During the Covid-19 pandemic when we were generally forced to remain at home, I concluded it was time to reduce my lead pile. Years ago I had purchased some Blue Moon 18mm Frontier Militia and Woodland Indians, and I still retained some British Light Infantry that needed to be painted. That plan snowballed and I ended up expanding my FIW project to include additional troops. I have two companies of British Grenadiers remaining to be completed.
I based these 18mm figures on 20mm round bases for the troops, and the officers were based on 30x32mm bases (mainly leftovers from a rebasing effort from years ago). My principal rule set with playing FIW games is Sharp Practice 2. In building these units I wasn't necessarily focused on the points values set forth in SP2, I was looking to provide a relatively even number of units across the board. The intention of ignoring the point values when constructing these forces was not to employ all of these on the same table at the same time. Instead, I'd like to establish a larger campaign context that could be fought on multiple tables simultaneously when played with friends or our local club.
Below are my FIW units, starting with the French and followed by the British. Feedback and suggestions on the painting quality is appreciated.
French Units:
First, are my rendition of three Compagnies Franches de la Marine in summer dress. This military unit was a major work horse for the French in their military actions in North America.
Second, are my representation of the Captain and Sergeant of the Compagnies Franches de la Marine unit. I have based the officers and NCOs of all units to look as if they are moving through dense brush.
Third, my representation of three companies of Canadian Militia. They are painted in warm weather gear which includes natural colored shirts and leggings. These three companies have blue caps which would indicate they are from the Montreal region. I relied upon Galloping Major Wargames to aid my painting on this unit.
Fourth, these are my representation of Huron warriors that aid the French. There are forty figures that represent these Huron warriors. Although SP2 requires natives to be grouped in twelves, I opted to group them in tens. It is easier to coordinate when you buy packs that contain 30 figures. The first group of twenty is led by the chief on the 30x32 base. The second group of twenty is led by an officer of the Compagnies Franches de la Marine.
Another angle of a group of ten not in the above picture.
British Units:
First, this group consists of Frontier Militia and is the original group that I painted. I do have to touch up the bases a little, but I was trying to get a general mix of common coat colors for the period. This has a mix of natural fibers and a few "better" quality coats.
I determined that the Frontier Militia group should have an officer of quality, and I attempted to paint this officer modeled off of the Virginia Provincial Regiment. Although the coat isn't an exact fit in design, I used images of George Washington in his VA PR coat paint something similar.
This is the reverse image of the same officer shown above. For kicks I painted a map on his "paper" in his hand.
Next, three companies of British light infantry of the 45th Regiment of Foot (Wartburton's). This regiment was engaged in North America from 1746 to 1765 participating with the capture of Fort Beausejour, capture of Louisbourg, the siege of Quebec and the recapture of Newfoundland. These are actually based upon pennies. Glue the figure, paint the base with thick acrylic paint. Put on more glue and flock.
This is my rendition of an officer who will lead the 45th foot on its forays against the French.
Lastly, these are my two groups of Mohawk warriors, groups of ten each. They are both led by a chief based upon the 30x32mm base.
My final addition (presently on the painting desk) will consist of two companies of British Grenadiers led by an officer. These are being painted as 94th Regiment of Foot (Royal Welsh Volunteers). Although they were raised for garrison duty my ancestry is partly Welsh, and in my war game world we need Welsh troops to help protect His Majesty's interest in North America.
