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Post by leswhite on Jul 30, 2019 16:06:03 GMT
I've been interested in this 'little war' since seeing the miniatures offered by 'BAC MINH MINIATURES' in 28mm, but since this isn't my preferred size of figure I thought it must be possible to upgrade to 'proper' size figures. If you want to find out more about the period and army lists check out these wargame rules. Triumph and Tragedy - Fall of the Samurai. With Japan opening itself up to the world around this time there is also a option for expanding the era into an imagination campaign with the additions of British, French and Prussian forces involved as each country supplied weapons and military assistance at some point to the various Domains and the Shogunate. So with a couple of experiments I've come up with some options that might work. Using DEETAIL ACW figures as the base for my initial efforts. The war hat is the foldable type and the most awkward to model to get the correct shape, so it took a bit of time. The rest of the figure is pretty much the original with the jacket skirt trimmed off. Although standard length jackets were also used so I could have left it standard for another unit. The sword is an adapted DGS plastic one and I just painted the boots as sandals. This represents a soldier of the CHOSU Domain. 
Since most of the uniforms looked the same the way to tell the difference comes down to the headgear and arm patches. This pointed war hat is unique to the SATSUMA Domain. 
The SHOGUNATE forces mainly wore the traditional 'Jingasa' war hat like this. 
The 6 poses of the DEETAIL ACW can be utilised as the equipment was westernised by that time, so the flagbeaer and officer with US Army revolvers still works. The flag would need changed of course and water bottles removed and replaced with Japanese swords, Katana, or the bayonet could be left on in some cases. The uniforms in general looked like US military sack coats in Black or Dark Blue, so some other ACW figures could be used without backpacks. I'm also trying the generic Napoleonic figures made by DGS, with head swaps and the fact that they have light equipment and the plastic is excellent for cutting and gluing makes them worth a go. Since some have plug in arms more poses can be easily achieved including gunners for Artillery and Gatling guns. The AIP Gatling gun and some of there other artillery pieces would work with a converted crew. Cavalry could be created from AIP Egyptian Lancers
More pics shortly.
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Post by leswhite on Jul 30, 2019 16:18:07 GMT
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Post by tradgardmastre on Jul 30, 2019 17:29:46 GMT
Great figure conversions. Sadly the link to the rules etc no longer functions. A fascinating period and one that would look great in 54mm. Any samurai figure suggestions.
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Post by leswhite on Jul 30, 2019 18:30:20 GMT
Sorry that the link failed, looks like their main site has closed. If I find another source on line I'll post it here. Try here for rules ideas bacninhminiatures.blogspot.com/search/label/rulebookIncludes a Sharpe Practice version as a free download from their website and the Osprey wargame rules 'RONIN' has skirmish rules. Samurai figures are the same as the ones I'm converting for the earlier period. Most battles were fought by uniformed troops like those I have shown here so you wouldn't need many samurai types. By this time line full armour was not worn , it was mainly westernised clothing with samurai accesories - swords, and occassionally the breast plate. The Japanese collectors figures of the SHINSENGUMI , Shogunate Police, in light blue robes did take part in the war and if you can find a few would be enough to make up a unit, but they don't turn up very often on the market. So I'm sorry to say it's back to converting , at least the heads to get the 'look' right. There was a recent 28mm game at one of the shows with a British Intervention into Japan with Naval Landing parties and line infantry against Japanese troops. AIP figures would work for the British ,of course. It seems quite common in all those 'little war' that one side of the conflict can be fielded but the other is a bit of a head scratcher to work out what to use. I've worked out that converting is the only way to get Japanese but since the figures I started for the earlier period work and any scenery is usable for both eras I'm continuing with my projects. |
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Post by aducknamedjoe on Jul 30, 2019 21:58:07 GMT
These look great! I wonder if you could also use some of the AIP boxer figures for heads? Also, if you're interested in computer gaming for this period Shogun Total War 2: Fall of the Samurai is a great strategy game based on it: www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlnAowMblZE |
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Post by leswhite on Jul 31, 2019 19:00:13 GMT
You could use some of the AIP Boxer heads, depending on how accurate you want to be. The conical hat with the top trimmed off to be closer to the 'jingasa' war hat might work and the bare head with an added head band should look o.k. The main problem is that you don't get enough of these heads in a set to make it work to create a Japanese unit unless you can duplicate them in some way. Also AIP don't do figures in sack coats. The Confederate infantry might work with some adaption , removal of bedrolls and addition of 'katana' swords at the waists, so still some work to be done.
There is one unit that might work from something ! 
As you can see the infantry are basically wearing WW1 British/US style helmets, not steel however but lacquered material. The overall look is the same so any shell jacket figure with a head swap will get you these. This is the French influenced uniform of the Shogunate forces in 1867, so just before the Boshin War. Use DGS ACW swords with trimmed guards and DSG Deetail Foriegn Legion backpack. 
This is the most common uniform 4 button, sack coat, similar in design to the Federal Uniform of the ACW. It was Black or Very Dark Blue. The leather work is British for use with the enfield rifle, original British ones were Black but the Japanese copies were white belts and brown leather ammo pouch 
Here is the most common form of 'jingasa' war hat, used by Shogunate, Imperial and most Domains. You can judge for yourself if the AIP conical hat is close enough.
The other problem, for accuracy is that the Japanese didn't seem to carry much on their person in battle, Rifle/musket, bayonet/katana sword, ammo pouch, cap pouch(if required) and that's it ,no water bottle or ration pack. So this means that most ACW figures with sack coats would need equipment trimmed off to be more accurate.
Appreciate the mention of the computer game but unfortunately I can't play them anymore as my one good eye can't cope with all the flashing graphics, makes me dizzy ! So I'll have to stick to war gaming 
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Post by stuparkin on Aug 2, 2019 22:31:49 GMT
Great conversions Les!
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