Review of the Week

Building a D-Day collection using pieces by King and Country can be quite fun. They have quite a huge selection of figures allowing collectors to recreate plenty of different scenes from the Battle of Normandy. However, when it comes to the landing itself, this can be tricky. Landing ships are not always available and when they get released, they usually sell fast. Luckily for us, not only one but two new landing ships were released this month: The DD335 - Royal Navy LCVP 1335 and the DD336 - Royal Navy LCVP 1324.

Like this month was the 262th anniversary of the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, we will have a look at one piece related to this event: the JJ-QF-33 - BÉARN STANDARD BEARER. This item, produced by John Jenkins Designs a few years ago, is from a now collection where more and more figures got retired. So covering this figure while it is still available might be a good idea.

When it comes to painted toy soldiers, First Legion Ltd is amongst the best in the world. However, this quality comes with a price and this can be an obstacle for many collectors when it comes to assembling massive battle forces. This is why, a few years ago, First Legion came with a series called Mass Battle; a collection with a slightly different style and a more accessible price. Today, we will have a look at the MB084 - British 30th Regt of Foot Grenadier Standing Firing #1 and also at what Mass Battle is.

It can be tricky to talk with passion about a book or a movie without giving any spoilers. Especially when the goal is to review a figure covering one of the key scenes. So this week’s review will have to be a bit more vague and mysterious as we take a look at the WoD070 - Sherlock Holmes & The Hound Of The Baskervilles set by King and Country.

Sometimes, there is a piece that is just epic beyond any measurements, a set that is just so amazing that even non-collectors will be filled with awe when looking at it. And such is the case with this future release from John Jenkins. Behold the JJ-VIKLONGSHIP - Viking Dragon (Dreki) Longship.

When Napoleon became emperor, the Republic of Italy was reshaped into the Kingdom of Italy. Troops were reorganized according to the new French structure and this is the time period chosen by First Legion to produce the Italian 3rd Line Infantry collection, also known as the 3º reggimento fanteria leggera. With it came one sapper with a slightly familiar look. Let’s look at the NAP0669 - Italian 3rd Line Infantry Sapper.

One of the most visually colorful and extravagant soldiers on the late 15th and early 16th century battlefields certainly was the Landsknecht. Those professional troops were more than mercenaries. They had a lifestyle adapted to long expeditions, special social rules, a culture of their own... and we have the REN019 - German Landsknecht Doppelsoldner.

It’s hard to know who Rasputin really was. Even today, the image we have of him is filled with gaps. Lost records, propaganda from the people who hated him and disco music lyrics have all contributed to create a myth from this man. Nonetheless, he is one of the most famous characters of Imperial Russia. With the recent releases about the Russian Imperial Romanov family by King and Country, it’s no surprise to see him join the portrait! Let’s have a look at the TR006 - Grigori Rasputin himself.

When King and Country released the DD348 - FFI Young Resistance Girl, they said that it was based on a known image from the liberation of Paris. The resulting figure is quite good looking, but is so much more interesting when you know who this toy soldier is based on as it brings more backstory to the light.

Roman empire transportation network is estimated to be composed of 400 000 km (250 000 miles) of roads on which 20% were stone paved. It was one of their biggest achievements, connecting the whole empire. To travel more comfortably on those roads, roman eventually developed specialized vehicles such as the Carpentum. So let’s look at the JJ-RR50 - ROMAN CARRIAGE by John Jenkins Designs; a museum quality model!