Wednesday, January 15, 2014

From Curt: 28mm First Indochina War - French Paratroop Officer and Radioman (10 points)


'The enemy has overrun our positions. We're blowing everything up... Au revoir.'
- Last French radio transmission from Dien Bien Phu - May 7th, 1954.


I needed a brief intermission from the winter-themed figures I've been working on and so decided to finish this command stand for my (slowly) developing Indochine project.


These two figures are from Red Star Miniatures' 28mm 'Dien Bien Phu' range. Beautiful models sculpted by Paul Hicks - I highly recommended them. I've based them on a hex-shaped base so they can be easily identified as a command stand when on the tabletop.


I understand that Red Star is just about to release their range of Viet Mihn to serve as the French's intractable opponents and so I'm very eager to get my hands on some of those.

These two French paras will provide me with 10 points, inching me further along to my 700 point goal.

Now back to the ice and snow of Russia...

43 comments:

  1. They are superb. I had no interest in doing this period until you showed me just how good they could be. More Lead to buy now!

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    1. Thanks Clint. You definitely won't be disappointed as they are marvellous figures and a joy to paint.

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  2. Lovely figs Curt - the Indochine war is a cracker and filled with really interesting stuff. If you haven't read it yet "The Last Valley" is a must for this genre and will really get your juices flowing!

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  3. Thanks Paul! Funny you should mention 'The Last Valley' as I've just finished Bernard Fall's 'Street Without Joy' and 'Hell in a Very Small Place' and was wondering about 'The Last Valley'. I'll definitely pick it up on your recommendation.

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  4. Very nicely done Curt, love it.

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  5. As always your brushwork and basing are superb. I like the tall grass that conceals them as it lends that extra touch of realism that you're known for.

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  6. Great looking command vignette. Dean

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  7. Nice work. Love the history behind the piece.

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    1. Thanks Iannick - it's a pretty evocative period and with the French it has that doomed and romantic flair about it.

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  8. Any figs which make me want to get into that period must be pretty great! These do the trick - lovely stuff.

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    1. Thank you Lord Hill, that is high praise indeed!

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  9. Cracking work Curt, I am really drawn to this project of yours.

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    1. Thank you Michael. It's a very niche period but very compelling and evocative.

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  10. Great stuff Curt a real life feel to this base

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    1. Thank you James, the figures are so well animated that it is easy to assemble a convincing pose.

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  11. Aidez nous! Send more brie!
    Very nice, Curt, very atmospheric. The huddled look of both minis suggests a lot of unhealthy things flying over their heads.

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    1. Haha! Indeed. I could have placed them on a larger base but liked the compressed nature of a smaller area - it seems to work well with their hunched poses.

      I read that the French general commanding at Dien Bien Phu, de Castries, was promoted during the course of the battle and that the French High Command paradropped in his General's stars along with a bottle of champagne. Prophetically they were dropped into a zone that had recently been overrun by the Viet Mihn...

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  12. Fantastic, Curt. I´m more and more interested in this period. Very nice composition with the figures!

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    1. Thanks Juan! I look forward to your interpretation of these figures.

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  13. Paul Hicks is a flipping genius. Honestly, the man can sculpt anything. I've got a load of his stuff across many genres and love every single fig.

    You've done a lovely job with these chaps Curt, especially given the limited palette. The basing is very evocative of the theme and finishes them off really well.

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    1. Thanks Millsy. Yep, Hick's brilliant. I don't know how he can be so prolific - it's almost unbelievable.

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  14. My, the temptation! Really nice looking collection

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    1. Thanks very much Phil. I don't think will hit 'collection' status until I get around 30 figures under the belt. Sigh. Back to it...

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  15. Really well done dude - great work.
    Based on the weather here today, I'm sure there is no shortage of Russian winter inspiration at your place...

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    1. Thanks bro! Yes, every time I take the pups out for a walk I feel like I'm stepping onto a set for 'Dr. Zhivago'...

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  16. A very nice piece... Very tempting.

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    1. Thanks Dave. Hold your resolve, you have cowboys in 54mm to do!

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  17. Hi Curt,
    well done ! once more you hooked us ;-)
    they were few but they were brave up to the end!
    a sacrifice that became the birth of the Myth!
    par St Michel! vive les Paras!

    Cheers

    GillesW

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    1. Thanks Gilles! I'm very happy you're enjoying this little foray.

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  18. More great work Curt!! Love the scenic bases!!

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Thanks for your comment! As long as you're not a spam droid I'll have it up on the blog soon. :)