Strelets British Infantry in Advance 1701-1714

 

the front of the box

it provides an idea of what the troops should look like

        Strelets continues its advance into the War of Spanish Succession with another British infantry offering. This should prove a tremendously useful set of figures, I very much prefer troops in marching poses as they are easier to paint and, truth be told, troops tend to do a lot more marching than fighting (even during a battle). Another aspect is that with the simple change of colors these figures can be used to represent a good many other nations soldiers. Uniforms of the period were just beginning to be standardized and information on details can be very sparse. Strelets tends to be rather comprehensive when they produce a range so it is likely that they will produce French opponents to these minis as well as cavalry and guns but these figures will serve for any nation wearing waistbelts and coats without turnbacks.
        The figures themselves are very well sculpted, loads of detail crisply cast in a stiff but flexible rust-colored plastic that shows very little flash or mold lines. The anatomy of the models is excellent with no misshapen heads or oversized hands. The sculptor has paid attention to the way that the uniforms hang on the soldiers with folds and wrinkles that make sense and add to the air of realism. The faces appear the have been individually sculpted as well. The folds of the cast-on flags is very well done (I still hate cast-on flags because I lack the talent to paint them well). Whoever did the sculpting is a true talent worthy of recognition, these are tiny works of art.

         Very Highly Recommended

 

the back of the box gives a good idea of the contents

the box with contents, 

one command sprue and four sprues of troopers

 

 Command Sprue, side A

 

Command Sprue, side B

the linear caster seems to produce a bit more flash 

and mold lines than the circular casting method

 

but it does not effect the clarity of detail on these delightful little models

 

the depth of the sculpting should make these a joy to paint

 

I have to confess that I would have rather had a drummer instead of a hornist 

but they are excellent figures all the same

 

Trooper Sprue, side A

 

Trooper Sprue, side B

 

excellent faces that should be easy to paint, very good posing

 and crisp detail on the uniform, these are superb miniatures

 

all of the miniatures display very good proportions 

 

even tiny details are cleanly cast

 

there is enough variety to provide an interesting looking unit 

without being so different that the formation would look chaotic