A Review of Freikorp 28mm Skraelings Figures
by Darryl R. Smith
I rarely review a product I'm not satisfied with, and I am not saying I am completely dissatisfied with the 28mm Freikorp Skraelings, but let it be known that if you are looking for some 28mm opponents for your Vinland Vikings, these figures aren't it.
I never knew these figures existed until I saw a post on The Miniatures Page. I immediately my order on the LKM site, home of Freikorp, using a major credit card. I received a confirmation email right away and waited for my figures to be sent from jolly olde England. There are U.S. distributors for Freikorp, but none that I could find that carried the Skraeling figures. It took just over a month to receive my figures, not an impressive turnaround time to say the least. I had actually forgotten I had ordered them when they arrived at my door!
While Freikorp advertises these figures as 28mm, they are not what the rest of the gaming industry considers to be 28mm. These figures are more in line with the older, smaller 25mm ranges from years back. The Freikorp figures measure anywhere from 23 to 27mm sole to eye, with a medium "heft" ( Barrett Scale ) . There is some flash ( more than on the M.Y. Miniatures 15mm range ) and some minor mold lines, but they will clean up easily with the trusty X-acto. Oh, if you have any thought about mixing these figures with the Gladiator Games 28mm range, forget about it. The Gladiator figures are taller and have more girth. With the above disclaimers, let's push on with reviewing the actual bags.
The first bag is listed on the Freikorp site as VN01, Javelinmen. However, the bag marked VN1 in my order was actually VN02, Archers Firing. That faux pax noted, let's actually review the Javelinmen. There are four figures in this bag, all at least slightly different. Two of the figures are standing, cast with their right arm upward, hand open, in obvious need of a weapon ( a warclub and javelin grace their respective left hands ) , but there were no extra weapons in the bag ( more on that later ) . The third figure is advancing with a javelin in his right hand and a club in the left. The fourth figure is standing, javelin in his left hand, the right one holding a club. All of the figures are wearing a breechclout and a short cape ( fur? flax? ) . The first two figures have a Mohawk hairstyle, the last two bearing shoulder-length hair with a headband going around.
The next bag ( marked VN01 ) consist of the firing archers previously mentioned. Ah, here are those missing two weapons ( a javelin and a warclub ) , we'll just put those where they belong, there we go, now let's press on. There are four different figures in this bag, all standing with their legs apart, firing a bow. All have the breechclout and are equipped with a quiver of arrows across the back and a warclub as a sidearm, looking like the place where the Navy .44 pistol should be strapped on. Three of the figures have Mohawks, the last with the same shoulder-length hair mentioned above.
The last bag is VN03, Skirmishers. This bag has four different poses, actually my bag had two figures exactly the same. Time for an email to Freikorp. Anyway, the two matching figures are standing with legs apart, thrusting a spear in their right hand, wearing Mohawks, breechclouts, and that small fur cape. The next figure is a slightly crouching archer, reaching back for an arrow, wearing a Mohawk, breechclout, and that Navy .44 pistol…er, I mean warclub. The last figure is my favorite of the entire group. Again he is an archer, holding an arrow in his right hand and bow in the left while advancing. He has shoulder-length hair, the required breechclout, and a warclub sidearm. The facial features are reminiscent of the old Frontier Seminole figures, which I kinda like.
Okay, I'll admit, a rather negative review. Let's talk about the positives….( silence ) . Well, I did like that one figure. Overall the figures are average in detail and animation. I am not sure how long ago these figures were sculpted, but they are not up to the standards of today's market. While the Gladiator range may not be perfect ( see Irv Horowitz's review on The Miniatures Page ) , they are quite a step up from the Freikorp line. If you are planning to do some gaming in Vinland ( the figures without bows could be used for the Adena and Hopewell peoples ) , either go with the Gladiator figures in 28mm or the M.Y. Miniatures line in 15mm.
The cost of each bag is £3.00 GBP ( currently $5.47 USD U.S. ) and shipping was a very reasonable 15% of the total order. See, I can say something positive!
As you can tell, I am not pleased with the quality and the misquoted height of the figures, along with the lengthy shipping time. Your take might be different, but caveat emptor!
Details
LKM Direct
Unit 24J, Wincombe Business Park, Shaftesbury, Dorset SP7 9QJ
Phone/Fax: 01747 855607
freikorp.com
info@quickreactionforce.co.uk
For more information
Mound Builders Yahoo group – link
Skraeling vs. Viking Yahoo group – groups.yahoo.com/group/Skraeling
