"Mexican Revolution 1910-20" Topic

I am thinking of doing this in 54mm. Been looking at various ranges which I might be able to used converted. These include;

Steve Weston Mexican Bandits-foot and mounted
Arnies in Plastic-WWI British inf and cav
O.W.N-Sino Japanese figures. However, thye do have back packs. Showing my ignorance here. I've read in places they Federals did have them but all pictures show no back packs.

Can anyone suggest anything else.

I wouldn't recommend WW1 British or Japanese: the equipment is completely wrong, and at this scale, even the details of weapons become obvious (there were no Lee Enfields in Mexico).

Accurately representing Federal regulars is going to be problematic: as a basis you need something in military uniform with a Mauser bandolier worn en banderole. Revolutionaries are a lot easier, of course.

The path of least resistance might be to focus on the Constitutionalist versus Conventionalist struggles of 1915 onwards. If you can find US SAW figures in tunic they'll work fine for Carranzistas, then you can use the types recommended above with some uniformed figures mixed in for the opposition (and don't forget about Boers).

A friend has a unit of Armies in Plastic 54mm Russo-Japanese War Japanese infantry painted up as Mexican Federales to go up against his Steve Weston Mexican banditios.

Painted up as Mexican troops, they look very convincing to me -- at least as convincing as Mexican troops I've seen in motion pictures like "Viva Zapata."

Fine if you're happy to have 'Hollywood' armies I suppose. Personally, I prefer history (and the hats are wrong: somewhere between the early Saumur kepi and the later flat peaked cap).

Yeah, to me they look nothing like Mexican federales but to each his own.

I'm very happy with my OG 28mm collection. It really is a fascinating period to play.

I suggest reading the post that the picture comes with; it clearly explains why.

Fatman

And the point of the photo is…?

Henry Martini I forgot about Boers. I did look at Armies in Plastic set and think they would look alright.

I know the equipment would be all wrong but when need must, I'd only be using a few, small action. However, I do want them to look write.

I'll keep trawling. Only just really got into the period and presently doing some back ground reading

Anyone recommend any good books.

While they're nothing like Federal regulars, as long as you keep the 'beardies' to a minimum Boers are fine as revolutionaries; after all, they're in civilian clothing of more or less the right period, and are armed with Mausers. They can be 'assimilated' even better by Mexicanising some of the heads, either through head swaps, or turning hats into sombreros. Used as is they're also perfect for Federal urban militia.

The most readily accessible narrative military history of the Revolution can be found in Rene de la Pedraja's 'Wars of Latin America, 1899 – 1949'. This covers the whole conflict. Harder to obtain is 'Battles of the Mexican Revolution, 1913 – 1915', by James R Hinds. Although it has a narrower historical focus, the latter title is very useful in that it contains detailed orders of battle for most of the actions covered.

The Armies In Plastic Spanish for the SAW have potential as Federales/Constutionalistas – slouch hats and trousers loose over boots, Mauser rifles. Cartridge bandoleers are easy to add with modelling putty…

Interesting comment about the headgear on the AIP Japanese – the Federales in the photo look like they are wearing exactly that hat, give or take a mm or two around the rim? Easily added with modelling putty if so wished.

It is a fascinating period. Just been reading about the Yaquis contribution – whole battalions.

If anyone has specific queries about uniforms and equipment, post and I'll try to answer. I have a mss for a book which will probably never get published and I'm happy to share the information I've accumulated.