Wargames Foundry, Mount St., New Basford, Nottingham, NG7 7HX, Great Britain. In the US from Pendragon Miniatures, 1549 Marview Drive, Westlake, OH 44145, 216-871-4587.

I received SSA 79 Sikh 12 Pound Field Gun and SK15-2 to 15-7 Sikh Irregular Artillery Crew. Makes me cry these are so good. Yes, there is a little flash on them, but no big deal since you should wash your figures before painting them anyway.

The gun comes in four pieces. The wheels need to be super glued into place as does the barrel after painting. The detail on the gun carriage is quite nice.

The crew is another story altogether. At first, before I put my trifocals on, I thought they all had the same head, but no, WF fooled me, each bearded head is distinct. The animation on this crew of six is outstanding, if all lead gun crews had this animation there would be nothing but artillery on everyone's table. I don't know which figure number goes to which figure but their descriptions follow, all are wearing turbans.

Standing with ram up right, hand on hip looking imperiously on as the crew readies the gun. In long coat with waist sash and short sword or knife, wearing pants and pointed shoes.

Standing, bare chested and bare foot, wearing Dhoti, one hand on hip, with waist sash, waiting for his next task.

Walking bare chested, bare foot, in dhoti and carrying large powder horn with string around neck, shouting.

Walking in dhoti and pointed shoes, sash over shoulder, carrying ball in right hand and powder bag in left, with parted beard.

Walking in pants, pointed shoes and long tunic, sash over the shoulders, he's carrying something that looks like a match.

Standing in pants, long coat, sash over shoulder, leaning forward with torch, holding one hand in front of his face. I really like this one whose wide eyed expression is one of `I hope this doesn't hurt'.

I assume these figures are $1.25 each from Pendragon, but check with them to be sure. These artillery crew figures with WFs Afghan irregular crew figures will give a nice large (9 figures) variety to irregular Sikh (also Afghan and Pathan) gun crews. If WF does a color ad in one of the glossy English mags get out your drool cups you'll need them.

I also received some fanatic Akalis and Sihk Irregular or Ghorchurra cavalry figures (see Osprey #219 plate C, figures 1 and 2 for painting ideas). I'm not sorry for being overly enthusiastic about these figures from WF or GF, these are among the best figures I have seen anywhere and am assured that the GF figures will get better, how I don't know.

Obviously, my overall impression is that these figures are great. There is some flash, but as I wrote above you have to clean any figure before painting so what's the big deal. It is not like some figures where you have to clean out the lead between the arms or legs and the body. The detail on these figures is outstanding and they should paint up beautifully. Akalis Fanatics are 25-26mm from bottom of foot to eye.

SK135 -The ad drawings do not do it justice. Besides the sword in his hand he has three quoits on his dastar bungga, knife, powder horn, pistol and sword. First time I have seen a `turban' with a decoration on it, very nice, all but SK137 have a decoration. His expression is well animated as is his whole stance. His powder horn has an easily painted string that runs across his back.

SK136 - This figure is only slightly less armed with two quiots, two swords and a knife. He is wearing a tunic and necklace and has bare legs.

SK137 - His weapons include musket, sword, three quoits, the quoit in his hand is covering his powder horn. He has a turban and cloth that covers his neck and partial dastar bungga holding two quoits. He is bare legged and bare chested except for the sash over his shoulder. 

SK138 - His weaponry includes a sword, knife, and six quoits. The figure is in the act of throwing one and holding another quoit while running. He is bare legged and chested except for his over the shoulder sash and necklace.

SK139 - My favorite fanatic is running with a sword over his head and knife in hand. He is bare chested except for a necklace. He has one quoit on his dastar bungga. The animation could have been a little better, but his expression makes up for anything that might be lacking on this model.

Horses: The overall impression is one of well animated horses. I think the three nobles horse are better than the other three but all are superior models. The Noble's horses measure 26mm at the shoulder while the Irregular light horse measures 24mm at the shoulder. All six horse project a feeling of power. The detailing will make these little gems easy to paint and pick out detail with dry brushing and washes.

SKH 9 - Noble's horse standing.
SKH 10 - Noble's horse cantering.
SKH 11 - Noble's horse cantering, head arched down.
SKH 12 - Irregular light horse rearing.
SKH 13 - Irregular light horse cantering, more like it's walking.
SKH 14 - Irregular light horse galloping.

Saving the best for last are the Sihk Irregular or Ghorchurra cavalrymen.
SKCav140 - General pointing, long coat, pants, pointed shoes, necklace, sword belt with buckle in front and extra belt hanging down (nice touch). His turban has a neck cloth and he looks as though he is issuing orders.
SKCav141 - Officer, unarmored with sword and dressed as the general is, his head is turned also as if issuing orders.
SKCav142 - Officer, armored (four mirror) and in mail shirt, helmet, and gloves, with ax upraised. This fierce little guy is leading by example and stay out of his way. Would look best seated on horse SKH 10.
SKCav 143 - Trumpeter, dressed similar to 140, the trumpet must be a scale four feet long, the noise it must make charging out of a foggy early morning mist should scare the bejesus out of green troops (good rule option).

The following figures come with a variety of heads randomly supplied. The nobles are mainly helmeted while the light horse irregulars have turbans. Spears and shields of two sizes are supplied.
SKCav 144 - Noble cavalryman, armored (four mirror) and in mail shirt, helmet, and gloves, with empty hand for upright lance (a scale 12 feet). He also has a slung shield, pistol, and sword with belt.
SKCav 145 - Noble cavalryman, armored (four mirror) in mail shirt, khulah kud helmet, and gloves, arm upraised with sword. He also has a slung shield, pistol, and sword belt. Should also go on horse 10.
SKCav146 - Noble cavalryman, tunic over mail shirt, feathered helmet, and gloves, leaning over with empty hand for lowered charging position lance (a scale 12 feet). He also has a slung shield, pistol, and sword with belt. Should also go on horse 10.
SKCav147 - Unarmored cavalryman, holding sword upright, slung shield, and with punch dagger in belt.
SKCav148 - Unarmored cavalryman, open handed for upright lance, slung shield, and with punch dagger in belt.
SKCav149 - Unarmored cavalryman carrying matchlock.
SKCav150 - Unarmored cavalryman, open handed in charging position for lance, shield need for left arm, and in feathered helmet.
SKCav151 - My favorite bad guy, Mounted Akali fanatic with upright matchlock. He is also carrying two swords, a knife, and four quoits.

The fanatics and cavalrymen all have mean/serious expressions just perfect for the part they play.