The Foundry, figures available in the US from The Foundry, 1549 Marview Dr., Westlake, OH 44145, 440-871-4587, fax 440-892-5887. In the UK and the rest of the world from The Foundry, Hubert's Lane, Off Doyle Road, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1RG, Channel Islands, Great Britain.

The latest from The Foundry are seven new additions to the Darkest Africa Line.

The figures are 28mm from the bottom of the feet to the eyes, are well proportioned and excellently detailed. There is some flash to be removed, in particular on the fetishes, pots, and skulls in DA 48 African Tribal Goods. However, since you may well be mounting these permanently to your scenery having the sprue to help hold it in place is a very handy extra. .

DA 4 Askari Characters (eight figures): The first figure is a bare chested woman guard who looks like a Dahomey Amazon. The next figure looks much like a Herroro. The fourth figure in the top row could very well be a Fuzzy Wuzzy and also useful for the Italian campaigns in Ethiopia. The Buglar is a welcome addition to the Askari forces, he looks similar to Italian Askaris. And what well equipped expedition would be without their man-servant bringing the nightly G&T (gin and tonic) or glass of whiskey.

DA 20 Zanzibari Characters (seven figures): The slaver with a whip will come in very handy when the Arab slave traders are on the table. My favorite figure of this group has got to be the arms-crossed, heavily bearded Arab with a monkey on his shoulder.

DA 48 African Tribal Goods (twentyfour pieces): Geez what more could you ask for to dress up that African village, well may be a large pot to cook some missionaries. But other than that you have bananas, skulls on poles, human skulls, animal skulls, pots, baskets, quivers, rice mortar and pestle, and fetishes.

DA 71 Askari Mountain Gun (four figures and four cannon parts): The two bottom figures could easily be Italian Askaris. This little gun will put many natives to flight on just the noise alone. What a great advantage when outnumbered ten to one. Are we going to see some pack mules for the guns?

DA 80 Zanzibari Cannon (four figures and four cannon parts): Well, if the Askaris have one the slavers should too, but not all that modern! The solid wooden wheels give it the air of no respect what-so-ever. Good thing too as this cannon could knock a hole in that steamer of mine going up river.

DA 82 Baluchi Musketeers in Arab Dress 11 (eight figures): I really like these Baluchis and they will make a wonderful fighting force for the sultan of Zanzibar to command. I guess one of the Zanzibari Characters could become their CO. I believe that there are now 20 different Baluchis that's quite a large unit to have to contend with as an expedition, or slaver or native force. Just what I like more figs to upset the typical scenario.

DA 200 Masai Warriors in Feathered Headdress I (seven figure, seven shields and seven weapons): Hide these from your wives and kids these guys are Na... anatomically correct! Each of these has a different hair style under the headdress and great facial expression.

My overall impression of this latest offering from The Foundry is that Mark Copplestone has done a great job sculpting these figures and pieces. The facial expressions, animation, and detail are wonderful.

I can't believe that Copplestone and Ansell are only, now at 600 to 700 figures, about a third of the way through this Darkest Africa line, holy cow!!!! And still to come are the Belgians, Germans and French, may be some Italians (hint hint). With the Masai pack numbered 200 ... !!!!!

Once again I will be spending my dollars to purchase more Foundry figures. You'll find me at The Foundry dealer tables at Cold Wars trying to decide what I want, I'll be there most of Friday.

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