Yet another Australian has taken up the challenge of sculpting and manufacturing their own range of figures. While the ACW has been covered extensively by others (the Wargames Foundry’s range in particular come to mind) the big disadvantage for Kiwi & Aussie gamers is that much of what is available is imported or has to be bought from overseas with the frequently horrendous postage costs that can add on an average of 30% to the cost of the figures themselves; with top of the range figures such as WF, th e cost can be pretty steep. Now, thanks to Mark, there is a g rowing range of quality 28mm ACW figures made here in Australia. DESIGN/QUALITY The figure samples I examined are shown in the scans above on the right. As can be seen, they are well proportioned and detailed with some attention been given to the faces to make them look more individual. They are well cast with little or no flash or mould lines visible and are made from good quality white metal. The muskets are fairly slender but actually look like muskets not logs and the bayonets look like they’d actually hurt someone! (see the charging Reb figure top right) The figures themselves are on the slender side and one or two of them look a bit ‘narrow’ but I’m ready to concede that they are probably more akin to the scarecrows of historical reality than the WF tubbies! In any event the quality of the casting and metal used means that they may bend but do not break (there’s nothing more annoying than slender bits of rifles or bayonets that snap off!). The only bit of flash I noticed on anything was a small blob on the end of the artilleryman’s rammer (an affliction not just confined to gunners or so I’m told!) - so all in all they are exceptionally ‘clean’ figures. RANGE The range is reasonably extensive but at the moment only infantry and artillery are available. There are some rather nice cavalry figures ‘in the works’ and nearing completion. You can view these and quality colour shots of Mark’s figures painted and based on his site: www.users.bigpond.com/markfenlon/ From the picture I saw of the cav figure they should be worth the wait - the horse in particular seemed to be nicely animated and anatomically correct (not like an impossibly elongated dachshund or overgrown Shetland pony like some others I’ve seen!) I look forward to seeing the finished product. The most outstanding pieces in the range to my mind are the artillery - if the pictures on the site are anything to go by - they are beautifully made. COST/AVAILABILITY The figures come in packs of 6 for infantry @ $9.00, 4 for artillery crews @ $6.00 (or 2 guns of the same type @ $10.00), 3 for command packs @ $4.50 (officer, bearer & musician) and two mounted figures for cavalry @ $6.00 (when they become available). Although competitively priced there will be a 10% increase after 30 June. All packs contain a mix of poses i.e. Confederate infantry advancing will contain figures both in kepi and slouch hat, with and without blanket roll, muskets levelled, at port etc. Verdict: good quality figures at a good price! The figures are only available from the manufacturer by mail order : MARK FENLON MINIATURES 9 Welland Close, Jamistown NSW 2750 e-mail: markfenlon@bigpond.com.au Back to Table of Contents -- Kriegspieler #9 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