French Line Infantry 1815

[Ratch]

This kit was originally tooled in 1975 and was released from 1975 to 1978, possibly reissued in 1980, and again from 1991 to 1994.

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History:

The ordinary line infantry made all of Napoleon's victories possible. The Bardin uniform was introduced into the French army from 1812. The square-lapelled short-tailed coatee and the trousers were in common usage. By 1815 the French infantry wore a double-breasted short-tailed jacket or habit-veste in blue with red collar and cuffs piped white. White lapels piped red and white turnbacks. Brass buttons. White waistcoat and breeches. Most infantry at Waterloo wore greatcoats. The gaiters were shortened to end below the knee before 1815. Shako. The rolled forage cap was kept under the M.1801 cartridge pouch with the red tassel hanging out below, and they would have a canteen or flask or mess tin. While such things were not issued by the army, almost everyone carried these essential items in one form or another. They had the M.1777 musket and bayonet with 406mm blade. The fusiliers carried their bayonet on the lower part of their crossbelt on the front right hip and did not have a sabre. The M.1801 knapsack was made from cow hide with two (and later three) straps. The greatcoat rolled on top and held by the straps. The voltigeurs still wore a sabre despite repeated orders to the contrary. The elite grenadiers and voltigeurs still wore pompons, which again was common despite having permission to wear plumes. The light infantry - chasseurs - have a sabre and bayonet combined frog suspended by a belt over the right shoulder, and also fringed epaulettes, which mark them out as elites. In reality the uniform was often far less smart than this by Waterloo, and in particular many men wore trousers over the breeches and gaiters, and a cover on the shako.

 

Reference:

Brassey’s History of Uniforms Napoleonic Wars Napoleon’s Army ISBN 1-85753-220-1

 

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Flesh sprayed

Andrea Color 1st Shadow = primary flesh

Andrea Color 2nd Shadow = secondary flesh

Andrea Color 1st Base = third skin spray and ninth skin tone

Andrea Color 2nd Base = fourth skin spray

Andrea Color 1st Light = fifth skin tone

Andrea Color 2nd Light = sixth skin tone

Vallejo Model Color 19 70927 Dark Flesh FS32555 = seventh skin tone

Vallejo Model Color 20 70845 Sunny Skintone = eighth skin tone

[John Symmons]

Hi Ratch

Just read through all your postings on these figures and looking forwards to seeing the results and reading about your painting methods.

Just seeing these kits again reminded me of the really extensive range of subjects Airfix have modelled over the years, and it's something I think we seem to forget only remembering the Spitfires, Messerschmitts, etc; but in reality their range has covered cars both modern and vintage, animals again both actual and fantasy, warships, ocean liners and sail in  various scales, machines and science models, buildings both diorama and stand alone again in various scales, figures in various scales, then there's all the armour, railroad and aircraft models: that's some haul. I've often wondered just how many different kits Airfix has produced over the years, Anyone care to answer that one it must be in the thousands, and to think it all started with a tractor that someone said they should offer it in parts instead of a ready build model / toy; and the rest as they say is history.

Even though I've never tried one of these figure kits, I think the painting scared me off, but I must admit I've been sorely tempted at times. Keep up the good work Ratch I'll be following these figure builds with interest.

Remember we do this for fun.                            John the Pom

[Ratch]

 My tally is 848 original Airfix moulds (that's without all the kits they reboxed by other manufacturers)

[John Symmons]

Thanks Ratch I was sort-of baiting you there. That's a lot of kits.

Remember we do this for fun                   John the Pom

[Ratch]

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Painting will start shortly

[Ratch]

Vallejo Model Color 31 70957 Flat Red = collar, cuffs

Vallejo Model Color 53 70930 Dark Blue = coat

Vallejo Model Color 169 70950 Black = shako, shoes, ammunition pouch, scabbard, frog

Vallejo Model Color 1 70951 White = lapels piped white, cuff flaps, trousers, gaiters in summer, cords to the shako, pack straps, piping to cuffs, turnbacks, small clothes, belts

http://pic100.picturetrail.com/VOL761/13303934/24797625/413769333.jpg

[Ratch]

I've basically followed the instructions assembly sequence, discarding unused parts to my spares box for other figures.

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Champaign bottle lead foil for the belts.

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Vallejo Model Color 131 70981 Orange Brown = calfskin pack

Vallejo Model Color 50 70899 Dark Prussia Blue / Vallejo Model Color 49 70807 Oxford Blue / Humbrol Acrylic 65 Matt Aircraft Blue = bedding roll

Vallejo Model Color 149 70872 Chocolate Brown = musket stock

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[Ratch]

Just the groundwork to add and this will be completed

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[Ratch]

 Finished

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