"Grrrr! Warlord Vistula Legion con warning" Topic

Another rip-off from Warlord: I just bought their Polish Vistula set, intending to use the czapskas for a conversion project I'm working on. The picture on the front of the box shows a whole unit marching into battle in czapskas, everyone in fact except the drummer and sapper.

BUT…when you open the box…it's just the same plastic French set in shakos with FOUR metal heads in czapskas. What a pathetically sneaky con. What next from Warlord? Can they stoop any lower? The tiny font legal exemption "contents may vary from those shown" indicates that they are fully aware of the cynical rip off they're engaged in.

My fault I suppose for not learning my lesson after buying the "Hanoverian" set,which is actually just the British line set with some sprues of cloth caps. The British flank company figs are still in there (of course) even though Hanoverians didn't have flank company men in "wings".

That's the last time I give Warlord a try. Now… anyone want to buy some LOVELY Warlord French on ebay???

The box cover is indeed deceptive. Their website is clearer. They assume that only the grenadier company wore the Czapska. The bell topped shakos seem to come in two types. The lozenge plate and the sunburst design.

They have so often been so disappointing, let down by some careless research. The British heavy cavalry are the worst.

The British heavy cavalry are the worst.

Doubly bad in that, not only is the set an atrocious joke which I'm never going to buy, but it deters others (i.e. the Perrys) from producing a British heavy cavalry set in plastic because they're "already been done".

I still think a Perry set of heavy dragoons would be a winner – helmet and Scots Greys heads for 1812-1815, and maybe a boots/overalls option for the legs.
But I'm not holding my breath any more.

I wouldn't worry about that Lord Hill. The Perrys have already issued the superb set of Chasseurs a Cheval despite Warlord having beat them to it.

My biggest frustration with the Perrys is that they keep bouncing around between subjects. Of course that is their prerogative and I am very grateful that at least they have not chosen to divert away from Napoleonics entirely like Victrix have done.

In the meantime I keep drooling for those Prussian reservists which they posted 3ups for 7 years ago …

I got the box as well as a part of a used lot online. I'll be using them as bog standard infantry (switching the heads with perry extras), and I've bought my Poles from Murawski instead. ;)

Fool me once, shame on you.
Fool me twice, shame on me.

:-)

Yet people keep buying them. I guess clever marketing and pretty boxes will sell anything (I should know, I have bought some right old turkeys in 1/72 soft plastic based on evocative box art that bore, at best, only a passing resemblance to the box contents…)

They can produce some good work, but, seemingly, only in metals. the head of column for the Imperial Guard say, or the small ambulance. Not cheap mind you.

Another thought (maybe too late now) is to just buy the separate heads that are sold at £0.50 GBPp each. Unless you feel you are throwing good money after bad!

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A 'con'? Not the words of a gentleman.

Then again you're playing the French so your judgement on such matters is clearly suspect… ;)

Seriously though – we did extensive research through our Polish staff and expert contacts to ensure this set is accurate and we fully stand by that.

The back of the box VERY clearly shows the contents. No attempted deception there.

Similarly you, as a Napoleonic gamer, will know that the box front shows the grenadiers and not the rest of the unit. Nope, no deception there either.

Blaming Warlord is, frankly, below the belt and I take umbrage that you're pointing the finger at us when the issue is with your eyesight/knowledge. Duels have been fought for less.

You yourself will no doubt know that the likelihood of a regiment of Poles all wearing czapka is extremely unlikely so not sure why you expected the whole unit to be sculpted that way.

Yours bemusedly,

Paul
warlordgames.com

My immediate reaction is to respect that that any manufacturer has bothered to reply to anything on this forum.

Some do. Not sure we have heard from Warlord before.

Apologies if not so.

I agree, you were very clear that that the Czhapszchzaaaa look (there must be a right way to spell that) was for Grenadier Cos only.

And then there is the massive confusion. Duchy of Warsaw or Vistula Legion. Same thing? Naw….big time………..

How good that you have responded is my reaction. Respect, with three plusses……ie with 3 x +++

The heads are there, let us face it

I have a question

Can you buy the Capskaaaa heads separately?

Then you'd be able to fulfill all your tall, flattoped, square hat fantasies.

Cheers

John

Loads of pictures of the Vistula legion at the end of this document in Polish…. PDF link

Prof Pate wrote:

I have a question

Can you buy the Capskaaaa heads separately?

Then you'd be able to fulfill all your tall, flattoped, square hat fantasies.

Cheers

John

Yes, as shown twice in this thread – you can find them here:

link

Cheers,

Paul Sawyer
warlordgames.com

It would be interesting to hear back from Lord Hill after Warlord's response.

Some extra heads would be a good thing to add to a boxed set. (especially considering how small they really are and of how little material they comprise)

Not sure I follow.

You mean Warlord should throw in more Czapka haeds into their Vistula Legion set?

But there are only so many grenadiers in each box surely? (Stress I have no idea, I have never bought one).

What is the point of the extra heads without the right torsos?

Not sure I follow.

You mean Warlord should throw in more Czapkha haeds into their Vistula Legion set?

But there are only so many grenadiers in each box surely? (Stress I have no idea, I have never bought one).

What is the point of the extra heads without the right torsos?

Why not toss in more than 4? All the other companies include way more heads than torsos so you have a choice. If you look at the sprue, they are moulded with extra heads, just not with that type of cap. The box illustration clearly shows more than 4 with that type of hat.

I would have thought just 4 in a box would clearly be a mistake, but I guess not …

All 4 bodies are the same. There are 24 figures (5 sprues) per box. (4 metal command figures)

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Warlord also makes other heads for this (ooh, I almost dared myself to type "faction" but I could never pretend to lower myself to that) arm.

Fusiliers:

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and Voltiguers:

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Stress I am only going on the images shown,

plus I am no apologist for Warlord (but think they seem to produce SOME really good and imaginative stuff)

I can only see one figure on the sprue with epaulettes (ie flank company). Most the packs lack the sabre briquet (centre cos). Five sprues……five grenadiers….five czapka heads. OK we need Light Co too…..

I am working on the basis that this headgear was grenadier co only…..???

I am not a Napoleonic specialist by any means, but I agree that Warlord can (and has) made some very nice stuff.

However, they also want an arm and a leg for what they sell!