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Miniatures Adventure => Interwar => Topic started by: Orctrader on May 05, 2008, 10:09:02 AM

Title: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Orctrader on May 05, 2008, 10:09:02 AM
Apart from the LMGs', how far back can these be used for?
http://www.artizandesigns.com/details.asp?code=sww260
Not really up on FFL uniforms.  Wondering if they would be OK for 1920s' or earlier?
Title: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Driscoles on May 05, 2008, 10:59:28 AM
Hi,

I think you can use them from the mid 20`s.
But Iam not sure about the support weapons the guys in the upper right carry.

Cheers
Björn
Title: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Aaron on May 05, 2008, 03:18:34 PM
If you want to take it further back in time Gripping Beast's Woodbine Design offshoot mentioned doing WW1 Ld'E and the new Unfeasibly company do some colonial-era ones that look very good.
Title: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Orctrader on May 06, 2008, 08:35:45 AM
Thanks  :)
Title: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Prof.Witchheimer on May 06, 2008, 08:42:22 AM
do oyu know the Unfeasible French Legion minis?

http://www.unfeasibly.co.uk/page8.htm

they would fit, imho the Artizan ones look too modern for the 1920.
Title: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Driscoles on May 06, 2008, 09:11:41 AM
The Unfeasibly ones are great figures. I have them and I think they are the best FFL Figures you can get.

If you want to use them for the 20`s you have to paint them Khaki. But the webbing doesnt fit for the 20`s To me the Unfeasibly are not suitable for the 20`s

I think the Artizans are suitable for the late 20`s throughout the 30`s and the ww2.

Björn
Title: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Prof.Witchheimer on May 06, 2008, 09:23:39 AM
Quote from: "Driscoles"
If you want to use them for the 20`s you have to paint them Khaki. But the webbing doesnt fit for the 20`s To me the Unfeasibly are not suitable for


really? a pity :(  I'm really no expert in things French legion, they just do look to me right for some reason   :)
Title: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Plynkes on May 06, 2008, 09:43:05 AM
Unfeasibly say theirs are good up to about 1920. Any from the upcoming Woodbine range aren't going to be much use for a pulp gamer. The Legion in the Great War were dressed the same as ordinary line infantry, with the exception of a few trivial details.

I guess you just go with whichever you like the look of best. For me the Unfeasibly ones are classic Beau Geste legion, and that's probably what you want for the world of Pulp. The Artizan ones are lovely figures too, mind.
Title: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Orctrader on May 06, 2008, 09:44:17 AM
I have seen the "Unfeasibly" and a couple of the poses put me off a little.  Man running, for example.  Yet the officer with revolver and sword looks excellent.

With the Artizan, I have painted a few of their figures and I really enjoy it.

I'm not too concerned with historical accuracy, but if I buy the Artizan FFL I'd like them to suit something other than WWII.
Title: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Heldrak on May 06, 2008, 05:56:55 PM
Of course, the important question is:

Who makes a set of "Flying Deuces" Stan & Olly Foreign Legion figures...?
Title: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: carlos marighela on May 07, 2008, 03:40:57 AM
From the Unfeasibly site:

"I've gone for the classic 1900-1920 period look (Beau Geste) and they are compatible with other ranges (Copplestone Castings   -   High Adventure)."

The Artizan one's look ideal for the 1920s as do the Foundry ones and even the Renegade Chasseurs could be also used.  There was quite a bit of use of the tropical helmet in this period, which was a rather antiquated 19thC looking piece, bit like the old British one. Maybe a few head swaps  with some Victorian era Brits and some green stuff to make the cover.
Title: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Gluteus Maximus on May 07, 2008, 09:35:29 AM
I'm not too au fait with French weapons etc. What rifles are the Unfeasiblys carrying and when were they introduced?

I'd like to do some games involving the Legion in the 1890s and am hoping these figures will fit.

Cheers,
Ian
Title: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Plynkes on May 07, 2008, 10:42:56 AM
The Lebel, which fortunately served from the 1880s until the 1940s. So no problems with that particular aspect of the figures.
Title: Re: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Plynkes on May 07, 2008, 07:53:32 PM
One thing to note about the Lebel. Like the Lee Enfield (as mentioned on another thread) it has its own "Painted Wrongly Club." Members of this club include Renegade Miniatures, who, on their website have their own figures with incorrectly-painted rifles.

To avoid joining this club, study this picture:

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/lebelwarning.jpg)
Title: Re: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: unfeasibly on July 28, 2008, 11:03:41 PM
Of course, the important question is:

Who makes a set of "Flying Deuces" Stan & Olly Foreign Legion figures...?

I will be - now that we're back on track, the new recruits  ;) will be available for Christmas.

Regards
Mark
www.unfeasibly.co.uk (http://www.unfeasibly.co.uk)
Title: Re: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Ironworker on July 29, 2008, 05:40:28 AM
One thing to note about the Lebel. Like the Lee Enfield (as mentioned on another thread) it has its own "Painted Wrongly Club." Members of this club include Renegade Miniatures, who, on their website have their own figures with incorrectly-painted rifles.

To avoid joining this club, study this picture:

(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y40/Plynkes/lebelwarning.jpg)

Yeah I have mine painted wrong as well.  On a side note I think I saw a Lee Enfield down at the local pawn and gun.  I think I'll have to pick it up if the price is good just so I can have a proper pulpy gun.  lol
Title: Re: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Doomhippie on July 29, 2008, 02:39:37 PM
Now, a good pulpy gun would be the MP 40 (together with a Luger and a Varry Djerman Axehant, of course).
Title: Re: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Schweizer on August 02, 2008, 06:15:50 AM
The legion had the long blue coats until WWI broke out, and the under-outfits were usually tucked in, and white.  The short jackets seen on these figures are actually from around 1930, but at the very least you don't want to set them pre-WWI.
Title: Re: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: ErikB on February 25, 2010, 06:19:40 PM
The legion had the long blue coats until WWI broke out, and the under-outfits were usually tucked in, and white.  The short jackets seen on these figures are actually from around 1930, but at the very least you don't want to set them pre-WWI.
Regarding the Artizan figures - did those short jackets come in blue or tan in that period?

Also, are they using Bren guns (the LMGs)?
Title: Re: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: WillieB on February 25, 2010, 07:16:31 PM
I'm afraid I'm going to be a spoilsport. It is likely the Artizan figures are really only suitable for WWII.
AFAIK French Legionnaires never wore shorts prior to WWII when the British supplied them.
Title: Re: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Trooper on February 25, 2010, 10:28:42 PM
I have to disagree with Doomhippie, the MP28 with wooden stock, and broomhandle Mauser, now they are two very pulpy German guns.
Title: Re: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: argsilverson on February 25, 2010, 10:43:03 PM
Just found this topic:

You may use the Artizan's FFL well in the 1920's.
Just avoid those figures in shorts, they were not introduced before WWII.
As for bren you know better than me.
Title: Re: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Trooper on February 26, 2010, 01:57:03 PM
Personally I think that the set from Foundry is hard to beat for the 1930s look for the Legion. Its a shame there are only six of them, but I have got a unit of 20 and they look pretty good. I have used two officers from the Great War Miniatures French range, but the Crusader French officers could also be used. Reference for them was the excellent Blandford book "Uniforms of the French Foreign Legion" by Martin Windrow and Mike Chappell. The kit on the Foundry figs is right for the period as are the weapons. See below:

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/timhall1955/My%20Portfolio/002-14.jpg) 

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/timhall1955/My%20Portfolio/005-16.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/timhall1955/My%20Portfolio/004-13.jpg)

(http://i249.photobucket.com/albums/gg223/timhall1955/My%20Portfolio/003-14.jpg)

Title: Re: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: ErikB on February 26, 2010, 05:28:17 PM
@Trooper - those are *just right* for what I'm trying to make!  Brilliant!

What colors did you use for the jackets?  Graveyard Earth highlighted up with Kommando Khaki?  Or Vallejo paints?

And does anyone know if there were instances of those shorter jackets in blue?  (Might have to strip and repaint 4 Artizan FFLs, darnit).

Oh - Bren was introduced in 1938 though the Czech model upon which it was based was introduced in 1928 (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZB_vz.26).
Title: Re: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: Trooper on February 26, 2010, 05:56:21 PM
Erik, yes you are quite correct I used GW Graveyard Earth, highlighted with white added. Although Vallejo do several equally usable colours. The short blue jackets were not worn in the field by this time, but if they were retained more likely to be worn in garrison duties, but I am not 100% sure on that.  I have to say that those figures were a pleasure to paint, and thanks to Foundry's mail order team, I ordered three sets, thinking I would get 18 figs, and you can imagine my pleasure that the packers had actually sent me 20 figures instead. The Artizan  figs are quite nice, but just don't have the right period look. Mind you, I will be buying some of their Arabs from the WWI range as opposition.
Title: Re: Artizan French Foreign Legion
Post by: AndyRix on February 27, 2010, 08:12:13 AM
The artizan figures are carrying a magazine fed rifle with wooden stocks, not lebels, the legion used predominently lebels in this period but also carried the M1892/16 Carbine which was a magazine fed weapon. with wooden furnature

The Osprey FFL 1914 - 45 shows a legionaire in shorts in Morroco in 1937

The principal uniform difference is the shirt jacket collor for those figures with puttees which would be suitable, in most cases this is covered by the scarfs. in the 1920s this was stand up in the 1930s stand and fall

FFL uniforms post WW1 were a bit random and most things went, Khaki was the predominant colour, they even had a guys runnning around in ex US uniforms.  good sources are

Osprey MAA - FFL 1914 - 45
Uniforms of the French Foreign Legion 1831 - 1981 by Martin Woodrow which can be picked up on amazon

to my mind the artizan figures in puttes are OK and are great figures, the foundary figures are spot on and mixing in guys in WW1 uniforms with head swapped  kepis can provide some guys in great coats. 

The LMGs are I belive the FM 24/29 which entered limited production in the late 1920s and full production in the 1930's, its still in service! it is probably better used in 1930s units, and saw service in the RIF. I belive lewis guns or BARS are probably also appropriate as would be the chachat mg for 1920s units

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FM_24/29_light_machine_gun

hope that helps