28mm/32mm Parisian Terrain from Malifaux

As mentioned elsewhere, I find the conceptual execution of the world of Malifaux difficult to follow: I understand the desire to place their setting in a Victorian-inspired parallel world, I just find the models too over-the-top, Steampunk-plus-Outre, to be of any use for my In Her Majesty's Name games - except their urban terrain.

One thing, at least, that the folks at Custome Meeple get, is the necessity of dressing a city like a city. Please pardon the truism, which I think is merited, because that self-same truism seems missed by a sizable percentage of hobby manufacturers. As far as I can tell, only Wyrd/Malifaux offers stuff like:

City Bench with Light Post (aka Dollhouse Bench*).  
Where does one wait for the Omnibus? Restaurants and Taverns were popular stops for the Omnibus, but evidence of the embarkation points seems scarce. Where on the Place de la Concorde does one get picked up? At the Obelisk? At one of the Fontaines? Which one?  

Bench by Custom Meeple, lamp by Old Glory.

With this simple MDF bench and light post, and perhaps a simple ticket kiosk nearby, we have the answer.

Bench; Custom Meeple, Lamp; Old Glory, Miniature; Warlord Games

There were some issues with this model: there was no lamp post provided. Custom Meeple included three flat, amber, Lucite disks for the lamps, which I set aside for some other project. I used a round plastic coffee stirrer and my own lamp from Old Glory to finish both models.  

That said; selling an incomplete kit? Shame on you, Custom Meeple.

Park Flower Beds and Fountain (aka Curmudgeon Square Parterre*)
Going for a stroll in le Jardin des Plantes? Perhaps a secret meeting near Le Ménagerie? Custom Meeple helps make this possible with these MDF formal garden beds. Four garden beds, lined with cut stone, are included, along with a small fountain/birdbath. 

Small planters by Custom Meeple, miniature by Warlord Games

City Tree Planters (Dollhouse* Tree Planter)
Another must-have for late 19th century city-scapes, at least those influenced by Paris, is the Boulevard line of trees. These MDF planters are just the thing to bring refreshing air and shade for those promenading along the avenues and boulevards. My trees are Woodland Scenics 1517 Dark Green, selected for the smaller footprint, which are then glued to a metal base, and covered in scenic dirt.

Planter by Custom Meeple, Tree by Woodland Scenics

Advertising Column (aka Malifaux Millbank Street Morris Column)
Named after Gabriel Morris, the leading advertising printer in France during the Second Empire, these columns were introduced to keep advertising bills (or billets) off the buildings and onto the column. These don't seem to have caught on much in the UK or USA, so they are one of those little items that makes a Parisian street all the more so.

I don't actually have the Custom Meeple version - I had a couple from Alien Lab (in Poland) via eBay. The shape seems more in line for 1890s Paris, and as it was resin, and not MDF, I didn't need to build it.

Note to you resin casters out there - Resin is still faster, cheaper, and doesn't smell of formaldehyde.

Notes:
Despite Custom Meeple/Malifaux being closer to the 32mm Heroic Scale, unlike their buildings, these 19th Century urban terrain bits work well with 28mm scale from manufacturers like Foundry, Northstar and Old Glory.

*The marketing for this line is targeted for Malifaux players, so Custom Meeple can perhaps be forgiven for the arcane Line associations. The Dollhouse is actually a 28/32mm Victorian Mansion.

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28mm French Buildings from MBA

WIP - A Quiet Street in Paris...

(Editor's Note: this article was written in March 2021 and delayed due to circumstances beyond my control...)

Setting a miniatures scenario in Fin de Siècle* Paris poses several challenges of Victorian London or late 19th century New York City; the details of building styles, materials and even décor of La Dame de Paris are visually different that her Brittanic or American counterparts.

(Fin de Siècle* is the 1880s and 1890s, because using the term "Victorian Paris" just seems a bit odd, n’est-ce pas?)

Paris in the 1870s had just undergone the Haussman Reforms - many of the narrow, medieval-style streets had been demolished and straightened, and the new broad avenues (often tarmacked to deprive the Parisian mob easy access to paving stones) cut, not without coincidence, straight as a cannon shot through the metropole, linking the great monuments and palaces in a harmony of civil engineering.

Paris is a grey city. Granite and limestone facades, marble adornments, and gypsum "Plaster-of-Paris" create that unique, dreamy pale-and-cream grey that characterises Paris and makes her a favourite of 19th and 20th century artists. So, away with the red brick, which evokes 19th century Philadelphia or Chicago; gone the yellow brick so beloved of Georgian London or York. What we're looking for now is granite and limestone, and gypsum plaster stucco - the last possibly coloured with some added tinctures to relieve the monotonie grise.

To start, here are three European/French-style 25mm/28mm buildings by The Miniature Building Authority: 

Restaurant
The Dinner Clubs were an integral part of Parisian intellectual life, as political assemblies were banned under the Second Empire. Victor Hugo, Emile Zola and other influential intellectuals were usually members of one or more of these clubs.

28mm miniature by Artizan

A detached building. Size 7" x 4", with a 2" x 2 ½" extension , two floors, with a hipped roof. Suggests a rear allotment or back yard, stone, stuccoed walls are needed.

Outdoor dining was relatively uncommon in 19th century European cities, where the urbanites were more likely to visit the local suburban gardens and parks and either purchase food from vendors, or have an impromptu picnic. Still, for any Al Fresco advocates, the more Bohemian artists would enjoy dîner à l’extérieur on occasion, but usually in the back yard/allotment, away from the dust, dirt and odors of the street.

Cafe
A more purely urban building than the Restaurant, due to the clean gable ends. Size: 4 ¼" x 5", three stories. This model will go nicely as part of a row of houses along the street. I will probably use this model as a bakery (boulangerie), because in Paris, ya gotta have bread.

Cafe 

Caretan House
Caretan is found on the Normandy Coast, hence the model isn't taken from a Parisian design. That's not a problem, since - despite the windows on the gables, the ends are clean, and its size, 4" x 6", two stories, allowing for placement next to the Cafe/Boulangerie, probably as a working-class residence.
 

Caretan House - Front

Caretan House - Back

All of the MBA buildings listed here do well for 19th century Paris - dormer windows are a must. I'm still on the lookout for: The Patisseri and the Corner Shop(s).

Also from MBA. some 19th century street lamps. These were pre-painted, which is welcome. I might drag a dry brush of dark grey across the post to bring out the detail. 

These are out of production. I'm not sure why so many of Miniature Building Authority's European line is OOP. Perhaps the moulds were lost in China?

Notes:

All of these MBA buildings were supplied more-or-less painted, but each could do with some cleanup and dry-brushed highlighting. 

The scale is very much the smaller, non-"heroic" scale - which I usually refer to as "25mm/28mm". Larger 28mm/32mm scale buildings will not fit well with these, as I will demonstrate in the next, upcoming post.

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The Apaches of Paris

Les Apaches de Paris was an urban criminal gang movement, which flourished at the Fin du Siècle in France's largest city and capital. Their specialty was violent crime, often targeting the bourgeoisie with assault, mugging and other, more sordid, crimes.

From Le Petit Journal, via Wikipedia

Apaches battle Paris Police 14 August 1904

 

 The term was coined in 1907 by journalist Victor Moris, in describing the furious war between two rival gangs. For their part, Les Apaches embraced their nom de guerre, battling both police and each other with equal enthusiasm. Their worker's areas in the outer regions of Paris became a no-go area for the police, and upon nightfall, they seemed to rule the city.

The cover of Le Petit Journal from October 1907, depicting a "classic" French Apache - clad in working class flat cap, neck scarf, workman's short jacket, striped shirt/vest, and a red sash. The red sash was a well-known symbol of the Worker's Revolution.


Miniature Sources

While this is not a particularly fertile ground for miniatures manufacturers, there are several sets of minis that will serve for Les Apaches:

Brigade Games: River Pirates. I painted up a batch of these a few years back.
The three chaps in the centre would work well - the one in the middle is spot on.

Figures by Brigade Games

Northstar Miniatures: Anarchists. These were originally released (in part) as the Brick Lane Commune for In Her Majesty's Name. They're now available from North Star in smaller packs. The knife-wielding figures are particularly good.

Figures by North Star Miniatures

Old Glory: London Thugs. I've just placed an order for these; once they arrive, I'll put up a picture for size comparison purposes. Old Glory has a lot of miniatures, and often, the photo is either not very good or lacking altogether. This one is taken from the OG website and is rather good: 

Figures by Old Glory Miniatures

Again, the figures in short jackets and worker's caps look spot on. Adding the odd revolver or "Apache Gun" (a barrel-less revolver with a shiv attached) would complete the look.

I'll be working on painting up some of these, hopefully before Christmas. Probably....

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"Geste et Geste. Nil Separatum Est"

Starting off, I'd like to apologise for the lengthy gap is posts.  Sorry about that.  I've been very busy working on a 7TV game set in 1970 Philadelphia, and have been conducting research and making visits into the same. I should be able to work up a crossover scenario or two for the Victorian (or at least Edwardian) era as a result.

In fact, it was due to the dearth of posts that I decided to pick up some of Askari Miniatures "Beau Geste" personality miniatures.  At least give'em a review. I'm also working on finishing some of the Martian Trieste Company miniatures for IHMN/S:1889. Now on to Fort Zinderneuf:

Ali Ibn Maurer and Askari miniatures have done an excellent job in capturing the personalities of the protagonists of "The Last Remake of Beau Geste", which is, of itself, a film that is perhaps, more funny than not. Rumour has it that constant studio interference dulled the humour, and having seen the film years ago, I'm inclined to agree.  That said, the figures are excellent.

Figures by Askari Miniatures

Animation: 4.5

Detail: 5

Proportions: 5

Variety:5

Overall: 4.75 out of 5

The only missing item is the Ann-Margaret miniature.

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"Sédition dans le Souk!" IHMN:1889 for the French on Mars

Sédition dans le Souk (WIP)

The noted French anarchist, Julius Sébastien Lazare, is rumoured to be on Mars. French Constabulary, acting on information from the Martian Office of the Súreté, are searching a native Martian market square in Idæus Fons for clues to the rapscallion's whereabouts. The inspectors are backed up with some muscle from the native Gendarmes.

The Native Market at Idæus Fons

This will be a clues/information gathering game with occasional outbursts of native resistance. The closer the player-inspecteurs get to collaring Lazare, the greater the likelyhood of a violent confrontation.

Updates soon.

WIP - French Cloudship on Mars

Ironclad Miniatures in the UK have a nifty small Martian Cloudship available that I'm modifying for use by the French on Mars.

To begin, the French colony doesn't have the ship building capacity which the British enjoy in Syrtis Major. With a limited ability to build modern aerial gunboats, the authorities in Idaeus Fons must improvise, and the French-Martian Colonial Airfleet is comprised mostly of native, wooden designs in French service.

Resin bits by Ironclad Miniatures

Since my cloudship was going to be retrofitted with steam, dans la méthode des Américains, I wanted extra space for the steam engine, so I replaced the deck supplied with a new deck, cut from light balsa and basswood. The lower hull will remain the same, save for the addition of an air-screw or two.

Miniatures by Askari

Depicted for the reader's gentle delectation are four French Naval artillerymen, from Askari Miniatures. I am debating placing a half-height deck house/covered hatch in the centre, but have yet to find a model I like....

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Additional French Law Enforcement for IHMN

Juggling projects: here are three more models for my IHMN French Police.

Chief Inspector Dupin. A very nice miniature by Artizan Designs (PLP063 - Gaspar Toucan) in their Thrilling Tales line, and captures a certain Suchet-ness, n'est pas? The bow tie and handkerchief are actually a deep pink, which the camera was unable to capture.

Next are two of the Parroom Miniatures Victorians range (VEP_12). The line is currently on hiatus, so neither of these latter miniatures is presently available.

Parroom Assassin. I was painting the face of this model when I suddenly realised what it was (probably) supposed to be - a certain anarchist with a Vendetta. If the line ever goes back into production, I might buy this mini again and paint him with his "Guy Fawkes" face. He would be fun to chase across the roof-tops of Paris.

Assassin and Anarchist

Parroom Anarchist. My least favourite miniature of the three. A hunched, closed off miniature makes for very little character and rather difficult to paint satisfactorily.  The round, black bomb is neat. The non-descript nature of the model was doubtless intentional, and for an IHMN game, I would allow this model to blend into the crowd, only to spring out and hurl his bomb at any player's or passing Austrian Arch-Duke's miniatures.

-finis-

IHMN: La Société du Docteur Marot

Herein, I present La Société du Docteur Marot, a Parisian company for In Her Majesty's Name.  Headed by Dr. Marot, a mesmerist, assisted by the insane dwarf Pierre Trilloubette and One-eyed Jacque the Sailor, the company pursues Marot's nefarious goals, often by deploying Blackie, a giant Sumatran ape.

Controlled by Marot's mesmerism abilities, Blackie strikes fear in the hearts of those opposing Marot's will.  Blackie occasionally escapes his cage, and is known to have a thing for attractive ladies.

Miniatures by West Wind and Parroom Station.

Pierre Trilloubette, aka"le mannequin", is a brilliantly insane artist of limited talent but great cunning. He often directs the day to day activity of the company, while Dr. Marot is otherwise engaged.

Acting as Marot's foot soldiers, while trying to keep out of Blackie's way, are the rough sailors from the more déclassé areas of the Paris docks.

Miniatures by West Wind, Brigade Miniatures and Parroom Station.

 
La Société Marot often clashes with the Sureté, Gendarmerie, and Cabinet Noir, as well as the Comité de Vigilance de la rue Voltaire.

La Société du Docteur Marot

Type	Pluck	FV	SV	Speed	Talents and Powers	Special Equipment	Cost
Dr. Marot	3+	+1	+2	+0	Fanatic, Mesmerism,  Meticulous Planning	Pistol	39
Pierre Triboullet	3+	+2		+0	Duellist, Erudite Wit, Stealthy, Meticulous Planning	Sword cane	28
One-eyed Jacque	4+	+3	+2	+1	Tough,Part o/t Crowd	Pistol, Whip	26
Rough Sailors	5+	+2		+1	Tough	Fighting Knife, Lined Coat	14
Rough Sailors	5+	+2	+2	+1	Tough	Pistol, Lined Coat	16
Sultan the Gorilla	6+	+5	n/a	+4	Terrifying,	Armour 8, Talons+1	32
Blackie the Giant Ape	3+	+5	n/a	+0	Terrifying, Berserker	Armour 9, Talons +1	45

 
Note: this company is inspired by an amalgam of several "Rue Morgue" films, especially the 1957 "Phantom of the Rue Morgue" and the 1971 "Murder in the Rue Morgue".

I tend to strip out the majority of "steampunk" from IHMN, reserving it as a special plot device or special effect, as I find it less strains the bounds of believability. A single clockwork cybernetic weaponised arm on Otto Bismark is clever and amusing - a squad so armed is somewhat tiresome. 

I hope to have Sureté and Gendarmerie finished soon, followed by the Voltaire Street Vigilance Commitee and some disgruntled Communards later this fall.

 - finis -