On to the show itself.
It was good to see the usual crowd at the show as well as our Dutch friends, Peter, John Jenkins and a host of others.
The London Christmas show is usually the busiest in the London calender, but on this occasion numbers were down probably more due to the weather than the economic outlook. Taken photos of the show also gave me an opportunity to look at some of the manufactuers that I don't usually collect.
Little Legion is a name most collectors have heard about even if they don't collect glossy figures. There range seems to be growing from the Zulu/Nap series that they originally produced. Sudan seems to be a growing range with the addition of the large River Boat and what appears to be increasing numbers of both mounted and dismounted Brits and Mahdists. A good range of figures.
Alexander Toy Soldiers also looks like it is expanding. The display they had on the Charge of the Light Brigade looked very good and business at the able when I was there was brisk.
Heritage figures, I now have a soft spot for. I picked up 7 of the 9 Camel Corps I had pre-ordered. I believe they can firmly stand with Britains and add to the poses available (see images below). I like the Camel mounted figures as well and will look at some more CC and Mahdists next year. The Gardiner Gun and crew retail for £90, with dismounted at £15 and Camel mounted at £40.
White Tower Miniatures have been at the show a few years now and look to be expanding. They now stock a large range of Medieval and Western figures, with my personal favourites being the Saxons and Norse figures. I was tempted in getting a Saxon shield wall with advancng Normans. Prices for painted figures are £16/£27 dismounted/mounte with buildings/diorama pieces between £12-£75. They have their own website.
TM Terrain gets better and better each time I see it, I picked up their Sudan display base and may ask they if they can produce me an Isanhlwana board for my Britains collection. The wall display was simply "Wow" and retailed for £100, the addition of the FL figures showed it off well. Congratulations to First Legion, I have seen their previous ranges but this one has tempted me in contemplating whether to get a few knights and soon to come out Mameluks and ask David if he can build me a little Acre dio. Temptation is a terrible thing
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King and Country UK had a large number of displays showing probably the entire K&C range. I bought the wounded Lancer, to finish off my Crimean collection. It will be interesting to find out what their new collection will be. British Colonial perhaps?
Britains Nile boat looked a nice piece, although at £800-£1000 will probably be outside my range. I would love to see one all crewed up. being shot at by Mahdists on the shore. I picked up a number of Zulu/Sudan figures and the last French Lancer.
Clive had a great Train Station on display showing off Figarti's new loco (I picked one of them up). The model itself is lighter than you think. Hopefully, Figarti come out with a few more Russian tanks/vehicles and especially infantry. This is the line I'm concentrating on although yesterday I was glad that no new additions had been made quite yet (I bought the loco after all).
Best Vehicle - Figarti Loco
Best Figure - First Legion Crusaders
Best Dio - TM Terrain Wall
Best Traditional - White Tower/Heritage
Andy
All in all it was a good show
