These arrived today curtesy of Hannant's.
I also received the Cardinal's Guard figures, which I will review tomorrow and at the weekend I will look at how they compare with other 17thC sets, especially the Ultima Ratio sets.
First up the VIP figure.
Very nice figure of a higher up, would probably pass for King Charle 1 of Engalnd based on this picture
This picture is by Daniel Mytens (1631), only 6 years after the events of Dumas' The Three Musketeers, and serves as a good example of how this costume works.
A Fine Lady in a posh frock
Nothing wrong here either, I particularly like the standing lace collar.
Drummer
This drummer would do for any early 17thC army, despite the Musketeers tabard. Drummers weren't just loud musicians, they served as heralds, and messengers as well, so they always got the best gear and with a bit of judicious painting could easily be fitted in elsewhere.
Standard Bearer
I have not been able to discover whether the Musketeers carried Foot colours (6ft x 6ft) or cavalry cornets, (3ft x 3ft), either way this is neither. The figure itself isn't bad, but the standard needs replacing.
Fighting Poses
Whoever sculpted these has done their homework, from the slightly cocked left foot of the figure about to lunge, to the high guard (Prime) on another figure. These are very no-nonsense poses, none of that waving cups or bottles about. All the costume details are good even down to the multiple buckles on the baldrics where they hold the scabbards.
Soldierly Poses
I was less impressed with most of these. Compared with say, Mars figures, they aren't bad, and my photography doesn't do them any favours at all, but the muskets are too short, they were musketeers not carabineers, and the poses seem a bit rushed compared with the fighting poses. The officer is really nice, with his partisan.