"Best 15mm Zulus/British figures for conversion"" Topic

In the HQC Universe the Zulu War ends with the British having a relationship with the Zulus similar to their relationship to the Gurkhas. There are regiments of Zulu troops with British equipment but also aspects of traditional Zulu warriors. I'd like to do these troops in 15mm. The quickest would be if someone made Zulu warriors with captured British tunics and rifles. I'd need several poses. I could go straight from that very easily. Otherwise, I'll need 15mm Zulu legs and heads and British torsos and arms. What figures might be good for this project?

Old Glory 15mm zulu packs have a few Zulus in british jackets and rifles.

I am going to make a radical suggestion.

Assuming you mean them to be well trained and equipment troops.
Use plain old British troops and add Zulu shields to indicate that they are Askari troops.

Separate shields from here for example.
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The rest is paint!

Or pick some other colonial troops with bare feet and add the shield to indicate their Zulu heritage.

Minifigs had packs of British allied Zulus and one with captured rifles.
You might also check Stone Mountain whose castings have a solid torso for cutting.

Might they not wear uniforms like the King's African Rifles? Note the bare feet.
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Does anyone make them in 15mm? I can always do a head swap, since I'm not a fez sorta guy

Thanks everyone!

The old Esci Zulu set has a few Zulus with rifles and redcoat jackets.

Terry, how about just using NNC/Natal Native Contigent and painting the ones with shields in some Zulu regimental pattern. They are kind of exactly what you described -- a mix of "Zulu Warrior" style with bits of British military equipment/uniform, such as a greatcoat or blanket "en banderole", a uniform headband, ammo pouches, etc, and armed with a mix of assegais and muskets. Several 15mm manufacturers include them in their Zulu War ranges, such as Old Glory and Irregular.

Here's a period photo of the real thing:

The ESCI poses are exactly what I'm looking for and would be perfect. I looked them up on Plastic Soldier Review. However, they are way too big for 15mm.

Some sources of Askari like King's Africa Rifles:
MiniFigs
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Egyptian Infantryman (Nafar) VH30, VH31, VH32

Matchlock Figures
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50C Egyptian Fellah 50C, 51C, 52C

BlueMoon
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Egyptian

Sudanese

OldGlory15s
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Essex
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Irreguluar
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FZ69 Askari/Sudanese Infantry at the ready

Entire companies of the askaris who served the Germans in Deutsch Ost Afrika were denominated Zulu, but they were probably in fact local Ngoni tribesmen.