As I have not seen an article in The ZOUAVE concerning the 15mm Frontier figures, I would like to submit the following information. The figures are clean, clear, crisp, and almost entirely free from flash. Most of the castings come packed in the same pose, although the Rag—tag Rebs (4 poses), 1st U.s. Sharpshooters (2 poses), and dismounted cavalry (2—3 poses) are obvious exceptions.
The figures are extremely well detailed, with plenty of creases, wrinkles and straps. Packing seems to be acceptable in that I have not had any damaged figures upon receipt of a shipment. Bayonets are large, maybe too large, and are durable. The muskets, etc., need only be straightened just a little as per any other figure manufacturer.
There are certain advantages to these Frontier figures. Infantry and command castings are packaged separately, as well as cavalry, guns, and crews. A wide choice of unusual or special units are molded such as the 39th New York, 42nd Pennsylvania, zouaves in turban, fez or kepi, VMI Cadets, early Confederate militia, and Rag—tag Rebs. One of my favored concepts is the fact that the cavalry are at the gallop and come in regulation, field dress, or overcoat and poncho, with the usual kepi and soft hat distinctions. The arms can be slightly animated so that the figures might be slashing with saber or firing directly at the enemy with pistols — but be careful when bending extremities!
Frontier also makes boxed sets of Signal Corps, ambulance, sutler, supply, and steam launched landing party. The sets include figures in action poses as well as the equipment. One can get Signal Corps, 12 castings that include officers and NCO's, telegraph wire dispenser, mules, and telegraph wagon. The ambulance set makes for a nice touch for a diorama or wargame table.
A wide variety of artillery is molded, from 6 pdr. smoothbores to the howitzers, as well as siege and garrison artillery, all of which match up well with sets of gun crews that vary from regulation dress to shirt sleeves. The only concern that most ACW garners will have with Frontier figures is their size. These castings have not been on slim rations as they tend to be bigger and bulkier than Stone Mountain, Minifig, and especially Freikorps. If you mix and match figures from various manufacturers to achieve some degree of animation in your units, just don't mix Frontier and Freikorps in the same unit. You can carefully mix some Frontier castings through your other regiments or simply place them in their own units.
These figures do paint up superbly and enhance any collection, especially when using the specialty castings. If you're looking for dismounted cavalry and are tired of using infantry with "cut down muskets", you'll find that Frontier makes figures with riding boots and sabers (even with Spencer or Sharps carbines!), and these make those dismounted actions even more colorful. Give Frontier a try. They do make excellent castings and I think you'll be glad to add some to your army. A complete listing of Frontier figures can be obtained through Modeler's Mart / 1183 Cedar St. / Safety Harbor, FL 34695.
[Editor's Note]: While not particularly familiar with Frontier's Civil War line, there is a gamer in our club who has bought the ambulance set and a number of the dismounted cavalry figures. As Hal mentioned, the castings are a bit bulky, but the ambulance and stretcher bearers are the envy of our club, and the dismounted cavalry were well done. They do need to be placed in a unit by themselves, but look good enough to merit this. I encourage other members to write reviews of figures and models (buildings, etc.) that have not been covered by ThE ZOUAVE yet. Clay and I can't keep up with all of the new products coming out for our popular ACW period and need help.
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