"28mm Chasseurs d'Afrique figures for Crimea?" Topic

Can one use the Askari Miniatures French Colonial Chasseurs d'Afrique mounted figures for the four regiments deployed to the Crimea? If not "perfect," is their uniform close enough? A good paint-job can cover some "sins" occasioned by uniform anachronisms using figures from a slightly alter period!

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How about Castaway Arts:
FPF019 – F19 Chasseur D'Afrique
FPF022 – F22 Chasseur D'Afrique
FPF023 – F23 Chass. D'Afrique trumpeter
FPF024 – F24 Chasseur D'Afrique Officer

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Thanks for your thoughts!

Why not use Foundry's figures from the FPW line?

Old Glory in their French Foreign Legion might work as well.

I would agree with Mr. Burke. Or wait for the Perry's to release them for their new Franco Prussian War range.

CIN,

I have been building a Crimean War army for Balaklava (both sides) over some time. For context, my figures are all from Great War Miniatures thus far.

The only available figures for the Chasseurs d'Afrique are the abovementioned Front Rank range. Being quite dated they conform with 25mm scale and have limited poses for troopers. I don't know how you feel about scale or figure compatibility – it's a personal choice.

I've been turning my mind to this unit also and for me, there are only two practical options right now. 1 – lobby and beg Aly Morrison to sculpt some (his work is frankly beautiful) or 2 – convert Perry Miniatures plastic ACW cavalry.

I'm not at all sure about the evolved differences in the Chasseurs d'Afrique by 1870 (FPW) but the shako will definitely be wrong.

Regarding the Perry's ACW plastic cavalry set, I've long scrutinized them and believe they are the closest compatible figures to work from – as a based to work from. The most obvious amendment would be the taller French shako of the period but there are other alterations requiring some work.

Please let us see how you get on with whatever direction you take.

I think most basic French uniforms stayed the same for most of the 1854 to 1914 period. I understand there was a change to the trousers stripe in 1862. Shako height also changed at least once.

You might want to concentrate on the gun they carry and the cartridge pouch and other stuff that goes with the gun. Colonial era Chasseurs carried a breech loading carbine, while they would have had a muzzle loader for the Crimea. In theory, the cartridge pouch would change size to accommodate the new bullets. It may also have changed position on the belt. It could be cut off and repositioned.

While I don't think the changes are major, "Close enough" is your call.

Grelber

Edit: Good information from Unlucky General!

Thanks for the thoughts friends! A pity there are no "bespoke" French cavalry from Foundry OR Great War for the Crimea. It would have been nice to have a reasonably COMPLETE set of offerings for all the belligerents! Wonder why neither vendor thought they needed to offer French cavalry!?

For myself, on the whole, I am disinclined to do a lot of kit-bashing, especially as I am only building a small "army" for Black Powder!. For my French contingent, I am planning on only perhaps four or five infantry units and one or two batteries. Therefore, at most I will probably only have two cavalry units with very few figures (probably only eight figures apiece). There are other aspects of gaming this war that I think will demand more effort; allied siege lines, and "The Great Redan," and other-such for the games table!

I think I will either go with Askari, or perhaps Foundry figures. On the other hand… Maybe one unit of each!

theres also foundrys Maximillian range by aly Morrison they have a pack ,but have hot weather hat covers