Indochina War French Foreign Legion Paratroopers

Here are a few shots of my Indochina War French Foreign Legion Paratroopers, circa 1953. I did the basic kitbashes some time back (thought I had a thread about them; but couldn't find it), but added a few bits and pieces recently.

German veteran of the French Foreign Legion. DML figure wearing DML helmet, shirt and shoulder holster, 21st Iron Cross and M1A1, BBi jacket and boots, SOTW trousers and Gearbox webbing.




Left hand figure is a CIPLE: Vietnamese recruited for duty in the FFL. The US had a similar program at the same time in Korea called the KATUSA program. BBi figure, trousers, webbing and boots, DML helmet, Gearbox jacket. the right hand figure is a DML figure and webbing, Gearbox jacket, SOTW trousers, BBi boots and cap and is toting a 21st MAT-49 SMG.




-Nate

they look smart

Outstanding!

Intresting kitmixing!

The helmet netting looks good, it always enhances outfits like this

I like that , just like the devils guard

Top class FFL Para's

Lookin good Nate!

I just did a recent Cotswold order which included some Gearbox webbing. Now I just have to repair my machine gunner's machine gun!






-Nate

Awesome Figure Nate great photo

great pics n fig

It looks good! The detail on the modern gear is amazing

Is that an Iron Cross i can see? I'm now getting an urge to go out back with some of my Joes and dig some foxholes for them.

clivvers wrote:

It looks good! The detail on the modern gear is amazing

Is that an Iron Cross i can see? I'm now getting an urge to go out back with some of my Joes and dig some foxholes for them.

It's an Iron Cross from the 21st U-Boat commander. There were quite a few German WWII veterans in the Foreign Legion. About a decade before communists were trying to kill him in the jungle; commies were trying to kill him on the Eastern Front.

-Nate

Glidah Drivah wrote:

clivvers wrote:

It looks good! The detail on the modern gear is amazing

Is that an Iron Cross i can see? I'm now getting an urge to go out back with some of my Joes and dig some foxholes for them.

It's an Iron Cross from the 21st U-Boat commander. There were quite a few German WWII veterans in the Foreign Legion. About a decade before communists were trying to kill him in the jungle;  commies were trying to kill him on the Eastern Front.

-Nate

I never knew that about the Germans joining the Foreign Legion, thanks for the intel

Just a small update. I fixed my Foreign Legionnaire's Machine Gun. It's the Twisting Toys/Armoury M1919A6.







-Nate

very nice nate

The detail on that weapon is tops! Is it made of metal?

Very nice Nate!

clivvers wrote:

The detail on that weapon is tops! Is it made of metal?

Thanks for the kind words! It's plastic. DML also made a nice plastic version with one of their late-war figures. It might be the same mold; since the two companies apparently collaborated in some projects.

-Nate

Fantastic job with these.

Final days of WW2 & Post WW2, many Waffen SS and others found themselves joining the French Foreign Legion. The French happy for the very experienced Soldiers and happily to put them in Harms way in IndoChina (later to become Vietnam) too.

Certainly Captured the look and feel of these chaps.

Stonewall wrote:

Fantastic job with these.

Final days of WW2 & Post WW2, many Waffen SS and others found themselves joining the French Foreign Legion. The French happy for the very experienced Soldiers and happily to put them in Harms way in IndoChina (later to become Vietnam) too.

Certainly Captured the look and feel of these chaps.

there was a few hundred ex.ss men joined the ffl until the French public found out about them and kicked up about it , so after that things were tightened up so as to stop Nazi's joining the ffl ordinary germans however were still allowed to join up

Just a few updates. Gave them some new gear and altered their uniforms.




My Machine gun team:




Adjutant (Warrant Officer):





-Nate

Terrific Nate!, they all look great!

First class uniforms Nate well set up the machinegun is a very nice bit of kit and well detailed, it's been a good thread very intresting

Ian

High quality outfits and accessories! I'm a fan of netting on helmets, nice figures!