Kaiser Wilhelm II

[Admiral Benbow]

I'm not quite sure if this is the right board, but as I need him for our upcoming VSF-game ...

Looking for a nice miniature of Kaiser Wilhelm II., or "Willem Zwo" as we like to call him 

Are there any figures available, or do I need to convert something?

[Le matou rouge]

I'm sure you know these already, so just for the record :

I really like this command figure with binoculars from Brigade Games :

http://www.brigadegames.com/Merchant2/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=BG-WIWG22&Category_Code=BGHMW&Product_Count=43

But if you prefer a more "VSF feel" , you maybe convert him from a West Wind Zendarian :

http://www.westwindproductions.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=2_19&products_id=56&osCsid=d7c191aa0b4f5c1b9986f7694e093373

A complet set here :

http://www.oldgloryminiatures.com/proddetail.asp?prod=GH%2D30

meow,
Matt
 

   

[Westfalia Chris]

Tradition of London sell one in the "Tradition of Scandinavia 30mm Wargame Figures" line:



Garde du Corps uniform. Nice pose. I wanted to buy one when I was in London this February, but those figures are only sold via mail order (internet etc.)

Here´s the link to the store. I cannot link directly to the page, but first, click on the left-hand bar "War game figures", then "2,   30mm War Game figures from Tradition Scandinavia", then "Imperial German Army 1914".

http://www.traditionoflondon.com/index.asp?page=Home.asp#

Here´s hoping I´ve been helpful! Or, as Guglielmus Secundus used to say "Es ist vollbracht!"

[nickinsomerset]

I would second the Tradition chaps, although the others look lovely and Kaiserish as well!

[Admiral Benbow]

Thanks for your recommendations, chaps; I like the Tradition one, but he might be a bit too large ...? In the meantime I found this from the Foundry French-Prussian War range:



The standing officer in Ulanen-Uniform (bottom right) might go for Wilhelm. I have that figure, the face is very nice and he even has the correct moustache. What do you think? And where to find a colour guide to that uniform?

Thanks again!

[argsilverson]

It is a nice figure. You may use it as the Kaiser Himself.

I don't know whether the kaiser had a different uniform, but the uhlans usually had blue uniform with red/crimson plastron.

[Malamute]

Here is a painting guide for the Uhlans.

http://www.wargames.helion.co.uk/pdf/PG02%20Prussian%20Line%20Uhlans%201866.pdf

[Westfalia Chris]

It is a nice figure. You may use it as the Kaiser Himself.

I don't know whether the kaiser had a different uniform, but the uhlans usually had blue uniform with red/crimson plastron.

The Kaiser owned and wore more uniforms than Imelda Marcos did with shoes.

So I guess you could pretty much paint them up in any of the various uniforms, I guess. He did have some preferences, but hey, it´s VSF, after all. Apart from that, I like that figure - it´s more "business-like", whereas the Tradition one has a bit of an "Operettenprinz" feeling.

[Plynkes]

Kaiser Bill (as we Brits affectionately call Queen Vic's first grandchild) seems often to be seen in that Garde du Corps get-up in portraits or (when out and about during the Great War) in that of the 1st Guards.

Not sure I've ever seen a pic of him in an Uhlan uniform.


But I wouldn't let that stop you. As titular head of the Army he was probably entitled to wear whatever uniform he pleased, even that of a toilet attendant, if it took his fancy. 

[Limes]

I reckon he's worn every uniform available in his day - I've seen pictures of him in Russian, English, Swedish and even Vatican Swiss Guard uniforms..

So basically, as long as the moustache is right, it *could* be him ...

[Plynkes]

I found a pic in a book of the Kronprinz, Little Willie, dressed as an Uhlan. That's close enough, eh?

[Limes]

Can you spot the mistake

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-R43302,_Kaiser_Wilhelm_II._und_Zar_Nikolaus_II..jpg

[PeteMurray]

Princess Vicky of Prussia liked uniforms, too, and you have to admit she pulls off the Hussar ensemble with panache.



Alas as she aged the effect was somewhat reduced.



Until finally she gave it up and settled for the simple pickelhaub of the infantry.

[PeteMurray]

Can you spot the mistake

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-R43302,_Kaiser_Wilhelm_II._und_Zar_Nikolaus_II..jpg

"Hey Cousin Nicky, let's switch hats in the next picture!" (That is the mistake, isn't it? The labels and Kaisers don't match?)

Also in case anyone here doesn't know, Kaiser Wilhelm did call Czar Nikolaus "Cousin Nicky" and wrote to him in English.

[Westfalia Chris]

Can you spot the mistake

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bundesarchiv_Bild_183-R43302,_Kaiser_Wilhelm_II._und_Zar_Nikolaus_II..jpg

"Hey Cousin Nicky, let's switch hats in the next picture!" (That is the mistake, isn't it? The labels and Kaisers don't match?)

If there´s a pun in there (like mismatching lapels, but that would be for the Lace Wars crowd), I´m sorry to not having caught it; the picture is insofar amusing since Willy is wearing a Russian uniform whereas Nicky is decked out in Prussian apparel...

... so the Russian wears Prussian while the Prussian wears Russian. Now say that ten times, quickly.