Les Français d'Outre Mer GB for 2026? and now up to 44! :). Check my recent posts for more ideas!

[RidgeRunner]

Good morning all! 

 

With my proposal for "Les Francais en Afrique" not getting through democratic scrutiny for 2025 I am proposing a modified version to hopefully draw in more interest from our very broad and eclectic membership. Essentially it will simply cover the following:

 

1. Land, Sea, Air, Space, etc - actually any appropriate genre within the "rules".

2. Civil or military

3. French marked and operated/operationally active subjects that were based in, or long-term detached to, any part of the world that is not Metropolitan France.

4. Any time period

 

My hope is that this revised definition will now excite many more members so that the subject will be adopted for the 2026 season. It certainly offers a wealth of possibilities, I would be happy to consider any of your thoughts on other inclusions.

 

To get you in to the spirit of it, this is what I have proposed for 2025: 

 

As always, stage one of the process is to get in to the "Bunfight" next November. This is the final whittling down of proposals and the acceptance of successful offerings for 2026. To achieve this my proposal first needs to gain 30 or more sign-ups. This is where you can take part at this early stage, simply by saying "yes please!" I will add you to the list and, hopefully, we will hit the magic 30 quickly. Once done we sit in the Bunfight list in readiness for next November. At that point there is your second task - voting! It is then a democratic process.

 

If you are interested in supporting and participating please post below and I would very happily add you to the list :). Many of you have PMed me, of course, and I have subsequently added you already. Thank you. 

 

Martin

 

Sign ups so far:

 

1. @John Masters

2. @Karearea

3. @ModelingEdmontonian

4. @Wez - Support

5. @jean

6. @MrB17

7. @Smudge

8. @Rabbit Leader

9. @Dave Klaatu

10. @IanC

11. @fox1_BE

12. @Corsairfoxfouruncle

13. @JOCKNEY

14. @modelling minion

15. @Jinxman

16. @UberDaveToo

17. @2996 Victor

18. @RidgeRunner  -  Host
19. @srkirad
20. @vppelt68

21. @zebra

22. @Jabba

23. @Marklo

24. @Armor Novice

25. @corsaircorp

26. @Giorgio N

27. @Courageous

28. @Nick McV

29. @wellzy

30. @Richard Humm

31. @DaveJL

32. @Terry1954

33. @cpoud117

34. @stevehnz

35. @exdraken

36. @Tim R-T-C

37. @Angus Tura

38. @SzilardUK

39. @theplasticsurgeon

40. @VG 33

41. @Skodadriver

42. @Les Wells

43. @Dennis_C

44. @whiskey

[2996 Victor]

Hi Martin, 

please add me to the list for this! 

Cheers,

Mark 

[vppelt68]

Happy to have another ride with this! I really wanted this to happen even as the In-Africa-only GB, but this I believe will actually become even better 😊  V-P

[fox1_BE]

Confirmed 👍

[TEMPESTMK5]

Good afternoon Martin 

I am in of course ..

Add my name to the list please..

Patrice 

[JOCKNEY]

Well done, Martin

Here's to a successful campaign for 2026

 

Cheers Pat 

[RidgeRunner]

Five to go and we’re in

[RidgeRunner]

And then beyond our group we need to spread the word

[Karearea]

I’m in again, although I think I’m already on the list (which appears to have a few double ups?)

 

Lots to additionally consider now- a huge array of Indochine subjects of course but there would be some other interesting niches too.

[JOCKNEY]

1 hour ago, Karearea said:

I’m in again, although I think I’m already on the list (which appears to have a few double ups?)

 

Obviously @IanC, @Corsairfoxfouruncle and @fox1_BE are going to build a shelf-full each  

[RidgeRunner]

Oops!!!!! I got too excited!!!

[Jabba]

As French aircraft operated in the Gulf, count me in.

[zebra]

This could be interesting, sign me up

[Mig Eater]

Why the restriction of French but not in France? That removes most of the important historical events and basically limits the options down to a few colonial conflicts, which will also limit the amount of interest in the GB. There have been two previous French GBs, IIRC both got thought the bunfight with plenty of votes and mainly featured WW1 and WW2 subjects. If you really want to gather the most interest in a French themed GB then I'd suggest removing the geographical restriction and just make it another general French GB.

 

 

[Marklo]

I’m sure I could find something suitable.

[Armor Novice]

Well doing a French operated Sherman in, let's say Vietnam, is OK, or French vehicle in Italy in 1944 is also OK. 

[RidgeRunner]

10 hours ago, Mig Eater said:

Why the restriction of French but not in France? That removes most of the important historical events and basically limits the options down to a few colonial conflicts, which will also limit the amount of interest in the GB. There have been two previous French GBs, IIRC both got thought the bunfight with plenty of votes and mainly featured WW1 and WW2 subjects. If you really want to gather the most interest in a French themed GB then I'd suggest removing the geographical restriction and just make it another general French GB.

 

 

Hi ME. My initial proposal was to focus minds on French activity in Africa. So often with these GBs the subjects submitted tend towards the mainstream. A normal trend on BM. I am trying to open up possibilities of other subjects. Maybe expand the knowledge of some, My expansion to the broader catchment has  been to include other areas where French activity has been high but maybe not often realised or portrayed. I appreciate what you mean but another "French GB" would simply by another "French GB". This way, if voted through, we could see a more diverse range. 

 

Martin 

[corsaircorp]

Here I am , still with my Corsair in Algeria...

Yes, I bought a 2nd F4U-7....

And Who knows, a T-6....

Sincerely.

CC

[Courageous]

Well, now that you've changed the entrance parameters, I can now throw my French operated F-86K into the mix. Add me to the list please.

 

Stuart

[RidgeRunner]

58 minutes ago, Courageous said:

Well, now that you've changed the entrance parameters, I can now throw my French operated F-86K into the mix. Add me to the list please.

 

Stuart

Excellent, mate. We’re they based out of French territory? In Germany?

 

it’s great to be piping you aboard

[RidgeRunner]

16 minutes ago, RidgeRunner said:

Excellent, mate. We’re they based out of French territory? In Germany?

 

it’s great to be piping you aboard

Ah ha, Stuart! Lahr  👍

[Courageous]

17 minutes ago, RidgeRunner said:

In Germany?

Decals are for an aircraft from EC 1/13 "Artois" based at Hahn AB, Germany.

 

Stuart

[DaveJL]

Would a carrier based Rafale be suitable?

[RidgeRunner]

15 hours ago, DaveJL said:

Would a carrier based Rafale be suitable?

If your build depicts it while operating “outre mer” :).
 

A bit of a grey area but my guiding consideration for carrier-based aircraft would be whether it passes the rule that states: “was operating within an overseas region as part of a military operation or expeditionary force”. An example would be French carriers operating “in theatre” during the Indochina campaign such as the "Arrowmanches" activity in the Far East: https://www.britishpathe.com/asset/252142/.  If it was simply a carrier cruising the oceans it wouldn’t count. I’d see that as it’s natural home territory and thus an extension of France. Would that make sense?

 

Thank you for asking, Dave. It’s the kind of thought provoking question that I’m happy to debate and consider. 
 

Martin

[Nick McV]

I like the sound of this, please can you add me to the list? I was disappointed LFàl'E didn't get through the Bunfight to be honest, however my pick (Free French Hurricane) will go in the Hurricane STGB. Lots of possibilities for this widened concept.

Edited November 20, 2024 by Nick McV