London show March 2013 report and photos! (2 Viewers)
- Thread starter aujj65
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UKReb
Command Sergeant Major
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In danger of repeating myself as I tend to do three times every year-But hell it was a darn good show and great to catch up with the Brit brigade again. The only downer was that Rob couldn't make it. He e-mailed me on Friday to tell me his trip to London was in doubt due to one of the family being taken seriously ill. We hope everything goes OK for him and Vanessa.
Some observations of the show.
We have always had an early bird entrance arrangement (with an enhanced entrance fee) but with the Islington venue standard entrance time has been pushed out to 1100hrs instead of the usual 1000hrs. According to a number of dealers I spoke to the show was practically deserted for the first two hours of Saturday morning. Personal evidence of that was the amount of punters who timed their arrival at Angel Tube station same as me- shortly after 1100hrs-There must have been at least 50 of us paying to get in at the same time. I believe Guideline should review their early entrance rule based on what I and others observed.
Most of the traders seemed happy with the new venue although some were more than a little peeved of the forced move- Parking for unloading/loading is both a problem and darn expensive.
I am always astonished at the sheer amount of completely different Toy Soldiers available to collectors at the London show- as can be clearly seen by Jeff and Andy's pictures. One just cannot take it all in by purely browsing the tables and I too am grateful for the guys pictures even though I was there. You miss quite a bit I can tell you.
Congratulated TMT Dave whose magnificent castle is highlighted in a five page spread in this months TS Collector. We had a good laugh when he showed me a host of pictures on his tablet that he had recently completed for a war gaming society. A 28th scale model of Little Round Top-absolutely incredible but the next few photographs displayed the first war-game the customer had played on it. Little Round Top was full of German Panzers and US Shermans. A somewhat bemused David couldn't quite make that out until I suggested it was a Twighlight Zone intepretation of Hood's Texans in AFVs.
Had a good yarn with Clive from Figarti who has arranged- by the sounds of it- a spectacular "jolly boys outing" for Louis and Co in June. All of the Brit Brigade who were in attendance on Saturday have signed up to join our American/Australian cousins on what I have no doubt will be a sweet week-end. Rob if you're reading this I signed you up in your absence.
Personal pick-ups for me was a pre-order from John Gittings which included a very large personalised rough pasture mat. But my bargain of the day was these guys.
This little group (all brand new) cost me the princely sum of £88.00 ($130.00). Now for members who are not Britain collectors that won't mean a lot- but just three tables down from this dealer if I had bought the very same ten figures from him would have cost me £259.99. That for me was a real bargain basement catch. Sure I had a few of these guys already in my stash but a change of various headgear and a splash of butternut will alter them enough to recruit them into my ranks of Rebels.
Next picture is the old Rock group Motley Crue in deep discussion on whether its worth reforming again and going on the road.
Jeff, Simon, Alan, James, Glyn, Andy, Martyn as always an absolute pleasure being in all of your company for a short while. Look forward to June when we can stretch it over a long week-end. Thanks for the booze and Jeff the 50pence you lent me to get a fish and chip lunch.^&grin
The vodka and tonic on the table was for an absent friend....Rob I cannot recall who drank it at the end of the session but it wasn't me ^&grin
Bob
Some observations of the show.
We have always had an early bird entrance arrangement (with an enhanced entrance fee) but with the Islington venue standard entrance time has been pushed out to 1100hrs instead of the usual 1000hrs. According to a number of dealers I spoke to the show was practically deserted for the first two hours of Saturday morning. Personal evidence of that was the amount of punters who timed their arrival at Angel Tube station same as me- shortly after 1100hrs-There must have been at least 50 of us paying to get in at the same time. I believe Guideline should review their early entrance rule based on what I and others observed.
Most of the traders seemed happy with the new venue although some were more than a little peeved of the forced move- Parking for unloading/loading is both a problem and darn expensive.
I am always astonished at the sheer amount of completely different Toy Soldiers available to collectors at the London show- as can be clearly seen by Jeff and Andy's pictures. One just cannot take it all in by purely browsing the tables and I too am grateful for the guys pictures even though I was there. You miss quite a bit I can tell you.
Congratulated TMT Dave whose magnificent castle is highlighted in a five page spread in this months TS Collector. We had a good laugh when he showed me a host of pictures on his tablet that he had recently completed for a war gaming society. A 28th scale model of Little Round Top-absolutely incredible but the next few photographs displayed the first war-game the customer had played on it. Little Round Top was full of German Panzers and US Shermans. A somewhat bemused David couldn't quite make that out until I suggested it was a Twighlight Zone intepretation of Hood's Texans in AFVs.
Had a good yarn with Clive from Figarti who has arranged- by the sounds of it- a spectacular "jolly boys outing" for Louis and Co in June. All of the Brit Brigade who were in attendance on Saturday have signed up to join our American/Australian cousins on what I have no doubt will be a sweet week-end. Rob if you're reading this I signed you up in your absence.
Personal pick-ups for me was a pre-order from John Gittings which included a very large personalised rough pasture mat. But my bargain of the day was these guys.
This little group (all brand new) cost me the princely sum of £88.00 ($130.00). Now for members who are not Britain collectors that won't mean a lot- but just three tables down from this dealer if I had bought the very same ten figures from him would have cost me £259.99. That for me was a real bargain basement catch. Sure I had a few of these guys already in my stash but a change of various headgear and a splash of butternut will alter them enough to recruit them into my ranks of Rebels.
Next picture is the old Rock group Motley Crue in deep discussion on whether its worth reforming again and going on the road.
Jeff, Simon, Alan, James, Glyn, Andy, Martyn as always an absolute pleasure being in all of your company for a short while. Look forward to June when we can stretch it over a long week-end. Thanks for the booze and Jeff the 50pence you lent me to get a fish and chip lunch.^&grin
The vodka and tonic on the table was for an absent friend....Rob I cannot recall who drank it at the end of the session but it wasn't me ^&grin
Bob
Rob
Four Star General
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In danger of repeating myself as I tend to do three times every year-But hell it was a darn good show and great to catch up with the Brit brigade again. The only downer was that Rob couldn't make it. He e-mailed me on Friday to tell me his trip to London was in doubt due to one of the family being taken seriously ill. We hope everything goes OK for him and Vanessa.
Some observations of the show.
We have always had an early bird entrance arrangement (with an enhanced entrance fee) but with the Islington venue standard entrance time has been pushed out to 1100hrs instead of the usual 1000hrs. According to a number of dealers I spoke to the show was practically deserted for the first two hours of Saturday morning. Personal evidence of that was the amount of punters who timed their arrival at Angel Tube station same as me- shortly after 1100hrs-There must have been at least 50 of us paying to get in at the same time. I believe Guideline should review their early entrance rule based on what I and others observed.
Most of the traders seemed happy with the new venue although some were more than a little peeved of the forced move- Parking for unloading/loading is both a problem and darn expensive.
I am always astonished at the sheer amount of completely different Toy Soldiers available to collectors at the London show- as can be clearly seen by Jeff and Andy's pictures. One just cannot take it all in by purely browsing the tables and I too am grateful for the guys pictures even though I was there. You miss quite a bit I can tell you.
Congratulated TMT Dave whose magnificent castle is highlighted in a five page spread in this months TS Collector. We had a good laugh when he showed me a host of pictures on his tablet that he had recently completed for a war gaming society. A 28th scale model of Little Round Top-absolutely incredible but the next few photographs displayed the first war-game the customer had played on it. Little Round Top was full of German Panzers and US Shermans. A somewhat bemused David couldn't quite make that out until I suggested it was a Twighlight Zone intepretation of Hood's Texans in AFVs.
Had a good yarn with Clive from Figarti who has arranged- by the sounds of it- a spectacular "jolly boys outing" for Louis and Co in June. All of the Brit Brigade who were in attendance on Saturday have signed up to join our American/Australian cousins on what I have no doubt will be a sweet week-end. Rob if you're reading this I signed you up in your absence.
Personal pick-ups for me was a pre-order from John Gittings which included a very large personalised rough pasture mat. But my bargain of the day was these guys.
This little group (all brand new) cost me the princely sum of £88.00 ($130.00). Now for members who are not Britain collectors that won't mean a lot- but just three tables down from this dealer if I had bought the very same ten figures from him would have cost me £259.99. That for me was a real bargain basement catch. Sure I had a few of these guys already in my stash but a change of various headgear and a splash of butternut will alter them enough to recruit them into my ranks of Rebels.
Next picture is the old Rock group Motley Crue in deep discussion on whether its worth reforming again and going on the road.
Jeff, Simon, Alan, James, Glyn, Andy, Martyn as always an absolute pleasure being in all of your company for a short while. Look forward to June when we can stretch it over a long week-end. Thanks for the booze and Jeff the 50pence you lent me to get a fish and chip lunch.^&grin
The vodka and tonic on the table was for an absent friend....Rob I cannot recall who drank it at the end of the session but it wasn't me ^&grin
Bob
Hi Bob,
Gutted I missed catching up with you and the guys this time mate (thanks for thoughts-had to do some running up and down between Watford and Eastbourne over the weekend but things are ok) but will be back and raring to go in June, thanks for signing me up with Clive Bob, can't wait mate. Going to be so good to meet the guys coming from the States and Australia (I hope the Dutch Brigade will join us too!). Thanks for putting the VAT on the table guys, so am I right in thinking whoever drank it owes me a drink?!!!:wink2:^&grin
Look forward to seeing you all in June guys and will write again soon Bob
Best
Rob
wwiibuff
Lieutenant Colonel
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Thanks Jeff and all for the great photos from the show. It really is nice to be able to take part even if from afar.
Thanks Bob for your "observations of the show" and for the photos of the Brit brigade. Good to see Rob posting again as well. I enjoyed my time at last year's June London show and especially meeting all you nice chaps. Cheers.
Thanks Bob for your "observations of the show" and for the photos of the Brit brigade. Good to see Rob posting again as well. I enjoyed my time at last year's June London show and especially meeting all you nice chaps. Cheers.
Rob
Four Star General
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Thanks Duke, you must join us again sometime my friend it was a pleasure to meet you{bravo}}
Rob
Normandy1944
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Rob
Four Star General
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Hey Rob nice to have you back on the forum!
You are more than welcome.
Harrie
Thanks Harrie that's kind of you mate, hope to see you in London this year my friend!
Rob
The Lt.
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Thank you once again Jeff, Martyn, Andy and Bob for once again bringing across the the pond with your photos and commets. Jeff once again you've outdone yourself and Martyn there was no doubt you'd be visitng the Little Legion Tables with your camera. Andy once again thanks for your selection of photos and Bob as always thanks for your comments on the show and there was no doubt you'd be leavin g the show empty handed. It sure would have been nice to have bee able to spend some time with you at the show. PS welcome home Rob sorry to hear you missed the show.............Joe
UK_BOD
Sergeant First Class
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Another show done and dusted and now we wait for the June experience. Rob, we all missed you mate and hope you can make the June Show. I hope everything is now well and good with you and your family.
So what did I get:
3 Britains Sudanese
3 Britains Zulu
1 Britains WWI trench system
and a Zulu War Limber in the post.
What did I like about the show, well the list is long but the figures that caught my eye were.....
a/ The new Britains stuff that is coming out especially the new American Indians and the Gordon Highlanders (flagbearer) - Top figures
b/ ATS Victorian period and their new ECW sets - I may be a proud owner of a few of their figures in June.
c/ JJD WWI planes - They are all impressive.
Nice meeting all the guys again - hopefully see a few more in June and a couple of the other TFers who go but don't make themselves known.
See you in June.
Andy
So what did I get:
3 Britains Sudanese
3 Britains Zulu
1 Britains WWI trench system
and a Zulu War Limber in the post.
What did I like about the show, well the list is long but the figures that caught my eye were.....
a/ The new Britains stuff that is coming out especially the new American Indians and the Gordon Highlanders (flagbearer) - Top figures
b/ ATS Victorian period and their new ECW sets - I may be a proud owner of a few of their figures in June.
c/ JJD WWI planes - They are all impressive.
Nice meeting all the guys again - hopefully see a few more in June and a couple of the other TFers who go but don't make themselves known.
See you in June.
Andy
aujj65
Colonel
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Well said Andy! :smile2:
Glad to have you back Rob, I'll speak to you during the week.
Roll on June!
Jeff :salute::
GICOP
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Thanks Joe :salute::
Mike at Little Legion is producing some great sets, including the few ^&grin I picked up on Saturday
Cheers mate
Martyn
aujj65
Colonel
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It was a little dead at 9.45am when I started taking photos but much easier to walk around doing so and as you can see by the photos it got busier later.
So by 1pm I was looking very much forward to the meet at the Steam Passage Taven which is now the official watering hole of the Brit Pack! 3 pints of the Rev James and a Fish, Chips and Mushy Peas lunch I was much refreshed and ready for the trip home.
Bob is quite right about the sheer amount of TS related stuff on sale, it would take days to have a proper look at everything and this is just the March show, December is even better.
Thanks Bob for the very interesting chat about the Civil War :salute::
Jeff
waynepoo
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Quick you are, it does look good and someone somewhere made it and any info would be welcome.
Wayne.
joesgis
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I hope the health situation with Rob's family member gets quickly remedied. Thank you Jeff and Andy for the myriad of pics. It looks like such a fantastic show. I love the variety of items seen at the London shows. The items that most caught my eye were the TM Terrain pieces and the the (spearless) phalanx of connoisseur Greeks. Great stuff!
Joe
Joe
Rob
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Thank you Joe:smile2:
Can I just say that between your good self Joe ,Jeff, Martyn and Andy (sincere apologies if I've missed anyone)you have covered the two shows so well for those of us who couldn't be there. All the efforts of you guys are really appreciated I can tell you.
Sorry I was unable to help the guys cover the London show this time but will remedy that in June.
All the best guys
Rob
ucla1967
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Thank you Jeff and Andy for all the fantastic photos. It was the next best thing to actually being there in person. Could I ask you a small favor? On an earlier post there are photos of some of you guys in a bar who are named, but not in any particular order. Could you you specifically identify who is who? I exchange messages with Jeff and Martyn and really don't have a face to associate with their names. Thanks.