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The initial impression of these figures is "Wow!" The range includes four packs of Veteran Spearmen, who have a variety of Gallic, Roman and Hellenistic style equipment and have predominantly scutum shields. The Libyan Spearmen (3 packs 2. & 3. Illustrated) all have subtle variants of linothorax armour and several different types of late thracian (?) helmet. I do not know the archaeological basis for this helmet but it does give these troops a very distinctive look rather than Macedonians with long sleeves, the previous favoured look. The posing is dynamic without being melodramatic and the proportions are very good. One minor quibble is there are a number of figures amongst the veterans using a two handed grip on their spears. I'm not sure if this is veteran smarts (to give a harder jab?) or gives the opportunity to use them as the hotly disputed Carthaginian pikemen. An adjustment of the shield position easily turns these ones into one handed spearmen however. Although I am supposed to be painting my Foundry Romans to fight against the chaps from Carthage, these are so nice I am going to have to build a few units of Hannibal's finest.
The Spanish infantry packs from this range are a bit disappointing by comparison. There are four packs of Spaniards including the command pack (contains a very nice bulls head standard.) These figures have big variations in proportions and heights, and some are just plain ugly. They are perhaps worth using to provide variation in an irregular unit but I shall be examining other peoples Spanish before I buy any more from Gripping Beast.
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