Going to recreate Belgian colonial forces in a future project. Any one of you got any ideas for Belgian Congo Force Publique figures? I'm going to use Belgian WWI figures for Belgian Regulars. Also wondering about small caliber artillery for these troops too.
Looked at 1914 Belgians myself a while ago, but they're purhaps a future project for me too.
According to this source https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Force_Publique (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Force_Publique) the Belgian Force Publique had mainly Maxim and a few Masden machine guns as well as some Nordenfelt 4.7 cm and Krupp 7.5 cm cannon around the timeframe you are interested in.
The uniforms of the old Free State remained in use among the Force Publique until the First World War: Belgian officers wore white uniforms until late 1914,[16] while the blue uniform (with red trim around the neck and down the front opening), red fez and sash of the askaris was phased out in a series of changes during 1915–1917. Thereafter, officers and askaris wore a variety of khaki uniforms.
For the Askaris it would seem logical to use the early war German Askari figures from the East Africa range (GEA 1) as they appear to wear very similar uniforms and wear the same type of fez. The GEA 1 pack also comes with 3 command figures. For "colonial" type figures, both mounted and foot, with european style pith helmets there is plenty of choice in the WW1 middle east and various colonial ranges. For Maxims use some German MG08 Teams (GEA 3) in the East African range as Belgian Maxim guns do not have fluted water jackets (i.e. they look more like MG08's with solid cylindrical water jackers than than Vickers MG).
If you want Masden MG's try French Hotchkiss teams as the Belgians, at least in Europe in 1914 used a mix of Maxims, Hotchkiss and Masden MG's, with the Masdens looking simiar to the French MG's.
For Nordenfelt light guns the 1 pdr pom pom model from the Boer war range (BW 11 or 12) without the crew would be suitable, and for the Krupp 75mm model 1903 used by the Belgians in the Congo https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krupp_7.5_cm_Model_1903 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krupp_7.5_cm_Model_1903) you need to use the 75mm model gun (B4) from the Belgian WW1 range. If you want eariler model 75mm guns use BW 21 from the Boer war range if you are covering 1900 - 1908.
For suitable African gun crews I would suggest getting Leon to do a special order for you - get the gun models as outlined above but for the crews use the figures from the GEA5 Captured 2.5" screw gun with crew (3). That assumes that those figures would be in suitable "Askari" type uniforms, so as there are no pictures on the site showing them purhaps check with Leon to see that they are suitable.
Hope that helps. ;)
Coincidentally I'll be uploading product images for all of the WWI East Africa ranges tonight so that might help illustrate some of the recommendations from Pierre above.
I used these figures from Van Dyck Models & Figurines. Unfortunately the site seems to be under going a lengthy reconstruction.
http://vandyckmodelsandfigurines.be/ (http://vandyckmodelsandfigurines.be/)
(http://www.slugbalancer.co.uk/gallery/10mm_land/vd/VD_FP01.jpg)(http://www.slugbalancer.co.uk/gallery/10mm_land/vd/VD_FP02.jpg)
Have a look at this website. Click on Weapons and uniforms.
http://www.rudi-geudens.be/
Quote from: slugbalancer on 05 September 2022, 03:15:19 PMI used these figures from Van Dyck Models & Figurines. Unfortunately the site seems to be under going a lengthy reconstruction.
http://vandyckmodelsandfigurines.be/ (http://vandyckmodelsandfigurines.be/)
The new website appears to be back on line now, though their WW 1 Belgian stuff is not expected back in production till 2023 - These differ from the PM range being slightly larger (12mm) and in their more colourful pre-war uniforms where as the PM figures are (so I have been told on this forum previously) depicted in the more conservative "Yser" style of uniforms issued after the Belgians retreated behind the River Yser in October 1914.
For depicting the early frontier engagements such as Haelen ("Battle of the Silver Helmets") one therefore needs figures in the pre-war uniforms...............so the wait continues! :!!
It'll be worth wating for. Kris's figures are very detailed.
I'm hoping for some command figures for my Force Publique.
Quote from: slugbalancer on 30 October 2022, 11:01:28 AMIt'll be worth wating for. Kris's figures are very detailed.
I'm hoping for some command figures for my Force Publique.
I'm sure they will be :) ....go plenty of celtic fringe research and writing to keep me occupied for a while currently O:-)
:!! :!! ;)