"HäT 28mm Napoleonic Bavarian Infantry Reviewed" Topic

You can find the review on my blog: link

Short review: these are beautiful figures, with realistic proportions and simple assembly. If HäT can produce enough sets to build armies, they'll be getting a good chunk of my gaming money.

Excellent review!

The figures look good as well. Fingers crossed they do release a good range.

Thanks for the review. They look OK when they are painted. For someone interested in getting a cheap start in Napoleonics they are a good option. Assembling plastics takes time that some people prefer to spend gaming.

I think there are a large number of people who would never game with soft plastic but would try the Perry/Victrix/WF/Warlord hard plastic.

I think it is a shame they didn't go for 28mm. 26.5mm could be a deal breaker.

I agree nicely sculpte figures, abviously also researched well and excellently painted

Thanks for the review. So are these soft plastic?

Very nice painting btw.

Ok, on the ruler shot they look 28mm to me, the 26.5mm looks to be eye level, not top of the head.

It is a bit like the complaint of the Valiant ww2's that they are too tall, when in fact they are precisly 1/72nd as it says on the box, it is the metal sculptors who have played fast and loose with heights and claims.

think there are a large number of people who would never game with soft plastic but would try the Perry/Victrix/WF/Warlord hard plastic.

These are hard plastic just like the companies above not soft like HATs 1/72 figures I believe.

Very nicely painted, they have come out well; I am going to be sorely tempted, I've always had a soft spot for Bavarians.

Looking at the earlier pictures, I was a bit put-off by what seemed to be mold blemishes at the top of the britches by the musket stock, but these do not show at all in the painted figures.

I might put a 1mm thick disc of plywood between the figure bases and the unit element bases if the slight shortness looks an issue; it won't be noticable after the Basetex has been applied.

Thanks, very helpful.

"It is a bit like the complaint of the Valiant ww2's that they are too tall, when in fact they are precisly 1/72nd as it says on the box, it is the metal sculptors who have played fast and loose with heights and claims."

To quote PSR:

"The box advertises 1/72, but these figures are between 26 and 27mm tall, which at 1/72 scale makes the average man about 1.91 metres tall – taller than the average even today. Worse still the weapons are equally oversized. The MG42 has a total length of 21mm, which scales up to 1.51 metres, significantly more than the correct length of 1.22 metres."

>These are hard plastic just like the companies above not soft like HATs 1/72 figures I believe.

That would be a big plus. Scomac can you confirm?

First line here is confirmation:

hat.com/current28.html

Yes, these are hard plastic.

Preparing to retract cynicism. Cynicism retracted.
Preparing to engage enthusiasm. Enthusiasm engaged.

Hoorah!

I was putting together an order for someone elses Bavarians this afternoon. Scratch that.

When are these boys going to be available?

I have one eye squinted and the other eye-brow raised as I note the Prussians on the "future" list.

Thanks for the review. Not too much in the pipeline for 28mm HaT though. It would be nice to see some other combatants. It does look like they are working toward some El Cid stuff though.

Some masters for the 28mm Prussian Landwehr here:

link

And, if you'll excuse the non-Napoleonic link, future Prussian SYW 28/25mm artillerists too:
link

I will have a serious look at the Napoleonic Prussians when they are released. They look suitable to quickly fill out battalions and will not need assembly.

Excellent review

hussarbob1746.webs.com

Nice review. This just confirms my belief that HaT's foray into 28mm will not amount to much of anything…at least for those that want to have quality looking figures. That said, you did a good paint job. I found the comparison photo of the 28mm and 1/72 figure interesting, as the smaller version looks more detailed. Oh well. I guess I will just have to wait for the Perry's and/or Victrix to push out more sets.

Arkoudaki – harsh maybe? I have some of their French light infantry and they are very nice figures indeed. Not caricatured I agree, but realistic proportioned toy soldiers. The detail "in the flesh" as it were is more than good enough for my painting skills. Scott has done a nice two colour paint job, but I imagine (as I know the level of detail he can achieve) he knocked these out as test pieces (hence only two colours).

I will mix and match these in with Victrix and Perry in different units no problem.

Mind you, each to their own.

Marc the plastics fan 15 Nov 2009 1:42 p.m. PST

Arkoudaki – harsh maybe?

Perhaps…but when you put the HaT 28mm figs next to the Perry's plastics it is like night and day. Moreover, the HaT figs are just too small in comparison. At least the Victrix and Perry's work together size wise. Yet, HaTs 28mm figs thus far are too slender and too short. So I really don't know how you can mix and match them…as they look completely odd together.

Of course, like you rightly stated, to each his/her own.

What I really would like to see is Zvedza and Caesar Miniatures making 28mm ranges…that would be nice. I know Zvedza uses 3-ups so that shouldn't be a problem. And their figs are a bit more beefy (not like the anorexic ones that HaT often produces), so they should scale nicely in 28mm.

Well the HAT figure looks a very good match for the TAG figure in the OPs link and doesn't look bad against the Perry figure either. Also the Bavarains would (I assume) be in units of their own, so I'd be happy matching them with other miniatures on the same battlefield.

arkoudaki "Perhaps…but when you put the HaT 28mm figs next to the Perry's plastics it is like night and day."

Really? I have never seen a pic of a hat28mm plastic next to a Perry plastic figure. Where is it? Or is it just a case of sour grapes?

The only place I've seen a match of Hat's 28mm figures and other 28mm figures is Scott MacPhee's blog

link

and they look a good match to me.

And Hat clearly says on their website that their figures are made from bigger masters figures, that's how everyone does it
hat.com/current28.html

I am not impressed by this models at all.

But each to his own.

JohnnyBGoode 16 Nov 2009 12:34 p.m. PST

arkoudaki "Perhaps…but when you put the HaT 28mm figs next to the Perry's plastics it is like night and day."

Really? I have never seen a pic of a hat28mm plastic next to a Perry plastic figure. Where is it? Or is it just a case of sour grapes?

Hi Johnny,

No sorry grapes at all, why in the world would there be any? The comparison is the one I have from looking at the HaT 28mm fig that I was given by a friend that I sat next to a Perry and Victrix fig. The Perry and Victrix are size compatible…although there are some clearly different sculpting styles. But at least they look the right size next to one another.

So sorry to rain on the parade but HaT's 28mm figs just aren't much good. This is the case even with a really nice paint job – like the one from 'scomac' in the original link.

Of course if you think they are fine, then go buy some. It is your money and you can do as you like.

Hi Arkoudaki:

Wow, you can tell how bad the entire line of Hat's 28mm figures are from 1 sample figure?

And let me call your attention to your use of plurals:
"when you put the HaT 28mm figs next to the Perry's plastics"
So how did you put the the HaT 28mm figs next to Perry when you had 1 sample figure? Where did the other "figs" come from?

No one can disprove you have a Hat sample, but strange that you didn't mention it before, not until I called you on not actually having one to compare, then magically you have a sample that "a friend gave you." Something smells real bad here!

Funny how some people always try to influence others by saying how bad they are, or ugly they are, or that "they just aren't that good". Doesn't work that way.

So Johnny, how is your job with HaT going? It seems clear to me that you have some sort of affiliation with them for you to be so uptight about things.

Why don't you read my original post. To help you,

Nice review. This just confirms my belief that HaT's foray into 28mm will not amount to much of anything…at least for those that want to have quality looking figures. That said, you did a good paint job. I found the comparison photo of the 28mm and 1/72 figure interesting, as the smaller version looks more detailed. Oh well. I guess I will just have to wait for the Perry's and/or Victrix to push out more sets.

So what is wrong with this post…ABSOLUTELY NOTHING!

As far as I know TMP is suppose to be a place where people can put down their thoughts without being attacked for expressing them. Moreover, it is a place where like-minded people share their thoughts and ideas. Sadly, you seem to think there is some conspiracy against HaT going on in my posts…when in fact there is nothing there. So give it a rest.

As I stated in later posts, if you like the HaT figs then go buy them. It is your money and you can do as you like. For me, the HaT 28mm figs are rubbish, which is really too bad, as I genuinely would like to see more quality plastics like the ones being released by the Perry's out there. This would make all gamers happy, as variety is the spice of life. And since I don't see the Perry's or Victrix making Bavarian troops anytime soon, if at all, this is indeed sad as HaT could have filled a gap in the market for the benefit of all concerned.

So here is one for you, have you actually compared side-by-side the Perry, Victrix, Warlord, and HaT plastic figs? From the sound of your posts, the answer seems to be a big NO! If you had you would notice that the first three firms generally work together and are good sculpts. However, the HaT figs are extremely poor quality and look more like Spencer Smith figs to me then modern quality sculpts. But hey, this is just my observation. It also seems to be one shared by others.

Personally, I favor the Perry's plastic figs, like many many others out there that have seen them. Do you own any? If so, can you honestly say here on TMP that the quality of the Perry's plastics and HaT's is equal? Moreover, that the two types are compatible in the same unit? I very much doubt it.

The paint job on the HaT 28mm figs from the original post of this thread and the one you supplied from 'Scott MacPhee's blog' prove to me – and this is just my opinion – that the HaT figures lack depth and detail, which is sadly I find to be the case with most of HaT's 1/72 ranges, although there are exceptions. This is not to knock the paint jobs, as I think that they did a really good job with what the poor quality figs they had to work with.

So in closing, in the words of that famous, or infamous, man from California, "Can't we all just get along?"

PS Johnny, if you do work for HaT or have contacts there, then please tell them to revamp their 28mm range so that they can produce some truly quality figs that all of us can benefit from. Alternatively, help to lobby quality firms like Zvedza, Pegasus, and Caesar Miniatures to produce some of their 1/72 ranges in 28mm scale. That would be a boon for all us 28mm gamers!

Take a chill pill, pal. I was just pointing out the discrepancies (cough, cough) in your posts. I'll take your opinion of a man who has maybe "one" sample figure from that company with the weight that it deserves.

The moment a guy starts frothing at the mouth is the moment I step away, take care man.

Dearest Johnny,

I guess you couldn't answer my questions about the quality comparison…oh well. Perhaps you should buy some Perry and/or Victrix plastic figs, and then compare them with your HaT 28mm collection.

And yes, my sample HaT 28mm fig was identical to the others on the sprue…it came out of a HaT box too! So the comparison was indeed quite valid. Sadly, you didn't bother to do the comparison before you launch an attack. And all over nothing.

Like I have said time and time again, if you like the HaT figs then please do go buy them. I guess somebody has too. As for me, I will enjoy my quality plastic sculpts.

Have a nice day now !

This is too rich! So Arkoudaki, now you have a sprue of Hat figures?

Don't worry, I'm a sports forum veteran and I never argue with zealots, it's a waste of time. Take care!

You still can't answer the basic questions, now can you. This isn't about being a 'zealot' which you clearly are but dealing with some facts. So why don't you answer the questions put to you.

As for the 'revelations' about the sample HaT fig, it came on a sprue in a box… my friend bought it in Oct at a gaming show here in London and he gave me a marching pose sample… the others on the sprue look the same. So go back to detective school Dick Tracey!

Once again, have a nice day now !

Dearest Johnny,

I guess you couldn't answer my questions about the quality comparison…oh well. Perhaps you should buy some Perry and/or Victrix plastic figs, and then compare them with your HaT 28mmm collection.

And yes, my sample HaT 28mm fig was identical to the others on the sprue…it came out of a HaT box too! So the comparison was indeed quite valid. Sadly, you didn't bother to do the comparison before you launch an attack. And all over nothing.

Like I have said time and time again, if you like the HaT figs then please do go buy them. I guess somebody has too. As for me, I will enjoy my quality plastic sculpts.

Have a nice day now !

"I guess you couldn't answer my questions about the quality comparison."

That's too easy, it's all subjective. What are you going to say if I said I liked company X figures? Are you going to subject me to another tirade? All I can say is that if you think you can change my mind about company X or company Y's figures by lashing out at me you're mistaken.

JohnnyBGoode, you are !

Unlike your incessant and unprovoked attacks against me on TMP, I am trying to help others via my posts. In short, you are . It is really sad as almost everyone on TMP is usually nice and friendly, even when they don't agree with the opinions expressed. As for you, you seem to think that attacking people and calling them liars is acceptable behavior, which it is clearly not.

JohnnyBGoode, you are indeed !

I looked through some of your previous posts and you have a reputation for attacking others, especially over any comments you consider to be 'negative' about HaT miniatures. In fact, in your posts you seem to rant and rave quite a bit at people, along with spouting out erroneous info on various topics.

Your classic line in one post was that in your business 'the customer is always wrong'. That was a classic.

As for your connection with HaT, well that seems pretty evident. Either you are one of their ardent fans or maybe one of those employed directly by them to write blogs…who knows. Never mind, as long as everyone knows this they can read your rants and raves and know where it is coming from.

In summary, I respect your right to offer an opinion, as I would anyone else. Sadly, your opinions are not backed up by any factual evidence…just you spouting off that HaT figures are great. Furthermore, you have no right whatsoever to launch personal attacks calling people liars and such.

WOW guys – too much!

These are just toys ok.

Me, I like the HaT figures, and find their best output equal to Zvezda, but it is a big world and we should all be able to cope with each other liking different things.

Me, I don't like Essex, Front Rank, Dixon, Perry etc. But if people like them and want to spend their money – then go for it.

However, I AM interested in people's detailed reviews of figures, where they can add commentary of the figures – ie like PSR.

Hi Marc the plastics fan,

I totally agree. I just don't like getting attacked under false pretenses as well as being called a liar. This is especially the case when the attacker hasn't bothered to address the key issues. Moreover, by someone who clearly gets off attacking others on TMP (check out some of his posts).

Like I always have said, to each his own. I really wish HaT's figs were better, as I would love to have more plastic figs. Sadly, the HaT figs aren't up to scratch quality wise as well as in terms of compatibility to size with existing manufacturers (Perry, Victrix, Warlord).

"Sadly, the HaT figs aren't up to scratch quality wise as well as in terms of compatibility to size with existing manufacturers (Perry, Victrix, Warlord)."

Though ultimately, that is only your opinion, others are quite entitled to consider they are, or even that they are superior – after all you don't know what extant ranges of miniatures we may wish to pair these models with, or how much importance a given buyer will place on detail and form.

I think your view of the Hat figures is perfectly reasonable, but it is only one of many standpoints, personally these figures look very nice to me, and I say that as I'm half way through building a British army from the Perry and Victrix lines (with some thirty year old Huncliffe Highlanders and Essex and Front Rank cavalry too). I may well start a bavarian army as a side project when these come out. Their slender build and height will not be a problem for me.

Totally agree Dean AKI…beauty is indeed in the eye of the beholder. That said, I don't go falsely accusing people of being liars and such just to undermine their views…that is just not right.

Ark – yep, I felt the commentary was a bit heavy against you. Having looked at my french again, and the photo of the raw Bavarian on Scott's (excellent) site, I will reserve judgement until I have some next year, but they look good to me. I agree that they are different in style – as they are more "scale miniatures" than caricatures, and so the detail is lighter than metal fans are used too. However, I find that they paint up well (as do my 1/72 figures).

What is interesting is that HaT seem prepared to go for the "odd" nations – Bavarians now, with Austrians and Russians on the prototype pages. So it may be that they have created their own marketplace, and the others will not fit in with them, rather than the other way around. It will be interesting to see.

Key to HaT will be if they can do infantry, cavalry and artillery – that will make them a market leader.

I think there is also a market for those of us who want to paint and play – having looked at a lot of people's paint jobs over the years, I think that very few of us do the "highly detailed" justice. I am going to be shot for this, but if one checks out Charles Grant's paint jobs of his current 28mm Naps in early issues of Battlegames, well, enough said (BUT he is playing and enjoying them – which is the point surely).

I love the work that HaT does and I'll be buying some of these for sure.

I'm with Arkoudaki, from a number blogs and reviews the quality and detail of Hat look distinctly avg if not terrible, there smaller stuff doesn't look as bad though.

I also though JohnnyBGoode was a little excessive in his rebutale to Arks opinion…..interesting reading though lol :-)

They have more of an old skool toy soldier appeal to them as oppossed to a highly detailed mini…but if you like that style then fair enough.

Another vote for the HaT figs. I wasn't impressed by the earlier French, but they're definitely getting the hang of this!

Sorry guys but I can't agree with you about the HaT 28mm figs, as to me they look awful…short on detail, too thin (soldiers on a diet!), and too small in height.

That said, I can see that if HaT do move quickly into the areas that the leading manufacturers (Perry and Victrix) aren't currently covering then they could make a market for themselves. For example, covering the early period of the Napoleonic Wars, France v Austria and such.

I just wish HaT would improve the quality of their figures, as it doesn't take too much work does it? Just my thoughts.

Agreed Arkoudaki

Eleven years later I bought these underestimated figures on a wargame convention. Here's my review: link

That is a very good tutorial on a neglected painting style. Thanks

Excellent end result – ideal for the war games table