My visit to the Empire Military Miniatures stand at the March LTSS (1 Viewer)

[Old Bill]

During my visit to the March London Toy Soldier show today (Saturday 28th March.) I had a long and pleasant visit to the Empire Military Miniatures stand. Malcolm and Allan made me very welcome.

I had gone there primarily in the hope of seeing the master paints of their first two BEF figures - Malcolm had come up trumps! There they were. Very, very nicely done, in fact much better than I had hoped.

Also picked up two new line and price lists containing news of some more “to come” BEF releases and also another unique Belgian set! The Belgian Maxim gun team was also in stock – again very, very nice indeed. (Malcolm gave me some very exciting “hush hush” info regarding future BEF releases…………. Can’t wait!!)

Also in attendance was Historian Mr Kevin Hicks in very authentic full Parliamentarian Ironside Harqubusier uniform. A real character he was too!

Well, having said I had primarily gone to see the paint masters of the BEF figures – I bought the four Parliamentarian cavalry figures. After having a really good look at them close quarters – you’re right Malcolm. I “realised it was futile to resist the temptation and lure”………..!

Here’s some pics of the visit (Taken very early early bird hence lack of punters!) – I believe “Battlewagon Bruce is in one the pics with Malcolm.

 

[Old Bill]

A few more pics:

 

[Charlie Brown]

Thanks for the pictures. Unfortunately wasn't able to come myself today. I have 4 of the ECW pieces already and a good friend is picking up the other 4 for me today. Which I should have on Monday. {sm4}

Looking forward to seeing further pieces from EMM. Greatly impressed so far all round. Good to see a new UK business produce high quality figures.

 

[jazzeum]

Toy,

How do their figures compare to John's?

Brad

 

[theBaron]

Thanks for sharing your photos, Bill! Are Empire's figures available as castings, too, or were those primed figures just part of the display?

Prost!
Brad

 

[Empire MM]

Thanks for sharing your photos, Bill! Are Empire's figures available as castings, too, or were those primed figures just part of the display?

Prost!
Brad

Hi Brad,

We only supply pre painted figures. The primed pieces were pre paint masters of the first items in our new range plus our first two BEF Tommies, they were there to enable visitors to pick up and examine the sculpt quality.

I will post more updates and images soon.

Thanks and regards,

Malcolm.:salute::

 

[Empire MM]

Thanks for the pictures. Unfortunately wasn't able to come myself today. I have 4 of the ECW pieces already and a good friend is picking up the other 4 for me today. Which I should have on Monday. {sm4}

Looking forward to seeing further pieces from EMM. Greatly impressed so far all round. Good to see a new UK business produce high quality figures.

Thanks for those very nice words Charlie Brown and for your custom and support. I hope you enjoy your figures when Graham delivers them to you.

 

[Empire MM]

A few more pics:

Thanks for posting these Old Bill and thanks for your support and custom.

I would just like to let people know that the webbing on the BEF paint masters webbing is being amended next week. We thought it better to have the unfinished masters on show for collectors.

Thanks,

Malcolm. :salute::

 

[Empire MM]

During my visit to the March London Toy Soldier show today (Saturday 28th March.) I had a long and pleasant visit to the Empire Military Miniatures stand. Malcolm and Allan made me very welcome.

I had gone there primarily in the hope of seeing the master paints of their first two BEF figures - Malcolm had come up trumps! There they were. Very, very nicely done, in fact much better than I had hoped.

Also picked up two new line and price lists containing news of some more “to come” BEF releases and also another unique Belgian set! The Belgian Maxim gun team was also in stock – again very, very nice indeed. (Malcolm gave me some very exciting “hush hush” info regarding future BEF releases…………. Can’t wait!!)

Also in attendance was Historian Mr Kevin Hicks in very authentic full Parliamentarian Ironside Harqubusier uniform. A real character he was too!

Well, having said I had primarily gone to see the paint masters of the BEF figures – I bought the four Parliamentarian cavalry figures. After having a really good look at them close quarters – you’re right Malcolm. I “realised it was futile to resist the temptation and lure”………..!

Here’s some pics of the visit (Taken very early early bird hence lack of punters!) – I believe “Battlewagon Bruce is in one the pics with Malcolm.

{sm0}{sm0}
Great photos Roy, thank you for sharing.

Indeed, Bruce and I had a very good and interesting chat, a superb example of manufacturers talking together for mutual good.

I must remember to breath in for photos, that or diet! Nah, breath in

 

[Old Bill]

Toy,

How do their figures compare to John's?

Brad

Hi Brad,

That’s a toughie!
I find it very hard to compare to be honest. Both have a unique style of their own. On a purely basic level they are both pretty much identical scales and will work well together. (I intend to incorporate John’s GWB-80 set “William Charles Fuller VC” into my upcoming Empire Military Miniatures 1914 BEF collection.)
Both are obviously well painted - John’s in a more detailed style, Malcolm’s in a little more earthier style. (Only in my opinion.) The basic Empire military Miniatures castings I examined at the show looked to be as equally detailed as John’s (again only in my opinion.)

Much as I love John Jenkins Designs, (the man really is a genius…….) and he has taken me into subjects I hadn’t anticipated – Battle of Leuthen and Late WW1 French Poilus -
Malcolm is producing BEF 1914 and English Civil War - two subjects very close to my heart.

Cheers,

Roy

 

[jazzeum]

Roy,

Thanks a lot. That helps quite a bit. I have a variety of WW I soldiers in my collection so any differences won't matter to me.

Brad

 

[jazzeum]

I looked at their web site and there are some nice figures but pricey for the U.S. market. I know that many companies have one price for UK and another for US and the ROW. I also assume everything is sold direct not through dealers or distributors.

Brad

 

[Charlie Brown]

I looked at their web site and there are some nice figures but pricey for the U.S. market. I know that many companies have one price for UK and another for US and the ROW. I also assume everything is sold direct not through dealers or distributors.

Brad

The prices quoted will be inclusive of VAT ( like your sales tax ) at 20%. This won't be charged on exports.

£ $ exchange rate is in your favour at the moment. {sm2}

 

[jazzeum]

That's all to the good but the shipping cost, 25 Pounds, is a bit too high for me, especially as I wouldn't want to buy more than one until I've been able to examine it in the flesh. Having a US dealer would probably help.

 

[Empire MM]

That's all to the good but the shipping cost, 25 Pounds, is a bit too high for me, especially as I wouldn't want to buy more than one until I've been able to examine it in the flesh. Having a US dealer would probably help.

Hi Brad,

Thanks for the comments and insights, it really does help!

Currently, we are looking at several parts of the process for the US market, one being the mailing costs and the other being availability. Tot be honest, I can confirm that we are talking to a U.S. dealer currently and I am also meeting with an alternative shipper this week.

If it would be a help, Please feel free to drop me an email to malcolm@empiremm.co.uk so we can discuss in private and not in an open forum, I may be able to help you. I set the company up to be for collectors.

Very best regards,

Malcolm.:salute::

 

[Empire MM]

Hi Brad,

Thanks for the comments and insights, it really does help!

Currently, we are looking at several parts of the process for the US market, one being the mailing costs and the other being availability. Tot be honest, I can confirm that we are talking to a U.S. dealer currently and I am also meeting with an alternative shipper this week.

If it would be a help, Please feel free to drop me an email to malcolm@empiremm.co.uk so we can discuss in private and not in an open forum, I may be able to help you. I set the company up to be for collectors.

Very best regards,

Malcolm.:salute::

Hi Brad,

As promised, we have concluded our review of delivery costs and, with immediate effect our prices have changed on the web site. US carriage is now £18.00, no matter how big or small the order. We have to set a price and we guessed, rightly or wrongly, that people would be buying in multiples if buying from overseas.

If you do want to "try" one product only, please tick the option of UK delivery and we will mail ot to you at a cost of £7.00. Please take this as a one off gesture as it is much lower than what we will pay. Just our way of saying thanks for considering us and giving something back to the collectors.

Best regards,

Malcolm. :salute::