(Army Painters 2014) Darkest Africa Force Publique

[warburton]

Fantastic stuff. I really like your jungle trees. I am struggling to build up a jungle myself so that is very inspiring. 

[Captain Blood]

Lovely work Matt 

[Dr Mathias]

Thanks gents!

Is Mister Askari Rebel a limited edition?  I saw his picture on the foundry site, with several other mutinous murdering scum dressed in the bloodstained clothes of the valiant men they'd butchered, but couldn't seem to find them for sale...

Yes, they were offered as bonus figures if one bought a 'collection' of six packs.

Darkest Afrika  seems a decidedly bottomless pit into which one flings money, & time

Ain't that the truth

[Kommando_J]

It's a damn shame they aren't available, I have to say they are characterful, if only a ''British'' version where done, African tribesmen in oith helmets and tweed, a chieftain with a decorated elephant gun or a witch doctor packing a revolver.

[Valerik]

It's a damn shame they aren't available, I have to say they are characterful, if only a ''British'' version where done, African tribesmen in pith helmets and tweed, a chieftain with a decorated elephant gun or a witch doctor packing a revolver.

Oh I say, Jolly Good Idea Old Boy!!

I'd certainly buy 'em before any Continentallly clad characters.
Tribesmen in topees with trophys, splendid concept!!

Yet in truth, I'd buy both, cheerfully, at once!!

Valerik

is "Darkest Africa" an infection, or a virus?

[Dr Mathias]

It’s time for a long overdue update on the Force Publique project.

Now to business. First off is a squad of Force Publique askaris, being mustered and inspected by Lt. de Wouters.



Here is a second squad of ten on patrol, being led by de Wouters again.



Called ‘The Heron’ by his friends and his enemies, de Wouters was a tall man and habitually dressed in an all-white uniform. Despite being quite a target, his enemies were convinced that some sort of magic protected him from gunfire.

The Force Publique artillery crew find a clearing.



The Force Publique used a cannon to good effect at the battle of Redjaf in 1897. I believe it was a 75mm Krupp gun, which I acquired from Askari Miniatures. The crew are from the Foundry Mountain Gun pack, with some greenstuff additions so they matched their compatriots.

I painted several officers and NCOs. The first is a Copplestone Castings British naval officer with a slightly modified cap device.



I need to go back and give him a mustache, so he looks more like this guy:



The next fellow looks like he just got off the last steamer, a real ‘by the books’ sort of soldier. He’s about to get a rude awaking in the Free State.



The officer with a fez might be my favorite Darkest Africa figure, I’ve always liked this guy.



My faithful followers know that I like me ne’er-do-wells- and I’m sure he is one.

Speaking of miscreants, another mutinous askari joins the ranks of the rebels:



“But why would anyone rebel against the Free State?” one might ask. I give you Leon Rom’s garden.



This cultured gentleman was said to enjoy painting and collecting butterflies. Also, decorating his garden with severed human heads. It is commonly believed that Rom was the inspiration for the character Kurtz in Heart of Darkness. The fence is from Renedra, the foliage is Siflor and some random plastic plants. The heads are on separate bases just in case I want the garden for a less ominous setting.

Here are some pigs and sheep that I painted for the Dark Ages project I was on.



Apparently de Wouters really enjoys inspecting things. The sheep are formerly Mega Miniatures, the pigs are from Architects of war. I plan to gloss coat the bases so they look like they’re rooting in mud. The fencing is Renedra plastic wattle fence.

Last is a shot of most of the figures painted since the last update, traipsing through the jungle under the leadership of a mounted Commandant.



Thanks for looking, more to follow, hopefully in a month instead of two

[Chambersofminiatures]

Great job! Thanks for posting.

[Mason]

What a wonderful update, far superior than a 'line-up'.
 

[Furt]

Yup - these are amazing.     

[OSHIROmodels]

Excellent continuation 

cheers

James

[Malamute]

All superb. I really like the garden(not sure about the severed heads )

[Mason]

All superb. I really like the garden

 

You would.....

 

[former user]

THX for the pictures, there was no hurry
most of them I can identify as weaving patterns, only one is a bit unusual

all are great inspiration

[Hu Rhu]

That is some wonderful painting.

[Captain Blood]

A gorgeous collection Matt