My big project for Challenge XII takes me to the inhospitable rocky desert of Southern Algeria in the first few years of the 20th Century. Here the indomitable French Foreign Legion battled with Burbours and Arabs from Morrocco and the Algerian Sahara in the largely lawless region (at that time) known as the Sud-Oranis. So that is the historical context of my new period but there is also the fictional, romantic context displayed in dozens of films from Beau Geste to March or Die. I love these old films and I’m looking forward to learning more of the actual history of the period as the project develops. I fully expect the romantic image and the reality to part ways pretty quickly!
This is my 8th Painting Challenge and I’m usually known for painting 6mm armies. This time, however, I’m shifting up to 15mm and most of the figures I have bought for Challenge XII are by Blue Moon and sold by Old Glory UK. I think I have pretty much cleared them out of their stock having purchased a lot of what I needed at Salute and then put in two subsequent ‘top-up’ orders by mail (the last of which, arrived yesterday). I’m starting with some of the Touregs to ease myself into the project.
I will be using these with The Men Who Would Be King's ruleset and these sword-wielding fellows will be Fierce Tribal Infantry Units of 16 men each. I have yet to find any suitable figures for leaders but that’s the beauty of the challenge, there’s plenty of time to revise that starting target upwards!
I’ll be taking a few days off to recover from what has been a tough week running up to Christmas. Work has gone crazy the last couple of weeks and I have a stinker of a cold (another Christmas Tradition for me) so I’m looking forward to putting my feet up and sleeping off lots of food and wine. I’m off work next week so hopefully, I will get a load more painting done before the New Year arrives. I will refrain from saying "let's hope 2022 is better" because that's pretty much what I said about 2021 last Christmas and I don't want to tempt fate!
(Scoring: 32x15mm Foot = 64 Points)
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Oooh, these are fabulous, Lee. What a great period to get into. I quite like the look of these Touregs, especially those blue-clad chaps. Very nice indeed. I'm also admiring how your bases blend nicely with your desert mat. Where is that backdrop from? I'm looking forward to seeing this project develop over the coming months! (I have a bunch of French Foreign Legion, but have never taken the plunge. Maybe your fine efforts here will spark me (takes note on Blue Moon's offerings).)
Great work, Mr. Hadley! Now, go and shake that cold with some rum and sweets. :)
- Curt