VIRIATO

Happy Birthday!!!

i cant wait for the Bulge series, getting the whole lot. you mate?

happy birthday mate!

Hi Paulo, sorry I forgot to respond to your armor question, the answer is unfortunately yes I do collect armor, exclusively K&C for the moment. I don't know what I'll do for space if K&C starts making armor to go with their WWI range. I really enjoy getting the more unusual AFVs like the Puma etc. The German AK is my favorite but I also enjoy the American/Brit armor as well. How about you? Are you a fan of any particular theatre or nations armor?

I'm also not impressed with Traditions 54mm model range , other options better looking for the price out there. The 90mm range is really great, IMHO, for the price. I'll try to post some pics of mine, mostly French Cavalry right now. It was their Prussian offerings that really decided it for me in regards to collecting this range. Too bad about the Del Prado experience, I'll have to take closer look next time as I thought they might be good fillers for some dios. I must say I have a rather hard time making decent Cav dios as the poses tend to be repetitive, which is OK when doing a unit at a trot or walk but doesn't look as good galloping or charging, again just my opinion. Let's hope Britains doesn't get as bad as Conte, whose stuff I love, when it comes to product availability. That is one reason I've tended to stick with TRADITION, BEAU GESTE, and K&C, I normally don't have problems getting what I want with these manufacturers.

Cheers, Ken

I'm doing OK Paulo. I've been keeping my eye on some of Traditions newer 54mm sets and might acquire a few more in addition to the 90mm figures on my list. I really like the classic Toy Soldier look of the Beau Geste sets also and might add a few more this year, especially the bands. What type of Cavalry do you prefer, I like the Lancers best then Carabiners. As a former Cav guy I'm always interested in what specific preferences others have, mind you my "horse" was around 60 plus tons combat loaded. Saw some pretty sharp Del Prado Cav figures down at KINGS X this weekend. I was surprised at how well they blended with the K&C. Did you catch the thread on Britains production problems? I guess they have had to delay several of their planned releases for this year due to factory issues in China.

Paulo, how are you doing? Well, I've decided on the collect one of each strategy for my Napoleonics, I'm still buying multiples for certain dios of course or I'd have to commit myself. I've decided on the TRADITION 90mm range for this as I already have several and they seem to have a fairly wide range of units/uniforms for their figures. I also like the size as it shows off the uniform color and sculpt but is not so large as to exacerbate my space problems. What are you currently working on?

do you build your dioramas? They are beautiful, great job.

Thanks for the tip! I certainly am no artist and I doubt I could convince my wife to paint TS for me. I am definitely looking for a way to collect a wide variety of Napoleonic War nations/units without buying another house. I've also considered doing Traditions 90mm matte range for this project as they have a pretty good variety and at that size you can really see the uniform details. I'll try to post some better pics of my 54mm gloss tradition sets.

Cheers, Ken

That's an interesting project, Ken! Be sure to show it through an album or something! I was going for groups of 4 or 5, but your idea sounds very good, it might save me a lot of room and...money, when one can find singles. I'll try to post some glossy napoleonics pictures one of these days. Your Tradition sets should also make a good splash on photo! Just one warning about the French company: watch the catalogue photos carefully, they sell painted, unpainted, and even partially painted figures! I ordered some Prussians and some Voltigeurs and the Voltigeurs had a small upper part of their hats unpainted ( what should be the upper yellow part ), it's really like that on the catalogue, but to me it was a surprise. Maybe they want us to paint those parts but I can not paint at all. The Prussians were quite nice really and fully painted, so once again, watch the photos, what you see is what you get! But otherwise they were extremely nice, speak good English and their figures are very well sculpted and painted! They even offered me an Old Guard figure! About the first world war, there are those who say it was the French and Indian War/Seven Years War...

Regards,
Paulo

Paulo, thanks for the link. Some really great TS! I'll have to reconsider my fall purchases of Naps(except K&C SL). Really have some great poses and nationalities. I'm considering doing a sort of Napoleonic montage where I get at least 2/3 figures from every country that fought in those wars(including early revolutionary wars 1783-1800). Considering the vast armies and territory one might consider the Napoleonic wars the first World War.

Thanks again for the terrific link.

Cheers, Ken

Hi Paulo, what's your favorite Army for glossy Naps? I have a ton of glossy Brit and French Tradition sets. Love the classic gloss toy soldier look. I've always been dissappointed in the range of Napoleonic sets outside of the basic Brit/French offerings. There are a few companies I've found that make some basic Infantry sets for the various allied nations but the ranges were always quite limited, no artillery for example. I have run into the same problem with the companies that do matte figures as well. The K&C Russian line is nice and I started on those but would really like to see Prussian, Spanish, Italian, Saxon, Portuguese, Dutch ... you get the idea. Always been fascinated by this time period in European history. Are you collecting any of the K&C WWI line?

hi Paulo, i still think its a mindless way of fighting, with indiscriminate artillery fire, gases and machine gun fire ruling the battlefield. But its interesting to note that from here, the germans learn the art of blitzkrieg (lightning war) and also stormtroopers tactics (small specialized units) instead of big armies advancing. The effect would be devastating in the early years of WW2.

Hi Ken,
Indeed Miniwelt are the same scale as K&C. On the new NA158 SL, I don't have the room for it and now I am collecting mostly glossy Napoleonics ( L. Legion, Imperial, Alexanders are my main Napoleonic focus ).

Regards,
Paulo

Paulo, thanks for the info on the nap figures. That flagbearer is an excellent piece. Not sure why K&C didn't make it but that's a great looking match you found. Are you planning on getting the new NA158 SL?

Cheers, Ken (Saber)

hi Paulo, what i love about this hobby is that it ignites my love for history, and having the figures really became sort of a visual representation of history. For example you can read about a Tiger tank, but actually holding it in your hands, comparing it to other tanks and figures, you will really appreciate and understand what a beast it is, and why it was hugely feared. WW1 too is beginning to grab my attention, and already i watched a few harrowing documentary of that insane war. hopefully, Neapolitan will be next on my read list.

well Paulo, you're definitely a hard core collector. Compared to you, i'm just a beginner. I wish i can venture out of WW2, but i'm pretty useless out of WW2 topics. I agree the Jenkins indian canoe is fantastic, but how to display it? And the Napoleans tent sure is something!

Hi Paulo, i'm actually a dye-in-the-wool WW2 fan, but Jenkins Indians are really tempting me. I too however, have an issue with the faces. im actually comtemplating buying 1 indian set to test out. I dont know if thats a good idea..

hi mate, how are you? any toys you're buying for this month?

private album put up