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HaT

Set 8014

KGL Light Dragoons

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All figures are supplied unpainted    (Numbers of each pose in brackets)
Stats
Date Released 1998
Contents 12 mounted figures and 12 horses
Poses 4 poses, 2 horse poses
Material Plastic (Medium Consistency)
Colours Grey
Average Height 24 mm (= 1.73 m)

Review

The King's German Legion made up a considerable part of the British forces during the Napoleonic Wars, and they were very highly regarded. Although this is the only set to portray these men, their uniform was almost identical to that of their British counterparts, which also means these figures can represent British Light Dragoons (ignoring those regiments that were Hussars in all but name). The three KGL Light Dragoon regiments had styled themselves Hussars from early in their history and dressed accordingly. In 1813 the two regiments of KGL Heavy Dragoons were converted to Light Dragoons, and were eventually issued the Light Dragoon uniform that had been introduced for other Light Dragoons from late 1811, and which is shown in this set.

The most notable element of this uniform is the shako, which closely resembled the shako worn by French infantry at the time, and was consequently criticised by the Duke of Wellington. This item is correctly modelled here, though in practice the troops would often have had an oilskin cover over it. The rest of the uniform looks correct at first glance, though there are some minor errors. The sword scabbard is very indistinct (this is a common failing in HaT cavalry figures), but what is there seems a little too straight for the curved sword the men correctly wield. Also, the man at 'sloped swords' carries a virtually straight weapon (apparently this is due to the limitations of the mould-making process). All the men wear two belts over the left shoulder - one for the carbine and one for the ammunition pouch. This is correct, but all of them have the ammunition pouch squashed under the carbine belt to the point of making it flat. Since this carried 20 pistol/carbine cartridges it should be less flat than it is. Finally there should be a fringe of lace (called the 'waterfall') at the rear of the waist which is not modelled here.

The two horses are both charging and are quite well sculpted. However the sheepskin is too square at the front as it should only partly cover the blanket and pistols. All the horses have shabraques, which are correctly modelled but were normally left behind when the men were on active service.

The figures have a noticable level of flash all round the seam, though this is about average for this manufacturer. However there are no excess areas of plastic to remove.

Though all the men have been provided with carbines, it is a pity that none are using them. Yet again we have a set of HaT cavalry which has one or two very minor faults but which overall is a very well turned out product. When a reviewer can only find tiny details to quibble about you know that the set is pretty sound, and that is certainly the case here.


Ratings

Historical Accuracy 9
Pose Quality 8
Pose Number 6
Sculpting 9
Mould 8

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