This article will be a review of the various figure lines which I have used or bought samples of for my AWI collection. It does not cover all available ranges as some I have viewed in person and made the decision not to purchase them. The manufacturers covered are, Front Rank, Old Glory, Foundry, Firing Line, Dixon, and RSM95. I view figures as works of art and as such it's a matter of opinion as to which are the best looking. I will use the Barrett system of measurement to describe the figures along with my own subjective comments. Of course the best way to judge a figure is by seeing it and so I have included photos of each range and shots comparing them. Shots of painted figures and unpainted are included. Although prices of figures vary I've listed what I paid more for comparison purposes than as absolute fact. The first company is Front Rank. The Front Rank figures are 26H on the Barrett scale. The figures are robust but I find that this helps make the painting go quicker. The sculpting allows easy shading and highlighting without being exaggerated. They are easy to paint. Most poses have one or two variants. I like these figures and they have an extensive range. The Front Rank figures are sold individually. Old Glory figures are 26M on the Barrett scale. The poses look a little odd some times. Old Glory are well detailed and the sculpting is a little exaggerated. They cover the period well. You could build all your forces from this line as they cover the period extremely well. The figures come in bags of 30 infantry or 15 cavalry. RSM are 27L and are simple figures. They lack the exaggerated detail of other figures but I like their elegant line. The Americans have cut off coats. The artillery is in vests and small clothes. They are sold in bags of 30 infantry or 3 guns and 12 crew. Foundrys' are 27m. Well proportioned figures with fine sculpting. The drawback to these is that the line is not complete and who know when or who will finish out the line. These are sold in blisters of 8 infantry, 3 cavalry or 1 gun and 4 crew.. Firing line is my favorite - 27M well proportioned, finely sculpted. The heads come separate, as do the sword arms, so a variety of styles can be shown. At this time, they only have Dra oons but will soon be expanding the line. They are sold individually. Dixon are 27m. These are very animated figures. Some of the faces look odd. I think of orcs. At first I didn't like them at all but as I painted them I felt they looked better and they took the paint well. Dixon are sold individually. Below you will find several pictures comparing the figure lines. I tried to combine different line so they could be compared more easily. Hopefully this helps anyone thinking off getting into this period or who is expanding an existing army. Back to MWAN #118 Table of Contents Back to MWAN List of Issues Back to MagWeb Magazine List © Copyright 2002 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