My four year old son has shown a great interest in Daddy's soldiers. Admonishments of "don't touch unless Daddy says yes" have fallen on selectively deaf ears. The other day I came home to find my son gleefully battling my Foundry War of 1812 Dundas Militia against my 11th Century Gripping Beast Moors. As I repaired broken spears, bent figures (those are dead Daddy!) and my wife trying to convince Joshua that the strange sound daddy made was ok, I determined that my son would have his own collection. My wife cooled my enthusiasm by stating no lead or painted figures. With those guides, the quest was on. At a local Train and Hobby store I happened upon the IMEX line of plastic 1/72nd range of figures. The box state they are 25mm, but are closer to 20mm is size and slimmer than most figures. Each box comes with both sides. in my case it was Union and Confederates. Or, as my son states, good guys (confeds) and bad guys (union). The number of figures in the box is 39 and cost $10.00. The figures are on spruces like I remember my Airfix Napoleonics. So a sharp knife is needed to remove the figures. There was next to no flashing on this troops. The box I picked was Civil War cavalry. There are mounted and dismounted troops. The mounted troops are armed with swords, rifles, shotguns and a few have pistols in both hands. Reminded me of John Wayne as Rooster Cogburn, The dismounted troops are in variety of firing poses, double timing and even in camp life. Feeding horses and carrying saddles. Some of the Confederate mounted troops have plumed hats and reminded me of Stuart's Virginian cavalry. The details on the figure are not as good as most metal figures. I did paint one figure to see how it would look and was not displeased. The box comes with a painting guide on the outside to assist you in a basic paint job. I have read a few articles where gainers have discussed expanding the hobby by introducing children to the hobby. This line of figures, as others, is a good medium to do so as they are inexpensive, durable, non metallic (no lead scares) and comes with both sides for ready to start battles. Check your local hobby/train stores. Unfortunately the company did not put its complete address on the box. The only address I have is IMEX Model Co Inc Brooksville, Florida. 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