Finished Beja Bases (Taken from Shooting Leave Blog)

So, I finished the first two test bases of the first Beja unit a little while back but couldn't find the time and room on the painting table to take any pics. This I did today having finished glossing and matting the Mounted Infantry for the Second Battle of El Teb.

First the Beja bases. I'm really pleased in the manner in which these mini's have come out. The skin tones are almost exactly what I was looking for and the basing has worked well and as it's a light desert colour it really sets off the miniatures. The Glossing and Matting down phases of painting cannot be overstated IMHO, the Gloss smooths and blends whilst the Flat Matte gives the miniatures in a really pleasing look  without the glare of the light which one gets when leaving miniatures unvarnished.

These bases of Beja were painted quite meticulously. I'm going ti finish the unit but I'm going to have to find a much quicker way of painting them up if they are ever to grace the tabletop in any numbers!

Perry Miniatures Converted Mounted Infantry for El Teb (Taken from Shooting Leave Blog)

So, there I was studying the Blood on the Nile lists for El Teb when I realised that Perry Miniatures did not do any Mounted Infantry that were, well, mounted. Converting what was available was to be the only answer.

After asking a few questions on the net I was just about ready to go. I ordered three packs of British Camel Corp in total, one of the command and two of the riflemen. That was the troopers covered. I ordered two packs of the 10th Hussars so they would be supplied with mounts. I used Mike Snooks excellent book and guide to the uniforms of the British, Egyptian and Mahdists from the appendix of Go Strong into the Desert  to gather all the information regarding the uniforms of the Mounted Infantry that fought at El Teb.

As to the conversions, it was really a matter of persuading the models that had been designed to fit onto camels to sit nicely on the horses. This was much more of a task than I had first envisaged. Some of the saddles had a little putty inserted but all in all, with the filing of the troopers and the saddles most of them fit quite snugly in the end.

The painting process was quite a long (but not laborious) one as it was new territory for me and I didn't want to get anything wrong on such a project. In the end I think that they're turned out quite nicely and I'm a little proud of my efforts.

And here they are, the light wasn't great so I may retake the pics and add a few of the individual bases whilst I'm at it- so, as they say, watch this space:

British Mounted Infantry (Sudan)- Paint on the Puttee (Taken from Shooting Leave Blog)

As I've mentioned I also managed to get the Mounted Infantry conversions for El Teb finished but as yet they remain un-based. The Matting Agent I use can easily take 12 hours to go off and be completely dry. It's worth it as it is by far the best Matte Varnish that I have ever used. I don't miss the old formula Dulcote at all these days.

In all there are six mini's that were requited. Here's a Sneak Peek prior to basing:

Puttee Work- See What I Did? (Taken from Shooting Leave Blog)

Hi,

OK, terrible pun in the title of this post aside..... got me coat and heading out the door as quickly as my legs will carry me! Actually that's a double entendre if one thinks about it.......

Very quick update before the KRRC get their black undercoat- I've sculpted the puttees and riding boots in the case of the officer where they were lacking on the backs of the legs of the troopers.

Nothing special, but some quick pics are called for in celebration: