Only one set of Revolutionary War American Continental Infantry has ever been produced.  Airfix issued a set in the mid-sixties, and it is a decent one.  There are not many poses, and two of them are prone, limiting their usefulness.  Clearly an opportunity exists for some company to issue another set.  With all its limitations, it is still indespensible for anyone wishing to wargame the Revolution in plastic.  These are all of the useful poses in the set.  The detail is good, the uniforms are historically accurate, and the figures are easy to paint.

Many of the American units which saw action in the Revolutionary War were not the regulars, but local militias.  The militia usually performed well, but frequently broke under bayonet charges.  Their knowledge of local terrain usually made up for the lack of discipline, however, as they used natural areas of defense to inflict losses on the British, fled under determined attack, rallied, and came back to shoot more Redcoats.  When fieldworks sould be built, even the militia could stand and fight.  Numerous British commanders testified to their effectiveness.

The Revell set is gorgeous, one of the best of their line.  There are fifteen poses, and all but one are very useful.  The exception is Ben Franklin - why does Revell want us to risk his valuable life on the battlefield?  Contrary to popular opinion, the militia did have uniforms.  New England units typically had brown jackets with red facings, buff stockings, and gray overcoats.  I don't think I need to say much about the quality of these figures - the scans speak for themselves.

Last updated 29 July, 2002
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