Preview: Lancashire Games' 18mm Napoleon in Egypt

NiE infantry (front)

Lancashire Games is preparing a release of 18mm figures for a new Napoleon in Egypt (NiE) range.  As the range approaches release, Allan from Lancashire Games sent a small package of French figures in Kleber helmet from this new release.  Allan asked me to take a look at the figures, paint a few, and offer my impressions.

NiE infantry (back)

In the package were twelve figures with three poses each of advancing, marching, firing/loading, and command.  Also in the package were eight French artillery crew in four poses.

18mm AB (L), 18mm Lancashire (C), 15mm Lancashire (R)

First off, the figures are billed as 18mm.  That they are.  From the sole of the shoe to the eye is about 18mm.  Compared with AB Miniatures, they are both taller and chunkier.  The sculpting style of the NiE range is definitely of the chunky style of sculpting.  Standing next to the NiE figure, the Lancashire Games' 15mm French infantry from the mid-19th Century range appears diminutive and slender. 

Firing, loading, and command (front)

Command, firing, and loading (back)

Before painting each of the figures, I lined them up for a photo shoot in the bare lead.  Besides being of a heavy, chunky style of sculpting, the figures are reminiscent of a cartoonish style of modeling.  That is, some features are exaggerated while others are minimized.  That sculpting style gives the figures much character.

Marching and advancing (front)

Advancing and marching (back)

While the infantry sculpting and casting is sharp and clean, my favorite figures in the package received are the French artillerymen.  The sculpting on the artillerymen are exceptionally well rendered with nicely raised detail and sharp, crisp features.

Artillery crew (front)

Artillery crew (back)

To get a more enhanced perspective of the nicely raised details and crisp castings, I gave four of the artillery crew a wash with Minwax stain.  Compare the artillery crew figures above with those below.  With the stain, the detailing on these figures really pops.  An army of figures with only a stain over bare metal might be a handsome sight.  I like the look.

Artillery crew with stain (front)

Artillery crew with stain (back)

Since figures often look much different in their unpainted vs painted state, how do the figures look once a coat of paint has been applied? 

Again, my favorite figures remain the artillery crew.  Great looking figures with less caricature than the infantry.  The nicely raised detail made painting easy on my aging eyes.

Artillery crew (front)

Artillery crew (back)

For the infantry, I painted each figure as a different regiment to get a sense of the kaleidoscope of color offered to this interesting and little gamed period.  Jackets, turnbacks, collars, and cuffs all offered various combinations of colors.  The "pouffe" or crest of the Kleber helmet is often multicolored with few regiments having the same color scheme.  The French infantry during the 1798 campaign would have presented themselves as a patchwork of color with variety the watchword of the day.  These are not the blue-clad troops of later years.

With figures sculpted in a larger and chunkier style, this range may not fit in with other manufacturers' ranges.  How many 18mm Napoleon in Egypt ranges are there?  Not many, I think.  The Egyptian campaign was an oddity during the Napoleonic Wars with uniforms designed specifically for the campaign.  Why not offer a unique and characterful range to represent it on the table top?  If tackled, the French army of this period will certainly present a colorful spectacle.