"Tonkin 1884 onwards" Topic

All you all don't get it: it's all caused by turret's syndrome….

Eh? my long post seems to have been hijacked :(

I'm toying with starting a collection of figures for this conflict – one where the colonial force didn't get all its own way by any means.

For OBs I came across a very informative Wiki page at link . It largely ignores local auxiliaries, but that may be right for this earlier part of the struggle.

If at all, I will do it in 15mm, and I am on the hunt for figures for the French. Nobody seems to make a range specifically for this conflict – with most items being 15 years one side or the other – FPW or Boxer rebellion. If anyone can prove me wrong I'd be delighted!

This topic is an attempt to pull together a good list of the figures that are out there for 15mm, so please feel free to add if you know of anything.

Looking through the GHQ Freikorps website, I think a few of the lists work quite well. Let me know if you think I'm way off-beam.

In the Span-Am war range:
For marines and foreign legion:
SWS03 Spanish Infantry Advancing, Solar helmet
SWS05 Spanish Infantry Command, Solar helmet
The SWA21 Astor Battery gun crew should make good artillery crew for Bigors – although I'll have to trim down the officer's hat
I'm guessing that Metropolitan troops also wore the smooth pith helmet (very unlike the British one with a pagri and a flatter brim) – anyone know different?

For other units, the FPW range looks pretty close
Tirailleurs Algérien,
FRE34 Tirrailleur Algerian 1859-70
FRE34a Tirailleur Algerian Command 1859-70
There are also Turcos if the fez would be more appropriate

For Fusilier-Marins
FRE31 Naval Brigade Infantry
FRE32 Naval Brigade Gun Crew
FRE33 Naval Brigade Command

I am aware of the OG15mm Boxer range, and there are French sailors and Marines there, although being mixed with Italian sailors there is some wastage in those packets (especially as I will need far more marines than sailors).

So, anyone know of other ranges?

And where can I find Tirailleurs Cochinois/Annamite/Tonkinois? As far as I know Frontier and Falcon are but distant memories but, again, I'm willing to be proven wrong.

Also, what artillery guns were employed, and what out there is similar?

Thanks for any/all help
Clive

I'm looking at this in 28mm using my FPW and Boxers.
Matchlock do this guy from 1914 and one with a Lewis gun -that would even things up a bit!!!

There's some Indochinese figs here but no pics.
link

Grifflux,
The French were using the de Bange series artillery pieces. I have a drawing of an 80m or 90mm de Bange field gun in Indochina in 1882 I could send you. I'm not sure what would be a good substitute: it has a steel barrel and trail, screw breech, no recoil system, and big spoked wheels. Possibly something from the American Civil War, the Spanish American War or the Boer War would work. Or, you could pester somebody to make you a gun, which is how I got the de Bange Mountain Guns for my 28mm figures.

Grelber

Mashrewba,
thanks for the reminder about Minifigs, which I missed totally! Unfortunately I can't see much in their 15mm range that helps me, but that's a lovely Matchlock figure for bigger scales.

(Incidentally, if anyone from Minifigs reads this, that's a lovely picture of the underside of a Creusot 75mm Gun carriage in your 15mm range, but you're really not showing the gun's best side.)

Grelber
Thanks for this. It sounds like a "generic" breechloader may have to do service.

Clive

Hi,

I have this a sideshow in my collection but in 25mm where the boxer war range from Old glory helps a lot!

Please visit the "museum of the last round" in the surroundings of Sedan and the Dome de invalides in paris incase you need more info.

Both museums made comics in cooperation with the FFL on the topic which I can really advise.

Next to the Funken book are these two Comics a very good reference.

Greetings

Rudi,
I have absolutely no excuse for not visiting Sedan – it's only 125km away!

Clive

link

Musee Troupes de marine a Bazeilles/ Sedan.

BD Troupes de Marine
link

Look at Tin Soldiers 15mm Italian colonials. Their infantry are very close to French Marines.
Covered helmets and gaiters.
Officers have both sun hats and "kepis".

Grab a bargain from Northstar at 50p for 12!!18mm close enough??
link

'kin' 'ell!

Yeah that'll do.

Order placed!

Also for some See-battalion – it would be churlish not to.

Thanks masherewba!

Rats … already sold out

I already started the subject in 1/72 too. A lot of figures for British colonial wars available on the market, but the other nations colonial are often overseen.

My friend Krisztian painted figures for me which he put on Bennos forum. If you like to see them take a look here

link

And my own terrible tries to make a conversion. Now you know why I need another sculptor:-))

link

cheers
uwe