28mm Dark Age commanders

Another break from colonials, I wrapped up these three commanders from the 28mm Foundry Arthurian range.

First up Kay or Kai/Cai.  I've envisioned him in an emerald encrusted helmet with a shield design based on the heavily stylized Uffington white horse.  Yes, that's what it's meant to be!  I was watching the LotR Return of the King movie just before, so there may be a Rohan influence there.

Next up Cador of Cornwall.  Hes wearing imperial purple, suggesting his post-Roman ancestry, which would make him suitable as Ambrosius as well.  Hes wearing a full face Late Roman cavalry helmet studded with lapis lazily, reflecting Cornwall's  early dark age trading with the Middle East and Byzantium in particular.

And, of course, no post-Roman command team would be complete without the Dux Bellorum, Arthur himself.  White appears to be his colour of choice, so he wears a white cloak and rides a white horse.

These guys work as Arthurian generals or unit commanders, but also provide service in Late Roman armies.  Arthur himself appeared in last nights game as a Late Roman general, while my opponent Dennis fielded two similar models as Frankish commanders.

Thanks for looking.

28mm US interwar sailors.

These are Tiger Miniatures US sailors from their Sandpebbles range - based on the 1966 film starring Steve McQueen.  These are from the command and armed sailors packs and painted up nicely.  I would have preferred the dark blue rig, but bit the bullet and opted for the white tropical rig.  The only thing I need to complete are the sleeve rank and officer shoulder insignia.

I must now look out for some suitable RN figures for the era, or possibly slightly earlier Late Victorian.  Tiger Miniatures do some nice cold weather troops for Allied intervention in Russia, British infantry in Pashtuns for cold weather high altitude adventures, and German colonial troops (Schutzstruppen), all of which are tempting.

Thanks for looking.

20mm M113 ACAV for Vietnam

For a bit of a change from darkest Africa, I finished off a Britannia M113 ACAV model that I bought from Paul at the old Defenders Club several years ago.

Not too many bubbles, all went together well.  Ready for the upcoming Nam 68 rules from Plastic Soldier Company.

Thanks for looking.

Update: following Will's suggestion, I picked up a set of Skytrex decals.  They are quite large, but sum up the period nicely.  The M113 ACAV got the Eve of Destruction decals and I dig out the M577 and added The Boss decals.  Sadly no decals to add Fortunate Son or Paint it Black!

28mm Colonial Europeans

 More Foundry figures.

Stout hearted Brits.  A pair of army types suitable for infantry officers or officer types taking a bit of leave to explore.

A well to do lady being served drinks with natives carrying trade goods in the background.

Three explorers or hunters.

Three traders or government representatives.  One tea drinker, one wearing an Eton sporting cap and wearing a Guards tie, and the third enjoying a cigar as he counts his trade goods arriving at his station.

These too were a lot of fun to paint, so expect more to come.  Thanks for looking.

28mm Colonial figures

 I've been making some progress on a long dormant 28mm project for the colonial era in Africa.  Figures are all Wargames Foundry, most purchased in their Christmas sale.

First up Pygmy archers, to make the Europeans think twice before venturing into the woods.

If the tougher Europeans get through the woods, they might come across the Pygmy chief and his entourage.

I really enjoyed painting these guys and there will be more to come in the pipeline.

Thanks for looking.

Zulu War Column

Not much posted recently as I've had to have a bowel resection after a nasty blockage.  Very painful and a long convalescence. Feeling better now, but not over it yet.

We managed to play a Zulu War game today with the British pushing a column deep into Zululand.  6 supply wagons drawn by oxen were escorted by 8 British infantry companies, a unit of Natal Native Contingent, together with units of Frontier Light Horse, Natal Natives and Natal Police, all on horseback.  Si G drew the left flank with three units of infantry, a Gardiner gun and the mounted police.  I drew the right flank with three infantry units, an artillery piece and the mounted Natal Natives.  Mark was overall commander with two infantry and an NNC unit, plus a unit of Frontier Light Horse.

We got off to a quiet start making good progress.  On the approach to a drift, a small unit of Zulu warriors and rifles appeared on the left flank.  Si dealt with them, but two units of infantry were charged by Zulus with some loss of personnel.

The wagons took an age to cross the drift, but did so safely and the British were within sight of their goal at the far end of the table when Zulus appeared to their front left.  Over the next handful of turns, Zulu warriors appeared to the British front, then right flank and finally at the rear of the right flank.  My infantry and artillery formed a rough line while Mark's leading units and Si's left flank wheeled around the wagons to face the oncoming Zulus.  It was clear we had encountered an impi with the right horn to our front and the head and loin piling into our right and rear.

Good British shooting and artillery fire dwindled the Zulu numbers, bit not before the Zulus managed to charge home against Mark's infantry and then against mine.  Bayonets, with some guts behind them, pushed the charging Zulus back, but not before one of my infantry companies was very badly mauled.

Eventually, all the carts exited the board and the British forces formed a line which gradually fell back towards the target table edge.  Despite significant losses, British pluck had won through!

Thanks for looking.