Spitfrnd
Banned
- Joined
- Mar 8, 2008
- Messages
- 6,923
I have now had my first shipment of First Legion Scots for a few days now so I thought I would pass on my initial thoughts and some first photos of these fine figures that I posted over at CTSC. I did not get the lighting quite right here so I apologize for the slightly misleading coloration. Basically, the actual colours appear pretty much as rendered on the FL site. I am also sorry if some of the photos appear cropped on the right. That is a thing about the photo posting here I have yet to master.
Packaging
The packing for these figures follows the pattern of the foam lined boxing used for earlier FL Napoleonic figures. The figures are secured in a layer of foam cut snugly to their shape to keep them in place with cutouts to allow movement without friction for the more fragile parts like swords. If anything, this lot seemed the best fitted I have received to date. All 5 of mine arrive without any damage whatsoever. Of course, FL is excellent about quickly replacing damaged items but it is also a pleasure not to have to exchange you purchases so I am quite pleased that these were so well secured.
Initial Impressions
I thought the website photos of these looked good but I was surprised yet again at how well the actual figures looked in person. My lighting wasn’t quite right for these shots but they are tied with the British Light Dragoons for the best figures I have yet purchased. As for the Dragoons, I was struck by the Connoisseur level of painting and sculpting and attention to detail they featured. They just plain look great.
Accuracy and Detail
This release follows the now familiar FL pattern accuracy. The uniforms, weapons, emblems, coloring and features are quite correctly rendered. The uniform buttons, ribbons, cuffs, shoulder tabs and collars and kilts follow what I have seen described for the 92nd. I particularly like the detail on the hilts of the officer’s claymores, the blade of the sargeant's pike and the bonnets, feathers and jackets. The facial features and hair are also quite lifelike and convincingly distinctive. These lads really do look like different fellows. Once again the level of detail is at the highest level available for this scale and simply the best example of this unit I have seen at anything close to this price. One of my figures had some slight overpainting from the hands on the staff but it is minor and not noticeable at normal viewing distance. While these shots are not the best I have done I think you can see for your self how well the detail of these figures stands up to even this unrealistic high zoom level.
Colors
The uniform and skin colors are excellent and I would judge most correct. The facial colors are a bit on the bright side for me but relatively speaking they are still quite nicely done. The shading nicely simulates some wear and fading appropriate to campaign uniforms.
Poses
The poses of this group are quite nicely varied and quite suitable for FL’s intended representation of a unit waiting in line. I particularly like the flag bearers and the sergeant, who would be quite at home in a more action oriented scene. The officer also appears interesting and in command of his lads. For my personal taste, I would like to see a more action oriented unit but certainly these poses represent a phase of all battles that occupied more time than any of the action phases. At any rate, the figures are so well rendered that I realize I will need quite a few to do this fine regiment justice. I should note that I was pleasant surprised to discover that the king’s colour bearer staff was not attached and intended to be fit into a small notch in the base which will cause it to fit perfectly along the Ensign’s let hand and arm. The bonus is that it rests there nicely without glue and you can rotate the flag and even move the bottom of the staff around to get different looks. Notice the difference between the flag position in the first photo and the photo below, for example. That is flexibility for diorama scenes that I much appreciate.
Scale
As expected, these figures fit perfectly with the other FL Napoleonic figures and are just about right on 1/30 scale. As you can see from that photo below, they fit perfectly with the FL British Guards. Moreover, this group shows a variation in body type and height that gives them added realism. Notice that the sergeant for example is a tall strapping fellow while the piper is comparatively short and more rotund. As for previous FL Napoleonic releases, the hands, weapons and head are very much within the appropriate proportions for such items.
Conclusion
I am more that happy with this release. It is one of the best Napoleonic releases I have seen and makes me want to add this unit to my British ranks. I would like to see an action addition to this unit some time down the road but for now, these are just too nice to pass on. If you like the UK part of the Napoleonic war and want some fine figures to add to your Waterloo or earlier British battles, these lads will do you proud.
Packaging
The packing for these figures follows the pattern of the foam lined boxing used for earlier FL Napoleonic figures. The figures are secured in a layer of foam cut snugly to their shape to keep them in place with cutouts to allow movement without friction for the more fragile parts like swords. If anything, this lot seemed the best fitted I have received to date. All 5 of mine arrive without any damage whatsoever. Of course, FL is excellent about quickly replacing damaged items but it is also a pleasure not to have to exchange you purchases so I am quite pleased that these were so well secured.
Initial Impressions
I thought the website photos of these looked good but I was surprised yet again at how well the actual figures looked in person. My lighting wasn’t quite right for these shots but they are tied with the British Light Dragoons for the best figures I have yet purchased. As for the Dragoons, I was struck by the Connoisseur level of painting and sculpting and attention to detail they featured. They just plain look great.
Accuracy and Detail
This release follows the now familiar FL pattern accuracy. The uniforms, weapons, emblems, coloring and features are quite correctly rendered. The uniform buttons, ribbons, cuffs, shoulder tabs and collars and kilts follow what I have seen described for the 92nd. I particularly like the detail on the hilts of the officer’s claymores, the blade of the sargeant's pike and the bonnets, feathers and jackets. The facial features and hair are also quite lifelike and convincingly distinctive. These lads really do look like different fellows. Once again the level of detail is at the highest level available for this scale and simply the best example of this unit I have seen at anything close to this price. One of my figures had some slight overpainting from the hands on the staff but it is minor and not noticeable at normal viewing distance. While these shots are not the best I have done I think you can see for your self how well the detail of these figures stands up to even this unrealistic high zoom level.
Colors
The uniform and skin colors are excellent and I would judge most correct. The facial colors are a bit on the bright side for me but relatively speaking they are still quite nicely done. The shading nicely simulates some wear and fading appropriate to campaign uniforms.
Poses
The poses of this group are quite nicely varied and quite suitable for FL’s intended representation of a unit waiting in line. I particularly like the flag bearers and the sergeant, who would be quite at home in a more action oriented scene. The officer also appears interesting and in command of his lads. For my personal taste, I would like to see a more action oriented unit but certainly these poses represent a phase of all battles that occupied more time than any of the action phases. At any rate, the figures are so well rendered that I realize I will need quite a few to do this fine regiment justice. I should note that I was pleasant surprised to discover that the king’s colour bearer staff was not attached and intended to be fit into a small notch in the base which will cause it to fit perfectly along the Ensign’s let hand and arm. The bonus is that it rests there nicely without glue and you can rotate the flag and even move the bottom of the staff around to get different looks. Notice the difference between the flag position in the first photo and the photo below, for example. That is flexibility for diorama scenes that I much appreciate.
Scale
As expected, these figures fit perfectly with the other FL Napoleonic figures and are just about right on 1/30 scale. As you can see from that photo below, they fit perfectly with the FL British Guards. Moreover, this group shows a variation in body type and height that gives them added realism. Notice that the sergeant for example is a tall strapping fellow while the piper is comparatively short and more rotund. As for previous FL Napoleonic releases, the hands, weapons and head are very much within the appropriate proportions for such items.
Conclusion
I am more that happy with this release. It is one of the best Napoleonic releases I have seen and makes me want to add this unit to my British ranks. I would like to see an action addition to this unit some time down the road but for now, these are just too nice to pass on. If you like the UK part of the Napoleonic war and want some fine figures to add to your Waterloo or earlier British battles, these lads will do you proud.
, and the thing is they still look great . I would add to your comments on packaging by saying these are packaged the best so far from any other release to date . I liked the addition of the little straws around the swords to protect them from being damaged during shipment . First Legion listen to their customers and are always improving even when it comes to packaging . I would recommend this release to anyone with an interest in the unit , I don't think you can find better at any price . Thanks for taking the time , its much appreciated by collectors and future collectors alike 
