Lancashire Games 15mm Napoleonic New Releases.
Grand Duchy of Warsaw & Bavarians. French Austrian and Russian Command Groups.

New for this February from Lancashire are two complete ranges of Polish and Bavarians which plug a major gap in their range. For those not familiar with the Lancashire style the emphasis is always placed on exaggerated detail so that the figures are easy to paint and lend themselves well to modem painting styles. Rather than list the figures supplied I will take the liberty of referring readers to the Lancashire games advert within this issue, and ask that the reader cross reference my opinions with those lists.

Within the GWN6 G.D. of Warsaw Infantry Command pack will be found an eagle bearer who is really well modelled but is sadly let down by the plaque- or rather paving slab - beneath his eagle! The drummer from the same set is an exceptional character resplendent with his 'Busch' style plume and very realistic face, is another star, this is in direct contrast with his Bavarian counterpart from the BN4 set who has no apparent neck, seems to be suffering from dropsy and a hernia and is about 3 stone heavier than his Polish comrade!

The more that I compare these two sets the more I feel that they have been done by two designers, or one designer who had a very bad/ good night before he did the Bavarians! The Polish artillery crew GWN7 set will stand favourable comparison with any rival manufacturer except for the gut holding a cannon ball, honestly in this day and age I would have thought that prepared rounds were the order of the day!

Compare this to the Bavarian artillery crewman carrying a prepared charge... who can stand next to his mate with a cannon ball. The Warsaw Artillery officer is sensibly posed, pointing - the Bavarian officer figure is also pointing but is posed in such a way that a minor conversion and a cry of "Your OUT, buster!" and you have an American Baseball Umpire!

Of the cavalry command packs, the real star figure is the Russian Hussar Standard bearer (RN21). A brilliant characterisation, of a tired old trooper, dogging the retreating French through the snows, or he would be if he was on a more sedentary beast.

The French Carabinier (from NPF16), also had potential for being an exceptional figure, however the cuirass is looks incomplete the left hand side doesn't appear to exist but it is in fact an optical illusion caused by an over thick left arm and he rides a light horse, at least its the same weight and size as the Bavarian Chevau-Leger (BN6). The cuirass defect ruins another character figure, the facial and helmet detail are again superb.

A plea now to all designers, too many cuirassier figures appear to be wearing a second cloth garment over their tunic - such is the precision of their model armour. The cuirass was a mass produced item, designed to a set pattern which contemporary observers say gave the wearer a pigeon chested appearance, they should look heavy and bulky' The fact that you can take most cuirassier 15mm figures and apply a coat of green paint, call them dragoons and get away with it emphasises the point!

The Warsaw figures I would recommend to all, the Bavarians... well Lancashire figures are very keenly priced and perhaps this may be enough to compensate the purchaser. I expect the Russian Hussar standard bearer to appear in many collections before long.

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