1:72 Moscow Noble Cavalry 16 c. (Siege of Kazan) Set 2

Moscow noble cavalry of the 16th century, the Siege of Kazan, set 2, 1:72, Red Box

The second separate package of the Red Box mounted line in 1:72 scale, dated by the subtitle to the Siege of Kazan. The figures are unglued and unpainted. Set 1 with the identical subtitle is sold as a separate product; both packages can be built into one scene.

The real subject

A siege meant a different task for cavalry from a field battle: patrolling, escort, closing off roads and movement around the camp. It matches that the riders rarely line up in a scene; a dispersed group is more natural, with some of the horses led by the bridle and the riders in resting stances. The equipment stays the same as in field service: protection of the torso over quilted clothing, a bow with a quiver at the saddle and a melee weapon at the waist.

Building and painting tips

For a scene composed of several packages it pays off to paint in batches rather than piece by piece: first all the horses, then all the riders, the accessories last. The colors then match across the whole group. Small polearms tend to be the most fragile at this scale; if one of them bends while being taken off the sprue, straighten it by dipping it in hot water and cooling it in cold. Finish the base before you glue the figures onto it, as the surface of a scene is more easily textured without obstacles. At the end unify it with a matte varnish and add dust to the lower part of the legs.

Who the set is for

• Modelers who are expanding a scene already under construction
• Collectors of historical figures in 1:72 scale
• Wargamers composing larger mounted detachments
• Builders of dioramas with a siege theme

The figures are supplied unassembled and unpainted. Glue, paints and accessories are not included in the package, unless stated otherwise.