Lead

Apr 2 03 11:08 PM

Tags : :

Gents

Have just receieved some Fantassin figures and thought I might share my views. I have been buying a few packs where AB dont make the equivalent or to add cmd figures:

French line Cmd standing - two officers, two drummers and two eagle bearers, all the same. Reasoanable quality, especially the officer. Better than their advancing colleagues. Will use the drummers and the officers;

Chasseur a Cheval cmd - two officers, two buglers. Horses at usual Fantassin standard (which I dont like). Figures Ok, but I dont know if they will get used;

Murat and Soult - Murat will paint up nicley, but the Soult figure could be any French general or marshal;

Nap HQ set - this has Nap leaning on a table with maps strewn over it, Berthier writing at a table, Roustam holding a pretty average horse, two ADCs dismtd, one mtd Chasseur passing a despatch. Generally nice work, but the ADCs are virtual copies of the AB ADCs.

The latter point is the key. When they copy AB poses (which they do), they cant look like anything, but poor copies. When they develop their own poses (which often have a bit more animation) they provide some worthwile variation. I probably wont buy any more cavalry as throwing away the horses to replace them with AB is not that economical.

John
Quote    Reply   
avatar

Eclaireur

Brigadier

Posts: 1,193

#1 [url]

Apr 3 03 9:27 AM

John,
oh well, that's a shame. Personally I find Fantassin's horses better than AB's, nb for heavy cavalry. The AB ones are just too small when doing something like their Russian cuirassiers. When I painted up a regt of Brit heavy dragoons for the Waterloo game, I found that Fantassin's horses had the right stature and six variations.
Still, I suppose we'll have to agree to differ
EC

Quote    Reply   

#2 [url]

Apr 9 03 7:23 PM

This is very interesting as the pictures on their website do not inspire me one bit. In fact a lot of the advancing look very bandy - handy but bandy!

I am told that Stonewall will soon stock these and they can be inspected at the shows.

Sabretache

Quote    Reply   

#3 [url]

Apr 9 03 8:46 PM

I too feel that the pictures on their website don't do them too many favours. But from experience with other manufacturers you really cant tell too much from pictures. So many people praise Fantassin, so I'd be tempted to get a few from somewhere to check them out. I hope to get a few sometime.

Quote    Reply   

#5 [url]

Apr 12 03 6:38 PM

Having just got home from the Sheffield show, I can confirm Stonewall does now stock these figures. He has most of the lists, and is currently waiting a parcel from Spain for the remainder. Having just purchased a number, and it being the first time I have seen these figs in the flesh so to speak, I am much impressed (although the horses a bit different compared to AB my usual choice).

The man a Stonewall was very helpful, and I am now at home sorting out a larger order.

Grahame.

Quote    Reply   
avatar

Rudorff

Brigadier

Posts: 1,141

#6 [url]

Apr 12 03 7:32 PM

Grahame,
What nationality of figures did you get ? and was there any difference between nationalities ? I've seen reviews which suggest a difference between the earlier ranges and the later ones.
Thanks, Gary

Quote    Reply   

#8 [url]

Apr 13 03 10:36 AM

I also returned from Sheffield with my first samples of Fantassin figures. And I must agree with GrahamE in that they are good and I for one will certainly be buying more.

I bought only examples mostly from their later figures, these being "Marie Liouse" marching (FF29) and ommand packs (FF22 & FF9). Also the Italian fusiliers (AN1) and Barclay De Tolly (RN71).

I was particularly impressed by the Italians, full of atmosphere as they appear to be rushing forward with there muskets over their shoulders. Detail pretty good. They should look pretty reasonable with a black undercoat and shading applied. I don't think they have enough detail to use washes on. The "Marie Liouse" are good also - bit more restained. I have to say the earlier FF9 command pack is not as good as the later FF22 command pack, but still not bad.

As to Barclay De Tolly - not bad. You get a general figure with a receeding hairline waving his hat. The general accompanying him ain't bad either. The horses however I'm not sure about.They are certainly big enough for the mounted generals riding them However although the rearquarters are reasonably executed, as is the head. The muscles on the forequarters seem badly defined and too large. Resulting in a slightly mis-shapen look.

Nice to see a GDB game on show as well. Not sure who was playing it or in actual fact if it was a re-fight or a fictional scenario but things seemed to be happening in contrast to a lot of the display games.

Shaun

Quote    Reply   

#9 [url]

Apr 13 03 12:56 PM

Sabretache wrote:
. In fact a lot of the advancing look very bandy - handy but bandy!...
Sabretache


Sabretache... I dont think that's the nicest thing to say about other people's hard work - this attitude is not helpful, i wonder could YOU do any better?!

Lemmy

Quote    Reply   

#10 [url]

Apr 14 03 9:52 AM

Lemmy

I did not actually mean to offend the designer so I apologise to him if he is reading this forum, but I do think it is not unreasonable to express opinions on figures if they are offered on sale to consumers. I certainly could not do better but then I am not a figure designer.

Sabretache

Quote    Reply   

#11 [url]

Apr 14 03 10:13 AM

Sabertache,

You have nothing to apologise for.

For what its worth, I find other people's observations about figures (which, incidentally, are regularly posted on this forum) that I have not seen in the "in the flesh" to be very helpful.

In any event, my understanding of your comment was that it related to the pictures on the Fantassin website rather than the figures themselves. Your comment, therefore, should actually be very helpful to the designer because it would seem that his work is being let down by poor quality photography. Individuals who wish to make unpleasant rematks about someone else's posts should, at the very least take the trouble to read it properly.

Regards,

Orange

Quote    Reply   

#12 [url]

Apr 14 03 10:26 AM

Thank you Orange for your support.

I was only apologising in case I had offended the designer which was not my intention. Now, despite your support, I feel I should also apologise to the photographer just in case he is offended.

I did not take exception to Lemmy's criticism as he is entitled to express his opinion as well.

However I think you are quite right and I thank you again for your support.

Sabretache

Quote    Reply   

#13 [url]

Apr 14 03 11:03 AM

Fantassin Review

Sabretache,
I echo Orange's comments (well put Orange!), and think you have nothing to apologise for. Having only seen a couple of photos from Spanner and Yank's site, the Fantassin site itself, and a couple of Fantassin Prussians (kindly provided by baxterj - thanks John!), I think that the bandy-legged comment is fair. I would give that description to any figure (or person for that matter) whose knees pointed away from each other, and whose lower legs seemed to be slightly bowed - as the Prussians seem to be. Other comments on this site have been in the same vein (re: Essex, OG, Minifigs), so I for one do not think you out of order.

You may not be a designer or manufacturer, but as a consumer you are entitled to an opinion, and this is (I hope) an appropriate forum for expressing it.
Bravo, and let's hear more from Sabretache.

Beresford

Quote    Reply   

#14 [url]

Apr 14 03 7:17 PM

Fantassin Review

A couple of months back I acquired several battalions worth of Fantassin Spanish figs and have just got around to painting them. On first glance in unpainted form they look ok and certainly compatible with AB. Yes, some figs are a little bandy legged but this did not detract from their overall appearance. Like any figs, the end result once painted will determine whether I continue to purchase Fantassin. I will post an update with my views when my first battalions are completed (hopefully in the next week or two).

Some of the postings refer to new and old figs. Not being very familiar with Fantassin, I cannot say whether their Spanish range is recently designed or of the older variety. Maybe somebody could enlighten me on this.

Jon

Quote    Reply   

#15 [url]

Apr 15 03 6:38 PM

Shaun

I'm glad that you enjoyed the GdB scenario at The triples in Sheffield. It was put on by the Mailed Fist Wargames Group which meets in Hyde, (near Manchester).
It was not a historical re fight. It was something I devised, using the points system in the rules.

I drove home from Sheffield with the nagging feeling that you get when you have forgotten something. I was going to look at the Fanattassin figures as well.....


Ho hum!


Simon

Quote    Reply   

#16 [url]

Apr 15 03 6:50 PM

Jon wrote:
"Some of the postings refer to new and old figs. Not being very familiar with Fantassin, I cannot say whether their Spanish range is recently designed or of the older variety. Maybe somebody could enlighten me on this. "

I'd guess that at least some of the Spanish are older figures. The march pose where one knee sticks out a lot (heretofore known as 'bandy legs') seems to be more common in figures with a lower code in the Spanish range. The shako wearing figures seem to have a different (and possibly better) pose so may be have been designed later.
Even the 'bandy'pose seems fine to me, as long as there is a bit of variety in the unit. My main gripe is the tiny backpacks. Other things which have been mentioned before, like straps which don't go anywhere and muskets which are not up to AB standard (not surprising) are much more noticeable when painting than when being used, or even admired as a uinot.
Swampster

Quote    Reply   

#17 [url]

Apr 15 03 7:32 PM

Fantassin Review

Thanks for that Swampster. I agree about maintaining a variety of poses and may take up EC's idea of mingling any future purchases with my AB Figs.

Quote    Reply   

#18 [url]

May 1 03 8:12 AM

Gents,

Bought my first Fantassin figures at Salute - only two packs though - one containing a French Divisional General and his ADC and the other containing three mounted infantry officers. I have started painting the first pack. The human anatomy and proportions are good and the posture is pleasing. I still haven'yt made up my mind about the horses. The downside, however, is that definition is not great - even after a light black wash. Although the relative lack of definition can be overcome with good painting, it makes the process somewhat more laborious.

Is the above generally representative of Fantassin figures ?

Orange

Quote    Reply   

#19 [url]

May 10 03 3:15 PM

G'day, Orange.

It does seem to be a problem with the majority of the figures I've seen. However, some such as the Portugese are quite good. Also your painting style will make a difference. I block paint and wasn't too worried. But for those that dry brush and/or ink their figures, the absence of detail would be a bigger concern.

Dal.

Quote    Reply   
avatar

Theo

Rifleman

Posts: 480

#20 [url]

May 12 03 11:05 AM

Hello everybody,
I just received a batch of Fantassin minis and I thought I'd contribute to this discussion by providing a short review for the Old Guard Marines of that range. I got 4 packs of line(32 figs) and one of command(6 figs).
The command pack had three variations; an eagle bearer standing(fine mini apart from the eagle which is rather coarsely sculpted), an officer in shako pointing forward and with right leg forward advancing(very good figure) and another officer in bicorn standing(this guy is standing with legs apart in a most unnatural pose; I will still use him though,he is not that bad).
The line come in two poses(with an even breakdown;16 of each). One is fantastic, walking forward while looking slightly to the left. Very restrained motion and natural. In terms of sculpting, two points.First the bayonets are way too thick. Being a stickler when it comes to how my minis look I shaved off quite a bit of the excess metal and they look fine now. On the flip side if one is not too bothered by this, the advantage of stronger minis presents itself; as the bayonets are usually the first place a mini will sustain damage. Second point; the backpack is ever so slightly too small but as many others have pointed out this is something one has to live with when using Fantassin.
The second pose is really weird. One foot way forward and the other exactly behind it and bent severely at the knee. Well nobody walks like that other than the acrobats walking the rope in the circus. Having said that I have painted one of each pose and they do look fine together so I will use these guys as well. Same point about the bayonets.
General points:
Some of the faces have some small pieces of metal attached to them which is very annoying in that you can't remove them without taking the detail along.
A lot has been said about their great height and justifiably so. Happily, I put one of them beside my AB French in greatcoat and they are but imperceptibly taller. Of course they tower over my Spanish militia but these are earlier AB figures(hence smaller) but I am not too fussed about this. I am rather more concerned about how they will look within their brigade. Anyhow they are Old Guard;they should tower over militia
These are NOT up to AB standards by any means but they are a very respectable alternative(in particular when it comes to figures never likely to show up in AB's catalog) and I for one am quite taken with the look of them.
When I get some time I will try to post a few more reviews of the Fantassin ranges.
Have fun,
Theofanis

Quote    Reply   
Add Reply

Quick Reply

bbcode help