Numerous different shapes, patterns, and designs of cloth sails (in fact, these were some of the first pieces made of cloth to ever appear in sets!) and later cloth flags. Will the setting be a major determining factor in what sort of solders or regiments I use or make up? I think it would be incredible if Lego released some Quality pirate sets. They could either have the French/British/Spanish, although the British or French would make the most sense, as I believe the Spanish's power was sinking in the Carribean by the mid 1700's(I could be TOTALLY wrong... if I am please correct me :D ) Some work may hint that the Bluecoats are simply another division / class within the large empires forces? Or is this just the work of ignorant builders (like me) meddling in the great conflict? I've tried, at length, by my usual methods of research and haven't come up with anything half so specific as I'd need. There seems to be plenty of information about a decade or more too late for my purposes, but I'm trying to create a certain environment as it bares upon the story I'm trying to tell through my MOCs, collectively.

The attrition of constant fighting,the inability of the Royal Navy to decisively defeat the French Navy,and the withdrawal of the majority of British forces from North America in 1778 ultimately led to the British army's defeat.The surrender of Cornwallis's army at Yorktown in 1781 allowed theWhigopposition to gain a majority in parliament, and British operations were brought to an end.I think that this time though, the IMPERIAL FLAGSHIPS should be bigger than the Pirate ships, as this would be the more realistic case. An ideal release for ships would be... It's a good thing for plumes and epaulettes otherwise I'd never get any sleep over the issue of distinguishing these minifigs.

Hypothetically at these forts, who would likely be working the guns? Red coats, royal artillery or perhaps some branch I've not considered? Would militia or the like factor in at all? Is it possible to provide some reference images, or links there to, by which I can design my custom figures? If Lego doesn't want to use real world nations anymore, they could just make a generic "Imperial Power" group, which would just HAPPEN to look exactly like the British/French/Spanish. LoL Large Pirate Ship (Size of Carribean Clipper) A big ship which is loading with more cannons than it looks like it should have, ragtag decor... you know the dealMy first opinion was that they are both British, but redcoats are those who serve close to Admiral Woodhouse and hence the special colour and slightly different flags. Methodology number one: Blue is British imperial navy (at least historically). I'd then probably assign red to a marine expeditionary unit. THe only think I'm not absoutely certain what how it would fit in would be the last years of the imperial armada, which has a definite spanish influence in armor and costume (then again, as I don't necessarily care for the later pirate stuff, I could avoid this problem by not buying them.) Knowing that amongst you all, there must be those possessed of in depth understanding with regards to uniforms, equipment and organizations of the British army from the turn of the 19th century, I have several questions or concerns about my own custom figure designs which I'm hoping someone will volunteer to clear up.

Methodology three: Yes, I know I only said I was going to use two...given the fluer motif on the early imperial soldiers stuff, as well as the almos napoleonic hats, I'd say that thinking they are french is not much of a stretch at all.Maybe I can add some clarification, I am a naval historian... There are two thoughts on the American uniforms, but in 1803 was when congress finally set a standard of Blue and Gold. The first thought was that blue was chosen because France wore blue also... but since the United States was involved in a quasi war with France in 1797 when the first actual regulations were written (in fact the whole American Navy was re founded that year to fight French commerce raiding) this is unlikely. The second thought is probably more likely, British officers wore blue coats. Every navy in the world wanted to be as up to date and as powerful as the Royal Navy. Emulation happened around the globe. It is likely that the United States copied the Royal Navy. Lastly, American Marines also wore blue coats, but they were much darker than the ones that Lego figs wear. By the style of dress, I would say that the redcoats would be British and the Bluecoats French during the 7 years war period. That is only if we HAVE to assign a nationality. However, recently I tend to think that bluecoats may be French, which would bring more diversity to the Pirate world.