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Weston Toy Company Logo Figure Set

Now here is something very special.
Steve Weston lives up to his name, in that he is a bit of a western nut, sorry, enthusiast. Hence his figure company’s logo was a US cavalry officer and a Gatling Gun. He had always wanted have the logo reproduced in miniature. An earlier attempt was a bit of a failure but now at last here it is.
What makes the set special is that it is a Limited Edition, like the splendid Cattle Drive sets WTC produced a while back, of just 360 sets. The idea of limited runs in any material other than metal is a new one, and Steve is to be congratulated for giving it a go.

The figures in the set are cast in a dark grey premium quality poli-resin, and are excellent. Whilst the officer figure from the WTC logo is, of course, included, there is also a trooper actually firing the gun, and in addition, a really nicely done dead or wounded horse with a cavalryman sheltering behind it firing his carbine. The sculpting is excellent in terms of both detail and animation, and the castings are really clean and crisp, without mold lines or excess to remove.

The Gatling gun itself is from AIP, but it has been customised by the inclusion of a circular poli-resin ‘Doughnut’ magazine to replace the tubular one supplied with the original. As an additional bonus the gun comes with the originals extra gun barrels and axle seats and boxes.

The box has a colour print of the WTC logo which makes a good painting guide.

Contact:
Steve Weston Toy Soldiers
14 Limburg Road
Canvey Island
Essex
SS8 0QJ
Tel: 01268 680117

www.plasticsoldiers.co.uk

Weston Toy Company’s Gatling gun and crew

The cavalry trooper and horse

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Rank & File

Up Spirits
Any new items from Rank & File are always of interest to toy soldier collectors as Peter Tarrant usually comes up with something out of the ordinary and these latest additions to his Royal Navy range do not disappoint. ‘Up Spirits!‘ focuses (if you forgive my somewhat ironic analogy considering the subject matter) on the former naval practice of issuing the daily rum ration, a custom which existed from 1655, after the capture of Jamaica, right up until 1970.

Prior to the mid 17th century the staple tipple of British seamen had been initially beer, and later wine but with the capture of Jamaica in 1655, a country famous for the dark drink, that all changed. Drinking water was impossible to keep fresh in casks; beer was issued at the incredible dosage of one gallon per day per seaman! With the expansion of British interests globally came increasing pressure to provide enough suitable fluids on long voyages and in hot climates and beer did not keep well. Wines and spirits became more common until rum was finally introduced and proved popular. Rum has always been synonymous with sailors and pirates alike. Pirates favoured something called Bumbo, rum based but lacking the citrus juice added by the British Navy to help prevent scurvy amongst its crews. Half a pint of neat rum was originally issued not once but twice a day in the Navy and wary sailors would check that their drink was not being watered down by pouring a small amount onto gunpowder, then setting it alight, which is where the term ‘proof’ comes from and is still used in alcoholic manufacture to this day. In 1740 the rum was finally watered down, for obvious health and safety reasons!

On the July 31, 1970, all that tradition came to an end. By this date the daily tot had dwindled to an eighth of a pint but according to Peter Tarrant an ex Navy man himself this drink was incredibly strong stuff and “Would leave you speechless for a minute or two if you weren’t used to it.” Peter added “If you were on watch at midday you received your tot in the afternoon. Senior ranks received a neat tot of rum while the others were given grog a third rum and two thirds water. Junior ratings under 18 years of age went without. If you did someone a favour you were often invited for ‘sippers’, this was literally a sip of rum to say thank you. If you were teetotal you got extra pay to compensate you, not a lot just a token amount, but most people looked forward to their daily tot. I left the navy in 1964, but it must have been a dark day when it ceased.”

Five figures and a half barrel, all expertly sculpted by Alan Caton, evoke a scene enacted in the British Navy for countless years, every day at midday all and sundry would queue for their tot of rum. Here we see two eager sailors being issued their grog by the Chief Regulating Officer. The list is ticked off by a Leading Regulator and all this being supervised by the Officer of the Day. These men work well visually as a unit and equally stand alone very well, something useful to remember as each individual then can be used in other settings. The time frame these five navy men occupy is 1950’s/60’s but I see no problem incorporating them into a WWII scenario.

Taking them in terms of rank, there are:

Officer of the Day, he is the essence of authority, smart and trim, a very tidy figure with great potential in a multitude of settings.
The bearded Chief Regulating Officer looks to be a stern individual, there is a good poise to this figure.
The Leading Regulator with his check list is another crisp clean figure, again useful in other settings.
The two ratings, one with his mug full the other about to raise his empty vessel for his daily issue. Two good sleeves rolled up work a day men who again have vast potential, think of them in other contexts, drinking any beverage.

In addition to the figures there’s also the half barrel where the precious spirits are stored. On the front in gold lettering are the words ‘The Queen God bless her’, the wood grain effect on the barrel is excellent. So to sum up ‘Up Spirits!’ top marks to Peter Tarrant’s innovation and Alan Caton’s skill for bringing us something truly out of the ordinary.

So a fascinating subject worthy of closer inspection, and if all of this has whetted your appetite this new set by Rank & File ‘Up Spirits’ can be yours for £49.95.

Review and photo by Dennis Diamond

Contact:

Rank & File
16 Oxbarton
Stoke Gifford
Bristol
BS34 8RP

Tel: 01454 777278
[www.tarrantstoysoldiers.com]

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Casting around

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

Dorset Soldiers
Timpo medievals and other release

Giles Brown’s latest releases are many and varied but I can’t help giving precedence to his latest reproductions of Timpo’s medieval figures from the 1950s.

Giles has followed up his version of Timpo’s ‘Quentin Durward’ set with a reproduction of the mounted knight from the earlier ‘Ivanhoe’ set. Timpo’s set of six mounted figures was the first time the company teamed up with MGM to produce a set of model figures based on the principal characters of a movie. The figures were actually a re-issue of Timpo’s mounted knight with a lance, previously issued alongside a mounted knight with a sword and a chrome plated finish to represent armour and mounted on a simply painted black or brown horse. Three of the ‘Ivanhoe’ figures were painted in colours directly representing characters in the 1952 movie but the other three were painted in colours devised by Timpo.

Timpo ‘Ivanhoe’ knight casting

‘Ivanhoe’ knight painted

Timpo produced this set between around 1951 and 1956 although they became less widely available after the second collaboration with MGM led to the release of the ‘Knights of the Round Table’ set to coincide with the release of that MGM film in 1953. Perhaps as a result of the success of the second set, whose figures depicted the characters from the film much more closely with moveable visors and coloured plumes, the ‘Ivanhoe’ figures were remodeled and re-released with moveable visors. Examples of these second release figures are very rare but, for some reason, Timpo included a re-painted version in the Round Table set to depict the character of the Green Knight.

Giles will be making the mounted knight available with different coloured plumes and painted in different colours. The mounted knight casting costs £10.55 (£28 painted gloss).

To accompany the mounted knight, Giles has produced two Timpo medieval figures on foot. One is King Arthur from that Round Table set, thought by many, including me, to be a small masterpiece of design and casting. The pose of the figure is based on Arthur as he appears at the Round Table early on in the movie leading his Knights in their sacred oath and it replicates the character wonderfully well. I suppose it represents praise of a sort that the figure was reproduced, albeit in plastic and much less successfully, at least twice: first by Lone Star and much later by a French manufacturer of cheap plastics.

Timpo King Arthur and foot knight

King Arthur and foot knight painted

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All The King’s Men - American War of Independence General

Review taken from 'Casting Around'

Although Ken Cliff has been putting a lot of effort into his War of 1812 and Napoleonic ranges, he has not forgotten about the American War of Independence. He has released a very welcome addition to the AWI range in the form of a mounted general. This new kit consists of a rider in a greatcoat, two left arms – one with a telescope and one with a map or document - two different heads with tricornes and a rather fine standing horse. The photos show the possible variations in assembly. The style of the figure's coat allows him be used for any army involved in the conflict - British, American, Hessian or French. As with all Ken’s mounted figures, the rider is metal and the horse is plastic to keep the figure relatively light.

The mounted general measures 56mm approximately and is sold as an unpainted kit costing $10 plus postage.

Ken now stocks two horse casualties made by Classic Toy Soldiers and BMC for collectors who want to add some extra realism to displays or wargames using any of his ranges. Ken sells them in packs of six horses of one type and each pack costs $10 plus postage.

For orders up to $50, shipping costs are approximately $7 or less per set, assuming a Continental US customer (rates drop per set according to the size of the order). Contact Ken about costs to destinations outside the USA.

Date Published Sat, 07/23/2011 - 09:10
Author: Paul Stocker

Contact
All the King's Men Toy Soldiers LLC
2456 Hewatt Road
Snellville
GA 30039
USA

Tel: 770 978 1645
www.allthekingsmentoysoldiers.com

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Tehnolog - Zaporozhci (Zaporozhian Cossacks)

Review taken from 'Fantastic Plastics'

Yet more unpainted hard plastic 1:32 scale sets from this Russian company have arrived with me. As always there is excellent engraved detail. Many of the poses are such that converting them to riders should be fairly easy, making it possible to have a foot and mounted version of each, perfect for skirmish games!

The whole range covers many historical and ‘unhistorical’ (fantasy and sci-fi) periods. There is a charm about these figures, which over time have got better and better in terms of sculpting and detail. The number of figures in a box varies apparently, but all the ones I have seen have five figures in five poses. Figures stand on their feet without a base. Most have an officer or a ‘special’ figure of some sort, and they are all ‘baseless’, in other words they stand up on their own two feet. The figures paint up well, as the photographs show. The boxes are full colour, with views of the figures in the set and painting instructions.

The historical set this time is of Zaporozhian Cossacks, who lived on the steppes of Ukraine, and some great characters they are too! Their numbers grew in the 15th to 17th centuries, and they were involved in a series of conflicts and alliances with the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, Russia, and the Ottoman Empire. They were renowned for their raids against the Ottoman Empire and its vassals, although they did not shy away from pillaging other neighbours. In the middle of the 17th century they even managed to create an independent state. Later they became the autonomous Cossack Hetmanate, a suzerainty under the ‘protection’ of the Russian Tsar but ruled by the local Hetmans, until in the latter half of the 18th century the Host was dissolved by the Russians.

Unfortunately there’s still no UK supplier, but sets do turn up on eBay.

Date Published Sat, 07/23/2011 - 09:06
Author: Mike Blake

Contact
Tehnolog Ltd
108 Lunacharskiy Street
Gelendzhik
Krasnodar Region
353460
Russia

Tel: +7 86141 24658
www.tehnolog.ru/product/bf.php

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Heritage Miniatures - British Colonial range- 1882-1898

Review taken from 'New Releases Part 1'

The massive 60mm Colonial range from Heritage Miniatures has recently branched into three hand-to-hand combats between Naval Brigade figures and their Hadendowa opponents. Here, we see a Hadendowa warrior moving in for the kill against a Camel Corps officer who is trying to pull a felled, wounded trooper to safety.

It’s a nice touch to get height into the piece by putting the warrior on top of the fallen camel to assert his ascendency. The camel is nicely posed and his raised head gives additional animation to the set, the facial expressions are entirely appropriate and the difficulty of this particular rescue is well depicted and captures the desperation of the moment. Both bases are good and detailed and varied weaponry is on show.

I’ve said before I think that some collectors may prefer a bit more blood and gore than is seen here but The Rescue is a nicely executed and well thought-out vignette which holds tension because the outcome could go either way. There are bags of other complimentary figures of both sides in this range to build around this vignette.

The Rescue costs £80 painted. Castings are not available.

Date Published Sun, 05/22/2011 - 10:36
Author: Rob Hendrie

Contact
Heritage Miniatures
25 Main Street
Seamer
North Yorkshire
YO12 4PS

Tel: 01723 864453
www.maisonmilitaire.co.uk

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Morgan Miniatures - New Conquistador

Review taken from 'Casting Around'

Gareth Morgan has released a really excellent new Conquistador for his Conquest of Mexico range. This is capable of a number of variations according to which arms are chosen for it. Each casting consists of five pieces: the figure itself, a separate base, a scabbard, an arm with a long sword and an arm with a round shield. There are actually quite a large number of possible variations but Gareth is only releasing the four shown here to avoid the permutations becoming thoroughly confusing.

It’s worth noting that most if not all of Gareth’s Conquistadors are just as suitable for the conflicts in Europe in the 16th Century as they are for the Spanish conquest of Mexico.

Still in Mexico, Gareth is working on a new range of figures to depict the French Foreign Legion’s legendary last stand at the battle of Cameron in 1863, which he hopes to release soon. I have seen some masters and they look excellent and I look forward to reviewing castings in due course.

The different versions of the new Conquistador figure are very fine castings and they are very easy to assemble. Castings measure 60mm and cost £8.50 each (£24 each painted matt) plus postage.

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.

Date Published Sun, 05/22/2011 - 10:29
Author: Paul Stocker

Contact
Morgan Miniatures
60 Warnham Court Road
Carshalton Beeches
Surrey
SM5 3LZ

www.morganminiatures.homestead.com

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Ivanhoe Figures - Medieval Foot

Review taken from 'Fantastic Plastics'

It’s great to see Len Cooksey’s Ivanhoe Figures back in production with a new set continuing his Medieval figure range. They are, like the previous releases, produced in grey resin and 1:32 scale. There is yet another crossbowman, this one standing rather casually with crossbow stirrup resting on the ground by his right foot. Even Len doesn’t know how they came to produce three crossbowmen, as he told me at the London show, but very welcome this third one is nonetheless. I will be able to add another unit of foot crossbowmen to my Al Andalus Moorish army now – just by adding a modelling putty turban to the figures.

The other two figures are even more interesting – a ‘Handgonner’ and his mate! The two figures go together, the gunner holding the primitive firearm (a simple metal tube attached to a straight wooden stock) on one shoulder, and the other figure holding a small taper or length of ‘match’ setting the charge off. This was all a fairly hazardous undertaking and both men involved would have needed to have been made of sturdy stuff.

The animation is nicely done, and the detail very crisp, with very little discernable mould lines on the figures. The clothing is a mixture of mail, cloth and padded brigantines, with different helmets and headgear, and an assortment of personal armaments like swords and daggers.

All in all a marvellous new addition to the few medieval figures around, and a must for any collector interested in depicting the history of firearms. Full marks to Len and his sculptor for these splendid chaps.

Date Published Sun, 05/22/2011 - 10:22
Author: Mike Blake

Contact
Ivanhoe Figures
6 Manor House Road
Rotherham
South Yorkshire
S61 1NT

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Four Feathers Toy Soldiers - ‘Towing the Navy’

Review taken from 'New Releases Part 1'

Four Feathers, one of the Argentinean based producers, continued to expand rapidly during 2010 with the introduction of new sets on a monthly basis.

The latest set I have got my hands on serves to demonstrate the company’s desire to give the collector the opportunity to acquire figures and sets that are out of the ordinary. ‘Towing the Navy’ is no exception as it features an elephant waist deep in the river being encouraged to tow a British naval boat out of difficulties due to an engine failure. As with a number of previous sets from Four Feathers, this set draws on possible real life experiences at the time for the composition of subjects and figures.

A patrol boat of the Royal Navy armed with a machinegun has lost engine power and all the professional skills of the crew cannot get it going again as it starts to drift dangerously towards the river bank. The three sailors wear the distinctive white trousers and Navy Blue shirts with bibs attached, so typical of the tropical uniform issued during the period and they are all protected from the strong equatorial sun by large round straw hats. Meanwhile the officer in his very elegant Navy Blue suit realizes that the steel and copper steam boiler is not enough to get the boat out of this situation, and so he decides that the forces of nature should be employed and calls on elephant power to save the day!

Jaabir, a very experienced mahout is summoned with his powerful elephant Ganapathy. He puts the elephant to work immediately and in his first try gets Ganapathy to successfully tow the boat away from the bank and to safety. In a neat extra touch, a young friend of Jaabir and Ganapathy who accompanied them to see their efforts runs excitedly near the shore celebrating their success.

This is a beautifully sculpted set and truly epitomizes India at the time of the Empire. The same vibrant colour palette so successfully employed by Beau Geste, most notably in their Durbar series of figures, is again to the fore with this set, which is not surprising as Four Feathers utilize the same painters in the production of their sets. There is a real sense of movement throughout the piece as the elephant takes the strain on the tow rope and starts to get the naval gun boat on the move again. I also particularly like the interlocking bases of the two pieces which make up the complete set, these add to the overall appearance when displayed and keep the terrain and figures on an even keel! (No pun intended). The set is priced at $545 plus the usual post and packing charges and while some might consider it to be on the expensive side I am sure that for what you are getting it does represent a good investment and value for money.

Date Published Sun, 01/30/2011 - 11:18
Author: Martin Ainscough

Contact
Beau Geste Toy Soldiers
Pico 2021 – (1429)
Buenos Aires
Argentina

Tel: (541) 4702 9394
www.beau-geste.com

Worldwide Mail order:

Treegfrog Treasures
248 Sandstone Dr. NW
Eyota
MN 55934
USA

Tel +1 866 394 2418
www.treefrogtreasures.com

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Dorset Soldiers - Various New Releases

Review taken from 'Casting Around'

Only a small number of new items from Giles Brown this time but I suspect he will have made up for that by the time of the next issue. His latest addition to his ‘Britains revisited’ range is the classic soldier in ‘present arms’ pose. It’s shown painted and with a change of head as a Royal Marine. The basic casting costs £3.50 (£9.50 painted gloss). The conversion to a Royal Marine costs £3.85, (£9.50 painted gloss).

Some entirely new figures depict the fifes and drums of the Grenadier Guards at attention. These have rather more detail than usual, providing greater realism and making the piping on their uniforms easier to paint. The painted versions shown here do look impressive. Castings cost £3.50 (£11 painted gloss). Giles tells me that his Guards bass drummers and cymbals are still conversions from other castings at present but he may make specific moulds for them later on.

By way of contrast to the ceremonial uniforms of the Guards, Giles has produced a new figure representing a modern British serviceman in shirt sleeve order. But this can still produce a colourful painted figure. Shown here are some of the many possible colourful variations spanning the Army, Navy, Royal Marines and the RAF. The casting can also be used as a bandsman and Giles can offer suitable instrument arms with short sleeves for a band. Castings cost £3.50 each (£9.50 each painted gloss). A twelve piece band as castings would cost £40 (£117 painted gloss).

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

Date Published Sun, 01/30/2011 - 10:58
Author: Paul Stocker

Contact
Dorset Soldiers
Unit 112, Southway
Southwell Business Park,
Portland, Dorset.
DT5 2JS

Tel: 01305 823003
www.dorsetsoldiers.com