Britain's American Civil War (5 Viewers)

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hi all,
I thought I would start posting some images of a few of the new sets that we just released in the catalog. I love to photograph them when I get the chance and I plan to do more of this in the future as the new General Manager.
As you might guess it is pretty busy around here so I will probably only post a few a day and I will try to answer any questions that I can.

Included in these images is the TS&MF diorama that we built as a Hudson & Allen/W. Britain combined give away for their new subscription contest. The diorama features the Sherfy barn the way it might have appeared on July 2nd 1863. The barn burned to the foundation that afternoon and several wounded men perished in the blaze. The 114th PA figures are included in the contest.
The other image features the diorama combined with other scenic elements to showcase both new and old ACW figures in the W. Britain range.

 

[mikemiller1955]

Ken...love the photos...the Sherfy barn looks great...

 

[lancer]

Wonderful pictures. The barn looks fantastic and I love the depth of field in the photo with the Confederates. -- Al

 

[thrawn]

Ken,
These set ups look great! I particularly enjoy the sense of grand scale that the second image conveys.
Best,
Josh

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Thank you for the kind comments! Here are a couple more images to share.
The first one is a picture of the interior. I built it with a pretty spartan interior and just didn't like it so I retrofitted all of these components after the barn was built. I still thought it needed something so I built the tumbril for it out of some scraps and a couple of spare wheels.

The second one is my favorite and could be a barn almost anywhere in Adams County PA. in 1860 to 1890.

This last one was fun to set up... Barksdale's men pressing the 114th Pennsylvania at the Sherfy farm July 2nd 1863.

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

One of the fence sets right after I finished sculpting it. Someone asked me the other day why these fences are so high. These were high to keep animals off the road and when used to line turnpikes to limit access... yes they used tollbooths even in the 1860s!
The figure in the front is pinned to the rail and the two figure set only has contact at one point of the base so the other figure appears as though he has been hit at then top of the fence and is falling back onto the other Confederate. Hard to photograph, but it really tells a story when you see it in person.

 

[Fubar]

Morale and discipline failing. I think I need a Regiment of 114th.

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Another image of the Rebs going over the fences...last for tonight I am afraid.
Here is one of the other new sets from the new offerings and you can just see one of the falling figures from the last photo from the workbench falling back off the fence. Notice the mini ball holes in some of the fence rails..."Lots of hornets buzzing today, some of them are stinging something fierce!"
Many of the units did not fix bayonets at this point in the advance... It is hard enough to get over one of these fences as it is.

 

[mestell]

Ken, just simply outstanding on all counts . . . . . figure sculpting and photography . . . . Of course you know me, I'll be including all of these featured sets (and then some) in my collection as soon as they are released. Now you have me re-thinking my thoughts on fence-lining the lane on my dio table . . . . . As a collective, these sets will tell an awesome story of Rebel defiance and certainly incredible courage under a fearsome withering Federal fire. My old campaign hat is off to you my friend. Will talk to you soon to catch up . . . . .
:smile2: Mike

P.S. Will the Sherfy barn be available for retail or is that a one-of-a-kind item? Just simply amazing and extremely well done.

 

[braddinpa]

Outstanding!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[UKReb]

Superb work Ken-these future Reb releases alongside their colleagues already in my stash are going to make one cracker of a Gettysburg dio

Bob

 

[ROUGH RIDER]

Excellent as always. I always enjoy seeing your work.

 

[DoberDadinMD]

I was just showing the barn picture to my wife and she basically said "OK, what about it"? Then I explained to her that it was a model...she thought I was showing her a picture of an actual barn. needless to say, excellent work!

 

[jazzeum]

If I'm not mistaken Ken, certain of the photos were taken with the Chosen Ground Display Base (see http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/forum/showthread.php?21334-Chosen-ground-display-base).

This is one of the best things you ever made and sadly they're no longer in production. I can't tell you great this base is and how often I use it. It is worth every penny of the $300 purchase price.

Now that you're the top honcho, I would really urge you to bring it back in production.

 

[Terp152]

Ken, just simply outstanding on all counts . . . . . figure sculpting and photography . . . . Of course you know me, I'll be including all of these featured sets (and then some) in my collection as soon as they are released. Now you have me re-thinking my thoughts on fence-lining the lane on my dio table . . . . . As a collective, these sets will tell an awesome story of Rebel defiance and certainly incredible courage under a fearsome withering Federal fire. My old campaign hat is off to you my friend. Will talk to you soon to catch up . . . . .
:smile2: Mike

P.S. Will the Sherfy barn be available for retail or is that a one-of-a-kind item? Just simply amazing and extremely well done.

HI Mike, Ken told me the barn will be a prize offering for new subscribers to Toy Soldier and Model Fig magazine. Better get your subscription in now! :smile2: Chris

 

[mestell]

HI Mike, Ken told me the barn will be a prize offering for new subscribers to Toy Soldier and Model Fig magazine. Better get your subscription in now! :smile2: Chris

Yes I now know that Chris. I had a wonderful telephone chat with Ericka and Ken this morning. However, there is always a possibility of a similar barn being offered in the future but just not as detailed. Like me, I am sure you are drueling over these latest offerings. I really like that the Confederate figures are very lightly equiped, no knapsacks for example . . . . Its a nice change and really more historically accurate for charging infantry. All in all, these offering have renewed my enthusiasm for the hobby and its a nice feeling to be inspired again and have something to look forward to.
:smile2: Mike

 

[Lo1863]

I'm sure I am not the only one who is thinking of a wonderful dio between all the new fence section sets and the upcoming Art of War set "Hell for Glory."

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

I too am looking forward to seeing the new Turnpike sets with "Hell for Glory" as I did not have both sets to work with for these images.
Ericka and I were just at Gettysburg a few weeks ago and I snapped a few image (a lot really) around the Sherfy farm as it appears today. The first image shows the barn as rebuilt in 1866 with an 1870s shed addition at the side.
The second image is of the 114th PA monument and you can see the brick farm house in the back.

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

I also thought you might be interested in seeing another image of the Lee's Headquarters grouping I set up. This one id loaded with extras and as with the Federal set, I designed most of them to use together if needed.


Here are some pictures right after I finished sculpting the figures and building the patterns. The items in the set are all based on surviving examples when possible. I thought the pose of the new Lee might reflect him thoughtfully processing what his subordinates were reporting...




I hope you enjoy these,
Ken

 

[Lo1863]

I love the Lee's HQ set! I have been waiting for a General Ewell figure and his division commanders for a while now. I hope they will be made in some standard poses in the future. Wonderful! Also...good job on General Early's hat. From what I can tell that is the style he wore.