I'd like to tell you about a new colonial figures company, Askari Miniatures.
We specialize in Colonial period figures in a 28mm scale designed to be compatible with the majority of 28mm figures out there. We've started production with French colonial figures, a range woefully underrepresented on the wargames table (Foreign Legion aside).
French Army in Africa
The French Colonial Army in Africa included many units of native troops recruited locally, including tirailleurs Senegalais, tirailleurs Algeriens, zouaves, spahis, and goumiers. From the very talented hands of sculptor Tony Aldrich come the first in the range.
Each pack contains one officer or NCO, one musician, and eighteen privates, making one 20-figure unit.
FR-1 Senegalese Tirailleurs
The Senegalese were recruited in French West Africa and served throughout Africa.
FR-2 Zouaves, advancing
The famous zouaves were originally recruited from the Zouaoua (or Zouagha) tribe in Algeria - a name which became, in French, zouave. Over time they became manned by Frenchmen. There were four regiments, distinguished by the colors on their false pockets. Besides Africa, the zouaves fought in Italy, Mexico, the Crimea and the Franco-Prussian War.
FR-3 Zouaves, firing
Our zouaves are dressed in full kit, with Lebel equipment, pack and the rather shapeless chechia, some with and some without the turban, and worn at a characteristically rakish angle.
FR-4 Tirailleurs Algeriens
The Algerian tirailleurs were hardy troops, recruited from freed slaves of the oases among other sources. They manned outposts too remote for even the Foreign Legion.
Their uniforms were very similar to the zouaves, but all in light blue. Our tirailleurs, also known as turcos, are in campaign order with Lebel equipment pouches, without pack and wearing a turban around their fez.
If desired, they could be painted as zouaves.