HIRIART Variations on a Theme (1 Viewer)

[ucla1967]

One of the great things about dealing with Hiriart is that they are not too big to accomodate collectors who would like variations on Hiriart's basic catalog sets. Over the years, I have been able to order many non-catalog sets that are variations on their catalog sets. Just one example is set 1154 WORLD WAR I DEUTSCHES INFANTERIE, 1914. This catalog set has the figures in green uniforms with red piping and wearing pickelhaube spiked helmets. They have also made this set for me as a 20-figure musical band in the 1914 uniforms. They have also made a six-horse Artillery Gun Team and a five-figure set of dragoons, both in the 1914 uniforms. I also have a non-catalog set with the early war green uniforms, but wearing stahlhelms. Finally, they made a late war uniform set with stahlhelms. I have photos of all these sets with the exception of the 1914 uniforms with stahlhelms and I have all these sets, except the dragoons, in my collection.

1154 World War I Deutsches Infanterie, 1914

1154 WW I Deutsches Infanterie SPECIAL Musical Band, 1914

1154 WW I Deutsches SPECIAL Artillery Gun Team, 1914

1154 WW I Deutsches SPECIAL Dragoons, 1914

1154 WW I Deutsches Infanterie SPECIAL stahlhelms, 1917

 

[Leadmen]

Great selection of WWl Germans. I enjoy viewing your sets. John

 

[ucla1967]

Thank you John.

 

[johnnybach]

I have to agree with John (Leadmen) too. These are just lovely sets - and so refreshing to see a company who will adapt sets to suit what customers actually want. I just love to paint up my own from castings, and some of the bands have certainly tickled my tastebuds! But if ever the old eyes can't manage it anymore - I would certainly consider some of these.

Thanks for showing them off - it's been an education seeing this range of superbly done glossies. Very impressive. johnnybach

 

[lancer]

Outstanding figures from Hiriart, as usual. Love that early war stuff with the pickelhaube. -- Al

 

[ucla1967]

Thanks Johnnybach and Al, I am glad you like them.

 

[ucla1967]

Here is another variation on a theme, this time from World War II, with catalog set 1043 LIEBSTANDARTE SS WITH HITLER that has been made into several other non-catalog sets. I also ordered add-on sets of 9 extra men of both the marching standard catalog set and the special present arms version. The Himmler figure is from set 1302.

1043 Liebstandarte SS with Hitler

1043 Liebstandarte SPECIAL at present arms

1043 Liebstandarte SPECIAL Motorcycles with Sidecars

1043 Liebstandarte SPECIAL White Dress Uniforms

1043 Liebstandarte SPECIAL Musical Band in White Dress Uniforms

 

[ucla1967]

White dress uniforms.

 

[aujj65]

Hi Mike,

Really like the artillery set. ^&cool

Jeff

 

[ucla1967]

Thank Jeff, so do I. They actually have a World War II German Artillery Gun Team catalog set (1246) which is pretty neat, too.

 

[ucla1967]

Here is another example of non-catalog sets derived from a standard catalog set. The catalog set is 1197 World War II Italian Infantry, 1939. This Esercito Italiano Fanteria set has also been made in non-catalog sets as Bersaglieri in the same uniform and Bersalgieri in desert uniforms. I have all three sets in my collection.

 

[ucla1967]

Catalog set 1275 ESCUELA MILITAR, ELOY ALFARO, ECUADOR has also been made into two different non-catalog musical bands; one in the catalog set uniforms and the second in summer uniforms. Making a standard catalog set into a musical band is probably the most common variation on a theme that Hiriart does.

 

[ucla1967]

Catalog set 1183 WORLD WAR I ANZACs at GALIPOLLI, 1915 has also been made into a non-catalog set of the WORLD WAR I AUSTRALIAN CAMEL CORPS, PALESTINE. The third photo shows the camel corps set plus an add-on set of four extra men on display from Bob Walker's November 5th open house.

 

[johnnybach]

Catalog set 1275 ESCUELA MILITAR, ELOY ALFARO, ECUADOR has also been made into two different non-catalog musical bands; one in the catalog set uniforms and the second in summer uniforms. Making a standard catalog set into a musical band is probably the most common variation on a theme that Hiriart does.

And beautifully done in both cases too. It really is so refreshing to see a producer so in tune with what a lot of Glossy customers would like to have. Yes - it is one of the easier conversions of a marching figure to do - by substituting arms and instruments for weapons. But - as is often the case with other manufactureres - not always done - or done as well as this.

If I ever get to the stage when I can't paint my own any longer - Hiriart may well have another customer in me. I just love their style and "can do" policy.
Very well done indeed. Thanks for posting Mike - if I don't always reply - I WILL be looking, for sure. johnnybach

 

[ucla1967]

And beautifully done in both cases too. It really is so refreshing to see a producer so in tune with what a lot of Glossy customers would like to have. Yes - it is one of the easier conversions of a marching figure to do - by substituting arms and instruments for weapons. But - as is often the case with other manufactureres - not always done - or done as well as this.

If I ever get to the stage when I can't paint my own any longer - Hiriart may well have another customer in me. I just love their style and "can do" policy.
Very well done indeed. Thanks for posting Mike - if I don't always reply - I WILL be looking, for sure. johnnybach

Thanks johnnybach. There is a Hiriart importer at the London shows who could help you out when the time comes.

 

[ucla1967]

Last year, I had Hiriart make me this special, non-catalog 19-figure musical band based on catalog set 1156 WORLD WAR I FRENCH CHASSEURS ALPINS.

 

[Iron Brigade]

The HIRIART figures look very much like the old pre 1966 W. Britain figures, except the paint jobs are so much better! I enjoyed all the photos.

"Iron Brigade"

 

[ucla1967]

The HIRIART figures look very much like the old pre 1966 W. Britain figures, except the paint jobs are so much better! I enjoyed all the photos.

"Iron Brigade"

Yes, they do look like the early Britains. Many of the old Britains sets are "copied" by Hiriart in the sense that if, for example, the West Indies Regiment Britains set had a mounted officer, the Hiriart set will also have one. However, there is no question that Hiriart's paint jobs are far superior. If you take a look at my last post, number 36, on the "HIRIART Latin American Sets" thread, I have a comparison photo of Britains versus Hiriart for the Uruguayan Military School sets.

 

[johnnybach]

I do so agree about the better "paint jobs" these days. However, let's not forget, that so many of todays wonderful glossies are essentially following on from where Britains lead. Early Britains Toy Soldiers were founded in a fiercly competitive environment - and were competing, essentially, on price. You could buy a Britains figure in many options - in essence - the more colours you had - the more you paid. You could also order " Superior Pint" versions - but at a price!

It's always possible to show a "cheaper" early hollowcast - and compare it to a much more expensivelly produced modern equivalent - and clearly demonstrate a dramatic improvement in finish .Many of todays wonderful examples - like Hirart (and others - for example like Wm. Hocker) - are following in the footsteps of earlier examples and styles such as Britains and their immediate competitors, and without them, just wouldn't be following on.

I must admit - I just love these Hiriart figures - but maybe because I love their illustrious pre-decessors too. johnnybach

 

[ucla1967]

I do so agree about the better "paint jobs" these days. However, let's not forget, that so many of todays wonderful glossies are essentially following on from where Britains lead. Early Britains Toy Soldiers were founded in a fiercly competitive environment - and were competing, essentially, on price. You could buy a Britains figure in many options - in essence - the more colours you had - the more you paid. You could also order " Superior Pint" versions - but at a price!

It's always possible to show a "cheaper" early hollowcast - and compare it to a much more expensivelly produced modern equivalent - and clearly demonstrate a dramatic improvement in finish .Many of todays wonderful examples - like Hirart (and others - for example like Wm. Hocker) - are following in the footsteps of earlier examples and styles such as Britains and their immediate competitors, and without them, just wouldn't be following on.

I must admit - I just love these Hiriart figures - but maybe because I love their illustrious pre-decessors too. johnnybach

I don't disagree with anything you have said. I understand that the early pre-war old Britains were toys for boys to be played with while the contemporary glossies are a lot more expensive, even if you factor in for inflation, and are made as collectibles rather than toys. Hence the difference in quality. Collectors buying the old Britains today are paying, in many cases, more for that set than they would for a MIB Hiriart or Hocker set. I have said in the past that Hiriart sets are inspired by those old Britains which is what I like about them. I believe that they are respectfully carrying on in the old Britains tradition.