"Artizan Design Tirailleurs Algeriens" Topic

These figures appear to be wearing shirts only, that is, without the Zouave-style jacket, but I haven't been able to find any photos from colonial campaigns that match them; in photos turcos are always wearing the full uniform.

Also, in paintings the shirt is shown as being the same colour as the jacket, light blue, but the painted examples on the AD site have the shirt in dark blue.

Are the figures accurate, or should I avoid them and look for alternatives?

Henry, I just took a look at the figures, and at photos of Tirelleur from around 1900. I think the jacket is there, but the open front is obscured by the webbing. You could always email and ask.

Looking at a packet in front of me they appear to be wearing a shirt with Breast pockets. Which is annoying as I wanted to use them for France.

You've confirmed my impressions, D A. The question is of course, was this combination worn on campaign in Africa?

D A THB -- If you are looking for Tirailleurs Algerien figures to use in France for the Franco-German (AKA Prussian) War, then may I recommend Askari Miniatures. link

They are very nicely sculpted figures and paint up very well. The unit deployed in line in this blog entry of mine link are Askari Turcos. You can also see his Zouaves on the back right.

Jim

I seriously considered the Askari figures, ColCampbell, but I discovered that postage costs from the US to the antipodes for small orders have become prohibitive. That's why, despite my misgivings about their stilted poses, I became open to the Artizan Design figures as an alternative. When the options are limited it's sometimes a case of having to settle for the least worst*.

Dan is in NZ, so he faces the same postage cost problem.

I still have no evidence that the costume the Artizan Design figures are depicted in is historically accurate, and the only other option appears to be the Foundry FPW Zouaves painted appropriately, so barring a better suggestion from a TMPer that might have to be the solution.

*On another thread I started about representing Khartoum slavers I suggested that Artizan Designs Moroccans could be used. There's no contradiction here: while I wouldn't want to create an army solely from them because of the limited range of stilted and unconvincing poses, they are appealing because of their high standard of sculpting, and character, and when mixed with other more dynamic and convincingly-posed figures for variety they'd be perfectly acceptable.

On that last point, I should add that the clothing isn't accurate for Moroccans, either; but that's not an issue when they're being used to represent variously-clad Khartoum slavers.

Have you checked the Castaway Arts website. They have some awesome figures in their various colonial ranges that can be used in multiple campaigns.

castawayarts.com.au

Cheers,
Sgt G