Front Rank 28mm Napoleonic Austrians!

These figures are sculpted and cast in England as far as I know. They are available in Australia from Essex Miniatures. www.essexminiatures.com.au

Figures are cleanly cast and sculpted. Detail is crisp, posing attractive and plausable. There are a few casting dags hanging off, but no flash and some ninor mould seam marking. The bases all came out fine, with no excessive scrap hanging off the bottom for you to file away, and the bases, while not large, are better than say 1st Corps, who almost need basing prior to painting. All figures I measured were exact 28mm sole to eye, and between the various types were all the same in terms of bulkiness, so that in essence the range of figures is entirely consistent within itself. It can be a shame buying figures from a company and then not have them mix with each other (go Essex go...). That is not the case here. These figures also sit quite neatly alongside the Elite Austrians. In my opinion these guys are slightly better done, especially the faces. Otherwise they could easily be mixed in the same unit for a bit of variety (unless you're very fussy), or you could make regiments from each as part of a whole force. Unfortunately the Front Rank range is very brief, covering only: German and Hungarian infantry in helmet or shako, German and Hungarian grenadiers, and for the horsie set: cuirassiers, hussars, dragoons and uhlans. Regrettably missing are artillerymen, for the Elite range men are just not upto scratch compared to the infantry and cavalry. The standards for the bearers are a piece of fine drawn wire with no accessories.

These guys are not bulky, or thin. They seem to fall into that range of size widely accepted as being attractive for the size. The infantry are fully kitted out with pack and saddle roll, canteen, ammo pouch and bayonet scabbard. The grenadiers also carry a sword. The cavalry riders come with portmanteau, rolled great coat and a cast on saddle. The hussars carry their carbine and rammer, with the pelise slung over the left shoulder.

The horses are cast without saddles, but with all other appropriate leatherwork. I picked up all the action horses for light and heavy cavalry. I am no horse expert (thrown on last ride), but they look OK to me. The difference between light and heavy is a slightly bulkier horse. Riders fit moderately neatly on the backs, but perfectionists may need to do abit of work to make the seating snugger. The Elite horse men fit wonderfully on these horses, so there is no need to pick up the Elite horses for their riders unless you like them that much.

The Grenadiers, Cavalry and line infantry used in illustrations in this booklet are all Front Rank.

German Fusiliers in Helmet

German Fusiliers in Shako

German Grenadiers in Bearskin

Mounted German Officers

Hungarian Fusiliers in Helmet

Hungarian Fusiliers in Shako

Hungarian Grenadiers in Bearskin

Mounted Hungarian Officer

Cuirassiers

Dragoons or Chevaux Legers

Hussars

Uhlans

Heavy Horses

Light Horses