Congo Belgian Force Publique?

[Katsuhiko JiNNai]

I'm considering to paint some miniatures of soldiers from the Congo Belgian Force Publique during interwar (about 1933-1939) for my pulp adventures.
There are some miniatures that could be fine? How was the uniforms of the Force Publique? Thanks.

[cdr]

Force Publique still used the late WWI uniforms in that period.

[Plynkes]

Force Publique still used the late WWI uniforms in that period.

Which nobody makes, to my knowledge. One of the Brigade figures is wearing the transitional khaki uniform, the rest are in pre-war blue. None of them are in the uniform they ended the war wearing.

[Katsuhiko JiNNai]

Could I use some brigade or copplestone castings german askaris as belgian force publique?
For the belgian officers what I could use? They are as british with tropical hat? There are some pictures about force bulique uniforms? Thanks.

[Plynkes]

If you don't mind them being not quite right, then yes, I think German Askari would make a good proxy figure for the late war khaki uniform.


I think you could probably get away with using a British officer in a Wolseley sun helmet. The collar on the jacket was different, but otherwise they were very similar.

This photo is from 1940, the uniform hasn't changed much since 1918, but they now have a collar just like the British one, whereas in the Great War it had a high collar.


So yes, I think you can get away with using a British officer. They also wore peaked caps, virtually identical to the ones worn by the British in WW1.




I must admit I have almost no knowledge of Force Publique uniforms between the wars, I am basing my comments on late WW1 styles. I have seen a photograph, purporting to be from the late 1920s, which appears to show them back in the pre-war blue zoauve-like uniform (with excessively baggy pants). But the dating of the photo may be incorrect, I can't be sure.

[Plynkes]

There are some pictures about force bulique uniforms? Thanks.

This is the uniform of 1918...

As you can see, somewhat similar to the German uniform.


And this is the uniform during WW2 (fighting the Italians in Ethiopia)...


As I said, their appearance in the inter-war years is unknown to me, but if CDR is correct in his post then you want something looking like the first one.

[Katsuhiko JiNNai]

Thanks, so I could use these german askari for the belgian askaris:

or the brigade games german askari too.

and these british officers for the belgian officers:


How was the paint scheme of the belgian officers' uniforms?
Some difference from the british one, or just small details as insignia etc?
Thanks.