Mike Tarantino's Toy Soldier Collection (4 Viewers)

[lancer]

Thanks Al. It is a great looking model. I suspect that you may have also liked the K&C 1914 French Infantry wearing our favorite red and blue uniforms that I posted earlier. I find them hard to resist.

Mike, I absolutely love the KC 1914 French Infantry. I collected a great many of the marching figures, band figures, TGM Belgian infantry and French Marines, and many other odds and ends period figures to build a large 'off to war' diorama, but the best laid plans...they all are in boxes because of lack of display area.:redface2: The 1914 French figures are some of the best KC has done, IMO, and my one huge regret is that KC has not done the famous French 75mm field gun and crew of 1914 to complete the scenario. -- Al

 

[MikeNick]

Mike, I absolutely love the KC 1914 French Infantry. I collected a great many of the marching figures, band figures, TGM Belgian infantry and French Marines, and many other odds and ends period figures to build a large 'off to war' diorama, but the best laid plans...they all are in boxes because of lack of display area.:redface2: The 1914 French figures are some of the best KC has done, IMO, and my one huge regret is that KC has not done the famous French 75mm field gun and crew of 1914 to complete the scenario. -- Al

Mike,
What I like the most is how elated you are. You ence remarked that one of your secrets to living a good life is to dive in to what you love. Toy soldier collecting is your passion. I hope that you continue to enjoy every moment of your collecting!
MikeNick

 

[ucla1967]

You are not alone, all my new acquisitions are still in their boxes, too. However, I have ordered a new display curio from Pulaski to provide some more desperately needed display shelves. I also may order a bookcase that I can display dioramas in. I am working on six: John Jenkins's Gallipoli with terrain base and Jacobite Rebellion; and King & Country's Tarawa, Battle of the Bulge, Remember the Alamo, and D-Day.

I agree that the 1914 World War I French are some of the best that K&C has done. I would also like to see them with the 75mm Field Gun. I would also like to see 1914 Chasseurs a Pied.

Mike

 

[ucla1967]

Mike,
What I like the most is how elated you are. You once remarked that one of your secrets to living a good life is to dive in to what you love. Toy soldier collecting is your passion. I hope that you continue to enjoy every moment of your collecting!
MikeNick

Mike,

You are right toy soldier collecting being my passion. The truth is that most men that I know are just little boys at heart (including me). We just now have very expensive toys. Also, don't forget that a happy wife makes for a happy life.

Mike

 

[lancer]

You are not alone, all my new acquisitions are still in their boxes, too. However, I have ordered a new display curio from Pulaski to provide some more desperately needed display shelves. I also may order a bookcase that I can display dioramas in. I am working on six: John Jenkins's Gallipoli with terrain base and Jacobite Rebellion; and King & Country's Tarawa, Battle of the Bulge, Remember the Alamo, and D-Day.

I agree that the 1914 World War I French are some of the best that K&C has done. I would also like to see them with the 75mm Field Gun. I would also like to see 1914 Chasseurs a Pied.

Mike

I wouldn't mind some French Colonial troops either, like the Zouaves. You can't beat the 1914 French uniforms for color and variety. -- Al

 

[ucla1967]

This is my seventh group of acquisitions. Two more groups to go.

 

[ucla1967]

I first saw these Romans by First Legion at Louis Badolato's house at the January symposium and decided that I would like to add them to my collection, too. These are Legio II Augusta Romans with black and yellow shields. I am going to buy a few more.

 

[HAWKEYE]

You may have noticed by now that I do mix different manufacturers figures in my displays. I am rather a purist on this point since I do not think, for example, that Trophy looks good with Frontline or visa versa. Each manufacturer has its own style, appearance, and charm.

Frontline Figures glossy Egypt & Sudan square with Gordon Highlanders and Yorks & Lancs. Matte British & French Napoleonic cavalry.

I love the gloss sudan range by frontline. lots of variety, marching and action figures of different units. nice display

 

[nysoldiers]

I first saw these Romans by First Legion at Louis Badolato's house at the January symposium and decided that I would like to add them to my collection, too. These are Legio II Augusta Romans with black and yellow shields. I am going to buy a few more.

I think you actually saw these at my house and they are beauties! Will blend well with JJD's Iceni and Germanics.

 

[ucla1967]

I think you actually saw these at my house and they are beauties! Will blend well with JJD's Iceni and Germanics.

I should have said that I first saw them at Louis's and then, the next day, at your house. First Legion makes very impressive Romans. They are among my favorites along with John Jenkins mid-Republic offerings.

By the way, I think I was so amazed by your extensive Trophy of Wales collection, which is by far the best I have seen, to the exclusion of some of the other items you had on display like your First Legion II Legio.

 

[ucla1967]

I have been in the process of acquiring a large number of King & Country and John Jenkins sets since May. This is my new King & Country "Remember the Alamo" display in a newly acquired bookcase. The first photo also shows my Hiriart Italian Colonial Army in Africa sets which are not new, but the display is new.

 

[ucla1967]

These are three more additions to my collection: John Jenkins Peninsular War Portuguese Infantry with a JJD ruined Spanish house backdrop, King & Country Great War 1914 French Infantry with a JG Miniatures damaged French buildings backdrop, and King & Country Italian Askari with a K & C Middle East house.

 

[ucla1967]

In August, I visited the Culloden Battle Field in Scotland near Loch Ness. I bought a folder at the museum which I have used, in part, as backdrops for my Battle of Culloden Diorama with figures from John Jenkins Designs.

 

[ucla1967]

Here are a few photos I took of the actual Culloden battlefield. Actually, there isn't all that much to see as it is today. Hopefully, in the future, they will ultimately add informational plaques showing the location of the Jacobite and British lines with details regarding the order of battle by Scottish clans and British regiments on those lines.

 

[lancer]

In August, I visited the Culloden Battle Field in Scotland near Loch Ness. I bought a folder at the museum which I have used, in part, as backdrops for my Battle of Culloden Diorama with figures from John Jenkins Designs.

My favorite JJD figure series. It is the most colorful and action-packed figure series on the market, IMO. -- Al

 

[ucla1967]

My favorite JJD figure series. It is the most colorful and action-packed figure series on the market, IMO. -- Al

I would agree with all of that Al. I originally didn't intend to acquire this series, but when I bought a bunch of them on behalf of my good friend Bob Walker, I changed my mind when I actually saw them after we took them out of their boxes.

Mike

 

[ucla1967]

Here is the completed K&C Battle of the Bulge diorama. I am still working on the K&C Battle of Tarawa and D-Day dioramas.

 

[ucla1967]

Here are three new Hiriart sets that I received yesterday:

1196 THE BEEFEATERS, ENGLAND

1200 FRENCH 2ND ARMORED DIVISION WITH LECLERIC

ES41 SPANISH CIVIL WAR NATIONALIST STAFF OFFICERS WITH FRANCO & ASTRAY

 

[ucla1967]

This is my final John Jenkins Designs French & Indian War display. It has sets from The Raid on Saint Francis and The Battle of the Plains of Abraham in addition to two building backdrops from Hudson & Allen. From left to right, the Pennsylvania Provincial Regiment, the 60th (Royal American) Regiment of Foot, the New Jersey Provincial Regiment, the Connecticut Provincial Regiment, the South Carolina Provincial Regiment, and the 35th Regiment of Foot Grenadiers.

 

[villagehorse]

The buildings compliment these troops beautifully. :salute:::salute::, Robin.