Welcome to the Strelets Forum.
Please feel free to discuss any aspect of 1/72 scale plastic figures, not simply Strelets.
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Let's get back to what this Forum is about (please :relaxed: ) and look at the figures that Strelets are bringing out.
I am a confirmed 'Horse and Musket' man at present, and have rarely ventured into the desert (apart from 1941-43, where I have far too many, and I mean too many, 8th Army and DAK/Italian tanks, soft-skins, artillery, infantry, perhaps not yet engineers and support weapons, but.... etc.).
However, I have to say that the two new sets that have been posted on the preview pages look very good. I was wondering whether the Arabs Skirmishing set might win the award for 'The most kneeling and prone figures in a set in 1/72' PSR 2020 Prize, but then I noticed that the ACW Confederates skirmishing is about the same. Just right for taking cover behind sand dunes and sniping away with those Mauser(?) or Lebel (??) rifles. Firing line?...forget it!!
The FFL set also looks very neat, with a nice little mountain howitzer model. Makes me wish I'd invested in couple of the old Airfix 'Beau Geste'desert fort sets (with the original Airfix FFL and Bedouin sets of course) when they were readily available in toy shops all those years ago....
But... now back to the more temperate climes of Flanders fields in 1706. The Regiment du Roi (all 3 battalions) need painting, and there is not an Arab cloak or kepi in sight....
I'm looking forward to the new sets also, Minuteman. Strelets sets cover the FFL and Arab themes very nicely with many poses and period weapons. As far as the Airfix sets, they are now sentimental favorites with me. The Fort Sahara is nicely detailed, but a little small. The FFL and Bedouin figures are nice, too, but limited in poses and numbers. PSR reviews them. I've got Airfix Bedouins in white, cream, an odd light green and rust colors. Some of the older white color Bedouins have become brittle with age, so Strelets new sets are the best for beginning a collection.
Strelets sets are authentically detailed with appropriate accoutrements, weapons and great poses.
If you wanted a new fort, Italeri released a "Beau Geste" playset in 20mm. It is nice, but Sarissa Precision just released a 28mm Desert Fort which looks really nice! If they make it in 20mm (probably will), then I might buy one. Here is the link:
https://sarissa-precision.com/collections/north-africa-colonial-28mm/products/desert-fort-28mm
Enjoy - GC
I have been thinking about these guys too. The FFL is pretty cool.
I have one of these forts by Hudson and Allen. I think it really captures the feeling.
http://www.wargamescenics.com/Desert_Fortress_Pictures.html
These new sets of FFL and Arabs look fantastic! As a modeller, (who hardly ever seems to finish anything)I do see some great ideas for dioramas both small and large with so much promise from these sets. The old Airfix figures also hold a special place for myself and the good old Fort Sahara … memories from the distant past.
Strelets are bringing these periods alive again and deserve much praise for their inventiveness in both subject manner and the sculpting and poses provided - much more animated than figure sets from previous manufacturers. (No disrespect intended as the original companies paved the way for the huge and varied range of figures we are currently experiencing).
No matter which sets are released I am always fascinated with the interesting and characterful animation and sculpting by Strelets, that actually tell a story, not just run of the mill poses... again kudos to Strelets !!
They are indeed excellent figures.
Thanks for the links, pictures, and suggestions guys. FFL is a romantic topic, isn't it? There are now many great pictures of hobby FFL forts on the internet, both conversions and kits built by enthusiasts. So much fun to look at. Google (images) is a treasure chest of ideas.
Regarding how the FFL would have moved a mountain gun around the desert, the movie "March or Die" has a picture of one being transported dis-assembled by mule pack. Makes sense it would work for both the Sahara sand and mountain trails, and be a fun conversion.
I feel the Strelets line of FFL and Arabs are by far the most historically accurate, tastefully done, made in a nice color, and have many animated poses to cover so many colonial subjects.
For me, in the end, with the FFL, I don't go overboard taking the subject too serious, as they were always very adaptive anyway. It has a very long history. So let your imagination open up. Keep it fun.
Here is one more link I know of by an enthusiast with lots of fun info in general. If you have the free time, on that Home Page, check down the right side for older, earlier posts. Lots of reference material hidden in the older stuff. I saved the link and check back periodically. It's called "Mon Legionnaire."
https://monlegionnaire.wordpress.com/
I feel a dedicated FFL mule train set should be next up
Yes a dedicated mule train for the FFL will be highly commendable as will be some with carts. Please give us these missing gaps for this period.
How about Strelets releasing a 'Draught Animal' set comprising a couple of the mule-ox animal sprues from the Crusader Transport 1 set?? Maybe a couple of the Rif camel sprues??
You don't have to be Michelangelo to mould sacks/bundles/blankets etc from putty, or folded tents and tent-poles... Possibly components of dismantled mountain gun...