Middle-earth Cavalry

Last week I received the latest sets from Dark/Light Alliance, consisting of two sets of Mounted Light Eastern Tribes, Southern Kingdom Warriors Heavy Cavalry, and Windy Bay Warriors Heavy Cavalry.

The figures were released a while back, but I was too slow to order them from my usual source, so had to wait for a restock since they sold out very quickly.

The first two sets are meant to represent Easterling cavalry. I've seen some mention that the "tribe" they're supposed to represent are known as the "Wasaki", but I'm not sure if this is a Peter Jackson term or if it came from somewhere else. The only reference I could find to the word was for a company that sells halal Wagyu.

The figures seem to be modeled after the Easterling Kataphrakts from GWs MESBG (though when I hear the word cataphract, I think of heavy cavalry rather than light cavalry).

Set 1 consists of two javalin men, and four archers.

Set 2 consists of a commander with a "glaive" (a GW appellation), a banner carrier, and four swordsmen.

The horses from both sets are identical, and come in six poses.

The next set of cavalry is meant to represent the Knights of Gondor. I don't think the term came from Tolkien, but rather originated from the video game The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle-earth II.

Special Extended Edition: Director's Cut mod
for The Battle for Middle-earth II

The box art depicts knights reminescent of the Peter Jackson films, but the actual figures bear somewhat less of a resemblance in my opinion.

The figure are made with ring hands to accomodate the weapons supplied with the set (two styles of lance, three different types of sword, and an axe).

The horses come in six poses.

The final set is meant to represent the Swan-knights of Dol Amroth. The "Windy Bay" refers to "the windy Bay of Bel" mentioned in the poem The Man in the Moon Came Down Too Soon, which is an allusion to the Bay of Belfalas.

Swan-knights from Middle Earth mod
for Total War Kingdoms

The Knights of Dol Amroth are typically depicted wearing winged helms, but only one pose has such a helmet. Instead, they are distinguished by a winged badge on their right pauldron.

The figure are made with ring hands to accomodate the weapons supplied with the set (two styles of lance, three different types of sword, and a flail).

The horses are identical to the ones from the Southern Kingdoms set, but in a different colored plastic.

All in all, another nice effort by Alliance from their line of Middle-earth figures. I also think the mounts are much better than the undersized horses used in the previous set of Black Riders.

PNSO and Meng Dinosaurs

PNSO (Peking Natural Science-Art Organization) was a project started in 2010 by Zhao Chuang (illustrator) and Yang Yang (children's book author) to promote the wonders of natural history. Outside of China, PNSO is primarily known for their dinosaur models.

Most PNSO dinosaurs are larger than 1/72 scale, but they also make a series of smaller "box scale" dinosaurs, some of which are usable as 1/72 dinosaurs.

These small dinosaurs are sealed in a plastic blister with a tri-fold informational insert illustrated with art by Zhao.

Meng on the other hand, is a plastic model company which has recently entered the dinosaur market with a series of 1/72 scale dinosaurs.

So far, they have announced Sinoceratops, Zhuchengtyrannus, Sinankylosaurus, Shantungosaurus, and Zhuchengtitan.

The Meng models come sealed in foil bags along with a couple of illustrated informational cards.

So far, the only released Meng dinosaur available is the Sinoceratops. I also have three PNSO ceratopsians. Of these, I think that the Xenoceratops is the only one that is a good match for 1/72.

The Chasmosaurus and Kosmoceratops are both too big (though I suppose it could be argued that the former could be a larger specimen of the genus).

Next are a pair of therapods. The Majungasaurus is probably too big for 1/72 while the Allosaurus is probably a bit too small.

I think the Allosaurus is usable as a juvenile dinosaur though.

The next two therapods are Cryolophosaurus and Alioramus. I think both can pass as 1/72 scale.

Next are a Qianzhousaurus and Ouranosaurus. The Qianzhousaurus seems compatible with 1/72 scale, but the Ouranosaurus might be too small.

The next dinosaurs are a pair of stegosaurids. The Kentrosaurus is much too big to pass for 1/72 scale, while the Wuerhosaurus seems to be on the small side.

Both Ouranosaurus and Wuerhosaurus models may be undersized, but I think I can use them as juvenile dinosaurs.

PS

I think this will be my final post for 2023. The year has flown by, and there have been various events at the close of this year have resulted in a bit of a rough patch.

At the end of November, I was quite excited to receive a package from Phrozen, but due to circumstances, I haven't even had the chance to open the box yet. I guess tomorrow morning will be the perfect occasion.

Merry Christmas to all my readers, and to all a good night!

GreenLight and Johnny Lightning figures

GreenLight Collectibles is a well known producer of 1/64 scale diecast cars, which sometimes include figures and accessories.

I picked up a random assortement of the figures, some of which can be used alongside 1/72 scale figures.

Among the figures were also some from Johnny Lightning (another diecast car maker) which appear to be of the Monkees.

Michael, Micky, and Peter are all too tall, but I think Davy is undersized for the group. At 22.5mm, the figure is actually dead on for his 5'4" height in 1/72 scale.