I'm in the process of pondering on a new Victorian-era project and, being as I have very little experience with the way British soldiers actually dressed throughout the period (aside from there being a lot of red and khaki), I'd love some advice from anyone who knows their stuff.

From what I can see, the uniforms used in the mid-part of the century were fairly similar, regardless of global location (ie Canada, India, Europe), and the only thing that seems to be vastly different over this period is the headwear. With this in mind, I'm wondering if Pendraken's Indian Mutiny infantry (the chaps in pork-pie hats) might serve equally well for, say, a Crimean War or home-service project? I do love the Crimean War range proper, but am wondering if other ranges might be a source for additional varied poses, to make my bases look really smart. The same goes for other ranges, such as the Fenian Raids and Zulu War.

I realise this question may be moot, given that the project I intend to use these figs for would be a WotW-style Anglo-Martian force (thereby chucking any semblance of historical accuracy out the window), but I'd be grateful to anyone who might be able to give me some pointers.

Cheers!

I think you have a lot of leeway here.

Firstly you can choose when within the Victorian era you want to set your games, and it sounds like earlier on suits. And you have the advantage of the British Empire which meant that many different uniforms where in use at the same time - Sudan campaigns being a good example where red coated units where next to khaki ones.

So for a WotW scenario it would be easy to conceive of imperial units being shipped back to Britain and they would retain their existing local uniforms.

Sounds a cool project!

Highlanders. That's the answer.

1854
1880

Quote from: fsn on 19 April 2024, 12:02:48 PMHighlanders. That's the answer.

1854
1880

Hmmm ... not sure that a kilt and a tall feather bonnet are a good option in a lower-gravity environment, personally 

Quote from: Big Insect on 19 April 2024, 01:48:40 PMHmmm ... not sure that a kilt and a tall feather bonnet are a good option in a lower-gravity environment, personally 

Oh! An indadvertent Khyber Pass manouevre? Yes, I see what you mean.

If you ever get to doing the Martian opposition force don't forget their troops from the western slopes of Olympus Mons. They were unique in wearing variegated tube socks of orange, red and tawny. I think 

The cunning dastards!

Does Leon provide figures for the 3rd Foot and Mouth?

I have used BW22 - Highland Foot in Kilt - to represent the small detachment of 3rd Foot & Mouth in my The Men Who Would Be Kings colonial army.

QuoteI'm in the process of pondering on a new Victorian-era project and, being as I have very little experience with the way British soldiers actually dressed throughout the period (aside from there being a lot of red and khaki), I'd love some advice from anyone who knows their stuff.

I think Friend Fred gave a cogent and thougthful answer.

I agree that it does depend upon which part of Victoria's reign one wishes to depict - though one can perhaps have one's cake an eat it too. After the Albert Shako was a lower "kepi" style, then a "tilted" shako and then the Home Pattern in 1879. Then there's the undress pillbox hat introduced whenever but seems to be used throughout Vicky's time.

In other words, the anser is "yes", but you could also plausibly use (for example) French Crimean, 1860s Austrians or even US Civil War in kepis. 

I was looking to do a HG Wells style 1880's-ish game: French Kepi's, German picklehaube, white coated Austrians and British in Home Pattern helmets.

Where I came afoul was my obstinate requirement for British Guardsmen. Pendraken's Crimean Guardsmen are superb - except they're wearing greatcoats. Regrettably, I have shelved this project until I can either source proper Guardsmen from Pendraken, or can replace the Guards Brigade with something else.
 

Try the Danish guards SHD5 or SHD6

QuoteI think Friend Fred gave a cogent and thougthful answer.

Apologies, I'd forgotten where I was 

QuoteTry the Danish guards SHD5 or SHD6

Thanks. I've looked at everything on the Pendraken catalogue with a bearskin.




I may be (unusually for me) quite pedantic and precise. The British bearskin is a sleek and elegant creature - the continentals are somewhat more coarse. Even in 10mm the differences are obvious.
  I may try a test batch ... alongside some Zulu war infantry.     

Quote from: fred. on 19 April 2024, 10:22:23 PMApologies, I'd forgotten where I was 

It's OK, we all slip up occasionally.