1/27 Khyber Pass: Indian Khyber Blockhouse
Dated: July 07, 2009.
This Blockhouse represents a typical Indian Frontier Post which guarded the Khyber Pass and was garrisoned by the Khyber Rifles who wore loose-fitting khaki uniforms and upturned slippers. The standard Fort Sahara looking simpler without any conversion work to the walls or tower would be even more appropriate for Khyber Pass. This blockhouse was converted to look more like one from Khartoum on the Nile River in the Sudan, but was done and ready to be garrisoned by HaT's fantastic new Indian Infantry set! The blockhouse's size, shape and little shade roof on the tower are quite authentic. The book "Uniforms Illustrated 21, Victorian Colonial Wars", p. 31 shows an actual blockhouse. That is where I got the idea for the little shade roof in the tower.
The artilleries are pulled or carried by HaT elephants. The drivers are HaT Camelry riders and the artillerymen are HaT-Airfix reissues of the WWI British Artillery set. All have head-swoppets from HaT's new Indians. In my case, I like to cut them so they have a neck-peg and easily push into a hole drilled between the mens shoulders. HaT's new soft plastic is super easy to work with. It cuts easily yet doesn't break when bent or pulled.
I hope the close-up pictures of the Indian's heads and faces show the fine details and beauty the sculptor put into them. The Highlanders are equally beautiful, but today it's the Indian's day to be the heros!
Garrison Clay
USA
Many thanks to Mr. Clay.