Introduction
It's well known to almost every Napoleonic era fan that Metal Modeles has a huge range of 54mm figure of that era. So as soon as I saw this new releases I knew that I had to give them a try, cause I found the subjects really interesting and colorful. So I ordered them the soonest and here is a review for all of you to enjoy.
Historical Notes
Napoleon was fully aware that France's power also depended on its Navy. Anglo-French rivalry was especially fuelled by the two nations' desire to control colonial trade. In this Napoleon showed himself to be close to the Ancien Regime, even re-establishing slavery in the French colonies. He also ordered the disastrous expedition to San Domingo, both grave errors which, when in exile in Saint Helena, he said he regretted. His interest in geography led him to support Nicolas Baudin's voyage of discovery in much the same way Louis XVI had supported La Pérouse. Renewed outbreak of war prevented any further expeditions.
The Navy is a collective adventure that could not exist without its sailors. From the lowliest seaman to the highest-ranking officer, they shared the fear, promiscuity, and illness that were part of life onboard. Each outing ended with loss of ships but also loss of life. And the Navy needed men, lots of men. The chronic lack of competent sailors was worsened by the fact the country was at war. Allied sailors, in particular Genoese and Danes, were enlisted. Napoleon set out to form a renewed and younger body of flag officers.
The Navy is also a complex and powerful bureaucratic machine. It had to organize and monitor shipbuilding and maintenance, keep up with projects to develop ports and arsenals, and recruit and train tens of thousands of workmen, ratings and officers. The Navy ate up the second-biggest portion of the country's revenues (hardly surprisingly, the most costly activity was war). As in other areas, Napoleon reorganized naval administration into a solid system. He also surrounded himself with skilled men, the future naval officers and administrators of the nineteenth century.
The kit
Reference : MGI
Name : Sailor of the guard 1810
Comment : White metal miniature kit unpainted 54 mm
Sculpture : Bruno Leibovitz
The figure was presented in the known sealed bag with the green logo of Metal Modeles on a carton, stapled on the bag. Inside a bubbled film protecting the body of the figure the square base and the canon, while a smaller closed bag contained all the rest of the parts. Total of 15 parts were present.
In the bag, is also included a leaflet that holds the painting instructions in French (only).
You can check Metal Models web site: http://www.metal-modeles.com/shop_us/produ...t_id=MGI&id=799
Quality and Detail
As soon as I opened the bag I was once again impressed by the white metal quality which is very high, and the casting is in pretty high level. The mold lines present is not really a problem since they are minimal and can easily be cleaned by an X-acto knife.
Painting
This one is a medium difficulty figure for painting and with a careful and neat painting it can really show up nicely. The only difficulty for a new modeller may be the laces of the shirt, but with a patient work those can be done nicely too.
Conclusion
Again in this case Metal Modeles comes up with a figure that can satisfy a big part of the Napoleonic era fans and modellers.! The company is known to be dedicated in the manufacture of kit figures concerning the Napoleonic era, so do not hesitate to own a nicely sculpted figure of an interesting subject.
Highly Recommended
References
http://www.musee-marine.fr/index.php?lg=en&nav=338&flash=
Xenofon
It's well known to almost every Napoleonic era fan that Metal Modeles has a huge range of 54mm figure of that era. So as soon as I saw this new releases I knew that I had to give them a try, cause I found the subjects really interesting and colorful. So I ordered them the soonest and here is a review for all of you to enjoy.
Historical Notes
Napoleon was fully aware that France's power also depended on its Navy. Anglo-French rivalry was especially fuelled by the two nations' desire to control colonial trade. In this Napoleon showed himself to be close to the Ancien Regime, even re-establishing slavery in the French colonies. He also ordered the disastrous expedition to San Domingo, both grave errors which, when in exile in Saint Helena, he said he regretted. His interest in geography led him to support Nicolas Baudin's voyage of discovery in much the same way Louis XVI had supported La Pérouse. Renewed outbreak of war prevented any further expeditions.
The Navy is a collective adventure that could not exist without its sailors. From the lowliest seaman to the highest-ranking officer, they shared the fear, promiscuity, and illness that were part of life onboard. Each outing ended with loss of ships but also loss of life. And the Navy needed men, lots of men. The chronic lack of competent sailors was worsened by the fact the country was at war. Allied sailors, in particular Genoese and Danes, were enlisted. Napoleon set out to form a renewed and younger body of flag officers.
The Navy is also a complex and powerful bureaucratic machine. It had to organize and monitor shipbuilding and maintenance, keep up with projects to develop ports and arsenals, and recruit and train tens of thousands of workmen, ratings and officers. The Navy ate up the second-biggest portion of the country's revenues (hardly surprisingly, the most costly activity was war). As in other areas, Napoleon reorganized naval administration into a solid system. He also surrounded himself with skilled men, the future naval officers and administrators of the nineteenth century.
The kit
Reference : MGI
Name : Sailor of the guard 1810
Comment : White metal miniature kit unpainted 54 mm
Sculpture : Bruno Leibovitz
The figure was presented in the known sealed bag with the green logo of Metal Modeles on a carton, stapled on the bag. Inside a bubbled film protecting the body of the figure the square base and the canon, while a smaller closed bag contained all the rest of the parts. Total of 15 parts were present.
In the bag, is also included a leaflet that holds the painting instructions in French (only).
You can check Metal Models web site: http://www.metal-modeles.com/shop_us/produ...t_id=MGI&id=799
Quality and Detail
As soon as I opened the bag I was once again impressed by the white metal quality which is very high, and the casting is in pretty high level. The mold lines present is not really a problem since they are minimal and can easily be cleaned by an X-acto knife.
Painting
This one is a medium difficulty figure for painting and with a careful and neat painting it can really show up nicely. The only difficulty for a new modeller may be the laces of the shirt, but with a patient work those can be done nicely too.
Conclusion
Again in this case Metal Modeles comes up with a figure that can satisfy a big part of the Napoleonic era fans and modellers.! The company is known to be dedicated in the manufacture of kit figures concerning the Napoleonic era, so do not hesitate to own a nicely sculpted figure of an interesting subject.
Highly Recommended
References
http://www.musee-marine.fr/index.php?lg=en&nav=338&flash=
Xenofon
