Daftest Africa - Another giraffe

[Digits]

You and me both!  Funnily enough though…..on my honeymoon, my wife and I went on Safari in Kenya, coupled with a week at Bamburi Beach near Mombasa.   

There was an orphan animal sanctuary near our hotel there, and we had a pleasant day wandering about the pathways, being able to get close enough to pet the relatively tame animals there.   

At one point however, my wife, an arachnophobia, refused to walk on the path as it passed under a giant cobweb in which to be fair, a very large spider (bigger than my hand anyway) sat.  Instead she thought nothing of trampling through the very long grass (admittedly not as high as elephant grass) to the side of the path.  Now, bear in mind that over that two week period we encountered a cobra over dinner at one of our lodges, and ran over and killed a black mamba in our minibus, you’d be more inclined to take your chances on the path me thinks! 🥴


Anyway, I just took a few pics assembling the grass.

Start by sticking down the Hairgrass with a hot glue gun.  Do not be tempted to spread it out thinking you will get more coverage….this stuff I think works because you can get it to look dense as indeed it should be.



When done it should look like this.   See the holes though, they look unsightly and unrealistic.



So take your chaingrass……stick a dollop of hot glue in the bottom of the hairgrass, and push it in.



Repeat until you’ve done them all, and see how much thicker the grass now looks.  You have now hidden all the holes.



Don’t forget, you will need to disguise the bases around the perimeter of your grass patch as they too don’t look good.   Use flocks, tufts, sponge foliage to suit your table as appropriate. 




Edit:

Wow!   Postman just handed me my copy of “Congo”…..and though I haven’t had time to read and digest it ( can’t do that until next week), a quick skim though reveals a well put together rule book, and a myriad of colourful eye candy pictures!    I’ve already spotted half a dozen things I need to get myself…..I will have to stop reading it and get on with my painting….!

[has.been]

I’ve already spotted half a dozen things I need to get myself…..I will have to stop reading it and get on with my painting….!

Such as what? (needed things)

[CapnJim]

That elephant grass look the business!  Well done.

And I've played Congo.  Really like them.  I'm thinking of using them for my War of 1812 figs (Indians vs regulars and militia kind of thing...).  Even played a game at a convention of Vikings vs. early Native Americans...

[Digits]

Such as what? (needed things)

Well…mostly miniatures, but a Grand Manner Steamer for one!   I would never afford it mind 😫😢

Jim…yes, I’m looking forward to trying them out.    We’re actually away on a boating holiday with a friend and our aim is to learn it then…hence why all the furious painting! Lol


I just noticed Blotz do Congo tokens so I will probably get me a few of those in time…nice.

[has.been]

a Grand Manner Steamer for one!

Just had a look at it.

I would never afford it mind 😫😢

Just looked at the price 
Wargames standard £336 
Collectors standard  £441   
No doubt postage on top of that as well.
Surely, in keeping with your project, they are having a...Giraffe!

If you want one, give me a budget & I'll make you one.

[Digits]

Cheers Pete…but I’d best finish the one I was making first me thinks.   

Maybe he will do a resin only deal again later this year….?

[has.been]

OK. Don't forget that Sci-Fi 6 wheeler next time we meet up.

[Digits]

I have it ready for delivery fella!

[has.been]

I have it ready for delivery fella!

And the gold ingot on the back?

[Digits]

😩😢😢

I don’t bloody believe it!  My mate who was coming boating next week (gaming holiday we tend to have every few years)  has had a family bereavement  and had to pull out….so all this bloody painting feels like it’s for nothing!

He clearly can’t help it but it’s put me on a downer! 

Edit:

So after a day of licking my wounds and achieving nothing of note, I’m staring at twenty five half painted Ngoni.    I’ve over phased myself a bit so will have to break down into smaller groups.

I did however spend a little time reading the rules yesterday evening…..and I like the mechanism.    Clearly not intended for serious wargaming larger battles, but they do look like they are aimed at having fun and look straight forward to learn quickly.

[Digits]

Oh well…onwards and upwards!

The first Ngoni are done.   The chief, his sons, a pair of witchdoctors and a runner.

[Doug ex-em4]

Oh well…onwards and upwards!

The first Ngoni are done.   The chief, his sons, a pair of witchdoctors and a runner.

I LIKE them…!

Doug

[Ray Rivers]

Those are excellent! 

[Digits]

Cheers….because here’s “faasands” more of them! (Well twenty odd anyway!) 😉



So now I have another full protagonist force so I could indeed play the game now.

Ngoni Chief, choice of sons / war chiefs, choice of witch doctors

One group of young unmarried warriors

Three groups of Married Warriors

[Digits]

The scenarios call for a few bits that seem to recur, namely tents, baboons, warthog and a herd / flock of village livestock.

A quick hunt round and I have enough goats for some strange reason to make a flock!

So a few little things next me thinks.