Welcome to the Strelets Forum. Please feel free to discuss any aspect of 1/72 scale plastic figures, not simply Strelets. If you have any questions about our products then we will answer them here.
Garrison, as you say, your key point has been well-made previously. Several years ago, it was your good self, if I recall correctly, who highlighted the importance of colour to non-painters and, with others, that the sales to non-painters dwarf those of \'them what paint\'. As the colour does not matter at all if one is going to slap on (often) layers of paint, then production to suit those for whom colour matters makes supreme sense.
The lighting and background in the photos of the previews makes a huge difference (as it does with all photography). Compare and contrast these, for example:
http://www.strelets-r.com/Pages/Set.aspx?SetID=276&M=F
http://www.strelets-r.com/Pages/Set.aspx?SetID=273&M=F
http://www.strelets-r.com/Pages/Set.aspx?SetID=194&M=F
http://www.strelets-r.com/Pages/Set.aspx?SetID=99&M=F
http://www.strelets-r.com/Pages/Set.aspx?SetID=98&M=F
http://www.strelets-r.com/Pages/Set.aspx?SetID=95&M=F
http://www.strelets-r.com/Pages/Set.aspx?SetID=89&M=F
http://www.strelets-r.com/Pages/Set.aspx?SetID=87&M=F
http://www.strelets-r.com/Pages/Set.aspx?SetID=192&M=F
All of the figures from these sets look much better in the \'flesh\', in the hand and in natural lighting.
It is, of course, why good photography takes time and effort with the set-up--I have seen it done but am certainly not an exponent. It\'s also why people often put a wash over the figures before photographing them and why those who paint will often find \'hidden\' detail that becomes evident once the figures have been undercoated.
It ain\'t anything new to note that photos can and do mislead.
You'd be wrong there. Just as the Poles in attack look a bit ordinary in the photos, but are superb in the flesh (plastic) and paint up beautifully.
People are entitled to their opinion. My opinion thinks these figures are fine and fill a gap. I'd prefer an advancing pose, but will happily buy several of these and wait for Strelets to make new sets.
An additional opinion, & one that I don't think will be popular, is I don't really love the Zvesda Nap. Russians. I certainly have several sets of their various Russian troops but I find them a bit large & their animation a bit over the top.
I'm a wargamer & not a dioramist but feel free to make smug pronouncements on my taste.
Hi,
The pictures are bad but the figures look good to me especially when I paint and mix them into big battalions.
Cheers
CPN
Or small battalions.
One issue I have is post-1812, many Russian infantry battalions were worn down & quite understrength. During the Campaigns of 1813 & 1814, replacements were hard to come by: more often new battalions were sent.
Thus, a typical Strelets' set, needing a command stand per battalion, will have a lot of leaderless troops ie figures I'll need to find officer/musician/ensign/NCO for.
Hi,
Completely agree, campaigns of 1813 and more 1814 found Russian regiment reduced to one battalions instead of 2 or 3.
This is where I will try to get individual command box from Zvesda, or convert some figures from sets from Esci.
Cheers
CPN
Hi,
Completely agree, campaigns of 1813 and more 1814 found Russian regiment reduced to one battalions instead of 2 or 3.
This is where I will try to get individual command box from Zvesda, or convert some figures from sets from Esci.
Cheers
CPN
Thanks for the possible solutions. I'll have to wait to see if the Zvesda figures will not be too jarring. The Esci may work. I might have to look at some of the metals in 20mm too.
Pity Strelets couldn't sell special boxes with just the command sprues. I'd pay a premium for those.