I went to their web site but not much is there. So I wrote them and ordered a catalog. They sent along a selection of figures, their 30mm that match nicely with 28mm, as below. Well shut my mouth, I heard these were Jack Scruby’s figures but thought yeah right. Brings me back to my gaming beginnings in 1960 when I first ordered from Jack. I really like these figures; I still have some from 1960 that are not painted, what am I waiting for.

Anyway these figures while they have detail it is unlike today’s detail that is really raised and easy to paint. Oh no, the barest of outlines for buttons and belts suffice here and it is a matter of painting ability, not mine of course, to do these up right. However, these paint fast when you want call up an army in a hurry.

These figures are not chunky like Essex or Foundry nor for that matter Old Glory, these are thin and more in line with what photograph indicate that soldiers looked like. I hope that Ultimate Miniatures also brings out some of Jack’s rule systems, particularly the colonial ones.

The minimum order on these 30 mm figures is 6 each for infantry and 3 each for cavalry. AT a $1.10 each and 30 to the pound these guys are a great deal for the game table.

30mm

British Infantry

On the whole I like these figures, they are for the game table not for close inspection and super painted detail and the price is right. These figures are great to fill up armies with, that what I do. The Sailors are not in real useful poses; they are if you leave them guarding your home base. The Infantry and Highlanders have useful poses for field operations. The most useful figure is the artilleryman since you can pose his arms in various positions and add ’things’ to his hands (ramrod, ball, rifle, etc.). My Artillerymen perform a variety of duties, heliographers, artillery, medical, and engineer. Of the Cavalry my least favorite is the Frontier Light Horse firing.

1551 Regular infantry, standing firing, pith helmet with chin strap, haversack, two cartridge boxes, water bottle, bayonet on rifle, boots

1552 Regular infantry, kneeling firing, pith helmet with chin strap, haversack, two cartridge boxes, water bottle, bayonet on rifle, boots

1553 Regular infantry, on guard, pith helmet with chin strap, haversack, two cartridge boxes, water bottle, bayonet on rifle, boots

1554 Regular infantry, advancing, pith helmet with chin strap, haversack, two cartridge boxes, water bottle, bayonet on rifle, boots

1555 Officer, arm bent pointing to left, right arm at side, pistol holster, helmet with chin strap, boots

1556 Artilleryman, hands away from side, can be carefully and slowly bent into some positions, boots, haversack

1557 Sailor on guard with rifle butt on hip, cartridge box only, wearing boots and sennet hat

1558 Sailor on guard with rifle at side, cartridge box only, wearing boots and sennet hat

1503 Highlander, on guard, kilt, backpack (bedroll and mess kit), bayonet on rifle, water bottle, two cartridge boxes, helmet with chin strap, gators

1504 Highlander, firing, kilt, backpack (bedroll and mess kit), bayonet on rifle, water bottle, two cartridge boxes, helmet with chin strap, gators

British Cavalry

Each of the figures comes with a galloping horse that has a bedroll and two pistol holsters on the horse’s neck attached but no saddle. The horses are very well done, probably better than the soldiers. These are fairly nice figures, although, once again thin. The Frontier Light horse figure, as my 40-year old figures, does not properly fit onto the horse. On the other hand the other two fit well.

1559c King’s Dragoon Guard, with sword, sword in upright arm, can move other arm to hold reins.

1560c 17th Lancer, lance erect

1561c Frontier Light Horse, firing rifle to left, front of wide brim hat turned up, bandolier

Artillery

30-11 Gatling Gun, with drum

30-12 13 pdr field gun, muzzle loading

Both these two field pieces have prominent positions on my table I really like them. The Gatling gun seems to me to be slightly redesigned since my 1960 version which makes it even better.

Zulus

I have twenty man units of each of these figures except 1564, can’t remember why, but these are my standard units, along with my 100+ South African Engineers (SAEs). I like

1565 as his head is slightly away from the rifle and I force it slightly more so to make the distinction even more.

1562 Warrior, charging, knobkerrie, shield, married headband.

1563 Warrior, attacking with knobkerrie, shield, possibly Mbelebele impi

1564 Warrior, attacking with assegi, shield with boss?, can’t recognize the impi from the headdress

1565 Warrior, firing captured British rifle, standing, headdress is similar to Ndebele

Zulu War 25mm

I received four figures from the 20-figure range of 25mm.

British

J191 British regular, charging on one foot

3322 Highland Officer, firing pistol left handed

JC210 Alexandria Mounted Rifles, rifle resting up right on right knee, saddle and bedroll attached to rider, comes with trotting horse

Zulu

J215 Warrior, throwing assegi, headdress indicates Ndabezibona

Overall my impression of the Zulu War British and Zulus is pretty good. I like these figures and will use them to continue to bulk up my forces. The flash is hardly a problem as there was little to remove. Each figures base comes ground flat. My biggest problem with these figures is that the heads seem somewhat small. I don’t have Sudan or Northwest Frontier Scruby/Ultimate Miniatures forces under my command and await to see them. However, if they are as good as these figures I will definitely use them. Recommended for the Wargames Table.