Blue Moon FFL - Painting Question

[NickNascati]

All,
     I am painting up some Blue Moon 18mm FFL for a friend.  The particular figures he sent me are not wearing the classic overcoat, but are in what I take to be undress whites. Would I be correct in painting the entire figure white and then adding details, or is there a short, blue jacket worn by the classic "Beau Geste" era Legion?

                                                                                  Nick

[Plynkes]

When is Beau Geste set? It was written in the 1920s, but I have no idea what period it is meant to be. Pre-1914?

Most likely it is the white fatigue blouse, but it could be the jacket of the khaki uniform. If nothing protrudes below the waist (i.e. it is tucked into the cummerbund or trousers) then it is probably the white fatigue blouse (but might be the dark blue veste - a very short jacket that stopped at the waist). If it covers anything of the loins/upper legs then it is probably the khaki jacket.

There is a photo from 1913 showing a group of Legionaires in Morocco, and between them they are sporting all three of the above tops, and also the greatcoat and a civilian sweater.

[Plynkes]

I just had a look on the Blue Moon site, and I reckon the uniform they are wearing is almost certainly meant to be white fatigues.

[NickNascati]

That is what I thought.  I have seen the same figures painted with the short blue jacket, but that jut didn't seem right for circa 1900.  I just wanted someone else to say I was correct.

[Plynkes]

I have seen the same figures painted with the short blue jacket, but that jut didn't seem right for circa 1900. 

As I said, there was a short blue jacket worn during this period, the veste, but it usually only crops up in photos of non-combat situations, as it was part of walking-out dress. So those skirmishing figures are much more likely to be wearing the blouse.

There's a very cool photo of two drunken legionnaires in Algeria, arm-in-arm, cigarettes hanging out of their mouths and mugging for the camera, being escorted back to base by military police. They are wearing the blue veste, waist sash and red trousers.