Renaissance Cavalry from Wargames Atlantic - disappointing

[Metternich]

Maxromek, I quite see what you mean by the outsized pauldrons.  Very disappointing, and more appropriate for Warhammer than historical cavalry.  I was considering getting a sprue of these, but now am thinking not.

[Leigh Metford]

I think the lesson that comes out of this experience is that, when it comes to Wargames Atlantic, it isn't safe to assume that just because a new release appears to be an historical set it is a purely historical set.

Don't make a purchase until the first reviews are posted, and pay close attention to box art, which will tell you what you can actually make from the set and should alert you to any historically inappropriate inclusions such as the unarmoured arms in this set, and study images of the sprues closely and do the maths to get a firm idea of the contents and what the set's limitations are. Even if it passes these tests you might have to be prepared for extra work such as this set requires to make the arms fit the body properly.

[Maxromek]

I think the lesson that comes out of this experience is that, when it comes to Wargames Atlantic, it isn't safe to assume that just because a new release appears to be an historical set it is a purely historical set.

Don't make a purchase until the first reviews are posted, and pay close attention to box art, which will tell you what you can actually make from the set and should alert you to any historically inappropriate inclusions such as the unarmoured arms in this set, and study images of the sprues closely and do the maths to get a firm idea of the contents and what the set's limitations are. Even if it passes these tests you might have to be prepared for extra work such as this set requires to make the arms fit the body properly.

That's true, but somebody has to be the first one to point all these things - and it looks like it was me in this case, as I left similar reviews on WA website and their facebook group. And I fundamentally disagree with people having to dissect pre-release images to scrutinize everything to the point of insanity. I believe companies also have to advertise their product properly, and be honest about what it is. I know it's wishful thinking, but historical wargaming seems better about it, compared to many other spaces.

[pikeman]

I’m sorry to hear this and it reflects badly on Atlantic. Someone cut corners and rushed the set to production. I certainly won’t buy it . Recently I posted a complaint against Old Glory USA over the dismal fitment of their 28mm Stradiots. More cutting corners, using horses that are essentially very crappy sculpts, and rather bizarre riders. I’m no fan of their 15’s, and now that extends to the 28’s.
What is wrong with these people?

[carlos marighela]

The answer to all this I'm afraid is due diligence and the notion of caveat emptor. Most manufacturers these days post photos of their wares, not all but most. Many have extensive unsocial media presence or their own forums. Pretty much all of the plastics manufacturers provide shots of the individual frames. Admittedly, it's hard to discern potential issues like parts fit from photos but there's usually enough detail available to let you know if they look historical or are likley to be decent sculpts.

I am old enough to remember a time where, if you were lucky, there were some nice photos in a magazine advertisement, or the company you wanted to buy from produced an illustrated catalogue. The catalogue of course needed to be purchased and as oft as not, when purchased it would show at best black and white photos, often quite grainy or in the piss-take of all time.... line drawings of the figures. That was a bit like relying on a court artist's interpretation of the subject matter.

The vast majority of smaller manufacturers just produced printed catalogue listings and pre-internet, anything you bought was a step into the unknown, unless by some good fortune someone else you knew had those figures or they appeared in a magazine article. It meant that if you were judicious with your dosh, it would often be a three part operation. Send off for a catalogue, order some sample figures and then purchase the goods, if satisfactory. It all got sent by surface mail.

Alas, today we all want instant gratification. Fair enough, I'm as guilty as the next person on that score but to minmise disappointment do your research first.

[SJWi]

Carlos, your mention of catalogues of line drawings makes me quite nostalgic. Some were actually very good and probably worked better than dodgy photos of shiny metal. I seem to recall the Foundry ones of their original Indian Mutiny, ECW and Franco-Prussian war figures being very good and the Redoubt for their 3 Musketeers range truly excellent, Indeed the latter can be seen on another post on LAF.

[carlos marighela]

Indeed. Not sure there was a complete correlation between the quality of the line drawing and the figures but the Foundry figures were well drawn and of course the consistent quality of the Perry Bros who were the principal (sole?) sculptors  at the time meant no unpleasant surprises. I suspect but don't actually know that one of the Perry Twins may have penned the catalogue sketches themselves.

I know what you mean about the photos of bare metal. The Minifigs catalogues (which only showed a selection, not the full range (which, to be fair, was massive) were probably less helpful than Foundry's drawings. The idea of doing black ink washes had apparently not occurred to anyone at the time, although again that's not surprising as most of us were still painting with Humbrol enamels and it was only the really serious wankers artists who broke out oil paints and the like.

'Twas the anonymous catalogue listings that represented the real leap of faith.