats a film I havent seen in years, looking for it now !

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  6. WW1 Mesopotamia - what a cool setting! Great work on this Ken. That gun does seem like a huge pain to assemble...

    So, does anyone make Australian light horse in 28mm? Just kind of wondering...

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    1. Thanks Greg, I wish I had a picture of the thing in bits, it's a real challenge.

      Aussie Light horse are done in 28s by a few companies, EMP, Lancashire and Brigade spring to mind.

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  7. Very nice! That extra-wide gun shield is quite distinctive! I’m looking forwards to more of your work in this theatre.

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    1. Cheers Barks, as they had to carry it all you would have thought they would have skimped a bit on the shield.

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  8. Nice gun and crew, good to be usable in a couple of settings, just keep away from Kut!
    Best Iain

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    1. Thanks Iain, we are playing through the Mesopotamia Campaign at the moment and we are up to the retreat to Kut after Ctesphion so it will see action there.

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