From DaveB: Happy New Year! History with Compagnie Franches de la Marine (120 points)

  Epic holiday music

Greetings all! It is wonderful to be back in AHPC and it has been an eventful year. I received my 20 year letter which means my military service is set to expire in the next 18 months or Nov2024. No more deployments for the Old Man unless things get really bad. I have been ordered to not run anymore and I can only kick in two more doors....meniscus linings do not heal it turns out. On a side note, bicycle riding is a torturous exercise that derives grand amusement from my kids as I ride. They are all doing exceedingly well and are all living their own lives now and forcing me to travel all over Michigan to see them during holiday times.

I have scored many bits of hobby goodies (some in the picture below), but this post is all about my passion project of the French and Indian War, or the Seven Years War, or Queen Annes War, or as I like to say World War the prequel. When Europe erupted, all the colonies followed suit which did make it a global war with some places being more grand battles and others skirmishes. Since art school in the 1990s, I have been sketching and building notes on the forces involved in the North American Theater.

I have already painted several tribes and being native myself; Algonquin, Pottawatomie, Ottawa, and Iroquois have all been painted. At Adepticon, I received a parcel of Anglo troops to be ambushed in the American woods. Above is a very dapper Lieutenant of a Compagnie Franches de la Marine. I decided the Junior Officer( he does look a touch like the Snow Lord hence Lt Campbell) was an excellent choice to lead these fellows out as he does look very hirsute stylish in navy blue with the saber and scarlet sash. his fire-lock has been adorned in feathers from his native friends. He is wearing suitable forest attire in some leather gaiters to protect him from the briers and brambles. He has all kinds of equipment and knives on his belt and pouches as his theater of operations would be far ranging. Although French military, he is pure Canadian. The French Marines were organized into companies under a Captain and were made of local people with some being from France but most were settlers and residents of the colonies and were experienced woodsmen, trappers, and hunters. These men came from every European Nation. The officers were Canadian as they came from wealthy Canadian Families.  The French had a better handle on North America than the British. The French treated the first nations and colonists as equal partners especially in military operations. The French Marines punched well above their weight as they were primarily skirmishers and used the forests and terrain to their advantages, but were still drilled in line warfare and could form up with the French regulars in line formations. The French Marines were Canadian Milita and very good at what they did.

more on the desk including HH models freshly built

I used speed paints to block them in then worked Citadel and army painter acrylic paints to punch up the colors and highlights.

These are all warlord games metal models and did have some flash, but i really like the faces and animation on them

The gunsacks, leggings, gaiters, blanket coats and capotes.

They are milita and although they had some uniforms mostly they wore gear they would have been comfortable in and would help them, hoods are favored in the northern forests.

They have many styles of hats including the popular sleeve caps from recycled uniform coats. Anchors and company insignia would be sewn on them or brass plaques.

The officer cadre with the good captain flanked by his juniors being Mr Campbell and a Metis. 

I really liked the faces on these miniatures but the hands on them are like flattened sausages

So many wonderful poses and of the 20 troops I had no duplicate figures

I intend to use them in Black Powder, Muskets and Tomahawks, and Longrifles.

Silver bayonet is coming to North America and a few of these guys could find their way into those games as well.

just look at that magnificent ginger 'stashe

20 French Marines preparing to split of into fireteams

100 points plus 20 points for history!

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It's fab having you back with us in the Challenge, Dave. Welcome!

It's great to hear that you and your family are all doing well and that you're adjusting the best you can to Civvy Street. I always enjoy your entries that have a connection to your Indigenous heritage. These French Canadians look terrific (especially that officer with the impressive whiskers), and seem more than ready to school their Anglo adversaries in the fine art of woodland warfare. More please! :)

Well done and a Happy New Year!

- Curt