Foundry 25mm Renaissance

Miniature Products Review

by David Barnes

Review of Foundry Renaissance Command pack, new Napoleonic Intantry (French) In campaign dress and tribal warriors trom Darkest Atrica ot the 19th Century available from The Foundry Ltd., Huberts Lane, On Doyle Road, St. Peter Port, Guernsey, GY1 1RG, Channel Ishnds, GB

I have been waiting for the Renaissance Command pack with bated breath and I am disappointed. More French infantry looking interesting and scruffy in campaign worn uniforms - soon to be followed by two Command packs and cavalry, including Grenadiers a'Cheval and Empress Dragoons! The Darkest Africans, European adventurers, Askaris (oo' is 'ee? Ask 'ari!), Zanzibaris, Arab slavers, bearers, and crowds of luggage, elephant tusks (now highly illegal!) and tribal warriors. These remind me of going through some bound volumes of "The Illustrated London News" when I was a boy - all those mad explorers, Dr. Livingston's dreadful predicament, etc., advertisements for explorers folding furniture and a drawing of a sleeping bag for sale with the demonstrator sitting up eating a meal from a plate balanced on his lap with a knife and fork - "Dispense with tentage and other impedimenta. Our Explorer sleeping bag is ready for any eventuality! Only 39 shillings and 6 pence!" My great grandfalher, who lived about that time, got 8 shillings a week wages, so 39/6 was not cheap. (8 shillings now would be 40 new pence - but one could buy a quart of Gin for in penny then.) I shall list the figures, comment and draw some of them, not to scale.

Renaissance Command Pack RENMERC 16 Seven assorted figures.

1. An officer in full armour, his hand on his sword hilt. A cap on his head surmounted by a slashed beret. Over the armour he wears a kind of "duster" coat - similar in cut to an academic gown, reaching to the knees, open to show his hamess - George Frundesberg or someone.

2. A doppel soldener - "bishops cape" in mail, holding a two hand sword (sword and arm separate), one hand on the hilt, the other supportinj it by the ricasso - which was often covered in leather. Striding forward.

3. A fifer with fife case on his right side and a katzenbalger at his left. Playing. Wears a plumed hat. Excellent figure.

4. Another musician - a drummer striding along, sticks in his right hand, left hand on the skin of his drum at his left hip. Drum cast separate. Plumed hat.

5. Officer in plumed hat with a spear. Could be the one who used to be called "the Harbour Master" in the British army of the 50's; one who found the best camping places in the field. Wears tassets, fluted breastplate.

6. Officer gesturing forward while drawing his sword which hangs horizontally across his front. Plumed bonnet, puffed sleeves, kilted tunic. Or Serjeant of the Train.

7. A young officer also gesturing forward. Separate right arm and sword for your own detailed positioning - mine is also forward in the pose beloved of 19th Century painters of gallant officers.

A grand bunch - all we need now are the hand gunners to create an excellent "huff' or "Rott" Ref. "The Landsknechts, " D. Miller, Osprey No. 58, ISBN 0 85045 258 9

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© Copyright 1997 Hal Thinglum
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