Lead Adventure Forum

Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: gloriousbattle on October 17, 2011, 03:36:20 AM

Title: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: gloriousbattle on October 17, 2011, 03:36:20 AM
In no particular order, my picks would be:

More or less generic Muslims in flowing robes,

African Askaris with a neutral brown uniform and a moderately dark skin,

Blue Jackets,

and, of course, Belgian Force Publique zebra mounted cavalry (zebralry?).

Well, maybe not that last one...  :D

Seems to me that, if you had, say, thirty of each of the first three of these, with a few random light guns to trade back and forth, you could game in a vast number of colonial theaters, and with a vast number of nations, simply by changing out the officers and flags.  Might not have accuracy of uniforms that would fool the real historian, but cetainly something I would not avoid displaying at any convention
Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: Christian on October 17, 2011, 07:04:07 AM
Can the same be said for British redcoats? Or is that Kakhi coats? I see...
Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: gloriousbattle on October 17, 2011, 10:23:48 PM
Can the same be said for British redcoats? Or is that Kakhi coats? I see...

I think if you did khaki uniforms, you might have almost as much versatility in the later colonial period, but the Blue Jacket naval infantry was used by almost everybody, and was virtually unchanged throughout the period. 

Also, they're great for those island expeditions of just ten or so men escorting Lord Pumblegruff Chookmornington, his plucky daughter Roweena and faithful manservant Sabu, on the expedition to bring back the Eye of the Volcano God to the Royal Society.  If only they'd known that Doctor Moreau just bought a timeshare on that island...

Point is, wherever there was fighting, the Blue Jackets of whatever nation would ultimately show up.
Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: Conquistador on October 18, 2011, 12:04:57 AM
I pretty much stick with Spanish troops  but I find sailors are indispensable for flexibility in scenario design.

Gracias,

Glenn
Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: gloriousbattle on October 18, 2011, 03:08:56 AM
I pretty much stick with Spanish troops  but I find sailors are indispensable for flexibility in scenario design.

Gracias,

Glenn

Spain also used the Blue Jacket uniform, didn't it?
Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: H.M.Stanley on October 18, 2011, 07:40:39 PM
Luggage Bearers. Indispensible in all good scenarios
Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: Hobbit on October 18, 2011, 11:38:15 PM
Sikhs.
Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: cneme71 on October 19, 2011, 03:04:44 AM
I'm avidly following this thread, as I have a butt-load of Darkest Africa minis. I'm currently going full bore on my pirates though. Curses upon all my interests that tempt me from completing anything o_o!
Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: Mason on October 19, 2011, 06:04:32 AM
European 'gentlemen' in the generic explorer garb of the day could be added to that list, surely........

Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: Banderium on October 19, 2011, 07:19:06 AM
Mosquitoes and flies.
Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: PaulJB on October 19, 2011, 07:28:28 AM
I bought perry naval brigade for this very reason, the same figures will serve the last 50 years of the 19th century.

Richard Brooks book "The long arm of Empire" is a great read with the navy being the british empires go to troops for colonial interventions, anti piracy raids etc. Second hand copies are available on amazon for about £6 plus post.

Paul
Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: gloriousbattle on October 19, 2011, 02:30:27 PM
I bought perry naval brigade for this very reason, the same figures will serve the last 50 years of the 19th century.

Well into the 20th in some cases.  The German and Russian sailors were wearing the same uniform throughout WW2, though the Russians changed the color to black.
Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: The Gray Ghost on October 20, 2011, 12:45:45 AM
I would second the Sikhs followed by the Dervish, no patches.
Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: 6milPhil on October 20, 2011, 12:51:35 AM
I'd go for Sikhs too, the pulp figures ones.

British have to be a must though... biggest colonialist ever and all.
Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: Arthur on October 20, 2011, 01:30:07 AM
I'll take the zebralry any time.
Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: gloriousbattle on October 20, 2011, 03:20:27 PM
I'll take the zebralry any time.

As would any right-thinking person.
Title: Re: Most versatile troops for colonial gaming?
Post by: Dewbakuk on October 20, 2011, 03:29:06 PM
For units used in practically every theatre, the Naval Brigade wins hands down. Very similar uniforms by most nations and fought all over the world.

For versatile figures, I'd go with North Stars new South Africa Company and Pioneer Corps. A good generic, yet period suitable uniform (or lack of) that could be used as irregulars in a variety of locations and by pretty much everybody. The guys with pistols would make good officers for a Force Publique army for example.