Airfix- Comic Book Roman Comparison

     There seemed to be some interest in the comic book Romans. I think anyone who had interest in the comic book toy soldiers at one time owned some Airfix figures. I figured what better way to compare the two different figures than to show them side by side.

Side by side comparison of Airfix and comic book Romans.

I tried to get a good photo of one of the comic book Romans next to a ruler for a more accurate  guess at the scale. The infantry figures are approximately 1 1/2 inches, or 35mm tall.    

Comic Book Toy Soldiers Wargame

     In an email I received, someone mentioned getting some of the dreadful comic book Roman flat toy soldiers in his childhood and the disappointment with them. Surprisingly, several years ago I bought some of these figures; what's more I knew exactly what I was getting! After receiving them they were put away, never to see the light of day, until today.

    I haven't had any interest in wargaming (or anything else) recently. I decided to play a quick game today, using these figures. Both armies had the same units: 2 cavalry, two light infantry, and two medium infantry units.  I was using Battlelore rules and dice.

The blue army has their cavalry on the flanks, their light infantry alternating with  the medium infantry.

The yellow army has their cavalry on the flanks with their light infantry grouped in the center.

Both sides move their light infantry forward. 

The blue army sends a spear unit forward in support.

First blood to the yellow slingers!

The yellow cavalry moves up to support their light infantry.

The yellow light infantry drives off the blue spearmen and slingers. Blue swordsmen move up to back up the archers.

The blue swordsmen move through the gap in the line.

The swordsmen attack the yellow center. Meanwhile, the blue cavalry closes in from both flank.

Yellow army starts pushing all their remaining troops forward.

The yellow light infantry drives off the swordsmen, and the blue cavalry on the right loses two men.

The blue swordsmen and slingers rally.

Blue cavalry kills one yellow cavalryman on their left flank.

The blue army launches a strong attack on the left.

They kill one slinger, forces the archers to retreat, and kill one cavalry.

The yellow spearmen move forward.

The yellow army kills one cavalryman, a swordsman, and pushes back the slingers  and one cavalryman.

The yellow army continues their attack, wiping out the blue right cavalry unit. The right cavalry loses another man, and the swordsmen loses two men.

The blue swordsman kills one archer, and the slingers drive back the yellow spearmen.

The blue cavalry kills one swordsman, the blue spearmen kills two of the slingers, and the archers kill a cavalryman.

The yellow swordsmen kill the last cavalryman on the left; the spearmen  finishes off the last of the swordsman.

If the blue army loses one more unit, they have lost the battle. The yellow army focus their attack on the slingers...

... and succeed in wiping them out.

The blue army flees, with their general leading the way. The yellow general charges forward in his chariot, his presence sounded by his trumpeter.

Using these figures can be tricky, with their thin stands. I can image all the disappointed kids, trying to use them, only to have them fall like dominoes, like they did to me a couple of times. It was a fun game, although I think these figures will end up back in the drawer where they were for all those years.