This issue we review the Wargames Foundry North American War of 1812 Range. I think most War of 1812 gamers were pleased many years ago when the Wargames Foundry figures entered the market. These were virtually the only 25mm figures specifically for the War of 1812. Designed by Aly Morrison, there were over 100 figures in this range. Figures are well-designed, crisp and clean. The figures demonstrated a very wide variety and this is certainly the strength of the range. There were American and British regulars, volunteers, and militia with supporting officers, NCOs, and musicians. One could find the Glengarry Light Infantry Fencibles (4 poses), The American Rifle Regiment (7 poses), light dragoons, and artillery gunners in both shako and, for the Americans, chapeau-bras as well. For the most part, poses could be categorized as march attack, advancing, and standing firing. While not particularly animated, these poses are staples of most wargaming armies. The officers and American volunteers show increased animation. I was always pleased with the ten varieties of American rifle volunteers, many in fringed hunting shirt and round hat but others in more rustic, “frontiersman” garb. Each version of American infantry uniform regulation is represented: coats with and without tape across the chest and tailess coats too. There are two varieties of canteen, the circular wooden and the cylindrical tin models. The British/Canadians come in flank and centre company varieties and some in greatcoats as well. These figures are great to build small units. I typically build companies of six to ten figures. The variety allows me to build uniform battalions or to differentiate within my battalions. For example, I may have an American infantry battalion with three or four companies in the 1813 coat and 1812 felt shako. Then I’ll add three companies of recruits, all in the white linen summer uniform. I differentiate by the pose I use. I can further differentiate because some march attack figures are carrying packs, while others do not. The result is particularly pleasing, especially when I want to maintain a visual distinction between companies. It is my preference to have either an officer, or NCO, or musician with each company. I am pleased with my Wargames Foundry figures but not entirely pleased. For one thing, there are too few figures in the leather tombstone or Belgic shako (only 5 actually). This headgear was issued early in 1813 and by mid summer of that year, most troops had them. I am also a little bit disappointed that the uniformed volunteers are not represented. Many volunteers (particularly from the eastern states) were uniformed as regulars but with the round hat. It would have been great to see Canadian Voltigeurs or American Light Artillery gunners in their distinctive uniforms. Now I’m whining; there is never enough variety to satisfy the war of 1812 gamer, is there? Wargames Foundry has since dropped the range but there is at least one source of figures remaining. Brookhurst Hobbies carries some remnants, about 80 poses at last count. Contact them at www.brookhursthobbies.com and see what they can do for you. Back to Table of Contents -- War of 1812 #1 Back to War of 1812 List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2001 by Rich Barbuto. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com