Ultimately that is a question that each must answer for himself. I can only say that like most FL collectors, the difference in quality and realism in poses, sculpture and painting are more than worth it to me. I best I can suggest is to try one figure of a line you like. It is a small investment to be sure for yourself and I doubt very much you will be disappointed.
. Now is a Great time to get on board All the best Gebhard
Oh I think we need the largest picture of that you have.
You can post a very large one using Photobucket's free service or send it to me and I will post it for you if you like.
...Personally I love the tarletons but they were replaced with Shakos in 1812, before the time of Waterloo, which, of course, is the time FL is modeling. Of course, they were not so popular with the troopers since they tended to be too heavy, not very durable and useless when wet. We have the same issue on timing with the FL British Guard shakos, which I happen to prefer over the earlier stovepipes. That is somewhat the curse of having Waterloo as the British benchmark but it is obviously better than nothing and will have to do until FL turns to the Peninsula. Fortunately, the Rifles uniform didn't change much.
I think that is correct. They were in midst of things at Waterloo and Quatre Bras and fought at Corunna, Douro, Talavera, Busaco, Barrosa, Albuera, Vitoria, Maya, Niville and Toulouse. Several other units did not change to the Belgic shako until after they returned from the Peninsula but some did, depending on the vagaries of supply and reinforcement.
That was the official policy but policy and supply in the army differed, as always, even now. Based on actual accounts, some line units got the new shakos while in the Peninsula, many, if not most, did not. When the entire Peninsula army was dependent on ships from England for its supply, it is not surprising that even priority items were not always available when scheduled. Then of course, there was the little matter with getting the money out of parliment.
Replacements from England after 1812 arrived with the new shako but the soldiers in country were another matter.
Yes, in my experience through many Napoleonic releases, the FL painting is very consistent.
