The Rhodesian African Rifles (RAR) consisted of 4 Battalions during the Bush War in Rhodesia, though the 4th existed in name only, having been formed just priors to the wars end. 1st Battalion was a veteran unit, having existed before the war began as the Rhodesian Native Regiment. Its first contact in the Rhodesian Bush War came in the Zambezi Valley in September 1966. The second Battalion was formed in 1973. In contrast, the Rhodesian Light Infantry only reached Battalion strength in the early 70's after years in inadequate recruitment.
All troops and NCO's in the RAR were black, officers were white. By 1979, black officers were serving as well. In 1978 RAR troops were para-trained and served in Fireforce missions.
A note on painting, these troops were based on washers and playground sand was added with PVA. Then they were primed black and then dry brushed with Vallejo Buff (976). Apple Barrel Vineyard Green and GW Scorched Brown complete the camo. Skin tone is Vallejo Chocolate Brown (872). Webbing was Vallejo U.S. Uniform and Vallejo Khaki.
I painted up 8 sticks. These are all Peter Pig 15mm figures. I used every FN-FAL carrying figure I could find. Unlike the RLI which had a great variety of headgear. The photos I've seen of the RAR, most troopers are wearing the swallowtail cap. In Chris Cock's book "Fireforce" he talks a bit about how the RLI tended to cut the tails off their caps and basically mutilate them until they looked like a U.S. Civil War cap. As far as I can tell from photographic evidence, this just wasn't done in the RAR. So I did about a dozen headswaps on this unit to get that look. My big thing when building a unit like this is trying to get as many poses as possible. So here's a picture of each stick so you can get an idea of the look of the whole unit.
And yes, one trooper is carrying an AK-47 and not an FN-FAL. Can you tell me which one? One stick has two MAG's (a stick leader would try to requisition a second one if he could). Also, two sticks have Bren guns instead of the FN MAG machine gun. This was not uncommon in the RAR, the very early days of the RLI and in PATU (Police Anti-Terrorism Unit). In fact in "Out of Action" Chris Cocks relates his days as a stick leader in PATU and his chagrin upon discovering that his stick has a Bren gun instead of a MAG.
All troops and NCO's in the RAR were black, officers were white. By 1979, black officers were serving as well. In 1978 RAR troops were para-trained and served in Fireforce missions.
A note on painting, these troops were based on washers and playground sand was added with PVA. Then they were primed black and then dry brushed with Vallejo Buff (976). Apple Barrel Vineyard Green and GW Scorched Brown complete the camo. Skin tone is Vallejo Chocolate Brown (872). Webbing was Vallejo U.S. Uniform and Vallejo Khaki.
I painted up 8 sticks. These are all Peter Pig 15mm figures. I used every FN-FAL carrying figure I could find. Unlike the RLI which had a great variety of headgear. The photos I've seen of the RAR, most troopers are wearing the swallowtail cap. In Chris Cock's book "Fireforce" he talks a bit about how the RLI tended to cut the tails off their caps and basically mutilate them until they looked like a U.S. Civil War cap. As far as I can tell from photographic evidence, this just wasn't done in the RAR. So I did about a dozen headswaps on this unit to get that look. My big thing when building a unit like this is trying to get as many poses as possible. So here's a picture of each stick so you can get an idea of the look of the whole unit.
And yes, one trooper is carrying an AK-47 and not an FN-FAL. Can you tell me which one? One stick has two MAG's (a stick leader would try to requisition a second one if he could). Also, two sticks have Bren guns instead of the FN MAG machine gun. This was not uncommon in the RAR, the very early days of the RLI and in PATU (Police Anti-Terrorism Unit). In fact in "Out of Action" Chris Cocks relates his days as a stick leader in PATU and his chagrin upon discovering that his stick has a Bren gun instead of a MAG.
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