I received for review four of the Viking packs from Dixon Miniatures. These figures are in the de facto 28mm scale, of Medium build (Barrett Scale) and will mix in well with Foundry and Old Glory figures. The first pack is VIK 1 - Chieftain standing with sword and shield ($1.99). This is a hefty older jarl, with a good bit of bulk to him. He is standing with a spangenhelm helmet, in mail shirt with a flowing cape, fully bearded, with sword and shield at ready, much like the brave warrior in the famous Angus McBride painting of the last stand of the Viking huscarls in the Osprey Vikings booklet.

Included with him was a huscarl with axe, VIK2 ($1.69). This figure would do well for a galloglass as he is not carrying a shield, but has a five foot plus battleaxe at this side! Quite a bit thinner than the jarl figure, but mailed as well with cape and full beard. He has the same helmet as the jarl. Not really an action figure but posed to await combat.

Next up is VKV1 - raiding party with goose! This is a lively trio who have been out on the town (or pillaging one). One figure in pantaloons and cape is busily disposing of a flagon of whatever he could find. The two others are on one stand, one mailed figure singing or shouting with his arm about his friend, an archer who is carrying a huge goose. A great vignette for a raiding party. This particular group is $9.99. Also sent along was another group of four figures, VKV2 - a woman and three children ($9.99). These fairly generic civilians would work for virtually any Dark Ages or Medieval period. The children look like they were molded right from a Renaissance period painting…they look like small adults, just shrunken in size! Not that this is bad, if anything it realistically portrays the way children were seen and regarded by adults at that period of history.

Finally, we have another vignette, VKV3 - Viking with two captive children ($5.99). Here our mustachioed hero(!) has a young boy and a girl as his prisoners. The girl is being guided by his sword, the boy is being dragged along by his hair. Not a pretty piece, but effective.

All available from Wargames, Box 278, Route 40 East, Triadelphia, WV 26059-0278 (304) 547-000 or on the web at www.speartorifle.com.