Bits and Bobs

 

After a number of years of on and off (but mainly off) painting, I've finally finished a batch of various terrain pieces for my 25mm forces.  Many of these can be used in various genres while a couple are only common to the Victorian/Edwardian colonial era.  So here they are ---

These three "barricade" pieces are made up of barrels, a chest, and various bags.  They can be used from the Pirate era all the way to at least the early 20th Century.  I mounted each of them on wood strips to increase the height for compatibility with 28mm figures.

The bee hives of "Tanga" of course probably didn't look anything like these wooden spindle ends, but I think they turned out rather well.  Just make sure you are well away from them if they get disturbed!

Two piles of trade goods and some barrels of spiritous liquid.

Big bins of food stuff and bales of cotton, both good for cover from enemy fire.

Two large silage bins made of stone, useful from Medieval times to the early 20th Century (and even beyond in some places).

So these now join my other bits and bobs of terrain pieces that will enhance an otherwise drab battlefield.

The figures are some of my just recently painted Indian Army Corps of Guides (see previous post).

Indian Army Corps of Guides - Unit #1

 

The Indian Army Corps of Guides was raised in 1846 to serve on the Northwest Frontier.  It quickly developed as one of the elite units of the Indian Army.  It was composed of both Hindu and Moslem troops.  In 1947, upon the partition of India and Pakistan, the Corps was assigned to the Pakistani Army and still exists as the 2nd Battalion (The Guides) of the Frontier Force Regiment.

This unit is composed of Foundry figures from NW014 and NW021.  Unfortunately Foundry had them all sculpted with full beards so this unit (and its #2, still being painted) will be all Hindu.

The 1st Company, led by Leftenant Manly-Jones (center with pistol) and seconded by Havildar Ranjit Singh (right rear with rifle at the carry).

I think this is one of the most distinctive group of figures that I've painted.  The contrasts of browns and tans set off by the red "cap" and cuff markings make the entire uniform stand out.

Indian Sikhs and French Foreign Legion

 

The equipping of new units proceeds apace at Col Campbell's Barracks.  I've added two new units to my Colonial forces.

First is a twelve-figure unit of Brigade Games Great War in Africa Sikh Indian infantry.  These guys are equipped as standard Indian infantry in the all khaki uniform from head to almost foot.

Led by a bugling havildar, these fighting Sikhs will give the enemy a case of .303 headaches!

And switching some thousand miles to the west, this unit of Pulp Figures French Foreign Legion will gain glory for La Belle France.

Led by Commandante Le Duc, these "Enfants Terrible" will show "Johnny Arab" a thing or two, if they are as good as they think they are.

But they do have some sappers to aid them ...

With dynamite, black powder and a big axe, these two legionnaires can do some damage.

Next in the painting queue are a few Arabs and a batch of Indian Army Frontier Guides.

Identifying a French Officer

 

At our local convention earlier this month I purchased this mounted French-looking officer from an estate sale.  At first I thought it was a Hinchliffe figure, but I don't think Hinchliffe ever made mid-1800s ranges.  Can anyone help with a manufacturer and range?

And the answer is -- An Old Glory mounted French Foreign Legion officer!  Thanks!!

The figure is wearing a thigh length coat, slightly "bloused" trousers, and a kepi.  It is a two-piece casting - separate rider and horse.  There was no manufacturer identification readily readable on the horse and the two came glued together when I bought them.

Viewed from the left side, the rider is not equipped with a sword.  I'm planning on using the figure on my Franco-Prussian War French corps command group stand to replace another mounted figure.

Many thanks!

Drawing Room Detectives

And the last of my special figures have been completed -- the Drawing Room Detectives [set PMH-01] from Pulp Figures.  Besides the four famous detectives, the set included three "clues" (or plot points).

The four detectives and the three "clues" (or plot points)

I think I've identified three of the four detectives -- (from the right) Charlie Chan, Miss Marple, and Hercule Poirot.  But I'm not sure who the one of the far left is.  Any help is appreciated.

The three "clues" (plot points) are a stack of ancient tomes with a skull on top, a painted bust of Napoleon I, and the Maltese falcon ("... the stuff that dreams are made of ... .").

Now I'm back to painting "run of the mill" Colonial troops -- Indian army, Russian colonial troops, Thugees, and Pashtuns.

Kashgar and Trans-Siberian Renegades and Disheveled Detectives

 

The pulp ladies have been joined by two groups of renegades and a couple of disheveled detectives as I continue my June painting blitz.  Please click on pictures for a larger image.

First up are the "Renegades of Kashgar" from Bob Murch's Pulp Figures [set PHP-27].  

Surrounded by battling Warlords and cut off from escape, our party takes to the mountains in a desperate journey where only the brave can survive!

From left - Bren gunner, sniper, team leader and his wife, and second in command.

Pursuing them are "Count Casamir's" Trans-Siberian Renegades, also by Bob Murch [set PHP-17]

From left - Misha, the faithful bodyguard; daughter Yolanda, a fine fencer; Count Casamir and his wife the Countess (with her trained 'attack' falcon); and Blotsky, his chief of the Secret Police.

And a couple of disheveled and probably disreputable British detectives (from Northstar's Giants in Miniature line.  These two figures are out of production now.

The Disheveled Detective and his sidekick Dr. Hamish

They will soon be joined by Bob Murch's "Drawing Room Detectives" as the final group of special figures upon which I am working.  Then its back to the Indian Army, Russian colonial troops, some Thugees, and a large batch Pashtun tribesmen.

More "Dangerous Dames"

 

In June, I've been continuing my painting of Bob Murch's Pulp Figures females.  Three other groups of "Dangerous Dames" have joined the collection.  Their names, when given, are my own creation as Bob hasn't named these ladies.  Please click on each image for a larger picture.

The Rugged Adventuresses [set PHP-20]

"Rugged gals on heroic quests for action and fortune!"
From left, a "two-pistol" packing gal, another pilot, "Big Mama" with her Lewis gun, a whip-wielding Oriental lass, and a Germanic gal.

Daughters of the Empire [set PHP-22]

"The sun never sets on these fierce ladies of adventure!"
From left, Miss Leslie Campbell, Shotgun Mama, the Rani of Kashgar, Miss Primrose, and sure-shot Jamie. 

Lady Rathbone's Raiders [set PHP-26]

"An A-Team of specialist adventuresses, roaming the world in quest of wrongs to right!"
From left, lady with a machete, katana lady, Lady Siobhan Campbell of Rathbone, machinepistol-packing mama, and a rifle armed lady.

Future painting will see them joined by the "Renegades of Kashgar" and "Count Casamir's Trans-Siberian Renegades" from Pulp Figures as well as the "Disheveled Detective" and "Dr. Hamish" from Northstar's Giants in Miniature.