Plastic Soldier Review - Italeri Carabiniers

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Italeri

Set 6003

Carabiniers

All figures are supplied unpainted (Numbers of each pose in brackets)

Stats

Date Released	1996
Contents	17 mounted figures and 17 horses
Poses	9 poses, 5 horse poses
Material	Plastic (Medium Consistency)
Colours	Silver, Light Tan, Mid Blue

Average Height

24 mm (= 1.73 m)

Review

When Italeri first began producing 1:72 military figure sets, they started on safe ground with British and French Napoleonics. Their first French cavalry set was of long awaited Carabiniers, one of the most spectacular troop types of the Wars.

After their first cavalry set (Scots Greys) had set the standard, the Carabiniers matched it with nine poses and five horse poses. What's more the poses are not just of men holding their sword up at slightly different angles - these are a good mixture, including men handling and firing the carbine. This set also saw the first attempt at producing a figure that is charging with sword pointing directly in front of him. Due to the limitations of the two-piece mould this is a very difficult pose to make, and yet arguably it is the most important of all. Italeri showed a lot of imagination and came up with a figure moulded partly sideways, which was indeed broadly in the desired position. However, one leg is well forward of the other, and there is a slightly ungainly look about it. Still, it is probably as close as can be achieved with the technology, and fully deserves its place in the set.

The set also includes an officer and a trumpeter - figures that are often missing from sets that only offer a few poses.

The five horse poses are all galloping, charging etc. They are well sculpted and correctly furnished. However a standing pose should have been included, mainly for the man firing his carbine, as his slim chance of hitting anything virtually disappears if he is firing from a moving mount.

All the figures wear the armour that made them cuirassiers in all but name. Strangely though, all are missing the carbine belt which held that weapon, and those that actually have a carbine have it hanging by their side with no visible means of support. Also, while all the troopers have a cartridge pouch, the belt on which it hangs is missing from the front of the body in many cases. The only plausible excuse for this is if the troopers were wearing the belt under their cuirass.

Apart from the problem with the belts, these are very fine figures indeed. An interesting choice of subject, and a very well executed set.

Ratings

Historical Accuracy	10
Pose Quality	10
Pose Number	9
Sculpting	9
Mould	10