The Fusilier 1:32 (54mm) French Foreign Legionnaire1916 Figure


Company: The Fusilier.


Sculptor: Steve Warrilow.


Material: Resin.

Price: £15.00 Free P&P in UK/EU.


Availability: Direct from The Fusilier- www.thefusilier.net/











First Impressions. The figure comes well presented in a semi translucent durable plastic box. The lid is a lift off type with a card insert displaying the Fusilier logo and details.



Upon opening the box you will find two clear plastic bags, one holds the main figure and rifle while the other holds part of the base, the figures right arm and the campaign pack. Be aware that on the back of upright part of the base is a piece of sticky tape that holds the minute, and I mean minute pipe that the figure smokes, be careful not to lose this!
The base is left loose while there is a card insert at the bottom that holds some very useful information. On this card you will find an excellent paint reference guide for the figures uniform and equipment, huge applauds all around for Steve and this most helpful inclusion. Oh how I wish more figure manufacturers would include this same idea.



With such reliable and excellent service from the company, as is always the case everything arrived very well packaged and protected with no damage or missing parts.

The Figure. Consists of 7 individual resin pieces cast in a mid-grey colour. The resin is neither too soft or hard being of a good consistency to work with.

Main Body. The figure comes almost complete with only the right arm that needs to be added. The sculpting is excellent with some very crisp and sharp detailing in all areas. Flash is present in varying amounts as are mould lines. For the purposes of this review I have removed the small lugs on the figures feet to enable me to pose the figure on the supplied base (photo below)




The accuracy and authenticity of the uniform is superb and beautifully represented. If we start by looking at the greatcoat you will see from the description and photos I have included below just how well Steve has captured this.

Capote (greatcoat) The Capote is made of a heavy wool cloth allowing for warmth. This version used in 1916 had the traditional cut with two rows of six buttons. The skirts could be buttoned back and buttoned rear vents allowed the cuffs to be turned up. At the end of 1915, to allow the carrying of a further reserve of ammunition, a large reinforced pocket with a two-button flap was added to each side. On the shoulders are the detachable epaulets either single or double roll shoulder straps

These rolls at the end of the straps helped prevent the equipment slings from slipping off the shoulders.

A pair of Pattes de Collet de Troupe (collar patch insignia) These were colour selected for various rank, service and trade insignia worn on the uniform.





In the photo above we see more fabulous attention to detail in the form of the waist belt and ammunition pouches, again if you look at the photos below and read the included descriptions you will see the figure to be spot on with accuracy. You will also notice the collar patch insignia is present.

Ceinturon (waist belt) The Ceinturon is made in both black and brown leather, with the brown being adopted in 1914 as a cost-saving measure. The belt was made with either a double or single-prong metal buckle.




Cartouchières (cartridge pouches) The cartridge pouches were made in both black and brown leather, with the brown having been adopted in 1914 as a cost-saving measure. A reasonable amount of ammunition was able to be carried for the rifle amounting to four packets of eight rounds in each of the front pouches and three packets in the rear pouch.



In the photo below you will see the canteen looks sensational on our figure, a very accurate representation with wonderful detail.



Bidon (canteen) The Bidon is a 2-liter canteen, covered with khaki wool cloth. Having two spouts, a large and small, that were stopped with either wood or cork which was secured to the canteen with string. Often two bidons were worn, one bottle typically contained wine (pinard) mixed with water, the other coffee and tafiaspirit.



Moving on and we come to the bread bag worn by the figure. I have included more reference photos and descriptions. You will see for yourself how well this is sculpted on the figure. Also note the sergeant stripes present on the arm.

Musette (bread bag) The Musette bags are made of a linen canvas that can range in colour from tan to brown. The Musette was closed secure with two buttons, marked Équipements Militaries. Soldiers often carried two of these when going to the front.




Onto the Y Straps, and more reference of how utterly awesome the casting is on our figure. Well defined with a lovely crisp and sharp appearance.

Bretelles de Suspension (Y-Straps) The equipment suspenders were made in both black and brown leather, with the brown having been adopted in 1914 as a cost-saving measure. The Y-Straps had three metal Mle.1845 Crochets de Cuivre (J-Hooks) that fixed to the twisted metal loops on each of the three cartridge pouches.

Lets take a look now at the figures distinct headwear and that highly distinctive Adrian Helmet.
The complex shape of the Adrian Helmet was inspired by the protective helmet worn by French firemen of the day. It consisted of a skull, a two-part brim and an applied raised crest, with a pressed metal badge on the front. This differed with each arm of service but for us this needs to be the “flaming bomb” with the “RF” (République Française) in the centre). Originally issued with a glossy blue-grey paint finish but found to reflect the sun’s light thus giving away the soldiers position in late 1915 they were charged for a more concealing fabric cover of khaki. Sometime in 1916, it was decided to change the colour of the helmet to a matt dark blue-grey finish, as this helped reduce the helmet’s glare in the sun and did away with the fabric covers which, because they got very dirty, tended to infect head wounds. These helmets were sized to the shell itself and ranged from small to extra large. They had a one piece leather chinstrap with adjustable buckle and a one piece wool-backed, leather liner with aluminium spacers.



Well as you can see from the description and photos I have included the accuracy continues in great fashion here.





So from the photo above you will see there is some clean up required to rectify the mould line that runs down the right side. Time and patience will soon have this put right however and it should not detract from just how darn good this figure is. The facial features are very nice and should show well once painted. You wild also note from the above photo there is a tiny hole on the right of the figures mouth, this is to accommodate the tiny pipe he smokes that comes included with the kit, see the photo below.



The last pieces of uniform are the leg wraps and boots. Both look entirely authentic from the reference details and photos I have included below.

Bandes Molletières (leg wraps) The issue leg wraps are 2.60 meters long and 12 cm wide, they were issued not only in horizon blue wool, but also in any neutral drab colors of cloth that could be procured. Leg wraps became general issue for regular foot troops in October of 1914.




Campaign Pack. this is crammed with high quality detail. Every part has been authentically reproduced with sublime attention matching the genuine item perfectly.






In the photo below I have had to use an American version of a collapsible canvas bucket to demonstrate that of the kit part but it does the job of showing how good it looks.



The photo and description below gives a good idea of the blanket carried by these soldiers and copied into the pack of the kit piece.

Couverture (blanket) The issue wool blankets, depending on the years they were made, varied in size and color ranging from brown to grey. These blankets were marked with the Quartermaster letters “CM” on two of the corners and a number on the other corners of the blanket, showing the last two digits of the year it was made.



Seen on the kit part under the canvas bucket is the canvas shelter faithfully reproduced as seen by the description and photo below.

Toile de Tente Individuelle (individual shelter half) The shelter half is made of a waterproof tan canvas with metal Équipements Militaires buttons and grommets. It takes two of these shelters to make one tent.



The tent poles below are also included on the kit part and are seen sticking out from the inside of the blanket, more excellent attention to detail.

Moitiés de Demi-Support (tent poles) The issue tent poles are simple wooden poles with hollow metal ends which allow them to be mated together to support the tent upright. It takes four of the poles to complete one tent.



The tent stakes on the kit part are shown strapped to the blanket and offer a great representation of the genuine item as seen below.

Piquets de Tente (tent stakes) The issue tent stakes are made of wood cut in a “sardine” shape, that along with the guide ropes secured the tent to the ground. It takes six of these to complete one tent.



Look slightly further down the page and you will see the ankle boots shown below have been included brilliantly on the kits pack.

Brodequins (ankle boots) These boots had 7 irregular spaced eyelets and were made in black or brown leather. The Mle.1912/16 boots had a single rivet on each side of the boot that reinforced the front half with the rear half, so they would not separate from each other during hard usage. The bottom of the shoes had hobnails to help keep the soles of shoes from wearing out. A spare pair of shoes was sometimes carried on the exterior of the pack.



Lastly we have the mess kit shown below that is included on the kit part and looks sensational sitting on top of the blanket.

Gamelle Individuelle (individual mess kit) The Gamelle is the issue mess kit, made of tinned metal, they are round with a lid and chain. These normally had, on the inside of the pot itself, a small individual plate and handle to allow the poilu to cook his own meal, most of the time though, these got lost in the trenches.






Berthier Rifle. The kit comes supplied with the Berthier rifle as shown below. This will need some attention with regards to flash and you will need to be careful on its removal as the rifle is delicate due to its intricate detailing. As we have seen with all parts thus far the accuracy and detailing is quite superb when compared to a genuine example.





Right Arm. The right arm is a separate piece, the hand detail is very good as is the greatcoat. Some mould line to deal with but this will be easy enough and attachment to the figure straightforward.





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Display Base. I like the inclusion of these little display bases and this one is a great addition. In two parts both of which are well detailed it will simply be case of gluing the two together.

Photos. I have included two photos below of the assembled figure taken from The Fusilier site.






Synopsis.
Steve Warrilow is one of the masters of his profession, his skill and passion for sculpting figures of the Great War era clearly shows in his cleverly crafted works.

This fine addition is another of those ‘must have’ releases, an inspired subject choice that will please many. Admired greatly for their accuracy and attention to detail the line up of figures continues to grow into a highly desirable collection.

Quality in abundance, great customer service and a very competitive price to, remember that if you are in the UK or EU then even postage is free, that’s a seriously great offer.

A very pleasing and likeable figure to have reviewed, I can’t recommend this release highly enough, its a must have in anyone eyes. Congratulations to Steve for another impressive and welcome release.

Thanks. My sincere thanks to Steve Warrilow, proprietor of The Fusilier and official sponsor of Martin’s Scale Models for this opportunity and review sample.

The Fusilier Media Sites. Please be sure to click on the links below to keep right up to date with all that happens on The Fusilier website and Facebook pages.

Website: www.thefusilier.net/
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/161533950723102/

That's a very comprehensive review with a lot of terrific references. Thanks

Colin

Terrific review for an excellent kit!

All the best,
Dan

Very nice review,looks like a great little figure

Thanks guys, really appreciate your comments ;-)

Martin.

Lovely in depth review indeed.Nice of you to take the time to do that.Steves figures have always been great.
Thanks for the info.
Richard

Excellent revieuw, many thanks for it.
Marc

Outstanding figure and references.

Mike

Cheers fella's I was a real pleasure to review ;-)

Martin.

AMAZING review !
Look great, but why always an old man for french soldier, my gran pa was only 24 at the end of the WWI and he made all the war !

I Like Older Men

Lol, I just spat my coffee across the room.

Martin.

Excellent figure and detailed review, as always something we expect from you Martin!
The answer that came from Steve (the sculptor) to "Zastrow.cuirassier"'s question shows that except from his talent in sculpting has also great scence of humor.
Congratulations!!!
Dimitris

Very comprehensive review that helped grow my knowledge as well as get an appreciation for this super little figure mate.

Thanks for taking the time to share.

Mike

Great to get the feedback guys, thanks so much ;-)

Martin.

Alex Williams sculpted this figure:
http://www.planetfigure.com/threads/fusilier-miniatures-foreign-legionnaire.73831/

Anyone help me with what changes I'd need to convert him to a French Soldier in the Gallipoli campaign please?

Hi Martin,
First class review, nice little figure and the information you have found is very helpful.

Can I be so bold as to ask if you have 5mins could you post the pics of the original items of uniform and kit in the New Uniform Ref SectionWW1 along with any other stuff you might have.

Thanks mick