Austro-Hungarian Colonial Forces

[Doc Twilight]

For a while now I have been planning to update my VSF collection, by fixing a number of items, touching up others, and adding some new troops. Specifically, I'd like to add an Austro-Hungarian force.

I was wondering if anybody would have some suggestions for good Austro-Hungarian "Colonial" Forces. They actually did send a small number of colonial expeditions out during the period, I believe that the largest expedition was to Crete, and of course, much later on, in the post Victorian era, Austro-Hungarian troops were sent to the Ottoman Empire as advisors. That said, nobody actually -makes- troops in the appropriate uniforms;)

So, there's the challenge. Forces that'd make appropriate colonial troops for Austria-Hungary, assuming in our little imaginary world that they actually sent out such forces more than once or twice in the century. On your marks, go!;)

Here's a link to sketches of some of the actual uniforms used on Crete.

http://www.sacktrick.com/igu/germancolonialuniforms/austrian%20crete.htm

Edit:

Photos of the actual troops.

http://austro-hungarian-army.co.uk/troopscreta.htm
-Doc

[Dewbakuk]

Redoubt Enterprises makes Austro-Hungarian Marines in their Boxer Rebellion range

http://www.redoubtenterprises.com/shop/?page=shop/browse&category_id=6f308d1a1b435ff06d968474086fc7a6

[Dewbakuk]

Also, looking at the shot of the all the troops in white with pith helmets, they look similar to the Italian uniform which Redoubt again do. They only do Bersaglieri but you can make them more generic by cutting the feathers off the helmet, which would be easy.

http://www.redoubtenterprises.com/shop/?page=shop/browse&category_id=6b182c49312d8de684ae1e63eeee2713

[argsilverson]

Yes, this it.  It is also interesting to see that Austrohungarians had to invent a new uniform just for Crete!! I don't know any other colonial expedition they took part apart Boxer Rebellion.

They also had a small(?) contingent in Beijing during the Boxer rebellion. Alas only naval unit (I think from K.u.K. Zenda- if I recall well, if not forgive me).
Here is a very nice diorama by Eric Trauner:
http://www.diorama-dreamland.at/
[click the gallery button and then in the list select:
http://www.diorama-dreamland.at/gal/peking/index.htm
It is also interesting to check the rest of the dioramas, they are lovely, although in 1/72]

Redoubt enterprises and Old Glory, in their Boxer Rebellion ranges have their austrohungarian sailors. They are a good start. Another source could be Brigade Games german sailors and I think they are more or less similar to KuK sailors. Also some of OG naval artillery crew (also by Boxer rebellion range) can also be used.
For infantry: The only one I can think of is the officers in kepi (or what it was called) from Scarab miniatures AustroHungarian command set:
http://scarabminiatures.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=5_1&products_id=50
I do not know anyone else doing Austrohungarians in  correct kepi.

Anyhow it will be a nice addition to see a new VSF army, that of Austro Hungary, with lots of Hussar style cavalry.
For European theaters you may also use some jagers, such as those from Mirliton
 http://www.mirliton.it/index.php?cName=austrian-2-infantry
(of course you may use those Austrians in shako, a little earlier but.... Hussars are available by helion. I have not seen them and there is no photo in the site. I only have seen samples from Helion;s Prussian uhlans which are very nice)

As for pith helmeted ones maybe some Italians or german colonials might fit the lot.

Ah and some Naval officers might also be useful.

Redoubt and Scarab have some infantry in soft caps and not kepi, so what's left improvise.

[Ray Rivers]

From a historical point of view... from 1859 to 1890/WWI the Austro-Hungarian army wore a single breasted tunic with a tall shako with brass plate and round pompom.  Hungarian troops wore tight-fitting Hungarian paints and short boots.  The Mirliton figures appear to be the most correct, from a historic point of view.  Cavalry was very Bavarian like in their dress and helmet.

Having said that... seeing as how this is VSF, your imagination, not history, is your only limitation.... 

Hope there will be lots of photos! 

[Chairface]

Too bad that you want to go strictly colonial. I quite like the Eureka Austrians.

http://eurekamin.com.au/index.php?cPath=87_126_682&sort=3a

[Doc Twilight]

Thank you all for your thoughts and suggestions. I do have an Austro-Hungarian advisor converted some time ago for a Darkest African campaign, using one of the Foundry Zulu War British officers, but beyond that, nearly all of my Austrians are in European uniform, and in a different scale, for the period.

I like the Eureka Austrians, too, Chairface, and will probably go that route if I don't find a colonial uniform that suits my purposes, but I had hoped to get some troops in an appropriate "tropical kit" for a change of pace.

Will be worth some further digging, etc. And yes, there will be pictures;)

-Doc