Work continues apace here at Awdry Towers with regards to the assembly of forces required for our forthcoming game of 'Congo'. The latest troops off the production line are the Askaris and mine have come from 'Copplestone Castings', now available through 'North Star Military Figures'.
These have wonderfully characterful faces and the rest of the sculpts are refreshingly simple with just the right amount of detail to work with. Mine will make up the ranks of a White Man Expedition force, which has a particularly British feel to it at present and I thought that the khaki uniform might help to further unify them.
There is an option to either field Trained Askari, armed with rifles or regular Askari, with muskets. Clearly there is a difference in value and range of weapon and I shall need to think about the balance of the column before I decide which variant I will use. Not sure that there is any historical accuracy in the red caps, but they stir fond memories of all those adventure films I remember from my youth.
Fantastic Askaris!
ReplyDeleteThank you Cyrus.
DeleteAwesome brushwork, Sir Awdry. Great to see the "Congo" project taking shape. I love the basing too, nice contrast with the grey rocks.
ReplyDeleteThank you Simon, really enjoying this and it helped to schedule the game in early so I had something to work towards.
DeleteI have some Askari to paint as well (but 20mm)So I will be looking to these as inspiration. brilliant painting.
ReplyDeleteThank you Clint and I am sure yours will go well too.
DeleteNice work mate. Just the right mix of colours.
ReplyDeleteThank you Millsy.
DeleteLovely work there Sir!
ReplyDeleteThank you Rodger.
DeleteReally nice painting Michael, top-notch work. :)
ReplyDeleteThank you so much.
DeleteGreat painting, they look excellent. Really captures the period.
ReplyDeleteThank you very much.
DeleteLovly work Michel! Fantastic clearly uniform colour.
ReplyDeleteThat is very kind Michał, thank you.
DeleteLovely job on some lovely figs...and the caps absolutely have to be red!
ReplyDeleteI am glad you agree Gordon. :)
DeleteLovely work Michael, how do you seem to get them done "just like that!" sorry I'll get me coat...
ReplyDeleteCheers Roger.
That's very good Roger, in a groaning sort of way. :)
DeleteVery good indeed! Regarding that last remark of the make-up of your force: I have the book by Chris Peers (not the rulebook the backgroundbook) about all the little wars in Africa and it has all sorts of info on fighting tactics of all the African nations as well as the response of the Europeans to them. I am now reading the chapter on the Azande and there wa a British chap in charge of a force of Egyptian troops of whom 1/3rd were armed with snider rifles and the rest with muskets. He placed the sniders in front and at the back of the column.
ReplyDeleteThank you Sander, I have that same book I think, I picked it up as part of a combination deal with Death in the Dark Continent rules; mind you I haven't started mine yet. :(
DeleteYup that's it! It's great for the information you're looking for!
DeleteExcellent job on these!
ReplyDeleteCan`t wait to see them in action.
Thank you Nimrod, not long now I hope.
DeleteSuperb, they look superb!
ReplyDeleteThank you Phil.
DeleteThey do look superb!
ReplyDeletethank you Rod.
DeleteVery nice work Michael. Nice subtle shading on the khaki and the red caps are required IMHO. Will Audrey II be found in the Congo?
ReplyDeleteThank you Peter, now funnily enough I was thinking something similar. but I will need to construct a more 'natural' lower half.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteExcellent painting on some great figures. I really like the nonchalant way they're handling their rifles.
DeleteThank you Brian, the faces are great aren't they.
DeleteLovely paintwork on those figures. The range is amongst my favourites. Useful chaps. One can never have enough askaris.
ReplyDeleteThank you A.J. I couldn't agree more.
DeleteSplendid paintwork Sir !
ReplyDeleteWonderful painting on these chaps! These will be a great addition to your expedition, I'm sure.
ReplyDeleteThank you Nick.
DeleteVery nice additions, Michael. I agree these are high quality sculpts,but your painting skills bring out their best.
ReplyDeleteThank you Dean, Mr. Copplestone is certainly one of the best in the business.
DeleteLovely work buddy
ReplyDeleteReally nice job on these 😀
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Matt.
DeleteIn Congo rifles doing not need an action to reload like muskets. However muskets cause the target to draw a stress token when fired at.
ReplyDeleteThank you Simon, certainly would opt for trained Askaris with rifles if I could afford them.
DeleteDo groups fired at with rifles not receive a stress token as well?
DeleteBravo! A few years ago, I went to the Askari memorial in Dar es Salaam (former capital of German East Africka). Very cool.
ReplyDeleteThank you Paul, overtime I think of German Askaris, I am reminded of that horrific scene in 'Shout at the Devil.'
DeleteGreat looking troops Michael, really like how you have got the best out of the simple tunic and trouser uniforms
ReplyDeleteIan
Thank you Ian, their simplicity is the in many ways the secret of their success.
DeleteVery nice. The Khaki works a treat.
ReplyDeleteGreat looking bods!
ReplyDeleteThank you kind Sir.
DeleteMarvelous looking miniatures!
ReplyDeleteThe tufts on the base also give them a Sense of realism.
Thank you, the tufts were a great find and certainly help ti set the scene.
DeleteTop brushwork Sir M!
ReplyDeleteThank you Ray, always great to hear from you.
DeleteLovely paint work on some very nicely sculpted figures.
ReplyDeleteBest Iain
Thank you so much Iain, your kind words are always appreciated.
DeleteStunning work as ever.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Mike.
DeleteLovely as always, Mr. Awdry. And really, who can deny all those lovely fez.
ReplyDeleteThank you Curt, I do like a nice fez. ;)
DeleteLoving your Congo stuff. The Expedition is gonna look great once all together
ReplyDeleteThank you Roy, more to see soon. ;)
Deletetop notch work on basically second class troops.
ReplyDeleteGreat brushwork Michael, very well done.
ReplyDeleteMore excellent work Michael, You now need to acquire a FEZ for the leader of these lads
ReplyDeleteOh I do like these!
ReplyDeleteQuite the serious, no-nonsense bunch aren't they? Not sure I'd be dropping a "Tommy Cooper" jibe at them regarding the fezzes any time soon... O_o
ReplyDeleteLovely work Michael.
Great paint job! I love these figs. I have them and plan to paint mine in white for Egyptian Sudanese troops or early German Askaris. I'm looking forward the AAR's of your adventures.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
JB
These minis have really nice poses which you certainly did justice to with your paint job. :)
ReplyDeleteExcellent work. I like the combination of khaki with the red hats.
ReplyDeleteSublimely painted.
ReplyDelete