British Infantry Flank Companies of the Napoleonic Wars, 1812–1815

ESCI 1:72 Scale Figure Review

Soldiers of the Light Company and Battalion Companies of the 44th (East Essex) Regiment. The light infantry skirmishers are deployed in front of this wargame brigade formation. The unit represents a brigade of 2,500 men. The stand measures 76 mm x 76 mm and 14 miniatures are mounted on it: Standardbearer, drummer, four Battalion Company men and one light infantryman from the 44th Regiment as well as a bagpiper, three Battalion Company Highlanders, two Highland Grenadiers and one Highland light infantryman from the 92nd Regiment.

Army Pack of 50 Figures with 14 Poses:
- 8 Line Infantry Flank Company
- 6 Highland Flank Company
23 mm equal 166 cm Height
Standardbearer
Drummer & Trumpeter
Flanker standing, firing
Flanker kneeling, firing
Flanker prone, firing
Flanker charging
Flanker in melee

Flank Companies

The ESCI infantry figures represent grenadiers and light infantrymen. The miniatures wear wings on the shoulder which distinguish them from Battalion Company soldiers. Grenadiers had white plumes and light infantry green plumes on the shako. Battalion Company men may be converted by removing the wings. Alternatively, the ESCI flankers may be deployed alongside Battalion Company soldiers from Revell’s British infantry set, the figures mix well.

Evaluation

Highly detailed figures. Cuff, lapels, lace, wings, metal fittings, equipment and weapons are accurately sculpted. The figures look very nice when painted.
80% of the poses are suitable for wargaming. Attacking and firing figures make good light infantrymen, even if the prone figures are not particularly popular with wargamers.
The drummer boy, usually a teenage orphan, is noticeable shorter than the other soldiers and very young looking. A nice touch.
The trumpeter is the only man not wearing the knapsack. A great figure.
Good casting quality, very little flash.

The mixture of Highland infantry and regular line infantry is not very useful, separate sets would have been much better. Instead of the Highlanders in this box, Battalion Company men should have been included for the line infantry. It would have enabled the wargamer and collector to field complete units of these men.
The British flag has been engraved incorrectly! The problem is very difficult to fix, better to cut the flag off and replace it with one made from paper. It’s amazing that an error like this was made and that the figure went into production. In the light of this, it’s probably not surprising that ESCI is no longer around.
Battalion Company men are not included.
The drum appears a little small, but it is known that smaller drums were sometimes made to be used by teenage drummer boys.

Historical Employment

Flank Companies of the British line infantry 1812–1815
Flank Companies of the King’s German Legion 1812–1815

Possible Conversion

If the wings are removed, these figures may serve as Battalion Company men.
Dutch-Belgian Infantry 1814-1815
Hanoverian Infantry 1813–1815
Officers of the Hanoverian Landwehr 1814-1815

Bibliography

Haythornthwaite, Philip: Uniforms of Waterloo, plates 12-14
Funcken, L. & F.: L’Uniforme et les Armes des Soldats du Premier Empire, p. 97

ESCI’s line infantry figures make nice Flank Company soldiers which may be used alongside Revell’s Battalion Company figures. Anyone attempting to build a wargame army with this particular set of ESCI soldiers will accumulate many more Highland figures than are historically accurate.

ESCI Miniatures

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British Napoleonic Miniatures