Sikh Wars British

Its been a while since my last post, a lot has been happening, but hopefully I'll be able to post regularly as I get some painting done. There is a it of a backlog on the basing table, and I've made a start on some GrandManner buildings for the Peninsula project, which has also expanded to included Spanish forces for Sharp Practice 2, but more of that another time.

Below are two of the Queens Regiments that I've painted for the Sikh Wars.
The figures are 1/72nd Newline Designs, flags are from the Virtual Armchair General. Both provide excellent customer service.

The units are, with the red or scarlet facings, the 53rd Regiment. Their battle honours at the time of the Sikh Wars included Nieuport, Tournay, St.Lucia, Peninsula, Talavera, Salamanca, Vittoria, Pyrenees, Nive, Nivelle and Toulouse.
The unit with the yellow facing dis the 29th Regiment. Their battle honours at the time were, Ramilies, Peninsula, Roleia, Vimiera, Talavera and Albuera. The battle of Gujerat was the last occasion that the colours of the 29th were carried in action.

I chose these regiments as the first I painted because they both served during the first and second Sikh Wars.

Information taken from Armies of the 19th Century: The British in India 1825 to 1859 by John French., published by Foundry Books. This is an excellent book and worth searching out if you're interested in period covered.

Irregular Sikh Infantry

Finished the irregular infantry for my Sikh army.  The figures are 1/72nd by Newline Designs and the flags are from The Virtual Armchair General. This little lot provides 4 units and a command group, I'm really pleased with the way the army is shaping up, will have to schedule some more regular units onto the painting table soon.

Sikh Infantry, Dragoons and Artillery

I've made a bit of a start on the Sikh Army. The figures are 1/72nd Newline Designs.
Flag is by The Virtual Armchair General.
I'm finding the figures quick to paint in comparison to the usual 28mm and a pleasant alternative. 

First up are some Sikh infantry, Fauj-i-ain (regular infantry).
A Dragoon Regiment (I need to pick up command because I neglected to place these on my order!),  and finally some Sikh Artillery. These are probably my favourite arm of the Sikh Army, reputed to never surrender, preferring to die with their guns, and after the bayonet was run through them they were recorded as throwing their arms around their guns and kissing them before they died.

I'm really looking forward to fielding my Sikh Wars armies, I've only just discovered the period and I'm finding it one of fascinating engagements between two well matched armies, the Sikh army has superb regular line infantry and artillery (more than a match for the British forces, and in the case of the artillery superior), only let down by the quality of the cavalry (numerically superior but not as effective as their opponents).

I've currently got a batch of irregular Sikh Infantry on the painting table, and will be working on these a bit at a time inbetween other projects, I find this approach tends to increase my output as I don't get bored with one period or type of figure.

Click on any picture to enlarge

Unit Markers for Black Powder

For those of you who are interested in the unit markers in the last post here's how I made them.

They are designed to be used with Black Powder rules by Warlord Games. Though I did many years ago I knew a couple of wargamers who used similar markers instead of figures as a more cost effective way of gaming.


1. Large base is 40 x 80mm mdf. With PVA, glue the unit name and a 20 x 20mm mdf base to the top left hand corner of the 40 x 80mm base. Set aside to dry.

 2. Place a cross on the 20 x 20mm base going from corner to corner to find the centre. Varnish the unit name.

3. Drill a small hole in the centre mark. Add a small amount of super glue to the hole and insert the unit flag.

 4. Immediately place a small amount of 2 part epoxy putty (here I have used green stuff), before the super glue has set. This adds extra support for the flag.

 5. Using green stuff (or another 2 part epoxy putty) create the shapes for the markers to be placed.      Make the ridges a similar height to the 20mm base at the side.

6. The centre section needs to be  large enough to hold a D6.

7. The left and right sections to be larger enough to hold a 20 x 20mm base. Slightly dampening the edges of the 20 x 20mm base then slide into the gap to help shape the putty. Remove the 20 x 20mm bases and tidy up the edges by pushing with a wet scalpel.

8. Add a little putty to the bottom corners of the base, and smooth so that there is a gradual slope. Once done set aside to dry. Then finish off to match you're usual basing style, in the this case I've used sand and Foundry Base Sand shades.

9.  Below are a couple of markers that I've made from the 20x20mm bases. Again I've used Foundry Sand as the base colour.

10. Below are pictures of the finished bases. The slot for the Brigade marker is secure during play with movement on the table. Casualties taken are indicated by the D6, and unit morale can be easily inserted or removed as required (in this case Shaken).

Unit 4 casualties and Shaken

Unit 1 casualty

 

 Unit no casualty