It seems like The Foundry has been churning out high quality 28mm figures at record pace. They also seem to be running my deals with each new introduction (see your favorite English glossy for these deals). Here are some of the newest packs available.
Foundry Ancients Catalog: David at D&J Hobbies (in Campbell) gave me his spare copy of The Foundry's Ancients/Medieval catalog (a glossy 84 pages - plus full color covers), If you're buying Foundry stuff in this period (or just thinking about it) I'd say this might be worth the $12.00 cost. There are two reasons why I say this. First, there's a coupon for a $12.00 pack (code "X') of Foundry miniatures from the Ancients/Medieval line, so you're really not out all that money.
Second, the catalog contains historical articles relating to the (Ancients) miniatures, including tips on painting the little buggers. I found the section on the Picts particularly helpful. One only hopes that this format for catalogs will follow on to include their other lines especially Renaissance.
Early 16th Century Gendarmes with Plumes (RENMERC 33X): If you thought the Landsknechts were good, then you'll like these even better. The pack includes four different mount gendarme molded in exquisite detail. Sword scabbards are molded separately to provide a greater wealth of detail at the figures left waist. Molded lances are provided, as are four different horses (one with barding, three without). All pieces are cleanly cast with little or no mold lines. Having spend more time than I cared to on ranches and around horses, I have to say these are the best equine figures I've seen (for the Medieval/Renaissance period). Most horses seem too thin and scrawny to carry men in full armor. These horses are well fed! Better yet, the riders actually sit well upon these horses, preventing those annoying gaps between rider's legs. I also like the way the horses ears are laid back.... These horses are at war, not looking for a sugar cube! OK, enough about the horses.... but it's just refreshing to see that Foundry puts as much character into these horses as their human counterparts. If this is one of your periods, I highly recommend you take a look at these figures.
Assyrian Heavy Infantry Command Two (Aass6): What I know about Assyrians you could probably stuff into a thimble, but here we go anyway.... This pack contains seven different figures, all of which are nicely sculpted. The pack contains two trumpeters, two standard bearers and three officers. The standards are cast separately and both contain different designs. Two of the officers have maces, while one holds an axe. One of the things that really stand out on these figures is the texture of their hair, which is finely crafted by the Perry Twins. A few mold lines are present, but nothing that can't be easily cleaned.
Assyrian Four Man-Four Horse Heavy Chariot 2 (Aass Cav 27z): This is quite a kit; no less than 18 pieces make up this chariot. One of the most unusual aspects of this model is that the charioteers are molded together in groups of two. One group includes a driver and a shield bearer and the other, the bowman and his shield bearer. Three of these figures have separate arms which allow access for painting the figures. In fact, I think it would be pretty near impossible to paint the figures after attaching the arms. Four horses (of course!J in three different positions are provided; these are all done in that "robust" Foundry style. The chariot itself (9 pieces) is expertly rendered (according to all my art books featuring Assyrian reliefs). All the pieces fit well with only minimal cleaning. One thing this pack could use is a simple diagram for assembling the figures, there's still one small rectangular piece I still can not figure out. Still, it's quite a kit and will make up into an impressive model.
Expect more from this line including baggage animals of all types, kings and their scribes.
Home Guard Heroes (WW2B1): Foundry's newest line features the heroes and enemies of "Dad's Army". Frankly, I've never been that interested in gaming WWII, until now... These figures have enough character to get anyone excited about creating raids in Britain during the "Big One". Their initial offering includes three packs of Home Guard and three of German paratroopers, Their first pack, Home Guard Hero's (sic), features seven distinct characters, all of whom look to be in their middle to "twilight" years of life. A couple of these are obviously officers; one overweight figure with glasses wears a peaked cap and carries a riding crop (I'm sure he's the local banker), while another (who looks suspiciously like the local lord of the manor) sports a helmet and carries a pistol. There's an elderly man with a first aid kit (the local doctor?), and another sergeant with his hand held out and a "but sir... " look on his face. One of my favorites in this pack is an elderly gent (a real grandpa type) with glasses and a rifle (with bayonet) in the "on guard" position. Rounding out the pack is a figure kneeling and pointing with a "You want me to go there?" look on his face and another figure with a Tommy gun. I think that half the fun of this line will be creating characters and backgrounds for each figure. And with more in this line promised (civilians and heavy weapons up next for the Brits), I look forward to spending many enjoyable winter eves painting and preparing for a participation game.
I remember when the Pirates line was released, I bought the Treasure Island pack just because I wanted to paint it (even though I'll never use them in a game). This is just one of those offerings from The Foundry; even if VMI isn't one of your periods, you should take a look at this pack.
German Paratroop Command (WW2G1): Here's some bad guys for the Home Guard, There are eight figures in this pack. Two kneeling figures in soft caps make up a radio team, and there's a flame thrower figure in a parachuter smock (I'm sure there's a technical name for that). Three figures make up a mortar squad: one prone holding a 5cm. (?) mortar, one prone dropping a round into the mortar, one kneeling looking through binoculars. There are two officer types: one with a submachine gun waving troops onward and one standing, holding a pistol and binoculars, with an Iron Cross medal on his chest. All look pretty fierce and make an interesting contrast to the British Home Guard figures. More is promised on this side of the WWII line including downed German air crews and equipment pods.
Back to MWAN #104 Table of Contents
Back to MWAN List of Issues
Back to MagWeb Magazine List
© Copyright 2000 Hal Thinglum
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