Dixon Miniatures have sent us a number of figures from their Landsknecht period line. The most appealing aspect of this line is the unusual figures that everyone likes to have included in his army. The peasant infantryman (97) carries a scythe and is dressed in the civilian clothes of the period. He wears a simple leather bonnet and unbleached tunic. The detail of the figure is very good especially the face. Rating: Anatomy -- .6, Animation -- .6, Detail -- .7, Paintability -- .7, Casting -- .8, Total -- 3.4
Vulcan Miniatures is another of the seemingly endless
number of English companies that are producing figures of
both high interest and quality. In all fairness, however it
should be pointed out that this company is
headquartered in Scotland (St. Georges Buildings,
5 St. Vincent Place, Glasgow, G1 2DH). While their range
of figures is not as large as many companies in the British
Isles they offer a unique selection of figures including the
Italian wars, the middle ages, the Norman-Saxon troops,
and the Asiatic barbarians of the late Roman period. They
also produce several unusual fantasy figures that can be
used as opposing armies.
The vulcan stirrup crossbowman (HC-10) is in a firing position with a steel helmet, partial plate and mail armor. He appears to be somewhat stocky in appearance, but this may in part be caused by the amount of armor he wears. The sculpting style is one that relies more on character than on the concept of the perfect man made tiny. Rating: Anatomy -- .3, Animation -- .4, Detail -- .5, Paintability -- .5, Casting -- .4, Total -- 2.1
Vulcan's Middle Ages line is expanded through
their heavy infantryman wearing barbutte, brigadine and
mail. The sculpting on this figure is very choppy and does
not flow properly. The anatomy is also weak with head and
hands out of proportion. Rating: Anatomy -- .2, Animation
-- .4, Detail -- .4, Paintability -- .4, Casting -- .4,
Total -- 1.8
The representative mounted figure from Vulcan is a man-at-arms complete with a draped horse. Again many of the problems that occur with the foot figures are evident here. The horse is not clearly defined and the casting appears to be pitted in several spots. The rider has a similar problem with his arms and hands out of proportion. Rating: Anatomy -- .1, Animation -- .5, Detail -- .3, Paintability -- .2, Casting -- .2, Total -- 1.3
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