Plastic Soldier Review - Revell French Grenadier Guards

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Revell

Set 02570

French Grenadier Guards

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

Stats

Date Released	1992
Contents	48 figures and 1 horse
Poses	14 poses, 1 horse pose
Material	Plastic (Medium Consistency)
Colours	Blue, Grey

Average Height

24 mm (= 1.73 m)

Review

Napoleon's Imperial Guard - possibly one of the most popular units in this hobby. Certainly several manufacturers have seen fit to produce a set of them, but the Revell set is different in that it portrays them in greatcoats and campaign dress rather than the popular full dress.

This set was produced during Revell's hey-day, when they were making four or more high quality historic figure sets every year. Consequently we find 14 poses of beautifully animated guardsmen in many useful poses. As well as the ordinary privates, the set has a full complement of 'extras' that many customers look for in every set. There is a sapper, a drummer, an ensign with eagle and two officers, one of which is mounted. The flag is engraved on one side only, which is bizarre and without apparent reason. The design is the 1812 pattern, which was not issued to the Guard until 1813.The officers and flag-bearer are wearing bicorns rather than the bearskin bonnets, which was common practice on campaign. The bearskins themselves are rather slimmer than those on the Airfix figures, which makes them seem taller, though they are not. However contemporary illustrations seem to disagree on the exact proportions and there is reason to suppose that both might be valid.

Since the Guard generally dressed for battle in parade dress, these figures are mostly useful for the Waterloo campaign. This is a splendid set and a worthy beginning to their Napoleonic range for Revell.

Ratings

Historical Accuracy	10
Pose Quality	9
Pose Number	8
Sculpting	10
Mould	10