HaT8065 [Early Imperial] Roman Auxiliaries

(Cover art reproduced, it might be said, without permission...nice picture though...)

(Scanned @ 72 dpi/100% - this is pretty much their actual size)

What you get.

The box contains 5 sprues with nine figures on each in eight different poses. They have separate shields and spears for the spear armed figures.

The eight poses are:-

(Close up of the top...)

2 advancing thrusting spear advancing thrusting spear overarm advancing holding spear at the trail standing with spear upright standing with spear leaning back advancing with sword slashing with sword stabbing with sword

(...the middle...)

(...the bottom, well, figures anyway,...)

(...and the shields.)

This gives you five of each figure except for the one advancing thrusting the spear which you get ten.

What are they like?

All are well detailed and identically equipped. The poses are more active than the legionaries. Unlike the legionaries some figures face forwards making them look less flat. The shields are good. Again they are plain to let you add your own pattern. The spears look ok to but compared to the superb job Italeri has been doing with similar spears they look undistinguished. Hat have five figures in theis set with pins at the front and side of the figures hand which will increase the variety of poses you can make.

To sum up.

Well made figures but in this case the poses are better than their legionary colleagues. The stabbing figure in this case holds his shield at his side which is much more sensible. Still to many poses. However since the tactics of the auxiliaries was more fluid than that of the legionaries they would have fought in smaller groups and in less tightly packed formations so more variety of poses looks right. These are the first ever set of plastic auxiliaries available, this alone would make them a must buy box however they are very good which would make me recomend them anyway.

A final note about the box art. Instead of the usual action picture these boxes have just one figure on them. This in effect provides you with a painting guide. I think this is a good idea and hope they continue to do this in the future.

Stephen

[Thanks Stephen, much appreciated. If anyone want's to contact the author, please click here.]

Back to Reviews

This page hosted by Get your own Free Homepage