First and foremost, have to complement you on the latest issue. Best one since I have subscribed! Even though it's lead me to want to make a whole lot of purchases.

You were saying you had no news of the Old Glory colonial lines. While I certainly can't say I've seen them all, I have purchased a few packages and can tell you about them.

First, I purchased Pathans and a separate command bag and found them to be first-rate. Lots of detail and excellent positions. I did find themetal very hard, making it difficult to clean flash, although I am fussier than most. Warning: these are undercut enough so that spray primer won't reach in everywhere and will have to be supplemented by brushing. A few crouching troops scream for the addition of a rock to fire over (and lean on) in order to stand.

I painted about 15 of them for a wild game that involved a steam powered chopper. Alas, even though they were well concealed in the crags, a stray rocket from the helo took an almost 90 degree off-course turn, exploding amid them and killing the leader and standard bearer, resulting in their fleeing the scene and the game without annoying anyone. Will they remain a 'bad morale' unit from here on out? I've noticed that my units seem to follow the same behavior they diplay on their first outing. In fact, I've had to resort to disbanding a few Napoleonic units over this. Ever happen to you?

I also have several bags from the Boxer range. I picked up Germans, Italians, Naval Artillery Gunners and Civilians. To begin, I'm absolutely stoked by the German s (Seebataillon) and Italians (Bersaglieri). Right out of the Osprey Boxer Rebellion book. They look as good as anything the Foundry has done, albeit a sconce bulkier. Thirty-one, well nourished figures in each of my packs including two officers and two buglers per pack. I've started painting the Germans and have enclosed a color print about twice normal size to give you an idea of how they're shaping up. Haven't done the final detailing or flocking yet, but you get the idea.

As great as those packs were, the other two were disappointing. The civilians were all male and a couple had butcher knives tied to their rifles like the carving knife brigade-but there was no question they looked more like cowboys than anything. I guess I expected some of the fairer sex and a little more imagination in the poses, such as figures carrying ammo, using telescopes, or even a helmet or two.

The naval crews were pretty pedestrian too. Or was that just my reaction because I liked the Germans and Italians so much? I guess I'd have to say there wasn't as much thought put into the poses, although I expect a good paint job will make them little gems. It always seems to work for me.

Another general comment is that many of the figures have the heads twisted about to provide more variety of poses, I assume. On most of these, the effect is pleasing, but a few appear to have had their necks wrung and would go better in a Zombie brigade. I'm sure they can be repoaired, but you'd think a figure sculpter could tell he's gone too far.

In any case, there's a quasi-review of Old Glory colonials. I like them. And the price is right. More as I squander additional hard-earned cash on even more lead.