Uniform Help required Zulu War British

[Svennn]

I am having a go at the Empress Miniatures and have been using Keith's stunning examples as a guide alongside a Funcken which I do not trust very much.
Can anybody tell me what colours I should be using for the water canteen and the large rucksack type thing at the bottom of the kit on their backs - base of spine/buttocks area

many thanks

Svennn

[archangel1]

Well, I know about the water bottle, at least.  The bottle itself is natural wood with metal bands around each end.  The spout is metal.  The support webbing is either white or dyed khaki.  I'm not sure about the 'rucksack'.  Can you show me the back of one of the figures? If it's the large valise, it's black with white (khaki) webbing but it wasn't normally carried on campaign, being left with the wagons.  It could be worn in various positions, high on the back or lower down over the buttocks.  If it's the expense pouch, the colours are the same, but it is usually worn suspended from the belt in the small of the back.  You can see some reproduction equipment if you follow this link.

http://www.militaryhistoryworkshop.co.uk/shop/index.php?act=viewCat&catId=10

Hope that helps.  I've got to order those figures for myself, one of these days!

[Svennn]

many thanks for that. You confirmed my thoughts on the canteen and Funcken was showing a smaller black pack - I think from your link the later leather pattern. I took the plunge anyway

[Keith]

Hey there - can't wait to see these finished Sir. Working on some command figures myself.

These might help for some uniform detail bits and bobs.

http://www.users.globalnet.co.uk/~thinred/valises_1871.html
http://www.regimental-quartermaster.com/Zululand1879.html

Theres a tiny clicky-link at the top of the first page there with a pretty good 'all-round' view although i think that the huge 24 on the Valise is a little hopeful.

[archangel1]

By George, I think you've got it!    Looks good.  I really must order those figures! It's interesting that the waist belt and ammo pouches were apparently buff leather for the rankers with most of the rest of webbing in white.  So, I guess you can have all buff or all white webbing or various other combos.  I imagine it must have taken a fair bit of effort to blanco a buff belt, though! Much easier to dunk your white equipment in tea to 'camouflage' it!

[Gluteus Maximus]

By George, I think you've got it!    Looks good.  I really must order those figures! It's interesting that the waist belt and ammo pouches were apparently buff leather for the rankers with most of the rest of webbing in white.  So, I guess you can have all buff or all white webbing or various other combos.  I imagine it must have taken a fair bit of effort to blanco a buff belt, though! Much easier to dunk your white equipment in tea to 'camouflage' it!

All very well, but have you ever had to explain to a CSM/RSM why you haven't followed orders? 

They were bad enough in the 1980s  - I dread to think what they were like in the Victorian era 

[Orctrader]

That looks great.

What are you (and others) using for the blue of the trousers?

[Svennn]

"What are you (and others) using for the blue of the trousers?"

I will bet a penny to a pound I am the only one doing this but hey it works for me. The photo has bleached the colour, especially the highlights, quite a bit too so I think it looks a lot better in the flesh so to speak. So this will not be of any use to you but here goes

Base coat of a colour called "true navy" which is an Inscribe craft paint.
Wash of Pynes Grey water colour (which I also use to line in as its not as harsh as black)
Back to the base coat for first highlight and then build up by adding an off white in small amounts, I think I used Foundry Linen C.

Svennn

[Ray Earle]

What are you (and others) using for the blue of the trousers?

I'm using vmc dark prussian blue followed by prussian blue and then highlighted by adding a touch of vmc blue/grey to the mix. I intend to make the veterans look a bit more washed out by adding more highlights.

Great looking figure svennn.

[Svennn]

despite having no use for them whatsoever I have finished the first four. Wonderful miniatures highly recommended.

Svennn

[Captain Blood]

despite having no use for them whatsoever I have finished the first four.
Svennn

No use for them?
For Heaven's sake man!
All you need to do now is paint 80 Zulus and you've got yourself a decent skirmish game 

(Seriously, nice work Svennn... Personally, I am resisting the temptation, but I'm not sure how long I'll be able to hold out... )