Emhar Franco-Prussian War French Infantry

For me, these are the classic French infantry—kepis, red trousers, white gaiters. They are good looking figures and paint up well. I do agree with PSR's assessment. The straps and detail are too shallow and paint hides a lot of the relief. Yet, they painted up easily and quickly.

The Zouaves are a different story. Painting one of them is enough for a lifetime. Anyone the wargames FPW or ACW and paints of battalions of Zouaves, well hats off to you guys.  Two Airfix WW1 Germans are filling in as Prussians until I can get my hands on Emhar's Prussians. I'm not a fan of soldiers swinging rifles at the air.

 I believe one of this blog's followers, a decent cross-state chap in Kansas City if I'm correct, is a fan of the Franco-Prussian War. Cheers if you catch this, enjoy.

Zvezda French Voltigeurs

Oops! Okay, before you all start commenting, I noticed after I posted these that I got a smidge of red on the flugelhorn (or loop-de-loop horn or whatever its called) while repainting the plume from green to red. Yeah, that's on oops on top of an oops.

The red's bugging you now, isn't it?

Not sure if I'm a fan of the macro lens. It shows that my painting can be pretty slap-dash at times.

So this is what my 'kleine Prussische soldaten' see coming out of the woods on their right flank!

Hey, where's the Lithuanian Dragoons I painted a while back! 

Painted the first figure about a year ago, finished up the rest just a up couple days ago. These are painted as Light Voltigeurs (Vaulters, heard they were intended to be ridden into battle in wagons alongside the cavalry, leaping over the sides like the famous photos of Germans hopping out of Hanomags. Napoleon was quite the visionary! 

If I get around to it, I'll do up a set as Line Voltigeurs (white pants.) I think these same figures can be painted as grenadiers—white pants, red plumes and epaulets. Considering Zvezda's scale-creep, they may be better served as the taller grenadiers.

These are basically painted to the box art. A whole box of them painted up would be a stunning display. Unfortunately, the average life span isn't long to accommodate painting a box of Voltigeurs. Or at least, not at the pace I plod through them. Not only that, but it looks like I have Bavarians to get started on.

Enjoy.

Prussian Dragoons at Möckern

Inspired by the Knötel print of Lithuanian dragoons charging French Marines at the near Möckern during the battle of Leipzig.

The inspiration. One day I'll kitbash a windmill. The French officer could be made from the Peninsular War British officer (if I ever obtain another.) Good luck finding figure for Yorck.

French marines are a paint conversion of HäT's Napoleonic Brunswick Lieb infantry. Too many straps, I know. Hussar style coats are a bear to paint! The Prussian Dragoons are, well, HäT's Prussian Dragoons (set #8002). Not the bicornes (set #8196.)

HäT World War One French Cavalry

Test shots of HäT's new World War One French Cavalry. The WW1 sprues come with 5 riders and horses—officer and four mounted infantry (shown.) The horses, saddles and bedrolls are the same for all nations—British, French and Turkish. As with recent figures, these have great raised detail. Most all of the webbing, straps, ammo pouches are concise and easily identified when painting. The arms holding the lances/rifles/sword are separate, allowing a variety of positions. In this case, I chose the lances upright.

The scene is August, 1918 as French forces move forward. An Australian soldier (with helmet added) escorts German prisoners and a wounded French poilu to the rear. 

One of the prisoners is the surrendering Airfix German with Stalhelm and arms at his side (taken from the tankers in Emhar's WW1 British kit. I think he looks a little weird.

French Foreign Legion

Had these guys for years, hoping to convert to WW1 French but after butchering a neck or two gave that idea up. The white paint was chunky and swamped most of the detail. Painted them up in three uniform styles. I know little of the FFL but I believe these variations cover a period of years and theatres such as Mexico and Morocco. Not sure. Regardless, the French Foreign Legion are always dashing looking fellows. Or is that Gary Cooper I'm thinking of?

Napoleonic French Cavalry

A quick, sneak peek. My ancient Cybershot's dying and I know for a fact the old Tannenbaum doesn't have one underneath. None of the other photos turned out. Maybe after the new year I will post some more pictures. As for now I just wanted to get something new up. The left side is ESCI Polish Lancers, the right French Cuirassiers. I like these figures a lot.

The good thing about the holidays is we're heading back to St. Louis (and home of CRM Hobbies!) I should have a chance to get some new figures.

12/24/08 edit: retook some pictures. I got lazy and haven't added ground cover to the bases yet. I was surprised how quick and easy these (the Cuirassiers at least) were to paint. Horses and especially the white trim on the Polish Lancers saddle blanket took more than the figures. This is more first foray into Naps since I was 12 or 13. (Airfix figures) and I originally bought these to convert to World War One (1914) cavalry. I gave up on that because my real interest is British v Germans 191 6-1918. These are really nice figures with good detail. I wish the Cuirassiers had a bugler. The man standing by his horse is excellent and I wish there were more casual poses like this. Hope you enjoy.