French colonial forces

[former user]

ahhhh
Yes, but Mexico is late 1860ies, and everyone wore slouch or straw hats in Mexico
never worn in Africa

the tacconet is pretty iconic for them, even in WW1

but never mind, Your army, your decision 

[former user]

RCA 1886


drill order 1873


or the dolman/attila version before 1900

here's an idea:

perry napoleonic Hussars, campaign pants, no pelisse and sabretache, and try to get some covered British peninsular shakos and cut them to size - this should be the simplest way

[Patrice]

Chasseurs d'Afrique and sailors, Casablanca harbour:

[Arthur]

I'd go with Artizan for the Chasseurs d'Afrique. Excellent sculpts and you won't need dozens of them anyway :

[former user]

and You can always add some Renegade Chasseurs for variation

[Bryanbowdell]

here's an idea:

perry napoleonic Hussars, campaign pants, no pelisse and sabretache, and try to get some covered British peninsular shakos and cut them to size - this should be the simplest way
[/quote]

French or British hussars? 

How far off French line infantry would ACW infantry in sack/frock coats be?

[Patrice]

I don't see why you need conversions when some companies now make nice Chasseurs d'Afrique miniatures 

But it's your army so you do as you like 

Anyway, as I mentioned in an other thread, you will sing the (very old) French dirty song about the Chasseurs d'Afrique when playing them 
http://www.lafamillecantin.com/text_ayoye.html

[Bryanbowdell]

I don't see why you need conversions when some companies now make nice Chasseurs d'Afrique miniatures 

Mainly the cost, and the large pile of plastics that have been cluttering the house up!!! (and winding the misses up)

[former user]

French or British hussars? 

irrelevant, since You won't use the heads, but I'd always go for the french for the extra legs and heads variation

How far off French line infantry would ACW infantry in sack/frock coats be?

maybe shell jackets, french kepis and heavy squinting 
but frankly said - no bloody way 

the republican and militia units 1871 would be acceptable, but then it's in France, not Africa

but You could try the british colonial plastics from Empress, these could be a bit closer to troupes de marine, and maybe even the Martini's could pass for Lebel's....

but to be honest, the only thing that really work are the ACW zouaves

[Bryanbowdell]

I will stick with the zouaves, I may add a few of the Empress British, though probably not many.

I may get a few of the Hussars and convert them, I take it the braided jackets will have to go

[former user]

I may get a few of the Hussars and convert them, I take it the braided jackets will have to go

what is not braided on a hussar uniform...
if You mean the furry thing hanging from the shoulder - pelisse - yes, this must go

the coat he is wearing - dolman - is not accurate for the period, but comes close, this You will have to solve with the paintbrush

good luck and please show us the results - this is an interesting project

[Bryanbowdell]

These are just a couple of pics from my phone (if I have attached them right!!), they don't really do them justice though

[Bryanbowdell]

a couple more

[Bryanbowdell]

and another

[former user]

wow
these turned out great!

the senegalese was a perry plastic too?
and the guy with the loincloth, is he a dahomean?