Redoubt Enterprises

25mm American Civil War (figures)

Reviewed By David Barnes

Review of Redoubt Enterprises new 25mm releases 49 Channel View Road, Eastbourne, E. Sussex, BN22 7LN, and Miniature Service Center, 1525 Bridge St. #163, Yuba City, CA, 95993, USA

These new releases scale new heights for Redoubt's ACW designer. Firing artillery crews in action poses in the usual four different types of dress plus battle field casualties, falling wounded, crawling, and so on. All have separate heads and for the casualties there are some heads with different head gear failing off, flying back, etc. At the moment these are kepi or slouch packs. There will be a few more infantry releases and then Zouaves will be produced. These latter uniforms were very popular in the first 18 months or so of the war but the materials they were made of were so bad the Zouaves often finished up in the line infantry's regular kit. They hung onto their fez's and boleros and baggy pants as long as possible of course. However they're in the future. I will list the samples and draw some of them, not to scale.

Four artillery crews in four kinds of dress, separate heads supplied. 512= head packs are 50p each. At the time of writing, the packs (6 figures) are F3.60. ACART9 - Shirtsleeves, ACART10 - Shell jacket, ACART11 - Sack Coat, ACART12 - Frock Coat.

These are notjust the same figures in slightly different dress. There are also some subtle changes in pose. ACART9 for instance: The gun captain has a raised left arm and wears a gun belt. The cartridge man has a big satchel on his right hip. The 2nd ammunition number is coming forward. The rammer holds it upright and defends his left ear against the coming blast. The lanyard man does the same for his right ear. The fuse man also covers one ear and hangs on to the smaller leather pouch at his right hip.

Compare to ACART10. In this pack the officer shouts using his right hand as a "megaphone." His left hand is on the top of his sword hilt, chape on the ground. The nearest ammo number covers his ear as in 9. The rammer sways away from the blast also covering one ear. The spare number crouches and covers both ears - sensible fellow. The lanyardman pulls back from the waist and the 2nd ammo number trots forward hefting his big satchel.

In ACART11, the officer has his sword hitched up to his waist belt and holds the scabbard at his side with his left hand. The nearest ammo number defends both ears, the 2nd amino number hobbles forward as if his satchel weighed a ton - part of the Confederate early big bombardment at Gettysburg?

ARCART12. From the officer's uniform and big riding boots..."These heya fellas is the Compone battery of Hominy grits artillery regiment, y'all." He has a separate right arm too, "chicken guts" and gauntlets on both. One of the ammo, numbers is coming at a scamper. The spare number kneels, making himself a smaller target.

A great bunch. If I remember, Redoubt do some great artillery pieces so the chaps will go with those beautifully. Now for the gruesome bits - four packs of falling casualties, one or two already laid low.

ACW91 Shirtsleeves. One sinks to his knees, clutching his stomach, propping himself up with his rifle musket. One on his hands and knees. One in a similar pose but holding his side with one hand. One stumbles forward clutching his chest, another falls back, throwing out his right hand and right foot the last sinks backwards, his left hand at his chest. Excellent models and modeling - crisp casting that we iiave come to expect from Redoubt.

ACW92 Shell jacket. One on his back, feet on the floor, arching his back, one evidently knocked down by a shot, sitting up "what hit me?" feel about him. One hit in the left thigh, clutching it, trying to crawl away, excellent modeling. One in a "starfish" position, arms and legs flung wide, going backwards. One falling back and to the left. One grasping his solar plexus with both hands falling forward. ACW93 A different mix of the first two packs positions, only all wearing the sack coat. A C W 9 4 Casualties in frock coat. One has a separate arm and crawls forward on his knees. The arm can be fixed in a desperate gesture. Others similar to the foregoing. As I said at the start of the review, these figures are excellent in every way, but apart from dioramas and morale state markers, I dislike a game being too realistic. Blood and guts are not amusing, and, having had to deal myself with horrific scenes of carnage, murder and suicide, as I did when I served with H.M. land forces - the 2ame is all - simulation is not. Some drawings now, not to scale:

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