Askari - several years in the making

[flatpack]

So, a couple of years ago, I mentioned I was interested in playing games based on WW1 East Africa.
This interest was shared by a couple of people in our group.
I bought a couple of books on the subject, and started reading them.
I bought some figures, based and undercoated them, then left them in their box file.
Then other projects came along.
Sounds familiar I hear you say....

Well, over the last couple of weeks, I have revived my interest in the project.
I’ve set this coming Saturday as the date for our first game.
We are happy using the TMWWBK rules, with some added flavour of wild animals 🦒🐆🦓🐘🦍🐊🦔

Here is the layout for the first battle.











Once we have played, I will post the aar.

I will also come back with plenty of photos I have taken, to get to this point, including figure and scenery details, and silly things like boats, trains, vehicles, and planes.

Let’s see how it goes.
Happy new year to you all.
Flatpack

[FifteensAway]

A very nice line of porters.  And zebras and giraffes, too!  Very cool.  Do I spy a youthful giraffe in the mix? 

I've managed to include youth in my collection of giraffes for my slowly developing African Plains herds - one third of the long necked ones are painted.  Even had some African Cape Buffalo custom sculpted and will have a herd of 96 of those beasts, an expensive indulgence.  (15 mm, for those wondering, seven poses including a dead one).

Will be following this to see what you come up with.  I keep hoping for a good range for this period in 15 mm.  Lancashire have a few packs for the Germans in 18 mm.

Like the terrain - that is some really tall elephant grass!

[Malamute]

Very nice indeed, looking forward to the AAR.

[von Lucky]

A very nice, lush looking set up. The buildings in particular a evocative.

[has.been]

The elephant grass IS TALL, I can't even see my elephants!
The crocs, hippos, lions & one ostrich are also hiding somewhere....
....my God it is a JUNGLE out there!!!!!
Looking forward to the fun. Oh & of course the bacon butties.

[robh]

Great looking table.  Nice to see the wonderful TSS tiles.

[Harry Faversham]

Old projects never die, though they do sometimes, sadly fade away! Congratulations on so splendidly resurrecting yours...
that's how a proper wargames table should look!!!

[flatpack]

Gents
Thanks for the positive comments.
Still frantically painting Brits up for the game on Saturday.

[flatpack]

So, you want to wargame East Africa ?
That means you need jungle.

I looked on the web and went with the idea of plastic lizard and fish tank greenery, based on mdf.

I bought the plastic greenery from pet shops across the uk.
I bought palm trees from wargame shows.
I cut out mdf random shapes.
I did consider using old CD’s for the bases, which you could do, if you don’t have access to mdf and a saw.

I hot glue gunned the plastic bushes and leaves to the mdf.

Once I was happy, I used the commercially available green paint, with sand already in it, and painted this onto the bases.

I then dry brushed the bases.

I’ve discovered other items like the columns and the Buddha figure, and thrown them into the mix too.






Before the bases were painted.


Columns from a fish tank, adapted for jungle.




Buddha from a home store in the uk, with ivy added for effect.

[Patrice]

Thanks for the pics. I love such long tables!

Um the Buddha ang Greek/Roman columns are a bit unexpected in this area but I suppose they will give good reasons of adventures for archeologists. 

[Harry Faversham]

SNAP!!!



 

[flatpack]

Yes you’ll never know what you might find deep in the jungle..

[flatpack]

As well as jungle, I needed buildings for the period.
I looked to Sarrisa for suitable MDF buildings.
I found these 3.
They are from their Mexican range.
I wanted the feel of “back of beyond”
I knew I wanted to incorporate the railway that was involved in the conflict, so I went for their Mexican railway station. I see now that they have a new one for Al Alamein that I might have gone for, instead of this Mexican one.
I think they have come up ok.

[gamer Mac]

The MDF Buildings are very nice
The waretower is superb

[juergen c. olk]

Wow! that is a very impressive layout,Kudos on the buildings