Painting Update - Mughal Prince Troops and Elephants!

July has been a productive month and I can't see myself stopping anytime soon with the collection.

Possible future scenarios I have planned for August/September are a Siege/Convoy protection, so I'm painting some models in preparation for that. 

First up is an Elephant I grabbed in the Foundry Christmas sale, and I've been procrastinating on this for a while. It was however very fun and actually quick to paint up.

Next is some Local Prince/Mughal troops that I'll be using as Sepoy Rabble due to them at least having a degree of uniformity). I may yet add another group, possibly swordsmen in similar colors. Again very easy to paint up despite my initial worry of painting flat white, as I usually paint up from Light Grey adding white as I go. 

I'm nearly finished on some British cavalry also, they'll be up here very soon.

Painting Update - 1st Madras Fusiliers

All speed ahead this week with the hobby motivation in full swing.

Finished some Madras Fusiliers to go alongside my Bombay Fusiliers. Only a small unit of 8 leftovers to start with, but these were fun to paint so the unit will likely grow when I get some more models.

I used the following artworks below for reference and settled for a mid tone blue on the caps (They ranged all the way from Dark/Light)

Then a set of leftover characters for various existing units.

From left to right : Officer for Madras Fusiliers, Officer for 34th Cumberland, Generic British Officer, Standard Bearer for my Bombay Fusiliers (Minus the flag yet!), Generic British Officer, Drummer lad for 7th Royal Fusiliers.

Working through my 7th Hussars now and some other Sepoy troops (trying to kill that lead mountain)

Painting Update - CCAF Death Commandos

After much deliberation I finally thought I'd take a go at some Battletech. I've been eyeing up the models for a while and have quite a few friends in a local gaming group, that combined with the low model count it seemed like a good idea for a quick project. Little did I know, it would become rather addictive!

The background lore is incredibly deep in this game especially on the Regiment/Units, which as a historical wargamer does please me a lot. Rather than creating my own scheme I settled on the infamous "Death Commandos" of the Capellan Confederation. These guys are the elite of the Capellan's forces and along with their ominous black and green scheme I did become enamored quite quickly.

The Death Commandos usually have a "backup" mech alongside their main mech, so I have done two of each mech weight class (except for my leader as he likes his Cyclops that much!)

I'll likely add some extra mechs in future as these are really quick to get painted and I have plenty of spares now.

Maybe some Battletech reports will sneak their way onto here also!

Painting Update - 1st Bengal Fusiliers

Just finished a long overdue HEIC unit for my British forces during the Mutiny. These sculpts came out really nice and as usual I will be painting up a Ensign for the unit, so expect to see him on the field.

I'm also excited to start gaming again soon which should be around August. The narrative campaign will continue with plenty of new characters and units.

 Reference/Inspiration pictures (On the right for Bengal Fusiliers)

 

 

The only problem now is I want to paint some Madras Fusiliers also!

The final "planned" British unit is now being worked on (7th Hussars), hope to have these done by next week.

American Civil War Project Update #3

After sitting on the shelf for 2-3 months the inspiration finally hit and I managed to smash out a whole bunch of models in just under 2 weeks.

So first up we've got a whole block of men from the 1st Texas (Ragged Old First), part of Hoods Brigade, who generally at the onset of the war were carrying old 1842 smoothbores. I believe even towards the battle of Antietam they were still carrying a wide array of dated weaponry. I think this was the most fun I've had painting figures for a long time and I absolutely stormed through these. I've mixed the poses/kits to represent a forward moving unit, one looking to close the gap and send some buck and ball into Union ranks.

I'm planning on looking at doing the 4th Texas and 3rd Arkansas next for my Confederates (also part of Hoods Brigade), which I am very fond of background wise.

Onto next is some Confederate Zouaves (Wheats Tiger Rifles) in their outrageously cool blue striped pantaloons. Surprisingly these weren't a pain in the backside to paint, and I think the stripes came out decently with minimal effort and touch ups. I'll be adding 8 more with a flag at some point.

And finally a picture of everything so far completed together:

I'll be starting my Union troops also soon so keep an eye out for updates.

Painting Update - 13th (1st Somersetshire) Light Infantry

Quick update as I have been working on a fair few bits of Indian Mutiny and finally got the train moving again with my ACW project. 

Another unit completed for my British and my Rank III officer now showing up. This unit is based on the 13th (1st Somersetshire) Light Infantry. They still need a flag completing which needs ordering, expect to see them on the table some time this year.

I've used the following image for reference/inspiration. The Grey/Blues were in likelihood more off-white, but I decided on this for artistic license as I enjoyed how it looked. This color however was definitely in use by the British though during the conflict.

Then my Rank III Officer for the British forces, in the colors of the 34th Cumberland. He was rather fun to paint and was nice and quick.

Next up an update from my ACW project.

Painting Update - Badmashes and Naval Brigade

I have finally got the hobby itch back after a month of little to no progress. But seems I'm full speed ahead now. Although the previous goal of March has passed, sometimes the inspiration dwindles (especially with a big project)

First up another group of Badmashes for my Mutineers. These were great fun and have loads of character, will likely be getting some more done in future. Just need to finish off the Force commander and the Mutineers are technically done as per my previous Mutiny post. 

Then Pearls Naval Brigade complete with an Artillery section. I've got a mounted Officer to join these chaps which just needs finishing up. I really struggled with the faces on some of these, particularly the sculpts  "ready to present". Took a lot of redoing the eyes, but they will do. Some of the rougher sculpts Foundry has, but I'm happy how they came out.

Lieutenant Henry Marsden commands the Naval Brigade with old Furman Blakely in charge of the guns, a veteran of the Crimean War.

As I'm out of country at the moment battle reports for the blog have stopped, but I will be looking to resume these around June/July, so plenty of time for more painted units to appear. I have a lot of new terrain showing up so am really keen to get these going again!

Currently working on some 13th Somerset Light Infantry, so a nice change from Red uniforms. Will post these when completed.

American Civil War Project Update #2

Just a quick update, finished some Confederate Skirmishers the other day and for a first effort at painting ACW, I'd say I'm pretty chuffed.

I was definitely happy with some of the different Butternut tones I was able to achieve. These Foundry figures despite being old paint up incredibly well. Tried something a little different with the basing as I bought a load of tufts on "bulk" from Amazon. 

This project will halt for a bit now, as I am trying to finish off my Indian Mutiny for March. It is nice however to know the finish I can achieve. I've got about 24 Confederates in various stages of batch painting which I'll head back too as soon as possible.

Indian Mutiny Project Overview

I thought I'd make this post just for my sanity and to keep a handle on what exactly else is needed to finalize my Indian Mutiny Project.

So far the Mutineers are roughly 80% complete, with the British forces around 50%. I will be needing various other things after to paint, such as Elephants, Doolies, more civilians just to add character to my games. I really want to keep painting more and more, but I think I need to move onto other projects, now that I am playing games regularly. As mentioned I can always come back later and add to these forces. I think its realistic to set a target of completion by end of March. 

*Note some Officers in the 7th Bengal have done away with rank as much as they have done away with their British Uniforms. As such this is reflected in the roster*

Listing the Mutineer units so far: 

 

Mutineer Forces

Force Commander - Rank III Officer - 9pts - "Subedar Major" Jagadish Alam (WIP)

8th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Done)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Subedar" Sanjay Goswami
Well-Ordered Sepoys - 4pts
Well-Ordered Sepoys - 4pts

8th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Done)
Rank I Officer - 3pts - "Havildar" Chandran Singh
Well-Ordered Sepoys - 4pts
Well-Ordered Sepoys - 4pts

8th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry Skirmishers (Done)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Havildar Major" Gopal Khan
Sepoy Skirmishers - 7pts

Group Total - 38pts

25th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers) (Done)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Subedar" Sukhinder Basran
Well-Ordered Sepoys - 4pts
Well-Ordered Sepoys - 4pts

25th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers) (Done)
Rank I Officer - 3pts - "Naik" Suneet Bagri
Well-Ordered Sepoys - 4pts
Well-Ordered Sepoys - 4pts

3rd Bengal Light Cavalry (Done)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Jemadar" Abhik Salimullah
Mutineer Cavalry - 6pts

Group Total - 37pts

7th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Done)
Rank I Officer - 3pts - Bhaskor Rai
Sepoy Rabble - 3pts
Sepoy Rabble - 3pts

7th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Done)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - Rishabh Ghani
Mutineer Artillery (Medium Gun) - 6pts

Rank I Officer - 3pts - Bihari Rakib  (WIP)
Badmashes with Muskets - 3pts

Group Total - 27pts

Listing the British & HEIC units so far:

British & HEIC Forces

Force Commander - Rank III Officer - 9pts - "Brigadier" Ambrose McArthy (WIP)

7th Regiment of Foot (Royal Fusiliers) (Done)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Major" Bernard Haycroft
British Regulars with Rifled Muskets - 10pts
British Regulars with Rifled Muskets - 10pts

34th Cumberland Regiment of Foot (Done)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Sergeant Major" Anderson Ward
British Regulars with Muskets - 7pts
British Regulars with Muskets - 7pts

86th (Royal Country Down) Regiment of Foot (Done)
Rank II Officer - 6pts "Captain" Fredrick Burnside
British Regulars with Muskets - 7pts

Total - 59pts

Regiment of Ferozepore (Done)
Rank II Officer  - 6pts - "Sergeant Major" John Borthwell
Loyal Native Infantry - 3pts
Loyal Native Infantry - 3pts

Pearls Naval Brigade (WIP)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Lieutenant" Henry Marsden
Rank I Officer - 3pts - "Corporal" Isiah Hughes
Royal Navy Sailors - 3pts
Royal Navy Sailors - 3pts

Pearls Naval Brigade Artillery (WIP)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Lieutenant" Furman Blakely
British Artillery - (Heavy Gun) - 9pts

Total - 42pts

24th Regiment of Foot (WIP)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Sergeant Major" Millard Wigram
Rank I Officer - 3pts - "Sergeant" Marcus Newell
British Regulars with Muskets - 7pts
British Regulars with Muskets - 7pts

13th Somerset Light Infantry (WIP)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Sergeant Major" Clifford Delagney
British Regulars with Muskets - 7pts
British Regulars with Muskets - 7pts

Gurkhas "Nasiri Battalion" (Done)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Sergeant Major" Robert Cadden
Native Skirmishers with Rifles - 9pts

Total - 58pts

Currently working through the remainder of the 7th Bengal and then will push onto some more British units that I'll post when done.

Rescue at Chhapra - August 10th 1857

The British forces were exhausted, hungry and demoralized yet after their 30 mile march towards Chhapra, there was a glimmer of hope. They had been beaten at Ganghara, but even worse was Robert Cadden had been taken captive. Anderson Ward was a long time friend of Robert and the two had grown up in school together, so the wound stung hard. More importantly this was another chance to not only get closer to Delhi, but crush the morale of the 7th Bengal who had enjoyed their recent victory. It seems the 8th Bengal had split off from these forces to cause trouble elsewhere.

"Major" Bernard Haycroft had now arrived with reinforcements from the 7th Royal Fusiliers and the force was prepared to engage. They'd learned the location of Robert from an Indian local who had seen him being dragged through the streets of Ganghara followed by the ragged Mutineers. He'd mentioned that other regiments had now joined the Mutineer cause, useful information for certain. Specifically the 25th Bengal which had avoided their disarming at Benares and deserted on masse, met up with elements of the 3rd Bengal Cavalry to assist.

The early morning sun was beating down on the troops as they moved towards their designated location, victory and a good spot of breakfast was on their minds.

The Army Lists

British Forces

7th Regiment of Foot (Royal Fusiliers)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Major" Bernard Haycroft
British Regulars with Rifled Muskets - 10pts
British Regulars with Rifled Muskets - 10pts 

4th Sikh Infantry (Punjab Irregular Force)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Sergeant Major" - Nicholas Atkins
Loyal Native Infantry with Muskets - 3pts 
Loyal Native Infantry with Muskets - 3pts

86th Regiment of Foot (Royal Country Down)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Captain" Fredrick Burnside
British Regulars with Muskets - 7pts 

Total -  51pts

Mutineer Forces

25th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry (Volunteers)
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Subedar" Sukhinder Basran
Well-Ordered Sepoys - 4pts
Well-Ordered Sepoys - 4pts

7th Regiment of Bengal Native Infantry
Rank 1 Officer - Bhaskor Rai - 3pts 
Sepoy Skirmishers - 7pts

3rd Bengal Light Cavalry
Rank II Officer - 6pts - "Jemadar" Abhik Salimullah
Mutineer Cavalry - 6pt

Rank I Officer - 3pts
Badmashes with Big Choppers - 4pts

Prison Guard
Rank I Officer (N/A) - Rishabh Ghani - Required by mission
Sepoy Rabble (N/A)  - Required by mission

Total - 49pts

I'm using the mission "Rescue" within the Sharp Practice rules which proved perfect for the situation. The Mutineers can only deploy one unit per turn, as this simulates their rushed defense against the attackers. Meanwhile the British can deploy from either deployment point (one behind the building where the prisoner is being held) or their main deployment. They must protect the main deployment point, if it is lost the game is over.

Just outside of Chhapra, Robert Cadden is being held.

Under the watchful guard of some 7th Bengal Native Infantry

View from the southern approach
 

 The 25th Bengal Native Infantry patrol the perimeter

The 7th Royal Fusiliers march under command of Bernard Haycroft

And upon sighting the Mutineers make a hasty advance towards nearby outcrops 

The 25th Bengal Native Infantry spot approaching British forces and react

Nicholas Atkin's leads the 4th Punjab onwards

Sukhinder Basran's 3rd Bengal Cavalry scout on ahead of the Mutineer main force
 

Armed with the Enfield P1853 the Fusiliers open fire at incredible range


British firing line, with Sikhs advancing on the left

Accurate shots hit their marks and the 25th flinches

Sepoys from the 7th Bengal formed as skirmishers push ahead of the main line

And let off precision musket fire!

Robert's captors rethink their position and barricade the building


The 3rd Bengal Cavalry advance and pressure the British line


"Form Square" Nicholas Atkin's bellows at the Sikhs

Forces continue to trade shots


"Nows the time men!" Seeing the forces engaged Frederick Burnside leads the 86th towards rescue


Mutineer Cavalry making a charge at the British

The Fusiliers promptly fall into square, thwarting the impending charge

Local Badmashes spot the lone British and think they'll be easy pickings...

The 86th move to nearby cover upon seeing the oncoming rabble

"Present, Fire!" British shots hit their mark and cause the Badmashes to stagger


With the cavalry pulled up and turning back the Sikhs form into line quickly in preparation for a volley


The 3rd Bengal draw back up alongside the faltering 25th Bengal Native Infantry

Badmashes charge in eager for British blood

The 86th showing discipline under pressure, fire another volley

The Sikhs eager, fire their first shots

The Badmashes falter and come to a complete standstill in the face of British Musketry

The 25th starts panicking, as Sukhinder takes a musket ball in his leg

Abhik Salimullah is also hit and struggles to hold onto his horse!

Badmashes in full retreat, another volley breaking their will to fight

The Mutineer line hesitates upon seeing friendly forces fleeing

3rd Bengal Cavalry taking shots from two directions, trys to get out of harms way

"Cease Firing!" The Sikhs reload and prepare to advance

Roberts captors decide to try and make a desperate push for the 86th's position

Abhik Salimullah with his men rout

"Retreat men!" Mutineer line falls apart

Rishabh Ghani orders the men to fall back and leave the Prisoner

The 86th advance towards the building for the rescue

Mutineers taking some parting shots

The 86th Royal Country Down pull Robert out from his cell and setup defensive positions

The full British force arrives and prepares to move out

Well that was the most one sided game of Sharp Practice I think I've ever played! The end morale was 10-0, yikes.

The game was fairly even to start with both sides causing pressure, but once the 86th appeared the command flags very strongly favored British activations. They were able to get off constant volleys and really pile the shock onto Mutineer units. Unfortunately the 25th Bengal suffered some very bad luck and seemed to keep getting killed before they could get into an effective musket range. By that time they were too badly shattered to cause any significant pressure to the British line. The Badmashes were so close to making contact and failed a 4 inch charge, causing them severe issues. Likewise the 3rd Bengal Cavalry had to pull back after British formed square, then really struggled to activate and approach from a different angle. The Mutineers couldn't really afford to play defensively due to the extra range of Enfield Rifled Muskets (appropriate I think!)

Nicholas Atkin's had a good showing taking over command of the Sikhs effectively pinning the cavalry and getting his men in order when needed. Thematically the game played out fairly well, if a bit anticlimactic. It really did snowball badly for the Mutineers, who proceeded to take 4-5 morale point drop in one turn due to units falling back and officers being hit. After that it was kind of a done deal. I would have liked for the 86th to have really struggled taking the building, but the Prison guard were essentially useless after the rest of their army broke. With that said the British do finally get a victory on the board. 

It will be a while now before I can continue with the next story in this series as I'll be travelling overseas, with that said there is no plans to stop the campaign. By the next battle the whole project should have a host of extra units painted, more terrain, elephants and some doolies. The Mutineers are about 90% done with a few units being finished up. The British I'd say are about 50% of the way there.

I'll be continuing to update the blog with project news and relevant ramblings, so keep an eye out for that.