15mm MUSEUM MINIATURES expand the EGYPTIAN SAGA! By Kenn Hart

For those dedicated reader(s) who have been manfully ploughing through my Ancient battle you will be delighted to be informed that an additional aspect to the game is now in the process of joining the chaos on my table. These is because reinforcements in the well detailed shapes of vessels of the Blue Pharaoh's allies have been spotted sailing majestically up the Nile.

Leading the flotilla is a sturdy BIREME [B005] with the sides lines with round shields, closely followed by TRIREME [B006] and bringing up the rear, tacking like mad to keep up with the oar driven ships, is an ARAB DHOW [B011]. Because they have no idea of trouble ahead all the vessels have their sails set, whereas if going into combat the warships would have dismantled theirs. To add variety to the ships there is a pack of accessories [B012], which contains anchors, coiled ropes, capstans and other essential nautical equipment. A very good and useful idea.

All the vessels come in three parts, which fit together with excellent precision and demonstrates just how good the modelling skills of the modern firms can be. There is a port and starboard side plus a centre piece which contains the high rise sterns plus a hole for the mast to fit in. [No need to glue the masts in because the fit is so good and at times they need taking out when battle is about to start.] The Bireme has a raised centre decking while the other two are flush and they look good. There are three different types of sails; the dhow has a lateen (large triangular) one; the Bireme came with a furled one and the Trireme with it fully deployed. Needless to say the latter are fully interchangeable. The oars are set into a sprue, which fits perfectly into a space on the sides of the ships and looks really good.

The ships plan to tie-up at the pier [D002], which is a land section comprising of a raised cobbled road leading onto the section of wooden pier, which is supported on four piles. Two of these wooden sections make a very impressive jetty, but try putting two packs together and a fine wooden bridge is created. There is no stopping me, once I get going!

If I can take you back to Part 2 of the Two Pharaohs Saga, in Lone Warrior 143, page 56. The reed boats and rafts [B002 & B003 respectively] also come from Museum Miniatures, plus I have also their coracles which in real life are somewhat difficult to direct. So now I have vessels from the same firm on different sides, the fact I have warships and the enemy is in flimsy craft is just the luck of the solo game! Nearly forgot the (two man bivvys) 'Small ridge tents' [CS06] which I could easily have used in Lone Warrior 147, when the chariots rode down the infantry.

There are other new items out in the range and undoubtedly will be up to Dave Hoyle's high standard; these include Chinese junk, Chinese/Steppe tents plus ones for Arabs as well and a wide range of camp equipments. Those I have reviewed I really like and can highly recommend and with ships only at £4.40 each with the other packs at £1.65, there is a possibility I might have to increase my dhow fleet, because it must be the 'vessel that scans the ages', which I suppose is the same for the junk. The photographs on the web page do not do these ships justice!