Crimean French Line Infantry Battalion progress

One of my projects I’ve been working on for the last few years is building up some forces for the Crimean War in 28mm. It hasn’t been fast, but it’s been fun. As you may have seen in my recent posts I’ve started working on some French and British to pit against the Russians I have collected so far. At the moment I’m working on my first French line infantry battalion. 

It has been an interesting process looking into the uniform details of the French uniforms. These went under a number of changes during the 1850s and 1860s. The result of this research is that in the three major wars in 1854-56, 1859, and 1870-71, French uniforms had undergone changes for each conflict. One area of uncertainty was the colour of the Capote (Greatcoat/overcoat), which often in artwork is depleted as quite blue, but often described as iron grey or bluish iron grey. By the 1860s the Capote was definitely more blue, but still lighter than the blue of the tunic or veste (shell jacket). But the greatcoats from the 1830s and 1840s seem to be depicted in grey. In the end I decided to go with a bluish Iron Grey. I used the following colours:

• Base: Vallejo model color 816 German WW2 Luftwaffe Blue
• Highlight 1 Vallejo Model Color 903 Intermediate Blue
• Highlight 2 Vallejo Model color 900 French Mirage Blue 

These are Great War Miniatures. I still have a bit left to do on them to get them finished.

A good source for this information, apart from image searches on the internet, is French Infantry of the Crimean War by Anthony L. Dawson.

Another factor in the Crimean War was the French shipped additional overcoats to the theatre which became known as the Crimẻennes. These were double breasted with a shoulder cape and hood and could be Iron Grey, Brown, Dark Grey-blue and Green.

I’ve actually brought some Perry ACW union troops in caped overcoats and shakos, which I’m going to convert to French.

Here are some photos of my Russians.

I’m also working on some of the Warlord plastic Russians at the moment. More on them soon. When I get a chance I will get a bunch of photos of all my completed Russians.

Crimean War French Zouaves

I’m also working on French units for my 28mm Crimean War project. This is my first battalion of Zouaves. I plan to do at least two more to make a full regiment. I’ll also do a unit of Turcos as well.

These miniatures are Perry Miniatures plastic ACW Zouaves. They are a pretty close match to the French originals, only the water bottles are the wrong shape. I added an extra officer from the Foundry Old West range on the command base (I think sculpted to supplement the Mexican Adventure range). The plastic officer is on the flank.

Wayne

Crimean War 30th Cambridgeshire Regiment

I’ve had a few painted things sitting around at work waiting for either Casey or Victor to be free to take some photos for me. Victor was able to take a few shots today, so over the next couple of posts I’ll have some completed units to show off.

This time I have a unit that’s been sitting around for a while, it is the British 30th Cambridgeshire Regiment for the Crimean War. These are rather nice Warlord Games miniatures sculpted by Paul Hicks. The excellent flags are from GMB Designs. Bases are 50mm front x 60mm side with six miniatures per base. Both my British and French will be 24 model battalions. My Russians are in larger 36 model battalion (six bases).

Enjoy, 

Wayne