December 13th, 2010
In Focus Review - JR Miniatures 25mm-28mm Medieval Structure Models
In Focus Review - JR Miniatures 25mm-28mm Medieval Structure Models
When it comes to buildings and terrain models for wargaming JR Miniatures is a name that's hard to overlook. They have over the years created models for just about every scale out there that's used in wargaming today. In the way of 25mm scale medieval stuff they were lacking a bit, that is until now.
They recently launched an all new variety of 25mm-28mm scale buildings designed for medieval and/or fantasy war/RPG-gaming. Today I'll run you through a couple of the pieces that I was sent for review...
#6102 Green Dragon Inn
This is by far one of the largest pieces in the entire line, and it could very well be considered the flagship piece of the new range of models. Each of these models (this one included) are made from resin. The Green Dragon Inn is a rather large Inn, the type you'd expect to find in most any medieval and/or fantasy setting small town or village.
There's lots of little detail to be found, like the one side has a wall that looks stressed, and underneath the breaking point you can begin to see the inner structure of the framework. Most of the windows are modeled open, but one is also modeled closed as the pictures reveal.
The doors are sculpted onto the structure, but they don't open and are modeled as closed. This is also a multiple level strcuture, as there's a ground floor, a 2nd floor, and the roof comes off to reveal the interior of both.
The 2nd-story flooring is also removable so you can reach all the way into the ground floor of the structure for gaming. There's also a tiny stairway modeled, but sadly it's not quite wide enough to accommodate a figure base. The floors are textured nicely on each level, but the rest of the interior features smooth resin walls.
The Green Dragon Inn is also quite large, and as my photos reveal you can fit some models inside to duke it out, or to conduct some RPG gaming if needed, which ever the case may be. This is also made of a rather sturdy resin, and it doesn't feel like it's going to crack into a million pieces if I were to drop it by accident. This model is priced at $53.00 USD.
They recently launched an all new variety of 25mm-28mm scale buildings designed for medieval and/or fantasy war/RPG-gaming. Today I'll run you through a couple of the pieces that I was sent for review...
#6102 Green Dragon Inn
This is by far one of the largest pieces in the entire line, and it could very well be considered the flagship piece of the new range of models. Each of these models (this one included) are made from resin. The Green Dragon Inn is a rather large Inn, the type you'd expect to find in most any medieval and/or fantasy setting small town or village.
There's lots of little detail to be found, like the one side has a wall that looks stressed, and underneath the breaking point you can begin to see the inner structure of the framework. Most of the windows are modeled open, but one is also modeled closed as the pictures reveal.
The doors are sculpted onto the structure, but they don't open and are modeled as closed. This is also a multiple level strcuture, as there's a ground floor, a 2nd floor, and the roof comes off to reveal the interior of both.
The 2nd-story flooring is also removable so you can reach all the way into the ground floor of the structure for gaming. There's also a tiny stairway modeled, but sadly it's not quite wide enough to accommodate a figure base. The floors are textured nicely on each level, but the rest of the interior features smooth resin walls.
The Green Dragon Inn is also quite large, and as my photos reveal you can fit some models inside to duke it out, or to conduct some RPG gaming if needed, which ever the case may be. This is also made of a rather sturdy resin, and it doesn't feel like it's going to crack into a million pieces if I were to drop it by accident. This model is priced at $53.00 USD.
#6105 Potion Shoppe
This next model is probably one of the 2nd biggest house structures in this new range of models. The Potion Shoppe is also a two-story structure, and it's made of a sturdy resin material as well. The brick detail all around is quite impressive, and like the Green Dragon Inn this building also has windows modeled open, but doors modeled closed.
By removing the roof you can see the 2nd floor detail, which includes a nice floor texture, plus a small dividing wall to make it more like a multiple room layout. Although the 2nd and 1st floors are completely separate from each other, as there's a staircase running up the outside exterior of the building to the 2nd floor, and then there's a door modeled below to access the 1st floor.
However the 2nd-story flooring removal is the only true way to access the interior of the 1st floor. Like the Green Dragon Inn, the Potion Shoppe too is a really nice s model, which has character and truly looks the part. The Potion Shoppe sells for $42.00 USD, but you'll need to supply the potions!
#6101 Stone Cutter's Cottage
Lastly we come to the Stone Cutter's Cottage. This is one of the smaller buildings available in this new range of 25mm-28mm medieval/fantasy structures. As the name implies, this is a small cottage of a stone cutter. Access to the shop is through the opening in the side of the structure, but a door is also sculpted on to it, however it's sculpted closed.
While not a multiple story building, the roof still comes off to reveal the interior. While there's not a lot of room inside, you could still easily fit a couple of models inside to play out RPG, and even small-scale combat if needed, which ever the case may be.
Also like the other models, this too is cast in resin, and there's a lot of little details to be found on the exterior, like the roofing materials and brick detail all around. This model sells for $28.00 USD.
This next model is probably one of the 2nd biggest house structures in this new range of models. The Potion Shoppe is also a two-story structure, and it's made of a sturdy resin material as well. The brick detail all around is quite impressive, and like the Green Dragon Inn this building also has windows modeled open, but doors modeled closed.
By removing the roof you can see the 2nd floor detail, which includes a nice floor texture, plus a small dividing wall to make it more like a multiple room layout. Although the 2nd and 1st floors are completely separate from each other, as there's a staircase running up the outside exterior of the building to the 2nd floor, and then there's a door modeled below to access the 1st floor.
However the 2nd-story flooring removal is the only true way to access the interior of the 1st floor. Like the Green Dragon Inn, the Potion Shoppe too is a really nice s model, which has character and truly looks the part. The Potion Shoppe sells for $42.00 USD, but you'll need to supply the potions!
#6101 Stone Cutter's Cottage
Lastly we come to the Stone Cutter's Cottage. This is one of the smaller buildings available in this new range of 25mm-28mm medieval/fantasy structures. As the name implies, this is a small cottage of a stone cutter. Access to the shop is through the opening in the side of the structure, but a door is also sculpted on to it, however it's sculpted closed.
While not a multiple story building, the roof still comes off to reveal the interior. While there's not a lot of room inside, you could still easily fit a couple of models inside to play out RPG, and even small-scale combat if needed, which ever the case may be.
Also like the other models, this too is cast in resin, and there's a lot of little details to be found on the exterior, like the roofing materials and brick detail all around. This model sells for $28.00 USD.
Conclusion
The models I reviewed are all quite impressive. While they don't come painted, I can't see it being a huge undertaking to add some color to them either. The quality is right up there with any of the other JR Miniatures resin models too. Actually I'd have to say that these models were a lot cleaner around the edges, as there's a lot less flash to clean up around the windows and openings versus the 15mm scale models I reviewed just a few months ago from them.
Cost-wise, I've seen what pre-painted stuff from Miniature Building Authority can sell for, and in comparison I think these buildings are easily as nice, but a fraction of the cost, just unpainted. I took many photos with various medieval and fantasy models, and as you can see they really do look the part too.
I can see these being a lot of fun for GW's Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring, Mantic's Kings of War, GW's Warhammer Fantasy Battles 8th Ed, even Freebooter Miniatures Freebooter's Fate pirate game and Reaper's Warlord: Savage North just to name a few systems. Most any fantasy or medieval setting wargame or RPG could make use of this stuff without question.
There's also about a half dozen other new models available in this new range of models, like the Hogs Head Tavern, Shire Cottage and BlackSmith's Workshop just to name a few. Check out their website and take a look at them all, they all look very nice, and are priced reasonably enough that you don't need to take out a 2nd mortgage to own any of them!
They're also still running a holiday special at thier site, which includes free shipping on all orders placed before December 31st, 2010. They have lots of great stuff to spice up most any gaming table, so be sure to check them out if you haven't recently.
The models I reviewed are all quite impressive. While they don't come painted, I can't see it being a huge undertaking to add some color to them either. The quality is right up there with any of the other JR Miniatures resin models too. Actually I'd have to say that these models were a lot cleaner around the edges, as there's a lot less flash to clean up around the windows and openings versus the 15mm scale models I reviewed just a few months ago from them.
Cost-wise, I've seen what pre-painted stuff from Miniature Building Authority can sell for, and in comparison I think these buildings are easily as nice, but a fraction of the cost, just unpainted. I took many photos with various medieval and fantasy models, and as you can see they really do look the part too.
I can see these being a lot of fun for GW's Lord of the Rings: War of the Ring, Mantic's Kings of War, GW's Warhammer Fantasy Battles 8th Ed, even Freebooter Miniatures Freebooter's Fate pirate game and Reaper's Warlord: Savage North just to name a few systems. Most any fantasy or medieval setting wargame or RPG could make use of this stuff without question.
There's also about a half dozen other new models available in this new range of models, like the Hogs Head Tavern, Shire Cottage and BlackSmith's Workshop just to name a few. Check out their website and take a look at them all, they all look very nice, and are priced reasonably enough that you don't need to take out a 2nd mortgage to own any of them!
They're also still running a holiday special at thier site, which includes free shipping on all orders placed before December 31st, 2010. They have lots of great stuff to spice up most any gaming table, so be sure to check them out if you haven't recently.
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