"Review : Victrix 28mm Highlanders - Flank companies" Topic

Hello again,

Normally I blog less than once per month, but I could not resist.

I waited for them for more than one month, and finally got them this morning.

So, I studied the box content, make some assemblies… and posted a review of it on my blog.

Which positions ? How much of each in a box ? How do they look like ? Assembly traps and hints ? What about the doc ? etc…

If you are asking yourselves those same questions I asked myself before ordering those little gems (yep. it's true), then perhaps some of the answers are here :

link

Now, I think I can go back to sleep for the next two months ;-)

HTH,

Bruno.

Fantastic job.

John

Bruno,
Very useful, thank you.
Nigel

Can you do their box of French Infantry please.

Excellent review

hussarbob1746.webs.com

Thanks for the detailed info. I see that what you term "set" is what I would call "sprue." BTW, I just played a Sharp Practice game today with some Victrix French & British Center Company figures. I have them individually mounted on 20mm (approx.) metal washers and then on 45mmX45mm stands. It was a bit worrisome for me concerning possible bayonet breakage – I have a lot of firing & advancing with rifles out positions. Luckily my fellow-gamer is very conscientious and no damage occured. However, I plan on getting a box of Highlanders and plan to purposely mount them on 40mmX40mm bases at the outset. I will make sure to have those pointy bayonets within the stands as much as possible. Regards, Dean

Thanks for a very useful review.

Thanks all…

Doing this review was a bit time consuming, so I'm glad it is usefull.

To FreddBlogs : Yes, I'll do their French infantry review as well, but do not know yet it will be for today or later (as I'm writing, it's just 6:30AM in France).

I think I will first paint the 15 Highlanders I used for the review (the undercoat have now dried during the night).

From the quick look I had on their French troops, they seem even more beautifull than their Highlanders (and… no, I don't say that because I'm French ;-) )…

About "sets" I was meaning 2 sprues a time, 1 of each of the 2 different type you have in a box. From such "set" you can build 15 minis and test all possible positions in the box, so is ideal for a build review. In a box, there are 4 sets, so 8 sprues, for 60 total miniatures. I was quite sure that defining this in English could be confusing…

About basing, I know that the 1.5 cm frontage constraint is very strong and that Victrix have design its set to be based with a 2cm frontage. Probably most people will base their Victrix troops on larger bases than I do, so the risk to break something during gaming will be reduced or even voided if taking care. On my side I like the "mass effect" of the 1.5cm frontage, so will keep it and will avoid too "extended" positions. But this is just my personal opinion and case.

Cheers,

Bruno.

I base 3 Victrix to 4 cm without difficulty, I am sure 1.5 cm/ figure will be fine.

John

"About "sets" I was meaning 2 sprues a time, 1 of each of the 2 different type you have in a box." – Okay, I got it now; good choice for the description. Regards, Dean

Excellent review. What is the relevance of "flank" companies, does this imply i would need another box of centre company highlanders? If so why would you need 60?

Very nicely done on your blog – an extremely useful review.

One small point: it looks (from the angle of the pictures) as if the marching figures are swinging their right arm. The free arm was kept by the side when marching, whether you were a private or an NCO.

to Troop of Shewe :

"What is the relevance of "flank" companies, does this imply i would need another box of centre company highlanders? If so why would you need 60?"

Excellent question. Independantly of questions about potentially detached flank companies in indepedant units, only few are required in a regular battalion.
I plan building flank companies I need, and to convert the others as centre companies. This can be done by removing the shoulder "white thing" (sorry, don't know english word) on each trooper arm. That should give an acceptable result even if not totally accurate.

to Supercilius Maximus :
Thanks for the info, I was not aware of that. There should be enough right arms to be correct in the future, if only the documentation …

my 2 cents,

Bruno.

A very insightful and thorough review. The new Victrix Highlanders look really nice, with a lot of character.

I am also glad to read that the quality of the castings has improved. This really hampered the initial releases, which suffered from a number of productions issues and spoiled some great scuplting. Like I have always said, it is a learning curve and I am glad to hear that Victrix are listening to customers (and their gripes) and seeking to fix the issues.

Keep up the good work!

cool review bud

Like the normal British infantry the flank companies only come with rifles for the sergeants (i.e. Light Company) and no pikes (Grenadier Company).

I had hoped they'd remedy this with the Scots but alas no!

Thanks for a useful review.

Lord Hill is indeed correct, the Flank Coy boxes should have had some rifles and no pikes…

Victrix have a really good concept…I just wish they would listen to customers a bit more…we are only trying to help them deliver top quality figs.

There are a lot of companies out there that do listen, and gain from having a good interaction with their customers. Those that don't seem to die a slow death. Moreover, there is no point taking such things (any criticism) personally…just learn from what people are saying and adjust accordingly. It is called market feedback, so make use of it, and the market will be kinder to you for it.