WW1 Thoughts (1 Viewer)

[Currahee Chris]

Hey fellas:

Just thought I'd spark up a discussion on the WW1 Figures. I am currently on a "Wait and see" position right now- simply because I have other priorities for collecting right now (REPUBLIC!!).

My toy soldier collection, for the most part, tries to reflect some of the campaigns my family has been involved with. I am 4th gen US Army- our first gen, My great grandfather Carelli, fought with the 42nd during "the great war" (poor guy, he was only a couple years off the boat from Calabrese Italy).

I am holding on jumping into this line because I am awaiting for the American release, which I am thinking is still a year or so down the line.

Given that the 42nd wasn't really involved till late late 1917 and into 1918, does it make sense to start collecting these figures now?? I have considered picking up a german here and there and a Frenchman as well (I will grab some British troops too- don't want to exclude them). I was planning on holding off until things heated up a bit more and we got a feel for where this line is headed.

Anyone else care to share their WW1 collecting strategy?

Take Care
CC

 

[Capitolron]

Chris

I jumped in right away with the WWI figures when they came out - Yes, I started another K&C Line

WWI is a great period and those marching germans were calling my name.

I have slowed down - due to other things popping on the K&C Front - but, plan to get back to the new fighting germans soon. I am still not sure if I will get any of the new brits - they really didnt do anything for me.

Hopefully we will start getting some cool WWI vehicles soon.

 

[Combat]

If you are considering this line, I would start buying a few here and there or it will be hopeless to ever catch up. They are well done although some of the poses are a bit unimaginative. The painting and sculpting on the new Brits is very good. I also hope Andy continues with the WWII personalities as they appeared in WWI. Rohm, for example, was a member of the 13th Bavarian. Rommel, Churchill, Mussolini etc. would all make a nice addition. My only reluctance is that there is so much on the market it is impossible to collect everything. Right now I'm stictly John Jenkins with an occassional cherry pick if something extra special comes along (e.g. the Figarti V-2).

 

[Mr Man]

Well, K&C seems to be doing very early war figures. In keeping with that theme, the Americans should reflect Black Jack Pershings pursuit of Pancho Villa into northern Mexico. They could do Patton (don't forget to get the license this time) and many other cool subjects. True, not technically WWI but, it is the early American preparation and since the German communique with the Mexicans to go to war with the US was the actual reason for America declaring war with Germany, I think that would be a unique addition to the WWI line.

 

[lenswerks]

I was reluctant at first, then picked up a couple and they are fantastic. I have most of them now.

I’d like to see some Australian, New Zealand, Royal Fusiliers, Cameronians [Scottish Rifles], Gurkha unit and Belgian Carabiniers with their distinctive hats.

 

[Currahee Chris]

I agree with a lot of what everyone is saying, especially you Combat. With these figures being sold as mostly single figs, it is quite feasible to gobble up one or two at a time.

There is a great discussion on the Britains section regarding the Pacific theater and it's success, or perhaps lack thereof. I see WW1 as having some great possibilities with multiple fronts- Gallipoli, White and Red Russians, etc but for the most part, it was an infantry war- very similar to the war in the Pacific (from a toy soldier perspective which omits the naval element of it). I just see this range running into the same problems. For the most part, we have grunts- all sorts of grunts. You could do some arty but for the most part, it really isn't all that glamorous. The tanks, of course would be pretty cool. Perhaps some sopwith's??? But for the most part, it's a ground war with masses of troops charging each other.

The limber trucks seem to do ok too- even the cavalry figures which dominate the Naps and AWI lines would be limited to some extent in this range. I just see this line potentially going the same way as the Iwo line- it just doesn't have all the exotic armor pieces like WW2 has which seem to help it stay profitable.

Any thoughts??
CC

 

[Mister Dave]

There are a few good options right now for early WWI stuff, as Britains also has a great line going. I have not gotten any of these from K&C or Britains as I am waiting for the later war material to start showing up. I am very partial to the horizon blue Poilu uniforms and the Brodie wearing Commonwealth troops. I am considering investing in the French and British sets by Old Northwest if I can allocate a little extra $$$. For now I must prioritize JJD 1812 and Britains new Zulu stuff coming out very soon.

 

[vandilay]

I,m another who is sitting on the side lines of ww1 ,
I think their is a lot of mileage to be had in this range
I,d love to see kilted scots on the charge , Anzacs/turks at
gallipoli ,Aussie light light horse at beersheba ,lawrence of
arabia etc etc.
None of k and C,s initial releases have hit it out of the park for me
but if they do i,d happily give ww2 a rest for a while and focus
on the great war.

 

[Rob]

I echo Rob here.Have been toying with the idea of collecting these since they were announced,however the pressure of my WW2 collecting has diverted all my funds that way.I do have the xmas set and the figures are superb,i may be persuaded yet.

Rob

 

[graycap]

I must admit I'm very excited about this line. The early releases are most impresive. I suspect Andy will stick to the early war period for the time being. K&C publicity material suggest early French troops are on the cards. Perhaps later some cavalry and artillery might appear (there is already a 75mm in the FOB range. Hopefully Andy will then move into the later war period with steel helmets , stormtroopers and perhps tanks such as the Britiish MKIV and German A7V. Who know perhaps T E Lawrence (plus a Rolls Royce armoured car) might make an appearance)! For me the appeal of World War I is the fact that all the armies started off as essentially 19th Century ones and ended it with "modern" ones not unlike those of World War II and today. There was certainly more change and development in military technology and tactics between 1914-18 than there was between 1939-45 -that's one of its fascinations.

 

[Harrytheheid]

I,m another who is sitting on the side lines of ww1 ,
I think their is a lot of mileage to be had in this range
I,d love to see kilted scots on the charge , Anzacs/turks at
gallipoli ,Aussie light light horse at beersheba ,lawrence of
arabia etc etc.
None of k and C,s initial releases have hit it out of the park for me
but if they do i,d happily give ww2 a rest for a while and focus
on the great war.

Western Front doesn't do all that much for me apart from 1914 itself, but Gallipoli, Palestine or even East Africa would perk me up a bit.

Cheers
H

 

[Capitolron]

And we all know how FUN a perky Heid can be !!

 

[Harrytheheid]

And we all know how FUN a perky Heid can be !!

Yup, on Saturday night a certain young Chinese Lady is gonna find out just how much FUN a perky Heid can be - 'specially as he's been gone from home for the guts of nine weeks...... That's the optimist in me speaking, but in actual fact I'm expecting another interminable nagging session - until (that is) I reveal my cunning plan and my Little Lotus Blossom sees all the nice SOHK figurines I got for her earlier today....heh-heh-heh.
Oops - Family Forum - 'nother ban coming up if I'm not careful......

Cheers
H

 

[damian]

Yup, on Saturday night a certain young Chinese Lady is gonna find out just how much FUN a perky Heid can be - 'specially as he's been gone from home for the guts of nine weeks...... That's the optimist in me speaking, but in actual fact I'm expecting another interminable nagging session - until (that is) I reveal my cunning plan and my Little Lotus Blossom sees all the nice SOHK figurines I got for her earlier today....heh-heh-heh.
Oops - Family Forum - 'nother ban coming up if I'm not careful......

Cheers
H

Hopefully she doesn't develop a "heidache"

A nod is as good as a wink to a blind man
Regards
Damian