Sudan Project Underway - official and verified

[olicana]

On Sunday I went to Fiasco in Leeds. I had arranged to pick up my first batch of Perry figures for the Sudan from Dave Thomas. I have to say, it was quite a heavy box.



More here:

https://olicanalad.blogspot.com/2023/10/goodies-from-fiasco-another-project-in.html

[FifteensAway]

James,

A bit early reminder - but don't you dare plan any more projects above 1,000 figures!  Per your request, of course.

Quite a project you've undertaken.  The weight can be greatly reduced if you go with 15 mm figures like I do!   Most recent project was French Foreign Legion (ways to go to completion) but early Sudan sits waiting attention. Shall watch your project for inspiration.

Good luck with those plastics - I know some love them but I can't imagine dealing with assembling those things; but that's just me.

[olicana]

I've painted a few plastics and as I paint with enamels it's easy enough to do.

But, you are right, I don't like making them up. Thankfully, these don't have too many parts / equipment bits.

I've always stayed away from plastic (for personal use) because I've seen Airfix kits literally disintegrate when a couple of decades old and I'm unsure of hard plastic durability over time but, as I turn 60 this year, their lifespan might not be an issue.

There is also the 'heft' thing (I know this winds plastic lovers up so much that I can't resist throwing it in) but, it's a fact, 'heft' is a glorious thing. However, I'm going to mix 50/50, plastic/metal, so that the 6 to 8 figure stands have some weight to them.

In the end, my decision to buy plastic came down to money. I rather suspect it's the same for most people.

[Field Marshal]

I look forward to watching your progress. I am just waiting for my Perry order to teach me down under for the same period. Mine won’t be anywhere as grandiose as yours. I’m just a little jealous you have the concentration to churn those units out. I still have about 3 unfinished projects because of my wargamers adhd.

[armchairgeneral]

Looking forward to seeing this progress. I admire your commitment and single minded focus to go all in for a new period rather than flit about like so many us 

I had an excellent Sudan game at Peter Gilder's Wargame Holiday Centre over 40 years ago now. The Mahdists were controlled by the Pony Wars auto-activation matrix that Peter Gilder had in his Sands of Sudan rules. So there was four of us all on the same side (ably supported by a gunboat on the edge of the table) trying to fend off hordes of the enemy coming on the table from all over the place 

Know what you mean about heft. It is one reason why I sometimes get steel bases. Not a cheap option admittedly but I like the weight of them and the lower centre of gravity means they deploy better on slopes. Something to consider for plastics I would have thought?

[Jack Jones]

Nice! I look forward to following your progress.

I found assembling the Mahdists to be something of a pleasure once I was in the groove … always looking to achieve small variations, with some proper conversions.

I get the whole ‘heft’ thing … even getting used to the lightness of plastic figures when painting, when switching from painting metal ones.

I made a similar first post on my blog at the beginning of January 2020, and I am just finishing the last two Empire units and a handful of Hadendowa at the moment. (I plan to have them done before Christmas.)

I plan to return to the Sudan for some more Indians, mounted infantry, Egyptians, and a armed train late next year. But first a late medieval digression … with a five boxes of Perry plastics and about thirty metal miniatures awaiting my attention.

Cheers
JJ

[olicana]

JJ,

We are both mixing very similar missions.

With this Sudan order I purchased some additions for my early Crusades collection (close enough to medieval, I guess): 84 Armenians - including just 12 mounted, 24 dismounted western knights (early Germans) and 74 Arab foot - 30 Mutattawia and 42 glaive-men with home made glaives. I'll probably do these first to make a proper change from the 2,699 28mm Napoleonics I've just finished (absolutely no bloody backpacks and other equipment, if you get my drift). That will bring my early Crusades collection to a little over 1,200 figures including 420 mounted. At some point I'll add a Fatimid army - but, not just at the moment .

Good luck getting yours done, all power to your elbow.

James

[Sparrow]

Enjoy! The Sudan Campaign is (in my opinion) a great, and hugely enjoyable, campaign to game. It’s wargaming “cat nip”👍