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Toy Soldier Collector Fantastic Plastics Mike Blake reviews the latest plastic figures for collectors

Fantastic Plastics

Mike Blake reviews the latest plastic figures for collectors
March 2012

Emhar
Viking Warriors 9th-10th Century

I mentioned that this set had been re-released in Plastic News last issue and promised a full review, so here it is. The figures are 1:32 scale (54mm), this time in hard grey plastic, with Emhar as a trademark of UK company Pocketbond. The colourful box art shows these fierce some warriors in full colour with a painting guide on the back.

All free Viking men were required to own weapons and permitted to carry them all the time, and such arms were indicative of a man’s social status. A wealthy Viking would have helmet, shield, chainmail shirt, and sword. A freeman was more likely to fight with a spear and shield, and carry a knife. Whilst bows were used in the opening stages of battles they were not considered as honourable as hand weapons. Axes were also often their main battle weapon. The Húscarls, the King’s elite guard, for example, were armed with two-handed axes which could easily split shields and metal helmets.

There are 12 figures in 12 poses in the set, so plenty of variety. Some are actually multipart, with separate arms, hands, shields or weapons. Care needs to be taken when removing the figures from the box, as there are some very delicate parts. Bent weapons will recover when given the hot water treatment.

Some weapons have the hands or arms of the figure wielding them attached, which does make assembly (with superglue or polystyrene cement) easier, but it limits the conversion potential, as the hands may not be in the right positions for the new pose – but this is a minor caveat and easily remedied. There are also a couple of loose shields, which is idea as they can then be used in any way you like, held or slung on the body, to create more variations.

The detail of clothing, armour (mail shirts and helmets) and weapons is clean and crisp. Given the separate parts and the way the figures are sculpted, mostly in lively action poses befitting these Norse warriors, conversions to create even more poses and variations should be easy to do with a little care and some modelling putty. Variation is important in a set like this, of course, as no two warriors would be the same, all clothing and weaponry depending entirely on personal preferences.

There is a very enticing picture of a longship on the back of the box, but unfortunately it is only available in 1:72 scale. If you want one for your Viking raiders, Playmobile made one which fits into the 1:32 scale nicely. Unfortunately it will have to be secondhand as they no longer make it.

If you want to supplement these Vikings with more men, the Tehnolog Vikings were reviewed in issue 40 and the DSG ones will be covered soon!

Contact:

Emhar
Pocketbond Ltd
PO Box 80
Welwyn
AL6 0ND

www.btinternet.com/
pocketbond

Review set kindly provided by:

Weston Toy Soldiers
14 Limburg Road
Canvey Island
Essex
SS8 0QJ

Tel: 01268 680117
www.plasticsoldiers.co.uk

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