|
|
All figures are supplied unpainted (Numbers of each pose in brackets)
| Date Released |
1976 |
| Contents |
Varying number of figures |
| Poses |
4 poses, 1 chariot |
| Material |
Plastic (Medium Consistency) |
| Colours |
Light Orange, Tan |
|
Average Height
|
25 mm (= 1.8 m)
|
|
Atlantic made a variety of figure sets while they were in business, and the quality varied enormously. By far the best were the ancient Egyptian range, of which this is a part.
Each set contains a varying quantity of a sprue that contains two chariots and six figures. Despite the set being called 'cavalry', the Egyptians never rode horses into battle, but acquired a fearsome reputation for their use of chariots. Two soldiers, a driver and an archer, manned each chariot. The chariot moved forward, the arrows were shot, and then the chariot retired. Most of the nicely proportioned figures in this set are indeed archers, but there are no actual drivers, though the figure with raised sword could be adapted to perform that function. Their costume, such as it is, is simple but accurate, though the figure with the large helmet may be meant to be the pharaoh himself, in which case his costume should be much more ornate.
Much more serious is that the chariot is not large enough to accommodate two men, even discounting the space taken up by the base of each. Furthermore, the chariot is much too chunky and solid. Egyptian chariots were extremely light, with thin but strong frames and wheels. The chariots in this set seem to be made of solid timbers, and would have been very much less manoeuvrable. The sides of the chariot are solid, which is necessary given the way the piece is moulded, but the real thing had largely open sides, further reducing the weight. The horses attach to the chariot via pegs in holes in their side. Given that we cannot be certain what the horses looked like, these seem a reasonable guess.
The figures are nicely detailed, but many suffer from mould marks in obvious places that make them difficult to remove. In general the set could have been much better, though doubtless more complicated and therefore expensive to make.
|
Historical Accuracy
|
 4
|
|
Pose Quality
|
 6
|
|
Pose Number
|
 5
|
|
Sculpting
|
 9
|
|
Mould
|
9
|
|