Colonel Burnaby and a thank you.

Just time to squeeze in one more, loosely themed Victorian post before we embark on all things undead and usher in ‘Zomtober 2016’.  Perhaps not too surprisingly the heroic actions of Frederick Gustavus Burnaby Esq. have been reported here at ‘28mm Victorian Warfare’ before in both ‘Burnaby & Fiends’ (sic.) and ‘The Man, the Legend, the Title Banner!’

This latest incarnation comes courtesy of my good friend and fellow Blogger Stefan* who packaged up the illustrious Victorian hero and sent him over to dear old Blighty.  I understand that he was a special edition miniature that accompanied 'Warlord Games' 'Blood on the Nile' Black Powder supplement, when purchased through the ‘Perry Miniatures’ site. 

*A.K.A. Monty of the splendid ‘Monty’s Caravan’ blog.

Obviously I was thrilled to have this miniature to add to my collection, but somewhat embarrassed that it has taken me so long to get around to painting him, nonetheless thank you Stefan!  Just for comparison I have photographed him with my other version and then it just seemed churlish not to invite some old friends along to the shoot!

Flash Harry

Fabulous gaming day yesterday, although Southern Rail conspired to make the journey there and back harder than it needed to be!  We managed a solitary game of Black Plague, by way of an introduction to new players, but it ended up taking over four hours to complete; a lot of fun and a lot of laughs were had by all.  Although no report from me, I thought that I would continue with another Victorian themed post and share my efforts on a rather splendid miniature from 'Wargames Illustrated'.

This is one of their Giants in Miniature, a limited edition miniature loosely entitled, 'Flash' Harry.  Quoting directly from the company's website: "‘Flash’ Harry is depicted here in the uniform of an officer from the East India Company on service during the First Anglo-Afghan War but he could equally be found at the Charge of the Light Brigade, out in the American West or amongst European nobility. Considered a hero across the British Empire, he is happy to cultivate this image whilst retaining the ability to flee from battle as often as not. He is known as a fine proponent of the sword and rides very well, in more ways than one. When cornered, he will fight to preserve his life but much prefers the art of fast talking and faster running. As a man, he is a rake and a cad. As a symbol, he is the man others wish to be."

Another one of those 'must have' purchases, 'Flash' Harry seemed another fitting post in a week dominated by the release of Daniel Mersey's Colonial skirmish rules, 'The Men Who Would Be Kings'.

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The Men Who Would Be Kings

True to their word Amazon delivered my copy of The Men Who Would be Kings today and although I’ve not had the opportunity to fully digest it, I have enjoyed flicking through the pages, looking at the pictures and imagining campaigns in far flung corners of the world.  I am hopeful that this set of rules will lure me back to all things Victorian, my initial jumping off point for this most wholesome of hobbies.

So to mark the day, I had prepared these fine character sculpts in advance.  Available through ‘North Star Military Figures’ this trio will be familiar to those of us that enjoyed John Huston’s 1975 film The Man Who Would Be King.  Based on Rudyard Kipling’s short story of the same name* The Man Who Would Be King charts the exploits of Peachy Carnehan and Danny Dravot as they seek fame and fortune in the wilds of Kafiristan.

*Which I have also recently thoroughly enjoyed rereading.

The trio includes a kukri wielding Rifleman Majendra Bahadur Gurung, more affectionately known as Billy Fish, with the other two characters a nod to Michael Caine and Sean Connery.  This was a pack of miniatures that proved far too difficult to resist when I first saw them and were an absolutely joy to paint. 

Although the demands of the day job continue to prove relentless, there is a sense that a calm will follow the initial storm and perhaps a chance to pick up the brush again. In the meantime I am looking forward to catching up with ‘The Dark Templar’ at the weekend for a game, or two, of Zombicide.

Billy Fish: He wants to know if you are gods.
Peachy Carnehan: Not gods - Englishmen. The next best thing.

Euro Militaire 2016

Saturday saw myself and then 'Provost Marshal' head off to a wet and wind swept Folkestone, rekindling what had been an annual pilgrimage to Euro Miliatire.  Whilst this is primarily for your Military Modeller as opposed to your Wargamer there is always something to be inspired by.  This year's competition entries seemed to be of an even higher standard than when we last attended (if that was possible!) with much more emphasis being placed on the basing.  You can but marvel at the skill on display and I often find myself torn between inspiration and despair in equal measures.  

Althoug almost impossible to pick a favourite, I did love the dioramas and vignettes; with more and more fantasy entires than ever the techniques on show were just mind blowing.  In the end I just photographed anything that caught my eye and have published some below for all to enjoy.  Sadly, I didn't jot down the names of the owners, but my goodness they were fabulous.

Truly awe inspiring stuff and although not a collector of these larger scale models the brush work on some of the examples was exquisite with the free hand detailing on the shields and garments boarding on the impossible.  Upstairs in the main hall were the various trade stands, which seemed fewer than in previous years, but this of course meant that the crowds were not too oppressive.  My thanks, once again, to the 'Provost Marshal' who got us safely there and back, it was a wonderful day and a timely distraction from the day job.