Nice, I'll be changing out the weapons and accoutrements, using these guys in a 1/35 Civil War dio with the Masterbox cavalry/ western figures. Thank you ICM.

Considering how little the traditional zouave uniform changed from the 1850s to 1914, you can do a lot with these guys. Crimea, Mexico, Franco-Prussian, American Civil War... ICM hit it out of the park with this one. Might get them to go into my 1870 diorama.

No slight intended to the undoubted bravery of the men in this unit, but seriously those are some bright colours if you like being a visible target. Followed by dead. I'd rather wear some nice nondescript khaki, mud and all. And a helmet, thank you. My unit's arrival at the front shouldn't be the cause of derision and calls that the circus is back in town.

Well, in 1914, the entire French army was in bright red trousers. The government had adopted the color to publicize a new synthetic dye they wanted to sell internationally. Within a couple of years, the Army switched the whole uniform to Horizon Blue, a soft blue-gray that blended with smoke and sky.

Well, in 1914, the entire French army was in bright red trousers. The government had adopted the color to publicize a new synthetic dye they wanted to sell internationally. Within a couple of years, the Army switched the whole uniform to Horizon Blue, a soft blue-gray that blended with smoke and sky.[/quote] Wearing dull colors to war only became commonplace in the 20th century. Before then it was considered a sign or poor morale and no unit pride and not the mark of a good soldier. It should be noted though that French infantry had dull colored hat covers and over trousers in 1914. The red pants were propaganda. The red pants were retained as a reminder of the humiliation of 1870 and the elan needed for revenge on the Germans. They were a tradition going back 60 years and a symbol of the great bravery of the French army. These figures can also be used as Algerian Turcos who wore this uniform but in light blue. The post 1914 horizon blue varied from dull light grey to light blue, sky blue to a light grey blue. Colonial troops like the foreign legion and turcos wore khaki.