This is my first 'proper' entry as part of a desire to wargame 'Dunsterforce', a WW1 mission into Persia and South Caucus in 1918.
For those who don't know anything about it, this was an expedition into the area with the intention of organising local units to replace the Russian Tsarist forces that were melting away as the Russian Revolution took hold.
The Ottoman empire was bearing down on the area and one of the many concerns, as well as loss of the regions oil supply, was the threat to the Northwest Frontier of India. Ultimately the mission was a failure as the local forces in general would not fight. So I feel this submission fits into the Empire category, as it was another fall of the Persian empire and the defence of the British Empire.
The force was comprised mainly of officers drawn from across the empire. They travelled in, literally, hundreds of Model T Ford trucks and cars as well as Peerless Lorries. They were supported by 1918 pattern Austin Armoured cars. There were other odd vehicles including Rolls Royce Armoured cars.
There is some debate over the use of Lanchester armoured cars. I come down on the side of them not being there, but I painted two I had while the brushes were out.
My submission is for (All 15mm):-
12 Peerless Lorries
24 Model T trucks
4 Austin A/C
2 Lanchester A/C
3 Crossley staff cars
1 Dodge Touring car
1 Dodge pickup
1 Franklin car
A total of 48 vehicles @ 8pts = 384pts
68 Seated drivers/passengers/MG operators @1pt = 68
Empire bonus @ 50
Another 42 drivers and passengers @ zero as they weren't needed, so aren't 'based', but it's nice to know they are done if I ever need them!
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Total pts 502 and a squirrel
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This project took me a long time to bring to the painting stage due to the lack of correct vehicles. Minifigs do make a model T ford, but at £6.75 each I baulked at getting 24 of them for a few games. The Peerless car and the correct model of Austin armoured car didn't exist either.
The answer was to heavily 'kitbash' 3D models and then print them. The Lorry is adapted from an AEC lorry, and the Austin was modified from an earlier model.
The Model T was a lot harder as there was nothing close. So for the first time I wrestled with AI to generate a number of models and then 'fiddled' with them until I had something very close to right. I have to admit to making it a fraction over size, so I could squeeze in a cut down machine gunner.
The Crossley, Dodge, Franklin and Lanchester cars are all Peter Pig resin models.
The loads for the backs of the transport versions are all printed separately, so they can all be removed along with the MGs.
I hope that the pics show, that although they appear all one colour at first they aren't, and it did involve more than just spray painting them.
Oh if anyone is interested, all printed on a Prusa Mk3S+ filament printer.
Model T Ford
Peerless lorry
Austin Armoured car
Lanchester Armoured cars
Crossley Staff Car
Dodge Touring car and pickup
Franklin car (heavily laden)
