Models for Rhode Island infantry
From my limited sources the Rhode Islanders wore the same distinctive caps as the Rhode Island artillery. At least that's how they always seem to be depicted. However, as far as I can see there are no specific miniatures for this. So I face two options: (a) go with hats and ignore the caps or (b) do headswaps from Perry Rhode Island artillery figures. Or is there a chance Rhode Island infantry will be part of the rumoured upcoming northern continentals by Alan Perry?

I think it depends which stage of the war you are representing, as I'm not sure that the distinctive cap was worn by all Rhode Island troops right through the war (not least because they were expensive). The sole remaining infantry regiment was depicted wearing it in a painting of four typical Continental types by a French officer (Closen) that was done in 1780 or 1781. They are wearing short, white, single-breasted jackets and white one-piece overalls. However, it is possible that he was depicting a member of the light company. Not my favourite figures, but Old Glory do these: http://www.oldgloryminiatures.com/proddetail.asp?prod=AWI%2D46 Otherwise, you could probably use figures with normal hats for the period up to 1780. One of the National Park Service guide books has a painting (modern) of Varnum's regiment defending a bridge during the British attack on Springfield in 1780, which shows them in hats and the official blue uniform with white facings.

Thanks, Ronan! I might go with normals hat then. I should have added that I'm looking at Monmouth for the Rhode Islanders. I plan on building two small units to stand together as the converged battallion (one with brown and one with blue coats) that can also be used as stand alone battallions.