Thanks to everyone for this. For a variety of reasons, I may have to put my WWI expansion plans on hold a bit. Some of them financial, some having to do with expanding the lines I have (Figarti/K & C modern, W. Britain AWI and Zulu...really nice stuff coming out for the latter). With the West Coaster so close, it also seems like it it might be a good idea to look at the figures up close before I buy.
My take from browsing the net. K and C have impressive lines that (appear readily available). They are limited to early Germans (1914), the BEF (1914) and then skip to 1917 for the new british line (which does have a great looking tank). Not a ton of diversity, and I'm not sure how well the Germans will match up with the 1917 line.
W. Britain has a broader range by comparison - British, French and German troops. I've been happy with my W. Britain AWI Yorktown and Zulu Rorke's Drift figures, so it's hard to say anything negative about them. The fact that their chief scupltor comes on and posts frequently certainly hasn't hurt. The French Cuirassers (sp?) I saw in the new catalog look absolutely beautiful.
Overall Britain seemed more affordable. But...wow, the aforementioned French Cavalry are expensive compared to and K&C horsemen. I was also disappointed that the line was cut to about a page in the new catalog. Don't get me wrong - it's an impressive 2009 catalog, especially given the economy. But it seems like it would take a lot more effort and money to track down the apparently retired WWI figures.
Still, in my short time in the hobby, I've come to realize it's a WWII/Napoleanic world and it's nice to see anyone go outside those ranges.
I wish the major companies would agree on a scale...it would be great to mix and match.[/QU
Smart move to see the figures in person before buying. As to the KC 1914 Germans working with the new KC tank, they won't. The pickelhaube helmet worn by the Germans was out of use in the field by mid-1916. I'm sure the coal-scuttle helmet is on the way. -- lancer
