Reviresco

28mm French-African Sailors (Laptots)

by Steve Winter

Here’s another obscure set of figures from John McEwan of Reversico representing those Africans who served on the French vessels that patrolled the rivers of western and central Africa. The set contains five figures. They are wearing suitably French-looking uniforms consisting of sailor’s beret with pom and tassel, blouse with sailor collar, baggy, knee-length trousers, and a French-style equipment harness. All are appropriately barefoot and armed with rifles. Although they’re billed as French, they could just as easily be in Belgian, Portuguese, Italian, or British service. Each of the five figures is a unique pose. Two have separately cast rifles, and one has a separate knife to be glued onto his equipment belt. There was a minimum of easily removed flash. The figures measure 26-27M on the Barrett scale.

They aren’t beautiful figures like the Copplestone British sailors, but they’re entirely serviceable. Surface detail is soft but clearly discernible. The legs tend to be a bit short and the torsos slightly long. The faces are nicely done, and the overall effect is good. Most importantly, you won’t find comparable figures anywhere else, to the best of my knowledge. If you like to play with steamboats chugging up misty African rivers to remote, ivory-heaped trading stations or palisaded jungle villages, then these are just the men to guard the landing party! Pack of 5 figures/$6; available from Reviresco, 435 Chenault St., Hoquiam, WA, 98550; online store at www.tin-soldier.com.

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