More Anglo-Zulu War Bases

Here's the latest set of bases starting with No. 1 Company, 1st Battalion, 3rd Natal Native Contingent. The majority of men in this company came from the amaThembu (meaning people of the Thembu), they provided all of the rank and file along with a much smaller number of NCO's (usually 10). The company also had a few European officers and NCO's who were nominally in charge but often didn't speak the language of those they commanded! The Europeans themselves often came from different countries so communication between Europeans must of been somewhat difficult as well! (The Regiments European Officers and NCO's were English, Irish, French, German, Danish, Swiss, Dutch, Norwegian, Swedish, Belgian and American).








Note the two Rifle armed figures standing out in front of the rest of the company - these are the amaThembu NCO's, being the only Africans in the company with fire arms they were sent out in front to engage the enemy with rifle fire. I presume that they would fall back within the company as the enemy approached. The Rifles were probably Enfield Breach Loading Rifles though some Martini-Henry Rifles were issued to the 3rd NNC they mostly ended up with the Europeans or with the second battalion. The companies firepower is diminished by the lack of training and the small issue of firearms.

Next up is A Company 1st Battalion, 24th Regiment of Foot. This battalion had been in Africa for many years by 1879 so probably didn't look quite as smart as they do here. A Company was commanded by Captain William Degacher (modelled with a blue coat which many officers wore in preference to red) and was probably about 80 strong when it crossed the frontier in to the Zulu Kingdom. Unfortunately none of the officers and men survived iSandlwana.








Finally these are the first pair of Zulu "brigade" command stands. Each features a couple of Indana's (leaders) and a couple of Zulu Warriors acting as bodyguards.





All figures are Baccus from packs CBR8 (mounted officers), CBR9 (Natal Native Contingent and European NCO), CBR2 (British Regulars), CZU1 (Zulu Warriors) and CZU3 (Zulu Command). Bases are all by Minibits.

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More Zulus

Managed to re-base another couple of bases of Zulus today.

First up we have the second of the standard units of Zulu's from the uKhandempemvu ibutho (regiment). Each base represents a couple of amaviyo (or companies):








Secondly we have a skirmishing iviyo (singlular of amaviyo), I may well add a second base to represent one unit strung out on a wide front:








Finally here's a shot of all of the re-based Zulus:





I'm pretty happy with the way these have turned out and have plans to resurrect some of my other Black Powder era interests. Will post photos of these again when they get their name plates added.

All figures are Baccus from pack CZU1.

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First Zulu Base Finished

Managed to get the figures based and flocked last night, just need to add a label:









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Anglo-Zulu War WIP

Okay so I got distracted by re-basing my Zulu's:






I've based these as a pair of companies from the uKhandempemvu Regiment both moving in line ready to attack. All figures are Baccus from pack CZU1.

These will be used with the copy of Black Powder I finally got around to ordering last night.

Thanks to those that commented on the Roman basing idea it has helped me come up with more ideas for that and other eras.

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AZW - Zulu Command Completed

Finished all 6 command bases today:


I also took the opportunity to reorganise the Zulu warriors I'd completed in to 3 base companies. 4 of these companies will form a separate "division" within the uKhandempemvu regiment, a single command stand will be used for each division. The uKhandempemvu regiment had 12 such divisions with a total of 49 companies split between these divisions, the manpower of the uKhandempemvu in 1879 was estimated at around 2,500. So far I've completed 2 1/4 divisions so I've still got some way to go to complete the regiment should I be mad enough to want to paint 500 Zulus!

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AZW WIP - Zulu Command

Just finished the Zulu Command:



Not the best of pictures but I am planning to learn how to use my Samsung digital camera over Christmas (these are all taken on my phone camera).
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AZW WIP

Undercoated the first company (yes there's more than one!) of the 1/24th Foot along with some Zulu commanders. The Zulus are quite nice figures actually and there's 6 different variants in each pack which isn't bad for 6mm. I need to do some more research before painting them as I want to get the headdresses and other apparel right.

That's about it for this week as I'm out for a few nights and have the parents here this weekend.

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More Completed Zulus

The recently completed Zulus have now been based and flocked. Here are a few pictures (there are 12 new bases in all, making 27 overall):





These will be mixed in with the other completed bases and once I've painted some command figures they will finally be complete, only another 5-600 to go.....

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AZW WIP

I've just finished off the next batch of Zulus, these along with the other 60 figures will belong to the uKhandempemvu regiment which was present at iSandlwana. uKhandempemvu means "head with black and white markings", an alternative name for the regiment was umCijo meaning “the sharpener”. This regiment was unmarried and probably formed in the late 1860's:





These figures have slightly different shields (small white spots on the left of some of the shields) and once based the bases will be mixed with the other Zulus to form 6-7 companies of 3-5 bases each. I've fixed the figures to their bases since taking these pictures.

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First Anglo-Zulu War Companies Finished (well nearly anyway!)

The first 6 companies for my Anglo-Zulu War Project have now been flocked, heres some close ups:

Two Zulu Companies

Zulus, Natal Carbineers and Natal Mounted Police

These bases are complete now but the Mounted Infantry need a troop HQ each and mounted versions of each base (the troop HQ's will not need dismounted versions).