Frying Pan and Blanket

20mm AWI

By Ken Bunger

A fairly extensive range of 20mm American Revolution figures is produced by Frying Pan & Blanket Amalgamated of 2283 Apache St., Mendota Heights, Minnseota 55120. They were designed specifically for use with The Complete Brigadier wargame rules. The figures are truly 20mm, from foot to forehead. They are totally incompatible with any range of 15mm or 25mm figures. Mitigating this problem of scale incompatibility is the fact that this range is complete enough to provide armies for both sides of the conflict.

The figures and equipment themselves are quite good. The accuracy of the uniforms is excellent. I know the designer has made substantial use of the plate series of the Company of Military Historians. The anatomy and proportions of the men are equally excellent. The proportions of the horses are good with only a slightly too fat underbelly. The riders and horse are cast separately. The figures are cast in a good quality metal with some flexibility so conversions are easier. Some flash appears on the figures, but nothing that is particularly unusual.

As with the uniforms, the positioning of the weapons is generally accurate. The center companies have their muskets shouldered, while the elites and militia types are advancing. The standards are cast on the figure. A minor criticism is that the hats on the German artillery seem too small. On the plus side, the Hessian mounted officers are fantastic, all three having a distinct personality. The mounted drivers are also a nice touch. One of the items this range could use some more of is additional "ragged" militia types.

Even better than the figures is the artillery and equipment that is offered. These are about the most accurate representations of Eighteenth Century equipment that I'm aware of. They are unfortunately too small to be of use in one's 25mm armies. The range even includes pontoons and a field forge.

The figures come in attractive boxes selling for $8.98 each. Each box contains 24 foot, or6 mounted and 6 dismounted, or 4 guns and limbers or 8 horses and four drivers. Recomended.

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