The following guide to wargame figures suitable for gaming with Ottoman Turk armies lists the manufacturer's name, address and telephone number. When possible, we have included the number of different poses available within the product line. Undoubtedly, there are some brands missing from this list and we invite readers to forward such information to the editor of this journal.

What You Need For Ottoman Armies

Ottoman units operate under a confusing assortment of names, and even these tended to change in meaning from the 16th to the 18th century. Ottoman armies should include the following troop types:

1. The Standing Army (Kapikulu Corps): Janissary infantry and Spahis of the Porte, Silahdars, Muteferrika and Mulazims--all heavy armored cavalry; Artillery Corps.

2. Feudal Hosts: local landowners called spahis or timarots who served the Sultan with their personal band of retainers. They can be portrayed by heavy armored cavalry armed to the teeth with lance, sword, shield, axe, bow and pistols.

3. Provincial Troops: these form the bulk of your Ottoman Army and can be musket-armed or melee weapon-armed infantry, Balkan light cavalry (Dellis and Beslis), Arnauts, Tufengis, Martolos and Sarikas.

4. Irregular Troops: representing the Balkan vassal regions, armed levees (Azabs and Akinji) and Sekhans.

You should attempt to build an army that is approximately 50% infantry and 50% cavalry, with the entire host being twice the size of its Austrian and Russian opponents. At least half, or more, of the cavalry should be light, irregular types such as Dellis or Tartars. The balance of the cavalry can be feudal spahis or Household Cavalry. Your infantry can include as much as 50% Janissaries, though these numbers decrease during the late 18th century.

25MM OTTOMANS

RSM LTD.
393 Waller Avenue
Imperial Plaza Shopping Center
Lexington, KY 40504 USA
(606) 255-3514

(UK Distributor)
Vandrad
7 Marpool Hill
Exmouth, East Devon
EX8 2LJ UK
Tel. 395 278664

RSM sports a beautiful line of ten foot and five mounted figures plus a unique cannon with bas-relief sculpting on the gun trail and barrell. The two Janissary figures and the mounted officer are too exquisite to describe with words. The line also includes Bosnian, Azzab and Arnaut infantry with muskets, mounted spahis, dellis, marnelukes, mounted and dismounted Solaks (archers) plus artillery crew. Prices are $0.85 per figure (foot and mounted) and $1.00 per horse.

DIXON MINIATURES
Spring Grove Mills
Linthwaite, Huddersfield
West Yorks. HD7 5QG
UK
Tel. 0484 - 846162

(US Distributor)
Wargames, Inc.
Box 278 Route 40 East
Triadelphia, WV 26059 USA
(304) 547 - 0000

The Dixon line of 25mm Ottomans includes 19 foot, 3 mounted (spahi, tartar, and Kapikulu with javelin) plus 2 horse styles (heavy barded, standing and light horse, trotting). These figures are slightly "chunkier" than the RSM figures, but are similar in height so they should mix togeather quite well. Dixon fills in the gaps missing from other lines such as an Acemi Oglan (Janissary trainee in conical hat), Azabs with either bows , spears or muskets, Dervish/Ghazi types, and an assortment of Tufengi and Bosnian infantry. The foot officer (OT-13) and Spahi (OTC1) are particularly outstanding examples of the sculptors art. Check with the dealers for prices.

REDOUBT MINIATURES
49 Channel View Road
Eastbourne, East Sussex BN22 7LN
UK
Tel. 0323 - 732801

(US Distributor)
Miniature Service Center
1525 Bridge 163
Yuba City, CA 95993
(916) 673 - 5169

Redoubt never approaches a period in a small way and their "Renaissance Range" includes 52 Ottoman foot and 10 cavalry figures. There are 2 Renaissance - era artillery pieces that would fit in well with the Ottomans. Stock number "X29", Turkish Kettle Drummer Mounted on Camel, sounds particularly appealing. Redoubt has 'early' (1450-1530 AD) Janissaries armed with bows and melee weapons and 'late' (post-1520 AD) Janissaries with firearms plus an assortment of lesser provincial types with various weapons. One could create quite a host with this range. Prices in the USA are $1.35 foot and $2.25 horse, less 15% discount for all figures.

ESSEX MINIATURES
Unit 1, Shannon Centre
Shannon Square
Thames Estuary Estate
Canvey Island, Essex S8 OPE UK
Tel. 0268 - 682309

(US Distributors)
Wargames, Inc.
The Emperor's HQ's
5744 West Irving Park Road
Chicago, IL 60634
Tel. (312) 777-7307

In my mind, Essex makes some of the best-looking 25mm Ottoman cavalry and I've drawn heavily on this line to fill out my cavalry contingent. Some of the infantry figures are a bit "stiff" in their poses, but are compatible in size with the RSM and Dixon figures. The Essex line includes 17 early-era Ottomans and 13 more Renaissance Period Ottomans of various troop types. There are also 3 command figures. But wait, there's more. If you peruse the rest of Essex figure lines you can find more recruits for your Ottomans. Examples include Renaissance Persians and Cossacks, plus Poles, Tartars and Mamelukes. Essex prices are $1.24 per foot and $1.49 for command figures. Horses are $1.80 plain horse and $2.00 barded horse.

15MM OTTOMAN FIGURES

ESSEX MINIATURES (See addresses above)

Essex recently released an extensive line of 15mm Ottomans that includes 17 packs of infantry and artillery crew plus 14 packs of assorted cavalry types. It appears that every conceivable troop type is covered in this line including: 4 packs Azabs, 10 Janissaries, 2 Arnauts, 1 Artillery Crew, 1 command, and for the cavalry, spahis, feudal spahis, Akinji Horse Archers, Dellis and Balkan light horse. Infantry packs contain 8 figures while cavalry contain 4 riders and 4 horses. Both packs are $3.00 each.

BATTLE HONORS USA
C/O The Emperor's Headquarters

The Battle Honors Napoleonic range includes three packs of Tbrks that are beautiful to behold and will fit in with the Essex 15mm figures. #4230 Janissaries Marching; 4231 Janissaries Firing; and #4232 BalkarL/Albanian Light Infantry. There are 12 figures per pack for $4.50 per pack and are cast in pewter.

MINIFIGS (See EHO address above):

The EHQ catalog lists 13 Napoleonic Tlurk packs and 12 Mameluke Egypt packs that might provide suitable recruits for an 18th Century Ottoman army. There are also 15 Moghul India packs that might be useful as well. Minifig packs cost $7.00 for cavalry and $7.50 for infantry. I'm not sure though how many figures are in each pack. Check with dealers.