My Favorite Soldiers (1 Viewer)

[sam04]

Hey DMNamiot,

You had asked in another thread what I collect and what some of my favorites are... so here goes.

My wife bought a Ceremonial figure for me a few years ago during a trip to London and I've been hooked ever since. My collection is still pretty small, around 250 figures or so. For now I'm only collecting Britains, but also admire a number of sets from other manufacturers. Wm. Hocker sets are just a dream for now.

I tend to lean more towards the glossy figures than the matte, although I collect both.

Some glossy favorites include:
5391: The United States Band "Pershings Own" (The yellow jackets really stand out in a crowd)
5292: The Kings Own Border Regiment
00126: The Royal Scots Marching
8831: The ‘D Day’ Landing (I assume this isn't a very popular set since it usually goes pretty cheaply on Ebay. I just like the simplicity of the figures.)

Some matte favorites:
Anything from the Napoleonics series. The scupting is just better than most of the matte figures I have from other series. The scale also seems more consistent.

I especially like the mounted figures from:
17367: Scotland Forever and
17257: Mounted French Cuirrassier and British Highlander on Foot

Thanks for your interest and for posting pictures of your collection. Your Durbar collection looks awesome.

Regards,
sam04

 

[wadepat]

Hi Sam04,

I very much appreciate you posting your favorites on the forum. It sounds like you have a nice collection that is growing. I look forward to hearing about any new acquisitions you are able to make in the future.

I collect many lines from a variety of manufacturers, but I have always had a special place in my heart for the W. Britain figures/sets. I imagine it is because that is what I started collecting when I was a child.

Dave has a great Durbar collection, doesn't he? Dave, with the help of Ana Donzino, has gotten me hooked on the Durbar figures. I have been adding to that portion of my collection as my funds have permitted. I hope to be able to add some more soon!

You mentioned William Hocker. Have you ever met the man? He is a terrific person and his soldiers are wonderful, especially if you like the glossy finished figures. I am fortunate to own some of his sets and I dearly love them. He incorporates a toy element into many of his sets, which always brings a smile to my face. For example, his set of Washington Crossing the Delaware is actually a pull toy.

At any rate, welcome to the forum. Do not be a stranger as you will find many friends here!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Sam04,

It sounds like you have a very nice collection. I mainly have glossy soldiers from several different makers and would also love to add a set or two of William Hockers wonderful sets. I would really love to get one of the Observation Balloon sets I saw on his website and a few others like the Polo Match. Someday

As for the Napoleonics I have some nice glossy ones from Tradition and a few other makers and a few matte and I also have a smattering of Crimean War sets like Butcher Jack and the dismounted 17th Lancer dueling the gunner and I'm really looking forward to adding to that series this year with the new VC Series which I can tell you is a beauty I received the Scots Fusillier Guards defending the colors for Christmas and they are just great! After the teaser we received today from Peter I am really looking forward to the upcoming years sets not too mention I have already begun setting some cash aside for the Saving Cpt Webb set. Looks like it will be a fun year in the Britains world.

And like Pat said dont be a stranger we are always looking for folks to chat with about Britains sets since there doesnt seem to be that many of us. Welcome to the Forum!

All the best

Dave

 

[sceic2]

Hello Sam04,

I too collect Britains, although I limit myself to WWII and now perhaps WWI. I first got back into toy soldiers after a multi decade absense when I first discovered the Panzer IV series. I then began collecting the German figures and as a result found King & Country. I still collect Britains but my passion has changed to K&C. I have not been attracted to the glossy's even as a child. Something about the matte finish that I find much more friendly to me. But some of those glossy's look good, I just want to own matte'.

My favorite Britains figures are:
17142 British Paratroopers Officer, NCO, Private
17144 German Wermacht Officer, NCO, Private
and
17420 101st Airborne Advancing

My favorite Britains vehicles are:
17496 C & D Sherman M1A1 Tanks with Figures
17497 A thru D T-34 Tanks
and
17460 A thru L German Panzerkampfwagon IV Tanks

Unless the world stops turning for some reason, I will not be selling any of my Britains and I am very encouraged by the ownership change. The new WWII figures look really good and I am planning to get them sometime this year.

Happy collecting

 

[sam04]

Hi Michael,

I'm encouraged by the ownership change also. The new soldiers coming out look excellent. I'm especially glad to see Britains continuing with the Napoleonic Wars series. I can't wait to see some of the new Nepoleonics "battling" it out with some of my older figures.

Regards,
sam04

 

[kilted vampire]

The ownership change does seem to be working. The sculpting has improved paint quality has really improved in matt and glossy. I have already added some new figures and will probably be picking up more.