A Different View

Some time ago, my gaming friend, Irv Horowitz, reviewed Gladiator Games' range of Skraeling figures on The Miniatures Page. Those of you who might have read his review will probably remember his evaluation of the figures was not a favorable one, overall. Because of his disappointment in the line, he sold some of the figures to me. As Irv liked the Friekorps Skraelings that I myself found unsatisfactory, we traded the remaining figures, which I believe worked out well for the both of us. This review will show that one man's trash is indeed another man's treasure.

Let's get a few details out of the way before we actually get to the individual figures. There are four packs in this range, each containing three figures of a different pose. Those in the first three packs are cast with open left and right hands. With the weapons sprues provided in each pack (except the bowmen pack), one can mix weapon types to add more variety. These figures are on the big side, measuring from 28mm to 29mm sole to eye, and they have some girth to them (some call this size of figure "heroic" scale). They would measure out as 28H on the Barrett Scale. They blend very nicely with the Foundry and Gripping Beast Vikings (Gladiator also makes Vikings in 28mm, but I have not seen them).

These figures do not work at all with the Freikorps Skraelings. There are some minor mold lines and small bits of flash to cut off. The figures are cast on fairly small bases (except for the bowmen as their legs are spread apart). Overall, they are fairly clean, decently animated, and hefty figures. "They were short in height with threatening features and tangled hair on their heads. Their eyes were large and their cheeks broad." - Eirik the Red's Saga

Gladiator's website mentions that they based these figures on the Beothuk and Micmak Indians that once inhabited the northeastern part of Canada. I'll have to take their word for it, having never met a Beothuk or Micmak Indian myself. Based on later written sources on the Beothuk and Micmak, the Skraelings were dark skinned with dark hair. They wore animal skins, perhaps including sealskin. The Skraelings apparently stained their bodies with red ochre, hence the term "red Indians." By the way, depending on the source, Skraeling can mean "the ugly men" or "pitiful wretch."

The weapons provided with the figures seem to be in line with what is known of the technology of the North American Indians of this era. The spears are tipped with sharpened flint or chert and fastened to the shafts with leather straps. The spear points are very large, larger than the figures' heads, and so are a bit over-proportioned. The two clubs are made to appear to made from stone. The broad bladed weapon in the middle of the second row is unknown to me. All of the weapons" shafts are etched to give the impression of wood, and overall the weapons are well done.

"One of the men in the natives' group was tall and handsome, and Karlsefni thought him likely to be their leader."

--Eirik the Red's Saga

SKR 1 (Skraeling command) - Three leaders or chiefs are in this pack. The first is standing with a bow strapped across his back and arrows at his side. His hair is worn Mohawk style, chest bare (as are all of these figures), with leggings and breech clout on his lower body. The second figure is advancing, and based on his fur cape, is probably the most respected leader. Again, this figure has leggings under his breech clout. His hair is pulled back in a queue. The last figure is standing with his right arm upraised (perfect for a club or a spear). His hair is worn in an upward roached style, hanging long in the back, with a headband. He is wearing a breech clout and leggings. There are two weapon sprues in this pack -- one with two spears, the other with two clubs and the unfamiliar broad bladed weapon.

SKR 2 (Skraelings with spears) - The first figure of this three figure pack is advancing, arms at his sides. Other than his Mohawk, his head is clean shaven. He is wearing a bracelet on his right arm, and a small pouch suspended by a leather strap around his neck. The ever present breech clout adorns his lower body. The second figure is standing, right arm held upright, bracelet on his left arm, anklet on his right leg, breech clout over his privates. His hair worn in a long (to the middle of his back), Mohawk style. The last figure is also standing with his right arm held upright. He wears a feather atop his short hair, bracelet on his left arm, anklet on his left leg, breech clout. The weapon sprue holds three distinctly different spears. These are the figures I believe Irv had the most disappointment with, and I do understand his disappointment. While the torso, head, and legs are in the correct proportions, the arms need help. The right arms are shorter than the left, while the left arms have more musculature to them. I do believe that, once the weapon has been attached and the figure has been painted, this unevenness will be less apparent.

SKR 3 (Skraelings with war clubs) - The first figure is advancing right arm upraised, anklet on left leg, breech clout in place, and hair roached straight up and held in place by a leather strap. His arms do not suffer from the proportion issues. The next two figures seem to be on steroids. While not noticeable in the picture, they are larger than the rest of their fellow braves. Not only do they stand taller, their heads and upper bodies are just plain bigger. These two must be the "enforcers" of the tribe! Actually, this works for me quite well. Not all humans are created equal, so it's natural that a couple of the figures have more "ummph" to them. One is advancing, the other standing, both with right arms upraised. The advancing figure wears his hair loose and long and bears a small pouch hung around his neck, and has an anklet on his right arm. The standing pose also has long flowing hair, but the right side of his head is clean shaven. He has a bracelet on his left arm and an anklet on his right leg. Both have breech clouts, of course. Unfortunately, both suffer from the "my left arm is bigger than my right" syndrome. The weapon sprue consists of two clubs and that broad bladed weapon.

SKR 4 (Skraelings with bows) - Ah, at last, the artillery! Er, I mean figures armed with bows. These figures are all standing, in various firing poses, bows all held in their left hands. The first figure is reaching for another arrow from the quiver strapped across his back. He has long hair, Mohawk-style on top, a bracelet on his left arm. The second figure has his right hand near his right ear, either having just loosed an arrow, or pulling back in preparation of launching one. Three feathers are attached to his hair, his head being clean-shaven otherwise. He wears a quiver across his back, and has an anklet on his left leg. The last figure is also reaching back for another arrow. His hair stands straight up in front (bear grease has many uses), and he has an anklet on his right leg. All three figures are wearing breech clouts (of course).

Currently, these figures retail for £2 per pack ($3.59 U.S.), which makes each figure $1.20 -- a pretty good price for 28mm figures!

I can see where Irv had some of his reservations about these figures, but considering what else is available in this scale, I think the Gladiator figures are the way to go for this period. They are well animated, hefty, and blend well with the Vikings that The Foundry and Gripping Beast currently manufacture. For the skirmish-type warfare that took place between the Skraelings and Vikings in North America, these 28mm figures fit the bill nicely!

Gladiator Games, 11 Derwent Ave., Biggleswade, Beds SG18 8LY, UK. Web: www.gladiatorgames.co.uk. For more information on pre-contact America: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/PreContact.

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Gladiator Games 28mm Skraelings Figure Review.
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