WW1 French - 1914 Uniform

[von Klinkerhoffen]

Finally managed to get a chance to photograph my French:




A battalion of Poilu's, again apologies for my photography.

[Sally]

Very nice paint job von Klinkerhoffen, your troops are looking great!

[Gabz]

looking good. I like the early war uniforms more.

[von Klinkerhoffen]

The French uniform was, with a few changes, the same as they wore in 1870. They even had the red kepi with a blue band, but soon wore a blue cover over this for some reason? They even replaced the garance red trousers with blue as well eventually!

[Paul K]

With our painted Marne game armies gathering in number, I recon the French uniforms. look the most striking, even if they were easily spotted by the Germans.

[von Klinkerhoffen]

I agree, as it harks back to the colourful uniforms worn in 1870. And of course their Napoleonic predecessors.

Looking forward to your '1915' French in their Adrian helmets and "horizon" blue uniforms.

Apparently the French Ministry of War chose the new colour as light blue, but it was a magazine called I'llustration who coined the expression "horizon" blue in January of 1915, and it stuck.

[Paul K]

Hi,

Inside information! We now have lots of late war French ready to go into moulds, so it won't be too long before we reach for the 'horizon blue'. I would welcome suggestions on the most suitable paint range and colour code to use!

[von Klinkerhoffen]

Hi

As I'm sure you're aware cloth varied in colour due to the nature of the dyes used, as well as wartime restrictions. From what I have 'seen' of "horizon blue" it varies from the 'classic' light blue through to a grey blue. So it will depend on the individuals taste?

Foundry does a Sky French Hussar Light Blue (76C) which in the pot looks close to what I imagine "horizon blue" to be. But have yet to try it on a figure.

Send me some late war French and I'll let you know by posting some pics?

[Rassmappprewpo]

thanks for the list guys. it'll really help me.

[artmuz62]

Good photos, do not apologize! Thank you, it's interesting!