15mm French Foreign Legion in Desert Outfit (Bir Hakeim)?

[shandy]

Hi!

Two days ago, chums Sigur Skwarl and Virago introduced me to Chain of Command. We played a scenario set in the Western Desert, I don't know more details (my knowledge about WW2 is a bit rudimentary  ) - however, I know that I enjoyed the game very much.

So, of course I immediately had a hair brained idea about painting up a small force to play with my own figures. I've read something about the French Foreign Legion in the desert, especially the Battle of Bir Hakeim.

However, the problem is: Which figures to use? A quick research turned up no specific Foreign Legion figures in short trousers. Does anybody have an idea? (15mm is non-negotiable)

Also, I haven't seen any army lists for those forces. As I don't really have the time to do intense research, can anybody help me with basic information?

Cheers,
Shandy

[NTM]

Peter Pig produce a set of heads specifically to convert 8th army figures to FFL




http://www.peterpig.co.uk/page6.html

[shandy]

Thanks, that looks like an option, although not one I'd prefer, as I don't like fiddling around with head swaps… but better than nothing.

[NTM]

I know what you mean headswaps are doable in 15mm but wouldn't want to do a lot. Perhaps swapping just a few particularly command types and leaving the rest in tin hats will be good enough.

[Poiter50]

Battlefront have French kepi head sprues as well which could be placed on 8th Army figures.

[shandy]

Thanks! Ah well, then it'll be head swaps… how do I get the old heads off the shoulders? Would you use a jigsaw or pliers?

[julesav]

I believe that for combat the Free French guys wore mostly British helmets, although some probably still had their French issued Adrien helmets too. The number of guys wearing 'kepi blanc' (except for publicity photos or when well clear of the action) was probably pretty minimal.

[NTM]

I use a hobby knife to remove heads.
No doubt correct that tin hats were worn in combat hence my suggestion just to do a few command types etc.

[shandy]

No doubt correct that tin hats were worn in combat hence my suggestion just to do a few command types etc.

Yep, that's what I'll do!
Thanks for the help.