AJLaFleche
A Fixture
Just released is La Meridiana’s 17th century Huron. The kit comes in some 23 pieces of cleanly cast white metal, including the base.
The Huron were an Iroquoian people inhabiting what is now Ontario, Canada. They were not, however, part of the Iroquois Confederacy, however. They became allied with and influenced by the French settlers of New France.
The kit represents something of a transitional figure. He is wearing wood rod armor and has a shield which were about to become obsolete with the introduction of firearms from Europe. He is brandishing a very nicely sculpted matchlock musket in his raised right arm and holding an support for the gun in his left. In his belt, he has a wooden war club. He is wearing a bird shaped gorget. Instead of just the usual leggings, he is also wearing wooden greaves on his legs. Both these and the shield have well engraved wood grain patterns. What initially appeared to be a piece of sprue from which several parts had broken is in fact a sprue with six decorative pieces of cord for the armor. They are barely visib;e on the box art but show up much more clearly on the website.
Ostensibly this is a 54 mm figure but it measures close to 65 mm from the base of the foot to the top of the head. The sculptor is listed as Pongsatorn Kanthaboon. As with his other Meridiana figures, the face has a smooth, roundish look to it. The castings have a number or pour plugs which will need to be removed. There is a slight seam at the base of the right arm and on one of the arms which look like they will clean up easily.
Dry fitting the legs shows a good fit on both sides. The left arm has a pretty good fit, the right arm’s locater tab is too big for its slot and will need to be slightly filed to fit properly. Both hands are separate and will absolutely need to be pinned.
The figure has very good musculature but avoids the body builder look of some other recent releases.
The historical notes and painting guide but only in Italian.
At first glance, this looks to be an excellent addition to the currently available Woodland Indian figures. The use of unusual armor, which raised dome discussion online when it was first announced will certainly turn eyes at the shows.
Base
Torso front
Torso back
Head
Arms and left hand
Legs
Shield and armor
This is what you don’t want to throw away!
Roach and feathers
Pouch and war club
Bird shaped gorget
Right hand and matchlock
Detail of firing mechanism
