Quick answer
Choose the French Infantry (1916-1940) hard plastic box if you want one 28mm kit that can build either a WWI or WWII French platoon, including Harlem Hellfighters or Senegalese Tirailleurs. It gives you up to 35 figures with enough Lebel and Berthier rifles and heads for every figure, so you can commit to one era or split the box between both.
Why a dual-era French infantry box changes your planning
Most historical infantry kits lock you into one war and one uniform. This box covers 1916 through 1940, which means you can start a WWI French army and later add interwar or early-WWII squads without buying a second core set. That flexibility matters if you paint slowly or if your group switches between conflicts.
The trade-off is assembly time: because the box includes parts for both eras, you will spend more time sorting heads and rifles before you glue anything. Decide your era before you clip parts from the sprue, or you will end up with a mixed box and no clear plan.
What the box actually gives you for a 28mm platoon
You get up to 35 hard plastic infantry. The set includes enough Lebel and Berthier rifles and enough heads of each type for all figures, so you are not forced to compromise one era to finish the other. For a typical 28mm platoon, that is enough for a full strength section plus support and command figures, or two smaller squads if you split the box.
Because the box does not supply bases or rules, check your preferred rule set for base size and figure count before assembly. The kit is a figure source, not a complete platoon-in-a-box with bases and dice.
When to choose WWI over WWII (or both)
Pick 1916-1918 if you want the Verdun-era look and the “Ils ne passeront pas!” theme. The Lebel rifle and the appropriate heads let you build the classic French infantry squad. This is the stronger choice if your group already plays WWI and you want a force that matches existing armies.
Pick 1940 if you want early-WWII French infantry for the Battle of France. The box includes the rifles and heads needed for that period, so you can build a platoon that looks distinct from your WWI models. If you cannot decide, build one era first and keep the remaining parts for a later project; the kit supports both, but mixed assembly without planning leads to unusable spare parts.
Colonial and specialist units: Harlem Hellfighters and Senegalese Tirailleurs
The box also lets you build the famed Harlem Hellfighters or the Senegalese Tirailleurs, the colonial infantry who fought in both wars. If you want a historically grounded project that stands out from a standard French line platoon, these options are a strong reason to choose this kit over a single-era box.
Be honest about your painting and research time: specialist units often require different uniform colors and may need extra references. The plastic supports the build, but the historical detail is up to you.
Decision rules for your French platoon
- Choose your era first: Decide between 1916-1918 and 1940 before clipping parts. If you want the Verdun battlecry theme and Lebel rifles, go WWI. If you want early-WWII infantry for 1940, go WWII. Write the choice on the box lid. A written era choice prevents mixed sprues and wasted parts.
- Set your figure count: For a standard 28mm platoon, plan around 25-30 figures and keep 5 as spares or command upgrades. If your rules require fewer figures, build a smaller squad and save the rest for a second project. Check your rule set’s figure count before assembly.
- Pick heads and rifles by unit: Use the supplied heads and Lebel or Berthier rifles to match your chosen unit. For Harlem Hellfighters or Senegalese Tirailleurs, use the appropriate heads and research uniform colors separately. Do not mix heads randomly. Sort heads and rifles into labeled bags before gluing.
- Plan bases and movement trays: The box does not include bases. Buy 25mm round or square bases that match your rules, and decide whether you want individual basing or multi-basing before you assemble legs. Order bases at the same time as the box to avoid a stalled project.
Product facts
-
French Infantry (1916-1940): Hard plastic set builds up to 35 French infantry for either WWI or WWII, with enough Lebel and Berthier rifles and heads for all figures. You can commit to one era without running short of parts, or split the box between projects if you plan ahead.
French Infantry (1916-1940)
Is this box right for your project?
Best for
- New or returning historical gamers who want one 28mm French infantry kit that covers WWI and WWII.
- Players who want to build a French platoon with colonial or specialist units like Harlem Hellfighters or Senegalese Tirailleurs.
- Hobbyists who paint slowly and want spare parts for a future era without buying another core box.
Not for
- Gamers who need a complete platoon with bases, rules, and dice in one purchase.
- Collectors who only want a single-era kit with no spare parts or assembly decisions.
- Players who need a different scale or a period outside 1916-1940.