Zanzibari Regulars - Officers Finished 12/10/2011

[Plynkes]

Champion. This has inspired me to go back to painting. I've done nothing since June, just haven't been interested. Well done, and thanks!



Not sure I'm convinced about those yellow bands, though. On the officer yes, but rank and file? Where did you read about those?

[Dr Mathias]

Not sure I'm convinced about those yellow bands, though. On the officer yes, but rank and file? Where did you read about those?

Your skepticism is entirely justifiable, I wavered on the yellow band for some time before deciding to do it-  I thought there was just too much difference between the officer and the privates and wanted to unify them a bit.

Here's the passage, found in Armies of the Nineteenth Century: Africa - East Africa by Chris Peers:

Harry Johnston, visiting in 1884, wrote of 'a smart-looking regiment of the New Zanzibar Army, the men in white uniforms, with red and yellow caps'.

Who knows what precisely that meant... ah, the vagaries of descriptions. The officer has embroidery on the top of his, so maybe that's what form the yellow took?

I was somewhat misleading in an earlier statement about the Zanzibar army's parade performance by the way (from the same source, emphasis mine):

Even Portal, otherwise so critical of the force, admitted that 'on parade they appeared fairly smart, they drilled in a way that would put some English militia regiments to shame'.

[Plynkes]

The officer's pillbox hat was described as having a gold band, so I think it is entirely justified for him. Apart from that one line though, the men's hats are generally just described as red.

But they look proper smart, no doubt about that, and the descriptions are vague enough to leave some wiggle room.

Brilliant job. Really got me inspired back to British and German East. I've spent the last couple of hours painting WaTuta because of you. 

[Dr Mathias]

I've spent the last couple of hours painting WaTuta because of you. 

Good! When you post pictures, it will inspire me to work on my WaTuta 

[Kingscarbine]

Outstanding! This gave me pluck to convert some of the current ranges for Colonial Portuguese.

Just a couple of side notes: The Anglo-Zanzibari "war" lasted 40 minutes and there was also a minor Portuguese-Zanzibari "war" in 1887 that led to the occupation of Tungue Bay by the Portuguese.

[gringo]

great figures..even better thread!!

regards
Ged

[Arthur]

Tremendous work indeed. It's a pity Mark Copplestone 'lost' the masters and the moulds for his Zanzibaris.

[Captain Blood]

Good! When you post pictures, it will inspire me to work on my WaTuta 

This is what LAF is all about! A self help group for mutual motivation!
Well done chaps 

[Plynkes]

Tremendous work indeed. It's a pity Mark Copplestone 'lost' the masters and the moulds for his Zanzibaris.

I'm not sure about that, their stock has risen considerably since he did. Nobody cared a hoot for them when they were easily available, now that they are hard to get they are THE hot property in Darkest Africa gaming. Despite having nothing to do and nobody to fight, everybody wants some. I can't fathom it.

Good! When you post pictures, it will inspire me to work on my WaTuta 

Perhaps not. After six months I find I am a little rusty. Not the best afternoon's painting I've ever had. Oh well, best just keep plugging on.

[Arthur]

I'm not sure about that, their stock has risen considerably since he did. Nobody cared a hoot for them when they were easily available, now that they are hard to get they are THE hot property in Darkest Africa gaming. Despite having nothing to do and nobody to fight, everybody wants some. I can't fathom it.

That's got to be every wargamer's inner squirrel acting up. All jokes involving remarks about their nuts will be met with corporal punishment. 

[Kingscarbine]

Despite having nothing to do and nobody to fight, everybody wants some. I can't fathom it.

I'm going to paint mine as Portuguese East African native Police and infantry... And maybe put some aside for a small Zanzibari regular unit at Tungue Bay.

Howard Whitehouse wrote a few useful notes about Zanzibar that you can read on Savage and Soldier: http://www.savageandsoldier.com/articles/africa/NotesOnTheDarkContinent3.html

[HerbyF]

I have just finished prepping a group of mixed units of Baluchi, Arabs, & Africans. They would make either good allies/irregulars or slaver opponents for your Zanzibari regulars. Too bad you are so far away.

[Frank]

A little bit late, but...FANTASTIC! The conversions are really outstanding and the whole force looks terrific. Your work is always inspirational.

[Mycenius]

Yep - they've come out really fantastic in the end...

[Remington]

Fantastic conversions and paintjob! Really dashing looking fellas! Would love to have them on my gaming table!