Sudan 1884

 Beside working on a Franco-Prussian war diorama, Patrick had the idea to make some "smaller" ones. The subject is the war of 1884/1885 in Sudan. 

When I think about Dioramas, I see British squares, fighting against a Derwish onslaught. Maybe the Derwish attack on Karthoum. 

On the other side, I am always after the most exostic subjects. So maybe the battle of Rejaf. 1897 with the Belgian Force Publique charging a Derwishes

Or the  battle of Kassala against the Italians. For these, Massimo already sculpted Italian Askaris for it and I hope for Penne di Falco cavalry too.

Ok, these are my own wishes. Patrick wanted to have something different. His new diorama is the evacuation of Civilians from a town in Sudan. At least the first set of Victorian civilians on the market. I think they are useful for many subjects, even Sherlock Holmes:-)

Sudan 1884

When I was 16 years old, my Mom allowed me the first time to watch a movie after 10 pm on Saturday night (hard times these days). The movie was "Karthoum" with Charlton Heston. Since then - beside the Zulu war - this campaign became my favourite British colonial campaign. With the Range from HAT I was able to create bigger armies for it. Before I had some conversions from plastics, Jacklex figures, Hinton-Hunt and Scruby figures. When I talked with Massimo about the subject, he told me British colonial wars are his favourites too. And as he likes Highlanders, he started to sculpt some figures which he sold under his own lable. Now we thought about a project for which he sent me photos of his first painted Highlanders - very promising!

Maori wars

Last month I worked in my uniform-archive on British infantry uniforms between 1855 and 1873. Wow, this was a challenge with the Mutiny and other colonial wars....

But my interest in the period grow. I remember my friend Donald asking for a range of Maori wars figures. 

In my archive I found these photos, I've safed from Frank's blog. Check the link, there are many other photos on the subject. Also Frank's other posts are very interesting. Ok, it is in Germany, but with a google translator it works in English too. And the photos are good:-)

And here we have a  blue British army...

Battle of Meeanee 1843

yesterday I sat again at my digital archive, sorting British infantry stuff. I found (that is the reason why I sort the stuff) my photos from a visit in the 22nd Ceshire regimental museum in the UK.

The 22nd fought at Meeanee against the Baluchis. In the museum they had this diorama with 30mm figures on display. More about the battle you can read on Wikipedia

I think the Newline range for the Sikh war would be very useful to create this in 1/72:-) Some of the old Jacklex figures could be used for the Sindh warriors

German Askaris from Ingo

I am glad, that new masters are comming up faster now again.

Ingo sculpted several German Askaris for German Eastafrica. In the first pictures I had to tell him about the bearded faces and the early 19th century bayonett.

In the meantime he changed it, but I have no photos for it. New poses will also come. I suggested kneeling and lying firing poses, also loading poses. And a charge to push the Indian and British infantry back into the sea at Tanga would be a nice addition.

The challenge will be the battle beees in 1/72:-)

And for the case, that Ingo takes a look here too, some suggestions for poses:-)

Impressions from Kulmbach - Part 1 - German colonials

This August I visited the Kulmbacher Tin figure fair. This is a tradition since nearly 30 years for me.
The interesting thing is, that you see there figures for all sizes, flats and round figures, collectors stuff and new ones. Beside this often interesting books etc.

I made photos of the (for me) most interesting figures on display.

Of course first the 1/72 stuff.

Schutztruppe in Deutsch Südwest, still one of my favourite subjects.

I already painted my own figures, but it is still not enough for a little diorama of the Herero war.
My idea is to create a Herero ambush on a German column with these figures. Including a German counter-attack of course.

Next an Austrian truck from WW1 from Munich Kits. They have great figures for interesting subjects. But sadly everything in Resin. Several figures from my collection broke in the past. I wish they would also produce in metal...

They also have the famous "Germans to the front" from the Boxer rebellion

And some other figures from the same conflict

Staying with the Boxer rebellion, these 54mm figures made me speechless. My first action was to take Massimo and show him these, telling him "I want these in 1/72". Let's hope he has the passion to make them for me:-) The battle of Tientsin would be a colorful subject...