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Question for Forum Historians Re: WSS compared with French & Indian Wars and Seven Years War

I would say that they are not really suitable for the Seven Years War, or for the War of Austrian Succession, for that matter.

British regulars from 1742 (date of the famous clothing book) are characterised by facing lapels, cuffs with a cut-out and turnbacks.

You will find some units, e.g. some militia, SYW American Provincials and volunteer units at the time of the Jacobite Rebellion, who have plain collarless coats without turnbacks. Some may have stockings rather gaiters. See examples in Red Box Set 72051.

As has been mentioned, this also describes the coats, at least, of most French Infantry units, including those in New France, during the SYW.

However, the problem you will have is the fact that WSS coats had turnback cuffs that are seated well up the arm, revealing the shirt sleeve and/or the sleeve of a sleeved waistcoat. In other words, it is as if the coat sleeve would be full length only if you turned down the cuffs.

Fashions moved on and the fiction that a turnback cuff would ever be turned down was abandoned and, at least by the 1740s, military sleeves were full length with the cuff turned back.

A parallel is perhaps found with turnbacks on coat tails; by the Napoleonic period, "turnbacks" were non-functional and merely representative, reflecting the fact that no-one wore coat tails unturned-back.

As has been mentioned, you would find these British WSS uniforms in North America at the time of 'Queen Anne's War'; the Government's Independent Companies would be clothed in this fashion.

Question for Forum Historians Re: WSS compared with French & Indian Wars and Seven Years War

"I live in the U.S. and am looking for an excuse to buy these excellent sets! Would sure appreciate any of your advice and guidance."

Why does living in the US exclude the possibility of collecting/gaming the Wars of the Spanish Succession? A typically colourful European War with many large sieges and set piece battles - it would repay your interest.
With regard to your question - I would add my voice to those above in saying that teh figures would not be suitable for FIW - it should also be noted that regular troops formed a very small part of the forces on either side during that war - marines and militia, coureur du bois etc played a large part.

Question for Forum Historians Re: WSS compared with French & Indian Wars and Seven Years War

I heartily agree. The European theatres would have been very varied and colourful, with plenty going on.

If the OP feels constrained to stick to North American, British troops and colonial militias would find themselves pitted against the Spanish, the French and Native Americans at various points in and around the period of "Queen Anne's War". This would be ideal if you wanted to try small engagements with modest forces.

Some, like the Carolina Militia wore no uniform, but military coats resembled civilian dress, so you can always paint up your infantrymen as civilians in suitable buffs, browns, greys and greens, with the officers in red.

The government troops were represented by Independent Companies, which would resemble the Strelets British Infantry exactly; paint them red with blue cuffs.

Remove the cartridge box from the right hip of your Strelets British Infantry and add a ventral pouch and you can paint them up as Spanish.

Question for Forum Historians Re: WSS compared with French & Indian Wars and Seven Years War

Thank you everyone for sharing your knowledge and information about this new range of figures - WSS. It looks like that during the time line of the French & Indian Wars of 1688 - 1763, there was the WSS from 1701 - 1714 with the Queen Anne's War overlapping in North America from 1702 - 1713. Now the seed has been planted for me to begin collecting this era and also learning more and more about it. I spent most of Sunday reading and re-reading your information. I really enjoyed it.

I have always enjoyed buying Playsets since I was a kid. They have a kind of built-in theme, especially Frontier Days with Davey Crocket & the Alamo, and many AWI sets, ACW, but none I know of for WSS. So now I think I will begin my putting together my own Playset theme built around the Queen Anne's War, and include Fort Maurepas (completed 1699 by French I believe) and enjoy a little imagination/make-believe battling with a little historical mixed in with British Americans, French, and Indians being fielded for some winter enjoyment. This era will be brand new for me.

I'm not a historical purist, but I do enjoy recreating events likely to have happened. So you gentlemen have given me some very exciting new information to set me off on this new toy soldiering journey. Thank you! - GC

Question for Forum Historians Re: WSS compared with French & Indian Wars and Seven Years War

Some uniforms and flags in America, c. 1690 - c. 1720

French
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-72-eng.aspx?page=66
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-133-eng.aspx?page=144
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-96-eng.aspx?page=96
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-118-eng.aspx?page=121
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-94-eng.aspx?page=93
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-147-eng.aspx?page=165
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-170-eng.aspx?page=215
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-171-eng.aspx?page=215
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-174-eng.aspx?page=215
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-98-eng.aspx?page=101
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-101-eng.aspx?page=108
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-93-eng.aspx?page=171
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-74-eng.aspx?page=66
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-165-eng.aspx?page=214
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-82-eng.aspx?page=74




British
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-86-eng.aspx?page=85
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-168-eng.aspx?page=215
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-167-eng.aspx?page=215
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-176-eng.aspx?page=215



Indian
http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/image-79-eng.aspx?page=89


From this site:

http://cmhg-phmc.forces.gc.ca/cmh-pmc/page-1-eng.aspx


A lot of information on all aspects of military life and events in Nouvelle France and New England. Check it out.

Question for Forum Historians Re: WSS compared with French & Indian Wars and Seven Years War

Wow, great resource pictures! I did check all of the links, and those even led me to lists and pictures of the Hudson Bay Company's old forts and stockades of the time, mentioning they were built to service the newly discovered fur trade before some becoming military posts.

I hope no one interprets my lack of knowledge or any of my comments as disrespectful. Learning this level of detail for this era prior to the AWI 1776 is mostly new to me and very colorful. That's what I meant by "... a reason to buy these (WSS) new figures."

OK, thank you, again all - GC


Question for Forum Historians Re: WSS compared with French & Indian Wars and Seven Years War

GarrisonClay


I hope no one interprets my lack of knowledge or any of my comments as disrespectful.


GC: no one knows everything. I think a major point of this forum is that you can ask questions & should get back polite & knowledgeable replies.

I know I depend on the expertise of my fellow members.

Question for Forum Historians Re: WSS compared with French & Indian Wars and Seven Years War

Well said, and so true!

Cheers!