Viking Forge of 1727 Theresa Lane, Powhatan, VA 23139 has released a range of 15mm early Japanese. The figures are 14.5M BM* and have a considerable amount of detail cast virtually flash free. Their animation is generally good and the poses, according to the sculptor, are taken from the WRG and Osprey Men at Arms books.

Some of the poses are well animated and I particularly liked the Samurai swordsmen. One criticism would appear to be that the feet are overly large on some figures, particularly the mounted ones. The horses received are cast in one pose although I have samples with two different trappings. There are currently ten infantry figures including Samurai, Ashigaru, and a warrior monk. There are six mounted figures including a standard bearer and shogun.

The shogun is also an interesting figure with his helmet hanging behind his back. The figures are 30 Cents each for infantry, riders or horses. Catalogs are free from the address above. They also produce a range of Mongols for use as opponents to this range which consists of 6 cavalry figures and 2 infantry. --JOHN BOEHM

* The Courier uses the Tobey Barrett Measurement [BM] System to simplify comparison of figure sizes. The number is the height in millimeters from the bottom of the figure's foot (top of base) to its eyes. The letter refers to the "heft" of the figure: L=light, M=medium, and H=heavy. Thus, Hs will fit in with other Hs and some Ms, but not Ls.