Plastic Soldier Review - HaT Persian Heavy Cavalry

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HaT

Set 8050

Persian Heavy Cavalry

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

Stats

Date Released	2003
Contents	12 mounted figures and 12 horses
Poses	4 poses, 2 horse poses
Material	Plastic (Medium Consistency)
Colours	Light Tan

Average Height

24 mm (= 1.73 m)

Review

The cavalry of the Persian Empire were generally recruited from the nobility, and were a substantial part of the army. This set depicts the most heavily armoured men, which were perhaps a minority within the total cavalry force but the most impressive in appearance.

All four men are armed with javelins, with one being thrown during the charge and the second either thrown or used as a thrusting weapon, as seen on the third figure. The poses are the standard selection for troops armed in this way, and are all perfectly reasonable.

There is insufficient evidence to draw any certain conclusions about the normal appearance of Persian cavalry, but from what material there is these figures are correctly attired. They all wear armour and helmets, including thigh guards, and have a personal weapon on their left hip. There is no evidence to suggest any particular uniformality in appearance, so the mixed styles shown here are appropriate.

The two horses are apparently trotting or walking. Neither are at full charge, but then no horse can long maintain full speed while carrying an armoured man such as these, so much of a charge would have been at the trot until the enemy was near. These animals have no saddle or stirrups, which is correct, but they do have a saddle cloth and some armour across the chest. The Persians experimented with such armour, and armour of this type is known to have been used by the heavies. They also have some protection on the head, and their tails have been tied in the correct fashion.

The standard of sculpting is up to the usual HaT standard, with plenty of detail. The thigh guards and breastplates are textured as scale armour, which is the most likely form of armour, and the facial hair is nicely sculpted as well. Two of the figures have ring hands for the separate javelins, and these fit very well. There is almost no flash, and the men fit the horses well. This is another good quality and workmanlike set from HaT to add to their growing Persian range.

Ratings

Historical Accuracy	10
Pose Quality	8
Pose Number	6
Sculpting	9
Mould	9