Freikorps-15 I'll start with a review of more figures from Freikorps-15. In my first review of their figures I stated that my biggest problem was the brittle nature of the figures. Having painted and used a number of Freikorps figures now, I am pleased to say that none have suffered any damage during play. I have found that if I take care in handling the stands, the figures seem to be quite safe. Also, there was only one broken bayonet out of almost 100 figures received by me in the last shipment. This was in contrast to a great number broken in the first shipment. I assume that these latest ones were better packed. Among the sample received were personality packs ACM 7 and 8, the first containing mounted figures of Confederate generals Lee, Jackson, and Stuart. ACM8 has Union generals McClellan, Burnside and Hooker. The castings are well proportioned and the faces look like the men they are supposed to represent. Stuart is holding his plumed hat in hand, Jackson is sitting straight as an arrow with his famous kepi on head, and Lee .... well Lee looks just like Lee. The Union generals are equally handsome. Burnside has his hat in hand, McClellan wears a kepi, and Hooker wears his usual headgear. ACW 25 are figures representing the 83rd Pennsylvania. The castings have the baggy pants, gaiters, the "cadet" style tall hat with a plume, are wearing backpacks, and are advancing with muskets pointed at a 45 degree angle to their front. Well proportioned and historically accurate. ACW 26 represent the Ist Rhode Island with smocks, blanket roll, and soft hat in a charging position quite similar to ACW 25. Again, the figure is well proportioned and shows all of the typical gear. ACW 37 contains figures of the Irish Brigade. The casting is advancing with musket pointed toward the sky in about a 75-80 degree angle. The figures in the pack come with either a kepi or soft hat, both of which have the traditional clover on the left side. They will certainly paint up nicely. ACW 38 is a pack of Iron Brigade figures in roughly the same pose as ACW 37, but with the western style soft hat and a backpack. I can't explain why, but I like this figure more than the others. There is something about it that appeals to me - probably the nicely done backpack and hat. ACW 41 is perfect for representing the Louisiana Tigers. The figures are in a charging pose, have baggy pants, a battle shirt (I love it!), and what seems to be a straw hat. Of course I'm biased, being from Louisiana, but this is a fine figure for either Wheat's Tigers, Coppen's Zouaves, or even Hood's Texas Brigade. ACW 42 contains figures depicted as the 4th Battalion Virginia Volunteers marching with shouldered musket (no bayonet attached). This is another fine figure and highly recommended for historical accuracy, especially the tall cadet style hat with feather. The figure is wearing a backpack and really looks nice. ACW 43 is a VMI cadet in a charging pose that can also be used for generic rebels. The casting wears a VMI type kepi, very similar to regular kepis and has a blanket roll. Another nice figure! Stone Mountain Now for Stone Mountain. In my previous review of their figures I had mentioned wanting to see Stone Mountain come out with more generals and some infantry in the reloading position. Talk about service! I just received samples of some new generals and foot figures reloading muskets. The new generals (all mounted) include a general waving his kepi, a figure with soft hat reading a map, and a figure wearing a kepi with a sword in hand near the reins of the horse. I like the one waving the hat the most due to the action pose, but all are recommended. There are two basic infantry figures in reloading positions, one reaching into his cartridge pouch and one in a position that depicts ramming home a musket ball. However, each figure comes with head variations that include regular soft hat, kepi, soft hat with brim turned up in front, and bareheaded. These are a wonderful addition to units that "need" a little more variation! It is certainly worth mentioning that Stone Mountain's line of ACW figures won "Best Historical Figure Series 1986" at the recent Origins Convention. Our congratulations to Dave Babb and folks at Stone Mountain for well deserved recognition. Stone Mountain has also sent me several of the Greenfield gunboats they carry, along with naval guns and artillerists. Freikorps sent some naval figures too. These will be reviewed soon as part of an issue containing ACW naval material. Back to The Zouave Vol I No. 5 Table of Contents Back to The Zouave List of Issues Back to Master Magazine List © Copyright 1987 The American Civil War Society 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