Modern French Infantry

Waddell · Post by **Waddell** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 8:14 am

Included in the French Heavy Weapons set are a couple of figures who appear to be aiming a device that they are seated at. Displaying my ignorance I am curious as to what these things are and what they are used for. It is mounted on the same tree as the milan or eryx launchers but I have no idea if it goes with them, the mortar crews, or is a stand alone piece. Any and all guidance as to what these are is welcome, particularly references to where I can find out more.

Thanks!

kiasutha · Post by **kiasutha** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 3:38 pm

All I've got to go by is the (not very clear) catalog pic, but
I'd say it is supposed to be a ground-mounted "Mistral" AA weapon.
A web search on that or similar turned up lots of photos and a Wiki article among others...

Waddell · Post by **Waddell** » Thu Jan 30, 2014 11:25 pm

Thanks, that also explains the left over parts I haven't figured out what to do with. Am I displaying a complete unfamiliarity with the French Army? That's only due to a near complete lack of familiarity with the French Army.

Thanks again!

kampfgruppe · Post by **kampfgruppe** » Fri Jan 31, 2014 12:06 am

Hi

Hope it could help : http://www.defense.gouv.fr/terre/equipe ... -collectif

Waddell · Post by **Waddell** » Sun Feb 02, 2014 5:40 am

Thanks! That helps quite a bit! I'm building a Modern French Army for some campaigns in Africa. There seems to be no shortage of them lately between Mali, the CAR, and Ivory Coast.

kampfgruppe · Post by **kampfgruppe** » Tue Feb 04, 2014 12:42 am

About Mali, great photos : http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/sh ... on-in-Mali

Waddell · Post by **Waddell** » Sat Feb 22, 2014 9:01 am

Thanks for the links to the photo's. These were VERY helpful in painting the French Infantry. Google searches gave me enough photo's to paint the vehicles. The helicopters are the only painting left for the French. After that it's to paint up the Mali and ECOWAS Infantry. ECOWAS troops are pretty simple, tan uniforms with no camouflage. The Mali troops I'm going to simplify by putting them in green uniforms that seem to be the most prevalent. If accuracy is needed then it should be noted that I've found photos of Mali troops in just about every camo scheme in use over the last 10 years and then some. Their police even wear USN "Blueberries!"

Also in progress is an effort to codify some campaign rules. The battle for Mali has all the high speed action of any other North African campaign with units zipping from city to city as that's all the cover there is over most of the south Sahara. Should be interesting!

RedLeif · Post by **RedLeif** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 12:39 am

The Modern French heavy weapons pack I have includes 4 types of sprews.
One has 2 of the guys you were asking about (seated), 2 prone ATGM troops in the middle, and 3 long tube shaped castings. Those are the Mistral rockets and one of them should be glued to the seated guy's right.

The other sprews consist of:
1) 81mm mortars and crews (6)
2) crew served MMG on tripod, belt fed FN MAG (6)
3) prone LMG figures ( I think they are holding FN Minimi)(5), prone spotters (2),and standing pointing officers (2)

I too have been bitten by the Serval.
Here is a link to a french video (with english subtitles) on a French Patrol mission during Operation Serval in Mali. I really enjoyed it.

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

For my ECOWAS I still need to order some Muhajhadin infantry as the few images I've seen indicate they are dressed more like desert jihadists than army soldiers (like those of Ivory Coast).

Regards
Leif

PostHumanRepublican · Post by **PostHumanRepublican** » Sun Feb 23, 2014 7:35 am

http://www.ghqmodels.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4887

Waddell · Post by **Waddell** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 1:35 am

Yes, Operation Serval is VERY addictive. It has lightly armored forces performing a blitz against an enemy who had occupied the country. Local population waving flags and happy to see the French and Malian Soldiers, African countries working in concert against Al Queada, and more. What's not to like? As a war-game campaign it has high speed maneuvers over large distances with battles small enough to be fought on the dining room table. Unfortunately, I'm still painting figures. Working on the Nigerian and Chad contingents now. I'm trying to figure out exactly how I want to do this as a review of the uniforms used shows you can use just about every infantry figure made by GHQ in any one of the armies. Highly addictive stuff!

Waddell · Post by **Waddell** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 1:37 am

I am watching the video as I'm typing this. Great stuff for duplicating terrain and planning small scenarios to use in a larger campaign or as stand alone. Wow! Thanks for the pointer to this!

RedLeif · Post by **RedLeif** » Tue Mar 25, 2014 5:42 am

Hi Thomas

I detailed the four different types of sprues but not their quantity.
In the pack I received there were 2 sprues of mortar teams, 3 of the prone lmg/officer/observer, 3 of the MMG on tripod, and 3 of the mistral/ATGM.

Leif