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Toy Soldier Collector Supreme - Ancients November 2012

Supreme - Ancients

November 2012
Mike Blake reviews the latest plastic figures for collectors


Sets from this Chinese plastic figure maker have appeared from time to time, and rather split the plastic hobby community. Some have rather liked the chunky (1:30, 60mm) figures, whilst others have failed to see the potential beneath the frankly garish paintjobs and been dismissive of them. Having repainted some of the Napoleonic Russians I am firmly in the former camp, there are some great figures here. The fact that they are sold at ‘pocket money prices’ may also have put some collectors and wargamers off them, but to me that is just an added bonus. The plastic is fairly soft but the hot water treatment easily straightens out any wobbly bits.

The good news is that all the sets, old and new, are now being imported by Tiger Hobbies, and Gary Ford of Tiger has kindly sent me some review samples. The company has until now been the UK Exclusive importers of Hobby Master, Sky Max and Century Wings products.

There are a number of sets available in various packaging. One is ‘Alexander, The Legend of a Warrior King’. There are eight figures in eight poses, of which two are mounted (horses included), one is an archer and the rest spearmen. The sculpting is vigorous and I imagine, like other sets by the same maker, they would respond rather well to a repaint. When I manage to get some done I will try to find room for a photo in a future issue.

The Roman set is particularly interesting as some of the figures look rather like the King & Country Romans, now discontinued. I suspect that with a repaint it would be hard to tell the difference! In the bag I have there are four mounted and 12 foot figures, 16 figures in 16 poses. They come coloured slightly differently, eight in silver sprayed gold and eight red sprayed silver. All the foot figures have the large curved rectangular shield with embossed design. The poses run the whole gamut: Centurion drawing his gladius; signifier with standard; cornicen; another figure with the animal’s skin over the head (like the signifier and cornicen) standing with a drawn sword whose role I am not sure of; archer; advancing with pilum; kneeling with pilum; throwing pilum and four poses with drawn swords. The mounted figures are officers with crested helmets. There is a little infill in places but this can easily be removed with a sharp craft knife, and I believe some splendid figures would be revealed once repainted.

The signifier and cornicen are particularly nice pieces. The standard bearer of the Roman legions carried a signum (standard) for a cohort or century, the ‘banner’ that the men from each unit would rally around. The signum depicted comprised a number of philarae (disks or medallions) along with other elements, mounted on a pole topped with a manus (open human hand) representing the oath of loyalty taken by the soldiers in a wreath. The role in battle was dangerous as the soldier had to stand in the first rank. The animal skins were worn so that the heads of the animals were carried over the bearers' helmets, the teeth actually seen on the forehead.

I will pick up on some of the other sets next time, as they are well worth a look if you are into the Ancient period.

Contact:

Tiger Hobbies Ltd
Unit 18b Goldthorpe Industrial Estate
Commercial Road
Goldthorpe
South Yorkshire
S63 9BL

Tel: 01709 890940
www.tiger-hobbies.co.uk

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