Wednesday, 23 December 2020

From MartinC. Opening Post - Dunsterforce (90pts)

 Morning gentlemen, morning Ray. Hope you are all well. This is my 7th Challenge and one of my favourite parts of the year. The Challenge is responsible for the rejuvenation of my wargaming hobby. I have a habit of painting loads of figures and then getting pipped at the post by Miles on the last day. That was until Noel joined this happy band and ground us all to dust.

This year I have 2 major projects; 10mm Italian Wars (I am going to paint hundreds of 10mm Landsknechts) and 28mm Dunsterforce.

For those of you that don't know about this weird unit then potted history. Dunsterforce was formed at the end of 1917 to protect Bristish interests in the Caucus Mountains as a direct consequence of the collapse of Russia. It was initially made up of a handful of volunteers with the aim of training locals to resist potential expansion of the Turks towards Baku on the Caspian Sea and the oil field there. In 1918 it was reinforced by 39th Brigade and held Baku for a month before being forced to retreat by the Ottoman Army of Islam.

Dunsterforce was the Proto-SAS and with support for Cossacks had many adventures. They took a train of refugees through enemy territory (Think NW Frontier film with Kenneth More) and sailed into Baku in ships flying the Serbian Flag. They only had the Russian imperial flag, couldn't fly the British one as that would be an invasion, and the locals wouldn't them fly it, so they flew it upside down - the Serbian Flag.

Enough waffling, I could go on for hours. The plan is to use them in Russian Civil War campaigns, which we play using Bolt Action so I've finished a couple of sections

Each section is 10 figs, only 9 each here as I already have the officers (colonial conversions)

These figures represent the 7th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment, part of the 39th Brigade

I'm from North Staffordhire so the stars have aligned

I've discovered Vallejho colour washes and love the effect they give onthese Copplestone figs

So that is 18 x 28mm figures = 90 points and a start.

Have a good Christams and a happy New Year. Many 2021 be less of spectacular pain inhte arse


24 comments:

  1. Great looking troops. I'd heard the name Dunsterforce before, but now I have some background to associate with it. Thanks!

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  2. Nice painting to open your book, Martin. Dunsterforce sounds like a really interesting project - I love these "off the wall" unusual theatres, so will be watching out for your offerings.
    I've never tried the Vallejo washes - these figures are a good ad for it - may give it a try.
    But landsknects in 10mm? Rather you than me!

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    1. Ta, done some landsknechts already. They look great.

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  3. Thats really novel Martin, I hadnt heard of Dunsterforce before! Great job.
    The RCW has been calling to me for some time also...

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    1. Highly recommend RCW, its a blast. Look at the wargamesinthedungeon blog, Matt plays a loy

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  4. Now there's an unusual subject. Fascinating, the Dunsterforce. The Great War YouTube Channel did some interesting videos on them (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LExMogcEh0). The figures came out very well and I look forward to watching both your projects unfold!

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    1. Thanks, seen the video. 1st read about it in Peter Hopkirks book on secret service east of constantinople. I strongly recommend all his books

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  5. Welcome back Martin looking forward to seeing the hordes that you produce this year. Dunsterforce is a wonderful project, one of those fact is stranger than fiction tales.

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    1. Cheers, not sure about hordes this year though

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  6. Lovely looking troops, Dunsterforce is great fun!
    Best Iain

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  7. Haha, are you taking over from Tamsin?

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  8. Lovely stuff Martin, loads of cool scenarios in the Dunsterforce book, also good for WW1 Mesopotamia 😁
    Regards KenR

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  9. Lovely stuff Martin, loads of cool scenarios in the Dunsterforce book, also good for WW1 Mesopotamia 😁
    Regards KenR

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    1. Cheers, been looking at the book,need to buy it. Also have the Turks

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  10. Great figures and a wonderful bit of history. The collapse of Tsaris Russia really created some amazing (and very tragic) tales. Welcome back Martin - great to see you again.

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  11. Cheers mate. I do like the weird stuff. Its good to be back

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  12. Lovely work Martin, great brushwork

    Cheers
    Matt

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  13. Nicely done Martin - I recall reading a bit about Dunsterforce, I think it was in an edition of WI? Anyway, very cool and interesting, well done.

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    1. Cheers, yes it was but don't have the copy

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  14. Fascinating subject about which I knew nothing! Keen to hear more about these Vallejo washes.

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