Modern French Army - Part 3.5, The Vehicles (Enter the VBCI)

As mentioned before, I have scoured the internet in search of French military equipment to expand my little reaction force.  I even reached out to a number of people who produce models, but never received replies.   That was until the man of the hour, Luis Glehn, hit me up with the encouraging words "Give me a few days and I should be able to do it".   True to his word, he delivered and I can't thank him enough.  He has a Shapeways store Small Scale Shop with over 250 items.  I highly recommend his work, and it's hard to beat someone who will go out of the way to simply create the things you need.

I'm really excited, as having models of these will really allow us to wargame the forefront of French military involvements. As well as many hypothetical engagements.

VBCI:

Vehicule Blinde de Combat d'Infanterie

The French "Armored Infantry Fighting Vehicle", (such an original name), leapt the French military into the world of massive but maneuverable IFVs. Standing in about a meter taller than the VAB and well over a meter than the AMX-10P, this is a real beast.   Armed with a 25mm dual feed cannon and a co-axial 7.62mm machine gun, it's standard form also packs a little more punch than the standard AMX-10P that it is replacing.  The vehicle was designed to be fully integrated with the new integrated vehicle information system as well as the FELIN system.  The VBCI has a crew of three and can carry an additional 8 people. (7 men being the standard squad size)

Stealth fields!!!

(their original plastic form)

This is the point where I really start to lose whatever passion I had in the project.

painful repetition.

antennae attached

pin washed

finis

I used the same methods and paints that I've done for all the French vehicles, and finished off with the standard QRF baggage attached.  As with the others, I might eventually add some flags to the antennae. Until such time that someone puts out the rest of their next generation armored vehicles, I can finally (happily) put down my brushes with regard to the French.