World War I Collecting? (1 Viewer)

[Lo1863]

Hello all King & Country collectors!
I have always been a huge ACW buff as many of you know, but WWII was my first love as a kid. I do have a few of the WWII figures from K&C and plan on adding more, but I have been looking over their WWI line recently. I have never really studied "The Great War" but I am planning on doing so. It's a very interesting time in history and the unfinished business that led to WWII. Anyways I was wanting the opinions of those who collect WWI. How are the figures compared to the WWII range and other companies? Does this range get much attention like the WWII does? Just an overall view on them. Thanks so much!

 

[lancer]

Hello all King & Country collectors!
I have always been a huge ACW buff as many of you know, but WWII was my first love as a kid. I do have a few of the WWII figures from K&C and plan on adding more, but I have been looking over their WWI line recently. I have never really studied "The Great War" but I am planning on doing so. It's a very interesting time in history and the unfinished business that led to WWII. Anyways I was wanting the opinions of those who collect WWI. How are the figures compared to the WWII range and other companies? Does this range get much attention like the WWII does? Just an overall view on them. Thanks so much!

I can only speak to the specific figures and aircraft that I have collected from KC. I have quite a few of their 1914 French infantry and I feel they are outstanding. The figures are very accurate in the uniform details and they are extremely well painted. I only have the first wave of releases, not the more recent, action-oriented figures, but I would be surprised if these were any less excellent than the marching figures I have. As to the aircraft, I have 3 of the Albatros aircraft, which are pretty decent models, even though they have some accuracy issues. I do not have any of the Fokker D-7's, which I feel have more serious issues than the Albatros models. -- Al

 

[Jack]

I can only speak to the specific figures and aircraft that I have collected from KC. I have quite a few of their 1914 French infantry and I feel they are outstanding. The figures are very accurate in the uniform details and they are extremely well painted. I only have the first wave of releases, not the more recent, action-oriented figures, but I would be surprised if these were any less excellent than the marching figures I have. As to the aircraft, I have 3 of the Albatros aircraft, which are pretty decent models, even though they have some accuracy issues. I do not have any of the Fokker D-7's, which I feel have more serious issues than the Albatros models. -- Al

Unfortunately any WW1 aircraft face direct comparisons with Jenkins KoTS. Hard to come out on top in that duel.

I have the WW 1 French infantry and like them very much. The British infantry are good although they have been around for a while while the ALH series is just spot on. I am looking to clear the decks for the wave of WW1 releases no doubt on their way.

 

[ChrisTay]

Hi Lo1863,

The recent focus from K&C for WW1 has been pretty much on the Australian Light Horse ALH series, Middle East front and more on planes for the the FW series which is for the European front.

The ALH has a big fan base Down Under and can be considered a runaway success for K&C. The sculpt for the horses and riders in action are excellent. Also, no other producer has done this as extensively. I do not have the chance to ride horses over here but was told by a friend that a fan of this series is also a Polo club member and the sculpts for the horses are what drew that fan to collect this series. The success has also brought about another Middle East front series, I think. Brett and Wayne can probably tell you a lot more.

As for the European front, the focus recently has been on planes, but one key one that was not made would be the Tri plane. Also all of the planes are German so far. Before this, the sub FW5x numbers had been focused on trench warfare. Most of these have been retired, and if your interest is in the trench scenes, then you may need to spend some time and of course money to chase them on secondary markets. For myself, being WW2 oriented, I got started into WW1 because a collector in US, who later became a good friend, was scaling down his WW1 collection and this helped greatly. I am grateful for his help. ( He and me continue to dialog on Facebook as I like his opinions on history and politics ). So my advice is to be patient if you are back tracking, perhaps someone will come along who is letting go.

Most of us are looking forward as we are expecting more to come, as 2014 will be a centennial year.

Rgds,Chris

 

[Jack]

I think. Brett and Wayne can probably tell you a lot more.

Be warned though, they are both pretty shy about expressing opinions. {sm4}

 

[The Military Workshop]

Hello all King & Country collectors!
I have always been a huge ACW buff as many of you know, but WWII was my first love as a kid. I do have a few of the WWII figures from K&C and plan on adding more, but I have been looking over their WWI line recently. I have never really studied "The Great War" but I am planning on doing so. It's a very interesting time in history and the unfinished business that led to WWII. Anyways I was wanting the opinions of those who collect WWI. How are the figures compared to the WWII range and other companies? Does this range get much attention like the WWII does? Just an overall view on them. Thanks so much!

A quick summary of the WWI options from K&C :

Two types of WWI Germans - those in spiked helmets (early war) and those in cam helmets (late war). The cam helmet releases now mostly sold out at K&C but I guess could still find dealers with stock. The early war releases come in fighting poses plus parade and there are some leader figures also.

French - as mentioned by Al and they come in fighting and parade type with a couple of General figures.

British/Scots - the early release were fighting Scots and later release was fighting English. The Scots probably harder to find and most of the English now sold out at K&C.

Lighthorse - this is quite a big series now but there are plenty of options for display without going for everything including buildings. Waynepoo's diorama threads have shown good scenes can be created with a few figures (ie. couple of Lighthorse and 3/4 Turks behind sandbags, or Lighthorse on foot against Turks on foot, or a non combat scene involving Chauvel, standing officer and Heliograph set for example).

Lawrence of Arabia - 4 figures in this series so far but can be mixed some with some Lighthorse and also Brits Middle East.

Middle East ME - six foot figures that could be put against Turkish infantry or even with Lighthorse.

Good thing about the Middle East scenarios is that Turks are the mutual enemy for the three series so far.

Farewells - there were three farewell sets with wives/girlfriends saying goodbye to French, Scottish and German soldiers. Can have with the marching Germans or French.

WWI Aviation - K&C has released 8 aircraft and several figures.

I am guessing there will be more K&C WWI to come. Some of the products from other brands such as TG and Jenkins are compatable so plenty of options.

Hope that helps.

Brett

 

[waynepoo]

A quick summary of the WWI options from K&C :

Two types of WWI Germans - those in spiked helmets (early war) and those in cam helmets (late war). The cam helmet releases now mostly sold out at K&C but I guess could still find dealers with stock. The early war releases come in fighting poses plus parade and there are some leader figures also.

French - as mentioned by Al and they come in fighting and parade type with a couple of General figures.

British/Scots - the early release were fighting Scots and later release was fighting English. The Scots probably harder to find and most of the English now sold out at K&C.

Lighthorse - this is quite a big series now but there are plenty of options for display without going for everything including buildings. Waynepoo's diorama threads have shown good scenes can be created with a few figures (ie. couple of Lighthorse and 3/4 Turks behind sandbags, or Lighthorse on foot against Turks on foot, or a non combat scene involving Chauvel, standing officer and Heliograph set for example).

Lawrence of Arabia - 4 figures in this series so far but can be mixed some with some Lighthorse and also Brits Middle East.

Middle East ME - six foot figures that could be put against Turkish infantry or even with Lighthorse.

Good thing about the Middle East scenarios is that Turks are the mutual enemy for the three series so far.

Farewells - there were three farewell sets with wives/girlfriends saying goodbye to French, Scottish and German soldiers. Can have with the marching Germans or French.

WWI Aviation - K&C has released 8 aircraft and several figures.

I am guessing there will be more K&C WWI to come. Some of the products from other brands such as TG and Jenkins are compatable so plenty of options.

Hope that helps.

Brett

Ah....what he said, I'm feeling shy............:wink2:{sm4}
Wayne.

 

[TomNT]

Be warned though, they are both pretty shy about expressing opinions. {sm4}

Two extroverts in a Toy Soldier shop is pretty hairy I can tell ya! {sm4}

Tom