1:72 British Infantry Anglo/Boer War

1:72 British infantry of the Anglo-Boer War, a figure set from Strelets-R

The set complements the colonial part of the historical line of Strelets-R. The figures are in 1:72 scale, molded from soft plastic and supplied unpainted. This is an addition to a diorama or a display case, not a kit.

The real subject

The Anglo-Boer War in the years 1899 to 1902 is interesting for a modeler in that the khaki field uniform fully asserted itself in it, and with it a new approach to camouflage and to fighting in open terrain. The British infantry in it used a repeating rifle, simple canvas equipment and a tropical helmet or a soft headdress. The fighting took place in dry, dusty country with sparse growth, which is reflected in the way the figures are weathered and in how the base of a diorama looks.

Building and painting tips

A khaki uniform is seemingly simple, but for that very reason it easily turns out dull. Choose a rather more faded base shade and set the individual figures apart by a small shift of tone, so that the unit does not look as if cast from one mold. Before painting, deburr the figures, wash them in lukewarm water with detergent and go over them with a thin primer for soft plastics. Apply the dusty weathering from the bottom up, most of all on the footwear and the hem of the trousers, and use dry toning rather than a wet wash, which would darken the khaki too much. Leave the leather straps and belts more contrasting, otherwise they will merge with the uniform in a small scale. Unify the base of the diorama with the same dusty shade you have used on the figures.

Who the set is for

• builders of dioramas from the colonial conflicts of the turn of the century
• modelers who want to practice painting khaki and dusty weathering
• collectors of historical figure lines in 1:72
• players of historical tabletop games in a small scale

The figures are supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.