10mm Wargames Atlantic Skeletons

 

 

 

       Ages ago I gave up painting minis below 15mm, the metal models were expensive, fragile and poorly detailed. Recently Wargames Atlantic (and Warlord, to be fair) have brought the magic of high-tech injection molding to the world of tiny wargames minis.  The results are quite impressive. I had to use a magnifier to fully appreciate the detail on these tiny figures, they are as good as minis several times their size. They are cleanly cast in a firm gray plastic that reflects the finest of detail without a trace of flash and only the faintest hint of mold-lines. 

       The set come complete with bases and has a vast horde of variously-armed skeletal warriors including command, musicians (I was going to ask how a skeleton uses a trumpet, but we have accepted that skeletons can walk and fight so I will just be quiet), casualties (the re-dead un-dead?) and a smattering of highly detailed tiny skulls. 

28mm Wargames Atlantic American Revolutionary War British Grenadiers

         As a companion piece to the Minutemen Wargames Atlantic brings us the grenadier company of the 5th Regiment of Foot. This regiment served against the colonies for the first two years of the war before shipping out to the West Indies. It took part in various battles, including Lexington and Bunker Hill (both 1775), Long Island (1776) and Brandywine Creek (1777). These figures could also serve as the Grenadier company of other regiments as the differences in uniform were nominal. 

       The minis are molded in a firm gray plastic that shows detail very well, there is no flash and only traces of mold-lines. The sculpting is first-rate, details are well defined and cleanly cast, the abundant creases and wrinkles clearly reflect the tight-fitting uniforms of the period. There is a limited selection of heads (the troops not being allowed a choice of headgear). I do very much like that the backpack, cartridge box and sabre are cast as a separate piece that can be attached after the belts and straps have been painted, it greatly eases the chore of painting. The figures are normally proportioned and posed, no giant hands or strange huge heads so often seen on metal minis. The muskets and bayonets are a tad on the thick side but not so sturdy as to look odd.

 

the front of the box,

some very nicely painted minis

28mm Wargames Atlantic, American Revolutionary War Minutemen

        "Don't fire unless fired upon, but if they mean to have a war, let it begin here."

        And that's how it all got started. For us it got started through the release of Wargames Atlantic's new "Age of Reason" range. Quite reasonably (see what I did there?) they chose to time the release of these minis to go with the 250th anniversary of the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. Well, it is reasonable to my American-centric viewpoint, your mileage may vary. Regardless of that these are some excellent minis that will blend well with other manufacturer's products. The good folks at Michigan Toy Soldier provided this sample for review.

       The models are well proportioned, reasonably animated (no wild running poses or awkward positions) and nicely detailed. The figures come as a torso with attached legs leaving the choice of arms and head to you. There is, as is common with Wargames Atlantic sets, a good selection of heads with a variety of headgear. The weapons consist of muskets and powder-horns (the ammo pouches are cast onto the mini) but, quite appropriately, no bayonets. The figures are cast in a firm gray plastic with no flash and limited mold-lines.  The detail is clear and should paint easily as the edges are crisply cast. The clothing drapes and folds over the body naturally.

       While these are exactly the sort of figures you would seek for a reenactment of Lexington/Concord or the Battle of Bunker Hill they can be used throughout the first couple of years of the conflict and can easily be added to other units as new recruits that haven't fully kitted-out in later years, or as local militia through the entire period. Without squinting too hard they could be mixed into units serving in the French & Indian Wars.

 

the front of the box