Wild Acre, Devil's Elbow, Minchinhampton,
Gloucestershire. GL6 9AJ
Tel 0453 835782
45p per figure.

Hot out of the mould some new Danes, a Swede, a British Rifleman and a Cossack have arrived on my desk from Dave Atkins of Eagle Miniatures.

The Rifleman, is standing taking aim with his Baker rifle. The pose is well observed and designed. It looks very natural. The uniform detail is accurate and paints well. There is usually something extra on Eagle Miniatures figures, and this one doesn't disappoint. On the base lies the Rifleman's mallet, (for driving home the ball) and a pouch of bullets. A nice touch, that transforms the figure from "Rifleman firing" to "Rifleman unhurriedly taking aim".

The Danish Infantry supplied, which I believe are coded D1 and D2, are nicely balanced and well proportioned. Both wear the `Top Hat' headgear complete with plume. Both are in battle order, (no packs). They are similarly posed and could be deemed to be either preparing to receive the enemy or advancing. Both hold their muskets across the body, with D2 holding it somewhat higher than D1. A nice touch on D2 is the Musket sling which is hanging down away from the body of the casting.

The Cossack and Horse. This is an all singing all dancing figure, as I suppose most Cossacks were! It will do for any regiment. He carries two pistols, a sabre an the usual lance. (His measures 57mm and is sufficiently robust to take some severe handling). A brilliant touch with this figure, is that the reins are modelled passing through the left hand, and when seated on the mount supplied, the reins cast on the horse appeared to pass naturally into his hand. This also says something for the design of the horse and rider, a perfect fit. The horse is moulded with the usual equipment and further encumbered by a bag of swag and something large dead and feathered swinging from the saddle!

The Swede. This is a Grenadier figure, with the crest worn fore and aft, a transverse crest version is also available. See issue 5 of First Empire for information on Swedish Grenadiers. This figure is advancing at the trot and in battle order. The uniform detail is good with plenty of well defined lace and epaulets. The facial detail gives the figure character. I haven't painted this one, but it looks as if it would be very smart when done.

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