And now some F&IW (1 Viewer)

[whdamon]

Pat and I found John far from leaving the F&IW in the dust as he brings on some new and very exciting series,,,,,the future F&IW is just as exciting. The big change may be that the release pace will be slower so a collector can keep up. John really struck us as putting some deep thought into his work as he expalined his thinking in the sequence of release......and the ST Francis raid is a very good example. He started with "preparation"...IE: the Rangers getting organized and supplied for the trip,,,,,,,then the Indian village.......normal day to day activities. Kind of setting the stage, and you guessed it........a mighty and bloody culmunation as it all comes to climax....so stay tuned as we still have a ways to go before the carnage unveils.

Find here a prisoner set that is somewhere in the future release pipeline. John noted he likes to go back and forth between these vignettes, so here are the Rangers with a French prisoner, so one would suspect a follow on English prisoner....or maybe prisonerS....like a couple sisters under the control of one very nasty American Native hiking along the cliffs overlooking Lake George...just guessing here....but don't think I am off to far.

The other fellow (sorry for the bad photo) is a soon to be released BOS. I believe he will actually be presenting this one to Jim Hillstat(SP) tommorrow for placement in his huge BOS diorama.

Walt Damon

 

[mikemiller1955]

Thank you!!!

I think Matt from Hobby is trying to post these right now on another thread.

All four are great looking figures....Jim desrves one for his B of SS's display.

It is gorgeous to see.

I hope your speculation is spot on about the following sets of Colonial captives.

Sounds like when it's all said and done...St. Francis will provide at least 3 good dioramas.

1) preperation
2) village unaware
3) raid

maybe a 4th and 5th on prisoners taken to the village and prisoners removed from the village.

 

[whdamon]

This photo is number 2 in the collector series (Note LT Jenkins was the Subscription sign up figure, and the soon to be released woulded father/son officers was collector release 1) It is of a Indian Chief that was with Braddock on the ill fated venture but when Braddock ignored his advice he then just lurked in the shadows and kind of stayed to himself during the action. John did say his name, but in one of my senior moments it has evaded me as i write this.
John also told us an interesting story where he detached an arm from the fallen officer in collector set 1, then reattached it by drilling a hole so a pin could be inserted, before sending it off to the factory for casting. Turns out there was some flash around the hole from the drill, which the casting process made sure it was replicated. Instant bullet hole, although unintended by John. So look for the bullet hole when you get your piece, and have a chuckle that some mistakes workout quite well,
This piece also shows a couple of the renditions before the 4th generation commerical piece is cast....first a sculpt in Kneadite and Miliput mixture, then a resin cast (seen here in primer) then a metal casting, that is then used to make the production mold, and 4th....the production castings. So you can imagine the detail that is lost along the way before the figure shows up in your barracks. John was in process of painting this fellow when we arrived so it is here in a almost, but still incomplete paint job. This will most likely be the model sent to the painters of the production pieces.
The last photo is a mock up of a potential long bed wagon. He did this in sheet plastic and strip........so not only is he a master sculptor, painter but modeller as well. While on the wagons I asked why he dosn't secure the wheels (I am always having a wheel drop off when I move them and it drives me nuts). He said it is because of the packaging, as he is trying to keep everything in 2 or 3 standard sizes for cost of bulk shipping.
When asked what set was a commerical disapointment.....he noted the Lean to and campfire set of BOS. The standing firing figures are huge sellers as it appears everyone likes to send a lot of lead down line, and having a mass of these in one's collection is the collecting culture. One reason he has the hatless varations.
He also had a funny story about going to bed the night his first delivery of BM01 from the factory came in and all the boxes were crammed in his bedroom, and him asking himself what the hell had he done to himself putting all his personal money into this....they better sell!!! Well having a room full of BM01 today would be a very very good thing.
Enjoy,,,,,,,,,,damm I love this stuff, and talking 2 hours with John just made it all the better. He is quite a fellow
Walt Damon

 

[mikemiller1955]

Walt...thanks for taking the time to share the antecdotes along with the pictures and info from John.

I thoroughlly enjoyed reading them....thank you.

 

[whdamon]

A close up of the Indian Chief that will be collector piece #2. Also of my partner in crime, (how many JJ figures can we smuggle into our barracks before She Who Must Be Obeyed finds out) Pat with John. Don't let Pat's physical appearance fool you as he is really 12 years old, as am I....and life couldn't be better.
Much thanks to Matt from Hobby Bunker for hosting this fine adventure, and giving us the opportunity to reduce his JJ stock..........love those new tents
Walt Damon

 

[mikemiller1955]

"John did say his name, but in one of my senior moments it has evaded me as i write this."

Scarouady (Skaron' hiă'dǐ`, 'on the other side of the sky.'—Hewitt). An Oneida chief, sometimes called Half-King, who came into prominence about the middle of the 18th century. He was known among the Delawares as Monacatuatha, or Monakaduto.

please keep the photos coming Walt.

 

[PJDeluhery]

Great thread, Walt.

I would only add that on the wheels falling off issue John recommends you cut a small piece of paper in a rectangle about the width of the center hub and wrap it tightly around the axle, then put on the wheel. This will keep the wheel from falling off and also allow it to turn. Very clever!

Thanks to Matt at HB for hosting this great event and to John for being a good sport, answering a thousand questions, and putting up with us!

Here's a picture of Walt (the other 12 year old) with John. My other photos of the figures pretty much match Walt's posted here.

If you get The Toy soldier Club newsletter (e-mail) there's some pictures of John's visit there for you to enjoy - except for some reason there are no shots of the figures. :-0

 

[PJDeluhery]

"John did say his name, but in one of my senior moments it has evaded me as i write this."

Scarouady (Skaron' hiă'dǐ`, 'on the other side of the sky.'—Hewitt). An Oneida chief, sometimes called Half-King, who came into prominence about the middle of the 18th century. He was known among the Delawares as Monacatuatha, or Monakaduto.

please keep the photos coming Walt.

I knew that somebody here would know that name. Thanks.

Personally I just love this figure, and may buy one to strip and repaint myself.

 

[marco55]

Could the first photo be Langy?Could be.
Mark

 

[PolarBear]

Could the first photo be Langy?Could be.
Mark

100% Correct. I believe he will be available as a December release.
Wonderful animation and facial expression on this young French guerrilla warrior expert in wilderness warfare depicted rallying his forces to take on the the hated "White Devil" and his minions.

 

[Combat]

One of the "rangers" looks like an Indian. Great stuff - thanks for posting.

 

[lancer]

That indian chief figure is superb. JJD is the best. -- lancer

 

[whdamon]

Strip and repaint-- As Pat and I are really painters, when these figures first came on the scene with the quality they have, coupled with the explosive value of the Euro the temptation was exactly that...stip these babies and redo them in our style. Today it is approx $47 for a quality casting from Andrea of Spain or Pegaso of Italy..which means cleanup, assy, priming and then painting. For $32 from John...it's instant gratification and at a very high level. As such we did talk at length with John about producing some castings for the painters. His concern was the depth of the market and factory capacity, but agreed perhaps 25 each of the popular figures may be possible. Frankly I would like to get a brush on some of his stuff. Attached a set i did from a company called FIGURES from Italy or Spain (another senior moment) and a bust of Wolfe from M. Roberts.
Walt Damon

 

[PolarBear]

Strip and repaint-- As Pat and I are really painters, when these figures first came on the scene with the quality they have, coupled with the explosive value of the Euro the temptation was exactly that...stip these babies and redo them in our style. Today it is approx $47 for a quality casting from Andrea of Spain or Pegaso of Italy..which means cleanup, assy, priming and then painting. For $32 from John...it's instant gratification and at a very high level. As such we did talk at length with John about producing some castings for the painters. His concern was the depth of the market and factory capacity, but agreed perhaps 25 each of the popular figures may be possible. Frankly I would like to get a brush on some of his stuff. Attached a set i did from a company called FIGURES from Italy or Spain (another senior moment) and a bust of Wolfe from M. Roberts.
Walt Damon

Walt you are up there with the Russian Connoisseur painters!

Randy

 

[marco55]

Strip and repaint-- As Pat and I are really painters, when these figures first came on the scene with the quality they have, coupled with the explosive value of the Euro the temptation was exactly that...stip these babies and redo them in our style. Today it is approx $47 for a quality casting from Andrea of Spain or Pegaso of Italy..which means cleanup, assy, priming and then painting. For $32 from John...it's instant gratification and at a very high level. As such we did talk at length with John about producing some castings for the painters. His concern was the depth of the market and factory capacity, but agreed perhaps 25 each of the popular figures may be possible. Frankly I would like to get a brush on some of his stuff. Attached a set i did from a company called FIGURES from Italy or Spain (another senior moment) and a bust of Wolfe from M. Roberts.
Walt Damon

That would be great for you guys to get some castings to paint.Then you could put them on here so we could see your styles.
Mark

 

[marco55]

the Chief looks great painted.
Mark

 

[PJDeluhery]

Walt you are up there with the Russian Connoisseur painters!

Randy

Perhaps in skill, but those sweet young things are much better looking!!


John was not too excited about offering castings, so I'm not gonna hold my breath for JJ unpainted castings. But, I'd gladly sign up for them on his website so he could do a run for a guaranteed number of figures. I don't need a box or fancy packaging. Meantime, strip and paint is still a reasonable alternative.

 

[PolarBear]

Perhaps in skill, but those sweet young things are much better looking!!


John was not too excited about offering castings, so I'm not gonna hold my breath for JJ unpainted castings. But, I'd gladly sign up for them on his website so he could do a run for a guaranteed number of figures. I don't need a box or fancy packaging. Meantime, strip and paint is still a reasonable alternative.

Perhaps the castings could be issued as part of the JJ Club.

 

[Combat]

You can see Scarouady in this painting - just to the right of the wounded Braddock:

 

[old tank]

DOUG........That is one great picture and a good idea for diorama...thanks