Under Review
Wargames Foundry

French Imperial Guard Range

I have been kindly sent a full selection of Foundry's new Imperial Guard figures, and a thorough lot they are, too. They break down conveniently into three sections:

1. OLD GUARD GRENADIERS (Codes NP585 - 605)

These figures are not that easy to review individually, due to no code number appearing under their bases. However, when this is about the only criticism that you can come up with, it speaks well for the figures. Taking the group as a whole, they are clearly cast, with a minimum of hanging flash and next to nothing requiring the attention of a scalpel. I don't know about you, but having to spend half an hour cleaning up a casting before it can be undercoated can be irksome. The figures I have are in various states of campaign dress, ranging from greatcoats to turned-up overalls, and as such will make a very nice unit for any but those who believe that every soldier contrived to maintain an identical kit. Strangely, only one figure, NP591 (I think) has a covered bearskin, but as these look like giant condoms this isn't much of a let down.

The pose split seems to have come down three ways, enabling you to depict the Guard on the march, and thankfully here someone has taken time out to look at a drill book, standing easy or on full dress parade. Each group has a satisfactory complement of figures, including standard officer and drummer, so no untidy mix and match is required. There are six standing grenadiers and five marching, half of whom are sporting bicornes. Separate eagles have been supplied and these fit cleanly into the necessary hands. Only one bayonet was broken off in transport and I suggest that these figures will travel well in the merciless hands of the Post Office. The small detail on the figures is good, with earrings clearly visible, and the girth of the marching officer encouraging to those of us with similar proportions. Highly recommended, particularly if you are the only wargamer in the country who didn't buy his Old Guard first! If you see any Old Guard in an NA skirmish game, these will be it.

2. Dutch Grenadiers 1810-1812 (NP606-625)

The Dutch Grenadiers have always been popular with wargamers, primarily I suspect because the white uniform gives a bit of light relief on the painting front. Whilst slightly fewer in number, the split of these figures is as for the Old Guard above: namely standing, marching and parade. Something about them makes them even prettier than the Old Guard and I suspect that more units of parade dress Dutch will be seen. They are again accurately detailed and posed although the advancing officer is leading with a left hand that looks like he should be stroking a dog. Both he and his standing counterpart have nicely bulky rolled blankets, although in common with most manufacturers, the ends behind the ties seem a little short. I always seem to end up with a couple of saddle bags whenever I try it

Everything else that was said about the previous figures applies equally well here, although the officers are far too slim here. One criticism I do have of both ranges is the lack of any obvious NCOs. So come on Foundry, let's have some enormous Sergeant-majors. Also a 7' drum major would be nice for the parade figures!

3. French Young Guard 1813-14 / Light Infantry 1812-15 (NP626-653)

Right on to the combat troops. The variety in pose here is a lot wider, as is the variety of kit on show. Three standing privates include two in covered shakos and one in a rather snappy Bonnet de Police. They are accompanied by a marvellously arrogant-looking officer, hand on hip and with a lovely angled sneer on his face. I must practice that. Of the three marching chaps, two sport shakos (one covered) whilst the other is wearing the ugly pokalem that I wouldn't be seen dead in. He also looks like he can't make his mind up whether to be marching or standing, and as such doesn't readily fit in with the other two. Three figures are also advandng at high rate, and they cover the spectrum as far as dress is concerned. One in breeches and gaiters, another with overall and a third with covered shako and turn-ups. This last fellow is getting a bit carried away, judging by his lengthening gait, and the shouting officer with sword held out to his side made be perfect to put next to him as a calming influence!

Another advancing officer - also shouting - has his habit-veste casually open, and his chinscales resting precariously on the peak of his shako. A cigar here might have been nice, as perhaps would be a few clay pipes amongst the rankers. Again NO obvious NCOs.

Five figures have the potential to form a very nice skirmish line. The first, leaning forward firing seems to me to have his legs too far apart for comfort; oddly as well for a man in full dress he has undone his habit-veste. Perhaps he's a bit of a rebel on the quiet. The next is reaching into his giberne to grasp a carlridge. Under the giberne, like most of his comrades, rests a rolled Bonnet de Police (I refuse to believe that they could be pokalems). The next, snappy seamed overall again has loosened his buttons (good man) and is loading a ball down the muzzle of his Charlesville. He is, however, apparently more intent on avoiding spiting himself on his bayonet. The final two skirmishers are real peaches. One kneeling cross-legged firing; the other prone, with his shako lying behind him. Together they would look splendid on a Grand Manner skirmish base (or of course the equally splendid Follow the Eagle, for that matter!).

The next group are a more ordered firing line, comprising three privates and a suitable officer. One is kneeling at the ready, another standing firing, and the third leaning slighty back, cocking his hammer. The nervous look on the officer's face is not encouraging! The final figures are musicians, a standard and a mounted colonel. The musicians are depicted as standing or advancing, and a variant is supplied for either Young Guard or Legere. In addition a standing hornist will brighten up the stationary figures. The standard is again a bit out on a limb, and appears to be considering standing like one of the girls on Gladiators to accentuate his figure. I imagine that figures already released could be pressed into service to cover advancing units, but a Young Guard fanion bearer or two would have been nice. Again NO NCOs.

The last chap is a dashing mounted colonel, clearly pointing at the nearest routing Austrian and wearing yet another rolled blanket. I'm all in favour of rolled blankets, so this is fine with me. Positioned at the head of a unit, however, and the slightly dumpy arm may suggest he is saying: "Look at the muck on that shako!" Overall these chaps are very nice and it has just struck me that by tidying up the cuff points they will paint up splendidly as Vistula Legionnaires!

'Wellington & Staff 1815' Vignette

I have always been a big fan of impressive command groups on wargames tables, and following on from the cracking French Marshals comes Old Nosey and his crew, straight from the set of Waterloo - almost. It helps that these fellows have their names under their bases. The set consists of five mounted figures and five dismounted. Wellington himself is in the expected frock coat, although his shako is covered and his breast is bereft of his awards. Head to one side, he is exchanging points with the Young Guard colonel in the other review, but gratifyingly the arm is much more firmlly extended. I believe the Duke to be saying either "Who leant me this watch" or 'Ain't tbat Rod Steiger?"

Next is Uxbridge, who I have to say looks completely different than in the movie. A beautifully omate shako has replace the busby worn by the bloke who was Jim's dad in Bergerac (or similar) and his pelisse is done up against that nippy June air. A pair of striped overalls complete a surprisingly disappointing figure. No, wait. Don't get me wrong; hand extended to take a message, tbis Uxbridge looks fine, but I wasn't joking about the movie. How many of us haven't seen it? And had the images of those characters engraved on our minds? So whilst he is quite gorgeous I was secretly hoping for busby and inane looks. If this wasn't bad enough, then Picton (thank God he was included) looks nothing like Jack Hawkins whatsoever! Apart from that, he looks fine in civvies and riding crop, although I sense the pose a bit too boring for the legendary grumpy one.

'Daddy' Hill is shown doffing his hat, and is quite fine, although he benefits from a spot of arm bending to get the bicorne at a more rakish angle. The last mounted chap is something of an oddity, being Captain von Streerwitz (Uxbridge's aide, apparently.) This is not bad in itself, apart from the fact that the fellow is at speed on his mount, meaning that to realistically put him on a vignette requires a considerable extension of the base to accommodate him. Plus of course he wasn't in the movie. Far better, I think to have had a gorgeously attired Highland officer doing his "Good beans, Wellington" line. The captain does however have excellent whiskers, so we'll let him off.

As for the chaps on foot, they are an interesting bunch, led off by a huge Dragoon Guard officer in a cavalry greatcoat pointing. I don't know if you've noticed but pointing seems to be an acceptable alternative profession to smoking for the Napoleonic officer. Next to him is Kempt in a frock coat, standing at about 5'3", which for all I know may be completely accurate. With his hat under his arm Kempt has the disgruntled look of a man whose horse has been stolen.

Reading a map is Sir Denis Pack leaning back slightly tbis figure is really nice. Adjutant-general Barnes is portrayed leaning on his sword with legs crossed. All in all very casual and I think I will pretend that he is the curiously absent De Lancey (who of course as we all know was in the film). Finally comes a walking ADC, doffing his hat to his right side, with his left symmetrically held out holding a message. The final touch of his head tilted up reminds me peculiarly of a man about to be crucified. It should be pointed out tha this fellow looks far better alongside a mounted figure (although not the speeding German).

Right, removing my tongue from my cheek (for those of you who hadn't already seen it there) I can highly recommend tbis set, which is not too bad a 12.50 pounds. They can also be bought separately at 2.20 for mounted and 1 for foot. However, be warned that if you were hoping to recreate the movie cast, you may be slighty disappointed.

All the above can be obtained from Wargames Foundry, the Foundry, Mount Stzet, New Basford, Nottingham NG7 7HX.