French Paras

[Pictors Studio]

These are some of the FNG figures.  They were a treat to paint.  Even with the camo the figures were nice enough to make me want to keep at them. 



You can see the rest of the figures here:

http://imgur.com/a/WB1xz

[Marine0846]

I like them a lot.
Will look good against your Viet Minh.

[Pictors Studio]

Thanks.  I've just been reading more about the conflict and it looks like some of the Viet Minh, especially those from the 148th were wearing the same uniform as the French Paras.  I might have to get some more French Paras and see if I can get some spare Viet Minh heads to go on them.  Also it looks like many of the French paras were actually Vietnamese.  I suppose I'll have to get some more figures there, as usual. 

[Marine0846]

You are right about many of the Paras Vietnamese.
I have not read much lately about mixed units,
I believe that the French called it yellowing of the units.
Please correct me if I am wrong.
As I have read the Vietnamese preformed very well.
No matter what, they were brave men on both sides,
fighting for their beliefs. I salute all of them what ever their side.
I would also love to see some Vietnamese Paras.
But people need to buy them.

[Paul @ Empress Miniatures]

Nice job 

[Arlequín]

Excellent work on the figures!  

From 1951 Vietnamese personnel were to form a single whole company in each Legion battalion and a platoon in each 'white' company. 1st BEP apparently had about 50% Vietnamese personnel at Dien Bien Phu, so the ratio given for 1951 was apparently exceeded somewhat over time.

The biggest problem with Vietnamese personnel, as far as figures goes, is that Europeans typically and literally stand 'head and shoulders' above them as regards height... helmets and weapons always look oversize in addition. Okay there were short Legionnaires and tall Vietnamese, but they were both uncommon.

[Pictors Studio]

Apparently Viet Minh in French Para uniform are on the chart as far as planning for this range goes, so yay! on that.

Here are some numbers on French Para units:

On Nov. 21, 1953 the 1st BEP had 653 paratroopers jump and 336 of them, so over half, were Vietnamese.  For the 6th BPC more than 200 out of 651 were Vietnamese and of the II/1 RCP 420 of the 827 men were Vietnamese. 

Regarding the height difference between the French and Vietnamese it is one of the features of the FNG figures that I like.  The French figure in the pictures bellow has his knees slightly bent while the Viet Minh has his legs absolutely straight and yet, as you can see in the pictures, the French figure's head is still slightly higher than that of the Viet Minh reflecting the difference in height between the two combatants.  It is this attention to detail that makes this range so nice.

[commissarmoody]

They do paint up nicely