The Sikh Lancers

Well, after the latest Kokoda clash it was time to pay my dues (for my bodyweight in FPW Prussian lead!) by finishing the painting of the Sikh Wars Sikh cavalry for my lead-pimp Doug.  These are some early Perry sculpts for Foundry, or so I am reliably informed.  And lovely figures they are too.

They are still on their painting sticks as Doug prefers to base them - he has his own 'Punjab' mix of flocking ( a very desert-y looking mix with flecks of green) so he can flocking-well do it himself!  Besides, saves me another job, right?

I got some very good brass lances from the lance-guy (Dean @ Olympian Games) - just like the real thing and sharp too.  Got jabbed numerous times - aggressive little buggers those Sikhs!  I tried to replicate the unusual lance pennants which are basically four different coloured flat ribbons tied on the end. - sort of turned out alright but not 100% accurate in my opinion.

These are still very nice figures although they appear in only two basic poses - lances upright or couched.  Probably prefer the latter - but that might only be because the others kept on stabbing me!

One of my favourites is the trumpeter - must have been a bugger of a job blowing 'is horn with all that luxuriant facial hair!

The lancers from the rear - AFTER they've ridden over and jabbed you.  Very British style uniforms must have saved the Commissary a few bob when they eventually joined Her Majesty's Imperial force after they were defeated!

Just a few more Ghorchurras (irregular cavalry) to paint up and then get stuck into the Prussians again before the next Kokoda battle.  Have also managed to put together another gaming table out of old doors - 2.75 x 1.67 meter board that fits nicely on the old table-tennis table but can be readily broken down and packed away.  Have to see if I can fit it in the old lounge room (much to the horror of She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed!)  If all goes well, a few games at home may be on the cards.

Cheers,
           Doc

Sikh Wars Interlude

While we work out our next clash on the Kokoda trail, I had to do a few 'jobs' that were required for my bodyweight in FPW Prussian & French lead.  Suffice to say I have two enormous (well, by my standards anyway) armies 14 battalions (@24 & 18 figures each!)  artillery batteries and 3-4 cavalry regiments plus commands.  Thats a lifetime's worth of painting of course and I will be concentrating on the Prussians first. BUT - there is a price to be paid for such frivolity.  The painting of  (my lead pimp) Doug's small mountain of Sikh cavalry.  I must confess, if it were not for the threat of divorce and financial ruin, I would seriously consider collecting Sikh Wars/Indian Mutiny figures (I seem to have painted an army's worth as it is!)  They are lovely figures too - all Foundry and some of the earliest of the Perry brother's handiwork (when Foundry was their day-job).  Michael has a real love of the period, even illustrating Ian Heath's Osprey on the subject (The Sikh Army 1799 - 1849) - my painting reference for most of these figures.

Sikh Cuirassier Jamadar (General) - my first and favourite of the Foundry figures.

Should have put more gold braid detail on the saddle cover - but I had too many more to paint!

The Sikh cavalry were as formidable as their infantry and the Sikh army, known as the Khalsa,  very nearly inflicted defeat on the British - after one such Pyhrric victory the Viceroy of India, Lord Dalhousie remarked: "A few more such victories will loose us the Empire!" Didn't help that the British general, Gough, was also an idiot.  His use of 'Tipperary tactics' - frontal charge with bayonet - cost the British thousands of casualties.  The Sikhs, as well as good infantry and well-armed, mad cavalry, possessed quite a large number of guns.  Sikh gunners were describes as 'huge' - most six foot or over, well drilled and utterly fearless.  As well as not having to face them, I am relieved to say the job for Doug did not entail painting dozens of Sikh guns and crews!

Perry-designed (?) Sikh cuirassier finished - & Doug can do his own basing!

And the trumpeter. As per European fashion: sans cuiras

Prominent amongst the cavalry arm were various types of irregulars.  The British found them to be very tough customers and often better armed than they were.  Like many Sikhs utterly fearless but as cavalry, virtually uncontrollable on the battlefield.  Bit too charge-happy to be really useful - fortunately for the better-disciplined Brits.  The next lot are Ghorchurras - armed with a medieval mix of armour, chain-mail, wickedly sharp scimitars, a variety of knives and even reflex-bows (powerful enough to punch through armour) and pistols or muskets.  The guys I've painted here are jamadars or commanders but I've got another bunch of irregular cav to go as well (he does extract his pound or two of flesh does our Doug ;-0 )

Yes folks, that IS a Rohan shield (with a few obligatory sword notches in it)

Other side, Ghorchurra commander

Another of the Sikh wildmen: a Ghorchurra Khas sowar (unit commander/NCO)

Not to be outdone for the period were (of course) the British.  The following is a British cavalry commander - could be a general or could be an officer (very Hodson's Horse-like; a young Hodson himself perhaps?)  Nice figure - not Foundry, as far as I can tell.

Last by certainly not the least (over a dozen more lancer types and more irregs to paint up!) are the Sikh Dragoons.  There were a number of Sikh cavalry units that copied the British and were organised and drilled in the classic European way.  There were a number of Europeans who fought for the Sikhs and organised these units.  One French Napoleonic veteran, General Jean-Francois Allard, not only commanded a Sikh army but sourced and brought over the carabinier-type cuirasses to equip the Sikh heavy cavalry (pics at top of blog).  But these are not they.  These are the dragoons m'Lord - nasty beggars that ride away then turn around and shoot you - very unsporting eh what?

Foundry figures again - very nice too.

And their jamadar - similar uniforms to the Brits but black leather webbing to go with a snazzy red turban!

Well that's it for the Sikh Wars cavalry for now.  I have a few more to do including the famous lancers but they will have to wait (sorry Doug!) as we have to try and avoid defeat on the Kokoda track - likely my next post but hopefully not weeks away this time round!

Remember to click on the pics for enlargement and leave a comment if you want.

Cheers,

           Doc