Roman Scorpio

HaT Industrie 1:72 Scale Figure Review

Roman Scorpio, 1:72 HäT 8035.

HäT offers the 1:72 scale light Roman Ballista (scorpio) in one figure set with incompatible, 25 mm Republican Roman Hastati & Velites. The Roman Scorpionarii of the bolt thrower crew wear the mail shirt (lorica hamata) introduced in the 3rd century BC, which at that time was still sleeveless, while the Roman Republican Hastati are armed with the older breastplate (pectorale).

Contents

12 Scorpionarii in 3 Poses – 24 mm equal 173 cm height

4 Principales in 1 Pose – 24 mm equal 173 cm height

  • Signifer/Vexillarius with Gladius and open Ring Hand, advancing (4)
  • Signum (4)
  • Vexillum (4)
  • Cornu (4)

32 Hastati & Velites in 6 Poses – 25 mm equal 180 cm height

Evaluation

Good choice of subject, the Roman Scorpio bolt thrower is equally suitable for sieges, battles, or the use on board ships and river patrol boats.

HäT might have used this artillery set to cover all four variants of two-levered torsion artillery, from the heavy stone thrower Palintonon (ballista), through the Scorpion, to the light Cheiroballistra and Manuballista, which were operated by a single soldier. Instead, the manufacturer simply used the Republican Roman Hastati & Velites (HäT 8018), which were already released in 1999, as filler material for this set.

Roman Signifer, Vexillarius, and Cornicen, 1:72 HäT 8035.

The only truly new infantrymen in this Roman artillery set are the four Principales (non-commissioned officers/sergeants) of the Roman army, who can be used as standard-bearers or cornicen. The field signs have a peg that is meant to be inserted into the ring hand of the signifer or vexillarius. Unfortunately, the result is not at all convincing, as these almost religiously revered field signs were carried respectfully and upright in front of the troops with both hands. The cornu included in this set cannot even be attached to the figure at all; it will probably have to be welded to the designated cornicen somehow.

The cocking levers on the Scorpion are both mistakenly pointing forward and therefore cannot function properly. This error may be corrected by removing one cocking lever and then welding it back on, pointing backwards. Another alternative would be to remove both cocking levers entirely, and replace them with a four-spoked handwheel.

Useful poses for wargames and dioramas. The three-man scorpio crew (scorpionarii) are perfectly sufficient to create a convincing artillery stand for popular simulation games.

The entire scorpio crew is depicted without helmets, even though they are either in combat or at least participating in a combat exercise. This error mays be corrected by swapping heads accordingly, namely with a Montefortino helmet for Roman Republican Scorpionarii or a Weisenau helmet for Roman Imperial artillerymen.

Noticeable mould lines need to be removed prior to painting.

Historical Employment

  • Republican Roman Army

Possible Conversions

  • Republican Roman Scorpio Crew with Montefortino Helmet
  • Imperial Roman Scorpio Crew with Weisenau Helmet

The peculiar mix of 1:72 scale scorpio crews with 25 mm Republican Roman infantry in the same figure set seems like a makeshift solution. HäT would have been well advised to equip this artillery set with a variety of torsion artillery pieces and a wider selection of ballista crews.

Ancient Miniatures