MANUFACTURER: Warlord Games
RANGE: Black Powder – Napoleonic Period
SCALE: 28mm
SIZE: 28mm foot-to-eye
Contents
12 plastic easy-build French Light Cavalry Hussars and horses
1 metal Officer figure and metal Officer’s Horse
1 metal Trumpeter figure with optional metal arm for eagle bearer
Hot on the heels of Warlord’s second plastic Napoleonic cavalry box set comes their third set featuring the iconic French Hussars. These, added to the other two sets, complete the French light cavalry of the period. Famous for their vibrant colours and exotic uniforms, the colours of dolman, pelisse and breeches varied greatly by regiment and in some cases changed during the course of the period. It is therefore important that gamers wanting historical accuracy research their units in detail. The French hussar of the Napoleonic period was armed with a brass hilted sabre and sometimes with a brace of pistols, although these were often unavailable. Visually stunning and ever present throughout the period they are an essential element of any wargamers Napoleonic French army.
Warlord’s offering follows their usual format of metal command pieces and plastic sprues for the rank and file. I have commented before on the regular use of common parts in these sets and there’s no change here. Figure poses are very familiar and the horses are identical to both previous sets. I understand why but I do wish we gamers were given more diversity within the sets and the ability to mix and match. That said the Hussar set has an ace up its sleeve due to the addition of separate pelisses. These free flowing jackets are optional and give an extra dynamism to the figures when added. They create sufficient variation between the figures and make them appear more dynamic with an impression of faster movement. A colourful paint job completes the effect and produces a very effective looking unit of Hussars.
As with the other sets, the only painting guidance is provided by the box artwork. Whilst this is acceptable for the other two, because their basic uniform was virtually the same for all units, the same cannot be said for the Hussars. The many regiments had very distinctive and different colour schemes making a colour guide essential. In this respect the competition do a better job. The rest is all positive however, sculpting and moulding are first class and there are some nice touches with detail parts. I like the optional arm brandishing a pistol and the one piece sabretache with scabbard is a neat solution for quick construction.
Another nice set then and, overlooking my reservations on sculpt replication, a faithful and worthy reproduction of the French Hussars. Now the French Light Cavalry are complete I hope Warlord turn their attention to cavalry units presently not available in plastic. e.g. British Heavy Cavalry.
Pros
Excellent detail and quality
Easy build
One piece sabretache and scabbard
Size and proportions compatible with other manufacturers’ 28mm plastics
Cons
No painting information included
No flags
Same horses again
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