XI Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge - Dunsterforce

 Hope you are all well. The Analogue Hobbies Painting Challenge has started. This is my 7th Challenge and one of my favourite parts of the year. The Challenge is responsible for the rejuvenation of my wargaming hobby. I have a habit of painting loads of figures and then getting pipped at the post by Miles on the last day. 

This year I have 2 major projects; 10mm Italian Wars (I am going to paint hundreds of 10mm Landsknechts) and 28mm Dunsterforce.

For those of you that don't know about this weird unit then potted history. Dunsterforce was formed at the end of 1917 to protect British interests in the Caucus Mountains as a direct consequence of the collapse of Russia. It was initially made up of a handful of volunteers with the aim of training locals to resist potential expansion of the Turks towards Baku on the Caspian Sea and the oil field there. In 1918 it was reinforced by 39th Brigade and held Baku for a month before being forced to retreat by the Ottoman Army of Islam.

Dunsterforce was the Proto-SAS and with support for Cossacks had many adventures. They took a train of refugees through enemy territory (Think NW Frontier film with Kenneth More) and sailed into Baku in ships flying the Serbian Flag. They only had the Russian imperial flag, couldn't fly the British one as that would be an invasion, and the locals wouldn't them fly it, so they flew it upside down - the Serbian Flag.

Enough waffling, I could go on for hours. The plan is to use them in Russian Civil War campaigns, which we play using Bolt Action so I've finished a couple of sections

Each section is 10 figs, only 9 each here as I already have the officers (colonial conversions)

These figures represent the 7th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment, part of the 39th Brigade

I'm from North Staffordhire so the stars have aligned

I've discovered Vallejho colour washes and love the effect they give onthese Copplestone figs

Have a good Christams and a happy New Year. Many 2021 be less of spectacular pain in the arse.

British Naval Brigade

It seems ages since I've done any painting but video chatting with Dave Docherty, Stefan, Edwin and others get my juices flowing. I have a couple of file boxes of partially painted figs, mainly faces that I want to clear before the Painting Challenge begins, mainly colonial, so I started with these. I bought them all at Partizan earlier in the year.
First up a Perry Naval command set,guy on left is Marty Feldman

The a Gatling gun, very nice

 And finally some Copplestone ratings

These will "complete" my naval detachment so as a celebration a childhood favourite

Yet more painting

I seem to be painting like a maniac at the moment.

The are the film and historical versions of Lt Bromhead by Trent Miniatures ( although they have a Copplestone feel). These are very nice figs and will finish off the 24th Foot as an officer and an NCO.

The African Campaign has seen the Germans fight and lose their 1st major battle against the Zulus. The all female army needed reinforcements so these are some more Askaris. These are Dixon's Dahomey "Amazon" headhunters. A really good collection.

What the Germans lacked was trusted scouts so they have employed a trio of famed hunters. These will provide much needed expertise and lead the Askari units. Pulp Miniatures from Dice Bag Lady.

Finally a socialist flag bearer for the Northumberland Miners Collective. The flag is an envelope and I'm undecided if to take off the visible while, it looks liketrim and gives the flag an outline.

Also made some hedges out of pan scourers but they are still drying. And so ends a hectic month (well last two weeks anyway). I'm quite ill at the moment due to my broken brain, hence the painting rush, but in 5 weeks I get a month off to recharge my batteries and come up for air.

Challenge Update

Just a quick update on the painting so far. I'm still at top of leader board, or should be after Wednesday.

Copplestone British Sailors for fighting Zulus

Tsuba German Sailors with HMG for fighting VBCW types

Wargames Factory Numidians for fighting Romans

Finally a set of figs from this great film

Tsuba miniatures Good, Bad and Weird for fighting everybody and each other