Freicorps

15mm 7YW Range (figures)

by Robert Charles Mosca

To readers of the Courier, the 1980-81 publishing calender has been a banner year for afficionados of the Seven Years War, and to compliment the excellent series of articles appearing in this magazine, there comes from Freikorps 15 a superb newly redesigned range of fifteen millimeter figures.

The initial releases sent to this reviewer comprise those hardy old warhorses of all manufacturers' Seven Years War lines, the Prussian and Austrian infantry. Generic to both ranges; Grenadier and Musketeer (including Hungarian alternate uniforms for the Austrians), plus a Prussian Fusileer and Prussian von Kleist Freikorps pandour

All of Freikorps 15mm figures were sculpted in the "march attack pose" which I feel, to the designer's mind, was meant to enhance the historical flavor of the period. The particular pose of a figure must be considered to be an integral part of the sculpting. In this particular case, there are advantages and disadvantages. The upright weapon on a figure facilitates the painting, allowing one's brush easy access to belts, waistcoats, buckles and facings (all are easily seen and accentuated), and thereby enhances the color and visual aspect of the figure.

On the negative side, I find that weapons posed in an upright position tend to be more easily broken, and less three-dimensional in appearance. On a more subtle level not usually considered, is the generally negative reaction of wargamers on a whole to the "march attack" pose. Perhaps this is due to the less martial attitude, almost pacificist stance, when compared to the aggressive forward bayonet of an advancing figure. Perhaps some wargamers weilding an army of marching figures maY feel at a psycholoyical disadvantage.

As stated before, the detail is amazing, as good if not better than some 25mm figures. Each aspect of the body is in proportion. The details are crisp and cleanly shown. Piping, buttons and thigh knots are raised away from cloth surface, opposed to being scratched into the surface or dug into the figure. All equipment and belting is sculpted the same way and a comparison of the figures against Funcken's "Lace Wars" stands up nicely. Particularly well done are the faces; each is given a personality and is bedecked with a jaunty mustache. The Hungarians even come with styled braided side locks.

Details between the armies is also nicely done, the Austrian bearskin of the grenadier has the illusion of fur. The texture is given an artistic quality without being overdone. Likewise, the Prussian grenadiers' mitre shows all relief necessary and the bag is properly piped and embellished. The Prussian Fusileer helmet is well detailed down to the crown spike. The Prussian musketeer sports a smaller tricorne not es 'pinched' to the fore as the Austrian, and has less voluminous coat cuffs. The under-cutting is excellent and each fold in the cloth is finely done. Flash on the figures was minimal, and swords and bayonets were cast complete.

The sculptor of Freikorp 15 figures should be congratulated, for we are seeing 25mm quality in 15mm figures. When MiniFig re-releases their Tricorne range, the two will be compatible for mounting together.

It is a pleasure to see this type of new stimulus entering our hobby, especially at the grassroots level, showing that the small innovative company catering to specific tastes may be the way of the future. Freikorps plans to release all other Austrians, Prussians, as well as Imperials, Swedes, French, Russian, North American and Indian Sub" continent figures, which will allow any 18th century colonial campaigns to be fought. Highly recommended For a listing contact: Frei Korps, 52 Chesterbrook Cres. Newtonards, Co. Down BT23 3QT N. Ireland.

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