Miamis, provincials, and the return of the marines

[Aaron]

I finished the Miami pack from Conquest and thought I'd try to get some decent shots of them to share. While I was at it I snapped a picture of the PA provincials I have finished so far and re-shot a couple of my French marines to see if the different lighting helps.

First up, the Miamis. This tribe was named after the Miami / Maumee river in the Ohio country, not the city in Florida (although they are dressed appropriately for the latter!).







The 14 PA provincials completed thus far. Eventually I will have about 30 of them, but I seem to have been temporarily distracted by the new Eureka Cossacks.  . These are all from Eureka.



Finally, some of the marines I have already posted in (hopefully) better lighting.

[DFlynSqrl]

Very nice job on these.  I really like your bases.

[Plynkes]

Those Miami fellows are fantastic.


Not knowing much above nothing about the Seven Years War in the Americas, what's the story with those chaps called marines? They don't really look much like marines, more like civilian militia or something. 

[Mad Doc Morris]

Very nice stuff. Your "Native flesh" looks the part. Also love the little pieces of decoration you've added to the figures' clothes and equipment.
Looking forward to the expansions (if planned).

@Plynkes: The soldiers of the Franches compagnies de la marine weren't actual "marines" but infantrymen in pay of the French navy department (which was responsible for colonial affairs). These troops were recruited in the colonies. In Canada most of them were garrisoned somewhere in the wilderness; therefore they adapted to a certain degree to 'native life', most apparently in their clothing. Furthermore, they relied on Indian guerilla tactics - and while these were quite successful even against British regulars, Général Montcalm rated them no better than savaged militiamen.

[Aaron]

Thanks fellows. The French "marines" aren't really marines at all. Administration of the French colonies fell under the Ministry of the Marine during the period. They raised independent companies to serve in their various possessions which were called compagnies franches de la marine (please pardon my butchery of the French language). Wargamers being what we are their correct title is almost always shortened to "marines". They did have an official uniform (white coats with blue facings, blue waistcoats, white pants and tricornes with yellow lace IIRC) but on campaign frequently "went native". These were the chaps who helped throw the surprise "welcome to the neighborhood" party for Braddock, by the way.

Interestingly the Canadian companies were largely recruited in France, but the officer corps was drawn largely from native-born Canadians as time went on.

[Plynkes]

Ah, so sort of the forerunners of the Troupes de Marine of the 19th Century, then. Sounds like the same kind of thing. They could never quite decide what to call them, as they became the Troupes Coloniales in the 20th Century (though they retained an anchor as their symbol), and I think they've had several name changes since, including going back to Troupes de Marine for a while.

Crazy fools. 

[Shikari Sahib]

Plynkes excellent work,
to see those fantastic Natives Miamis push me to play some new battle

[Hammers]

Not knowing much above nothing about the Seven Years War in the Americas, what's the story with those chaps called marines? They don't really look much like marines, more like civilian militia or something. 

Well, you know, they are French... 

[fourcolorfigs]

Nice work! Love the flesh tones!

Are the Marines Eureka minis as well?

[Aaron]

Thanks again everyone. Scott,

Everything is by Conquest except for the provincials. I have now painted one of everything from Conquest's F&I offerings. Of course in the next week or two he'll be releasing the regulars so I'll be right back to square one!

The basing is very simple. Just builders' sand painted with a watery burnt umber then dry-brushed up through a few shades of browns and khakis and garnished with a selection of static grass, twigs from the yard, small rocks (sifted from the builders' sand), and some tufts and flowers from Fredericus Rex.

[Silent Invader]

Lovely.  I especially like the colour scheme on your provincials. 

[BunkerMonkey]

Yay! I can hardly wait to rout those guys off the table at our next game! I will have some new highlanders standing by!

[Calimero]

Really nice work Aaron

[Barry S]

They look great Aaron.

The Eureka Miniaures look quite nice. I've been sorely tempted to buy some of their Highlanders but as I game using 15mm miniatures have so far found it hard to justify to my better half. I'm still working on it 

[Shikari Sahib]

Plynkes excellent work,
to see those fantastic Natives Miamis push me to play some new battle

Plynkes ?
Sorry Aaron, should have patience with me, I'm becoming old