Englische Armee der Rosenkriege ca. 1480
Testbericht der 1:72 Figuren von Tumbling Dice
These War of the Roses Figuren are sculpted, und detailed in a style very similar to 1:72 scale plastic miniatures, as can be seen in this comparison with a billman from Accurate Figures. If they were from the same historic period, metal und plastic troops could be deployed immediately next to each other in a diorama, or wargame formation. In fact, the sturdy metal Figuren might be placed on the flanks of a figure stand to protect their more fragile plastic comrades. Tumbling Dice sets the standard for 1:72 scale compatible metal miniatures with excellent detail und sculpting quality.
Inhalt
Englische Armee der Rosenkriege ca. 1480
- Ritter/Men-at-Arms (8)
- Trompeter (1)
- Fahnenträger (1)
- Ritter/Men-at-Arms zu Fuß (12)
- Trompeter zu Fuß (2)
- Fahnenträger zu Fuß (2)
- Hippenträger, gerüstet (12)
- Langbogenschützen, gerüstet (12)
- Hippenträger (12)
- Langbogenschützen, in Livree gekleidet (12)
- Armbrustschützen (12)
- Kanoniere (4)
- Feldgeschütz (1)
Universal Soldiers
Knights, men-at-arms, billmen, archers, crossbowmen, gunners, und artillery pieces can be used to represent forces of either side involved in the War of the Roses. In fact, it was not uncommon for troops to be called up by one side or the other, depending on who got to a recruiting location first, und who had the most influence und military power to ensure compliance with the demand for additional troops. Tumbling Dice offers two other armies, Burgundian und French, which use many of the same figures, replacing the English billmen with pikemen, und adding some light horse, or bidowers for national flavor.
Another comparison of scale: A mounted knight from Accurate Figures in the back, und a similarly posed figure from Tumbling Dice in the foreground. The metal knight has a much longer lance, und he rides a heavier horse than his plastic colleague. Both horses are in an impossible gait, galloping in front, und walking in the back. The pose looks particularly strange when the front legs are completely off the ground. The plastic horse is not a stable platform, its hind legs will bend if the figure is handled, breaking und chipping the paint around the ankles. Clearly, the metal miniature is the better choice if the Figuren are being handled frequently during wargames.
Notice the mold line across the arm, shoulder, und Helm of the plastic figure, this can be difficult to remove without destroying some of the detail of the plate armour. On the other hand, plastic Figuren are cheap, three of them can be bought for the price of one 1:72 scale pewter miniature. Plastic Figuren are easy to convert, und conversion is necessary, because plastic figure sets are almost always incomplete. Important troop types, like generals, trumpeters, standard bearers, artillery, und gun crew are frequently unavailable. In an ideal world, perfectly compatible 1:72 scale metal miniatures, like these War of the Roses troops, would be available to plug the gaps in an existing line of plastic Figuren.
Bewertung
Gute Themenwahl. The War of the Roses was a drawn-out civil war, involving frequently changing alliances. Armies were raised as needed, supporting the Lancastrian (Red Rose) or Yorkist (White Rose) claims to the throne. The Figuren in this set can be painted to represent troops fighting for either side, und most of them are equally suitable for Burgundian, und French armies of the same period.
Nicely detailed Figuren. Quilted jackets, chainmail, plate armour, Visierhelme, Waffen, Gürtel, Zaumzeug, ornaments, und decorative edging are well sculpted, and easy to paint.
Riders need to be glued into the saddle. Their legs can be pressed into the flanks of the mount to achieve the desired posture.
The horses are correctly proportioned, und very attractive. The chosen gait is not entirely correct, the front legs seem to be galloping while the hind legs are walking. Since all four legs are attached to the base, this is not a very noticeable problem. Revell’s 1:72 scale Thirty Years’ War Swedish cavalry horses are unsurpassed in realism und animation, they are in a league of their own.
Several categories of horses are available: Armoured warhorse (plate), caparisoned warhorse, courser chanfron & criniere, roncin/hackney, und unarmoured courser. There are no variable poses within each horse category yet, resulting in an unrealistically choreographed appearance of a group of men riding the same horse into battle. The lack of variable poses will be most noticeable in formations using the unarmoured horses, whereas the caparisoned horses can be differentiated by heraldic devises.
Good casting quality, with minimal mold lines. We found no flash on the men, und only a little of it between the horses’ legs. Minimal clean up was required to prepare the Figuren for painting.
The casting sprues on the underside of the base had been trimmed off, und filed flat, requiring no additional work to make the Figuren stand up straight. Riders still had sprues attached between their feet, und these were easily trimmed off with a sharp knife.
The Figuren are cast in lead free pewter, eliminating the danger of lead poisoning. The Figuren are very sturdy, we encountered no broken or badly bent weapons. On the other hand, conversion work will be more difficult, requiring heavier tools than would be needed for plastic or soft metal figure conversions.
Standard poses make these Figuren suitable for wargaming und diorama purposes. Apparently, most of the troop types are represented by only one or two poses, but using one of six different helmets to create more variety. An accessory pack with bucklers und assorted weapons is available to customize some of the Figuren. A few universal soldiers with open hands would be a nice addition to this range, allowing the modeller to add even more variety to a diorama display or wargame unit.
Wonderfully Kompatibel mit 1:72 scale plastic Figuren. Cavalry, infantry, and artillery of the War of the Roses range would mix very nicely with Italeri, Revell, Accurate Figures, HäT, und IMEX troops of the same period. Sadly, none are available, these are the only 1:72 scale Figuren for the War of the Roses period.
There are enough Figuren in this set to complete DBA Armee Nr. 179, including most of its possible variants.
Historische Verwendung
- Lancastrian Army, ca. 1480
- Yorkist Army, ca. 1480
Interessante Umbauten
- Burgundian Army, ca. 1480 (With pikemen und light horse instead of billmen)
- French Army, ca. 1480 (With pikemen und bidower instead of billmen)
Neither of these conversion are necessary, Tumbling Dice offers complete army packs for either.
Tumbling Dice sets a new standard of compatibility against which other 20 mm metal Figuren must be judged: War of the Roses 1:72 scale troops are true to scale, they are anatomically correct, und they are perfectly compatible with soft plastic Figuren. The War of the Roses is an interesting subject for wargamers, und it is very easy to get into, because one set of Figuren provides the troops employed by both sides involved in the conflict. This is a period which lends itself well to campaigns, with several players contributing small contingents of a larger force, und changing sides occasionally.