La República de Banano - A Project

[answer_is_42]

Right! Seeing as I've only 4 other projects on the go at the moment, I think it's about time I did a bit more with this. Well, anyway, I was at a loose end this afternoon, so I figured I'd write some more background...

La República de Naranjas (officially The Glorious Central American People’s Democratic Socialist Soviet Republican Union of Marxist Orange Collectives) was established in 1969 as a puppet of Castro’s Cuba. During its colonial period, the island was at various times ruled by almost every imperial power in the region, finally gaining independence from Andorra in 1897. Like its neighbour, the country has suffered many invasions from local regional powers, including a protracted and bloody conflict with Ecuador between 1947-1958, sparked by the infamous ‘orange squash’ incident, details of which are still much disputed. For the past few years, however, the primary foreign policy aim of the nation’s ruling elite has been the full overthrow of the despotic capitalist regime of the República de Banano. In addition to Cuba, the People’s Republic maintains close ties with the USSR, whose ‘advisors’ constitute a strong faction within the countries’ complex internal power struggles. In practical terms, however, La República de Naranjas and La República de Banano are virtually identical.

And a flag!


I’ll try to post a couple of photos tomorrow, and intend to get some more stuff at Salute; as of yet, I don’t really have enough for a proper game. Exciting, isn't it?

[AKULA]

Looking good mate.

lots of projects means you will never go stale....of course, it also probably means you won't finish any of them

 

[carlos marighela]

Clearly La República de Naranjas has a considerable naval presence if it had a protracted and bloody conflict with Ecuador 

[Hupp n at em]

Clearly, Andorra's vast overseas holdings have shrunk much in the last 150 years. 
Love what you've done with the background.  Looking forward to more.
Jim

[Mr.J]

This is a great project you have going on, love the background story! I'm so glad this was bumped back up again or so many great idea might have been missed.

[answer_is_42]

The events of the Cuban invasion of 1969 differ depending upon whom you ask. The official history, as published by the Naranjan government, tells of a great and glorious rising of the proletariat, sweeping away the corrupt capitalist politicians. The story as told by everyone else, however, follows that the island was seized by the Cubans in the mistaken belief that it contained valuable natural resources, and that the people remained totally apathetic toward the invaders.
Nevertheless, the ruling Communist Party has done its utmost to inspire a sense of socialistic fervour in the populace, with initiatives such as free red flags for the over 60s, and special ’Karl Marx days’, when people are encouraged to dress up as the founding father of Communism. Arguably the most successful method of maintaining the revolution, however, has been the stationing of 2,000 Soviet ‘advisors’ in the country, whose idealism, courage and automatic rifles have proven to be a great inspiration to the nation.


Some badly photographed Russians. Mongrel minis I think; I picked them up on a whim at a Salute a few years ago. Can't say the winter gear suits the Caribbean climate, though:



Thanks for the comments!

[Arlequín]

Oddly the Soviet Troops that went to Cuba in '62 were issued winter gear, so not so far fetched. Apparently they did adapt their fur-lined boots into a kind of UGG sandal and mostly wore civilian clothing for the time they were there.
 

[carlos marighela]

Believe it or not in tropical Salvador, you can go into a department store like C&A, Renner or Riachuelo and find puffy jackets, sweaters and knee  high boots being sold in the women's clothing section. Odd, given that most of the year the temperature range is between 28C and 32C. On rare days in winter it may drop as low as 18C. Who buys these things I'm not sure. Perhaps there is a larger market for the ski slopes of Bariloche than I imagined. Oh well, just say that your Russians are slaves to fashion.

[former user]

not surprising to see fur hats in the countryside in Asia in summer - think of Afghanistan

[Doomhippie]

This is just too much for me! My belly aches from laughing! Now here's a story I will follow. Wonderful idea!