I have gotten to the point where I almost can't bear to live without a monthly package, graced with colorful postage stamps, from the Bailiwick of Guernsey. Bryan Ansell was kind enough to forward two more batches of new SYW figures from Guernsey Foundry ("GF").

The latest product releases include 9 more mounted cossacks with 9 equivalent dismounted figures, 7 Russian musketeers and officers, and 4 Russian grenadiers (note: the grenadier and musketeer infantry come with several variants of the same march attack figure), and some causualties of tne human and equine variety.

Krovski's Raiders

The newest batch of cossacks, collectively know as "Krovski's Raiders" are even wilder and hairier than the first group that GF released late in 1996. The leader is Krovski the Cruel: the Haughty Hetman, attired in fine robes and a fur hat with a feather sticking out of it. He is well-armed with a pistol and a mighty scimitar.

Then there is Kolya Sergeivich, the Hetman's Brat who's striking a haughty Tony Curtis-like pose. Perhaps the orneriest looking cossack tnis side of the Dneiper is Father Krasnoruki, a wildeyed priest with long, flowing hair a la Rusputin. He reminds me of Saint Nicholas with an attitude, holding a cross in one hand, a large staff in the other and wears a brace of pistols around his waist. This is probably my favorite figure of the whole lot.

Other members of the band sport names such as Poor Old Starik, Quiet Don, Stepan the Sober, Fyodor the Fragrant, Hairy Igor the Animal and Young Yevtushenko. My packet of information did not identify all of the figures, so I can not describe each cossack by name, but suffice it to say that all of them are worthy additions to your gang of cossacks and each should prove to be a joy to paint.

The mounted figures include 6 figwres holding lances (supply your own wire), two holding swords, and then one mad monk holding a raised pistol in his hand. There is also a cossack casualty for those of you who like to add these to your table top as well as one dead pony.

Russian Grenadiers

I was very impressed with the quality of the first four releases of Russian grenadiers in summer waistcoat: RGCI - Attack March (with 5 variants); RGC23 - Standard Bearer; RGP31 Drummer; and RGOC1 officer. The officer and the drummer are wearing their green wool coats, but the standard bearer and 5 march attack are stripped down to their long-sleeved red waistcoat and should make for a rather colorful looking battalion to go along with the mass of green-coated infantry in your Russian army.

The march attack variants have subtle differences in their coifs (hair) and I liked the details such as the royal cypher on the cartridge boxes and belly boxes, and the grenade match stick adorning their cross belt. The offica wears a grenadier mitre, so he may be an NCO, and he carries a musket. The drummer is very animated with one hand reused holding his drumstick. (nice pose!)

Russian Musketeers

Like their grenadier bretheren, the Russian musketeers come equiped in summer uniform, wearing their red long-sleeved waistcoat and a cartridge box slung across the left shoulder. Some of the variants come with or without moustaches and subtle changes in facial expression or hairstyle. RMOC1 officer with musket is wearing his green coat as are the drummer (RMP31) and the dismounted colonel (RMOP12), who stands with one arm resting behind his back while the other holds the sword, point down to the ground - a very defiant and determined looking fellow!

The colonel also comes as a mounted figure (same facial expression, etc). One of the things that I like about the GF line is that the models appear to be from the country that they portray, i.e. the Russians look very Slavic while the Prussians have a Germanic quality to them. I highly recommend these figures to anyone who already has a SYW Russian army or else plans to build one. These are the best-looking SYW era Russians that I have ever seen.

Where to Buy

The infantry figures cost $1.20 each in the US and 0.65p in the UK and horses are $1.70 and 0.90p, respectively. US customers can buy them from: Guernsey Foundry Ltd., 1549 Marview Drive, Westlake, OH 44145. [PH: (216) 871-4587]

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