Painting Early WW2 French Infantry

Thomaso827 · Post by **Thomaso827** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 1:52 am

The tips from the GHQ catalog give some great info on painting the French armor, but I'm somewhat lost for the French infantry. I have painted a bunch of WW1 late war French in a blue, and have seen some pics of 28mm WW2 French but wasnt sure what colors to look at for them. I use some Valejo and lots of the less expensive stuff from the craft stores when possible. Thanks for your help.

Tom Oxley

Peter_Fitz · Post by **Peter_Fitz** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:08 am

Vallejo "Khaki Grey" is a decent match for WW2 French khaki, or if you prefer a slghtly greener tinge, "Green Brown". The difference between the two is very slight, and depends mostly on ** CENSORED ** lighting conditions to distinguish. Try "Russian Uniform" for the helmets.

Peter_Fitz · Post by **Peter_Fitz** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:09 am

By the way, that censored rude word was a m b i e n t -- sorry to have such a foul mouth.

Vdmfighter · Post by **Vdmfighter** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 3:49 am

Hi,
Yes you could use Vallejo Green Brown and khaki grey
See also this site :
http://stalag3b.free.fr/equip_unif.htm
For this uniform pure Vallejo British Brown would be good for other scales than 1/285, but for 1/285 I'd personnally add a bit of white.
Another choice could be : Coat d'arms 524 tan earth with a dark wash.
Helmets , any kind of olive grey colour,
Hope this helps ?
Cheers,
Vdmfighter

Mk 1 · Post by **Mk 1** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 9:21 am

To add to the questions ...

Vdmfighter -- I have been quite impressed by the French Colonial troops you've shown in the various threads. Any suggestions for uniforms for Spahis -- d'Algerie or de Morac?

I have some images of the dress uniforms (blue and red), but I am wondering about the colors of the combat uniforms. Any suggestions would be most welcome.

Vdmfighter · Post by **Vdmfighter** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 4:09 pm

Mk 1,
answers about Spahis uniforms could be :
British (Free French up to 1943)or US uniforms (Italy and 1944-45) with the distinctive red calots/bonnet de police for some figures : with the red calot, no doubt, those would be Spahis.
For France 1940, I would favor the brownish uniform described above with a light kaki/sand "cheche" , and light blue Kepis (top of these being red) . If you use horse mounted figures I would add capes/cloaks kind of dark brown (but not too dark, say something like a 984 Vallejo Brown with a drop of white) for soldiers. For mounted officers I would use...red vest and red/white (Algerians) or dark grey/white capes (Moroccans) (and the same kepis).
For the North African campaign, I'd try something different : a light kaki uniform, with sand cheche. In a well known brand the Khaki commando colour should be close to what I have in mind. And of course, always kepis or calots for the officers.Of course,the Free French Spahis in desert British uniform could pass for these too.THis said I must warn you : I'm not a purist , and I try to get the "flavor" of "old" lead soldiers colours

'

')
and if you browse for "Quiralu" soldiers on the net, you'll see what I mean.
Hope this answer your question ?
Cheers,
Vdmfighter

Thomaso827 · Post by **Thomaso827** » Wed Jun 11, 2008 6:59 pm

Thanks for the asists. Hadnt considered the colonial troops yet, but some of the scenarios I'm working on do mention them, so may have to get another pack of troops and work some up. I have one scenario that mentions Belgians, but since there is only the one scenario among 12, I've opted to just use the French as Belgians this time around.

Tom Oxley