Australian light horse conversions (1 Viewer)

9thHussar

9thHussar

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Jul 16, 2006
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Hi ,

please can a forum member help as I have just started to convert the Armies in Plastic mounted British Cavalry ww1 into the Australian Light Horse.

I have already done the head swaps adding bush hats to represent the Australians and I originally read and saw the film LIGHTHORSEMEN and noted that the Light Horse did not carry sabres and that indeed at Beersheeba they charged the Turkish positions with bayonets drawn and wielded as if swords.

However, I have since read in several places that towards the end of the war some Light Horse were issued with sabres, so that they could operate as cavalry instead of mounted infantry. I understand that they used sabres at the capture of Damascas in late 1918. It is this battle that I want the figures to be depicted from.

The Question is which Regiment(s) had the sabre at Damascas - I have worked out that it must have been at least the 10th Light Horse, but if someone else could offer extra info I would be grateful.

Best Regards
9th
 
9th not sure about the sabre Question but im sure there are plenty of guys on the bored that can help you out.
Just curious what heads your are using and do they have the Emu feather plumes or are you making them yourself ?
Im still waiting for AIP to make a set :rolleyes:....hope to se some pics when you are done.
 
Hi Ragnar,

I have used Airfix ww2 Australian Infantry heads pinned /glued and I will make the emu feathers with milliput or another medium. Some of the 15 X Light Horse Regiments had swans feathers too.

The good news is that I have just read that in Aug/Sept 1917 the Light Horse Division was issued sabres and underwent training in their use whilst in the Middle East. The Rifle previously slung on their backs would have got in the way of the sabre /arm movements, so it was secured in a rifle bucket on one side of the horse alike other British / Allied Cavalry. I am not sure if they still carried the extra ammo bandoliers around the horses necks after the sabre issue.

I have added spare Britains Deetail sabres to x 4 of the soldiers and kept the fifth figure as a bugler. The original AIP British cavalry set was for Lancers but the Australians didnt have any Lancers in WW1 (I read that they had Lancers in the late Victorian period/Boer War).

These types of conversions are interesting and always a bit of a challenge but the historical research does help.

Will post photos when completed but will be a few weeks away.

Regards
9th
 
I have the history of the 2nd Light Horse and I think they are mentioned as converting to sabres, but I'm not sure if this fits for your battle? If I can find out for sure in that or one of my other books I'll post again.
 
Hi Larso

ok many thanks - I am trying to get them right, so this info will be of good use

Regards
9th
 
I hope you post photos of your conversions. I might suggest that some heads from AIP's Boers could be used. The scale and faces may match even it some conversion has to be done.

AIP5424a.jpg
 
Hi Scott,

I will utilise the Boers again on another set of x 5 , will continue with the Airfix head/hats on this first lot.

Regards
9th
 
G'day 9th mate,
Up until Beersheeba the only LH men to carry swords not sabres were the Officers. This was carried in a khaki scabbard and fits into the sword frog on the horse shoe case. Rear left of the rider.
After the outstanding success of the Charge at Beersheeba all LH Regiments were rested at Belah. General Allenby was so impressed with this charge that he ordered all mounted Australian troopers be issued with the 1908 British pattern Cavalry sword (once again a sword not a sabre)
As with all war equipment issues I am not aware without reading each units Regimental histories as to which units received their swords and when.
The Aussie trooper was happy with his rifle and bayonet and the general consensus is that he considered the sword a extra bit of useless kit.
Hope this helps.
Cheers from the Land Downunder, Howard
 
9th have you looked at the Timpo Toyway Anzacs i would use them the hats are even folded on one side.
Drum&Flag has them and they are dirt cheep.
 
Hi Ragnar

great idea - by coincidence have a set on my workbench upainted and I have another couple of sets in store - these would be ideal - I can see myself making several sets of these Light Horse. Last night I added some ammo pouches around the horse necks fashioned out of milliput clay and then undercoated them all, so now ready to paint.

Regards
9th
 
Hi Howard,

grateful to you for the info about the Light Horse - I did read that it was the 10th Light Horse that took the surrender of Damascas from the Turks in Oct 1918 and not Lawrence of Arabia.

Regards
9th
 
9th thought you might like these they are 28mm castings made in OZ...Might give you some ideas.
Troopers.jpg
 
9thHussar said:
Hi Howard,

grateful to you for the info about the Light Horse - I did read that it was the 10th Light Horse that took the surrender of Damascas from the Turks in Oct 1918 and not Lawrence of Arabia.

Regards
9th
Click to expand...

Now see...this is exactly why I never trusted Peter O'toole! :)
 
Very nice 9th

Hope you don't mind I edited your posts to show the pictures.

You had it set as URL instead of IMG
 
Hi

thanks - hope you like em - my next lot are Lincolnshire Yeomanry from the same campaign period - I have read that they were Lancers

Regards
Dave
 
Hi

the Lincolnshire Yeomanry had a 1914 pre-war Officers full dress uniform of Lancers, but did they carry the lance itself during the Middle East campaigns 1917-18?

Any info gratefully received

Regards
9th
 
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