Sunday, September 19, 2021

Dealing With A White Elephant

 Its time has come!

Nearly 20 years ago, while looking for affordable Elastolin Landsknechts on ebay, I  came across this Germania resin kit of a Carthaginian war elephant.  Well,  I had no need of one but I mean it was a 40mm WAR ELEPHANT! and at a price I shouldn't but could afford. 

Since then it has snoozed in storage, occasionally coming out to look at me or hang out on a shelf while I tried to decide whether to send it to 19thC India or ..... hmm. Building 40mm ancient armies was a no go but enough Sassinids for a Roman/Prince Valiant style encounter soon became an option as that collection just kept adding to itself despite orders to the contrary. A raid of some sort? A shipwreck and rescue maybe?

I'm ready to resume painting  and all of my remaining collections are table ready for at least a small game so it seems like a good time to start doing some of the different and interesting, if only occasionally useful, bits that I've long wanted to do.

My handful of small slim Elastolin Turks look like bearded children next to my tall stockier French Rev troops so I've decided to use my homecast Turks for my Egyptian campaign. Given Foster's drawings of Easterners in the Prince Valiant strips, I think I can allow myself to use them to make some turbanned Persians along with a handful more armoured cavalry, some archers and some Hun mercenaries. 

The time has come for the White Elephant to come to life!

(Hmm I  wonder where I've tucked the little bag with tassels and mahout?)

19 comments:

  1. Really looks great Ross. You can never have enough elephants. I have a couple of dozen ranging from 6mm to 25mm. Carthaginian, Indian and Persian.

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    1. I don't seem to attract them. I think there have been 6 25mm ones in 45 years. hmm I seem to be about on track....

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  2. Of course, the problem with only having one elephant is that it might be lonely. Clearly you need more….

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  3. The more the merrier. Can never have too many elephants. Though I have to admit that I'm personally trying. to.

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    1. Its cleaning out the stables that gets me...

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    2. Oh, that's no problem. I cast a guy called Hercules - turns out he's quite good at cleaning out stables.

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    1. I'm almost intimidated, 15 years ago I might have spent a week or more and painted a decent model. Right now if I can manage a decent enhanced toy look I'll be happy.

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  5. Well, at least you have addressed the elephant in the (game) room. Good for you. Lovely model by the way.

    Eric

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    1. So far all I've done is buy and store it. It's the next bits thst will count!

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  6. Can’t wait to see him as a painted elephant in the room!

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  7. Now that is rather splendid ! , can't wait to see it painted .

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  8. So far..... I'm thinking I should have painted her back when I could see and my hand didn't shake as much but she'll look good on the table.

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  9. For some reason i can picture this looking great in full toy soldier gloss. I'd probably keep it out on a shelf as a display piece as well as for gaming.

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    1. I considered that briefly, but the rest of the collection is this style and the model seemed to cty out for it.

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