2013 Operation Serval in Mali (modern French vs. insurgents)

[LouisD]

Hello all,

These are pictures from the first half of a modern 1/72 project I have been working on for a little while around the French intervention in Mali in 2013 (Operation Serval). The figures are Caesar Miniatures of course.

The French side of the project (minus vehicles - those are still to come) is all done and features a full infantry platoon with command, three combat squads, an anti-tank ERYX missile squad, and various other support elements. I have only had to make minor infidelities to real-life organisation and equipment with what came in the box. I will later add vehicles and artillery from Butler's Printed Models and S&S Models. I'm now working on the insurgent models which I will share fairly soon, I hope.

Platoon commander and radio



3 combat squads, each comprising a squad leader, a "600 meters" fireteam (team leader, MINIMI gunner, grenadier) and a "300 meters" fireteam (team leader, 2 riflemen with AT4 rocket launcher - here in truth the older AT APILAS cut at both ends)







1 anti-tank support squad (2 ERYX anti-tank missile teams)





2 designated marksmen (FR-F2 rifles) and a medic



Medium machine gun team



And finally the whole platoon together (apologies for the dreadful picture quality here)

[Peter]

What a great first post! Fantastic painted figures! And welcome to the forum!

[LouisD]

Thanks!

[Kostis Ornerakis]

Excellent work!

[LouisD]

Thank you, I appreciate the feedback

[Flashcad]

I met several individuals from the French military when I was assigned on a project in Chad a few years ago. Believe me, you wouldn't choose to get on the bad side of those guys.

Nicely painted units by the way...

[Santi Pérez]

Wonderful unit, LouisD. You have entered the forum through the front door with this work. Welcome!

Santi.

[LouisD]

Thanks a lot for the welcome! Eager to share more soon-ish (life and kids permitting ^^)

[Xantippos]

Very cool . Will love to see their enemies. Modern (very modern) subjects are very much forgotten on modelling, refreshing to see such a recent subject.

[LouisD]

Thanks! I have only four insurgents painted so far (tests models before I start painting the batches proper) but I can take a pic this weekend if you want to see.

[LouisD]

Here are the first four models I've painted for the insurgent side:

[Peter]

Wonderfull painted figures Louis!

[Iceman1964]

Great job, beautiful details for both French and insurgents, best compliments

[Chariobaude]

i always wanted to start a modern french army, but except those Caesar (mixed with chinese privates ?!!!??!), i never find anything else, and converting is almost impossible...
Congratulations anyway, your french are marvellous !

[LouisD]

Thanks a lot for the kind feedback everyone!

Yes in plastics those are the only ones in 1/72, I believe. They are mixed with Chinese, I will also paint those as a modern People's Liberation Army platoon later.

Elhiem Figures has a range of 1/72 metal modern French that look pretty good.

(And in 28mm you can find some from Eureka as well as ultra-moderns from Empress)

[C M Dodson]

Very nice indeed.

Best wishes,

Chris

[Xantippos]

Great looking rebels . As a suggestion, I might paint a few with a darker skin tone, to get more variety in the ranks.

That Caesar is really weird, mixing chinese with french, and this reminds me I haven't got it yet .

[LouisD]

Yes that's in the works for the next batch

[Hobbyinovator]

The insurgents are relly nicely painted.

[LouisD]

Thank you!

It's a very simple technique, really. I paint all the base colours except a few items like the weapon or the kepis on the French officers, then I do a slightly diluted wash all over, then a dry brush all over with a light grey-beige colour, before finally painting and highlighting the items left aside.

I decided to get into 1/72 in no small part because I hate doing lots of highlights!