FIW Winter Project

[Lowtardog]

Right my winter project (and Chrimbo pressie list) is planned out. It is going to be French Indian wars French Canadian force


As I ramble through there may be some questions I need help with

so I have;
The 24 Conquest Marines, these are very nice and being primed  this week for a start. I have a few illustrations of the uniform though as they are in campaign gear not too worried.

A couple of questions - those with the fatigue cap, would I be right in thinking that it has a blue band with a white/off white sock?
I know they were issued a Naval pattern unifomr without collar etc but I have noticed quite a few have hoods on their jackets, would these still be blue? or are they civilian jackets-home made?

I also have 14 of their Frontiersmen who will be the French Canadian milita - no problems there

Indians I am going for a large war party of 70 or so with most of the conquest range plus the perry indians

To cap it off I have also ordered 2 regiments of the Crusader 7YW French as they are 20 men strong they should be ideal for This vedry ground. I kow they are wearing european unifors however form the little reading I have done they originally wore the naval pattern uniform when the set out for New France but later were issued with European uniforms in the campaign. I think if I paint the odd figure with different coloured trousers, different jacket perhaps they should work OK. I have found a good site with pictures of the falgs so that should make it clear. I am toying with adding in the odd hatchet or tomahawk if I can find them onto their webbing belts. Jacket colour wise I know it is said to be a grey/white. I was thinking of using a light grey base coat with bone white drybrush and white highlights would this look OK ? as I think white would be a little too much especially on campaign etc and I am sure dyes were not colour fast nor would rank and file be issued with pure white wool uniforms.

The final thing I am looking around for will be a little bit of artillery, I am thinking along the lines of using some of the Foundry/Perry AWI figures but will keep an eye out for those only in waist coats etc as the French wore read from what I can see. I already have plenty of ships cannon so can use them for the seiges etc.

Generals - I want a couple of mounted officers and am thinking to mix well with the above Perry/Conquest figures I should be looking at Foudnry and Perry again - any ideas for the best bet to "look French"?

My mate has the rangers and the Redoubt civilians etc and will likely expand his figures to match mine, here he is spoilt for choice more so than a French gamer. Plans are in the first instance to do a bit of a seige as in the old film Drums along the Mohawk - hence the indians and that French Marine with the Tricorne pointing is ideal for the baddie character. redoubt also have the villagers fleeing which are straight out of the film including the cart and stry cows etc.

So any suggestions are greatly appreciated.

[JollyBob]

I have no idea about the period, but if I can make a suggestion, it might be better to use the Coat d'Arms Unbleached Linen for the midtone on the uniform coats as bone white can look a bit brownish sometimes, and I don't see that working with a grey basecoat. 

Other than that, sonds like a damn fine plan! 

I've had to take a winter break on the painting, at least for the time being as it's frigging baltic in my loft. And a post-BLAM! malaise too. Need to sort out next years so I've got something to work towards!

[Lowtardog]

I have no idea about the period, but if I can make a suggestion, it might be better to use the Coat d'Arms Unbleached Linen for the midtone on the uniform coats as bone white can look a bit brownish sometimes, and I don't see that working with a grey basecoat. 

Other than that, sonds like a damn fine plan! 

I've had to take a winter break on the painting, at least for the time being as it's frigging baltic in my loft. And a post-BLAM! malaise too. Need to sort out next years so I've got something to work towards!

Thats Great JB, Bleached Linen it is thanks for the idea.

I  paint in the lounge on a little tray on the dining room table that I then have to stick it back in the garage. I dont compian as I have the box room full of my junk but one day I will clear out the garage and make a little room there.

t is bloody cold at the moment though.

Now, BLAM inspired me to get more stuff done, that and we had our first game of fantasy last Friday with my slowly (though speeding up) painted orcs and goblins - only 5 more units to do and boy I forgot how nasty some of the fantasy critters can be in the game

[Citizen Sade]

I also have 14 of their Frontiersmen who will be the French Canadian milita - no problems there

I think most of the "marines" figures would much make better Canadian militia than the frontiersmen. While there are a few of the latter that I think are suitable. the "marines" fit the stereotype better with the coats and tuque stocking caps. It's also a chance to distinguish between your militia units by painting them with different colour tuques (red for Quebec, blue for montreal and white for Trois Rivieres apparently).

I'd also be a little wary of the fringed hunting shirts that you find among the frontiersmen which seem to be a from a later period.

[Mad Doc Morris]

First, congrats to your plan. The FIW is a very interesting and colourful period. There's even room for some European myth/fantasy - you might have seen the photos of our recent gaming session.
Actually, judging from this thread's title I hoped for forces set into deep Canadian winter. Maybe a suggestion?

A couple of questions - those with the fatigue cap, would I be right in thinking that it has a blue band with a white/off white sock? I know they were issued a Naval pattern unifomr without collar etc but I have noticed quite a few have hoods on their jackets, would these still be blue? or are they civilian jackets-home made?

Soldiers "de la Marine" (no marines!) wore the standard French uniform of the time, i.e. a grey-white coat. This was faced blue and had golden/yellow applications (buttonholes, hatlace and the like). Their company's symbol was an anchor. This uniform was mainly reserved for guard duty in large towns; otherwise the soldiers made their own clothing.
There are some uncertainties about the informal dress, but as far as my own research goes, they had blue fatigue caps with golden/yellow lace and tassel. The jackets are actually made from outworn uniforms, so they should be of the same grey-white. They were tailored along an Indian fashion - therefore any other colour could be used representing an Indian gift or trade ware.

I kow they are wearing european unifors however form the little reading I have done they originally wore the naval pattern uniform when the set out for New France but later were issued with European uniforms in the campaign. I think if I paint the odd figure with different coloured trousers, different jacket perhaps they should work OK.

In contrast to the Marine-troops which were issued by the ministry of naval affairs, the European regulars (called Metropolitaines), which were shipped to the colonies, were under the control of the ministry of war. They wore official dress which means grey-white uniforms laced in regimental colours, and don't seem to have altered their uniforms significantly while on campaign. Respectively the second battalions of the La Reine, Languedoc, Guyenne, Béarn, Royal-Roussillon and La Sarre regiments went to America, the Berry regiment detached its third battalion.

You might find the Ospreys on the Louis XV's Army, volume 2 (French Infantry) and 5 (Colonial & Naval troops), quite useful. The book on Specialist troops (4) isn't necessary for the beginning as gunners are already depicted in both the others IIRC.

I was thinking of using a light grey base coat with bone white drybrush and white highlights would this look OK ? as I think white would be a little too much especially on campaign etc and I am sure dyes were not colour fast nor would rank and file be issued with pure white wool uniforms.

Another debate. No one knows for sure how these grey-white uniforms looked exactly. So you're free to any variation. I've had positive experiences with Vallejo's Ghost Grey, but Foundry's Arctic Grey should work as well, just start with a darker base colour.

Generals - I want a couple of mounted officers and am thinking to mix well with the above Perry/Conquest figures I should be looking at Foudnry and Perry again - any ideas for the best bet to "look French"?

Just before the AWI many European armies altered their uniforms dramatically (shortened coat tails, shortened waistcoats etc.), so if you're a bit picky, don't use Perry regulars for this earlier conflict. If you're not: the more "traditionally" uniformed troops were the Hessians, especially the garrison regiments. You should look for gaiters or boots, breeches and a long-tailed coat. Hessian generals like Knyphausen could work. Some militiamen should also be useful as - guess what! - militia & frontiersmen.

My mate has the rangers and the Redoubt civilians etc and will likely expand his figures to match mine, here he is spoilt for choice more so than a French gamer.

Just be cautious, the Redoubt range for the FIW is a bit broken. They changed their sculptor, and so many later figs don't fit in with their older comrades. Thus pity!

Anyway, good luck, pour le roi, pour la patrie!

[Lowtardog]

Many thanks for all the information gents this is great.

I think you are right on the conquest Marine as more militia and this was where I was struggling with some of the equipment and clothing they are sculpted in. I think you hit the nail on the head ther Sade Doc, though I will still mix in the frontiersmen would be a shame not too

I have been scouring the 7YW Foundry figures and think one or two generals and artilley might be suitable rather than any of the AWI so will keep an eye out for the odd pack of generals etc.

I will try out some ideas on the French Metro.. regiment uniform colour and see how it goes.

I have a few books on order including the Ospreys so I can improve my knowledge.

I know what you mean about the redoubt figures I did have a French army for AWI and used some of their indians to add a bit of colour and as you say the first packs were very nice but quickly went downhill and varied widley in style.

Again many thanks gents

[Citizen Sade]

Soldiers "de la Marine" (no marines!) ... There are some uncertainties about the informal dress, but as far as my own research goes, they had blue fatigue caps with golden/yellow lace and tassel. The jackets are actually made from outworn uniforms, so they should be of the same grey-white. They were tailored along an Indian fashion - therefore any other colour could be used representing an Indian gift or trade ware.

Soldier of the compagnies franches de la marine in campaign gear (fatigue cap, sleeved veste and mitasses).

Can't remember where this was ripped from

[Citizen Sade]

I have a few books on order including the Ospreys so I can improve my knowledge.

The Osprey on Monongahela, while clearly pro-Canadian, has some interesting pictures which seem to have been the inspiration for many of Conquest's Canadians. In these, the only thing that really distinguishes the militia from the "marines" in campaign gear is the colour of their caps.

[Lowtardog]

I have a few books on order including the Ospreys so I can improve my knowledge.

The Osprey on Monongahela, while clearly pro-Canadian, has some interesting pictures which seem to have been the inspiration for many of Conquest's Canadians. In these, the only thing that really distinguishes the militia from the "marines" in campaign gear is the colour of their caps.

Arghh cant see image whilst at home though I think it is one  where he has a pipe in his mouth?

[Citizen Sade]

Yes, that's right and he's wearing a blue veste.

[Mad Doc Morris]

Citizen Sade, had exactly this picture on my mind, but sadly not on my PC. Thanks for posting.
Since Lowtardog asked for hooded jackets (capots) I replied to this. According to Osprey and some French resources these jackets were, as said, from old (grey-white) coats. The sleeved waistcoat shown here is part of a soldier's summer dress - simply take off the baggy uniform coat. Besides, the painting isn't accurate in showing silver buttons; they should be gilded as the lace colour is gold, too. Oh my...

Some resources suggest fatigue caps with white 'bags'. It's unlikely to be, but I added them to my French just for fun. Here's a (not very advantageous) pic of some of them, mainly Conquest, one Redoubt Regular in the middle.

[Lowtardog]

Arghh again will have to wait until at home to see the picture. I can see I will have some fun painting these much more of a mish mash of unifomrs, I am rather prleased that I was right in thinking the white top coat was worn and the figure shown is in the blue vest.

Looking forward to slapping some paint on them now

[commissarmoody]

the FIW is looking more and more attractive to me ever min.

[Shikari Sahib]

Hi, for your project have a look at some of the table attached, i hope could help you.
Piero
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/pieropredator/S25C-207093013170french1.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/pieropredator/S25C-207093013170french2.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/pieropredator/S25C-207093013171french3.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com

http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/pieropredator/S25C-207092308350mononghaelaleader.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/pieropredator/S25C-207092308351frenchmilicia.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/pieropredator/Compagnies_franches.jpg

[Shikari Sahib]

some others old paint.
if you plan to do some French Milicie please kkep in mind that tuque(hat )is red for all , nad not blue or white.
cheers
Piero
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/pieropredator/winterkit.jpg
http://i198.photobucket.com/albums/aa305/pieropredator/summer.jpg