tries out the expansion roads set.
Back when Eureka Miniatures first released our acclaimed 28mm Rhodesian Light Infantry figures, there was very little available for wargamers and figure collectors interested in the post-colonial wars in Southern Africa.
Since then, we've had many requests to expand the range, and to this end sculptor Kosta Heristanidis has added many sets of interesting figures. We've also been lucky to have Uncle Les make the masters for two impressive helicopter models, the imposing Alouette K-Car and G-Car.
First off, we have 13 figures representing the Rhodesian African Rifles (RAR). This unit was one of the most important on the government side, and one with a long and proud history. There are three sticks of four figures each, plus one European officer.
We have military and aviation artist John Wynne Hopkins to thank for sharing both his photos and his generous advice. John served in three platoon (Simanjemanje), A Coy one RAR and was the last European Adjutant in the Battalion. The miniatures are much more accurate thanks to John's help. His excellent wargaming and miniature blog can be found here.
Secondly, we have five mounted models representing the Rhodesian Grey's Scouts. Employed to patrol and track during the Bush War, this distinctive unit makes a useful addition to the army.
Inspired by a photo, Kosta couldn't resist sculpting one soldier taking a trick-shot from horseback.
Finally, for the government side, we have the Alouette III K-Car and G-car, both with full crew and weapons/passengers and a 4 x 4 technical. The helicopters and vehicle have been modelled by Uncle Les and the crews by Kosta.
These machines were crucial elements of the Fireforce tactics employed to engage and destroy guerrillas from the two main anti-government groups.
The groups engaged in armed struggle against the Rhodesian government belonged to two main factions – Zanla and Zipra. For simplicity's sake, we refer to the models as Zanla guerrillas, though they are equally useable as Zipra.
Two new sets are now available, armed with obsolete weapons. Carrying SKS rifles and burp-guns, these models portray guerrillas not yet equipped with the latest Eastern-Block weaponry, DP light machine-guns are also represented, and for something a little bigger, a Dshka on an anti-aircraft mount is also available.
Add to this the vehicles available from Company B with crews available from Eureka, and wargamers are now well served with a wide range of exotic figures and vehicles to populate the tabletop.
Finally, for those interested in the vehicles and weapons of Rhodesia, we can recommend this book:
You can purchase copies from Peter Cooke via his email.
Rhodesian Special Offers:
We Don't Want to be Vertically Enveloped, Either Deal
16 figures and a Dzhk – 4x 100MOD137, 4 x 100MOD138, 4 x 100MOD140, 2 x 100MOD141 and 100MOD139 $45.00 AUD (plus GST in Australia)
Vertical Envelopment, We Are Going to Do It Deal
2 Alouette G Cars and 1 Alouette K Car with crews – 2 x 100MOD300, 1 x 100MOD301 $150.00 AUD (plus GST in Australia)
The Quick & The Deadly Deal
One of each variant of the Grey's Scouts and RAR infantry – 100MOD124 x 4, 100MOD125 x 1, 100MOD126 x 1, 100MOD142 x 4, 100MOD143 x 4, 100MOD144 x 4 and 100MOD145 $65.00 AUD (plus GST in Australia)
