Completed Tirailleur Senegalese

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Cheers David, I enjoy the sculpting being able as you have said to make whatever I fancy, since I've gotten even more infirm than usual I might be able to do more! I can live in hope.

The picture is great, I can see I.need to research the Tirailluer Senegalese because I thought this was pre WWI. Confused yeah what's new!

Cheers Simon
 
David Spencer said:
They wore the blue uniform to start with, then shifted to khaki.
I translated that book years ago and will dig it out to see if it helps with info....
Click to expand...

From what I have read tonight, albeit the world according to wiki, they were formed mid to late 19th C but massively expanded during WWI. Not that the date really matters that much but I bought the Chassepot rifle from G&G specifically for this figure.

So much for skipping research! We had a saying that PPP Prevents PPP. That is Prior Planning & Preparation Prevents Piss Poor Performance.

Cheers Simon
 
It's very much a summary, but this is what I managed to find (whether it's of any use or not, remains to be seen):
A regt of 3 battalions of Senegalese Tirailleurs were sent to France in 1914, originating from West Africa. Having undergone heavy losses at the end of October in the region of Arras, they were sent to Morocco before the end of the year.
After this unfortunate experience, the army didn't use Senegalese soldiers in homogeneous regiments anymore; only battalions of Tirailleurs in mixed regts.
The uniform that the Tirailleurs began with in 1914 was dark blue with yellow braid.
During winter 14/15 they received a special dark blue uniform planned just before the war for them, comprising a double-breasted jacket with a large collar; the same uniform in light blue at the end of 1915; finally the same in khaki at the start of 1916.
From Sept 1914, it was decided to give African troops a specific campaign uniform in khaki.

20240311_212931.jpg
 
Cheers David, they were first raised in 1857 in Western Africa, the term Tirallieur being given to colonial troops across Africa and Asia. There was indeed a huge increase in recruitment in WWI. The uniform was somewhat generic across most African regiments, so I reckon I am fairly safe placing him around 1900 in North Africa, more specifically Morrocco. I'm not going to obsess over details too much and if I'm wrong, well it won't be the first time and damn sure it won't be the last.

Cheers Simon
 
Briggsy said:
Cheers David, they were first raised in 1857 in Western Africa, the term Tirallieur being given to colonial troops across Africa and Asia. There was indeed a huge increase in recruitment in WWI. The uniform was somewhat generic across most African regiments, so I reckon I am fairly safe placing him around 1900 in North Africa, more specifically Morrocco. I'm not going to obsess over details too much and if I'm wrong, well it won't be the first time and damn sure it won't be the last.

Cheers Simon
Click to expand...
Definitely the best approach!
The French army around this period is fascinating.
 
David Spencer said:
Definitely the best approach!
The French army around this period is fascinating.
Click to expand...

What I have read is a bit fragmentary but colonial troops were also known as Marines, it all sounds too complicated for me. So it's probably as well that I'm happy with just thd imagery, if I did research properly I'd soon forget it all anyway.

Cheers Simon
 
Ah peace at last, apparently I'm not her grandad anymore and nor am I her best friend, well till Thursday when she is back here at any rate.

I decided to add the right arm holding the trumpet before building up the blanket roll. The arm is a multipose spare that was straightened and re-pinned with paperclip wire. The trumpet is a Historex part just clipped in place for the picture as it needs some work. Then I roughed out the blanket/greatcoat etc roll, it will be more bulky when finished. Then I added a large cooking pot from Historex carried strapped to the pack. Not sure how accurate this is for a trumpeter/bugler but it looks the part so it's staying.

20240312_114254~2.jpg

20240312_114316~2.jpg


I have also taken the decision to part with an old friend who has been my sculpting/modelling partner for a very long time. When the partnership is no longer working one has to harden ones heart and say enough is enough, we'll both be happier in the long run for parting ways.

20240303_142529.jpg


It's finally time for my old putty palette to retire.

Cheers Simon
 
Hi Simon

Good additions on the backpack , nice work on the arm

Looking at references I agree regarding the pouches ...easy fix though

Sorry hear of your parting ......presume you meant the card and not the rather chunky but artistic lump of various putty’s !

Look forward to seeing more

Have fun @ the bench and with the new putty palette

Nap
 
Nap said:
Hi Simon

Good additions on the backpack , nice work on the arm

Looking at references I agree regarding the pouches ...easy fix though

Sorry hear of your parting ......presume you meant the card and not the rather chunky but artistic lump of various putty’s !

Look forward to seeing more

Have fun @ the bench and with the new putty palette

Nap
Click to expand...

Cheers Kev, yeah pouches for definite, the big old lump of putty, it's getting too large to even stubbornly carry on with it. The other card is the new palette that will be around for many years to come.

Cheers Simon
 

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