Zulu War Roundup

Figures and Books

by Ian J. Knight

It seems appropriate, in this Centenary year, whilst looking at the organisation, weapons and uniforms of the armies involved, to pause and consider some of the figures and books that are currently available.

Before starting I must state that I am based in the UK, this is something of a disadvantage when writing for an American magazine, especially when attempting a list such as this, simply because we don't always get to hear of the latest American releases. It may be that I have not mentioned some choice figures by well known U.S. manufacturers, in which case my apologies -- I simply didn't know about 'em at the time of writing! Jack Scruby is a case in point; I know he produces Zulu war figures in several wargame scales, but I have not seen any and cannot comment on them.

In the case of U.K. manufacturers, I have listed American agents whenever possible, though enthusiasts might find it necessary to write to England on some occasions.

FIGURES

MINIATURE FIGURINES, Box P, Pine Plains, New York 12567.

Along with Hinchliffe, Minifigs are surely the best known British wargame manufacturer. Their 25mm Colonial range is a fairly recent addition, and benefits from the accumulated years of experience. Perhaps the widest range of Zulu war figures yet available, it includes not only the ubiquitous British infantry, in a wide selection of poses, but also Zulus, Naval Brigade, NNC, NNH and various Boer war figures that can be adapted to represent Imperial cavalry and artillery and Colonial volunteer units, such as the Frontier Light Horse.

The Imperial figures are sculpted in Minifigs usual solid, chunky style, and the Naval Brigade and NNH figures are particularly valuable, since they are the only ones available in this scale. The Zulus are represented in several regimental uniforms -- not always 100% accurate, due to dubious source material -- and come in a variety of natural poses. The best of them have a certain indefinable ''Zulu- ness" about them which makes them unique. Thoroughly recommended.

HINCHLIFFE MODELS, 4824 Memphis Street, Dallas, Texas 75207.

Surprisingly, the prolific Hinchliffe have not devoted much attention to the Colonial period, and their Zulu war range is confined to British and Zulu infantry. The Zulus consist of two early and rather ordinary types, a warrior with shield and assegai and a warrior crouching behind shield, and three later types. These are a better bet, including an inDuna in full ceremonial regalia, a warrior charging with assegai and a warrior with rifle and bandolier. The infantry are in the usual advancing/kneeling/firing/officer poses. Hinchliffe figures are so well known that any comment on quality seems superflous, beyond remarking that their Zulu war range is not necessarily one of their best.

They do, however, produce a very nice Gatling, which despite the fact that the crew are modelled in later uniforms, is the correct pattern for 1879, unlike the Minifigs' one.

MINOT MINIATURE CORP., P.O. Box 124, Garden City, NY 11530.

Barry Minot's GENESIS range of Colonials is one of the more recent ones on the market and in terms of variety of pose is unbeatable. Although limited to British infantry, in full packs, and Zulu infantry, they come in a wide variety of positions, most extremely energetic, aimed as much at the diorama builder as the wargamer.

Firing, lunging, loading, swinging clubbed rifles, it would be difficult to ask for a greater degree of animation. Some, indeed, are a little too energetic to be convincing, especially some of the Zulus, frozen in some rather physically demanding postures! Nevertheless, this variety does have its uses, particularly for the skirmish wargamer where games are played on an individual figure basis. The dead and dying figures on both sides are invaluable here.

The range also includes some very attractive set- pieces, mostly depicting the heroes of Rorke's Drift, Surgeon Reynolds working on a patient, Chaplain Smith distributing ammunition, and so forth. There is also a personality figure of Cetshwayo, a shapely attendant with a pot on her head and an uDibi boy carrying spare shields, the only one currently available in 25mm.

Minot figures are rather slight and are occasionally dwarfed by more robust types like Minifigs and Hinchliffe. Nevertheless the Zulu wargamer should find something to please him amongst such a large selection.

GARRISON, Greenwood and Ball, Unit 27, Bon Lea Trading Estate, Thornaby, Co. Cleveland, U.K.

At the time of writing, the new selection of Garrison 25mm are only just emerging from the pipeline. The proposed range includes six Zulus, in a variety of ferocious poses, plus some British Infantry counterparts. I have seen four of the Zulus; they are heftier, even, than Minifigs, and rather energetic. They are a little too beefy in the shoulders to be totally convincing, but the standard of sculpting is high, and the warrior pointing, particularly, is a very nice figure. I await developments with interest.

TRADITION, 5a and 5b Shepherd Street, Mayfair, London Wl U.K.

Although Tradition are better known for 54mm and above scale figures, they do produce a few wargame types in 25mm, amongest them some Colonials. The Zulus, frankly, are not too hot, but the British are very neatly sculpted in a delicate, slender style, and come in the usual Officer/kneeling/firing/lunging poses.

ROSE MINIATURES, 15, Llanover Road, London, U.K.

Again better known for their larger scale figures, Rose do nonetheless produce a range of small 25mm figures which fit in better with 20mm types. The usual British infantry and Zulu types, rather flat.

JACKLEX, c/o The Model Shop, 190194 Station Road, Harrow, Middx, U.K.

One of the few firms still producing metal wargame figures in the old wargame scale of 20mm. Their Colonial range is fairly extensive, including only three Zulu types but various cavalry, Naval Brigade, Boers, and some very useful accessories such as a baggage wagon. The style of sculpting is fairly basic, and, since they are cast in a soft metal, the detail is not too crisp. Nonetheless they paint up quite nicely.

HINTON HUNT. Hinton Hunt seem to have ceased trading recently, so l shall not bother with their address. Nevertheless they do occasionally turn up as second hand sales, and their 20mm Zulus were the finest available in their day. The range included Infantry, Zulus and some beautiful Lancers. The Zulus, though only dressed in headring and umTsha, had a air of authenticity about them seldom rivalled, and the inDuna (illustrated) was magnificent.

PETER LAING, Minden, Sutton St Nicholas, Hereford, HR1 3BD, U.K.

The only 15mm Zulu war figures currently available. 15mm is, in many ways, an ideal scale for reproducing Colonial battles, needing, as they do, large numbers of native troops, which can be accumulated fairly cheaply. Peter Laing's figures are a little basic, but do look good en masse, and the range includes a wide variety of Zulus, Infantry, Cavalry, Boers, artillery, wagons and Gatlings.

MINIMEN, P.O. Box 451, Chagrin Falls, Ohio.

Again a large scale, and more suited to diorama work Minimen's 33mm sets include some rather pedestriai infantry, good personality figures of Chard Bromhead and an excellent Zulu in captured tunic.

LAMMING MINIATURES, 254 Wincolmlee, Hull HU2 0PZ, U. K.

Although Lamming produces no Colonial figures at present, they do produce two basic nude figures which are available with a variety of heads, and are invaluable as conversion material to the Zulu enthusiast, or, indeed, to anyone wargaming with savage armies. The Swazi warrior was converted from the male figure, by adding the costume from filler and the shield from tin foil. The woman, too, has her uses. Since many colonial campaigns involved the burning of native villages, the Zulu war included, it would be unwise to leave them off the wargame table altogether. The woman illustrated is a Xhosa, prepared for a planned skirmish set in the Ninth Kaffir war.

ED NOTE: MIKE'S MODELS make an extensive line of 15mm Zulu war figures.

WILLIE FIGURES, Edward Suren, 25 King's Road London S.W.3 U.K.

Willie figures are perhaps better suited to diorama work than wargames, because of their size, 30mm and because they are rather pricey. Nevertheless a few may be tempted to amass some for skirmish gaming and can rest assured these are more than worthy. Cast in crisp, stiff tin, the range includes several Zulu war figures, beautifully sculpted by master craftsman Ted Suren. Look out for the inDuna, a lovely portly figure, full of character, draped round with leopardskins.

CLYDECAST, c/o Scottish Soldier, 10, Midlothian Drive, Shawlands, Glasgow, Scotland.

A very recent addition to the list of manufacturers producing Zulu War subjects, a packet of 30mm figures from this firm landed on my desk even as I was finishing this article. 30mm has lost much of its popularity over the past ten years or so, but it is difficult to tell why from these figures. Slightly larger than the usual 25mm, it allows just that little extra scope for sculpting and animation. Cast without shields and assegais (which come separate), the Zulus have a very natural, realistic look, and lend themselves perfectly to diorama work. Coming in packets of five or six figures, Clydecast's models represent British Infantry and Zulus in various poses, and the Zulus especially have a lot of potential for further animation. A boon for skirmish gamers, and good value as 30mm go.

BOOKS

THE WASHING OF THE SPEARS by Donald R. Morris. Since this book has been out for fifteen years, it scarcely seems necessary to look at it again here. Nevertheless, it is worth saying that it's scope is nothing less than the rise and fall of the Zulu nation, a dramatic and tragic tale it tackles with extraordinary insight and perception.

Unfortunately, research, like time itself, marches on and overtakes the best works, and it must be said that recent study has tended to cast severe doubts on the traditional interpretation of the events at Isandhlwana, making revision of TWOTS highly advisable.

Nonetheless an absolute must for any one approaching the Zulu war for the first time.

THE RED SOLDIER by Frank Emery. The best book on the war since TWOTS. Mr Emery has collected private letters and diaries from serving soldiers, and presents the campaign as it appeared to those actually engaged in it. It goes without saying that eyewitness accounts are invaluable, and Mr Emery has linked them together with a brief and uncontroversial blow-by-blow account of the action. Excellent!

THE ZULU WAR by Angus McBride, Osprey 'Men-at-Arms' Series. The first book of uniform detail aimed directly at the wargaming and modelling market, this slim, cheap volume deserves credit for trying to put forward some impression of Zulu Dress and uniforms.

Unfortunately it is not always accurate, especially in the depiction of items of Zulu costume; Sakabuli feathers are long and willowy, not short and stubby as shown, not all the uThulwana wore capes as shown, and so on. The British figures, too, are not without errors. The design of the Lancer's tunic and waist girdle is way off the beam, and the piping on the 24th's cuff should go all the way round. A useful introductory work, but approach with caution.

WEAPONS AND UNIFORMS OF THE ZULU WAR by Chris Wilkinson-Latham. Batsfords. Perhaps a better work for wargamers, listing the uniforms of all the British, Colonial and Zulu Regiments, and illustrated with previously unseen photos. Again, though, beware the artwork; the cover drawing of Rorke's Drift is rubbish, and the plate of Zulus are shoddily drawn and inaccurately captioned.

A FIELD GUIDE TO THE WAR IN ZULULAND 1879 by J.P. Laband and P.S. Thompson. Available from Box 98, Mystic, CT 06355. A recent book, published by the University of Natal. Basically, this work is, as the title suggests, intended as a field guide for anyone intending to visit the battlesites today. Its main use to wargamers is its detailed maps, which clearly shows the sequence of events of each of the major actions and give a detailed breakdown of the forces involved. The text includes a brief history of the war, and a well researched chapter on the Zulu army.

THERE WILL BE AN AWFUL ROW AT HOME ABOUT THIS. Victorian Military Society Centenary Special, available from me at 12, Windlesham Road, Shorehamby-sea, Sussex, England. Price 2 Pounds plus p+ p. Finally, some trumpet blowing. Our Centenary Special is 40 pages long, includes a masterly re-assessment of the 24th's role at Isandhlwana, new evidence on Kambula, details of British organisation and chapters on the Zulu army, plus eight pages of maps. All the wargamer needs to set up his armies and fight the campaign!

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