Does anyone collect Britain's figures other than Zulu's? (2 Viewers)

[lenswerks]

Thank you to all for the complements on the collection.
Here are a couple of new photos of ARW and ACW...

 

[lancer]

I think scenics are a big part of collecting now.If you can get some nice scenics to go with a range I think it helps a range.As for the AZW I think it helps that it was a small war as you don't have the massive armies of the Napoleanic,ACW and WWII.Also the desperate battles of Iswandlwana and Rorke's Drift I'm sure helps perk interest.
Mark

Not to turn this into the AZW thread, but the manufacturer that comes up with a scale reproduction of the famous hump of Isandlwana is going to clean up.

 

[UK_BOD]

Nice dios Lenswerks, I've always wanted to collect the AWI series but other things came up.

I collect the AZW Matte range and the ACW range (although I've not added any ACW for the last 12 monhs) and wish to start the Nap Lancers and Black Watch. I'm not blaming LT for my addiction it started before I joined Treefrog with the older Britains Holding the Line series and so on.

I would like to see a Hlobane series in the future as well as a few casualty figures.

Andy

 

[vandilay]

I realy like the look of the ACW figures although with a ltd budget
I cant see myself delving into that range unless something else gets dropped .
I,m also hoping to get into the new Nap french lancers and Blackwatch,
but the first lancer seems to be sold out where ever I have looked so
that range may be dead in the water for me [the joys of ltd editions I guess].

 

[Bama Boy]

ACW all the way!!

 

[Jefman]

Don't think anyone can complain about Britains ACW Cavalry. Both Union and Confederate troopers are really well done. The set of Confederate 1st Virginia Cavalry from the officer/guidon bearer to the Sgt/Bugler and troopers 1-6 are very well done, then the 1st Virgina trooper jumping the fence depiction (that one was so so) likewise both renditions of Mosby and the two newer troopers. The Federal cavalry are also timeless: I think they have received a bit more attention lately but in each casting they raise the level of detail and quality. The generic depiction of the Union troopers vs the more narrowly focused Confederate slant until recently of black braided 1st Virginia mounts is a non issue. Britains has carried out a wonderful farrier and 1st Virginia rider of a horse being re shoed and that piece is quite nice. Overall the Britains line of ACW Cavalry is on par with Frontline's depictions as well as K&C's new line of Rebel Cavalry. I hope they don't abandon the line of ACW Cavalry as I think they are just scratching the surface as to the countless possiblities of depicting not just various units in various phases of the ACW but the door is wide open to capture the incredible colors and arms that the troops utilized in the struggle.

For example imagine a line of ACW Cavalry with late war Union troops resplendently armed with Spencer repeating carbines and Blakeslee boxes in perhaps a dismounted application or some Trans Mississippi Bedford Forrest led troops with butternut jackets, muzzle loading carbines and double barreled shotguns. The early war uniforms are much more sexy from a depiction standpoint: 1st US Hussars aka 3rd New Jersey Cavalry (Butterflies), Rush's Lancers aka the 6th Pennsylvainia Cavalry, 1st and 2nd US orange piped Dragoons,green piped US Mounted Rifles on the Federal side. For the Confederacy how about some of Wade Hampton's Legion from South Carolina or some Sussex Light Dragoons from Virginia or better yet some of Mosby's generic grey attired troops? Britains took the plunge as the trendsetters in Civil War Cavalry. Frontline and K&C have raised the bar. But the whole hobby can benefit from the originators grabbing another gear and taking the ACW Cavalry up another notch. I think they are up to the task. So Britains is not just about the Zulu era they also do the ACW fairly well. Now to the future. Time will tell.

 

[UKReb]

Don't think anyone can complain about Britains ACW Cavalry. Both Union and Confederate troopers are really well done. The set of Confederate 1st Virginia Cavalry from the officer/guidon bearer to the Sgt/Bugler and troopers 1-6 are very well done, then the 1st Virgina trooper jumping the fence depiction (that one was so so) likewise both renditions of Mosby and the two newer troopers. The Federal cavalry are also timeless: I think they have received a bit more attention lately but in each casting they raise the level of detail and quality. The generic depiction of the Union troopers vs the more narrowly focused Confederate slant until recently of black braided 1st Virginia mounts is a non issue. Britains has carried out a wonderful farrier and 1st Virginia rider of a horse being re shoed and that piece is quite nice. Overall the Britains line of ACW Cavalry is on par with Frontline's depictions as well as K&C's new line of Rebel Cavalry. I hope they don't abandon the line of ACW Cavalry as I think they are just scratching the surface as to the countless possiblities of depicting not just various units in various phases of the ACW but the door is wide open to capture the incredible colors and arms that the troops utilized in the struggle.

For example imagine a line of ACW Cavalry with late war Union troops resplendently armed with Spencer repeating carbines and Blakeslee boxes in perhaps a dismounted application or some Trans Mississippi Bedford Forrest led troops with butternut jackets, muzzle loading carbines and double barreled shotguns. The early war uniforms are much more sexy from a depiction standpoint: 1st US Hussars aka 3rd New Jersey Cavalry (Butterflies), Rush's Lancers aka the 6th Pennsylvainia Cavalry, 1st and 2nd US orange piped Dragoons,green piped US Mounted Rifles on the Federal side. For the Confederacy how about some of Wade Hampton's Legion from South Carolina or some Sussex Light Dragoons from Virginia or better yet some of Mosby's generic grey attired troops? Britains took the plunge as the trendsetters in Civil War Cavalry. Frontline and K&C have raised the bar. But the whole hobby can benefit from the originators grabbing another gear and taking the ACW Cavalry up another notch. I think they are up to the task. So Britains is not just about the Zulu era they also do the ACW fairly well. Now to the future. Time will tell.

Very well stated Jefman-in fact I just might start collecting a few ACW figures myself as you sure make it sound like a great era to collect and you've defnitely sold me on it

Reb

 

[UKReb]

Not to turn this into the AZW thread, but the manufacturer that comes up with a scale reproduction of the famous hump of Isandlwana is going to clean up.

Lancer

Now that is a brilliant idea-Ken if you're reading this thread take note that simply has to be a winner!

Reb

 

[OzDigger]

Sounds like you should place the AZW on your ignore list, Matt
Mike

LOL Mike, "Ignorance is Futile" as the Borg used to say, or it was something like that

 

[Jefman]

UK Reb (Bob) I have to tell you that I really admire your dioramas as you have a knack for blending not just Britains but other manufacturers into your scenes. The use of the Oryon Confederate Cavalry dismounted troops in a vignette was most impresssive.

I think any collector of any era is protective of what the manufacturers have done and are capable of doing. The Zulu collectors have a great resource and deliverer of great work in the Britains line. Likewise the ACW collectors and for me in particular being a Confederate Cavalry buff. We literally compete with not only Union ACW collectors but Rebel infantry and artillery afficianados. Therefore when you collect on such a limited and specialized basis you are apt to view things from both a selfish and protective stance. I'm sure the depth of your collection is beyond mine but I really appreciate you sharing your vignetes and dioramas to inspire the collection of the items. Yes I will continue to lobby the industry and Britains in particular to re create the items that I would like to see and enjoy. Never hurts to ask and if you encourage long enough then your words just may turn into reality. Just having fun. Regards.

 

[UKReb]

Sounds like you should place the AZW on your ignore list, Matt
Mike

Oz

Real pleased you saw that Mike's comment above was darn funny-had me laughing for some considerable time

Reb

 

[UKReb]

UK Reb (Bob) I have to tell you that I really admire your dioramas as you have a knack for blending not just Britains but other manufacturers into your scenes. The use of the Oryon Confederate Cavalry dismounted troops in a vignette was most impresssive.

I think any collector of any era is protective of what the manufacturers have done and are capable of doing. The Zulu collectors have a great resource and deliverer of great work in the Britains line. Likewise the ACW collectors and for me in particular being a Confederate Cavalry buff. We literally compete with not only Union ACW collectors but Rebel infantry and artillery afficianados. Therefore when you collect on such a limited and specialized basis you are apt to view things from both a selfish and protective stance. I'm sure the depth of your collection is beyond mine but I really appreciate you sharing your vignetes and dioramas to inspire the collection of the items. Yes I will continue to lobby the industry and Britains in particular to re create the items that I would like to see and enjoy. Never hurts to ask and if you encourage long enough then your words just may turn into reality. Just having fun. Regards.

Jefman many thanks for your kind words and real pleased to find another ACW collector onboard the good ship Tree Frog-fully concur with your Zulu collector comments- now having a great resource to call on.

It's not everybody's cup of tea to mix manufacturers but I have found-just like the Lt has-that you can select various figures from each manufacturers catalogues and set them uptogether with reasonable results. I kinda got impatient awaiting the sculptors to come up with the poses I wanted for depicting the characters needed in relating the Gettysburg and Grant's Overland Campaign scenarios. No doubt, with you obviously being familar with Britain's body of work, you would have noticed amongst the dios quite a few figure conversions I undertook in an attempt to get poses that were not available to collectors. A bit of a hit and miss exercise with maybe a few more misses than I would care for-nevertheless practice makes perfect-so they say.

However, sometime ago Ken Osen apparently took notice of my efforts and PM'd me asking what I would like to see in the future Britain's ACW range. I fired back-real characters-Lee; Longstreet; Hood; Hill; Stuart; Etc. And the result? Well you have seen most of these suggestions as recent Britains releases therefore I continue to laud Ken's praises here on the forum-the man does indeed listen and when he can- executes and delivers your requests. So Jef you keep writing those words on here as Ken really does not need a lot of encouragement to eventually turn them into your own reality.
Great talking with you!

Bob.

 

[Jefman]

Bob: I concur with your conceptualization that depictions need to realistic and accurate and that the usage of historical figures is imperative. Kudos to Britains and the brilliant Mr. Osen for embracing your suggestions. Keep in mind that the Civil War was initially fought utilizing Napoleonic tactics. From the forming and mustering of troops to the deployment of units and their colorful garb the war began with an initial execution of fighting and deciding the conflict embracing tried and true approaches that were over 100 years old. My how the four plus year struggle changed that axiom. At the end of the ACW the tactics had relegated infantry to the trenches and Cavalry were deployed much like mounted infantry with the bulk of the actions being fought dismounted. The weapons had become so superior to the tactics that the war had to be fought with that reality in mind. Therefore an 1861 depiction of say mounted troops which were still evolving from the Napoleonic days ala heavy, medium and light cavalry say Dragoons or Curassiers, Lancers and Hussars in the classical sense would evolve into being boiled down to nothing more than mounted troops that could get to a spot quickly with the most and capitalize on the tactical advantages the terrain and situation warranted. Hence Bedford Forrest's axiom did apply and that after JEB Stuart passed new Rebel Cavalry commander Wade Hampton always considered the tactical advantage and bypassed Stuart's mantra of counterattacking just for the sake of it.

Depictions of the troops therefore need to apply to the historical accuracy and thus its realities. For example in early 1863 the splendid Union Cavalry regiment, Rush's Lancers-the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry, junked their namesake, the lance, and armed up with Sharps carbines. The lance had evolved into an obsolete weapon. Applicable in 1861 or 1862 the lance went by way of the pet rock by 1863 and thus any post early 1863 depiction of the lance is not realistic. Tons of examples to apply but my point is realism and accuracy is tantamount. Britains knows and accepts this and never takes creative license with history. Thats why I like their line. For example my 1st Virginians on horseback are a simple 1861 or 1862 rendition of Rebel cavalry. To depict them in their form after 1863 would not do them any justice from a realistic standpoint. Enjoy the rest of the weekend.

 

[The Lt.]

I can see why those of you who collector Britan's ACW sets and figures are very pleased with what they have offered you. Not only in the the quality of the figures but in the amount of figures already available and what is also headed your way . Appearing in the 2008 catalog 44 figures of the Rebs and 40 of the Yanks made their appearance. In the 2009 catalog 41 Rebs and 28 Yanks appeared which feature previous figures plus newbe's. Based on the information provided by both the Reb and Ken Osen you've got more that will be making in their appearance in the Fall Supplement. For us who are ZW collectors in 2008 20 figures made their appearance and in 2009 37 which included figures from the 2008 catalog. They were 8 figures which became available for us which did not make an appearance in either of the catalogs and I don't want to forget the 5 figures from Model Zone. So in 2008 the ACW series provided 4 times as many figures than was being made availabe for the ZW figures. Boy do I wish we had the same being made availabe to us at the time. So all and all you who collect the ACW should be and I'm sure you are very pleased with what WBritain's has added for you to add to your collections......The Lt.

 

[lancer]

I am becoming more and more convinced that Britains is putting out the best figures on the market. From sculpting to detail, from color to variety, from price to just looking good, Britains is doing a superb job. The variety alone, whether in gloss or matte, is making the decision on what to buy a real pleasure. Their early-war WW1 figures are unequaled by anyone for accuracy, animation, and color. Their glossies have gotten me back into buying glossy figures for the first time in almost 20 years. Whatever time period your interest may be, glossy or matte, Britains is doing a wonderful job. I do not collect Durbar, but that up-coming elephant is mighty tempting. Keep it up! -- lancer

 

[1879fanatic]

I am becoming more and more convinced that Britains is putting out the best figures on the market. From sculpting to detail, from color to variety, from price to just looking good, Britains is doing a superb job. The variety alone, whether in gloss or matte, is making the decision on what to buy a real pleasure. Their early-war WW1 figures are unequaled by anyone for accuracy, animation, and color. Their glossies have gotten me back into buying glossy figures for the first time in almost 20 years. Whatever time period your interest may be, glossy or matte, Britains is doing a wonderful job. I do not collect Durbar, but that up-coming elephant is mighty tempting. Keep it up! -- lancer

AND THIS, MY FRIENDS, SUMS IT ALL UP!
(Even the elephant)
Mike

 

[OzDigger]

Oz

Real pleased you saw that Mike's comment above was darn funny-had me laughing for some considerable time

Reb

It sure was darn funny

Btw, he used a 'smiley' so even a simple Aussie like me could tell he wasn't being nasty, I wish they were used more often in posts so that people don't take kidding the wrong way. Of course 'smileys' don't work all the time. I remember a 'big hands' post of mine on another thread, which I thought was very funny, was seen by some as thread hijacking I guess I caught the mods at a sensitive time

Anyhoo - back to WB.

 

[OzDigger]

I am becoming more and more convinced that Britains is putting out the best figures on the market. From sculpting to detail, from color to variety, from price to just looking good, Britains is doing a superb job. The variety alone, whether in gloss or matte, is making the decision on what to buy a real pleasure. Their early-war WW1 figures are unequaled by anyone for accuracy, animation, and color. Their glossies have gotten me back into buying glossy figures for the first time in almost 20 years. Whatever time period your interest may be, glossy or matte, Britains is doing a wonderful job. I do not collect Durbar, but that up-coming elephant is mighty tempting. Keep it up! -- lancer

Britains were the first metal figures I ever collected so I'm pleased they are still very much in the game. I noted somewhere that they are not doing much in WWII these days and concentrating on other conflicts. Which seems a wise move considering the present glut in the WWII TS market. Pre WWII collectors have always been the bread and butter for WB and it makes sense for the company to support that section of TS collectors.

 

[Capitolron]

Bob

I just caught this thread !

I have for years bought WB ACW figures and put them in mixed dioramas with my Conte and King & Country figures. I think that new WB guys are simply great - love the detail and the action with them. From time to time I pick up a few here and there - I try to list them on the forum to try to start more conversation on Britains great work.

I had posted awhile back that when I visited the Gettysburg Vistor Center - a great display of WB figs were available for purchase.

This ACW series has been great and I hope they keep it up !

Ron

 

[Davout71]

I am a fan of most of what WB do but to tell the truth I don't really understand the fascination with the Zulu series as fine as they are. Personally I love the intricate detail of the 18th century and early 19th century. I find it a bit bizarre that when you look at the matt forum 9/10 it is Britains Zulu Wars which is the topic of discussion. I wonder if the sales reflect the popularity of the forum?