Here come the Bengal Lancers

As my colonial forces expand to cover the NWF (North West Frontier) now the Sudan and Zulu Wars are well catered for I have endeavoured to make some units ‘multi-use’ (i.e. suitable for more than 1 campaign/theatre if possible). As such I am constructing 2 Squadrons (or TSATF ‘units’) of Bengal Lancers, one Sikh and one Muslim. Here are some photos of the completed figures so far, based, and just waiting for lance pennants and suitable texturing of their bases…

The Sikh unit consists of Perry Miniatures figures from their Sudan range, except for the Bugler – who has been converted from a Castaway Arts Muslim Bengal Lancer figure by modifying the top of his turban. The figures are not yet finished, as in addition to the pennants and base modelling they still require varnishing and then a matt coat to remove any sheen or gloss…

The second unit is Muslim Bengal Lancers – and again the Perry Miniatures figures from the Sudan range are used, plus an Officer from the Foundry Indian Mutiny range, and a Castaway Arts Indian Officer/NCO. The 9 Muslim lancer figures are not yet complete – so pictured below is just the completed command team to give an idea of the colours for the turbans and such…

The units are intended to more or less represent the:

(Sikh) 13th Bengal Lancers (previously 4th Sikh Irregular Cavalry) which served both in Egypt in 1882 and was regularly stationed on the NWF (the 13th became “Lancers” in 1864 – one of the first group of 5 official Bengal Lancer Regiments).

(Muslim) 9th Bengal Lancers (1st Hodson’s Horse) which served at Suakin & Tofrek in the Sudan in 1885, and was also regularly on the NWF (the 9th officially became “Lancers” in 1886 although I believe they had lances sometime prior and used them while in the Sudan in 1885 – it was the seventh of 15 Bengal cavalry regiments that became “Lancers”).