28mm African Wars Portuguese

[Arlequín]

IIRC.... wasn't there a group of Colonial Portuguese who fought for the FNLA against the MPLA immediately post-cease fire and before Callan and his ilk? They'd likely be usable straight off in a mix of camos and plain fatigues in a mixed race unit.

 

[Kingscarbine]

Just received mine, nice looking figures will fit in with Mongrel and Stan Johansen without a problem. A bit lighter than TAG.
But while I really like the figures I have no desire to do the Portuguese war, what else could I use these as besides mercs?
South Afrikaans, Rhodesians? I was considering calling my Syrians Cubans and have them battle in Angola   

You could use them for SADF 32BAT or Matabeleland Native Police (http://www.freewebs.com/dudleywall/intafweapons.htm) with headswaps. Iranians are also an easy conversion.

[Kingscarbine]

IIRC.... wasn't there a group of Colonial Portuguese who fought for the FNLA against the MPLA immediately post-cease fire and before Callan and his ilk? They'd likely be usable straight off in a mix of camos and plain fatigues in a mixed race unit.

 

Yes. They were 70 ex-Comandos lead by Lt. Col. Santos e Castro  and Major Alves Cardoso.

[The Gray Ghost]

I just put the first round of paint on these, I sure hope Eureka make a second pack of these I'll certainly buy more.

[carlos marighela]

The new Eureka Alouette helicopter is ideal for this period. Same guns, slightly different arrangement for the ammo feed on the gunship version. There's some prospect Kosta may do Portuguese crew.

[Arlequín]

Yes. They were 70 ex-Comandos lead by Lt. Col. Santos e Castro  and Major Alves Cardoso.

Obrigado! 

[The Gray Ghost]

Yeah I need some more of these, the next set I will change their heads over to an American M1 helmet. What to do with the bazooka guy, I might try to turn it into a mortar tube.

[carlos marighela]

Yeah I need some more of these, the next set I will change their heads over to an American M1 helmet. What to do with the bazooka guy, I might try to turn it into a mortar tube.

Because of the pose, it's easy to cut away and replace. 60mm mortar, Super-bazooka and an MG-3 are my current three conversion projects.

[carlos marighela]

All you ever wanted to know about headwear in the Guerra Colonial:

http://ultramar.terraweb.biz/Livros/JornaldoExercito/Coberturas_JE602Jan_607Jun2011.pdf

[The Gray Ghost]

I have decided to use these for my Zambezi army instead of Mongrel BOAR it will be a lot easier to do head swaps on Eurekas figures.

[Super Mosca]

 I've been following this thread with interest, and would like to expand the Portuguese with a few more figures before the year is out.

When Carlos first suggested then pushed for this range I was happy to run with it since I already had an interest in 20th century southern African wars, and plus it seemed a natural complement to the Rhodesians and African Nationalist guerillas that Nic and I had already produced.

So, extra weapons that need to be added are:
Uzi (officer)
MG3 firing or on patrol

Troop types, I'm thinking:
Beret wearing soldiers
Black African Angolans in Portuguese service

So what do you guys think?

-Kosta

[carlos marighela]

1)Paras: Folding stock version of the G-3 and paratrooper boots. Headwear per current types although late in the war you see some in floppy bush hats. Alternatively, AR-10 armed paras.

2) Beret wearing troops, ideally including a bearded figure (Fuzileiros)

3)Some seated figures to kit out the Alouette and also to crew vehicles, the Eureka Zodiac etc.

4) Dragões de Angola. Mounted Portuguese. You could use the same horses and dollies as the Grey's Scouts. Does need a folding stock G-3.

Weapons?

1)MG-42

2) 60mm Morteirete although strictly speaking this is a very easy conversion and probably not necessary.

3) Breda MG. You see a lot of these fitting out trucks, jeeps and scout cars. They were also retained for base defence.

4) I'd rather see the FBP submachine gun than the Uzi because it's more distinctively Portuguese but I'd be happy with either.

African troops would also be very welcome.

Actually, on the subject of African troops it would be really nice to see some more insurgents, some armed with SKS carbines, PPSH submachineguns and some crew figures for the 82mm mortar. I suspect a Chinese RCL and crew would be pushing it.

[The Gray Ghost]

I would most definitely be interested in pre AK-47 African troops  as most of my gaming is in the 1960s

[African troops would also be very welcome.
Actually, on the subject of African troops it would be really nice to see some more insurgents, some armed with the SKS carbines, PPSH submachineguns and some crew figures for the 82mm mortar. I suspect a Chinese RCL and crew would be pushing it.]

[Kingscarbine]

Hi Kosta,

Welcome to the forum. It's great to have you here for some direct feedback.

What Carlos M. listed plus I would add Paratroopers and African Commandos with AKs, RPDs and RPGs; heads with assorted headgear for conversions; UZIs are OK for the really early period in Angola, Paramilitary and Police units but I would skip it for officers; M20A1 bazooka; African Auxiliaries/Militia w/ Kar98; Civilians; "Turras" with WW2 German and Soviet weapons... That's about it.

[Arlequín]

Yes, nice to see you here Kosta and well done on the figures. Carlos and the rest of the guys have pretty much covered what I'd be looking for, especially the pre-AK47 weapons. My main interest is Southern Africa, particularly Angola, from colonyl to civil war, so stick with that and I'm in. Rhodesia's good too of course, so it's all good.

I'm probably one amongst a few others, who have been waiting for further releases before committing, so news that there are more releases in the pipeline is very welcome!