Italeri Roman Cavalry Ist-IInd century BCA Review by Stephen MontagueWhat You Get
Well, what are they like? The Horses As usual with Italeri the horses are very nice but the harness detail is wrong. The saddle blanket on the standing and rearing horses have skins thrown over the blanket instead of being plain blankets. All the horses rear harness straps have a strap going across the back like a medieval horse harness again this should not be there. The Riders The spear armed figure is thrusting overarm presumably at an enemy who is on foot as he is looking down (all the riders are). The figure has a nicely moulded face with a vivid expression which indicates how good the sculpting and moulding is. This realy is an exellent figure. The figure with sword looking right a good if dull figure. The way the head is posed makes it look from the front as if the neck is to long but I think that may just be an illusion. This figure does not have the stub for a shield so presumably is not intended to carry one, however there would be no problem glueing one on. The figure with sword looking left another good but unremarkable figure. The Foot Figures The first is a running figure thrusting a spear. The second is advancing waving a sword about. Both are well detailed though the stubs for the shield are small and in one case none existant. This could be a problem with only this particular sprue however. Two good figures which will fit right in with Italeri's legionaries (not the recently rerealeased Esci figures) and add some variety of poses for those who prefer that. The Shields All the shields are very well done with beautifully moulded details. I particurlaly liked the leaf pattern round the edge oval cavalry shield. The infantry shields are the same as the ones from the Italeri legionaries set. Spears These are good but not as good as the ones Italeri supplies with the Gallic figures. The foot figure has one instead of a pilum. Again good but not as good as they could be.Overall Impressions As usual the standard of sculpting is excellent. However the choice of details is a little poor. The skins thrown over the horses back and the incorrect harness detail spoil the otherwise exellent horses. As does the decision to only include 12 shields for 17 figures. This is a good well detailed set depicting a bunch of unremarcable looking troops. Given the way the Romans were organised and disciplined this is probably just right! Stephen [If anyone want's to contact the author, please click here. Nick] |