Anglo-Zulu Officer Colours

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Hi all,

I've recently been reading about the Anglo-Zuu war and am interested in painting British colonial officer subject.

I've found two kits which are nice. The Pegaso 75mm British colonial officer http://www.coloradominiatures.com/PM-75049.aspx and the Andrea Miniatures British Color Sergeant http://www.coloradominiatures.com/ANDR-S8F015.aspx.

Why does the Andrea kit have a different color helment without the golden emblem. From all the pics I've seen, didn't the English officers have a white helmet with a golden emblem in the front ?

I've tried to find the answer on the net, but have not been able to.

Thanks

 

[martin tabony]

The foreign service helmet was white with a brass regimental badge. On campaign the helmet was usualy stained with coffeee (or something else)and the badge removed, to make it less visible to the enemy.
If you need more info just ask.
Martin

 

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Ahh, thanks Martin. That's really interesting, I never would have thought that was the case. So when doing a figure from the anglo-zulu conflict would it be preferred to lean one way or the other ? Also, the stained helmets, would they be completely uniformly tanned or would some of the white show through the stain ?

 

[martin tabony]

When you consider that the officers pattern helmet plate was git with full colour enamel details and very expensive it's not realy suprising that he wouldn't take it on campaign. As to the staining, evidence seams to show that it depended on what was used. By the time on the Sudan campaign, four years later, the army was issuing a paste made from tree bark, that was to be diluted, they even issued a colour card to be sure! In iIndia they just issued a khaki cover!
If you have an interest in the Victorian period you should take a look at The Victorian Wars Forum. http://www.victorianwars.com/index.php?sid=8b5159d02d3ef97a65ab681b842cdb54
Martin