Naval Brigade Gatling Gun

Another abandoned project finally sees the light of day and jolly glad I am too.  I seem to talk myself out of attempting anything new, worried that I may not like the results.  In this case it was the lack of any real knowledge of Naval Brigade uniforms that initially derailed the project, but thanks to a bit of web based research these splendid 'Empress Miniatures' finally reached completion.    

 I have fond memories of the Gatling gun stealing many a scene in the old western movies of my youth, but it is not until relatively recently that I have given any real consideration to their destructive power on the battlefield, particularly when employed against an indigenous peoples armed with little more than spears.

The Gatling gun had multiple, rotating barrels turned by a hand crank, firing rounds without the need for links or a belt.   One of the key design features of the Gatling gun was its gravity feed reloading mechanism, which allowed a relatively unskilled operator to achieve the high rate of fire of two hundred rounds per minute. 

Two hundred rounds per minute is all well and good but sustaining this rate of fire in the heat of battle must have taken some considerable nerve; particularly when the drum needed changing or the blasted thing jammed!  Take a look at the video clip below to see just how difficult it must have been to maintain a serviceable unit in the field, especially with a Zulu Impi about to overrun your position!

Water Cart

Buoyed with the enthusiasm of finally completing Otto Witt's carriage, this post sees another, long overdue, project completed.  I came across this idea on the Arcane and Model Scenery's blog where they created a water cart using composite parts from the 'Trent Miniatures', French Revolutionary Wars range.  The pieces in question were French Gribeauval Limber (£5.00) and the Large Wine or Sherry Casks (£6.50 for three)   and by following the really straightforward 'how to' they were promising a rather lovely water cart that I thought would be just perfect for dishing out a refreshing cup of 'Adam's Ale'  to sun parched members of her Britannic Majesty's Imperial Infantry. 

Composite parts prior to assembly

It really did go together rather well, a little bit of liquid greenstuff (a truly amazing modelling development!) made sure that any cracks were hidden.  The bucket hook was created exactly as described in the 'how to'  but the tap was actually made from the tiny off-cuts of flash after cleaning up individual miniatures - I really have started to horde everything!  The cork on the top actually came from an old retractable pencil's innards. 

Painting was again relatively straightforward, having decided to go for a British Ordnance grey and a rather natural looking oak barrel.  That should have been it but decided to add a few little extras in the shape of some 'Ainsty Castings' crates and a couple of loose water canteens in a bid to make it a more prominent objective marker; I'm thinking,  'defend the water cart at all cost' type of scenario.

Just as an aside I notice that 'Warlord Games' have just released their water carrier from the 'Horns of the Buffalo' kit.   Sadly mine doesn't compare too favourably, as the sum of the parts came to £11.50, as opposed to the £8 charged by 'Warlord Games'.  That said I do have the added advantage of having an additional two large sherry casks with stands for a future project!

Thirsty work!

Reverend Otto Witt's Carriage

Finally another idea comes to fruition.  In all fairness this wasn't an original idea but inspired something similar on the sadly now seemingly inactive 'The Zulu War in Miniature'.  I have often seen other Lledo models transformed into great pieces and just fancied having ago myself.  The project started to gather a little momentum after the Rev. Witt conversion, but like most things simply fell by the wayside when something new and shiny appeared on the horizon!

Having won my carriage on eBay for £1.99 was a great start, but the first observation was that the accompanying horse was a bit rubbish really!  I managed to track down a suitable replacement in a cart mule from 'Redoubt Enterprises' that you could buy singularly so it subsequently became the new nag. 

 

Initially I was just going to spray the carriage, perhaps a bit of dry brushing and that would be it, but in the end I decided to add a few personal touches the most obvious of these were the mud guards, created from  small off cuts of plasticard.  

Other than the film itself I could find very little in the way of visual reference but I knew I wanted to try and imply that the carriage was in fact covered by a tarpaulin.  More strips of plasticard were employed along with some liquid greenstuff to give the impression of fabric.  A few button fastenings were achieved by using, of a things, the stem of a remembrance poppy.

Painting was fairly straightforward and consisted mostly of dry brushing on the carriage and the usual palette for the pony.  One final detail was the use of a really thin strip of plastic tied in a knot to represent the reigns.

I have to admit that I'm absolutely thrilled with the results and of course delighted to have got another stalled project off the table.  Apart from been another piece of table top frippery I envisage it been used as a  possible side chapter in a game; for example, can the Witts escape before the Zulus arrive? 

One careful owner...

Building the Barricades

Another little set of figures that have been lurking on the periphery of the paint queue.  This time from 'Wargames Foundry' and reassuringly 'chunky' compared to the more elegant sculpts that I'm used to form 'Empress Miniatures'.  That said, they are a rather lovely, characterful set, great for tabletop dressing but probably rather limited in a game scenario.

Under Canvas

A tentative (sorry, just couldn't resist!) first post for February and after a month spent completing projects in the Crimea it is time to switch focus and return, once again, to the Anglo-Zulu war.  I had ordered up these Renedra bell tents some time ago, but was a little disappointed when they arrived as I felt they were a tad small.  Recently, however, I have seen some wonderful examples of these 'plastic pitched pavilions' (take a look at Stuart's camp at 'Dust, Tears & Dice' for example)  and decided it was past time to get mine painted.  

Although they come in a set of four I decided to base them as a three; keeping one back for no other reason than to try to emulate Silver Whistle's wonderful 'Colonial Camp Set' at a later date.  Absolutely stunning work on show at his blog 'Wargaming with Silver Whistle' and I would encourage anyone who has not been to go and have a look for themselves.  

They were relatively easy to paint up, using an appropriate palette and a little Games Workshop, 'Devlan Mud' as part of the weathering.  A few tufts and some static grass and all done!

In a bid to try and make my own mark on the project I included a few tent pegs, undoubtedly out of scale and too few to be of any use, but I do feel that they add a little something!  They were created using bits of cocktail stick and 'Beadling' wire wrapped around the top then glued to the underneath of the tent rim.

Tough Terrain

It was the most inhospitable landscape of the Afghanistan hills and passes that proved to be the favoured hunting ground for the diverse hill tribes brought together by Akbar Khan in the first Anglo-Afghan War.  Tough Terrain indeed, but in fact  surprisingly straightforward to construct from a modelling viewpoint!   

Part of my enjoyment from blogging has come from the inspiration I get by what I see on other blogs; many of my favourites can be seen in the side bar to the right.  This post, however has come about as a direct result of the 'Mad Guru' and his wonderful 'Maiwand Day' blog.  The blog takes the form of a visual diary charting the creation of high quality, historically accurate 28mm scale terrain and appropriately painted and converted miniatures for a refight of the battle waged by the British and Afghans on  27th July, 1880, initially in time for 130th anniversary on 27th July, 2010. That deadline may have passed, but let me assure you that the blog is very much still up and running.  A recent post entitled 'Afghan/NWF rocky hill goes VERTICAL' had me champing at the bit to try recreating one of the Guru's wonderful ideas.  The genius of this is that 'Mad Guru' takes a 'nothing' material in the shape of bark chippings and turns it into a simply spectacular piece of terrain!  There is very little point in me trying to relay the whole 'how to' here and so I have restricted myself to a simplified photo-story of my rather pathetic pastiche.  This really is as straightforward as it looks, but you must take the time to have a look at the original yourself.

Initial layout planned

Start to glue down pieces of bark

Add filler to even out contours

Sand & gravel stuck down

Base coats applied

Highlights drybrushed on

Sparse vegetation added to final build

Final piece with miniatures

All that remains is to extend a big THANK YOU, to the man himself, the 'Mad Guru'.  I for one will be following with interest, looking out for more inspirational ides from the most mundane of building materials!

Flashman Follies

Well true to form I have veered shamelessly from my prescribed 'eras' to paint up miniatures that, in some way, represent the latest read.  Perhaps not unsurprising to some, I couldn't find a manufacturer for the Anglo-Afghan wars!  Surely this has to represent a significant gap in the market?  I was fortunate during hours of web based research to come across many splendid blogs and forums (fora perhaps?) that suggested alternatives and it wasn't long before I found myself back at the 'Wargames Foundry' website, finger hovering agonisingly over 'add to basket' bemoaning their blasted Post & Packaging tariff!

And so you have it, not even out of January and I've succumbed to yet another distraction!  I suppose at least this one can actual lay claim to be included by virtue of the fact that it was at least a Victorian conflict, or at least started as one.  The miniatures were from the 'Colonial Miniatures: Indian range' and were actually labelled up as 'Armed Tribesman Chararcters', I just felt that they captured my impression of what Akbar Khan and Narreeman  would have looked like perfectly.