Great Escape Games is continuing to expand its World War II ranges, including Greeks. The latest release for them is a very nicely sculpted mule train complete with handlers. The fighting against the Italians and later the Germans involved many battles in hilly and mountainous terrain, so pack mules were essential for moving supplies to some of the more remote areas. The animals themselves are – for want of a better word – delightful. Each has a different set of packs. I particularly like the stubborn mule being persuaded to move by his handler. The set is very well cast and detailed. There are a few vent lines to be cleaned up on the model, but this is minimal. While perhaps not of direct use in a game (unless your game has ammunition rules — here comes the mule resupply!), this is a great and very thematic little set. With a little conversion, it could probably be used as a mountain gun mule team set.
Greek mule train
Company: Great Escape Games
Size: 23mm ‘foot to eye’ or 25mm tall
Era: World War II
Price: £18.00 for six mules and two handlers
3-D PRINTED
Type: Resin
Estimated time: 1 hr 36 mins
Estimated resin use: 52 g
Trenchworx Digital not only provides STLs for World War II, it also has several Great War models, including the British Mark IV, the Crossley Tender, the A7V, the Schneider, the SaintChamond, and the Rolls Royce armoured car (reviewed here). Developed in 1914, the Rolls Royce A/C saw action in the mobile period of the Western Front and in the Middle East (Lawrence of Arabia had a squadron). They were used during the Irish War of Independence by the Irish government and a few were used in the beginnings of World War II. The models come as an unsupported STL file for resin printers, which makes ‘hollowing out’ the model much easier. Ours printed out fine without mishap. The finished model requires some assembly but looks very good and is well detailed. As it is a multipart kit, I'd be wary of printing it under 20mm scale.
Rolls Royce armoured car
Company: Trenchworx
Size: 1/56 (28mm) – rescaleable to 20mm or 15mm
Era: World War I and interwar
Price: $14.95 for the STL
Adding to the Perrys Franco-Prussian War range is more cavalry for the French. We reviewed the Chasseurs D'Afrique 119. They have now been joined by cavalry suitable for French Hussars or for Chasseurs à Cheval (both wore kepis). The major difference between them will be the colour of the uniforms. There are three sets of French cavalry in kepis: one of command, one charging, and a third set with swords ‘carried’. Each packs a carbine and a sabre. The quality of the miniatures is excellent, just as you'd expect from the Perrys. Size-wise, these are a tad (0.5 mm) larger than the standard 28mm ranges. They will provide welcome reinforcements for French Second Empire players (more cavalry is always welcome). Coming soon are the plastic French infantry for the Franco-Prussian War … we can't wait! This time Emperor Napoleon III will be victorious (though not with my dice rolls!)
