1:48 Chapeau de brousse Mod?le 49

The real subject

The chapeau de brousse, literally a bush hat, is French field headgear with a wide drooping brim. The pattern with the designation modele 49 was worn in the tropics, where the brim shaded the face and the neck, and it became one of the recognition marks of the French units overseas. It differs from a hard helmet at first glance: the soft cloth gathers and the brim never sits the same on both sides.

What you are buying

An accessory for figures in 1:48 scale, that is the hats alone without heads. They can be put on a figure's head in place of the original headgear, laid on equipment or hung up in a scene. The same item is also made in 1:35 and 1:72 scale, and a variant with a chin strap comes out under the neighboring code.

Building and painting tips

• Cut the excess material off with a sharp blade a little away from the part and sand the remainder down gently.
• Wash and degrease the part before painting; on a small area it tells the most.
• The suitable glue depends on the material of the parts, which the manufacturer states on the packaging.
• The brim benefits from a dark wash, which outlines its edge and accentuates its curve.
• Cloth looks more credible when the shade on the crown is lighter than under the brim.

Who it is for

For modelers of figures and dioramas who are building a scene with French soldiers in the tropics and want to set it apart from the usual helmets. It will also serve anyone who needs to play several kinds of headgear off against each other in a group of figures. Figures, paints and glue are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.