AWI : an incomprehensible scale difference (1 Viewer)

[General Custer]

Look yourself:

Three figurines of the same range, therefore supposed to be exposed together… for this price it's extremely disappointing...

 

[damian]

Look yourself:

Three figurines of the same range, therefore supposed to be exposed together… for this price it's extremely disappointing...

Weren't the Hessian's all supposed to be giants as well?

 

[Kurt]

This picture looks a bit deceptive considering the Hessian figure is leaning far forward and the camera is not level. Despite this, I agree that there is at least a small scale variance. Could you take and post another shot but this time level and of a Hessian standing upright (if you have it) compared to the old Colonial figure and possibly a recent K&C figure of another series?

 

[theBaron]

Weren't the Hessian's all supposed to be giants as well?

Actually, not really. The average soldier had to be of generally larger stature than the average person, to have the arm's reach to be able to work with the musket, especially work with the ramrods. But the German states, especially those allied with Prussia, tended to select grenadiers for their experience and aggressive temperament, rather than stature (Frederick William's Lange Kerle notwithstanding).

Of course, colonial broadsides painted the German troops to be monsters. But most accounts from the Revolution indicate that where our side came in contact with them, they tended to be more professional, and to adhere to "civilized" rules of war, moreso than the British. Continentals often expressed surprise that they weren't the ogres they had been painted to be.

Prost!
Brad

 

[VIRIATO]

Isn't the guy on the right supposed to be...a drummer boy?

 

[damian]

Actually, not really. The average soldier had to be of generally larger stature than the average person, to have the arm's reach to be able to work with the musket, especially work with the ramrods. But the German states, especially those allied with Prussia, tended to select grenadiers for their experience and aggressive temperament, rather than stature (Frederick William's Lange Kerle notwithstanding).

Of course, colonial broadsides painted the German troops to be monsters. But most accounts from the Revolution indicate that where our side came in contact with them, they tended to be more professional, and to adhere to "civilized" rules of war, moreso than the British. Continentals often expressed surprise that they weren't the ogres they had been painted to be.

Prost!
Brad

Brad
Did Fredrick the Great not have a penchant for tall men in his army especially the Grenadiers.
Regards
Damian

 

[theBaron]

That's a good point, Viriato, if he's labelled in the catalog as a drummer boy, then I agree with you, he's a big boy.

Imrie-Risley has drummer boys in their line of American Revolution figures, and they're sized appropriately as boys, compared to the adult soldiers.

Prost!
Brad

 

[General Custer]

Isn't the guy on the right supposed to be...a drummer boy?

No, he's named Marching Drummer/Fifer ; and look this new pic:

It's not only a question of height, but stoutness, size of faces etc… somethin'else: Hessian rifle ( without baïonet) is 4,5cm but American's rifle is 5cm...

 

[theBaron]

In your latest picture, the Musiker is definitely of smaller stature than the other figures, and looks more realistic.

@Damian
Hi, Damian, actually, no, that was Frederick's father, Frederick William (the "Soldier King"), who maintained the Giant Grenadier regiment, with a minimum height requirement of 6'. Though it appeared to be a mania, FW noted in his own testament that he did so to be able to build up his army without attracting the attention of his neighbors. The Emperor and other German princes only saw a king who was wasting money on an oddity.

When Frederick William died, Frederick had the Giant Grenadier regiment as such disbanded by dismissing those soldiers who were adnormally large but otherwise unfit for duty (some were actually mentally disabled or little better than children), and transferring many of the remaining soldiers to other regiments. If I remember correctly, the Giant Grenadiers consumed as much money and resources as three normal regiments.

The remnant kept the title of Guard Grenadier regiment, and kept its uniform and colors, in honor of the late king. It was ranked with Frederick's own regiment, which was elevated to the status of First Guards, on his succession.

Prost!
Brad

 

[King's Man]

I think you will find that all the newer K & C figures are now carry a shorter musket. This is really telling when the figure is standing with his musket on the ground beside him. Compare the Russian figure, NA 141 to the British figure, NA36. I would guess this is limit the number of bent or broken muskets.

King's Man

 

[General Custer]

Amazing! Thanx for the pix!

 

[Capitolron]

As a AWI K&C Collector - I can tell you that there is a difference !

The American Colonial Figures that are now out are at 1/30 scale - which when you match them up to the British Highlanders - THEY MATCH !

The new British Fighting Troops (2006) are in 1/32 scale which match up with the Colonial Militia figures which have been retired and the British Indian Allies - which are on the way out as well. The Hessians match up with the new Brit Troops and the OLD 1776 K&C Figures - because they are 1/32 scale.

I believe Andy is about ready to fix this problem - he is suppose to announce "New Colonial Troops" this year ! I assume they will be 1/32 figures as well. So that will have all the AWI Range back to the same scale (fingers crossed).

Personally I am not too crazy about the current American AWI figures - I have them and they match up with the Old Colonial 1776 Artillery Sets - but, I really hope for some good sculpts in 1/32 so they can face off with the Hessians without a size difference.

This 1/30 and 1/32 mixed bag on the AWI figures has bugged me for sometime. I hope it is coming to an end.

Ron

 

[theBaron]

I understand that Andy is actually coming out with a new product, to resolve this issue-adjustable scale figures. By means of cleverly-concealed threaded rods and disguised knobs--the same technology that surgeons apply to broken limbs--you'll be able to adjust the figures to various scales hovering around 1:33.75. That way, they'll match any of the older or newer figures.



Prost!
Brad

 

[Alex]

This same scale issue made me sent back a french cuirassier to the dealer cause it was completely out of scale with all the other Naps i had.. I'm not going to pay 30% more for a figure that was supposed to be 1:30 and now is 1:32. I collect mostly WWII and in that range, we can see that most of the figures are 1:30 which is fine by me. I mean, scale consistency in a specific range is very important why otherwise pay 32$ a figure ?

Cheers,

Alex

 

[General Custer]

Totally in agreement.

 

[General Custer]

I wish combine this drummer

with this mine guys:

Before I order, can somebody here let me know, if they're same size? I ask that because I already had the disappointment with the Blackwatch, whose bagpiper is bigger than the others, and I would like to avoid starting again this expensive error !!!

 

[Capitolron]

Yes - the drummer figure is the same scale as the other French Line Troops - I have three of them with my troops and they look great together.

 

[General Custer]

Alright! Many thanx for fast answer Capitolron !

 

[Spitfrnd]

I share your frustration with scale issues. To me it is bad enough that figures for the same period from different manufacturers do not match. For figures from the same manufactuer for the same period not to match is simply unacceptable. As we have discussed in some scale threads early this year, I also think the use of references to 1/30, 1/32 is unhelpful since without the knowledge of the assumed actual height of the average real person, you cannot really no what that means. I prefer to use the figure height in mm. At least that way you know you are on somewhat common ground.

That is also why I really like the Treefrog photos with the inch / mm ruler. I would also like to see those done from the base as well as from the surface so you can better gauge the figure only compatibility but even as they are, they are extremely helpful. One thing I would suggest to anyone really concerned with this is to contact the dealer to confirm the sizes of the figures you are interested in.

 

[Spitfrnd]

This same scale issue made me sent back a french cuirassier to the dealer cause it was completely out of scale with all the other Naps i had.. ...

Which one was out of scale to the others Alex?