More Roosians?

"Shurely Shum Mishtake" you might think on reading that heading? Well, no, I have acquired some preproduction castings from Eureka Miniatures, all the way from Nic in Melbourne! 

For reasons of real politic, though acquiring the rights sometime last year I believe to produce this range sculpted in Russia, Eureka Miniatures have not been able to produce the range officially. That's a real pity on one level as they are lovely sculpts and cover a wide range of the Roosian army with figures not likely to be available in 28mm elsewhere. Having learned about this impass, but always willing to chance my arm, I contacted Eureka Miniatures by email to enquire if a sample might be available. Fortunately Nic was amenable and offered to cast me up a couple of sets. I chose some dismounted Cossack Scouts, some Roosian casualties and a Roosian Field Dressing set. They arrived yesterday in under a week from Oz! Great service from Eureka Miniatures and the respective Postal Services! 

Dismounted Cossack scouts in advancing and firing poses plus an officer figure.

The Roosian Field Dressing set and Roosian casualties. They arrived mixed in one bag like this so I can't be certain entirely which belongs to which set. It doesn't matter much anyway as they combine together really well. 

How do they compare with the three ranges of figures already available, from Wargames Foundry, Great War Miniatures and Warlord Games is the first question most wargamers would ask? Well, the sculpting is exquisite and the casting flawless bar one figure missing his right hand, though of course that could be how that figure was sculpted! The figures are finely detailed, so will be fun to paint up when their turn comes.

Size wise they are taller than Wargames Foundry's veteran range, slightly smaller and slimmer than Great War Miniatures, closest to my few Warlord Games figures I'd judge. I especially like the two nurse figures included - one offering a man a drink, of vodka perhaps, and another seated writing details of patients in a notebook. One figure also appears to be a surgeon to my eye. Would I buy more of this range if I could? Of course I would, though probably sticking to the sets offering subjects not covered by other ranges. As to size/heft on the table, I really doubt it would be a live issue once battle was joined! Sadly though as I understand it from Nic the figures are not to be commercially produced in the foreseeable future. Such a shame that 'Mad Vlad', the 'Violet Elizabeth' of world politicians, has put his oar in!!!