1:72 Seven Years War Austrians Action

HäT 1:72 Austrian infantry of the Seven Years' War, in action

A set of plastic figures in 1:72 scale from the brand HäT. The package contains forty-eight figures in seven poses, a markedly more varied selection than the marching set of the same line. The poses capture the infantry in the moment of firing and reloading. The figures are unpainted and cast in one piece, so all you need do is separate them from the sprue and set them on bases.

The real subject

Infantry combat in the Seven Years' War was fought in closed lines at a range of a few dozen paces. What decided it was the speed of reloading, discipline and the ability to hold the rank even under fire. After its early setbacks the Austrian infantry improved markedly in this respect, and at Kolin and at Hochkirch it showed that it knew how to face Prussian superiority.

Building and painting tips

Wash the figures, dry them and spray them with a flexible primer. Treat the white coat with a light gray and a bright white highlight. Set the firing line out in a slight arc and turn the figures a little; the formation then looks livelier than a perfect rank. Suggest smoke and flame at the muzzle only sparingly; an overdone effect is a distraction at a small scale.

Who the set is for

• for collectors of the armies of the Seven Years' War
• for wargamers who build firing lines
• for builders of dioramas of the campaigns against Prussia
• for adding to the marching and command sets of the same line

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