One of the really great things about our hobby is being able to use your imagination to re-purpose figures from within a ranges to create a different period or nation. So what follows for the next few blogs is a reworking of Jacklex figures in just this way. No conversions, just different colours of paint although if you want to try I have had a few thoughts which I will share but haven't made.
When Jack made his Americans, he only had in mind using them for 'Black Jack Pershing's' adventure into Mexico. To be honest because that is what he made them for and only what we used them for, it never crossed my our minds to use them for anything else or to paint them in anything other than Khaki.
Greg Potter however has looked at them with a different eye and used figures from across the Jacklex ranges for the Spanish American War. Greg has provided some pictures and some text which he has agreed I can share and perhaps inspire you.
Greg writes:
'The Conflict has always held a fascination for me. It is a real transition between the warfare of the late late 1800s and early 1900s, with one US General (Wheeler) having been a Confederate Officer in the Civil War, and his Captain being Pershing who will go on to lead the US Army in World War One. The Americans had Gatling guns, in the same battle as modern Colt Machine Guns. The Spanish had trenches, barbed war and the Americans still went forward with Flags waving.
In some ways the Uniforms are also in transition. The American Army uniform is virtually identical to the Civil War, but khaki is already appearing. The Spanish have discarded their colourful European Uniforms and taken on a plain 'Utility Uniform', comfortable and practicable. It has only one drawback it's white!
The Jacklex range has ideal figures for both armies that just require a re-paint. The Americans from the Pershing Expedition range are absolutely perfect, being in the same basic shirt sleeve order worn in Cuba. All you need to do is paint them in pale blue trousers and dark blue shirts of the period.
I also put some in khaki trousers that were beginning to be worn by some units in Roosevelt's 'Rough Riders'.
The gunners also have the Arm of Service red distinctions still being worn. The artillery is the British Colonial Gun without the seats attached, [rather than the Krupps gun in the Pershing Range]
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The Spanish Infantry come from the Confederate ACW range and again are perfect with their un-tucked trousers; bedrolls and with their floppy hats painted as straw hats. The white uniform actually had thin blue strips, which meant it took on a blue hue, so I added so I added a little light blue to my white.
The gunners are the British Naval Gun crew, who already have straw hats I found one reference suggesting red facings so added them. The Officer is again ideal as some Spanish Officers wore the the same style of helmet, and the mountain gun is out of the Colonial range.
I have since realised that the Spanish had some cavalry and the Confederate Cavalryman again looks perfect so my order is already with Mark [jacklexminiatures.com]
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I would recommend this conflict to you. It has much colour and variety, and the Jacklex figures will give you all the troops types you need. For once Osprey have a title I would highly recommend. @San Juan Hill 1898' has some excellent colour plates which show details of uniforms of both sides; evocative photos; good maps and information on the battlefields. It is a great place to start.'
This is a great re-purposing of figures and really shows what you can do. 'Black Jack' Pershing's' Buffalo soldiers is another simple paint job. I have no idea how accurate it is but, if you have seen the 'Rough Riders' 2 part TV mini series on Netflix [ CORRECTION. IT IS A 2 PART SERIES ON YOU TUBE] the Spanish on San Juan Hill are shown with Maxim guns. Jacklex make a WW1 Maxim gun and could have a different crew and the 'German advisors shown in the film could be lifted from the Japanese range.
Many thanks for the article Greg. It got me thinking In terms of conversions, the film shows the American overall commander in a white pith helmet Blue Jacket and white trousers. He is fat and riding what looks like a mule, but a diet, removing his pistol and a bit of sanding of the pith helmet and you could use a British Officer cavalry officer on a standing horse to make a commander. Alternatively, the American Cavalry Officer and Cavalry Standard bearer again on standing horses single base to make an alternative command.
