(Army Painters) British Askari

[Dr Mathias]

Taking a short break from khaki, I present the mercenaries of the African Lakes Trading Co. in all their finery.



These figures are from the old Foundry Darkest Africa pack DA59 "African Tribal Musketmen in European Hats and Coats". The figure with the red and yellow loin wrap is from one of the other tribal musket packs. They look like the sort of fellows that a cash-strapped backwater trading company would recruit in a hurry for defense and 'appropriating' goods from hostiles.



You might ask 'who would lead such a rag-tag band?'



Currently, the chief administrator of the most isolated Lakes Company outpost is none other than Paul E. Nicholas, allegedly on leave from a regular British unit. His superiors are gravely concerned that he's 'gone native' but his successes speak for themselves. Many doubt the truth of this scapegrace's name, his choice of companions, and unorthodox methods- but no one can dispute his exhaustive knowledge of the natives of East Africa.

[moonshado]

What a lovely selection of evil looking riff raff, dressed up in their finery. You have a flair for paintinging Africans that is second to none. I also like Paul E. Nicholls

[Doomsdave]

Amazing skintones.  Who makes the Nicholas figure?

[Centaur_Seducer]

This, Matt, is as always faboulous and inspiring! 

[janner]

Lovely work 

[Dr Mathias]

Thanks all, these were fun to do. I love Darkest Africa and Copplestone sculpts a surly African countenance better than anyone.

What a lovely selection of evil looking riff raff, dressed up in their finery. You have a flair for painting Africans that is second to none. I also like Paul E. Nicholls

Thank you sir, but I wouldn't go that far

Amazing skintones.  Who makes the Nicholas figure?

Thanks, he's a converted Lead Adventure Plynkes





I used a Warlord Zulu shield, a Wargames Factory Zulu club, a new hand and revolver I made from a press mold, and greenstuff. The cricket bat and ball were removed with a jeweler's saw... I was dreading doing that but it was actually surprisingly easy. My painting looks a little rough now that I've photographed him.

With Plynkes' permission a relevant source image just might be posted

[Mason]

Dome stunning additions to the army, Doc.
Very moody and characterful.
 

Thanks, he's a converted Lead Adventure Plynkes

With Plynkes' permission a relevant source image just might be posted

I love the Plynkes conversion and have that figure myself waiting for a conversion of a different kind.

As for a 'source image', I think a piccie of Ian Hislop is almost the same thing.
(Of the figure anyway...).

https://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&site=imghp&tbm=isch&source=hp&biw=1024&bih=485&q=ian+hislop&oq=ian+hi&gs_l=img.1.0.0l10.2473.6009.0.8130.6.5.0.1.1.0.250.565.3j1j1.5.0....0...1ac.1.30.img..0.6.600.e6dCbER8_L4

 

[Thargor]

  great stuff

[Ray Rivers]

Hey Doc!

What a great thread with some really awesome minis and terrain.

Well... actually they border on fantastic... 

[former user]

this is really great, excellent, fantastic...

[Doomsdave]

Thanks.  That conversion was well done.   

[FramFramson]

"... when led by white officers."

Here using the "officer" about as loosely as possible.

Wonderfully skillful conversion!

[HerbyF]

WOW Those Africans look great. And the Plynkes conversion just wow. 

[Bugsda]

Brilliant work Doc, terrific patterns and that's a great Plynkes 

[syrinx0]

Brilliant work indeed Doc. Fantastic conversion.