Slow Progress but progress nevertheless

It has been a mixed couple of weeks. University Interviews and a 19th Birthday for the eldest have come on top of a bout of flu hitting the whole family. Regretfully I also caught 'Man Flu' which laid me out for two days. Even 'The Good Lady'  was forced to take a couple of days off work and she still can't get rid of the lingering cough.

This has impacted on my painting opportunities but notwithstanding that I have made some good progress on my first Crimean Unit. I tend to work 'inside out' so flesh, greatcoats, crossbelts and epaulettes are all finished and I have started on the cartridge pouches and other pieces of equipment. It looks like I am well on the way there so I am still on schedule for my 1 battalion/ month target. The first battalion will be 20 figures strong and eventually I will add another 12 figures to it to make it up to my intended strength of 32. Before I do this I need to order some Spears/lances/flag poles  and get some suitable battalion flags as well. Ideally I like to have everything before I start as I don't like half finishing something as I then risk never completing it as I am distracted elsewhere.

I have already picked out the second battalion and they are in the 'pending' drawer. This will be 32 figures strong, also in fatigue caps but with gathered greatcoats.

The really good news is that I have finally finished the last 17 of my partisans (seen below).

They are an assortment of Artizan and  Marketeer minis from their Interwar VBCW and Irish Rebellion range. I particularly like the Naval type in blue flares and Brown coat with the roll neck sweater and the Artizan Demo expert that I suspect was modelled on David Niven from 'The Guns of Navarone'. I am also starting to include the occasional  unarmed civilian as they will add flavour to the Battle of Morden when we play that game later this year.

There is one 'head swap' which was a Gripping Beast injured head on a Musketeer figure.  Quite pleased with that as I am only slowly making forays into conversions.

I am pleased with the paler blue shirt colour that I mixed myself only to discover afterwards that Vallejo do a 'glacier blue' that is very similar and would have saved me a lot of trouble.

Although these complete  my Partisans I will add the occasional figure here and there for variety. A few unarmed civilians are also always handy as they can be used to provide comic diversions during games.