Duncan´s 20mm Colonial Modelling

Celebration of Peter Guilder's Work

2012-01-24T01:06:00.000-08:00

Work at the moment dominants’ most of my concentration and efforts; however, in a moment of lapsed concentration I gave some thought to our hobby and while browsing through some of Peter Guilders images...it occurred to me that his was some of the best Sudan Diorama's of his time...and so by way of a small celebration of his work...although it is 25mm...I thought I would post a few more of his images and some extra nice stuff which was surely influenced by him.

Let the pictures do the talking...

Peter Gilder's Colonel JDH Stwart & General Chinese Gorden

Peter Guilder British Square beats off a Mahdist Attack it hopes!

Peter Guilder's A British Column leaving a town in the Sudan

Peter Guilder's Sudan British Infantry

Peter Gilder's Sudan Campaign - A River Gun Boat protects the Desert patrol of Bengal Lancers, British Infanty and The Camel Corps

Peter Gilder's Sudan Campaign_First Mahdist attack at El Teb; the Ansar riflemen & Dervish Infantry hit the Royal Marines but were repulsed!

Peter Gilder's Sudan Campaign; Ansars pass a water hole on the way to throw out the Turk!

Peter Gilder's Sudan Campaign; Ansar riflemen & Dervish infantry throw themselves at the Turk Camel Corps and Marines!

Peter Gilder's Sudan Campaign; 19th Hussars attack the village of El Teb driving out the Ansar riflemen

Sudan Gunboat by Johnson & Knott; looks like they used figures from the Peter Guilder inspired paint brush!

Sudan Gun Boat from Front Rank...excellent stuff!

Willie (Edward Suren) 30mm Sudan figures painted by the excellent figure painting artist BJ Harris

Front Rank's 25mm British Troops_in Egypt 1882

A Superbly painted British fort in the Sudan

Hope you all enjoyed the images...some great stuff there to get us all back to the paint brushes...hehehehehhe!!

Oh & here are some of his words...

Peter Guilder's - The Sudan

More to follow soon

Duncan

Colonial RHA Gun Team & Limber

2011-12-04T04:25:00.000-08:00

Its been a tough few months...

Not had much time for painting and modelling. However the other day I managed to make a start on a project that I have had on my list since seeing Ethan's excellent 25mm converstion of a colonial gun team for his Afgan War "Maiwand Day" project.

See his subperb work here...

http://maiwandday.blogspot.com/2011/07/full-unit-conversion-1-rha-limbers.html

...and

http://maiwandday.blogspot.com/2011/07/rha-limber-team-afghan-regulars-hi-res.html

So in his footsteps here is my attempt in 20mm plastic...

Lets see how close I can get to the colour scheme below...

Hope you enjoyed the images...

Now to start painting...

Duncan

Zulu war Volunteers,Irregulars and Auxilaries...

2011-11-02T00:12:00.000-07:00

There is an interest on the HaT site for Zulu War Irregular Cavalry...I thought I'd lend my support with a few images and articles...

Natal Carbineers

Colonel Durnford riding out with the Natal Carbineers

Newcastle Mounted Rifles
Durban Mounted Rifleman

Frontier Light Horse

Natal Mounted Police

Native Contingents

Sikalis Horse

A little bonus Article

I didn't tell you to stop working...get Sweating!!

All the best

Duncan

British in Zululand

2011-10-23T12:33:00.000-07:00

To support the coming HaT British Zulu War infantry and to encourage me to paint my birthday gift figures...

http://osborneradloff.blogspot.com/2011/08/my-birthday.html

I thought I'd dig through my bank of Zulu War materials and post some further information on the British infantry who took part in the campaign.

This is the first of many info posts I will upload on the Zulu War...hope you find them useful!

Officer of the 99th in Zululand 1879

A great Article on the 99th in Zululand

Battery Sgt Major Royal Artillery

An other great article - Campaign uniforms of the Zulu War

Riflemen of the Kings Royal Rifle Corps 1879

Infantryman 2nd Battalion 21st Regt 0f Foot (Royal Scots Fusiliers)

Officer 2nd Battalion 21st Regt 0f Foot (Royal Scots Fusiliers)

91st Highlanders Infantry Officer Zulu War 1879

91st Highlanders Infantrymen Zulu War 1879

91st Highlanders Infantry Officer Zulu War

An intesting article on the Gatling Guns of the Zulu War...

Officer Royal Artillery in Undress Patrol Jacket and Navel Brigade Officer

Last item...an interesting set of plates...should keep the fans busy

91st (Princess Louise's Argyllshires) Highlanders

24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regt of Foot - Rorkes Drift

24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regt of Foot - Isandlwana

3rd battalion 60th Kings Royal Rifles 1879

...1st-battalion 13th Regt (Somersetshire) Light Infantry

Lets get painting...

Duncan

Zulus to the south west. Thousands of them!!

2011-10-16T00:24:00.001-07:00

Been out and about recently...getting married etc...plus trying to keep my business on the straight and narrow...which has ment a few trips here and there...but very little painting!

My Dervish infantry is still sat waiting for the last few coats of paint...

In the mean time though - and following on from the release of HaT's latest figures in their colonial range I thought I'd got through my archives and dig out a few items of associated interest...

Hope you find the following useful...

Zulu Warrior

HaT's Zulu Warrior release - which I believe is now available...

A Great article for MM...going back a few years too...

Zulu Warrior - Fasiupa Regt

Finally I'll finish this update with an article by Ian Knight...

Looking forward to seeing some painted figures from a few of you very soon...

Duncan

Ian Weekley

2011-10-07T05:32:00.000-07:00

Firstly - hello from Athens...more about that later!

While scanning a few of my magazine's I came across some fabulous articles by the great Ian Weekley.

And reading Alan's note on Hat's forum a few months ago where he was poundering with the plans for an Afghan Hill Fort/Watch tower...I thought I'd post a few inspirational items from the Weekley Bank of ideas...

Hope you enjoy them...

Ian was such an inspiration...these images are so fabulous! They were one of the many reasons I started with my colonial passion...Hats off Ian!

PS...sorry for the lack of posts...I ran off to get married last month! Found a small Greek island (a favourite of Micheal Wood) and well got married! Eeeekk! Now thats done it! Back to Berlin and HaT's Ansars next week! Well thats the plan...

Duncan

My birthday...

2011-08-12T01:43:00.000-07:00

It t'was my birthday yesterday (27 again) and my boys bought me some great little figures...from TQD Castings (CP Models) from their 20mm (1/72) DARKEST AFRICA range, 1879 BRITISH INFANTRY...

To Mike and Jonathan - thank you gentlemen! Dad Love's you very much!!

I pack of OFFICER, NCO, SCOUT & RIFLEMEN etc & two packs of RIFLEMEN, in MIXED POSES...

They are wonderful figures - I've added them to my queue...but they may just jump a few places forwards...

Not sure if they are planning to add to the range...

Should I paint them as intended or should I convert them to 1882 Egyptian Campaign infantry...mmmmmm!!

Hello Keith...yes we all have lists and projects in the planning stages...hundreds and hundreds of them!

Duncan

Airfix & HäT Zulu War British Infantry

2011-07-26T10:16:00.000-07:00

While we (all) await the test shots of the up and coming HäT Zulu War British Infantry...

I thought I would add some items of 'associated interest'...

Mister Mannix added on the HaT Forum a "short?" List of Campaigns which the Hat Colonials could be used...I am sure he won't mind me listing it here too...

Second Ashanti War (1873-74) West Africa
Daffla expedition (1874-75) NW Frontier
Naga Hills expedition (1875) North Eastern India
Rebellion in Griqualand (1875) South Africa
Rebellion of slave traders in Mombasa & Kilwa (1875-76) East Africa
Kaffir War (1877-78) South Africa
Expedition against the Jawaki Afridis (1877-78) NW Frontier
RN Bombardment of pirate strongholds (1878) Borneo
Gaika War (1878) South Africa
Expedition against Zakha Khel Afridis (1878) NW Frontier
Second Afghan War (1878-80) Afghanistan
Exp. against the Zakha Khel Afridis (1879) NW Frontier
Exp. against the Suliman Khel Pawindahs and other tribes (1879) NW Frontier
Exp. against the Mohmands (1879) NW Frontier
Zulu War (1879) South Africa
Exp. against Sekukuni (1879) South Africa/Botswana
Naga expedition (1879-80) NE India
Exp. against Batanes (1880) Philippines(?)
Exp. against Marris (1880) Sind Valley (Pakistan)
Exp. against Mohmands (1880) NW Frontier
Exp. against Malikshahi Waziris (1880) NW Frontier
5th Basuto War, aka, the Gun War (1880-81) South Africa
First Anglo-Boer War (1880-81) South Africa
Exp. against the Mahsud Waziris (1881) NW Frontier
Arabi Rebellion (1882) Egypt
Bikaneer expedition (1883) India
Akha expedition (1883-84) India
Metis Rebellion (1884) Canada
Zhob Valley expedition (1884) Baluchistan (Pakistan)
Exp. to Bechuanaland (1884-85) SA/Botswana
Gordon Relief Exp. (1884-85) Egypt/Sudan
Bhutan Expedition (1885) N.E. India
Third Burma War (1885-87) Burma
Wars against Arab slave traders in Nyasa (1885-98) East Africa
Exp. against the Black Mountain Hazaras (1888) NW Frontier

Believe it, or not, that is the short list! His note can be seen here;

http://pub19.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=1619281253&frmid=6&msgid=897214&cmd=show

However, some of us have been waiting for a while for these chaps...I first saw a posting on the HäT forum on the April 12, 1998. An article by Mr. Arlin Tawzer, who then was a frequent contributor to the site, and whose efforts at calling for a set of Zulu War British Infantry where then load and clear...ha ha! 13 years!

Excellent stuff Mr. Arlin Tawzer...here is his note on the HaT site here;

http://www.hat72.com/Othr/Spare.html

Back to the core of the post - the HäT Zulu War British Infantry can be used (with a little imagination) for not only Victoria's Barmy Army...

They can be converted into Colonial Italian Troops...

And then converted into French Colonial Troops...

French Fusiliers Marine 1887
French Marine 1883
French Marine Artillary 1888

And lets not forget the Dutch...KNIL Colonial Reserve Soldiers in Indonesia!

Loads and loads to enjoy...
Duncan

War on the Nile...

2011-07-06T03:46:00.000-07:00

While looking for inspiration to repair my Gun Boat...as this is how it looks at the moment...

http://osborneradloff.blogspot.com/2010/07/nile-gun-boat.html
...and this is how I wanted my boat to look...
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_59m9_BWZkTo/S-F8HkTWauI/AAAAAAAAA5U/FuYpB3ZhLRs/s1600/Peter+Gilder%C2%B4s+British+Highland+Column+with+a+Sudanese+company+shuffles+the+Sudan+followed+by+PG+scratch+built+Nile+steamer.jpg

...and while planning its recovery (as it has seen better days)...I received an email from those lovely people at Sierra Toy Soldier...I have used them a number of times for my fathers 54mm Napoleonic collection...

And guess the subject of the email...the Nile Wars!

Oh heck - these great figures are from the new and latest editions to Britain's War on the Nile rang...if only I lived in a hanger!

Take a look...I am sure you will enjoy the images

Dervish Infantry

Britians Camel Corps

Egyptian Infantry - Summer dress

Battle of Tamai March 13, 1884

York and Lancaster Regiment

The whole rang is listed here...

http://www.sierratoysoldier.com/ourstore/pc/Sudan-c799.htm

Back to painting my 20mm

Duncan

The Camel Corps - Britian's Special Forces

2011-06-30T00:55:00.000-07:00

It would be another 32 years before T. E. Lawrence developed modern Guerrilla warfare - and another 60 years before the Special Forces idea would come into its own.

In 1884 it was no less than revolutionary. It had the 'ol Skool' in fits of apoplexy and The Duke of Cambridge (no not William) called it 'outragious'...

The Desert Column was simply an innovation. British Troops had never operated on camels before, and even more - there was no repository of expertise in the British army at that time on which to draw. Wolseley, it is said, had thought long and hard about what king of troops would be needed for the desert march. They would have to be men who were extremely fit and adaptable, preferably with combat experience. They would be deep inside hostile and unfamiliar territory, facing a fanatical enemy of unknown, but vastly sperior strength. One false move would result in the same situation that had done for Hicks...

The above is an extract from one of my favourite books on the subject of the Sudan in 1884...Michael Asher's excellent, "KHARTOUM...The Ultimate Imperial Adventure"...

I will focus on my recommended library in a later blog...today I have decided to post images of those 1100 or so gallant fellows who volunteered to dash across such inhospitable terrain - as part of Wolseley's first 'Special Forces' unit - and save Gordon and the 30 to 40 thousand inhabitants of KHARTOUM!

This picture postcard journey will start with images of some 54mm figures...then a few images I have collected over the past few years - I have included some of my images of the superb HaT figures - and end with a few links to some excellent Camel Corps painted figures...

Go Strong into The Desert is a great source of information...

Here are a few other great links for your interest...

http://www.hat.com/Othr8/Bowden12P.html

http://www.bennosfigures.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4339

http://www.soldatinionline.it/Gallerie/andreamelani/British-Camel-Corps.html

http://www.bennosfigures.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=686

http://www.fuhrmann-figuren.de/1zu72-figur/haet/hat-camelcorps1884/camel-corps-1884.htm

I'm updating my links list - on the right too as there have been simply hundreds on new colonial postings...also adding a few new titles (17th & Bengal Lancers)...Alan and Taran should be pleased!

All the best to you all

Duncan

Gentlemen in Khaki

2011-06-16T05:30:00.000-07:00

This post is deadicated to Mr Mannix, Kipling, Nick, Garrison, Armond, Sander, Alan and the many many other Colonial enthusiasts...

First here is an image of a British Sgt. 9th Lancers, Afghanistan, 1880... A few images of Sudan infantry from Kitchener's invasion force...

Some early painted 54mm from one of my earliest recollections of Colonial Infantry...
To the core of today's blog topic...the various wars and conflicts in Afghanistan between 1878 & 1900...Drummer-roddick saving his offier
Images from my collection - The Frontier Ablaze, North-West Frontier Rising 1897-98

Throw this in for Alan and Mannix...1st Boar war British - but still keeping with the Gentlemen in Khaki theme...

And finally to where my interested all started here...with this set of images from the Suakin Campaign...
Which leads me on to my next posting - Afghan Regular and Iregular forces...I have found my collection of great images which I have collected over the last few years. Once I get my new scanner to work (aaagggghhh) I will post them for all...
Just maybe we can convince HaT or someone to produce a range or Pathans or Afghan Regular troops...what fun we will have painting and sculpting that lot!
Over and out for now
Duncan

On the work bench

2011-06-09T05:03:00.000-07:00

Hello all
It has been almost 6 months since my last posting...busy selling Burgers!!
I was reminded by the lads on the HaT forum and had my ass kicked for not responding to messages and not posting any updates...
Below are a few images from my current listing 'on the work bench'...They are a mixed bag of French, Brits, Arabs and Ansars. All from numerous manufactures (both plastic and metal)

Hope you enjoy them.

Started these chaps a while ago...don't like how the officers cover man is siting in the saddle...the arms are being replaced on both the bugeler and officer...
They are made using ESCI Scot Greys legs and mounts and ESCI Colonial Brits..

Another of my many planned projects...
The officer in the pith Helmet is from RSM...which are, I think, some of the best 20mm colonials around...

http://www.dpcltdcom.org/rsm95_006.htm

The Gatling is from Irregular miniatures 15mm range...sand bags from Hovels (I think)...the rest are ESCI's Colonial Brits...apart from the two Navy lads...who I think are WW1 Gremans

My dream is to one day build a Colonial Train....and todate, this is how far I have got...

I have not got very far with these lads...they are Emhar French (With an ACW Officer from Revell)

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=1117

Now on to my growing Dervish/Ansar forces...

Like many of you I am sure, I too am waiting for Hat to continue the release of their Colonial ranges...I am working on a few they sent me as samples...

Some ol' BB 20mm colonials
RFM, BB and Raventhorpe lads
Started on the standard the other day...however! Poor paint gives you poor results...start again Oz!

Airfix Arabs and BB Arabs...
Following on from seeing Pauls great Sharrif and his lads bods...

http://paulsbods.blogspot.com/2010/11/o-sharrif-and-boys.html

Here's my attempt...can't get the blue just right yet...

I'll be posting a few more images over the next few weeks - I have found some great pictures from a few old Modelling and wargame magazines...

Tally ho

Duncan

5th 9th, 17th & 21st Lancers

2010-11-27T04:07:00.000-08:00

With the continuing development of the Hat plastic Zulu War 17th Lancers, I thought I would post a few of my images from my Colonial War cavalry image bank...

The plan (with some help from Mr. Imagination) is to create Lancers from the Royal Irish (5th) Regt who fought at Suakin in 1885 and the 9th Lancers who, I believe were in the thick of the action during the 2nd Afghan War 1879/80...we await the arrival of HaT's colonial cavalry...

If anyone knows of any other images of either the 5th or the 9th in their colonial garb...I would be very grateful of any information.

Dervish Army

2010-11-17T04:11:00.000-08:00

With the release of HäT's two excellent boxes of Hadendowah and Taaishi Camelry and the up and coming new set of Dervish infantry - seen here...
I thought I would post a few images to get us all in the mood...

All the best to you all
Duncan

15th Ludhiana Sikhs and Watering hole...

2010-10-29T01:07:00.000-07:00

I'm just back from a 10 day holiday in India...Kerala. What a great time we had...but its good to be home.

Before we left I finished off my 15th Ludhiana Sikhs using the HaT Colonial Indians...also I've posted a few images of my watering hole.

The Sikhs headress was difficult to get right...and although I doubt they ever fought in the uniform I have given them I hope you all enjoy the out put...

Heres some of the uniforms I found while researching the regt.

Next will be a group of Colonial French.

Duncan

The Black Watch 1882/84

2010-10-09T01:56:00.000-07:00

I should have waited a extra week to photograph these figures - as its a glorious sunny day here today in Berlin...lol!

Anyway - heres some more of HäT's great Colonial range...I made the Highlander's red hackles by melting the helmets with a hot pin and then placing a small (carefully selected...hehehe) stone in the space...took me ages!

The Officer is from the excellent Jacklex range now being sold by Spencer Smith...see link in my listings on the right side of my blog...

Duncan

The new HäT Taaishi and Hadendowa Camel Warriors

2010-09-28T00:26:00.000-07:00

Although they took me a while to finish...and although I am still not happy with the final outcome I have posted my latest painted figures...

These are the new Taaishi and Hadendowa Camel Warriors from HäT and each box of 12 mounted figures comes with 3 foot figure too...

I think the HäT Colonial range is one of the best on the market...and that includes metal figures...the animation and scale is excellent, the proportions are very well executed and simply because the plastic figures are so much more versatile. The opportunities for customisation are endless...the range is a gem for collectors, modellers and wargamers a-like.

See the links below for more information

http://www.hat.com/Curr2/Bx8208HC/Bx8208HC.html

http://www.hat.com/Curr3/Bx8250TC/Bx8250TC.html

The up coming releases of the Taaishi and Hadendowa will enhance the range - as well as providing a plethora of scenarios for modellers and gamers with other period interests.

Simply excellent stuff...as well as a great addition to our hobbie!

Duncan - in Berlin

P.S. A little bird tells me that more of those lovely HäT Colonial figures which are in development; 17th Lancers, the Frontier Light Horse and the Natal Native Contingent have advanced in the production queue...

Tally ho - tally ho...advance at the quick step!!

Modellbauausstellung - Berlin

2010-09-19T10:06:00.000-07:00

I know its not on subject...but heyho!

A big thanks to Jan from Benno's forum as it was he who wrote to me and told me about the Model Show in Berlin last weekend...

And what a fabulous day Uncle Kuckuck and I had...

Held at the Berlin Airforce Museum (Luftwaffenmuseum der Bundeswehr
Kladower Damm 182, 14089 Berlin) which is on the grounds of the old British Military (Royal Airforce) Airport in Gatow which is about 30mins drive time from the City Centre...

Heres some pictures from our day...

PS - its free entry all year round too...a great reason to visit Berlin!

Best

Duncan

ITALERI AFRICAN HOUSE

2010-08-30T04:37:00.000-07:00

I took the plunge today and bought myself Italeri's latest kit to their accessories rang - their African House.

It took me a few weeks to decided whether or not I was going to invest in the €29.80. After watching the feed back on various forums I popped across to my local model shop this morning - and got the one I had ordered!

The kit goes together very well - and is very well designed.

With a little time and consideration I think there is a lot you can do with this model...it clips together very nicely too...

Enjoy

Duncan

New Toys...models, plans...queues and lists!

2010-08-11T00:45:00.000-07:00

For my birthday I bought myself a few things to keep me busy during the winter months...

The new Stretlets 1877 range is superb...the animation is excellent and the detail very nice...I will paint these to face my British troops on the Northwest frontier...I'm also going to try and see how their WW1 Russians look with an earlier (circa 1885) paint job too...

http://www.strelets-r.com/CamRussoTurkish.html

I've also bought a box of French African Chasseurs...going to see how they look once they come back from under the knife...nice figures though...

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=1557

The Redbox (my first from this company) will need some hardcore cleaning...

And the Hat Scottish Colonial figures are fabulous...my two boys bought me these - thanks lads!

I have already started this morning to paint (see below) the Hat Colonial Scotts as the Black Watch...small stones in their helmets for the tuffs of red! Took me ages...lets see how they look when theire finished...

Also, after weeks of searching on the web I found two boxes of Italeria Union Artillery set...and a normal box of their battle field accessories.

The plan is to build the defences - ditch & all...from Khartoum...long term plan. The motors and Gatlings will be part of Gordon arsenal...and as the figures are so difficult to get hold of these days I thought I'd snap up a few boxes.

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=210

Anyone out there got any ideas on how I can make the Egyptian Fez...or where I can buy just the heads? I don't really want to get boxes and boxes of Waterloo Egyptian and simply remove their heads...anyone know of a company selling just the heads...?

Have a great week one and all

Duncan

Nile Gun Boat...

2010-07-30T00:10:00.001-07:00

Many years ago I had the dream of making my own (scratch built) Nile Gun Boat.

There had been many images that had inspired me...this one in particular stood out from me - maintly because it was one of the best (and still is) scratch built steamers I have seen...in print 'of cause'

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_59m9_BWZkTo/S-F8HkTWauI/AAAAAAAAA5U/FuYpB3ZhLRs/s1600/Peter+Gilder%C2%B4s+British+Highland+Column+with+a+Sudanese+company+shuffles+the+Sudan+followed+by+PG+scratch+built+Nile+steamer.jpg

And then I saw the movie The Four Feathers - 1939 version...and so I was determined to make my own.

I started - restarted - started again...and started once more. I was getting there, but alas my work took to a number of foreign shores and so my 'semi-completed' boat stood in pride of place at my father's home in England.

Upon regaining my passion for painting Colonials etc etc - I took it upon myself to attempt to bring my pride of the fleet home with me to Berlin. Wraped carefully in my bag I brought it across the channel...

Granted my steamer was not finished...granted we still had a few 'areas' onboard to finish off...a few more guns to place - the crew to paint. But it was on the home straight - almost ready for it to join my newly painted redcoats and camel corps as they eased their way slowly up the Nile...

The pictures tell the story!

Plans of mice and men! Tally ho 'ol boy! Back to the drawing board!!

Duncan

Chinese Gordon

2010-07-20T09:41:00.000-07:00

Major-General Charles George Gordon, CB
(28th January 1833 - 26th January 1885)

A great set of 10min videos on Youtube...

Some background...

Major-General Charles George Gordon, CB, known as Chinese Gordon, Gordon Pasha, and Gordon of Khartoum, was a British army officer and administrator.

Gordon was born in 1833 at Woolwich, the son of an artillery officer and received a soldiers education at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich and the Royal Engineers School in Chatham. He first served, as a lieutenant, in the Crimean War of 1853-1856 where he distinguished himself for his bravery at the battle of Sevastopol and was promoted to captain. Gordon then volunteered to join the British forces fighting in China in the Opium Wars.

In 1860, he was in the company that captured Peking and it was Gordon who personally ordered the burning of the emperors summer palace. The Chinese emperor was obliged to admit defeat and signed a peace treaty, the Convention of Peking, allowing British trading rights and legalising Christianity in China. This treaty caused an upheaval in China and a revolt against the Ching dynasty. Gordon found himself propping up the Chinese government, forming a coolie force known as the Ever-Victorious Army. This group was well named for it successfully defended the trading centre of Shanghai in several assaults on the city. In 1865, when the rebellion had been quashed, Gordon returned home to a heros welcome by an enthusiastic public who had dubbed him Chinese Gordon.

In 1873, Gordon received a commission from the ruler of Egypt as governor-general of the Sudan. Gordon was successful in crushing rebellions and suppressing the slave trade until illness forced him to return to London.

In 1884, Gordon was sent to the Sudan by the British government in order to evacuate British and Egyptian forces from the city of Khartoum, which was under threat from a mystic rebel known as the Mahdi. A month later the Mahdis troops laid Khartoum under a siege, which lasted ten months. Before British forces arrived to free the city, the besiegers broke through the city walls and killed the entire garrison.

Back in Britain, Gordon, now known as Gordon of Khartoum, was acclaimed as a hero and a martyr and the government were reviled for not sending relief forces in time.

I found this by complete accident on Youtube...I didn't even know it existed!

Robert Hardy narrates and recounts Gordon's life and times with his own special energy and enthusiasm. The content is excellent - with some great images and some fanciating facts; simply a wonderful insight to a complex man living in a complex time in history

It is by far not a one sided story either...hope you all enjoy it as much as I did...

Gordon of Khartoum - Part 1

Gordon of Khartoum - Part 2

Gordon of Khartoum - Part 3

Gordon of Khartoum - Part 4

Naval Brigade Camel Corps

2010-05-07T04:24:00.001-07:00

Many many years ago I saw this terrific picture in one of my Military Modelling magazines and for some reason the image just stuck with me...

And when first Hat released their British Camel Corps and then the Navel Gardner Gun teams I knew just what I wanted to create.

Then when I saw this image on the Paul's Touching History blog everything fell into place...

Back to the queue and the Dervish Camalry

Duncan

More great pictures from Peter Gilder

2010-05-01T12:25:00.000-07:00

Ever since I had an interest in Military Modelling I have admired the work of Peter Gilder...and going through some of my old hobby mags I found some more of his work - and some great photos of his colonial stuff too...although they are not 20mm - they are simply amazing!

The pitures speak for themselves...

This is just an amazing scratch built steamer - I have one in the workshop too...not as good as this though - but its in the que...

Naval Brigade Camel Corps done - just waiting for good weather to get some good photos

All the best

Duncan

Ansar Army...wats zat in the dust sir....?

2010-04-16T00:27:00.000-07:00

My Ansar army came together the other day to launch itself upon the imperial devils...

They are still waiting for the bulk of their camel troops - but we asured they are on their way across the heat and the dust of the desert dunes...

Some of my Ansar artillery conversions...

My Camel conversions...consisting of Italeri's superb camels, bodies from Waterloo and Caesar

More later next week

Enjoy the weekend

Duncan

New Dervish (Ansar) Camels on their way...

2010-04-10T01:32:00.001-07:00

Well what great news this morning...Hat have released the long awaited test shots of their up and coming Taaishi and Hadendowa Camelry.

With the Hat new (ish) plastic and what looks like great animated figures we will have a field day customising these figures...

And after a bit of searching I found these images too...looking good eh?

And when Hat get round to releasing the Dervish infantry we will have a real battle on our hands...plus even more customisation opportunities...eeeeekkkkkk!!

You can get a better look at the Dervish infantry here...

http://pub19.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=1619281253&frmid=6&msgid=825135&cmd=show

Question is should we also buy the up and coming natal native lads too...?

And what are these...not sure if I should post them...they look like the mock-ups of the Baggage Camels...and Egyptian infantry...wow!! Now that would be fantastic!

With all the new Dervish on the go it got me thinking about my next post...so I thought it would be good to include some of the other figures I am looking forward to seeing entre the market...

I hope you enjoy the walk through or should I say towards - the near future!

I liked these too when they were anounced last this week...we are expecting lots of good stuff coming soon from Hat it seems...

And the long awaited news that they will produce some Colonial Bengal Cavalry...looking very good they are too.

Not forgetting the Hat 17th Lancers

I hope to hear about their release very soon...

On a more unusal subject - but one with much potential is the Hat El Cid Moorish Command. I see Ansar/Dervish command figures here...

The link to the masters page is here...

http://www.hat.com/Prev/Elcidc/Mo_com.html

One project that has caused a lot of interest is the soon to be launched (later this year Nov/Dec I hope) von Lettow's WW1 troops.

Here is the link of the first announcement...

http://www.hat.com/Prev/Vonlet/Vonlet.html

These look to be very interesting figures and the scope to the likes of me is extremely wide indeed...firstly these are Von Lettow Schutztruppe figures...

Von Lettow -Askari figures

Von Lettow figures - Ruga-ruga (Hat want us to be aware that these are only work in progress) but they look great already...

Hat's proposed British Zulu war infantry - they could also work as French Colonial Marines...

You can keep an eye on progress via this link...

http://www.hat.com/Curr2/Bx8237ZB/Bx8237ZBm.html

Now - Redbox. I have seen and heard numerous positive and negitive comments on their figures...but these two may just sneek in and join my collection one day...

What is potentially very exciting - in a plastic 1/72 kind of way is the new offerings from Italeri...their new African House & Desert Waters well and accessoires sets...if anyone sees them around let me know please...

Lastly we have some very exciting (interesting) news for Strelets...I can now start to plan for the then 'potential' conflict between Russia and Great Britain...the Great Game which almost came to blows in 1885 in Afganistan & The North West Frontier...and now that Stretlets have announced new figures for their Russo Turkish War range - we shall see, but the Russian infantry looks very nice indeed.

The full range is here...

http://www.strelets-r.com/CamRussoTurkish.html

The Russians are here...

http://www.strelets-r.com/SetsMini/Set047/Figure.html

Exciting stuff eh?

Duncan

The Dervish Army

2010-03-18T10:17:00.000-07:00

My Dervish Army is slowly taking shape...the sun has started to appear here in Berlin so I have been able to take a few extra shots of progress to date...

I have also posted a few familiar (and non) familiar images to aid with the atmosphere too...here goes...

A familiar image of the plight of the Ansar forces throwing themselves against the power of the then modern weapons...

The famous painting by William Barnes Wollen Battle of Abu Klea 17 Jan 1885 captures the moment when the Mahdist surged through the left rear corner of the British Square...

I like this image as it is one of only a few that shows the Naval Brigade in pith helmets...look closely in the centre of the painting...

Do all Mahdist Generals just want to smash the square with our army of Dervish worriors...?

G W Joy's famous painting epitomise the British view of the time of England's hero General Gordon and his Last Stand in Khartoum on the 26th January 1885.

In contrast to Waterloo's 1815' box cover - very artistic...

These photos were taken when the sun was elsewhere...probably back in the Sudan...

Please don't look at the British standard - I realised I hadn't finished it as I was taking the photos...

...and to aide the atmosphere again and to provide more information on clothing an weapons etc...a Haba Warrior

Danakill & Dervish Warriors

A Beni-Amer Warrior

Some more of my Anti Brit kickers...

I flew back to the UK last week and brought back some more of my painted Ansars and Dervish regiments. Once I have repaired them (unpacked them this morning and eeeeeeeeekkkkkkkkkk) I will photograph them and post the images here...

My Naval Brigade Camel Corps are slowly taking shape now too...just waiting for Hat to release its latest batch of Colonial enamies - 'spear chucker' types...8208 Hadendowa Camelry and 8250 Taaishi Camelry.

http://www.hat.com/Curr2/Bx8208HC/Bx8208HCp.html

http://www.hat.com/Curr3/Bx8250TC/Bx8250TCp.html

Now is all up to Hat your customers are waiting...

Happy Easter everyone

Duncan

54mm Colonials

2010-03-18T08:15:00.000-07:00

I know I have said that this blog is to be dedicated to 20mm colonial (late 19th C) figures, painting, history etc etc...

However – I was sent some information the other day on the launch of the latest figures by W Britains and they are - marvellous. These I thought I would share with you...

The figures got me thinking too...do we paint our 1/72 miniatures because we secretly long for the room, the money, the time, the space – the whole resource thing – so that we can build a real Toy Soldier army?

Then why do we spend so much of our valuable time painting and customising these tiny tiny figures with such fine detail and try so desperately to capture the details of the uniforms...the medals, rank – insignia – faces – beards – even eyes. We even build the scenery and buildings; with such care and loving detail that they should be in a museum...is it because we secretly yearn for a 54mm army...a real Toy Soldier army...?

Do we – I don’t really know...I started painting 54mm Napoleonic’s when I was 10yrs old...and ended up enjoying collecting and painting figures and armies from the late 19th century...

If nothing else these pictures can be used for our scale as uniform ideas etc...Who knows?

The first batch of images are scanned from my copy of Tradition’s Model Soldier...designed by that great figure designer Charles Stadden - what fabulous figures these were...or are, if you are lucky enough to own a few...the book is a great source of inspiration too...

The W Britians collection is entitled - War along the Nile...

Web addresses for more information - and purchase - if you have the room and the resources...

The Sierra Toy Soldier Company...great customer service - very helpful too (I bought a batch of Nap's for my Dad a few years ago...

http://www.sierratoysoldier.com/ourstore/pc/Sudan-c799.htm

W Britians

http://www.wbritain.com/products.cfm?catID=4024

Hope you enjoyed the images...

PS - my own 20mm Dervish lads are done now too - just waiting for a sunny day to photograph them...bring on spring!

Duncan

British Division prepares to move up the Nile

2010-02-10T22:35:00.001-08:00

This is the last of the images I took of the models my father brought across with him a few weeks ago now. They are a mixture of Qualicast and Raventhorpe 20mm miniatures. I bought these to bolster my colonial cavalry as at that time there were very little good plastic cavalry figures.

I still have a load left to paint - my collection is still along way from being finished, and still Hat, Strelets, Redbox and others are planning to release more figures from this period.

My plan is to one day to build a Russian Army to play out the 1885 Afghan crisis...Stetlets do some great WW1 Russian Cavalry and they are planning to release some infantry from the Russian Turkish War...now all I need is an eight room apartment!! Back to reality!!

I hope you will enjoy looking at the images below...I will finish a few more over the next couple weeks - I hope!

Have a great week - one and all

Duncan

Egyptian Lancers

2010-02-07T11:28:00.000-08:00

Some of my Egyptian cavalry figures brought over the Berlin by my father...sorry about the quality of the images...the Berlin sunlight (in the deep snow) does not really represent the Egyptian desert sun...

I have noticed a few painting errors too...but I hope you all still enjoy looking at them.

The figures are from my small collection of Raventhorpe 20mm Miniatures...the Spahi with slung Rifle has joined the Egyptians and the cavalry are converted from their 17th Lancers (Zulu War 20mm range) with a head swops and a new paint job...

Next will be the Dervish army...

Dragoon Guards in Egypt

2010-01-30T00:28:00.000-08:00

My Dad joined us this week for a few weeks holiday - and with him came some of my earlier painted British Dragoons from Qualiticast´s 20mm Zulu War range. They match very well with most plastics.

I will post some of the images of myEgptian Lancers & British command etc from Raventhorpe Miniatures once I have tidied them up a bit...

Hope you enjoyed the images...I've nearly finished my next lot of Dervishes too.

Duncan

Redcoats in the Desert

2009-12-21T09:45:00.000-08:00

Happy New Year to you all...

As a start to the year I have decided to post a few colour plates from my collection of Redcoats in the Desert...I hope you find them useful...

SNCO (RSM), Cameron Highlanders 1882

Officer, Cameron Highlanders 1882

Privates of the Blackwatch 1882

PrivateHighland Light Infantry 1882

RSM, Duke of Cornwall´s Light Infantry 1882

Corporal, Grenadier Guards 1882

Officer, Scotts Guards 1882

Rifleman, General Post Office Rifles, Wolseley's Campaign in Egypt 1882

Working progress...latest projects

2009-12-06T13:13:00.000-08:00

Here are a few off my latest projects...working progress - those on the drawing board are not included here.

Redcoats and the 10th Sudanese

Royal Marines...give it to Em!

Our Highland Division

Colonial French Hussars

Colonial French in their Pith Helmets

Dervish & Ansar Camalry

A British supply column

Arabs charging the FFL

Dervish and Ansar storming the defences

The Ansar Black Flag

Our Naval Brigade Camel Corps

I will post another 'how to' video soon too...one on how to easily customise your figures.

All the best to you all

Duncan

No more cut thumbs...

2009-12-01T09:51:00.000-08:00

Hat Indian Colonials

2009-11-24T02:54:00.000-08:00

Like many of their latest 20mm figures I think the Colonial War Indian Infantry are simply a joy to customise and paint.

I moved the standing figures heads, who are loading their Martini's, 90° to the left to get the effect.

The Officers are from the Waterloo 1815 Anglo-Egyptian Army...

The link for their review on PSR is here...

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=794

...fortunately there is an excess of officers in the set, which although could be seen as an issue works very well with the officer 'less' figures of Hat.

I wanted my infantry officer to have Gauntlets I borrowed a few arms from Italeri´s set of Confederate Cavalry

Strelets Colonials

2009-11-23T04:37:00.000-08:00

Strelets, have for one reason or another, a pretty bad press with regards to some of their products.

The lads at PSR often give them a bit of a beating for their general level of sculpting which they report for this set as being fairly poor.

The one comment on PSR which stood out for me was their statement, "This set is quite unimpressive".

The set is reviewed by PSR here...
http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Review.aspx?id=961

I have found the set to be both very useful with exciting and dramatic poses...and a great deal of variation. Although some of the faces do resemble men from another planet!

Very definitely this is not a set that has 20 blokes all in a line firing, nor is it one which is wholly accurate. I do like the officer with the Arab scimitar...he´ll be making an appearance later.

With a little paint work, mixed in with some imagination it is worth the investment.

I set some time aside to decide how I was going to paint the first batch...and with a little 'licence' I gave them redcoats.I would recommend this set.

It has a good range of figures for wargamers and painters...also it does have a number of excellent poses for the diorama builder too.

I mixed in an officer from Waterloo 1815. With a borrowed arm from one of his colleagues!

I enjoyed painting them.

The Navy´s here

2009-10-18T03:11:00.000-07:00

I used the bodys from British WWI Sailors - the figures are from Raventhorpe Miniatures and the heads come from the same company from their Sudan range.

The figures are great to paint and work well with the plastic figures...although the heads & helments are a little on the large side.

Enjoy

18th Hussars

2009-10-18T03:06:00.000-07:00

The Cavalry are from Qualiticast´s Zulu War range...I bought these a few years ago and decided to work on the Sudan Campaign rather than the Zulu War.

I wanted some cavalry to support the Desert Column, so I converted them to represent the 18th hussars. I know they are not supposed to have pennons...but they look so much better with them. I made them from toothpaste tubes...the metal is great for making flags and pennons etc.

The Officer is converted using an arm from an infantry officer.

I am waiting for Hat to finally produce their Zulu War Lancers so I can add a new Troop.

Peter Gilder's models from Wargammes World

2009-10-13T13:31:00.000-07:00

Peter Gilder's images have provided me with soooo much inspiration as well as enjoyment over the past few years.

The following images were scaned from a number of old wargame magazines I have kept with me. Although I am interested in plastic minitures I think these are some of the best images I have ever seen...they are simply excellent.

Enjoy!

British Colonial Cavalry

2009-10-13T13:25:00.000-07:00

10th Sudanese Battalion 1898

2009-10-13T13:15:00.001-07:00

This is how the 10th Sudanese Battalion looked at the battle of Atbara 1898

Naval Brigade

2009-10-13T13:06:00.000-07:00

Redcoats in the Sudan

2009-10-13T12:49:00.001-07:00

Gorden Relief Exhibition 1885

2009-10-13T12:16:00.000-07:00

More great images from Military Modelling & Army and Navy from before the advent of the internet.

Guardsman, Guards Camel Regiment, Gorden Relief Exhibition 1885.

Royal Navay Officer, Naval Brigade, Gorden Relief Expedition 1885.

Leading Seaman, Naval Brigade, Gordon Relief Expedition 1885.

Another great front cover image, this time from the October 1976 edition of Military modelling.

I have enjoyed using these images to inspire my painting, I hope you all will also find them useful too.

Suakin Field Force 1884 – 1885

2009-10-13T11:19:00.000-07:00

A great colour plate in Military Modelling supported by an article by Michael Barthorp.

Figure 1 – Corporal 1st York and Lancaster Regt, in Khaki drill warn with puttees (first adopted during the 2nd Afghan War) and khaki cover for his white helmet; another Indian practice.

Figure 2 - Private of the Black Watch 1884 in Serge Grey.

Figure 3 – Private of the 3rd Grenadier Guards in his ‘English’ khaki. His white helmet is stained and he wears his battalion badge on his puggaree.

Figure 4 – Sergeant of the 10th Hussars, from one of the Indian garrisons. This is based on a painting of the 10th’s charge at El Teb by G. D. Giles, who was attached to the 10th at the time.

Figure 5 – Mounted Infantryman in Bedford cord pantaloons, blue puttees, ankle boots with spurs. The frock coat colour depended on the men’s parent regiment.

Figure 6 – A private of the 19th Hussars in grey serge frock and Bedford cord pantaloons worn with home service knee boots

Figure 7 – Indian Officer of the 15th Sikhs

Figure 8 – Royal Marines Light Infantry with stained helmet and equipment. Although, Count Gleichen who accompanied the Camel Corps up the Nile observed the arrival of the RMLI company with “snowy-white” helmets and belts and pouches “freshly piped-clayed”.

The image was taken from the December 1984 edition of Military Modelling.

I hope you find the information useful.

Early Egyptian Army 1882

2009-09-28T05:34:00.000-07:00

This was my first attempt at painting soldiers from the Early Egyptian Army. The figures are from the Anglo Egyptian Army set (no. 013) produced by Waterloo 1815.

There is a bit of work needed to clean the models. I found them easy to clean, so long as you have a thin sharpe blade.

The only animation I needed to do was to lift the sword arm of the officer...the sand base needs looking at again...

I am working on some supporting Sudanese troops now...these I will post once the bases are finished.

I hope you enjoy the images

Hat French Foreign Legion & Turcos

2009-09-28T04:49:00.000-07:00

I hope you enjoy my attempt at a visit of a battalion of French Foreign Legion to Egypt's Sphinx!

Gorden Relief Expedition Camel Corps march past Egypts Sphinx

2009-09-28T03:47:00.000-07:00

I have watched the growth of Hat Models with great interest.

I have a love of painting their plastic models and the Camel Corps figures where a dream come true. The Sphinx was bought in a pet shop in Berlin...full painted for 8 Euro's, a steal!

I used the bodies from ESCI's British Officers...but kept the heads and legs, I turned a few heads, used a few extra arms from my bits box.

The mules pulling the Gatling and the Nordenfelt Guns are from my old stock of Jacklex 20mm Sudan figures. The Union Standard is a little too large - but I wanted to make sure the hoards of Mahdi tribesmen saw who was approaching their forces.

I'm now painting the wonderful Colonial War Indian Infantry and waiting for my local store to stock up with the newest colonial ranges.

I am looking forward to seeing the release of the Mahdist Camelry and Infantry.

I hope you all enjoy the images