Perry French and Indian War

[parcival42]

I know Perry doesn't have a dedicated French and Indian War line, but their American War of Independence line has some nice figures that I've heard will work.  So, I'm hoping that the LAFers here could assist with a little history lesson in fashion. 

I was specifically trying to find out how much difference there was between the British Grenadier uniform between the FIW and AWI, but couldn't locate any specifics on Google.  Are the Perry AWI Grenadiers appropriate for the FIW or did the uniforms change too much?  For that matter, what about the other British AWI offerings from Perry? 

I have some of their Indians and militia, which I believe I've seen others here use, so I was hoping to complete my force with Perry figures if possible.  Although, possibly thinking of getting the Warlord British infantry box (because I saw a good deal on it).  Does anyone know how those figures compare with Perry's?

Thanks!

[joroas]

SYW uniforms were simpler and more baggy.  Civilians and Indians can be used but not military.

[Sir_Theo]

As Joroas says there is quite a difference. Fashions had changed quite a lot in the intervening few decades.

That said I'm always tempted by the Perry AWI Welsh Fusiliers and they may be time travelling into my FIW collection at some point!

[joroas]

As the rules often cover the AWI as well, you could just do that....just ignore the Continental army and produce a French force bent on payback.  Certainly Perry and Warlord have some good deals on.

[Captain Blood]

It's a good question

On one hand you say 'well, these conflicts are only 20 years apart - how can they really be that different?'
On the other hand, I suppose it's a bit like saying 'would WW2 British uniforms do for WW1 British uniforms?' - I mean the two conflicts are only 20-odd years apart, the uniforms are still khaki in both cases, and there's a recognisable evolution from one to the other... But as we know - they are totally different in many ways.

I'm not a uniform expert in the period by any means, but I'd venture perhaps the most obvious difference is that the SYW (in Europe, North America and India) is the end of the true tricorn era. 20 or so years later, the bicorne is in fashion, and the tricorn on its way out.

And as Joroas says, the big soldier's coats with skirts (and latterly turnbacks and facings), which have broadly been in fashion since the latter part of the 1600's and haven't changed very much in that time, have suddenly started to shrink to more elegant garments of a slimmer-fit, almost like cut-down coatees presaging the styles of the Napoleonic era. The cuffs and turnbacks become smaller, although the facings remain, codified as regimental signifiers.

Another noticeable distinction is that the distinctive grenadier's mitre cap, which has held sway for 50 or 60 years, has started to evolve (for the British anyway) into more esoteric forms like the bearskin cap. (Although the Hessians are still sporting 'traditional' mitres in the AWI).

All that said, on the wargames table, from more than a couple of feet away, a redcoat looks very much like a redcoat, so I wouldn't worry too much about it

[axabrax]

Play Indians and settlers and you're good    The highlanders are also very close. Otherwise it won't work--unless you just toss historical accuracy and say anything in a tricorne with a musket is fair game. I went through this before myself and just ended up buying figures for both periods 

[huevans]

Play Indians and settlers and you're good    The highlanders are also very close. Otherwise it won't work--unless you just toss historical accuracy and say anything in a tricorne with a musket is fair game. I went through this before myself and just ended up buying figures for both periods 

Or come up with a scenario involving Dan'l Boone and the Shawnee in Eastern Tennessee in the early 1770's. Use Perry American militia and rifles in hunting shirts for Boone and his buddies. Throw in Redcoats as required.

[parcival42]

Thank you for all the replies gentlemen.  I've ordered the Conquest British Regulars, and was considering the NorthStar Highlanders.  I think with the Perry AWI militia and Indians, that will be a pretty good force.  I just need some Rangers and I'll be set.

[joroas]

It's your game and, if it looks right, get it painted and roll some dice!