Kingdon of Britannia: 91st Highlanders, the Plan!

I finally recieved my two Osprey Men-at-arms books I had ordered from Amazon. I am looking forward to reading through them, and inspiration has already struck on two fronts. Firstly, I have found the scheme I wish to use for my Rocket-Hussars who have been patinenly awaiting a coat of paint, and secondly I have found the scheme I wish to use for my third section of Rifleman. I have decided to go with the 91st Highlanders, as shown on the left hand image on the cover of the book (as well as on the plate inside of course).

Whilst this means I can use the figures supplied by Spartan games without too much modification (no need to go all in for the leg swaps to get kilts) to make Highlanders, I will still need to practice my green-stuff skills in making the fancier pockets on the jacket, and I'll have to modify the cuffs slightly. And yes, this does mean I will have to paint the trews tartan, but that was inevitable. At least I can get away without the head swaps I had initially thought I would have to do, although I am not saying never on this, as the odd glengarry in the unit really makes a difference in feel for the unit, and is another way to set them apart (and get round duplicate miniatures), along with a kilted musician to help the unit out, they really should look the part.

I guess this means the South Essex has been put further down the list, as it'll be a long time before I think I'll need to field three units of Line infantry in a game, unless they get recruited to help out my Gun Section. Afterall, I have already used their colours on my first HMG section, and a sergeant. Seems a bit of a demotion for the mighty South Essex, but what can you do?

Zulus, Fasands of 'em!

Source

Well, 3 of them at least, but every horde has to start somewhere. These guys were a blister from Reaper miniatures, and are a little larger than 28mm, so are therefore the perfect scale for Dystopian Legions. I bought them at the same time as this guy who you may have seen popping in this blog up as a re purposed DL sergeant, but they were wasting away in the bits box till recently, when they were pulled out, re based and painted up. They made a great little break from the redcoats of my KoB army, whilst still being relatively 'on theme'.

I don't know if Spartan Games have any plans to provide rules for use of this type of warrior in DL, but I'm sure it wouldn't take much to Home-Brew some rules to match the minis. Getting piles of Zulus is not an issue these days, with there being plenty of plastic boxed sets on the market. Just the odd tweak the one of two of the recovered rifles these guys hold and we're good to go. I must say, there's a gap in the market for Steampunk Zulus that I'm surprised has yet to be filled!

How would these hordes fair against the steampunk fuelled forces of the world? Sturginium powered rifles can only do so much, when the wielders are outnumbered by thousands of Zulus. I feel a scenario coming on.

There are some touch ups to do, since I've seen the pics of these guys, but they're otherwise good to go!

Amazon Order

I had some Amazon vouchers stacking up on my account, so I decided to order a couple of books. I thought to treat myself with some Osprey titles, so went for The Zulu War, by Angus McBride and The British Army on Campaign (3) by Michael Barthorp and Pierre Turner. I really wanted to get my hands on a copy of Canadian Campaigns 1860-70, but it seems to be rather hard to get a hold of, at least on Amazon or even directly from the Osprey site.

I'm quite looking forward to the McBride book, as I have been a fan of his work for a very long time (since I bought pretty much every book going for the MERP system back in the 80s and 90s), but this will be the first of historical books I own. I am rather surprised to see that he's down as the author of the book as well as the illustrator, I didn't think this was something he had done. It will be interesting to see how well the great man writes.

Why these ones in particular I hear you all ask, well really if you're asking that you haven't been paying attention at all recently, have you! It's all towards inspiration for my Britannian army for Dystopian Legions. Although, my steady rate of painting has meant I don't have much left to finish off, but the miniatures and the game itself have got me into looking up more on the era, which I must admit is one I know little about.

Another reason I went on to Amazon, was to look at the range of Osprey wargaming titles they have available there. In particular, and of special interest to this post, In Her Majesty's Name steampunk skirmish wargaming rules, which are available for pre-order. I did not pre-order them, but I think I'll most certainly be ordering them once they are released. It makes great sense to have another set of rules to use with minis I already have.

Kingdom of Britannia Riflemen

 After my last post, I decided to give an update on the rest of the troops, and where I plan to go with them.I hope to have the rest of this rifle section for my Kingdom of Britannia starter set all painted by the end of the week.

South Wales Borderers

I've gone with a classical redcoat scheme for this unit. I have chosen a green for the facings, as a nod towards the 24th Warwickshire 'South Wales Borderers'. They await good Lieutenant Bromhead to lead them. I guess that'll do as a name for the Lieutenant who came in the box set.


60th King's Rifle Corp

For the second unit (bought, but not yet based or primed) I was planning to go with the Kings 60th Rifle regiment, and if I ever get a third, it will have to be painted as the South Essex (because you need a link to tell you who they are!). This should be easy enought to do, with just yellow/buff facings, although I may have to sculpt an eagle, or Prince of Wales feathers on the helmet, since by now they'll be known as the Prince of Wales's Own Volunteers. 

The only thing holding me back here is the rumour there will be a unit, or an attachment based on the (ubiquitous) 95th Rifles that will be released for the game. If it's an attachment, then I can easily go ahead and paint up the South Essex to attach them to, but if it's a unit, then I'll have second thoughts about painting up the 60th.

Paint Scheme will be added under the cut, mostly for my future reference.

Rourke's Drift

Don't throw those bloody spears at me!

It may be a bit of a pipe dream, but wargaming Rourke's drift has always been something I've hankered after. That dream has come one step closer now, due to the magnificent Warlord Games, in conjunction with Empress Miniatures. They have released 2 affordable box sets of Rourke's Drift. One basic, and one deluxe. The recent increase in availability of plastic minis making this whole thing possible. Packs like this one even maye the running of the Battle of Isandlwana withing the budget of even a small gaming group.

Of course, that still leaves the current lack of people to play against, but like I say, one step closer