Bloody Miniatures - A Regiment of Foote review Bloody Miniatures specialise in 28mm figures aimed at conflicts such as the War of the Three Kingdoms (ECW), or the Thirty Years’ War, in the first half of the 17th Century. Their releases so far have focused on filling some of the characterful niches not typically covered by figure manufacturers, such as armed civilians, storming parties, or dismounted horsemen. This eighth release is a slight change to this approach, as its theme, ‘A Regiment of Foote’, is about providing the core command, pike, and shot figures for a typical foot unit of the period. Above: The Shotte Give Frye This release comprises five packs each of four-foot figures: two packs of musket-armed figures, two packs of pikemen, and a command pack. Packs are available at £9 each, or a discounted price of £40 for the whole release. As with the previous releases from Bloody Miniatures, these are one-piece metal castings, with pole weapons available separately. This release of figures maintains the very high quality of sculpting and casting that we have come to expect from Bloody Miniatures. The artist behind them is Nick Collier, who sculpted the original 28mm ECW ranges for Bicorne Miniatures and Renegade Miniatures. The Bloody range has been designed to match with these original ranges in terms of size and style. This means they are at the chunky-and-tall end of 28mm (the Bloody Miniatures website has a very handy size-comparison picture so you can check out how well figures will match with your existing collection). Miniature painters of all abilities will appreciate the very well-defined details on the figures that pick up drybrushing, washes, and careful, detailed brushwork beautifully. They are a joy to paint. Above: The Shotte Atte Readie The two ‘shotte’ packs cover figures firing, and figures at the ready. These would make nice front and rear ranks for a unit with two ranks of figures. One of the firing figures is kneeling, and one has their musket held quite high, which also provides the opportunity for three ranks firing to be modelled in the style of a period ‘Swedish Salvo’. All the figures are equipped with bandoliers, swords, and beautifully detailed matchlock muskets. They wear shortish soldiers’ coats and broad-brimmed hats, with all figures having subtle variations that make them feel very realistic for this pre-uniform period. The two pike packs cover figures at the advance (pike upright), and figures at porte (pike between upright and level). All figures are helmeted, and one figure in each pack is armoured with back-and-breast tassets. The rest wear a variety of coats and cassocks, once again giving that slightly irregular, period feel. The figures are mostly armed with
