French Platoon for a Verdun Project

[James Morris]

Having seen that Scrivs is apparently planning to recreate the German forces for Verdun on a 1:1 scale, I thought I'd better get my finger out and get the French sorted out.  I've started out with a below strength platoon (following the Chain of Command suggested army list in the Two Fat Lardies Xmas Special 2014): 35 models altogether.  Figures are mostly Woodbine (GB) with some Scarab Minis.



35 figures, 4 jump-off points


One of the Grenadier/ Voltigeur squads, led by a Caporal


...and the other.  I need to add a few more models to these to bring them up to full strength.


The two Chauchat support teams; Chauchats by Scarab with supporting rifles by Woodbine.


Two two VB rifle grenade support teams, again a mix of Woodbine and Scarab.


Close up of the VB launchers by Scarab.  These are pretty beefy models, but full of character.


NCO close up: pair of Caporals.  Scrivs and I decided to give the NCOs/ COs 30mm bases (rather than 25mm) to make them stand out.  To that end, I've also outlined their bases in dark brown.


The Lieutenant and his two Sergeants.


As the force is for Chain of Command, I had to have some jump-off points, but hadn't really thought about these until I started basing the platoon.  Fortunately I had a number of boxes and useful helmets lying in the bits box.


That's it: en avant mes braves!  Hoping to get the first game in very soon, which I'm sure will be reported on Scrivs' blog...

[Phil Robinson]

Splendid stuff James, I like your jump off markers.

[georgec]

'Ils ne passeront pas!'   Very nice, James.  How are you doing the 'Horizon Blue'.

[Metternich]

Very fine indeed.  Looking forward to the battle report (and pictures too, please !), when the two forces finally meet.  They shall not pass !

[James Morris]

'Ils ne passeront pas!'   Very nice, James.  How are you doing the 'Horizon Blue'.

Cheers George!  I was going to do the Horizon Bleu using Vallejo's 'French Mirage Blue' (as recommended by Sidney Roundwood on his blog) but found a can of 'Wolf Grey' spray (an Army Painter coloured primer) at Northstar, which was absolutely perfect.  So these guys got spray undercoat of Wolf Grey, followed by a wash of black and then a single highlight of Wolf Grey acrylic + white.  I think that shaved 5 mins off the painting time of each model; they came in about 20 mins each, plus basing.

[Jack]

Very nice indeed.

[Jim Jess]

Awesome

[tumeveumevla]

very nice 

[Burnin Coal]

Great paint job - an excellent looking unit - basing sets them off a treat

[Driscoles]

Miniatures and Jump points are looking great.
I was not sure which company i should choose for my french. Guess it will be woodbine and scarab.

[James Morris]

Thanks all!  Bjoern, I've just bought some Brigade Games French as well - they are somewhere inbetween Woodbine and Scarab sizewise.  I'll post pics when I've done them.  In the meantime, here's a few extra shots:

Close up of Woodbines - loving the animation of these.


Line-up of Woodbines...




This is what happens when you let your 5-year old daughter 'assist' with the photo session...I call this one 'The Pony of Verdun' (a bit like The Archers of Mons, but cuter):

[scrivs]

Great work James.

They look lovely, although how lovely they will continue to look after I unleash all my newly painted heavy weapons on them...........  

Will try to do a photo-update tomorrow, and make some jump-off points like yours too.

[Ahistorian]

Excellent stuff James, really lovely. And I will bear the Wolf Grey tip in mind when it comes to doing my own ones!

[poulppy]

really nice miniatures !

[Lardy Rich]

Who sculpted the pony?  Great model.

Rich