Newline, HaT and Zvezda Numidian Cavalry

The two photos above are provided courtesy of Tantallon2, who first posted them on Benno’s forum. The pictures compare the Numidian cavalry offerings from Newline Designs, HaT Industrie, and Zvezda. In the bottom picture, the Newline rider is on the left, with Zvezda in the middle and Hat on the right. In the top photo, Newline is on top, with HaT in the middle and Zvezda at the bottom. Click on either image to get a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The Newline Design figure comes from their 20 mm Ancients range, and is listed as pack ANN01 “Numidian Cavalry.”

The Ancients range from Newline Design is extensive and covers a range of armies. For the Numidians, Newline has just 3 codes in their catalogue, cavalry, javelinmen and a command set.

Availability and Cost:

Newline Design figures are currently in production, and can be ordered directly from the manufacturer. These figures are sold in packs of three riders with horses, for £3.00.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:

The Zvezda figure comes from box 8031 “Carthaginian Numidian Cavalry, 3rd to 1st Century BC.” The box contains 17 riders in 5 poses, as well as 17 horses in 3 poses.

The HaT figure comes from box 8024 “Numidian Cavalry.” The box contains 12 riders in 4 poses, as well as 12 horses in 2 poses.

Availability and Cost:

According to PSR, the HaT set made its debut in 1999, while the Zvezda box was first released in 2007. Both sets are still available and can be found through various online and local hobby shops and distributors.

TANTALLON2’S COMMENTS:

The Hat and Newline riders are pretty similar but the Zvezda are considerably larger. The NL horse is quite a bit smaller than the other two (which are pretty similar to each other). The NL riders fit the other horses easily (and the Hat figure is pretty good too) BUT both the Hat and Zvezda horses are too big for either the Newline of Hat riders - they just look silly on such big horses. The Zvezda rider looks a better fit to his mount.

So, yes you can mix all of them, and the NL and Hat riders will fit all the horses but only the NL horse is an appropriate size (IMO).

Regarding scale, the Newline figures are 20mm and not from their 1/72 range. However, there is a lot of variation both between and within manufacturers and I find that the NL figures work well with lots of other ancients - in some cases they are a better fit with the Zvezda figures than Hat.