Period model figures - French Army

No model scene is complete without the human figure.

The driver of this Baldwin Gas Mechanical adds much to the sylvan scene. A fine16mm model was made from a Wrightscale  kit by Jeremy Ledger. The period represented is post 1918, on a rural branchline which has bought war-surplus locomotives. Courtesy Jeremy Ledger

 The figurines can be as life-like as possible or sharp caricatures, or something in between, depending on what sort of artist you are; make no mistake, this is an artistic process.

Inspection failed! Another style of figure stands beside an unpainted Wrightscale  Baldwin Gas Mechanical 'kit-bashed' to represent the well-loved Moelwyn. The period is post 1918. Copyright MD Wright

What you will need is imagination - some ideas about what your figures are doing, whether contemplating mechanical breakdown, escaping the eye of the sergeant major or having a rest.

Soldier circa 1814 Copyright MD Wright

We hope that these pictures, showing who wore what, and when, help.
The print above, taken from a water-colour by Raffet, shows a soldier (fantassin) of the Napoleonic period in active service uniform. (You should see the parade ground version!) His coat is blue with red wristbands, his trousers white. His hat is a black leather 'shako'. In certain ways, this is still the uniform of the 18th century when the soldier of the line wore a blue coat with red wristbands, tight white trousers and white leather gaiters, but the felt two-cornered hat has been replaced by the leather shako, and the trousers are longer and looser.

 

Infantryman of 1840. Print from late 19th century photo of model in the French Army Museum. Copyright MD Wright

This print shows a member of the infantry as seen in Algeria in the1840s. General Bugead, who was in command, realised that the uniform had to be modernised, especially the shako.. The locals found the foreigners almost comical - they called them 'chaps who went around with sheaves of corn on their heads' Shakoes were replaced by képis in blue fabric, with red band and a black leather visor. The massive straps crossed over the chest have been replaced by belt and shoulder straps. The blue coat remains, trimmed with red epaulettes. White trousers were impossible to wash so they have been replaced by red ones. The képi, blue great-coat and red trousers were adopted by the rest of the army.

Infantryman of the Line 1870, taken from a photograph in the French Army Museum. Copyrght MD Wright

This was the infantry uniform at the time of the Franco-Prussian War. The great-coat is blue with red collar and epaulettes, trousers red, inserted into white canvas gaiters. The képi, much reduced in height, is now red with a blue band. The Chassepot/gun, shown here with bayonette mounted, was the very latest in rifles. It had a range of 1.2 km and could fire 6-7 rounds per minute. The French were counting on the chassepot, as well as cran et élan (spirit and sheer guts), to win the 1870-1 war but fate decreed otherwise.

The period is early 1915 and this watercolour by Maurice Orange shows the French how they would like their soldiers to appear; supervising German prisoners of war. Copyright MD Wright

When they went into the First World War, French uniform had changed little since 1870. The képi was still red/blue and the blue great-coat and red trousers would have been recognisable. The French had learned one thing from the victorious Prussians; they issued the 'poilus' with boots.

The Germans felt about the Sénégalair tirailleurs (infantry) much what they felt about the the Scots - a hearty if not complimentary respect! This tirailleur has been wounded in action. Copyright MD Wright

The French could call upon colonial troops during the First World War. Photographs show them being welcomed by an enthusiastic 'metropolitan' population. In their honour, the children's breakfast food Banania was created, complete with caricature African on the box. This all seems politically incorrect in the 21st century, but the French (and the British) were learning just what powerful allies they had in the people of Africa. From sub-Saharan Africa came the tirailleurs, as shown above. Like the poilu he wears a blue great-coat, but blue trousers and blue puttees. He had his own design of hat.

Spahi Copyright MD Wright

The spahi - soldier from North Africa - has his own characteristic uniform and red fez. He is not wearing his great-coat because it would get in the way of his crutches - he sustained a leg wound in the War.

In the French trenches December 1915. Water colour F. Flameng. Copyright MD Wright

 By 1915, the French authorities had redesigned their uniform to fit with the sombre realities of war. In action, the képi was replaced by the helmet, and the trench-cape was adopted. The red trousers, a gift to enemy snipers, were replaced by blue-grey ones and the great-coat was no longer adorned with flashes of red. The blue in the uniform was replaced by the greyish French Horizon Blue. This watercolour by François Flameng shows a trench at Souchez in December 1915.
French horizon blue was also used for the livery of their Narrow gauge rolling stock.
For further ideas, take a look at mikesmarvellousmodels.blospot.co.uk