Austin Miniatures Wetern Town (1 Viewer)

[playsetaddict]

I picked up all 8 buildings released by Austin Miniatures at OTSN. They are beautiful, closer to Conte quality, but they do not come with any signage. I just finished making some signs for them and started taking some photos. This is the first.

 

[playsetaddict]

 

[trooper]

Presumably 1/32nd scale? Any information on UK stockists? Trooper

 

[playsetaddict]

The Austin stuff is 1/32...kind of like saying Conte stuff is 1/32...sort of on the large side, but smaller than 1/30. It's way bigger than Barzso. Smaller than the Conte Alamo stuff...thinner than the Conte and Britains and TSSD Civil War. It's very similar to the new CTS Civil War.



I would imagine the figures will be available somewhere in England eventually. The buildings are pretty big, so they may have to be special ordered. I have no inside information. I just couldn't resist having an early chance to photograph the whole set together.

 

[steve weston]

Presumably 1/32nd scale? Any information on UK stockists? Trooper

I will be the U.K. supplier for the figures, just as soon as they receive their main shipment from China, although I do have a few sets that I bought back from Chicago.
As for the buildings, they are simply to big and bulky as they stand to ship over unless you are loaded! I have suggested to TSSD, Austin and Paragon, as well as dave at the factory that manufactures for these guys, that they make their items as 'flat-packs' to enable us to get more into a case, enabling us to stock them.
Steve Weston.
steve@plasticsoldiers.co.uk

 

[Beau]

I will be the U.K. supplier for the figures, just as soon as they receive their main shipment from China, although I do have a few sets that I bought back from Chicago.
As for the buildings, they are simply to big and bulky as they stand to ship over unless you are loaded! I have suggested to TSSD, Austin and Paragon, as well as dave at the factory that manufactures for these guys, that they make their items as 'flat-packs' to enable us to get more into a case, enabling us to stock them.
Steve Weston.
steve@plasticsoldiers.co.uk

Hey Steve, what do you mean by "flat packs"? Would that mean they could be disassembled? Would make for easier storage for collectors as well.

Beau

 

[jac28]

Hey Steve, what do you mean by "flat packs"? Would that mean they could be disassembled? Would make for easier storage for collectors as well.

Beau

The main problem with that (as I see it) is that it's very difficult for the moldmaker to hold tight enough tolerances in order for expanded foam resin pieces to fit together properly.. There would be a LOT of trim work needed for pieces to fit.

Jim

 

[steve weston]

Hey Steve, what do you mean by "flat packs"? Would that mean they could be disassembled? Would make for easier storage for collectors as well.

Beau

Hey Beau,
We missed you both this year in Chicago!
yes, "flat pack" would be like the old Timpo and Briatins buildings that come apart. Great for us guys with small houses/no basements or playrooms!

 

[steve weston]

The main problem with that (as I see it) is that it's very difficult for the moldmaker to hold tight enough tolerances in order for expanded foam resin pieces to fit together properly.. There would be a LOT of trim work needed for pieces to fit.

Jim

Hey Jim,
Having already discussed this with the factory, he tells me that he has done this sucessfully in the past, so I think it is a possability.
Besides, these things cut, fill and glue really well.
I know that's not of interest to those with 5 thumbs on each hand, but it is more practical in terms of Sales, space and shipping costs.
Steve.

 

[Marxmaniac]

So these buildings are foam? and are painted? So will they wrap the pieces to aviod rubbing and paint loss during shipping and storage? How does the scale compare to the TSSD western buildings, Britains, and Traverse? I heard some reports they are a bit larger.

 

[jac28]

Good to know, Steve.. thx..

Jim

 

[playsetaddict]

So these buildings are foam? and are painted? So will they wrap the pieces to aviod rubbing and paint loss during shipping and storage? How does the scale compare to the TSSD western buildings, Britains, and Traverse? I heard some reports they are a bit larger.

They are larger than the buildings you mentioned. They are foam and painted. To see more pictures, go to http://playsetaddict.com/Austin Miniatures 2013.html

 

[NY Collector]

Hey Beau,
We missed you both this year in Chicago!
yes, "flat pack" would be like the old Timpo and Briatins buildings that come apart. Great for us guys with small houses/no basements or playrooms!

But these would be made of Foam ?

 

[Warrior]

While I agree that shipping foam buildings overseas is cost prohibitive for the most part, selling them as flat packed pieces and thus requiring assembly is a not starter.

First off, you'd need to use two part epoxy on them in order to glue them, which is messy and difficult to work with. Plus, if the pieces are prepainted, you'd have issues with glue running over into the painted areas.

Just won't work I'm afraid, the concept is on the right track for overseas shipment, but the end result has disaster written all over it.................

 

[Warrior]

On another note, these are great buildings; buy a bunch of them, get a 1/32nd scale ACW railroad set with an engine and some boxcars, get together a bunch of dismounted Union cavalry and some western theater rebels and you've got your own "The Horse Soldiers"...................

 

[playsetaddict]

On another note, these are great buildings; buy a bunch of them, get a 1/32nd scale ACW railroad set with an engine and some boxcars, get together a bunch of dismounted Union cavalry and some western theater rebels and you've got your own "The Horse Soldiers"...................

Kind of like this but with the Austin buildings...






The whole series is at http://playsetaddict.com/HorseSoldiers.htm

 

[Warrior]

Ask and ye shall receive; great job as usual Joe...................

 

[Marxmaniac]

George,

Where do you get a 1/32 ACW train? and how much?

thanks

Eddie

 

[gk5717]

George,

Where do you get a 1/32 ACW train? and how much?

thanks

Eddie

Contact Scott Schleh at mrclaycars@aol.com. He had a Civil War Train at OTSN and sold out. He also did that WW1 Turkish train for K&C. I bought a German armoured train from him. He will do whatever type you want. I have been buying converted plastic figures and vehicles from him for over 2 years, excellent work.
Gary

 

[steve weston]

While I agree that shipping foam buildings overseas is cost prohibitive for the most part, selling them as flat packed pieces and thus requiring assembly is a not starter.

First off, you'd need to use two part epoxy on them in order to glue them, which is messy and difficult to work with. Plus, if the pieces are prepainted, you'd have issues with glue running over into the painted areas.

Just won't work I'm afraid, the concept is on the right track for overseas shipment, but the end result has disaster written all over it.................

I don't think so!! I have used regular clear "Bostik" and "UHU" glues on other foam buildings (that have been damaged during shipping) and know of people in the U.S. that have used other brands, all with no fuss or mess at all - and the repairs are very difficult to spot. I am not sure why you would assume that you need a 2-part fix for these?