GHQ

10mm Napoleonic Guns and Crew

by Rob Hamper

In a recent, previous issue we reviewed the bulk of GHQ's 10mm Napoleonic figures of the Rebellion Miniatures line. In that review we indicated that GHQ was continuing to expand the line and we have received confirmation of that. The company has sent samples of the newest releases: the artillery sections.

There were already some guns in the series, but the latest editions are beginning to round out the Waterloo collection. The French now have their 6lb Artillerie a Pied, the British Royal Horse Artillery joins with 91b and 61b sections while the Prussians get 6lb foot guns.

Each bag contains parts to make two field pieces and also 12 crew in 8 poses to man them with. Actually, just about each bag has one or two extra pieces. Usually it's a gun barrel, but one bag had an extra artillerist! The Prussian bag had trail boxes too.

Like their infantry and cavalry brethren before them, these are exquisite miniatures. The detail on such small sculptures is extraordinary as is the crispness to which they are cast. Plainly visible on the Frenchmen are their moustaches, grenadier badges and shako plate. The texture of the tarleton helmets of the RHA men is extra fine as is the tunic lace. The Prussians don't lag either with their characteristic shako with waxed leather cover and breeches buttons. All figures have very light flash material that is easily removed. Molds lines are non-existent.

The carriages, wheels and guns are all very fine. Occasionally one of the gun barrels may have a slightly mis-cast mouth which is perhaps why there are extra ones. Most of the metal fittings of the carriage are visible and the hanging chains are a nice touch. Curiously, the carriage is sculpted with gear stowed i.e. rammers and spikes. I can't say whether extra gear was kept on the guns while they were worked or not. Also, on the RHA guns, the trail spikes are cast in place on the carriage as if the gun were being maneuvered. I would have preferred that they weren't but maybe they can be easily removed.

My only minor quibble is that there were no extra barrels of other calibres for, say, a howitzer option. Perhaps GHQ plans to release these in a future set. Other than that, the figures are perfect. They come out to nearly 10mm even, though the ones I measured were a little closer to 11 mm from foot to eye.

The major knock against these figures in the gaming community is that they are expensive. At $9.50 per artillery section this is true. However, after looking at a variety of 10mm figures, I think I can safely say that they are the very best, 10mm Napoleonic figures available. The gamer thus has the age old choice: quantity or quality.

Figures can be ordered from the better hobby shops or from GHQ directly at www.ghqmodels.com. They can be reached by regular channels at: GHQ, 28100 Woodside Rd. Shorewood, MN 55331 or Call 612-374-2693.

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