My French Cavalry, just not good enough!

FRENCH LIGHT HORSE?

Here is the newly completed officer for that rather odd uniformed cavalry unit, recently purchased. I'm still wondering quite what they represent, the saddle pouches are confirmed as French, so they will serve as chasseurs a' cheval on French colonial service. The spike on two helmets was not robust enough to survive handling, better to reduce them.

Decided to add some additional ornamentation to the uniforms, befitting Chasseurs.

But these photos are already OUT OF DATE!!!!!!!!!!!

More changes!

I'm still not happy. Viewing my collection of French cavalry, it is still in a total mess! I feel the above chasseurs should be wearing kepis. Equally odd, looking at my two squadrons of Dorset-made Algerian Spahi, the figures are holding swords, but still have sword hilts in their scabbards! And I don't need eight of them! As for my French cuirassiers, two figures is hardly a fine representation. This is a wargame project that must be sorted out.

Viewing the figures again, it has occurred to me that the Algerian Spahi could be divided into two units, the second to be repainted as Senegalais Spahi, in their distinctive red uniforms. I'm able to home-cast some suitable heads and replacement arms for those surplus swords, and will no doubt find a use for those being replaced. As for the cuirassiers, I will just have to invest some funds into new recruits. Well, that's my plan.

SPAHI SENEGALAIS ENTER SERVICE

Rather than a total paint strip of four mounted Algerian Spahi, I restricted it to the uniform clothing. I also removed the sword arm and head. Will clean them up and then prime the required areas. The former owner also used a rather messy and thick epoxy glue, it was a pleasure to remove that too.

Replacement arms, and primed.

With the home-cast heads fitted, I was ready to apply some paint. I'm a lot happier with these now they represent Spahis Senegalais.

COLLECTABLES SHOP

OK, not quite a period piece, but still a vintage toy. I paid £3 in the collectables shop for this lead item. Just needed to tidy up some chipped paintwork.

THE FRENCH CAVALRY ARE RECRUITING!

Not too surprising, but perhaps slightly uncanny, my French 1870-1914 army has gained some new recruits. I spotted these on Ebay, and the seller accepted £40. Still an expense, but these figures rarely go for less. What made their purchase rather uncanny is that they were available to pick up in Exeter, and a member of my family regularly drives through that city, so no charge for postage! 

The figures numbered five, but two would require some repair work on horses legs. Strangely, all must have been left for some time in direct sunlight as the original paintwork still remained on both sides, but on one side it had gone totally matt. Still, that can be remedied with a varnish spray, but I will wish to tidy up some of the paintwork first....... if a figure is cast with a chin strap surely it deserves to be painted?

The spare officer on a white horse will be easily converted into a bugler.

Collectors will be pleased to know that I will be keeping the box.

Well, this gives me seven cuirassiers, daft not to recruit at least one more.

Went to work on repairing the three broken horse legs, I also gave the figures a wash to remove any dirt and dust. On the positive side, no need to paint strip, the original is in good condition and will permit additional detail to be simply applied.

Having completed the milliput repairs I started on restoring the paintwork. My original two cuirassiers had clearly been repainted when compared to those from the box. I also felt all the castings deserved to have their saddle furniture correctly brought out. I then gave them all a gloss varnish spray. I am very pleased with these!

THE SPAHIS SOUDANAIS

HISTORY

No plans to raise this unit but worth noting here. If you look up French colonial units you rarely find this one listed, but its history is an interesting story. My discovery of this unit came about by pure chance, the print below being the instigator. It actually showed the uniform for TWO military units, one of which is easily missed. 

In the 1890s the French Empire was seeking to occupy much of North Africa. The Spahis Soudanais were recruited in what is today called Mali, although the squadron was later attached to the Senegalais squadron, before eventually regaining autonomy once more. And the unit is still on active service in Mali to this day!

Reproduced for purposes of education, no profit made.

I have seen one print in which this unit also used tropical helmets, the same uniform as the Senegalais squadron I have recreated.

CHARITY SHOP BICYCLE

A nice little find in a charity shop. This cycle is a bit large for scale, more suitable for 60mm toy soldiers, but very well made. It is metal, and the wheels, gears, and steering all turn. A fun civilian addition, it reminds me of the one my grandmother had in her garage that dated back to the 1930s. It too had a front cage and was also painted black.

A NEW TOWN FIGURE

Decided to convert an unpainted postwoman into a town lady. Milliput was used to extend the coat.

And a sitting down figure, kindly furnished by my good friend Graham Apperley. I was able to construct the missing arm, and then primed and painted.

THE FRIESIAN HERD

The two very old lead cows acquired recently have been paint stripped and repainted.

And to work with the above, here are the three repaired Charbens milk churns.

Recommended Viewing

Excellent Video on the History of Airfix 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bRLzq3kHkx0

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

PLEASE NOTE

This post was compiled in March. It is quite likely I will be moving house during April.

Please expect a fair delay in my next post. 

Cheers for Now.

MGB