Askaris of the Schutztruppe for German East Africa, 1914–1918
Airfix 1:76 Scale Miniatures Conversion
A Sergeant of the Schutztruppe for German East Africa leads the 2nd section of an Askari infantry platoon in a TSATF colonial wargame. The Askaris are Airfix Japanese Infantry who have had the steel helmet carved into a fez. The platoon Sergeant is a first edition Airfix German Afrika Korps soldier, who should have had his WW2 peaked cap replaced by a pith helmet. All of the figures have been speed painted by dipping the khaki-coloured plastic miniatures in polyurethane varnish tinted with ivory black artist oil colours. The pigmented varnish naturally accumulates in the folds of the miniature’s clothes, shading these areas. Only the boots, ammunition pouches, weapons, hands and faces were painted prior to dipping.