White of black headgear for Mars?

[Thunderchicken]

I'm lining up the figures I'm going to be painting for an impending Mars campaign. The figures are in sun helmets and instictively when I considerd a colour scheme for them I thought white, off white, khaki etc. Then I thought Mars isn't exactly tropical so should I give the chaps black helmets to absorb the sun light/ultra violet heat rays/whatever the terminology is. In addition, the uniform colour was going to be white trousers and blue jackets so should the trousers be black?

I know, I know the F in VSF is Fiction and I say it enough but what do you all think? Black? White? Does it matter and do what I want?

Cheers.

[Ray Rivers]

Actually, I believe the darker the color the more UV protection you get. Wiki says indigo is the best.

As to the F in VSF, remember armies have tendency of modifying uniforms based on local conditions.  What would a commander do on Mars?  I think "F" doesn't have any precedent in this theatre of war.   

So I say go for Black if you want.

[OSHIROmodels]

How about a dark reddy/brown 

Different 

cheers

James

[Gluteus Maximus]

If it was my army, I'd go for white - but the more formal pure white with badge, brass bits and bobs etc, as opposed to the stained version seen in Zululand. This is purely based on aesthetics, as I think this is the smartest version of "tropical" kit. However, if it was purely down to UV absorption or whatever in a non-tropical environment, then surely the home service helmet would be used? Dark, very smart and very "British" 

As to James' red-brown suggestion, that's actually very intriguing. How about a full red-brown uniform - a Martian "khaki" if you will. After all, if the dusty shade of khaki was practical for India and Africa, why not a local version for Mars? Grey was used in Ashanti and Sudan, so there is a precedent for a colour other than khaki to be used.

But.... it is your Mars after all, so whatever you decide looks best in your campaign context is the right choice

[OSHIROmodels]

But.... it is your Mars after all, so whatever you decide looks best in your campaign context is the right choice

It's not his Mars at all       

cheers

James

[Thunderchicken]

Thanks chaps.

As Gluteus said aesthetically the tropical uniform is preferable and there's where I'm leaning. I'm going to experimrnt on some 15mm figs and see how the different colour options look.

It's not his Mars at all       

It will be my friend, it will be. 

[Malamute]

It will be my friend, it will be. 

Thats bold talk from the smallest combined expeditionary force on Mars.

[Plynkes]

Mars is very cold. Woolly hats, sealskin boots and fur parkas would be a sensible plan. But seeing as we're British just pack an extra sweater. Wouldn't want to be mistaken for Norwegians by the local inhabitants.

[OSHIROmodels]

Wouldn't want to be mistaken for Norwegians by the local inhabitants.

Maybe the locals are Norwegians 

Thats bold talk from the smallest combined expeditionary force on Mars

    

cheers

James

[Yankeepedlar01]

Mars is very cold. Woolly hats, sealskin boots and fur parkas would be a sensible plan. But seeing as we're British just pack an extra sweater. Wouldn't want to be mistaken for Norwegians by the local inhabitants.

An extra sweater? You must be from the south!

[Thunderchicken]

Thats bold talk from the smallest combined expeditionary force on Mars.

Bloody snobs.

[Dewbakuk]

Bloody snobs.

Do what I do and don't take sides. It's all about the money

[Malamute]

Bloody snobs.

 I suggest your force does what it does best and opens a few "Coffee" shops... Then sit back and enjoy a good smoke rather than make war on your bigger neighbours...  

[Ricco]

Hello Thunderchicken,

Are these British troops on Mars?  If they are I would go with the red Jacket.  It offers better concealment on the red planet.

As far as pants go there was a campaign here in Canada where the RCR were issued brown pants and a brown slouch hat / turned up,  to go with the red coats.

On Mars I would like to see black or stained helmets or helmet covers.