Inspired by the fun we have playing Chain of Command I started with these Finnish rifleman from the Baker Company kickstarter.I did about half a platoon a few years back using Brigade games and Battle Honors figures so I was overly excited when this Baker kickstarter arrived on the scene. Eager to get my platoon to strength I backed for a finnish platoon deal and hoped for the best. Especially when Baker company announced it would catch up to modern standards since their current range was outdated and not compatible to the current standard of miniatures. Unfortunately it didn't turn out exactly how I wished for.
IMHO Baker has been a victim of it's own success and he started sculpting, producing and shipping thousands and thousands of figures like a madman. And yes, I do appreciate the energy and enthusiasm he puts into it but I feel he just forgot his first goal as I understood it: Get Baker Company on the map again with fine quality modern figures.
So it became a rush job and you notice it. Flash everywhere, some weird faces and a couple of odd figures. A detailed inspection does not make you that much happier.
But…
I decided to paint up a few and see how they turned out. I took them to my friends here for a final test (they are waiting for their Russians now) if I would continue with them. Well, obviously we found them good enough to give them a paint and have a few games. I was lucky I painted the other half of the platoon in a heavy mud look so I could throw all sorts of brown on those as well which helps camouflaging things.
In the end I'm happy how they turned out and I look forward receiving the extras for this kickstarter because for 60£ you get a lot, and I mean a lot, of extras. That, all the hardware you will get, and the fact these are Winter War makes the kickstarted worthwhile to me. I just hope Baker learned from this journey and sorts thing out when he starts his next kickstarter. We know he can sculpt well because there are good quality figures with these as well.
