Malakand Field Force prep 6e: Painting Pathans

This project has been languishing - must step it up a bit!  With the Brits nearly done, it is time to consider their adversaries. With a 10/20 ratio, my Brits will have plenty of challenges patrolling the Northwest Frontier!

20 Pathans for priming and painting - a full Armies in Plastic box. This is a great box, perfect for the period in all respects, lively poses, good selection of weapons.

Next to 15mm WWII - ginormous!

PATHAN PAINTING NOTES

Summarized from:

Osprey "Northwest Frontier": Wilkinson-Latham, Robert

Osprey #219 "Victorias Enemies (3) India: Knight, Ian

"The Frontier Ablaze: The North-West Frontier Rising 1897-98": Barthorp, Michael

General

- Basic Garments: 

kullah = headgear, a stitched pointed cap [may be decorated]; 

kufi = popular patterned Muslim skull cap; regional variations, can be pillbox style

angarka = loose blouse or smock

lungi / pagri = long scarf, or sash tied around waist, or around kullah for a turban; can have contrasting stripes perpendicular to length; as turban, appear angled.

poshteen = reverse goatskin vest or coat [embroidered more if more status]

chadar = shawl

pyjama? = baggy trousers, partig were gathered at ankles

chapplis = sandals

Most garments were off-white, but some colors were worn.

- Tribes had predominant but not uniform color combinations:

Waziri = turban in dark red or indigo blue, lungi in dark blue/red or pink

Kurram Valley = dark blue angarka w' white patches [similar to dervishes]

Afridis in Khyber Pass [also Mamunds and Swatis] = grey or blue angarka [but mostly white?] w' off-white trousers. Lungi has contrasting stripes at ends perpendicular to length.

Bunerwals = dark blue or black garments

Many captured items of gear would be used, such as ammo pouches.

- Weapons

talwar = curved sword

chora = triangular knife of various lengths, single-edge blade tapering hilt to point

dahl = shield, round engraved metal, or heavy leather w' metal bosss and studs

jezail = long matchlock rifle

I have some interesting choices with the Pathans I've primed. I did prime them half tan and half white, and I think they have the right look.  The white will be the common off-white, and the tan will be Kurram Valley, perhaps - they sound unusual!

On another topic... Paintbrushes!

Tabletop Minions Atom Smasher commentary
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vfJdCimmKA

• brand not important - $6 for 5 brushes fine
• large synthetic brushes for big areas, small natural brushes for detail work
• clean with hair conditioner, leave in it overnight
• hair tie around water cup holds brushes overnight
• use the back end of the brush to get out the paint, not the bristles
• keep paint away from the farrel - only halfway down the bristles
• metallic paints wear bristles faster
• use different paints for metallic so the sparkles don't appear elsewhere
• Windsor Newton, Manila Road
• Vallejo Brush Cleaner

Overall, I found this to be a useful vid on a perennial topic!

On to the painting mines!