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Miniatures Adventure => Colonial Adventures => Topic started by: Kingscarbine on December 20, 2011, 12:35:33 PM

Title: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Kingscarbine on December 20, 2011, 12:35:33 PM
Hi,

I've been lobbying companies and sculptours for ages to make 28mm DA Portuguese without success. I'm curious... How many of you would be interested in such a range?

 



Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Remington on December 20, 2011, 01:05:35 PM
Wanna whet our appetite with some eye candy?  :D
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Plynkes on December 20, 2011, 01:15:50 PM
Not really interested in the Portuguese part of the scramble as such. I'd buy a couple of packs of Askari and maybe Metropolitan troops if there were some suitable for the Great War era, though.

I'm not sure the market is there to be honest. But it's chicken and egg, isn't it? If Mark Copplestone made some folks would probably lap them up, even if they don't think they need them now. After all, there was no market for Darkest Africa at all until he made us want it with his sculpting skills.
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: yancey5 on December 20, 2011, 05:01:13 PM
I would definitely be on board for some Portuguese Great War figures.  My DOA askaris are itching to step into Portuguese territory.  Having those figures would round out the Great War on the Dark Continent.  Nice models in the Osprey book.
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: meninobesta on December 20, 2011, 06:07:35 PM
I know a couple of guys, and when I say couple I really mean 2 and not "a bunch of", that would be definitely interested on those, but they would only buy them if they were good miniatures
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Kingscarbine on December 20, 2011, 07:24:43 PM
I think the likes of Copplestone, Steve Saleh or/and the Perry twins can make any period look tempting. If Foundry had made figures of Portuguese for DA it's possible many of you would have them in your collections. Good figures are 90% of the success of any range.

Here are some images of the 1890's-1900's campaigns in East Africa and Angola:
(http://img403.imageshack.us/img403/5954/6025587850ac2da47c0co.jpg)
(http://img440.imageshack.us/img440/7325/1898j.jpg)
(http://img543.imageshack.us/img543/2766/cuamato2.jpg)
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Iceaxe on December 20, 2011, 10:10:24 PM
They exist, although hardly a great range - only four variants. But it's a start!

Eureka, of course. Labled as c1900.: http://eurekamin.com.au/product_info.php?cPath=87_126_139&products_id=1794
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: carlos marighela on December 20, 2011, 11:57:47 PM
I would, at least for completness sake, but then I'm a bit odd.  :)

I have some of the Mike Broadbent sculpted Eureka minis which are quite nice. I do believe Nuno was responsible for these gettig made in the first place. They do make you wonder what a range sculpted by Kosta or Alan Marsh would be like. Eureka would be the obvious choice, they make at least five ranges of Portuguese figures for various eras and in various scales to date.
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Kingscarbine on December 21, 2011, 09:29:46 AM
Yep, I'm to blame for the Eureka 1900's colonial Portuguese. There's always the possibility of investing some money (not that much  lol) to make such a range. Alternatively there are figures from various ranges that can be pressed into service with some work. Some ACW, colonial British and Egyptians figures are a good option for diferent periods/campaigns. I'll have to work on a tutorial and post it on my blog... Another 2012 "to do".
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Conquistador on December 22, 2011, 01:08:25 AM
Strangely enough I might use some (but not until late 2012) to complement my Spanish VSF/SAW/"based on history colonial" force.  Might make a good "rival" VSF force.

Gracias,

Glenn
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: gringo on December 22, 2011, 10:04:05 AM
dont get me tempted Nuno!! ;)
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Kingscarbine on December 22, 2011, 03:31:53 PM
Can you be tempted???  :D
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: carlos marighela on December 22, 2011, 07:26:07 PM
Everyone is liable to temptation. The only question is whether you coat it in chocolate, wrap it bacon or fill it with alcohol.
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: warrenpeace on December 29, 2011, 06:59:22 PM
Are there big differences between the Portuguese and Spanish uniforms in the late 1800's? I ask because there are Spanish figures available.
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: KevinH on December 29, 2011, 07:14:24 PM
With so much attention on Southern Africa at the moment I would imagine that there would be interest in a Portugeuse range. Quality of minis notwithstanding of course!
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: carlos marighela on December 29, 2011, 11:51:07 PM
Are there big differences between the Portuguese and Spanish uniforms in the late 1800's? I ask because there are Spanish figures available.

Significant enough to merit a separate line I'd say. although I'm no authority on the subject. Besides, I doubt any self respecting Portuguese would want to be represented by a Spaniard. They tried it in four hundred years ago and found it wasn't to their taste.  :)
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Dr Mathias on December 30, 2011, 02:54:19 AM
I would be interested. The problem for me, and I suspect for others, is there doesn't seem to be a great deal of information in English. Nearly all the books on colonial Africa I've seen barely mention the Portuguese.
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: H.M.Stanley on December 30, 2011, 08:57:46 AM
Everyone is liable to temptation. The only question is whether you coat it in chocolate, wrap it bacon or fill it with alcohol.

 lol lol lol
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Hammers on December 30, 2011, 09:02:21 AM
The Eureka Portugese figs are tiny , though.
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Kingscarbine on December 30, 2011, 01:53:15 PM
I would be interested. The problem for me, and I suspect for others, is there doesn't seem to be a great deal of information in English. Nearly all the books on colonial Africa I've seen barely mention the Portuguese.

Well... I can help with that. I've been researching the period since I saw the first DA figures and started a site, now a blog, dedicated to the campaigns. Some authors have used the info from the site without a "thank you" or a reference, bless them. It has been dorment for some years but it's coming to life with a vengeance.  >:D

There are some loose ends to trim and lots of the old photos to republish but it's starting to look OK. Go see:

http://kingscarbine.blogspot.com/
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Dr Mathias on December 30, 2011, 01:57:41 PM
Thanks for the link Kings, looks like some interesting reading.
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: KevinH on December 30, 2011, 02:11:52 PM
Nice blog KC.  Always nice to see someone putting effort into something a little different.
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Kingscarbine on December 30, 2011, 05:21:00 PM
Thanks for the support. There will be a section dedicated to wargaming that will include figures conversions, scenarios, AAR, army lists and help you find suitable figures from available ranges.
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Kingscarbine on December 30, 2011, 08:07:13 PM
Not really interested in the Portuguese part of the scramble as such. I'd buy a couple of packs of Askari and maybe Metropolitan troops if there were some suitable for the Great War era, though.

Hi Plynkes,

I'm in love with your miniatures mate. They are a great inspiration for my DA projects. As for GW Portuguese "Brigade Games" Lon told me he planned to release some but never saw any info confirming it. Send him an email to check it out.
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Plynkes on December 30, 2011, 08:46:28 PM
Thanks, Kingscarbine. I recall him saying so on a forum somewhere, too. He also talked about a command pack for his Belgians. I guess it didn't pan out, as that was years ago. Perhaps the sales didn't justify ploughing more money into that range.
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Christian on January 13, 2012, 02:29:12 AM
That last photo posted on page 1 looks like you could use the Perry ACW Confederate bodies as a basis, but with some sort of wide brimmed/slouch hat... I wouldn't mind a couple to have as a small group of Regulars for some scuffles in the period of the Pink Map and the BEA rail. I think it warrants some potential for (imaginative) wargaming scenarios...
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Kingscarbine on January 13, 2012, 10:18:48 AM
I think some ACW figures will work for the 1860-70s period. I'm going to get a few packs of Perry Mins Sudan range to test some conversions for the 1880-1900s. Zulu War British officers are good for converting into 1880-90s Portuguese officers. I'll post the WIP on may blog. 
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Christian on January 13, 2012, 11:33:21 AM
Yeah I was having a look at those, I think they'll turn out great! Looking forward to seeing what you come up with.

They look like quite a well-dressed mob, overall.
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: gringo on January 13, 2012, 05:21:29 PM
fascinating thread chaps.........musnt get tempted!! ;)
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Kingscarbine on January 13, 2012, 06:37:38 PM
Come on... I'll buy you a Super Bock if you do.   o_o
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: HerbyF on January 16, 2012, 08:19:05 AM
Looking at those pictures, I would say you could use Later 19th century US cav & infantry figures with little or no conversion. Just a different paint theme. Possibly Spanish/American war Spanish or Cubans would work too.
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: carlos marighela on January 16, 2012, 08:46:38 AM
Hmmm.....
 
There was a gaming shop near me that closed down last year. As they had slashed their prices I picked up a couple of packets of the Artizan US infantry from their Plains Wars range. I did so purely on spec and had no idea what I might use them for. Now, I think I just might.....  :)

Whaddaya reckon?

http://www.artizandesigns.com/prod.php?prod=1046
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Kingscarbine on January 16, 2012, 02:21:33 PM
Hmmmm... It would work if the SPAMfigs were a mix of the two uniforms. The Spanish are close but lack gaiters and the Americans have the wrong equipment but have gaiters and hats... US Plains War infantry... Don't think they work.
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Kingscarbine on January 27, 2012, 11:23:21 AM
I'm selling my Eureka Portuguese to invest in other projects. If anyone is interested pop here:
http://leadadventureforum.com/index.php?topic=37173.msg436026#msg436026
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: Kingscarbine on February 20, 2012, 02:54:49 PM
"Chaimite" is a 1953 Portuguese war movie set during the 1895 campaign in East Africa. It's full of period propaganda BS and "close enough" uniforms but, if nothing else, it's a good inspiration for DA. Check this part and browse the rest for more battle scenes.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgmzfYCZz0A
Title: Re: Portuguese Scramble for Africa
Post by: cram on February 20, 2012, 06:11:27 PM
I'm more intereted in seeing Uniformed Askari, Ruga-Ruga ect to make up for the loss of variety from Foundry.

However if someone were to bring out a range of Colonial Portuguese then I would be interested. They would need to be of Copplestone/Perry or Steve Saleh quality to get my attention, and also would need to be of a suitable size for Foundry/Copplestone stuff.