Gerry Webb of Castaway Arts based in Cairns, Queensland has released some further additions to Ancients ranges. First of these are some hirsute-looking opponents for his Old Kingdom Egyptians. Received for review are Camel Nomads, including four camel mounted variants on three camels in different gaits - two walking, and [left] the camel equivalent of a gallop (not a gallop!). Also included are foot figures: two slingers, two archers and three spearmen. The other range received for review are all Roman gladiators no doubt inspired by the recent renewal of interest due to the film “Gladiator”. DESIGN/QUALITY The Nomads are well animated with a nice variety in the differing poses. The camels are anatomically correct and well proportioned. Of the ‘hairless’ variety, they are not fantastically detailed but do look like the real thing and are convincingly posed. The figures mounted on them come in four basic poses and fit onto their camel mounts well. Both riders and their weapons come separately, with riders and camels fairly ‘clean’ figures with little flash and requiring little preparation to put together ready for painting. The spearmen in particular are good ‘action’ figures, as the spears come separately I thought the throwing poses looked a bit awkward but as can be seen if the weapons are mounted properly they look like they are actually about to hurl the spear. I also like the young slingers; the one ‘loading up’ and the other just about to ‘let her rip’, twirling the sling over his head. Of the two foot bowman I like the one crouching slightly and reaching for the arrows slung across his back. The other range of figures sent for review are the Roman gladiators including the two classic opponents, one armed with a trident. The weapons come separately and, in the case of the trident, two separate pieces with the trident head fitting onto the end of a piece of florists(?)wire. While a good idea (and obviously easier to cast) it wasn’t easy to put together. Also I thought these figures weren’t generally as successful as the Nomads. The trident armed gladiator in particular seems a bit too skinny and youthful - not exactly the picture of a muscle-bound gladiator! Again, they are well caste and finished, coming with a variety of separate shields and weapons. All in all the new additions to the Castaway range are average to good figures, and competitively priced and, being original Ozzie-made products of quality equal to any imports, heartily recommended! Visit Castaway’s site at: http://www.castawayarts.com.au/ for full details of the range, purchase, gallery etc, etc - an excellent site. CASTAWAY ARTS PO Box 7599 Cairns Qld. 4870 Phone/Fax: (+61) 07 4041 2079 Email: castawayarts@ozemail.com.au Back to Table of Contents -- Kriegspieler #10 To Kriegspieler List of Issues To MagWeb Master Magazine List © Copyright 2000 by Kriegspieler Publications. This article appears in MagWeb (Magazine Web) on the Internet World Wide Web. Other military history articles and gaming articles are available at http://www.magweb.com