This, a marvellous range which will probably be collected by people just to look at as much as wargamers to wargame with. These figures are almost sculptures in their own right in many cases. If you have any friends interested in Ancient Greeks (Argives) buy TX21, the light chariot set and paint them up as a gift that is bound to give pleasure and be a conversation piece even with people uninterested in wargaming - who knows, you might recruit another wargamer! These figures come in packs, spearmen and archers in sixes - differentiated poses. Heros like Achilles and Hector come in separate packs, each with a shield-bearer The Hoipoloi are 4.50 pounds a pack. Heroes are 2.50 pounds. Archers 3.60 pounds and the chariot set, two horses, two men, arms and all the chariot bits are 5.00 pounds.

I will list them, comment and then, as usual, draw some.

T2. Pack of six spearmen in kilt or loincloth. boars tusk helmet, advancing. Remember at this time iron was rnade into jewellry and weapons would be tipped with bronze. Cf. . pp 31 "Le costume et les armees des soldats de tons les temps". (Vol 1.) L. F. Funken. Pub. Casterman 1966.

In my pack 5 are evidently 'the men' and one has a horse hair mane plume on his helmet. He also has shoulder defences and wears a kill. 2 others also wear the kill and three loincloths. Spears are provided for their open hands. They are marching forward. Probably Fighting was a pretty disorganised hack and stab affair. The weapons weren't too reliable if Homer is to be believed: "Then Menalaos drew his sword and heaving up his arm brought it down upon the other's helmet ridge, but the metal shivered in three or four pieces, and dropped from his hand" "The Iliad".

T5. Pack of six spearmen in linen cuirass. bronze helmet. Advancing. It's funny that the derivation of cuirass is the French word "cuir" meaning "leather." A linen "cuirass" would be made with several thicknesses of linen the weave going different ways, and stiffened proabably with oxhide glue. These would be proof against all but the most strongly driven weapons. As in T2, these chaps have short swords at their left sides. 4 have differentiated plumes on their helmets which are made to look in the same style as the boars tusk ones of early "horseless" carriages and railway carriages which looked like coaches without the horses in front. Separate spears, provided, may be placed in the open hands, arranged to make the angles of lift different.

T8. Pack of six in bronze cuirass, bronze helmets. advancing. The leader of this gtoup has a horse hair plume. They all have cross hilted swords on their left hips hanging from a simple baldrick. Some have fringed kilts, others plain ones. All have a stout long bladed spear for their open hands.

T25. Pack of six archers. various poses in kilts or breech-clouts, bareheaded. They have short recurved bows, long hair. Their arrows hang in a simple loop of cord from their waists. Two kneel knocking their shafts, one draws a shaft from the cord. The other shoots. Of the two standing, one shoots and the other selects an arrow. (bows made from 2 ibex horns).

TX4. Achilles, Hero and Leader of the Myrmidons on foot in bronze armour, bronze helmet with crest, figure of eight shield and sword. accompanied by a shield bearer carrying a round shield. Highly detailed armour and helmet on the hero. The shield bearer is bare headed with a large pelta shield evidently covered in metal - made by God Hephaestos - "a shield huge and strong, adorning it cunningly all over circlmg it with a shining rim. threefold and glittering, and hung from it a baldrick of silver, with five layers was covered the shield itself; and into it he put much cunning workmanship, witb his curious skill." ("The Iliad"). Try to paint that then! The baldrick is shown. Achilles wears double greaves.

TX9. Hector, Prince of Troy. war Leader Of the Trojans on foot in scale armour witb large figure of eight shield and sword witb shield bearer carrying a round shield. The s.b. has a plumed boars tusk helmet and short sword. Hector's shield "that was like a city wall, a brazen shield with sevenfold bulls-hide skillfully wrought him by Tychios - Tychios far the best of all the workers in hide, who dwelt at Hyle, and had made him his dashing shield of seven hides of mighty bulls and over them an eigth layer of bronze" ("The Iliad"). Don't forget single combat between picked champions at that time and the Greeks selected Aias to fight Hector. They had a long fight, neither being able to kill the other, so they exchanged gifts -- Knightly conduct indeed.

TX21. Light chariot, two horses warrior in bronze armour, round shield and thick spear, driver.

This is excellently modelled and cast with fine detail. "The Iliad" has a fine description of Hera's chariot (the Goddess, mother of Athene) who fought on the side of the Greeks. (Penguin classic "Homer" "The Iliad". Translated by E.V. Rieu 1950 my copy cost 2/6 - about 13p for 469 pages - "Progress! Don't talk to me about progress" quite the Paraniod Android). The body of the chariot is wickerwork and the yoke pole is cunningly (Greek term again!) fitted to the body which has a wicker divide for the warrior and charioteer. The outside of the body is hide covered. The shield has a lug for fixing it on the chariot if you wish.

Parts 2&3: Trojan War range (in LW 115).

Drawing not to scale.