I am sure that I have spent at least 15 hours assembling and prepping this box of Victrix French Infantry. I used every figure in the box, plus 6 extra figures from the Perry French. I got five 12 figure battalions and 8 skirmishing voltiguers. There is still prep work to do on 2 of the sticks and I notice I am missing a left arm on one of the voltiguers. They still need their knapsacks attached (I will do that after the figures are painted) and the swords for the elites are still not glued. And although they are nice figures and relatively easy to paint, I am not sure if they are worth the work. I could have had 2 battalions of Calpe or Front Rank painted in the time it will taken me to just prep these figures. Maybe I am just slow.
While I enjoy the modelling aspect, I can see how they could take a while and not to everyone's taste. I always liked the model making element of the hobby having build scores of plastic kits over the years.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I have to say that I find that cleaning metal miniatures can be just as much of a chore (and equally messy!) as are plastics.
As I often do a a lot of conversions with metals as well, I think that for me there probably isn't a whole lot of difference between the two.
I am currnetly building my force of Victrix voltigeurs and actually I have agree with Robert. I like the modelling aspect of the hobby, too, and the Victrix allow a level of customization simply not feasible with other ranges, in plastic or metal.
ReplyDeleteAlso, they are perfect for a skirmish game, much more than the almost uni-pose Perrys. Even their "style" is more suited to this type of game, thanks to their highly characterized (and almost caricatural) faces.
However, I think that if you do not do like me (trying to find new poses for each model, and so having in some cases to actually remove and remodel with green stuff the epaulettes or the arms), they should build pretty fast in their intended poses.
In conclusion, I have to say that here in Italy the Victrix sets are enjoying a very high commercial success, considering also their relative low price.
They are nice figures and I agree that they have the most expressive faces I have seen.
ReplyDeleteIN respect to building battalions though the unipose is more attractive to me.
John
They do take a while, but not that much compared to the time one takes to paint them, The Perry stuff incidentally is MUCH faster to prep, about 2 hours to do 40 odd figures, am currently working on the Victrix French, I think the end result will be worth the effort.
ReplyDeleteYes, lots of work left yet. Thanks for the comment.
ReplyDeleteJohn
I have the same opinion about the Victrix French after I finished building my first box (of the three I have) - while they look great, it did take a good bit longer to assemble than I estimated. Given I'm just starting out, I think the Perry plastics are a much better way to get started.
ReplyDeleteI really like your site - great job!
Thanks for your comment Miles.
ReplyDeleteJohn