British Infantry of the Zulu War, 1879

ESCI 1:72 Scale Figure Review

24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot.

Officers and men of the 24th (2nd Warwickshire) Regiment of Foot at the Battle of Isandhlwana. In 1881, the 24th Foot became The South Wales Borderers. The miniatures are wearing the British 1871 pattern valise equipment, and they are armed with Martini-Henry breech-loading rifles which were introduced in the same year. The troops are mounted on 38 × 29 mm infantry stands compatible with Fire and Fury and Complete Brigadier game systems. Multi-figure stands like these are also suitable for The Sword and the Flame (TSATF) and similar skirmish wargame rules which are normally played with individual figures representing three to five men. These ESCI figures may be painted khaki to represent British infantry of the Second Anglo-Afghan War or Sudan War.

Contents

50 Figures in 15 Poses – 24 mm equal 173 cm Height

  • Officer with Sword and Flag (2)
  • Officer with Sword and Pistol (2)
  • Bugler (2)
  • Soldier waving Helmet (3)
  • Soldier standing, firing (5)
  • Soldier kneeling, firing (5)
  • Soldier loading (5)
  • Soldier charging (5)
  • Soldier charging (5)
  • Soldier bayonetting (3)
  • Soldier kneeling (3)
  • Soldier prone, observing (3)
  • Soldier prone, firing (3)
  • Soldier falling wounded (2)
  • Soldier with Ammunition Box (2)
British Infantry of the Zulu War, 1879
British Infantry of the Zulu War, 1879
British Infantry of the Zulu War, 1879

Evaluation

Highly detailed figures. The 1871 valise equipment, Martini Henry rifle, and Pattern 1876 socket bayonet are accurately sculpted. The figures look very nice when painted.

With the exception of the officers, none of the figures show the typical cuff lace of the full-dress uniform. This omission is an advantage really, because the figures can be painted khaki without the need to remove the cuff lace. If full-dress uniforms are required, a narrow strip of cuff lace can simply be painted on.

Good casting quality, very little flash.

Compatible with Accurate Figures, Imex, Italeri, Jacklex, Revell, Reviresco, and other 1:72 scale miniatures.

The officer’s flag is too small to represent a regimental flag. Serious modellers may want to replace the plastic flag and staff with a scratchbuilt item made from 0.6 mm pianowire and paper.

At Isandhlwana and Rorke’s Drift, soldiers of the 24th fought in fighting order without packs, not the full infantry equipment portrayed here.

Historical Employment

  • British Infantry and Rifle Regiments, 1871–1888
    • The 9th Kaffir War, 1877–1878
    • Second Anglo-Afghan War, 1878–1880
    • Zulu War, 1879
    • Northwest Frontier, 1877–1888
    • The First Sudan War, 1882–1884
    • Third Burmese War, 1885–1887
    • Black Mountain Expedition, 1888
    • Black Mountain Expedition, 1891

Possible Conversion

  • French Marines in khaki Uniforms
    A simple painting conversion, using ESCI British Zulu War Infantry without packs.

ESCI’s British Zulu War Infantry is well sculpted, and there are many useful poses to satisfy wargamers and diorama builders.

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