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Colonial Wargaming Part 2 - Figures

© Alistair Boddy-Evans

The most significant manufacturer for Colonial figures is Foundry, but their retail strategy is ruffling many feathers in Colonial Wargaming. Bryan Ansell is quite outspoken in his views on pricing and selling figures and the company is quite dismissive of wargamers. The recent move to the Nottingham, home of Games Workshop, has intensified the all too apparent comparison between the world most lucre-grabbing wargames company and the excellent Foundry. A connection reinforced by the production of Warhammer Ancient Battles which is so closely linked to Foundry ancients.

Foundry revitalised Colonial wargames with their Darkest Africa range - which added to the wide range of Victorian models covering the Wild West, China, North West Frontier, Indian Mutiny, Zulu and Boer wars gives them a major slice of the potential market. It is hard, therefore, to understand the marketing strategy which thumbs a nose at wargamers whilst making continuous inroads into commercial wargame sales. Rumours abound, as one might expect: that they are planning a series of high street shops, that they are producing their own Victoriana rule sets (they are certainly introducing a range of models). Foundry models, as you would expect, are of the highest quality but unless you have oodles of cash, you are probably better off looking at other manufacturers.

With a new web site and online purchasing, Redoubt look to be a major alternative for Colonial models. Check out the gallery of the Zulu War and Rorkes Drift range, Sudan range (including Paddle Steamer!) and the French Foreign Legion.

Dixon have created a range of Dahomey warriors and French Foreign Legion. They also have a great range of Wild West and Texan War of Independence figures.

Essex do a range of Mahdists and Fuzzy Wuzzies, as well as British Foot, British Cavalry British Navel Brigade and Egyptian Foot.

The good old standby, Old Glory, also have a wide range of colonial figures. This is also the manufacturer to choose if you want to build up a significant number of figures quickly, since they sell in packs.

An alternative for cheap miniatures is Warrior Miniatures. With a a range of 25 mm Zulu campaign figures (British and Zulu) as well as Brits in Khaki, Sudanese Hadandowa (the "Fuzzy Wuzzies"), and Boers. Sold individually at a startling 40p a figure (as advertised on their web site), or in bargain packs of 50 for £12.50.

If money is tight, why not try Colonial wargaming at 15 mm? Several companies do 15 mm Colonials. The above mentioned Warrior Miniatures has special offers on 100 figures for around £10. Essex have Sudan and Zulu war figures - including a camel corps and a great range of equipment items. And Two Dragons do a significant number of figures at this scale. (These figures are of high standard but are notoriously difficult to get hold of, supposedly these miniatures are now being sold through Caliver, so make a few enquiries.)

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