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Forest music

August 2012
W. Britain

Steve Iceton returns with a short overview of the Sherwood Foresters Regimental Band made by W. Britain exclusively for its collectors club in the 1990’s

In its centenary year, 1993, Britain introduced a new Collectors Club. This was a first time venture, aimed at adult toy figure collectors, and also marked a swing by the firm to move from the children's toy industry over to the adult collector market.

The new club promised a quarterly journal and exclusive figures at the rate of one a year. The first of these member only figures was to be the Drum Major of the Sherwood Foresters band, followed annually by the rest of the bandsmen. The gloss painted figures were based on the limited editions range first issued in 1983.

The Sherwood Foresters were formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 45th Nottinghamshire Regiment and the 95th Derbyshire Regiment to become the 1st and 2nd Battalions of the new regiment. They are now part of the Mercian Regiment and no longer have a band.

The dress of the bandsmen was based on the 1910 English Regiments band uniform, featuring a green home service pattern helmet, scarlet jacket with green facings, 'wings' and drummers lace, and dark blue trousers with red stripe.

The demand was there and the figures proved popular so as a means of speeding up the issue, members were allowed to buy boxed sets of three, rather than wait several years to obtain them all, and by 1996 the full band of 12 figures was complete.

Each box had a certificate which features the collectors own membership number which were given to each person as they joined.

Also a large decorated box to contain all the boxes could be obtained. These excellent toy soldiers were never sold through retail outlets and could only be collected by club members, which makes them sought after by early 'new metal' collectors.

Drum Major of the Sherwood Foresters band on the left

For details on the current W. Britain Collectors Club visit: 'www.wbritaincollectorsclub.com

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Napoleon & Lasalle

June 2012
King & Country

If you’re a collector of Napoleonic figures then I’m guessing you might have at least one Napoleon in your cabinet or diorama already, so it makes me wonder why King & Country have produced yet another version of the great leader?

Now don’t get me wrong, I like this figure, it has everything Napoleon should have, small stature, an air of arrogance and of course the arm tucked inside the jacket. However given that K&C have been producing figures for the Napoleonic period for more years than I can remember it was just a figure I know they have covered in various poses over time and so doing yet another version of him seems a strange choice (can anyone actually tell me how many different Napoleon’s K&C have made?)

The unusual choice aside this latest version of Napoleon, as I’ve already said, is very well produced with good detailing and a nicely detailed painted finish.

To accompany the new mounted Napoleon is his trusted General Antoine Charles Louis Lasalle, personally I feel a figure more interesting in both pose and uniform than Napoleon, and not to mention less covered. Known for his daring, and often foolhardy, exploits the new LaSalle figure vibrantly brings the character to life. He’s mounted on his steed, which appears to be chomping at the bit to charge, urging his men forwards to glory.

Both figures are equally well produced although priced at £102.95/$105 and £107.95/$109 respectively these they may well be out of the reach of many on a limited budget.

Review by Andy Whittaker

Contact:

King & Country
Room 2301
No. Lockhart Road
Wanchai
Hong Kong

Tel: + 852 2861 3450
www.kingandcountry.com

In the UK:

King & Country UK
Unit 17 Enterprise City
Meadowfield Avenue
Green Lane Industrial Estate
Spennymoor
Co Durham
DL16 6JF

Tel: 01388 818882
www.kingandcountry.co.uk

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Casting around

June 2012
Paul Stocker looks at the latest castings to arrive on the market

Morgan Miniatures
The Foreign Legion at Camarón

I mentioned Gareth Morgan’s new Foreign Legion figures last time and I can now show the six new releases, an officer and five legionnaires, depicting the Legion’s legendary last stand.

In late 1861, Napoleon III of France sent an expeditionary force to invade Mexico following President Benito Juárez's suspension of interest payments to foreign countries earlier that year. For France, a friendly government in Mexico would provide an opportunity to expand trade into new markets and the access to the silver mined in Mexico would help finance France’s empire.

The Battle of Camarón took place on April 30, 1863 between a detachment of the French Foreign Legion and the Mexican army and is regarded by the Legion as a defining moment in its history. A small Legion patrol of sixty-two soldiers and three officers was attacked by a Mexican force and forced to make a defensive stand in the Hacienda Camarón near Veracruz, besieged by possibly two thousand infantry and cavalry. The conduct of the defence would define the Legions’ fighting spirit. When the last two surviving Legionnaires were asked to surrender, they insisted that Mexican soldiers allow them safe passage home with their arms and the body of their commanding officer. The Mexican commander responded, "What can I refuse to such men? No, these are not men, they are devils", and he agreed to their terms. French forces withdrew from Mexico in 1866.

The new releases are typically high quality castings, assembly only requires fixing the arms in place and the fit of parts is excellent. Castings cost £8.50 each (£24 each painted matt). UK recorded delivery P&P - £1.50 for the first figure, 60p for each subsequent figure; Europe - £2.50 for the first figure, £1.50 for each additional figure; Rest of the World - email for a quote to morganminiatures@hotmail.co.uk. Gareth accepts payment via Paypal for overseas customers. Gareth tells me he will be expanding his depiction of French intervention in Mexico with Mexican Imperial and Republican troops in due course.

Contact:

Gareth Morgan
60 Warnham Court Road
Carshalton Beeches
Surrey
SM5 3LZ

http://www.morganminiatures.homestead.com

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Fantastic Plastics

Mike Blake reviews the latest plastic figures for collectors
June 2012

Toy Soldiers of San Diego
Set #21 ‘The Gunfighters’

Here is the full review I promised in the last issue. This is an unusual set for TSSD, in that it contains just four figures – but they are four very special ones. They are the three Earp brothers and Doc Holliday ‘defending’ the town of Tombstone. These figures were originally produced in a limited edition in resin but the new set is in more traditional grey plastic.

The poses and clothing are very close to those from the film Tombstone, though no doubt for copyright reasons etc. this is not made explicit. The Earp’s wear coats, Wyatt a long overcoat, Virgil and Morgan shorter frockcoats, whilst Doc has discarded his cape-coat and is in shirt and suspenders (braces on this side of the Atlantic). Wyatt is armed with a somewhat controversial weapon, a revolver which is clearly meant to be a ‘Buntline Special’ with 12” barrel. Whilst this is popularly seen as a firearm associated with Wyatt Earp, the reality is still in debate and even the existence of such guns is disputed. Be that as it may, the figure looks great pointing this awesome piece! In the movie it was Kurt Russell as Wyatt Earp, Val Kilmer as Doc Holliday, Sam Elliott as Virgil Earp and Bill Paxton as Morgan Earp, of course.

This is an excellent set from TSSD, capturing the flavour of the Hollywood Old West and the figures will make great gunfighters, whether as their historical ‘originals’, or as new made-up characters.

To follow there will be a set for the opposition, Set #23 The Cowboys, four all new cowboy poses. After these are further along, TSSD will have many more American West figures coming out, starting with set #24 The Texas Rangers.

TSSD also have a range of 54mm Western buildings which will be perfect for the new gunfighters but also usable for many different periods and places. The plan is for some standard building bases/back/sides, and then numerous different building front choices. By combining the new building pieces with already existing items, it will be possible to form a complete town.

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Casting around

Paul Stocker looks at the latest castings to arrive on the market
March 2012

Dorset Soldiers
Various new releases

Giles Brown was in the course of moving at the time of writing and his normally impressive output of new releases was temporarily interrupted so there were only a small number of new castings for me to feature.

Thanks to a collector providing figures from which he was able to produce moulds, Giles has added the Timpo West Point drum major and bass drummer to the West Point bandsman featured in issue 43. The expectation of these additions had Giles taking orders for West Point bands at the London show in December.

Giles was asked by a customer to produce a Timpo Guards bandsman and he’s now done that by removing the arms of a cymbal player so that other arms and instruments can be used. All these band figures have the chunkier look and feel that was characteristic of Timpo’s figures in the 1950s.

The bandsmen castings cost £4.10 each (£11 painted gloss) except the base drummer to which an extra
£1.90 needs to be added for the bass drum (£14 for the base drummer painted gloss).

There are also two new additions to Giles’ civilian castings. The first is a copy of the attractive horse that Britains used for light carts and their milk float. The horse casting is a two part kit and costs £7.20 (£19 painted gloss). The other civilian item is the Hilco railway guard to add to the Hilco figures for a railway station already in Giles lists. The casting costs £3.30 (£11 painted gloss). Apparently Hilco also sold him painted as a WWI medical officer so he could serve in that role as well.

Giles tells me that the mounted ‘Ivanhoe’ knight featured in issue 43 is proving popular with customers and he now has original figures from which to make moulds for the later version of the same figure with a moveable visor, the mounted knight with a moveable visor from Timpo’s ‘Knights of the Round Table’ set and also Timpo’s mounted crusader. The crusaders were originally intended to be sold alongside the ‘Ivanhoe’ knights but they were actually issued much later. Giles will produce these other knights if there is sufficient customer interest. Speaking entirely selfishly now, please show an interest.

Horse & guard castings, Britains work horse and Hilco railway guard

Giles new releases measure 54mm approx. Postage in the UK is an additional 10%, 18% for overseas orders. Giles sets a minimum value of £10 for all orders.

Contact:

Dorset Soldiers
48 Fortuneswell
Portland
Dorset
DT51LZ

Tel: 01305 823003
www.dorsetsoldiers.com

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New Metal Figures

Rob Hendrie reviews the second batch of new metal figures for issue 45
March 2012

King & Country
WWI and WWII

Among K&C’s March releases are two long-awaited new WWII vehicles. Although we’ve seen other versions of them before, they will be especially welcome and are sure to be popular.

I especially like the British Dingo Armoured car (DD163) which is limited to 250 worldwide. A reconnaissance vehicle of the Guards Armoured Division in Normandy, it is painted in typical British ‘Mickey Mouse’ pattern. Nicely weathered and worn and detailed to the usual standard, the Dingo includes a separate Bren Light machine gun and driver. The commander looking through binoculars can be bought separately as an add-on set and he can also be put to work on other British armoured vehicles.

Flying the flag for the Americans in Normandy 1944 is a new US Armoured Jeep (DD161). This is a summer version of K&C’s earlier Battle of the Bulge jeep but here boasting an all-new driver. A really useful add-on here is another version of the jeep trailer (DD162) with a new load and this can be towed behind other K&C American vehicles too.

Stepping back to World War One, I had a look on the K&C website and was amazed at just how extensively their WW1 range has been building over the years. The company is now adding the ‘1914 Era’ French figures pictured here. In appearance, the French of 1914 were very reminiscent of their 1870s Franco-Prussian War cousins. It would take another year before the highly visible red was replaced by the less conspicuous horizon –blue uniform with which we more commonly today associate the French of WWI.

These are good action figures. I especially like the active machine gun set (FW079) which I think is an early Hotchkiss with sandbags beneath the tripod to aid stability. The concentration on the face of the ammo feeder adds to the effect making the set both compact and excellent.

Overall, the detailing and painting is what we now expect from this company. The valises, with mess tins and prominent godillots (offering tired feet a rest from the heavier ankle boots), hang realistically well and I like the subtle weathering of all the boots and the blue greatcoats which greatly aids the realism. A good, varied attacking/advancing formation can be achieved with these poses with a special mention for the real leadership look of a most striking officer (FW074) who oozes determination.

Against the excitement generated by these Frenchmen, I must just observe that the two additional WW1 marching Germans seem a bit dull by comparison! Both with rifles slung, they are ready to join the many other early-war German marching figures already released.

Finally, I heard a whisper that K&C are gearing up to return to the WWII Eastern Front next month or early May by releasing three T34 Russian tanks in Winter camouflage. Limited to only 250 of each worldwide, a feature will be that they will each sport different numbers.

Review by Rob Hendrie

Contact:

King & Country
Room 2301
No. Lockhart Road
Wanchai
Hong Kong

Tel: + 852 2861 3450
www.kingandcountry.com

In the UK:

King & Country UK
Unit 17 Enterprise City
Meadowfield Avenue
Green Lane Industrial Estate
Spennymoor
Co Durham
DL16 6JF

Tel: 01388 818882
www.kingandcountry.co.uk

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Fantastic Plastics

Mike Blake reviews the latest plastic figures for collectors
March 2012

Emhar
Viking Warriors 9th-10th Century

I mentioned that this set had been re-released in Plastic News last issue and promised a full review, so here it is. The figures are 1:32 scale (54mm), this time in hard grey plastic, with Emhar as a trademark of UK company Pocketbond. The colourful box art shows these fierce some warriors in full colour with a painting guide on the back.

All free Viking men were required to own weapons and permitted to carry them all the time, and such arms were indicative of a man’s social status. A wealthy Viking would have helmet, shield, chainmail shirt, and sword. A freeman was more likely to fight with a spear and shield, and carry a knife. Whilst bows were used in the opening stages of battles they were not considered as honourable as hand weapons. Axes were also often their main battle weapon. The Húscarls, the King’s elite guard, for example, were armed with two-handed axes which could easily split shields and metal helmets.

There are 12 figures in 12 poses in the set, so plenty of variety. Some are actually multipart, with separate arms, hands, shields or weapons. Care needs to be taken when removing the figures from the box, as there are some very delicate parts. Bent weapons will recover when given the hot water treatment.

Some weapons have the hands or arms of the figure wielding them attached, which does make assembly (with superglue or polystyrene cement) easier, but it limits the conversion potential, as the hands may not be in the right positions for the new pose – but this is a minor caveat and easily remedied. There are also a couple of loose shields, which is idea as they can then be used in any way you like, held or slung on the body, to create more variations.

The detail of clothing, armour (mail shirts and helmets) and weapons is clean and crisp. Given the separate parts and the way the figures are sculpted, mostly in lively action poses befitting these Norse warriors, conversions to create even more poses and variations should be easy to do with a little care and some modelling putty. Variation is important in a set like this, of course, as no two warriors would be the same, all clothing and weaponry depending entirely on personal preferences.

There is a very enticing picture of a longship on the back of the box, but unfortunately it is only available in 1:72 scale. If you want one for your Viking raiders, Playmobile made one which fits into the 1:32 scale nicely. Unfortunately it will have to be secondhand as they no longer make it.

If you want to supplement these Vikings with more men, the Tehnolog Vikings were reviewed in issue 40 and the DSG ones will be covered soon!

Contact:

Emhar
Pocketbond Ltd
PO Box 80
Welwyn
AL6 0ND

www.btinternet.com/
pocketbond

Review set kindly provided by:

Weston Toy Soldiers
14 Limburg Road
Canvey Island
Essex
SS8 0QJ

Tel: 01268 680117
www.plasticsoldiers.co.uk

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Paragon - Mounted Apaches

Mike Blake reviews the latest plastic figures for collectors
February 2012

This is the latest set from Paragon Scenics & Miniatures, a small US company manufacturing plastic 54mm (1:32 scale) toy soldiers and rigid foam scenic accessories for collectors and wargamers. The set, Apaches #3, consists of six unpainted figures in six action poses on six TSSD Horses. There is a choice of two colours, Buckskin and Cream, with two Black, two Brown and two Cream Horses in every bag.

The poses are all very dynamic and the warriors are armed with a wide assortment of weapons as well as their main one. I particularly like the rider brandishing two revolvers, really a force to be reckoned with! Others are firing a bow; armed with levelled lance; firing a carbine; wielding a lance over-arm; and firing a carbine one-handed.

Apache means ‘enemy’ in Zuni and their own name for themselves was Nde or Ndee, meaning ‘the people’. Roaming the Southwest deserts, particularly Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and northern Mexico, most lived in small wickiups, simple wooden frames covered by brush or buffalo-hides. Originally men wore leather war shirts and breechcloths, and moccasins or high moccasin boots. In the 1800's, many Apache men adopted cotton tunics and trousers, usually white, from the Mexicans. They did not generally use feather warbonnets, wearing leather or cloth headbands instead. Men often cut their hair to shoulder length and wore shell jewellery, especially choker-style necklaces. The Apaches also painted their faces for war, and for religious and festive ceremonies.

Paragon make US Cavalry for these warriors to fight, but the Apaches traded and fought with other tribes of the Southwest. They were known for raiding neighbouring tribes and stealing horses, corn, and other goods. Whilst Europeans considered a direct attack honourable they thought sneaking in and stealing things was cowardly. To the Apaches stealthily raiding another tribe's camp was a brave deed and warriors went on raids to prove their courage. Apache’s usually only fought ‘wars’ in revenge or in defending their lands from Mexican and American invaders.

There is a real flair and sense of movement – and menace – about these figures, the mounted versions of the foot figures already available. Whilst despite Hollywood Apaches might have rarely fought mounted except soon after they first acquired the horse, these figures are essential additions to any Old West collection and wargames frontier set up. They come riding straight out of Ulzana’s Raid, sending a shiver down the settler’s and cavalryman’s spine as they appear as if from nowhere and disappear just as quickly in a swirl of dust!

Contact:

Tel: +1 707 536-9801 (US)
www.paragon-scenics.com

In the UK:

Weston Toy Soldiers
14 Limburg Road
Canvey Island
Essex
SS8 0QJ

Tel: 01268 680117
www.plasticsoldiers.co.uk

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GNM Miniatures - Napoleonic Diorama

Reviews of new metal figures to arrive in the hobby by Rob Hendrie
February 2012

There can be few other more recognisable charges in the whole of British military history than this ... so no prizes for guessing that this diorama depicts the charge of the Scots Greys and Gordon Highlanders at Waterloo. It is titled ‘Scotland Forever’ after Lady Butler’s famous 1881 painting of the same name.

With richly-detailed resin bases and thirteen 60mm metal figures, this all-action diorama from Graham Mollard comes in three sections – the middle section of which has been seen before. There is much to take in here; the wider picture as well as the well-composed and executed individual combats.

The French figures represent the Foot Artillery with the exception of the axe-wielding sapper. Down at eye level, as some of these photographs illustrate, you get an excellent sense of just what it was like to be a foot soldier facing fast incoming cavalry. Generate a bit of smoke to waft across it and the acrid sniff of cordite and you could almost be there!

The golden segment for me is on the right with the thunderously flowing, flying grey which has just leapt a destroyed canon and now delivers its rider towards a French bayonet. I think this brilliant piece of action is representative of Wellington’s later lament that ‘the British cavalry never know when to stop charging.’ The charge went further than intended and, with spent horses, the Scots were then heavily attacked and struggled to regain their lines. In all, the 2nd Dragoons (Scots Greys) lost 102 men killed, 97 injured and 228 horses were lost. The fate of one of them is depicted on the left hand section of this piece.

All the figures featured were specially made for this diorama and are only available as part of each individual section as seen. If you commit to buying the whole diorama it will be possible to purchase one figure at a time and build up to the full diorama.

Graham Mollard’s creations are always passionate, romantic and painstaking celebrations of a vivid, richly coloured period of soldiery. This diorama packs all that in but this potent mix also includes the heat, courage and chaos of battle.

Contact:

GNM Miniatures
The Old Chapel
Selby Road
Camblesforth
Selby
North Yorkshire
YO8 8HX

Tel: 01757 611485
Email: gnmminiatures@btinternet.com

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Tradition of London - British Hussars

Paul Stocker looks at the latest castings to arrive on the market
February 2012

Tradition have had Scots Greys and Dragoons in their toy range of British troops for the period 1803 - 1815 for some time. They have now added light cavalry in the form of five mounted figures of the 7th (Queen’s Own) Hussars – an officer, trumpeter, sergeant and two troopers (the same figure but on different horses).
The 7th Hussars – once nicknamed ‘The Saucy Seventh’ – were converted from Light Dragoons to Hussars in 1806 and were one of the most fashionable regiments of the time. They took part in Sir John Moore’s retreat from Corunna in 1808 and gained some prestige in actions against the French at Sahagun and Benavente.
On the eve of Waterloo the 7th charged advancing Polish Lancers at Genappe. In the battle itself, the 7th were on the extreme right of the allied line, north of the Chateau of Hougoumont. They were not used until early evening when they charged over a dozen times. In twenty-four hours the regiment lost two officers killed and eleven wounded, sixty two other ranks killed and one hundred and nine wounded.
The Hussar castings are excellent with all the characteristic details of the handsome Hussar uniforms reproduced very well indeed. Assembly of the seven or eight part kits is typically straightforward and the parts fit together very well.
The most work that may be needed is a slight enlargement of the holes to take corresponding locating plugs, for example on the separately cast right arms. The left hand of the trumpeter is also cast separately and, since it’s obviously quite small, this could easily go missing if the kit isn’t unpacked with a bit of care.
As well as the castings there are two gloss painted sets available – one consists of an officer, trumpeter and a sergeant and the other contains three troopers.
The castings measure 55mm approx and cost £16.95.
The painted sets of three figures cost £94.75.
Postage costs: United Kingdom 15%, minimum £3.95; 10%; EC Countries 20%, minimum £6.00; Overseas 25%, minimum £7.50.

Contact:

Tradition of London
5a Shepherd Street
Mayfair
London
W1J 7HW

Tel: 020 7493 7452
www.traditionoflondon.com

Pictures: British 7th Hussars officer and trumpeter (painted)