Chariot Miniatures have recently released a range of new 15mm Napoleonics 1805 - 1815. I recently received sample packs French Imperial Guards and British Hussars.

The figures are sold in packs of 8 figures, (including the command packs!). In the case of cavalry do not forget that a horse is a figure! Packs are £ 1.00 each. Right! The worst first!

BN23 British Hussars in Shakos. Actually they are quite good. These cavalry are supplied on a charging horse and the trooper sits well, he actually looks like he's charging as opposed to being transfixed on a terrified nag, (maybe that's how its should be?). The detail on the figure is beautifully defined and easy to paint. My big problem with this figure is that his sword is greatly undersize, it actually looks as if the last 9-10" has been blown away and the sword arm is locked at the elbow at 90 degrees. This spoils an otherwise excellent figure, and I've got to say this because it is fixed in my mind, he looks like he's conducting the `Ride of the Valkyrie' rather than the `charge of the Light Brigade'

FRN 8. Old Guard Infantry Advancing March Attack. The figure is actually a Grenadier and Yes! Yes! Yes! Go out and buy some now. Detail excellent, casting good. But what I really like about this figure, is the total look of arrogance, not only in the way he is strutting his stuff, but the expression on his face is one of `out of my way scum, we're coming through!'. I don't care if you've got 10 Battalions of Imperial Guard, this figure demands you own one more!

FRN 9. Old Guard Infantry Command. Well after the last paragraph something had to go wrong and with the command pack it does. The detail is again excellent, even though the heads are the same, the drummer is the best of the pack and you get 4 of these. The Eagle bearer and the Officer are disappointing but for different reasons. The officer is an a sort of standing sideways on pose, which could be construed as marching (tenuously) but only if he is marching right arm forward, right leg forward, try it you'll see what I mean). He wears a bicorne which appears to levitate over his head, in fact I think it is sliding backwards, and his sword raised to encourage the lads, is actually a bush machete. The Eagle bearer suffers with the same pose problem, but the pole is nice and thin and the Eagle is an Eagle not a blob. Why, oh why, weren't the command figures in the same pose as FRN 9? I actually feel let down here!

In any event, I recommend FRN 8 to everyone, they are compatible with most manufactures so you can mix and match for the command figures.

A Catalogue is available from Chariot Miniatures, 25 Broad Mead, Luton, Beds. LU3 1RX. 0582 579602

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