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Once again it is easy to see why AB is considered the finest maker of 15 mm Napoleonics. Looking at this fusilier, we again see the hallmarks of Anthony Barton’s superior work. The anatomical proportions are correct, the pose natural and realistic, the detail outstanding, and the casting terrific (note: I purchase my AB figures from Eureka in Australia where they are produced under license). The two drawbacks to the line have always been two: cost and size.
AB figures usually weigh in at up top twice what other lines cost, which is a definite strain if you are building any size army. Especially if you live in the US as I do - postage alone can add to the cost (I order in large quantity from Eureka to get the free shipping, but it means I only order once a year, or even less often).
Secondly, AB tend to be closer to 18 mm than 15 mm from the sole of the boot to the eye (see the frontal shot below). Indeed, some recent cavalry figures are even closer to 20 or 22 mm! So units sculpted at different times may look disproportionate when seen next to each other (not to mention how they would look next to true 15 mm units). However, the opinion in the hobby seems to be that as long as you don’t mix figures within a unit, it will look fine on a wargaming table. From any distance a unit of mixed figures will probably look fine - it will just be abnormal up close (see my unit of mixed British).
On the other hand AB offers a wide variety of poses/sculpts for each figure type. This means units composed of AB figures tend to look less “toy-soldier-ish” and a little more like groups of real men. The poses are not radically different, of course. After all, marching infantry is pretty much the same. But AB also varies equipment slightly - different canteens, packs, and other odds and ends like camp pots or blankets all help give variety to your army.
One other nice feature of AB figures - you can buy them individually. Which means if you want to build a unit of 17 figures you can order just that and not have left over figures lying around.
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