Spencer Smith Miniatures

30mm plastic

by Jay Hadley

Spencer Smith Miniatures have been produced for many years in England but have never gained wide acceptance in the United States partically because of the impact of Airfix figures on the American market during the 1960's and 70's. Recently the company has been purchased by Peter Johnson in England and is going through a revitalization period.

These 30mm figures are produced in soft plastic and offer ranges covering the Napoleonic Period, the American War of Independence and the American Civil War. Information we have received from England indicates that a number of new figures will be produced and added to the present ranges with the hope of eventually offering complete basic armies in each period.

The strongest argument for Spencer Smith figures is the relatively low cost. Figures cost far less than their metal counterparts. Cost aside, however, the figures are less than satisfactory. When you produce a metal figure the critical factor in determining quality is the ability of the sculpture; plastic figures, however, are dependent upon the molding process for success or failure. The molding of these figures is not crisp or well done. Lines are not clearly delinated and the mold seams obscure much of the detail.

These figures also suffer from anatomical short comings and appear to be abnormally one dimensional.

Rating: Animation .5, Detail .2, Paintability .2, Anatomy .2, Casting .1, Total 1.2

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