FIW Winter Project

[PeteMurray]

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

FIW is a fascinating period to game. It has a little bit of everything that might intrigue a wargamer, and is as colorful as the European theater in its own woodsy way. There are great units on both sides that bring a fun mix of European and Native tactics and clothing.

Lowtardog, I know it might not be entirely accurate, but I know generals were permitted a great deal of leeway in their dress. I would find someone on horseback with lots of braiding and then gild the fleur-de-lys, as it were. But doesn't Redoubt have a FIW general vignette?

[Lowtardog]

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

FIW is a fascinating period to game. It has a little bit of everything that might intrigue a wargamer, and is as colorful as the European theater in its own woodsy way. There are great units on both sides that bring a fun mix of European and Native tactics and clothing.

Lowtardog, I know it might not be entirely accurate, but I know generals were permitted a great deal of leeway in their dress. I would find someone on horseback with lots of braiding and then gild the fleur-de-lys, as it were. But doesn't Redoubt have a FIW general vignette?

I want to avoid Redoubt as I know they are big I have my eye on the Prussian and Russian generals from Foundry as they look nice, I know a little bigger but should fit with the Crusader stuff.

Also saw that Crusader are doing infantry with the coats with turnbacks down and later in the new year Grenadiers etc
This could get out of hand

Next question any other suggestions for French milice?

[PeteMurray]

Foundry Marlburian Dukes & Princes maybe? Lovely poncy stuff, utterly ahistorical but if you can't have a well-dressed French general than why get out of bed in the morning?

You've got me on the militia. I'd use generic French-painted (gray-white coats w/blue cuffs) Marlburians, but my answer to everything is Marlburians. But why not? The militia always gets second rate stuff.

Edit: I'm not going to apologize for going Marlburian! I just grabbed the Funcken and the uniform of 1736 is effectively Marlburian, and the continental updates didn't take effect until the war was begun in Europe, so the colonies would have had to make do with second-rate uniforms, if anything.

So Marlburians forever, damn your eyes!

[commissarmoody]

not to hijake this thread but dose any one have any links to some good refrance imfo on the FIW? I think I might take it up as a new historical project myself.

[Lowtardog]

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.

Ooh now I am at home they look great and the redoubt figure fits in very well

[Lowtardog]

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

Fantastic links many thanks

[Mad Doc Morris]

Regarding militiamen, as mentioned above, you could use American militia/minutemen from Foundry's & Perry's AWI ranges as they are wearing somewhat old-fashioned civilian clothes. Almost perfect fit for the FIW. Another one is to pick up all non-uniformed soldiers from Conquest's own range. No one cares if they came originally from a British blister.

[Aaron]

Sounds like a great project! I have one of everything from Conquest painted except the marine troops. Those are languishing in my pile of neglected lead. I need to get at them ASAP!

If you decide to do some of the other side, the Eureka F&I provincials and highlanders in campaign dress match Perry and Conquest very well!

[Lowtardog]

Those redoubt French Compagne Marine look very nice as do the regulars, do they all match so well with the Conquest ones? as I thought they would be much larger from previous figures I have bought from them?

[Captain Blood]

Nice project Karl! I have 70 or so of the Redoubt Woodland Indians. Very nice. It's a great era both to paint and to game. Will enjoy watching your progress on this one. Good luck!

[commissarmoody]

So what rulse sets would people recomend for play the FIW?

[Citizen Sade]

So what rulse sets would people recomend for play the FIW?

What do you want? Historical skirmish, Hollywood-style heroic skirmish or, as far as it's possible in the F&IW, big battle rules?

And, if it's skirmish, do you want lots of figures or just a few? My recommendations, at least, would vary depending on what you're looking for.

[Gluteus Maximus]

Grrrrrrrrrr

I've just decided to try and finish my Zulu War armies, have promised myself to buy all of Malamute's Zorro range, several regiments of the Perry's ACW, I am still trying to get my "Future Wars" forces sorted, Darkest Africa is a sponge that will never be sated and now you have re-ignited my interest in the FIW 

I will not get tempted into buying loads more figures, you horrible man!

I do have plenty of forest and some ACW buildings that would do, along with plenty of uniform and history guides and I only recently watched "Last Of The Mohicans" again........ Oh dear 

[Malamute]

...have promised myself to buy all of Malamute's Zorro range,

 

You will live to regret that remark, at the last count the production list stood at 80 or so figures and is steadily rising with suggestions from my good friends here...

I love the FIW period, I bought loads of the Redoubt figures when they were first released, then lost interest when The sculptor changed.
I think this is a very worthwhile project and look forward to seeing it develop. Those Conquest figures are delightful. Go for it Karl

[Gluteus Maximus]

...have promised myself to buy all of Malamute's Zorro range,

 

You will live to regret that remark, at the last count the production list stood at 80 or so figures and is steadily rising with suggestions from my good friends here...

Maybe, but I never said how long it would take me to buy them all 

It's a bit like my Darkest Africa, which is mostly skirmish/small unit scale, in that because I don't need to buy by the regiment or brigade, I tend to buy lots of small orders at regular intervals. Because of that, I don't seem to have collected all that much until I come to check the box of lead. At the last count [Sunday] I had 300 or so DA/Sudan figures left to paint for my "skirmish games". And that's without including the Zulu War stuff.... 

Speaking of figure suggestions for Zorro, I'll just pop over to the Swashbuckling board.........