Strelets-R US Cavalry skirmishing

 

     Strelets-R has moved into the US Civil War in a big way having recently released nine different boxes of figures in the "semi-hard" plastic that is becoming the standard in 1/72 (20mm) scale.

     Here we see what is perhaps the most useful set out of the series; US Cavalry Skirmishing. The front box art is an energetic drawing of mounted and dismounted troopers in action. and provides decent ideas for uniform colors and is suggestive of what is contained in the box. The back of the box is far more helpful as it clearly presents the contents with photographs of the miniatures contained within. The boxes are flimsy but, as the figures inside are flexible, there is no real risk of damage.

      Again Strelets-R has chosen to confine the type of figures presented to one theme, this is an idea that I am fully supportive of and is rarely seen in this scale. The troops are all depicted as skirmishing with the enemy. No sword-wielding troopers here, not even the officer (who is using a pair of binoculars to assess the enemy's strength), they are all using the firearm which was so much more effective. The one regret is that these are less likely to be useful as CSA troopers without some modification. I do hope that Strelets gets around to issuing Confederate cavalry soon.


      This kit was kindly provided for review by Michigan Toy Soldier Shop and is available to purchase either in their store or through their website

 

the box with contents, two sprues each of horses and troopers

 

horses, side A

well sculpted and actively posed

 

horses, side B 

the horse furniture is clearly sculpted and accurate

 

I particularly like this horse, 

the jaunty attitude is perfect for the spirited sort of horse that you would want as a cavalrymen 

 

troopers sprue, side A

I am not a fan of cast-on flags but this one will be easy to replace with a bit of wire

 

troopers, side B

I can just see Buford's cavalry at Gettysburg dismounting to stop the CSA advance

 

the officer with the binoculars is perfect, doing what he is supposed to be doing,

 making contact with the enemy, identifying who they are and slowing their deployment,

 no Napoleonic sword-waving here!  The other figures are quite nice as well

     Another great and really useful set from Strelets (aside from that wretched Muscovite.....at least they didn't waste a mounted figure on him). If they bring out a CSA set I will find myself back into the US Civil War in 20mm as this would form the basis of a great skirmish game. For the model builder they finally have cavalry doing what they really did; skirmishing with the enemy.