(Army Painters 2014) Darkest Africa Force Publique

[Dr Mathias]

Having decided to pursue the Army Painters challenge again this year, I settled on tackling some more Foundry Darkest Africa. I've had a box of Foundry Darkest Africa Force Publique going on twelve years now, so its high time they get painted. I did a unit of ten and some miscellaneous leaders and mutinous askaris about eight years ago, pretty much the same situation as with the British last year. The paint on the older figures is not great, they're kind of glossy and some have a case of the sealing 'frost' so I might strip them. We'll see.



The force should end up being four or five squads of ten, a bunch of leaders, and maybe some other ruffians and slaves. I may try to find a good machine gun if anyone knows of something suitable.

I feel a little dirty having collected these guys- considering how vile they were historically- but then again they're aren't many good guys in Darkest Africa. Press on!

First up for new painted figures is a squad of Askari and their white Lieutenant.



I also finished a station chief, with the rank markings of a capitaine-commandant. His eyes came out a little wild looking, but I think that's a requisite of many Congo Free State employees.



More to come

[former user]

wow, top quality as usual Matt - the blue is amazing!

The paint on the older figures is not great, they're kind of glossy and some have a case of the sealing 'frost' so I might strip them.

please make a comparison shot before

[FramFramson]

His eyes came out a little wild looking, but I think that's a requisite of many Congo Free State employees.

I was going to make a comment about this being a rather... fraught... choice of game. But that about summed it up.  

Nice painting! Agree with the blue looking great!

[Dr. The Viking]

Brilliant painting on a terrible subject matter! 

[cram]

They look amazing!!    The scenery also looks first rate 

[marianas_gamer]

Oh yeah! Looking forward to this! A great painter addresses some of my favorite DA minis 
LB

[Captain Blood]

Lovely 

[Ray Rivers]

Wowy! 

This is going to be a really nice army when it is finished.

[Bugsda]

Superb Doc, great blue 

[OSHIROmodels]

Cracking work 

cheers

James

[mikedemana]

They look great, Matt! You should see if you can get an audio version of Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" to listen to while painting. I just read this on my Vietnam trip this summer. Definitely some wild-eyed characters, there!

Miked Demana

[Dr Mathias]

Thanks for the comments all, I think this will be a fun project.

They look great, Matt! You should see if you can get an audio version of Conrad's "Heart of Darkness" to listen to while painting. I just read this on my Vietnam trip this summer. Definitely some wild-eyed characters, there!

Miked Demana

Thanks! I've read it twice, along with King Leopold's Ghost. Gruesome stuff. I'll try to find an audio version though- that's a good idea. It would be amazing to have some audio recordings of Livingstone, Burton, Stanley,etc. !

[Mason]

A stunning start.
 

Oh yeah! Looking forward to this! A great painter addresses some of my favorite DA minis 
LB

Ditto!

Yet another great (Army Painter) thread that I must follow.
Brilliant.
 

[former user]

https://librivox.org/heart-of-darkness-by-joseph-conrad
https://librivox.org/heart-of-darkness-version-2-by-joseph-conrad/

[Dr Mathias]

former user, you are a scholar and a gentleman- thank you!