Multiple Figure Sets (1 Viewer)

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sarge

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Here is a question for our little klatch-of-the-moment, which might constitute a little thread drift but still be most applicable to what I've been showing and we've been discussing here.

I'd truly love to see sets (in the manner of the old red boxes full) again in the Ceremonial range, especially groupings of marching modern-era Guards, perhaps sets with which to assemble the Massed Bands, all that sort of thing. It would help me immensely, rather than summing up singles in blister-packs by the bagful.

Is it my ignorance of things, or are sets no longer in vogue in this range?

Perhaps Richard (Britains) might be pointed here to weigh in a bit?
 
Re: A latest find...

I think it just makes the sets expensive when multiples are in one box. There is a new mounted set of Dragoon Guards due for release this year. It consists of a mounted standard bearer and 2 mounted trooper. RRP is $170.00 that is a lot to layout at once. (I wish they had done the seperately) :redface2:
 
Re: A latest find...

This might, of course, have already been a topic of discussion. I agree that the price of three seems hardly more advantageous than the price of singles by that model.

Would it then be fair to say that the traditional set of seven in a marching group is then a thing of the past, and we shall never again see colour parties, bands, or true sets of a size befitting the name from Britains, or is this a manifestation of the diorama mattes marketing model, where singles, pairs, and trios are the perfectly useful for combat scenes. Ones, twos, and threes don't make a colour party, let alone a band or a whole parade, I'm afraid.

This is to be understood not as whining on my part, but as constructive musings and even perhaps some insight into what one individual perceives as a rather radical difference between the parade figure collector and the combat diorama figure collector. As a parade group collector, for me the set is the thing. I must admit buying many more old sets than new singles because of my chosen focus...
 
(First I split this off into it's own topic so not to take away from your original thread)

The new figures have been released as sets of 4 or 5 and are usually released as limited editions of perhaps 500 or 600 sets.

Check here for the limited edition sets and how they have been configured, some in sets of two , some five etc...



http://www.wbritain.com/products.cfm?catID=3169

Then this matt band are all available individually

http://www.wbritain.com/products.cfm?catID=3879

I guess there is no rhyme or reason to how they package product or.......................maybe there is
 
Hi sarge - me again.

Couldn't agree more. As you will see if you begin collecting up castings and painting them yourself - what you can get is limited only by your imagination. You can buy as many - or as few as you like - from quite a large number of suppliers (see my thread for details of these). Your background of repairing and modelling is perfect. That's how I started out once again on my chosen path.

I love bands, spectacle, Colour Parties, parades and more bands. The bigger the better. There are so many choices - and people who will supply figures to fit in with Britains - or most other types of manufacturer. Any number you like from one to "as many as you like" - and the bonus - around half the price of a painted figure (normally - but watch out for some at the top end of the market - which are getting pricey too).

You are certainly NOT governed by what they choose to put in a pack - and if you want to match in to any of your current range - again have a look at my thread. there are quite a few of my bands there - and all suppliers are shown of each set I have posted. Dorset Soldiers is another castings supplier whose figures go well with Britains, for example - and they have a very good illustrated web-site. Do have a look - I think you may be pleasantly surprised. Regards, johnnybach
 
Hi There,

Johnny is right on the sets of castings I am seriously thinking of getting back into them. I have about 30 Gurkhas I am working on that I bought from Britains right before the stopped selling castings. I am a big ceremonial guy with India and the 1903 Durbar being my primary area. So I am really considering getting the bands I want especially the Divisional Consolidated bands they used in the Massed Review of Troops for Delhi by finding the castings and getting back to my painting. I am not as good as Johnny but its all a matter of practice. Unless of course there is a sudden change in how sets are developed and sold. Also need a bunch of marching troopers of various regiments especially the Rifle Brigades.

So until you decide to get into painting castings your best bet is to hunt the older sets down on ebay. I see a lot of the Jubilee sets on there so you can certainly get a lot of different regiments that way. I wish I could tell you that there will be a sudden revamping of the hobby and we will be getting sets of glossy soldiers again... Ah the good old days.

Dave
 
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It would appear then that the good old days might be gone as far as Britains is concerned, though one wonders if wise heads have considered the parade group glossy market vs. going head to head with K&C et al in the matte diorama sector of this hobby as a possible niche that would be sustaining. I guess they have considered it.

One thought comes to mind, however. Where single pieces are most important to the combat style diorama, multiple pieces in the same pose are the thing for parade groupings, for uniformity of pose and uniform are what make the body of a good parade. One marching Scots Guard at the slope looks quite lonely, I'm afraid. He looks much more natural surrounded by many more just like him.

Bear in mind this perspective is from a lone wolf who has only recently found this gathering (or any gathering for that matter), so the observations might appear either different to me or boringly repetitive to all of you here.

Happily, I've found (although new offerings are perhaps a starvation ration at best) that these are most enjoyable times for me. There are so many undiscovered second-hand sets out there for me to find here and there. I am indeed having great fun finding them, often when I'm not even looking at the moment.

Now that I'm staring retirement in the face, painting sets becomes an attractive new adjunct to the hunt.

I would love to see perhaps a full band in one box a year offered, perhaps not the cornucopia of decades past given worldwide financial realities, but perhaps a collector's club or limited (real) set a year. Just for auld lang syne.
 
I cannot agree more. I have actually found multiple sets cheaper, such as the band sets, and they usually go for much less than list. I would love a reissue of mountain artillery, perhaps in action, and maybe a full pontoon bridge, and the Naval Brigade land party, with guns, etc...
 
You may want to go beyond Britain's. Steadfast still makes sets of 4 infantry and rally nice artillery sets with crews. Other makers have similar offerings.
 
Do you know, by my concentration lately, on firms that produce castings, I had completely overlooked Steadfast. It's a smashing site - with offerings of "old style" glossy toy soldiers at very reasonable prices - in some cases - very comparable with plain castings. They do have old Britains copies - even hollowcast versions if you want them to fit in, as well as their own range of figures. Thanks for reminding me :salute:: Well worth a look anyway - if only to get ideas. johnnybach
 
A good friend of mine makes model soldiers its called the british toy soldier company most of his sets match up with the britains ceremonial range great & he even does a few poses not offered by britains! My favorite being scots guards keeping time! All his figures are sold in packs of 8 or as individual figures.

Craig
 
Craig:

Is this the company in Derbyshire?

I searched the site that came up under the name, that Band of the Scots Guards looks absolutely impressive!
 
sarge said:
Craig:

Is this the company in Derbyshire?

I searched the site that came up under the name, that Band of the Scots Guards looks absolutely impressive!
Click to expand...

Yes that's the one, the band is a great set I have one in my collection! His website hasn't been updated for ages though & is missing some of his newer better sets like the one I was on about bebore, I think they match up to britain cerimonials really well & would recomend them!

Craig
 
craig1985taylor said:
Yes that's the one, the band is a great set I have one in my collection! His website hasn't been updated for ages though & is missing some of his newer better sets like the one I was on about bebore, I think they match up to britain cerimonials really well & would recomend them!

Craig
Click to expand...

Can you have a word with him about that Craig please :)
 
Yes, please do. I'd love to know more about what might be available and what the current pricing might be. 265 quid for that band set in this day would be very attractive!
 
I think you've hit a nail on the head - I agree that sets of glossy figures are brilliant. It was not that long along that Britians did issue these......
Luckily others have that niche now - WM Hocker, Imperial...........But I would buy Britains glossy sets if issued.
 
airwiggy said:
I think you've hit a nail on the head - I agree that sets of glossy figures are brilliant. It was not that long along that Britians did issue these......
Luckily others have that niche now - WM Hocker, Imperial...........But I would buy Britains glossy sets if issued.
Click to expand...

I forgot about Hocker. Brian they may be right up your street, very reminscent of the old Britains. I don't believe he has any modern ceremonial regiments but he does have a great Diamond Juiblee of Queen Victoria series.
 
Scott:

I'll check into Hocker.

Currently there are Britains, Imperials, Traditions, old glossy K&C, and who knows what else already represented here, so one more opening the field certainly won't hurt!
 
Now you're talking Sarge - see what cans of worms you've opened by joining?
I have only joined recently too - but my mind has been blown open by the choices I have found by doing so. Best of luck trooper - you have found a home here with like-minds. johnnybach
 
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