Haven't I seen you somewhere before?

A silly post this one, but every so often I come across a miniature and think, “I’ve seen this before somewhere?” More often than not, it is because I have forgotten that I had bought it in the first place and have the joy of discovering it all over again, but sometimes there is that realisation that I have actually seen the very same sculpt on the printed page. I can’t explain it, but I love discovering the original inspiration for the sculptor’s art. I have had quite a spate of these recently and all from the same book, so thought I would share them here for fun. The title in question is Osprey Publishing’s ELITE 21 – The Zulus, written by Ian Knight and illustrated by the prolific Angus McBride. Mine is a well thumbed edition and an important reference for my Anglo-Zulu War collection. The first colour plate is titled, The Youth of Shaka and shows the young warrior about to head of to war, being bid farewell by his mother Nandi. It just so happens that you can get your very own Nandi in the 'Dixon Miniatures' pack Zulu Girls and Udibi Boys.

Miniatures from the same pack can be seen a little further on in the book, Plate H - Warriors Muster 1870s.

Finally miniatures from the ‘Copplestone Castings’ Ngoni Chiefs and Witchdoctors pack seen alongside an ‘Empress Miniatures’ Sangoma bear an uncanny likeness to those seen in plate J - An Impi is Doctored for War 1870s.

I have often wondered if I were ever in a position to commission a set of miniatures what they might be or where the inspiration might come from?  From this Osprey title alone, one might be tempted by a group of Zulu warriors in full regalia dancing at The Court of Mpande (Plate I).  I wonder though, if money were no object, whether I might find myself seduced by the work of Lady Butler.  'Studio Miniatures' already produce a miniature that is clearly inspired by her painting, the Remnants of an Army and which I have documented here, but what about a small vignette of her earlier works, Balaclava?  Mr. Hicks if you are reading this, then count me in for a set!  Any other suggestions?

Brevet Colonel Anthony Durnford

A very quick post today to showcase my completed Brevet Colonel Anthony Durnford.  This particularly fine sculpt is one of the ‘Giants in Miniature’ range from Wargames Illustrated and is unashamedly influenced by Burt Lancaster’s portrayal of the man in the 1979 film, Zulu Dawn.

This much maligned and impetuous officer has graced this humble weblog before when I tackled the ‘Empress Miniatures’ version here.  Still very much an enigma to this day, Colonel Durnford’s actions at Isandlwana on that fateful day in 1879 are still fiercely debated, but whatever the truth he died alongside the men in his command and thereby securing his place in history.

“Yes well... difficulty never deterred a Zulu commander."

With All Good Wishers For Easter

As is the tradition, I was planning an April's Fool post this morning, but on reflection it doesn't  seem quite appropriate.  I shall simply take this opportunity to wish one and all, regardless of faith, creed or denomination,  a happy, healthy and reflective holiday.

A Wobble of Ostriches

These three fine, long, legged birds formed my entry to the opening bonus round of the recent 'VIII Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge'.  The round, simple titled Flight, and subsequently retitled Flightless by yours truly,was an unashamed points grab, but in my defence what started out as a quick win developed into something much more involved as I wrestled with achieving the desired effect on the neck and legs.

One of my personal hobby highlights of last year was hosting a game of ‘Congo’ using the rules of the same name by Studio Tomahawk.  That encounter was set in the steaming jungles, but there are several scenarios set on the Savannah and what better way to start the preparations that with a…

...a flock of ostriches?  A pride of ostriches?  Apparently both are acceptable, but another favourite was a wobble of ostriches although I can’t help think that given the original bonus round theme a flight of ostriches would be best!

These splendid specimens are from North Star Miniature’s Africa range and are good solid one piece sculpts and I hope will look resplendent on the Savannah in due course.

Pygmy Archers

More additions to the Forest Tribes of the Congo, these Pygmy Archers are again from 'Wargames Foundry' Darkest Africa range. Delightful sculpts that I painted in the same way as the previous members of Chief Mbuti’s tribe, which can be found here.

As with the last batch these were again based on 20mm metal washers to help convey their diminutive scale.  The Pygmy Archers are unique in the game insomuch as although classed as one unit, there are played as two distinct groups allowing you the opportunity of harrying an opponent from all sides.  Add in the 'poison' and 'tiny' rules and these tenacious chaps can be a real thorn in the side of any expedition.

Although small, and painted to tie together as a unit,  something I tend to find difficult due to my butterfly brain, I have to confess that I really enjoyed painting these and couldn't resist a group shot at the end.  Although I just didn't have the patience to string those bows! 

Ruga-Ruga!

There is something about the name Ruga Ruga that tells you everything you need to know about these fearsome warriors.  Banded together from disparate backgrounds or tribes the Ruga Ruga were, in effect, mercenaries often in the employ of Western powers to bolster the ranks, fighting alongside the trained Askari.  

Legends abound of unspeakable acts carried out by the often flamboyantly dressed troops and as a result,  I wanted my unit to really stand out on the table.  As luck would have it, 'North Star Miniatures' had recently released some wonderful character packs and I couldn’t help but pick up a couple and selected the most interesting of the sculpts to paint.

With their masks and elaborate headdresses, I had so much fun painting these.  They did, however, take me a ridiculous amount of time due to the sheer variety of colours used.  Armed with muskets these elite troops were often likely to scare their enemies away with the noise and plumes of smoke emitted from their unreliable firearms.

Of course all this cherry picking means that there are a fair few miniatures lying around that I need to get around to painting at some point, but for the time being, I am more than happy with the ones that I have completed.  Although maintaining a fearsome reputation when you have a Hornbill strapped to your head is a tough act to pull off!

Paint Table Saturday#229

...my Challenge.

It seems like an age since I posted on a Paint Table Saturday, and I had to check to see what number we had actually reached!  This morning, I was sorting out photographs for a couple of upcoming posts and happened across a series of images detailing my progress through the recent ‘VIII Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge’. Nothing hugely earth shattering, but a sneaky peak at possible future posts, here at ‘28mm Victorian Warfare’ so I thought that I would share them here.

I had gone from not entering this year’s challenge to taking on Minion duties in what seemed like a blink of an eye, but nonetheless it was great fun as usual.  I had deliberately set myself a low par score this year, but was, once again, was lured in by the prospect of easy points by entering each of the bonus rounds.  Where possible, I tried to use miniatures that I already, although I confess that there were a couple of purchases over the three months of the challenge.

Pre-Challenge tidy.

One of the reasons for the more restraint showing this year was a combination of a particularly busy time at work and the commencement of some much needed refurbishment here at ‘Awdry Towers’.  The work took all of January and was ongoing into February meaning that the painting table had to be re-sited to the spare room, along with everything else that had to find a new home – lets’ just say that it was a tad cramped!

During the Challenge, even more plastic and lead arrived with the fulfilment of my pledges to Smog: Rise of Moloch and the Hasslefree's  most recent Kickstarter.  Both of which have been safely stashed in the wardrobe of shame, until I manage to sort out the spare room.

I was also fortunate to win one of the bonus rounds in the challenge and to my absolute joy discovered that this had, in turn, been sponsored by 'Mr. Lee's Minis'.  I have had the pleasure of meeting Kyle a couple of times at various trade shows and have always found him to be one of the most enthusiastic and generous bloggers out there.  This generosity extended to a veritable horde of resin goodness that dropped on to my doormat and I can't tell you just how thrilled I am, thank you so much Kyle.