W W I Belgian Armored Car crewman #1 - 1/35 scale - Model Cellar

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Mike, thank you for putting your talented hands on some Belgians, they are very rare indeed on the figure world!

As for reference, years ago a talented Belgian enthousiast Fernand Nicolas researched and published a series of plates on the Belgian cavalry and line infantry in the Great War; These plates were produced in very limited numbers, but I could have made scans for you. Here's an example:

A few years ago the Austrian editor Militaria Verlag published a magnum opus on the Belgian Army in the Great War, in collaboration with some leading historians from the Royal Army Museum and available in several languages: https://www.militaria.at/Book.aspx?book=9506574&Language=de
The renowned Russian publisher Russkie Vitjazi (русские-витязи) is preparing a book on the Belgian Corps in Russia and has made contacts with Militaria Verlag and other Western publishers as to further projects.

Now if Model Cellar could be convinced to produce this couple in 75mm! One can't but hope!

Cheers,

Pierre

Hi Pierre
Working on Belgian Armd Car crew & wondering about collar flashes.
Can you help with what colour these should be please?
And were there any other colours on epaulettes etc. for crewmen?
Thanks in advance.
MikeTheKiwi

 

[akaryu]

Hi Mike
Working on it! I'll dive in my books and report back in a few days.
cheers,
Pierre

 

[akaryu]

Hello Mike,

To answer your question: the ACM crews of the Belgian Division in Russia belonged to the artillery and as such would have very dark blue collar patches edged in red. Shoulder straps for the rank and file would be plain khaki or khaki edged in red. Officers wore Russian shoulder boards, pogoni, with their rank in its Russian equivalent. During the course of the campaign their uniforms became a mix of Belgian & Russian uniform items and anything available to keep them warm. Leather coats were popular and even the Russian overcoats and occasionally Russian lamb wool headgear, in fact a very motley appearance. BTW the Division was officially incorporated in the Russian army, until the fall of the Czarist regime. Unwilling to take sides in the Russian civil war, the division made its way to Vladivostok and sailed to the USA were they toured and paraded, once again in standard Belgian uniforms. i join some photos taken freehand for the book is too big for my scanner. I hope it is of some use.

Happy painting,

Pierre

 

[ModelCellar]

Just wanted to give this a "bump".
The pre-ordered Minerva kits from Copper State have been landing in mailboxes since 2 weeks ago. We issued this little gem 2 months ago before the kit came out. So, in case you missed it or have forgotten, I just wanted to send out a reminder that it will look GREAT with your Minerva if you got it now.

regards,
Paul

 

[Nap]

Paul

Nice to see this highlights again lovely model ideal for the CS piece

Great references from Pierre as well ..Highly recommend the book

Happy releasing

Nap

 

[Mike - The Kiwi]

Hello Mike,

To answer your question: the ACM crews of the Belgian Division in Russia belonged to the artillery and as such would have very dark blue collar patches edged in red. Shoulder straps for the rank and file would be plain khaki or khaki edged in red. Officers wore Russian shoulder boards, pogoni, with their rank in its Russian equivalent. During the course of the campaign their uniforms became a mix of Belgian & Russian uniform items and anything available to keep them warm. Leather coats were popular and even the Russian overcoats and occasionally Russian lamb wool headgear, in fact a very motley appearance. BTW the Division was officially incorporated in the Russian army, until the fall of the Czarist regime. Unwilling to take sides in the Russian civil war, the division made its way to Vladivostok and sailed to the USA were they toured and paraded, once again in standard Belgian uniforms. i join some photos taken freehand for the book is too big for my scanner. I hope it is of some use.
Happy painting,
Pierre

Hi Pierre,
Sorry mate I don't know what happened here.
Was & still is weird times so who knows where I went.
I totally missed your reply when I originally requested help.
My sincerest apologies & I will certainly make up for this using info you have kindly supplied in my book.
Working on section about Belgians now & will be sure to highlight figures available there.
Thank you for the time & effort you took to reply.
Book detail look amazing too.
MikeTheKiwi

P.S. Quick check - the angled stripes on upper left arm relate to years of service in war i.e. 1914-1918 is 4 stripes?

 

[akaryu]

Hello Mike,

No problem!

As for the "front stripes" on the upper left arm:
the first stripe was for one year service, the following stripes were each for six months service; i.e. four stripes equals 2 years and 6 months of front service. The maximum is eight stripes for 4 years of service, i.e. 1914-1918

Cheers,

Pierre