"Water Cart" Topic

I got the new Empress Miniatures water cart yesterday. I painted it this morning and used some Askari mules (was lazy and these were already painted) to pull it instead of the ones supplied.I also glued together, with random arms, a figure from Perry Miniatures Victoria's Little Wars plastic range that looks like he is dispensing the water. Still trying to decide on his uniform.

Yes we're long overdue for an Osprey guide to the history and uniforms of the British army water dispensers, it'll probably have to be split into 2 or 3 volumes.

Bob, that's freakin' awesome!!!

I love that you custom assembled the figure so that his hand is PERFECTLY ALIGNED with the water tap!!!

After you paint him, you could take a pic with all your bhistis (I assume like me you have at least several!) lined up waiting to receive their "wholesale" supply, before they head back to their various units to deliver the "retail" ration…

I'd go for khaki tunic. The big question is do you paint his trousers khaki… or home service blue?

Hate to admit it but profound dilemmas like that are why my Empress Gatling Gun crews remain unpainted!

MG – I ended up painting my Gatling gun crew khaki with blue trousers and figured it was a "safe" way to go.I was lucky with the Perry figure as the hand was almost just at the right height when I first glued it on. Had to use a thinner base though to match it just right.
Paul B. – The long and storied history of the British Water Dispensers, or "Dispies" as they were nicknamed, is long overdue to be written. Several authors have tried but information is limited because the Dispies, as we all know, were rather secretive about their skills and reluctant to share information in order to maintain and secure their status within the army. In modern times they have become mechanized and the art and science of their skill and knowledge has dried up like a puddle of their precious cargo in the sands of the desert.

Very Nice – I am currently modelling one of these in 54mm…

Mike

Black Hat Miniatures: I remember having one in 54mm that was made by Trophy for the Zulu wars. I think from memory it was painted green and had a single horse in a standing pose.