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B & B Miniatures
Samurai
B & B Miniatures is a manufacturer based in Hull, who I first came across when they began to produce the models from the range of my old friend Bill Lamming. These models are unmistakable, both in their design and, when I was a lad, their innovation by having separate shield and weapons allowing for variety in the unit; they are also very easy to paint, always a great boon I feel. The next time I really noticed them was when I was tempted to drive the moths from my wallet in order to purchase a stack of their excellent Russian Revolution and Civil War figures.
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Received for review, are a small selection of the 20mm Samurai range, and what a joy they are. The first is the dismounted command group (SAM 10, retailing for £1.60), which consists of three figures and an accessory. The first is a warrior thrusting with sword, which is beautifully detailed, and the pose is also excellent , portraying the deadly grace of a master swordsman. The second a kneeling warrior holding his sword, again lovely detail, though this needed some slight filing of the base to make it sit correctly. Both of these figures are wearing the stiff winged Kataginu robe. The third figure is also kneeling, with hands clasped across its stomach. Accompanying these chaps is a display of full armour, with an excellently detailed masked helmet and body armour resting above a hasped chest. This group would look equally striking based up for the wargames table, or lovingly painted in a display cabinet.
The second group, (SAM12, retailing for £4.50), portray a massive war drum resting on a heavy wooden frame and being beaten by two hefty "musicians". The drum itself comes in a two piece casting and took a minor amount of filing to obtain a clean fit, with the seam faintly visible. The two figures are chunky fellows, wielding heavy short clubs to beat their massive instrument. This is a truly impressive model, and carefully painted would provide a spectacular addition to your army.
For more details of this range which includes ronin, monks, ashigaru, peasants, bandits, the inevitable ninja, as well as samurai, and a group of Hero figures based on the characters from the Seven Samurai and the novel Shogun, visit the website at www.bbminiatures.karoo.co.uk
JOS 4/9/02
