Tin Soldiers

15mm Byzantines

by Jim Womer

Tin Soldier, Inc. of Australia expands its range of Dark Ages figures with a variety of eight Byzantine infantry and eight cavalry including a nicely done Emperor, all with a strong interest in the 10th -11th Century A.D.

These slightly largish 15mm figures seem well made for use as sturdy wargame figures with a nice level of detail particularly in capes and the armor. Although I found the cataphract on the small side in comparison to the other cavalry figures, I felt the remaining cavalry was well done and a good variety of types even if their horses have fairly heavy legs. Single piece castings, these cavalry do have some flash problems but nothing insurmountable.

The infantry are again a nice selection of various Byzantine types and their auxiliaries; what was said above with respect to detail, sturdiness and relative size applies here, as well as flash. My real reservation with respect to particularly the infantry is an anatomical one -- feet, hands and particularly heads are large and this is most noticeable on those figures without helmets.

Quantifying this for our ratings, the infantry wou be (.6) anatomy, (.6) animation, (.7) detail, (.7) paintability and (.7) casting, totalling 3.3 of a possible 5.0.

The cavalry are (.7) figure anatomy, (.6) for horse anatomy, (.7) animation, ( 7) figure detail, (.6) for detail, (.7) paintability, and (.7) casting, for a total of 3.3 - 3.5 of a possible 5.0.

While the range and variety of figures definitely suggests that the manufacturer intended the figures to be the basis of an army, these figures seem better suited for use as contingents with Byzantine army, particularly the cavalry. They strike me as good wargames figures designed survive use and being painted by a novice or better painter. Apparently still only available from Australia with a reported address of 16 Willoughby Road, Crows Nest, N.S.W. 204 Australia.

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