The Perry Miniatures French Infantry Advancing set is the essential 28mm plastic kit for fielding the spirited "élan" of the Second French Empire during the pivotal battles of 1870–1871.
Recreate the iconic defense and counter-attacks of the Imperial and Republican French forces with this masterfully sculpted set from Perry Miniatures. This kit captures the aesthetic of the French line infantry, characterized by their distinct képis and long capotes, as they faced the Prussian needle guns with their superior Chassepot rifles.
Designed for maximum tactical variety, this set focuses on infantry in forward motion. Figures can be assembled at 'porte' (leaning forward in a spirited advance) or marching in a 'right shoulder shift'—the standard drill positions for moving rapidly under fire. The box is highly comprehensive, containing 38 figures in total, featuring a mix of advancing soldiers, 10 skirmishers in specialized firing and loading poses, and a full French Command frame. Whether you are modeling the veteran Imperial troops of Sedan or the later Republican Armies of National Defense, this set provides the historical accuracy and anatomical realism required for professional-grade wargaming.
Features
- Scale: 28mm
- Category: Miniature Figures
- Product Type: Infantry
- Era / Faction: Franco-Prussian War – French Infantry (1870–1871)
- High-quality construction: Hard Plastic
- Contents: 38 figures (including advancing/marching, firing line skirmishers, command, and casualties)
- Assembly or painting required: Yes (Glue required)
- Material color: Molded in gray plastic
- Package dimensions: 9” L x 6” W x 2.75” H
- Recommended for collectors ages: 14+
Tip: When assembling the command frame, ensure the flag-bearer's arm is set at a slight forward angle; the French colors were often thrust forward during an advance to serve as a rallying point for the battalion during the chaos of a bayonet charge.
Recommended Finishing Essentials
The Professional Palette (Realism & Detail)
- Primary Uniform (French Blue): Vallejo Model Color Dark Blue (70.930) provides the rich, deep blue required for the French capote (greatcoat).
- Trousers (Madder Red): Vallejo Model Color Flat Red (70.957) is the perfect match for the iconic "Pantalon Rouge" that made the French infantry so distinctive on the battlefield.
- Leather Gear: AK Interactive 3rd Gen Black (AK11001) offers the ultra-matte finish needed for the blackened leather gaiters and cartridge boxes.
- Metallic Details: AK Interactive 3rd Gen Old Gold (AK11192) is ideal for the brass eagle plates on the shako and officer button details.
- Browse our full Vallejo Paint Collection and AK Interactive 3rd Gen range for more historical colors.
The Speed Painting Path (Fast-to-Table)
- Base Coat: The Army Painter Speedpaint 2.0 "Highlord Blue" for the coats and "Sanguine Crimson" for the trousers. Apply over a light gray primer for instant depth and shading in one pass.
- Quick Detailing: Use The Army Painter Fanatic "Pure Red" for collar facings and "Plate Mail Metal" for the long French bayonets.
Basing & Scenics
- Terrain Foundation: Krautcover Scenics "European Grassland" for a realistic, multi-toned dirt and grass floor representative of the French countryside.
- Foliage & Tufts: Add Gamers Grass "Wild Flowers" or "Dry Steppe" tufts to recreate the unkempt fields of the late summer and autumn campaigns of 1870.
- Campaign Weathering: Apply AK Interactive "European Earth" weathering pigments to the bottom of the greatcoats to simulate the mud and dust of a retreating or advancing army.
