Old Glory Special Packs:

Wounded Packs, French,
Russian and Austrian
Commanders Packs:
Massena’s Carriage and
"The Review of the Trophies"

Reviewed by Peter Gibbs

The idea of all these packs is excellent but the results disappointing. The majority of the figures in the wounded pack were well cast with sharp detail but the poses far too dramatic. More figures lying down would be better, but most of the figures were of no use unless put into units to give them some character. They were good value, especially as all 3 wounded packs had 10 to 15 more figures the advertised and the French and Austrian packs also contained sapper figures. The French were very good but the Austrians so badly cast that one wondered if they were made by the same firm.

Of the cavalry figures supplied in all of the above packs, a lot had flash under the saddlecloth from mould breakage, which was difficult to trim. Also basic mistakes gave the appearance of hurried design work. Notably one Hussar whose arm was moulded on top of his pelisse giving the impression that he had an extra armhole - but no sleeve - in the breast of the garment, and one who couldn’t decide if he was in the heavy or light cavalry as on one side he has a square shabraque - cuirassier style - and on the other a pointed shabraque a la British Hussar!

The command packs contained excellent figures of St. Cyr and Marshal Augereau, but poor ones as well - Marshal Lannes for example. The pack is overpriced at just under £18.00. Although the majority of the generals are good, the extra figures are poor -- somewhat removing the humour from the inclusion of Marshal Dillon -- you can only afford to be flippant when the quality is high, otherwise you give the impression of extracting the urine from your customer! I would have preferred to buy the generals without the extras. I also got extra horse in each pack!

Massena’s carriage was pleasing -- not brilliant but passable. The "Review of the Trophies" was very disappointing but that may be personal choice.

Maybe if Old Glory put the right amount of figures in each pack they could cut their prices and, who knows, that care might work through to the rest of the firm.

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