Minifig

15mm 7YW

review by Ken Bunger

Miniature Figurines, Ltd. has made this a great summer for the wargamer whose interest is the Eighteenth Century. Not only have they released the long- awaited 15mm "Tricorne" Seven Years War figures, they have reissued bot the 25mm Marlborough and American Revolution ranges. This completes the Eighteenth Century ranges after the 25mm Seven Years War range was reissued last year.

The 15mm SYW range presently consists of a fairly complete line of figures for Britain, France and Prussia. Steve Carpenter has assured me that the Austrians and Russians will be available fairly soon, but wait for the announcements.

Perhaps the best way to describe this new range is that they exceed the anatomical and animation standards set by Minifigs with their Napoleonic range and are comparable with regard to casting, detail and size. They are cast in a good, flexible quality of metal not easily susceptible to breakage.

As I said, the animation of these figures is excellent and, in some cases, inspired. The line troops are either in a proper "march" position or the popular "advance" pose. The figures in both poses are slightly leaning forward giving a very realistic effect of the burdened (or frightened) infantryman. I particularly like the Highlanders. All of the command sets and artillerymen are very differently posed, making them the most attractive of all the figures. The cavalrymen are all in a position with drawn sabre resting on the shoulder which is the preferable wargaming pose. The horses are the same as the Napoleonic range.

The detailing of the figures is very good with the buttons indicated by pinholes (not advisable for 25mm but useful in 15mm). British figures come with full field equipment accurately burdening each infantryman. The Prussians and French only have sword and cartridge box, which I prefer as who needs the extra painting on a 15mm figure.

As for the range's accuracy, it's very good overall. A number of particular comments need be made as follows: All of the French musketeers have coats without turnbacks, except for a bit of lining showing in the front. The French grenadier sword belt is not over his shoulder. The Maison du Roi cavalry is usef ul for all French horse, although the coat is not turned back. One could use the British trooper for French as well. There is no such thing as a French horse grenadier, but the figure is useful for many French horse regiments which wore similar fur hats. The dragoons and hussars are great. The cavalry need command sets. The Prussians are accurate, except that the artillerymen are in French tricornes and large cuffs. The 25mm range has this same inexplicable problem. The British and French infantry also have their pigtails tucked under their hats, accurate only for British grenadiers. My only negative comment about the design of the figures generally is that the turnbacks of the coats all seem to hang back too far and are slightly too long.

The field gun available with this range is excellent with squared trails and 6 pdr. barrel.

I do highly recommend these figures and hope to see great masses of them in our Seven Years War Association gatherings.

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