This is a 2006 set (by date of manufacture) that I picked up in T K Maxx, the UK name for T J Maxx, and the ONLY shop in my corner of London that carries Playmobil (occasionally and randomly). Not sure why the catapult is owned by only one of these knights, but maybe Playmobil can't punctuate English. At least the French translation confirms ownership by more than one knight.
The title on the box indicates a North American release. This clan of Wolf Knights (black and red) is my favourite design, so it's a shame they were never in the official catalogue (as far as I know).
The box-back picture seems rather hastily taken - one red shoulder puff is not sitting right, and the same figure's belt is not straight. Informative, but uninspiring.
Both figures have been seen before, and are what I term "generic knights". They have no specific wolf heraldry on their bodies, so with a quick shield switch they could join the current Red Dragon Knights, which in the long term makes them more useful. Notice the right hand figure has different legs to those the box picture. This style of "knight" is my favourite through the years - really these are men-at-arms, and I reserve "knight" for their mounted and more heavily armed leaders.
I dislike the white wolf head-dress. I don't think it looks right, and black would have been better. Nor the red shoulder puffs, but these things are quickly changed. I have a use for the white head-dress elsewhere, so the set designer can still sleep soundly at night.
There are two swords, one poleaxe, and a dagger included, as well as two Wolf shields, so that's really a sword and a shield more than these guys needed - bonus. 4 rocks with a carrier, and three flame pots comprise the ammo for the catapult. I never considered it before, but the slots in the rocks allow a figure to hold them.
A field test found that this design of catapult flings a missile about three feet, with subsequent roll on flat surfaces (beware losing shots under the sofa). This is slightly farther than the smaller catapult used in the 4278 Roman set, and with a higher trajectory. It was also easier to operate, by twisting on the pivot rather than hitting the front lever, with less chance of knocking over surrounding klickies, and safer for the operator.
Here's the catapult crew surrounded by their Wolf Clan buddies. That white head-dress has to go.
Parts sheet for anyone who needs the part numbers. Heather, I shall be posting clearer and less crinkled scans tomorrow.
