Recently I've been on a binge of coming up with ideas for converting Infinity armies in different themes. Wether the inspiration comes from History, Anime, Video Games, TV, etc...there are alot of possibilities that can be brought to life with the right bits and hobby know how. So I wanted to ask the Haqqislamite forum if you could convert your Qapu Khalqi, Hassassins, Ramah Task Force, Khanate or Vanilla armies into any theme, characters or historical figures you desire what would you choose? I'm personally leaning towards an Ottoman themed force or a French African force with Zouaves and native troops. A WW1 French force would be possible as well. Make Janissaries look like historical Janissaries etc... What do you think of this idea? Would Qapu Khalqi or Ramah be the better choice for this conversion idea? https://www.ottoman-uniforms.com/
At the technical level, how do you intend to make it happen? Copying the color scheme of the unifroms of old onto futuristic models is one thing, and even there might not be always possible. But, say, historical zouaves and many types of Ottoman troops wore loose, baggy trousers / pantaloons. You'd have to source appropriate parts from somewhere - do you have a source already? Cut CB models in half, and match with these legs. And hope it'll work. Similar with jackets. Hats. At which moment it becomes just historical miniatures, if packing Infinity weapons? At the same time, while it is an interesting idea visually, such a force would be difficult to play - due to models not looking any bit like the troops they are meant to represent on table. Histoical Janissaries were not the power-armored heavy infantry that is familiar to Infinity players.
I have found that Ariadna & Haqqislam's ranges can be grouped together in conversions or proxies. For baggy pants JSA troop legs or simply greenstuff your own. There are many bits sights so I'd have to look around but I do know where I can get good sized heads for these ideas. I have found Ariadna & Haqqislam to be the best faction for making close historical themed forces in Infinity due to their tech levels/looks. Sure the soldiers will have more advanced weaponry depending on which era they are form but they will still be a believable mix of past meets future. I would make historical janies to be the ghulam of the force. HI armor is one thing that is difficult to make historical but painted a different color to match the army could be good enough. Maybe add some accessory bits or change the head to make it more in line with the historical theme.
Well, greenstuffing entire pants is definitely well above my level! :D A minor nitpick, too: it would be wise to include kneepad inserts into these. IRL, separate, external kneepads (similar idea to what Haqq models wear in most cases) are the older, but useful solution. They would'n be useful, though, with the baggy style pantaloons associated with the Orientla troops of 19th century. Some modern combat trousers have provisons for plug-in knee protection (either soft or semi-rigid internal inserts, or inserts with an external "hard cap" on the knee) - several of my buddies swear by these. And these protective kneepads are really useful in keeping one's knees in working order, especially in urban terrain... I might be doubtful about such inserts being very practical in loose pantaloons (simplyuy put, as you move around there isn't likely for your knee to be in-line with the insert when you need to knee down) but they would present an interesting blend between traditional and modeern elements. And sorry, but the pleated-type trousers the JSA are apparently patterned after hakama pants (which is well in place for "Space Samurai", but completely not the thing for "space Muslims"). So I don't believe they'd work here.
Come now, I bet you’re selling yourself short on your green stuff abilities! If I can green stuff an arm into being I’m sure you can do pants! (It remains my general belief that if I can do it then anyone can, lol). I used to practice kenjutsu and iaijutsu (kendo and iaido respectively) and some of us with bad knees and even elbows would wear the pads underneath our hakamas and gi’s. The clothing is surprisingly loose and versatile and it never got caught or needed adjusting. Knee pads are indeed a must for any urban combat so as @Errhile says, if you can put them on the mini then do but also be aware of the eastern style clothing potentially getting in the way. I must agree here though, I’m unsure that the JSA would be as useful to you @Golem2God as other models, especially because of their rather unique clothing style. Please do post any pictures of conversions though! As for random conversions I have seen someone on Reddit (at least I think it was there) convert their Haqqislam into fremen from Dune with little effort.
Well I think that creating your own baggy pants is possible with trial and error. Trying to get something like this.
Hmm… good point. I suppose you could file the hakamas down or green stuff over them. Alternatively just adding green stuff and manipulating it a little to existing legs may work.
Exactly. That is what I thought too. Still creating your own is a feasible option. Any other ideas for model parts from CB's faction ranges that would work for an Ottoman or French Africa force?
Difficult to say. I think you might be able to use some of the haqqi stuff with cloaks and hoods and replace the hooded heads but I’m not sure. I’ll have to have a more in depth look when I’m home. Anyone else have ideas on this front?
https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/NHoAAOSw2gxYtqz7/s-l1600.jpg Perry Miniatures has a Zouaves box that I bought a year or two back. I tried the heads on Ghulam models and they fit rather well. Maybe more historical miniatures would be useful depending on their size.
In urban combat, however, this would mean the cloth over the pad would wear quicker. Then again, one of my buddies swears by his insert pads made using some non-newtonian fluid (or something of similar poperties), and doesn't give a flying flamingo about how much his pants wear down. Plus, it might be my personal experience, but I got myself tangled into thorny vegetation (or actual barb wire. Last time, in the dark...) enough times not to desire loose, baggy trousers (nice cordura gaiters tight on my lower leg do the trick well enough). Then again, my climate of activity is Central European forrest, not any hot country with deserts and savannahs. Ah, but let's not digress.
Oh absolutely! You definitely will end up having to change the pants (or at least the part over the pads) more often. I went through three sets in five years. The hakama or style of pants like it is ill suited to it’s task when considering it as wear for urban warfare. It’s just cool in the JSA as Infinity loves it’s anime background. (Admittedly, so do I). You most definitely do not want loose clothing like that around any sort of vegetation that can catch it. I also feel your pain with the barb wire affair. I live in a rural area and when I was young I’d help the local farmer. Loose clothes plus barbed wire is not a fun mix. You don’t look where you’re going and then… shit. Guess I’m explaining to mum why my jumper’s missing a sleeve. But anyway… I’m still looking at the haqqi minis for conversion ideas for you @Golem2God but I’ll look in more detail when I’m home.
Okay. Having had food and a bit of a chill out I’ve had a look at the haqqi and I think you might make use of the Zhayedan and Hakims for those troops you’d want to have jackets and be desert troops. For the flared trousers you may want to look at filing down the JSA legs or looking for some plastic ones. Im not sure about the ariadna, especially the Tartary ones as they’ve got winter gear on.
The coats of the Zhayedan might work indeed. Add some puffy pants and the right colors with the right head...I can see a Zouave looking model coming out of that experiment. So that would mean that Ramah Task Force would be the ideal sectorial to create a French African force.
Yes, these could be useful too but the issue with the khawarij is that the turban can come down into the coat so is harder to remove. The swords are relatively easy to take off though. There’s a few options available here.
Good to hear! I used to balk at conversions once upon a time. Then I discovered just how much fun it is. There’s nothing a few tools can’t sort out, it may just take time. In this regard, the khawarij may be very useful. Make sure to keep those swords! They could be of use again.
