RMLI and Naval Brigade contingents ready for varnishing

This year I have surprised myself with my rate of progress; uncharacteristically, and against a busy month work-wise, two Empire units are ready for varnishing.

These will almost complete the Royal Navy’s contribution to the field force, two Naval Brigade contingents (one each from HMS Carysfort and HMS Hecla) and a RMLI company (from HMS Tyne). At some point I will add the Gatling gun limber and the Blue Jackets hauling it; the limber is assembled, but still lacks wheels.

RMLI company and Naval Brigade landing party ready for varnishing.

The second anniversary of my blog

Firstly, happy new year. It’s two years since my first post here, and what a couple of years we have all had. Against the backdrop of a global pandemic I have collected some 5,794 page views and six followers, although I cannot imagine that these six are responsible for all those page views. Limits to personal freedom and movement weren’t all bad though, as these circumstances enncouraged downtime focused on my Sudan project.

I thought it time to take stock. I work slowly, seeming to spend a lot of time on research and modelling (the Gatling gun limber model is a very good example of this), and not enough time actually painting miniatures.

All the same, I seem to have got quite a bit done, including a handful of scenic items comprising buildings, a fortification, supplies, barricades, trees, shrubs, and thorn bush.

The Mahdists are ahead in terms of finished miniatures, with a rub comprising a camel mounted band, two bands armed with spears and swords, a band armed with rifles, and a command group. Another rifle-armed band and a brass gun battery are finished (both destined to join the main command group. (I don’t think ‘flags’ as such were a form of organisation deployed by Osman Digna.)

Within a few weeks I should have added another Naval Brigade contingent (from HMS Hecla) and a RMLI company (from HMS Carysfort) to the Empire forces.

My first rub, which I have dubbed the Blue Rub because of the blue accent to the flags.

Mahdist brass gun battery; it’s very likely that the guns were spoils of the disastrous Hicks Pasha expedition.

A second rifle-armed band.

Naval Brigade contingent with Gatling gun battery, deployed by HMS Carysfort. Colonel Fred Burnaby is ready for anything at the front, while Melton Prior sketches at the rear.

Medical Staff Corps Number 3 Field Hospital.

A strong point built to protect the construction of the Suakin to Berber railway … a whole other project waiting in the wings.

Three buildings at this scale seems like plenty … but we shall see.

First company of Naval Brigade

A week ago I finally finished my first Naval Brigade company, to accompany the Gatling gun battery, both from HMS Carysfort. The fellows in sennet hats that I am about to prepare for priming will be from the torpedo depot ship HMS Hecla.

Today I plan to finish painting three bands of Hadendowa warriors, and the rub’s command group.

My first Naval Brigade company, and HMS Carysfort at Valetta, Malta.