discussion British Infantry Sudan

[Tim Marlow]

OK, next instalment Khaki Tommy Aitkins.....first, a word from our sponsor....

Tommy, by R Kipling.
I WENT into a public 'ouse to get a pint o' beer,
The publican 'e up an' sez, " We serve no red-coats here."
The girls be'ind the bar they laughed an' giggled fit to die,
I outs into the street again an' to myself sez I:
O it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' " Tommy, go away " ;
But it's " Thank you, Mister Atkins," when the band begins to play
The band begins to play, my boys, the band begins to play,
O it's " Thank you, Mister Atkins," when the band begins to play.

On to the lads then...I have twelve of these to paint up, so here are a few of them.
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His nibs, the bloke wot does the telling...
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The bloke wot makes 'I'm 'eard.... (great sculpt this one I think)
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Reload.....
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...and Sergeant Peter Kelly and Bobbie (I've promoted him to sergeant). I know Bobby was present at Maiwand, Afghanistan, not in the Sudan, but he was in the box, and is in the Wiltshire regiment museum in Salisbury, so I couldn't resist him....,

 

[Steve Jones]

Really looking forward to seeing how you paint these. Great stuff!

 

[Tim Marlow]

Thanks Steve, hope I don’t disappoint....
I’m already regretting putting Bobby on the base this early, should have painted him separately and added him later because he’s going to make it hard to get the brush in...oh well, onwards and upwards LOLTim

 

[Fernando N]

Nice group you've got there Tim.
Looking forward to see them painted.:hungry:

Fernando

 

[Tim Marlow]

Thanks Fernando, looking forward to painting them...

 

[Tim Marlow]

Hi lads and lasses....
Argentina/Croatia is very dull so time for a quick update.....
Some of these are further on than others....
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his nibs is a Ginger......for some reason the camera has made the lips seem weird on all of these....
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the bloke wot blows the bugle....
These have had the skin tones and hair done, and the uniform undercoated in Khaki Grey.
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Uniform, puttees and shoes complete as well....looks a bit like Corporal Jones this one...
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They don't like it up 'em....
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Bobbie's mate......
Hope you like them, any questions please ask.
Cheers
Tim

 

[Jim R]

Hi Tim
Really enjoy your little figures. These look very nice. What size are they and who makes them?
Jim

 

[Tim Marlow]

Hi Jim
Glad you like them. They are 28mm (1/56) and are made by Perry miniatures. There are several other manufacturers. Loads of periods to chose from as well....even elephants. LOL
Cheers
Tim

 

[Jon Heptonstall]

Lovely little blokes Tim. Only just seen your new thread.
They certainly wouldn't like that up 'em.1860 pattern sword bayonet modified for the martini-henry.Nice touch.
Really nice painting.
Jon.

 

[Guest]

Great stuff Tim. Looking good.

 

[Guest]

Tim .
Front row next to Mr Day, please.
He can enlighten me on the finer points .
Full attention as not interested in this football lark !!!
John .

 

[Tim Marlow]

Thanks lads,
5ese link into the “washes” thread a little...the skin was under painted in dark sand, highlights added with sunny skin tone, then the whole was washed with flesh wash...all colours VJ.....it’s an approach I think would work well in 1/35 if you are less confident with figure painting. Quite pleased with the faces, especially as all the helmeted heads had a mould seam through the middle of the face....I didn’t do the eyes on these as the sculpts dont emphasise them and they are sometimes less noticeable on Caucasian faces.
Cheers for the support
Tim

 

[Tim Marlow]

Forgot the next verse of “Tommy”....

So I went into a theatre as sober as could be,
They gave a drunk civilian room, but they 'adn't none for me;
They sent me to the gallery or round the music-'alls,
But when it comes to fightin', Lord! they'll shove me in the stalls!
For it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an' “Tommy, wait outside”;
But it's “Special train for Atkins” when the trooper's on the tide,
When the troopship's on the tide, my boys, the troopship's on the tide,
It's “Special train for Atkins” when the trooper's on the tide.

Jingoistic it ain’t....
Cheers
Tim

 

[Steve Jones]

Tim

They are so wonderful. There is something about small figures that are so endearing when painted well like yours. Now back to the football:smiling2:

 

[Tim Marlow]

Thanks a Steve. Very nice compliment...much appreciated.
Cheers
Tim

 

[Tim Marlow]

Hi all
Sorry about the time between updates, it's just too hot to do much at a time......
Here's the next verse...

Yes, makin' mock o' uniforms that guard you while you sleep
Is cheaper than them uniforms, an' they're starvation cheap.
An' hustlin' drunken soldiers when they're goin' large a bit
Is five times better business than paradin' in full kit.
Then it's Tommy this, an' Tommy that, an` Tommy, 'ow's yer soul? "
But it's " Thin red line of 'eroes " when the drums begin to roll
The drums begin to roll, my boys, the drums begin to roll,
O it's " Thin red line of 'eroes, " when the drums begin to roll.

On to the figures.....half a dozen are now done so here's a selection.

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Basic Tommy Aitkins........

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Drummer aitkins..........For the eagle eyed.. I've now done the drum strap, noticed I missed it when cropping the picture. Drum was quite hard because the sculpt was nowhere near as defined as the troops.

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Bobby and Sargent Kelly.....getting at the rifle was difficult....lesson for next time....
All colours from Vallejo, rough brushwork by me, I found these as complicated as Napoleonics, and they took just as long. I have a hankering for Highlanders a little later so they will probably take forever..
Any questions please ask... I have all the paint mixes recorded so I can use them on the remaining half a dozen....and am willing to pass on any tat yo may find useful.
Next stage on these is gloss coat, then matt coat, then basing.....I may highlight some of the metals again just to recreate the shine....
Cheers all
Tim

 

[Mickc1440]

Great figures Tim, I really like Perry figures, not expensive and very detailed.

 

[Tim Marlow]

Thanks Mick. The Perry stuff is really nice, better proportioned than some in this scale, with well defined detail. I did some Victrix British Napoleonic Artillery a little while back, blogged on the site that dares not speak its name, and thought they were even better. Have you tried them?
Cheers
Tim

 

[Jim R]

Hi Tim
Great stuff. Love the poem. You really are the master of these little figures.
Jim

 

[Tim Marlow]

Thanks Jim
Compared to some I’m just a journeyman, but I enjoy them....
I like tying it in with a bit of Kipling, gives it a period feel and context. I don’t understand why he is seen as Jingoistic though...seems quite subversive to me, a bit like John Cooper Clarke in a pity helmet LOL