28MM WARGAMES ATLANTIC SF IN

◗ wargamesatlantic.com ◗ £25

Wargames Atlantic have been pushing releases in many areas both historical and non-historical but this month sees the release of two SF sets from very different aesthetics: Eisenkern Stormtroopers and Les Grognards Command and Heavy Support.

Starting with the first set, the box has 20 figures over four identical sprues which come in many pieces: separate legs, torsos, arms and heads plus weapons to fit in open hands. In fact – and in very many ways – they remind me (assembly and quality wise) of 1/35th scale Tamiya Germans crossed with Star Wars Storm Troopers. They have lots of head choices (not all scuttle helmets and gas masks...) plus packs and belt kit and they’re a lot of work to assemble but they make up into superb, detailed models that will be very hard to top. Weapons are also pretty proportionate and ‘believable’: comedy space marines these are most definitely not...

Which brings me neatly on to the other box. I have reviewed Les Grognards infantry before and this box of Death Fields figures extends the‘imperial French in space’ theme with some support! The set includes enough parts to build six weapons with 12 figures that can act as both crew and command. Options include: tri-barrel cannon; quad ballturret; a heavy plasma weapon; and a mortar. Specialist troops like snipers, medics, communication specialists, standard bearers and field officers can also be built. Along with all the previous head options and headgear (Adrian helmet, shako, bearskin, or kepi) this box set includes four new female head types.

These are well sculpted models – less complex than the Eisenkern – and have large, impressive weaponry (both handheld and on the wheeled carriages and other mounts). “Vive la France!”