Red Box 119 1/72 16th-17th c. Chinese Heavy Cavalry ent

The 16th and early 17th centuries were a period of slow decline for the ruling Ming dynasty and the country, when it found itself increasingly stretched to resource defence against threats from various directions, particularly the north, as well as numerous internal rebellions and raids. Foreign observers of the time are generally unimpressed with the Chinese martial spirit, and tactics were usually based on static defence behind walls and forts when danger threatened. On paper the number of men under arms was enormous, between one and two million, but in reality many of these were fabricated by corrupt officials, and when a crisis materialised central government struggled to raise even a portion of the soldiers that should have been available. Gaps were made up by mercenaries, generally of low quality, and mostly infantry, so there were very few cavalry available. The hope as always was that the heavy cavalry would slam into an enemy weakened by missile fire, but the reality was often very different.

Specifications

• Contents: 12 figures, 12 horses
• Poses: 6 poses, 6 horse poses
• Material: Plastic (Medium Consistency)