More on Mike’s Models Colonials

The great figure rebase for the recently acquired Mike’s Models 15mm Colonial collection has resumed once again. I had a little break from it, occasioned by last minute tinkering to DTPIW and sorting out various pieces of technology prior to our holiday but am now back in the saddle so to speak.

I had originally intended using bases with a 30mm frontage but after a rethink will instead use what seems to be a standard 40mm frontage instead. The green base you see is courtesy of Essex Miniatures and I have a large supply of these in all the sizes I will need - 40mm x 20mm, 40mm x 30mm and 40mm square.

I picked up some Irregular Miniatures Zulus and Egyptians as well as some Naismith Colonials with the plan to flesh out some of the units. To be honest either are not a great fit but are usable if you are not too fussy. It is not the size so much, it is more the style. I had resigned myself to using these when a chance comment on the Fans of Mike’s Models facebook group put me in touch with a chap that was disposing of a large number of unpainted Zulu War Mike’s Models. Several messages later, a deal was negotiated and so I am now the proud owner of the following:

Zulus….

….thousands….

….of….

….em!

Not exactly thousands but there is a great selection of types.

Really pleased with this set although I am thinking that some Oxen would work better with the wagon.

These are the unpainted versions of the rank and file figures I have painted. I reckon that troops that wore uniforms of a similar cut from other nationalities might be a useful field to look at for other forces.

I am delighted with these as it means that I will not only be able to field some meaningful opposition to the painted British I already have in the shade of the Zulus, but I will also be able to round out some of the line infantry as well as the artillery park. The wagon is a nice bonus, as are the mounted Boers/Irregular Frontier Horse types. 

My plan of action would be to tackle the required rebasing and touching up required on the British troops first - thankfully the latter is minimal and fortunately I have enough Humbrol enamels to match the colour palette used - and the tackle some Zulus. This means that the figure below will have some company!

“Zulus, thousands one of em!”