NWF Militia 1920-30

[Umra Khan]

I found this miniature in the Empress kit (mule radio and crew ) Jazz Age Imperialism , does anyone know of a company  that produces miniatures  of Indian troops in shorts? I need them to make militia units in 1920-30 on the Frontier.

[carlos marighela]

None that I know of. The closest you are likely to get are Ghurkas. Copplestone Castings have Ghurkas in shorts and tunic. Gripping Beast’s Woodbine Design range has some as well IIRC. They also sell separate heads in turbans.

The other alternative would be WW2 Eighth Army with green stuff additions to make the webbing.

Do bear in mind that most of the militia on the Frontier weren’t uniformed, some units were but probably the majority wore local dress with perhaps a brassard or some identifying mark (or not).

[Umra Khan]

After WW1 the Scouts and  Militia were reorganized and uniformed, and equipped with SMLE.
That figure will be perfect for the 1920-30 period.

[italwars]

Piero i think that the issue is the bandolier pouches of your very figure  which are nt present in any of the above mentioned options and, i suppose, they are difficult to design out of putty...but did you know the recently issued 1920's KAR made by Underfire Miniatures in 28mm? (see pict) ...they are headless and to find spare heads with muslim type turban it's not difficult (Woodbine design as suggested by Carlos)..but you have to cross-check the pouches arrangment and mabye consider if they have or need sandels instead of shoes..those KARs wear a sort of jersey instead of grey shirt but the few picts , for example, of the Frontier Scouts circa 1930 show that same garment sported instead of the collarless shirt.
another possibility could be the Tiger Miniatures 28mm Indians for WW1/post war NWF..they are in bandolier pouches..but no shorts

https://www.tigerminiatures.co.uk/british-colonials

last option could even be to just ask Empress miniatures to sell you only a few of that very figure needed for your purposes..

[ecwcaptain]

Empress Miniatures has Afghan Militia figures that should work.

[ecwcaptain]

Forgot to say, that the Empress ones are not in shorts. If you want shorts, only company that has that is Pulp Figures, but they are Sikhs, not regular Indian units.

[Umra Khan]

Forgot to say, that the Empress ones are not in shorts. If you want shorts, only company that has that is Pulp Figures, but they are Sikhs, not regular Indian units.

Yes I know thanks.
But I need heads with turban and kullah, as Frontier scouts were all Muslims.

[TWD]

Gripping Beast does useful separate heads if you're in the conversion game?
https://www.grippingbeast.co.uk/IND17_Head_Sprues--product--4060.html

[Umra Khan]

Gripping Beast does useful separate heads if you're in the conversion game?
https://www.grippingbeast.co.uk/IND17_Head_Sprues--product--4060.html

thanks TWD, now remain the main problem...where to find indian soldier in shorts with right accoutrements...

[carlos marighela]

The simple fact is that you won’t. It will need to be a conversion of some sort.

The easiest would probably be to do head swaps on the Copplestone British Infantry, who are in shorts and shirtsleeves and  wearing ‘08 webbing. Whether the GB/Woodbine heads fit I cannot say. It would be a very expensive exercise using the Copplestone muslim troops as head donors, although they would almost certainly match the Brits. They’ll still be wearing boots mind you.

Failing that, you may wish to look at converting plastic 8th Army figures. Will require new webbing as well as head swaps but plastic is in many ways an easier material to deal with.

[Umra Khan]

The simple fact is that you won’t. It will need to be a conversion of some sort.

The easiest would probably be to do head swaps on the Copplestone British Infantry, who are in shorts and shirtsleeves and  wearing ‘08 webbing. Whether the GB/Woodbine heads fit I cannot say. It would be a very expensive exercise using the Copplestone muslim troops as head donors, although they would almost certainly match the Brits. They’ll still be wearing boots mind you.

Failing that, you may wish to look at converting plastic 8th Army figures. Will require new webbing as well as head swaps but plastic is in many ways an easier material to deal with.

is not the matter that I won't...is that is very difficult to find the correct solution.
the Copplestone British have wrong ammo pouch, as the Frontier scouts/militia have bandolier .303 pouch. too difficult for me to modify , sorry for that.
for many years I have been looking for a solution to have this type of figures, I will probably have to wait any longer.

[TWD]

thanks TWD, now remain the main problem...where to find indian soldier in shorts with right accoutrements...

Ah, sorry I thought that the Pulp ones mentioned above would fit the bill but heads were the problem?

[Plynkes]

Ah, sorry I thought that the Pulp ones mentioned above would fit the bill but heads were the problem?

Would be a trivial matter to headswap those Woodbine heads on to them, but they have the 37 webbing, making their gear too late for the period Umra Khan wants to represent. Those Pulp fellas seem to be kitted out for WW2.