Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: Plynkes on April 23, 2010, 12:42:12 AM
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(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_24_34_0.jpg)
"We have beheld his Ruga Ruga, and they are many." Mabruki
"The African Bonaparte." Henry Morton Stanley.
"We find him to be the dopest, flyest, O.G. pimp-hustler-gangster-player, hardcore M*** living today. To be honest I am totally and completely On. His. Dick." Queen Victoria.
Me again! This time we turn our attention to the lowly-born Nyamwezi trader-turned-warlord, Mirambo. Bought guns with his profits, gave them to orphaned teenage hooligans, who he then turned loose on all his neighbours, carving out an empire for himself in Tanganyika, to the horror of the established aristocracy.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_26_06_0.jpg)
Handy map of some of the warlords of the time. Mirambo's bit is slightly misleading, as he never actually captured Tabora from the Arabs; but that's the area where he did all his trouble-making, vying with the Arabs for control of the trade routes, and dominating the local tribes.
Anyway, enough pointing at the map with the end of my pipe, on with the pics...
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_24_34_2.jpg)
Kicking things off with the command group. Mirambo (centre), flanked by one of his officers, his Brolly-bearer, drummer and two bodyguards (I might do more bodyguards later).
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_24_34_1.jpg) (http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_26_06_1.jpg)
Mirambo: First Blood Part Two.
Decided to depict him in his "Arab robes and unruly Afro" period (like in the Osprey book), as it is a good look, and I think it suits him.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_24_34_4.jpg)
A loyal lieutenant. His officers and bodyguard wore a uniform of sorts. Red or red-and-white Arab robes, and a white or blue-and-white turban.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_24_34_3.jpg)
"A hardcore player from the streets: Rappin' bout hardcore topics over hardcore drum beats..."
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_26_06_2.jpg)
Umbrella-bearer. Mirambo liked to fight in the front line with his men. His position on the battlefield would be marked by an umbrella held aloft which accompanied him. So I reckon we can justify using him as a standard-bearer in T&T games. This is my favourite figure of the bunch, I think. He's just totally ridiculous and makes me laugh whenever I look at him.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_26_06_4.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_26_06_3.jpg)
A young man who certainly knows what he wants and how to get it. Under-dressed compared with many of the Foundry Ruga Ruga, but he has the essential piece of kit, the ngazia: A strip of red cloth of symbolic significance, used to taunt the enemy: "This is your blood! This is your blood!"
When it comes to the massed horde of Ruga Ruga I'm going to divide them into two types. Mirambo preferred to use young teenage warriors when attacking. They would be recklessly brave to the point of stupidity (and death) in trying to catch his eye during a battle (for the tall poppies got more share of the loot). When defending he preferred older married men, men with something to defend who would stand their ground when things got desperate. So I'm going to try and reflect this in my army, giving them stats and bonuses appropriate to their type (though I haven't actually figured the details out yet).
For ease of identification on the tabletop they will be nicknamed "Youngbloods" and "Old Hands" and be represented by slightly different figure types. The former will be depicted using figures that are more "tribal" in appearance - they are new at the game and haven't acquired all the Arab bling yet. The Old Hands will be represented by figures decked out in flowing Arab robes and wearing turbans and headdresses, which they have gained through trading their plunder, or through direct plundering.
The Ruga Ruga will be backed up by a unit of more traditional Nyamwezi spearmen (Ruga Ruga in waiting, who haven't got guns yet), and a unit of Tuta allies/mercenaries.
First batch of Youngbloods:
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_27_31_3.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_27_31_1.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_27_31_0.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_27_31_2.jpg)
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_30_37.jpg)
Original Gangster.
That's it for now. :)
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[quote author=Plynkes
Me again! This time we turn our attention to the lowly-born Nyamwezi trader-turned-warlord, Mirambo. Bought guns with his profits, gave them to orphaned teenage hooligans, who he then turned loose on all his neighbours, carving out an empire for himself in Tanganyika, to the horror of the established aristocracy.
[/quote]
Sad to read that even 100 years ago or more warlords were arming kids in Africa. Mr Plynkes sir, excellent read and looking a very exciting project. I look forward to reading more, and even hopefully, some battle reports, your style is always entertaining and inspiring.
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Excellent stuff. I've got Africans on the painting que right now (behind WWI stuff). Your posts always inspire me to get them going.
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That's just great stuff!
way to go!
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Wonderful article and great models !
I laughed hard at Queen Victoria's quote. However, should'nt she use the Royal 'WE' in the second sentence as well.
Please tell me where I can score the figure with the Betty over his shoulder. PLEASE do not tell me it is a Plynkes conversion !
Also interested in the body of the Mirambo figure - who makes it?
Dying to know.
Chick
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You have some really nice looking figures there. Your painting and basing are both very nicely done. You must be very pleased to use these "works of art" on your gaming table. Thanks for sharing and well done sir!!
Regards,
Hitman
8)
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This is really outstanding - from research to execution. Fabulous skin tones and all. Hat off!
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Fab stuff, the skin tones are excellent. Brilliant research and hilarious summary! :)
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Lovely stuff :-* :-*
As mentioned by the others the skins tones are great.
Have you converted alot of these figures or are they straight off the shelf?
If you have converted ones can you tell us which ones and what you have done to them?
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Plynkes, my dear, you've doneit again. Are all these minis Foundry? I do not recognize them?
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Mirabilis ars ;D
compliments as usually a great stuff
Piero
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Much niceness Mr P. :-*
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Have to agree with the others, wonderful stuff. :-*
I thnk my most favourite of your recent prolific postings.
Excellent conversions, love the Mirambo take two with umbrella and the captive girl pair. Delightful ;D
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Have to agree with the others, wonderful stuff. :-*
I thnk my most favourite of your recent prolific postings.
Excellent conversions, love the Mirambo take two with umbrella and the captive girl pair. Delightful ;D
Aye, there's a dark streak in the theme which I like.
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Simply fabulous. :)
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A perfect presentation, a very interesting article and brilliant miniatures. Congratulations, this is really my wargaming-highlight of the last weeks!!!
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If you have converted ones can you tell us which ones and what you have done to them?
Sure.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_9_38_54_2.jpg) (http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_9_38_54_1.jpg)
Mirambo is a mish-mash of several figures. Westwind Arab digger forms the basis (that picture belongs to the Prof), with a Copplestone Somali head plonked on him, a new right arm from the bits box and a bit of greenstuff work on his robes.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_26_06_2.jpg) (http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_9_38_54_0.jpg)
Brolly guy also comes from the same Westwind pack. He's been given a Ruga Ruga head, and new things put in his hands.
Sorry Chick, the kidnapper is a conversion too, but quite a simple one. He's a Foundry nudie spearman. He's posed to be throwing a spear in an overarm fashion, so I just bent his arm further over until it looked like he's holding the girl. The captive came out of the bits box (she comes with a horse that she is being carried on), I don't remember the manufacturer, sorry. She was Caucasian so I mucked around with her hair a little to try and make it look braided, as I'm not sure if they had hair-straighteners in 19th Century Tanganyika.
(http://leadadventureforum.com/gallery/6/163_23_04_10_12_27_31_3.jpg)
Of the fellows in this picture, the chap on the right is a Foundry Ruga Ruga, straight out of the tin. The others are Foundry naked spearmen with a small amount of work done. New weapons and kit added, and the one with the spikey hair has had a headswap.
Everything else on display is a standard Foundry figure. Thanks for the kind words, fellas.
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WOW I am even more impressed now :o :o
Great work.
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Wonderful!
Beautiful painting, first-class conversions and fascinating historical background, all interwoven with the trademark Plynkes humour.
This sort of thing is the reason I'm addicted to the LAF :D
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That's some stonking conversion work, Plynkes.
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Great conversions, lovely painting, and beautifully and entertainingly presented.
Really enjoyed. Look forward to more.
Good work that man. :D
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Seriously good stuff 8)
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Very nice indeed!
A very interesting subject!
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Loving it.
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Outstanding conversions and painting, brilliant fluff and info - just great!
:-*
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Those are bloody marvellous!
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So when are you just going to forego all this conversion nonsense and just start sculpting your own? I mean, your figures have gone far beyond an arm or head swap.
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They are really good, you know, so much detail and those conversions too :o
I think I'll just walk off into the sunset now....
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So when are you just going to forego all this conversion nonsense and just start sculpting your own? I mean, your figures have gone far beyond an arm or head swap.
I'm not. It really isn't the same. If you knew the trouble I had just trying to make that flaming gourd for Mr. Spikey head you would laugh your ass off at the very idea. Frankensteining figures together might be a step up from headswaps but it is still a galaxy away from actual proper sculpting.
What is it with this Green Stuff stuff, anyway? I've recently started using it (I heard it was better than Milliput for this type of thing) but I find it very hard to sculpt with. It's like trying to use chewing gum. Works well for the headbands and waist sashes, but anything else is an absolute nightmare. Need to find some tutorials or something, or just go back to Milliput. ???
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Top work. Plynkes, you have excelled yourself :)
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Remembered where the captive came from:
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/slb06.jpg)
Amazon Miniatures "Female captives tied over horses."
A bit of filling was required to make her look right, as there were odd gaps due to her captor not being the shape of a horse's back.
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Frankensteining figures together might be a step up from headswaps but it is still a galaxy away from actual proper sculpting.
That is definitely correct! 8)
Some help with Green Stuff:
- Don't mix up the yellow and blue components in equal amounts; yes, I know, instructions say so, but the stuff is much better to handle when you mix it with around 60% yellow and 40% blue. The less blue you use, the softer the green stuff.
- After mixing, let it alone for around 10 - 15 minutes. Immediately after mixing the stuff sticks like ape-shit (as we say here ...) and is less controllable. After 15 minutes it has started to set, but you still have 1 - 1,5 hours to work with it. Because of this, mix only small quantities.
- Keep your tools wet when working with Green Stuff. I use a wet piece of foam in a blister package to dunk my tools into; some people lick their tools to keep them wet, but that's not my way ...
- If you wait longer, you can even roll out the stuff using a bottle and some talkum powder. Then you cut out pieces with your knife, wet them again, put them onto your figs and create shirts, bandoliers and other cloth parts. That's also the best way to get sharp edges on the stuff.
I'll stop here and hope you'll give it another try. The stuff is easy after getting used to it and not as messy as Milliput.
:)
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Wow! Awesome! :-* :-* :-* Great map as well - self generated? or does anyone know of good clear maps from 1914 for East/Central Africa??? I have a couple of atlas's from the time, but bloody useless for campaign maps (too much irrelevant detail)
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I stole the map from the Wikipedia entry on Msiri (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Msiri), I'm afraid.
Thanks for the Green Stuff tips, Admiral. I'll persevere a bit more with it now I'm armed with this info.
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Really lovely painting, the conversion work is fantastic :-* :-*
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Outstanding conversions and painting, brilliant fluff and info - just great!
:-*
I totally agree with that statement.
Hats off to Mr. Plynkes :o
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"We find him to be the dopest, flyest, O.G. pimp-hustler-gangster-player, hardcore M*** living today. To be honest I am totally and completely On. His. Dick." Queen Victoria.
Now, *that* is what I call VSF!
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That is definitely correct! 8)
Some help with Green Stuff:
- Don't mix up the yellow and blue components in equal amounts; yes, I know, instructions say so, but the stuff is much better to handle when you mix it with around 60% yellow and 40% blue. The less blue you use, the softer the green stuff.
- After mixing, let it alone for around 10 - 15 minutes. Immediately after mixing the stuff sticks like ape-shit (as we say here ...) and is less controllable. After 15 minutes it has started to set, but you still have 1 - 1,5 hours to work with it. Because of this, mix only small quantities.
- Keep your tools wet when working with Green Stuff. I use a wet piece of foam in a blister package to dunk my tools into; some people lick their tools to keep them wet, but that's not my way ...
- If you wait longer, you can even roll out the stuff using a bottle and some talkum powder. Then you cut out pieces with your knife, wet them again, put them onto your figs and create shirts, bandoliers and other cloth parts. That's also the best way to get sharp edges on the stuff.
I'll stop here and hope you'll give it another try. The stuff is easy after getting used to it and not as messy as Milliput.
:)
Admiral,
thanks very much for those tips. I always find greenstuff is a little "stiff" to work with with the 50/50 mix. I've got some converting to do later, so will be trying your ideas, especially the 60/40 one. I might even try to make some shirts and waistcoats etc - but that might be too ambitious lol
I'm sure I'm not the only one who appreciates this and would like to read any more hints and tips you have on modelling :D
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Plynkes - just seen these. Bloody great work - I love seeing the research and background u put in your projects.
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fantastic work !!
what can I say the stuff is so good painted and the conversions are made with genius skills .
thanks for showing them
Grimm
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Brilliant! Like everything - very nice work on the conversions.
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Great conversions and oustanding work... very nice!
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I wanna do Ruga-Ruga too.
Now when i say "do", i don't mean in the biblical sense!!
Love your quote by Queen Vic in the opening post
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Brilliant bit of brilliance, my favourite Plynkes' so far 8)
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Thanks. Hopefully there will actually be something new on this front soon. Though I'm not inspired about painting Ruga Ruga right now, I'm painting some Watuta tonight, and even though they will have their first appearance in an unrelated game, their eventual destiny is to be part of Mirambo's army: Mercenary scum who have tagged along for a share of the plunder, and all perfectly historical.
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Incidentally, that was your post #6000, Dylan. You have only about 3000 to go and you'll be in par with me. Round of beers?
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You know times are bad when Ruga-Ruga hire mercenaries! lol
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Well I'm not sure the fact that I can't keep my gob shut is worth celebrating, but unless one is on the point of vomiting there is only one answer* to the question "Round of beers?" :)
*And hey, even then...
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:)
A worthy 6000 and 2nd post.