North Star - Muskets & Tomahawks Germans review We examine the new Hessians from North Star. North Star are expanding their Muskets & Tomahawks range further, with four packs that will allow you to build a compact collection of characterful Hessians, ready to support the British in the American War of Independence. There’s a German Officer to lead the troops, looking suitably ‘commandery’ as he yells orders to his men, and he costs a very reasonable £2.50. The figure’s nicely designed, and North Star’s quality casting ensures that the sculpted details shine through. There are neat, historically-accurate touches present, too; the longer Prussian queue hairstyle down the back of his neck did not escape our notice. You can use the other packs in the range to build out the men under his command. Grenadiers and Mercenaries (Line with a slightly unusual name) are available in packs of eight figures for £13. Their poses and looks are all unique, and there’s a nice bit of variety here, which makes for distinct, attractive models. The Mercenaries are in advancing poses, with some loading, and others firing. One man is biting his cartridge - an extra little detail that we appreciated. As you can see from North Star’s painted Mercenaries, the models look splendid when ranked up, despite M&T being more of a small skirmish game. The Grenadiers (seen below) look a little more upright and stoic, which is perhaps rather fitting, although one of them (who we assume is also biting open a cartridge) does look a little like he could be nervously twirling his moustache! The details are sharp, with everything on these units being about as historically correct as can be hoped for at 28mm scale. From turnbacks and cuffs, to a cypher on the cartridge pouches, and the splendid detail on the Grendadier’s frontplates, it’s all great stuff. It’s worth noting that these models are a little ‘stretched’. It might just be that the designs are quite svelte - a consistent feature across the recent releases from the M&T range - but it’s worth knowing if you intend to mix them into an existing collection. They’ll look absolutely fine when next to the other North Star M&T models, but they may look a little off when lined up next to a more robust AWI mini. Finishing things off is a £9.90 pack of six Jägers (seen below), who have shorter coattails, and noticeably different rifles. These come in skirmishing poses, with two figures kneeling, and are another lovely little set.
