napoleonics releases and the plumes (1 Viewer)

[4th dragoon]

It generally seems like a nap release is shortly followed by an oposing release.Has anyone heard of what will follow the Russians?As far as the Plume issue I guess its to late now but if breakage and packaging were a concern a predrilled hole and a dab of crazy glue work very nicely. I have had several figures inadvertantly come shipped that way.

 

[OldDragon]

what follows the russians ? .... polish lancers

OD

 

[4th dragoon]

i look forward to seeing those. i had been looking for lancers a while now and hope to see some hussars soon also, maybe on the british side.

 

[oberstoskar]

Since we already have the Scots Greys... they need to be finished off by the POLISH LANCERS!

 

[fishead19690]

Since we already have the Scots Greys... they need to be finished off by the POLISH LANCERS!

Actually They need to be finished off by french line lancers! We all ready have the cuirassiers.
As far as more british cavalry I,d rather see more heavy cavalry to complete the heavy cavalry first as these would go better with the scotts.
Perhaps some life guards or royal blues, maybe some Inninskilling dragoons? These could be used for a charge of the heavy brigade diorama! These could also be used for battles other then waterloo because unlike the Scotts Greys these troopers served in the penisular campaign.
I would rather see some russian currassiers first though!

 

[OzDigger]

It generally seems like a nap release is shortly followed by an oposing release.Has anyone heard of what will follow the Russians?As far as the Plume issue I guess its to late now but if breakage and packaging were a concern a predrilled hole and a dab of crazy glue work very nicely. I have had several figures inadvertantly come shipped that way.

That was pure speculation as previous figures had plumes.

 

[Capitolron]

It would be nice if we got POLISH LANCERS - the KCS figures sold very well - I would think Andy would want to build on that success.

 

[oberstoskar]

Since we're speculating K&C future napoleonic release here, I would like to highlight some comparison between K&C and the recent First Legion release.

I received the First Legion Artillery Set (It's my first non-K&C/Del Prado/Hachette Napoleonic purchase) and their scale matches well (same heights but First Legion figures are more slender)

The War between K&C and First Legion Begins!

Uniform

As we all know, of course, the details and price on First Legion figures are higher than K&C.

I am impressed by the details on the First Legion Shako with the plate and insignia and the fine outlines on the cords. The NCO particularly has alternate Gold and Red strips on the cord.

Cannon

The Napoleon Coat of arm on the cannon is brilliant. The K&C French Horse Artillery cannon lacks the coat of arm. But seems like the K&C Russian Cannon has a coat of arm too.

Poses

First Legion has very animated and variable poses. K&C poses lack animation and they're becoming repetitive.

Face and Sculpt

All First Legion figures have different facial expressions and the anatomical contour (the sunken orbits, nasolabial folds, the maxillary protrusions of both cheeks, philtrum dimple on the upper lip) is much more detail than K&C. K&C figures have flat faces in comparison.

Eyes

I am particularly fond of the eyes (I have a keen interest in ophthalmology). First Legion has fine detail in painting blue iris and central corneal reflex! The eyes've made the figures come to life! In contrast, K&C figures only have a black dot representing just the pupil. They appear invariably having dark iris.

(in my K&C collection, only the mounted Coldstream Guard officer have blue iris. All my German LAH parading soldiers have dark eyes instead of having blue iris along with blonde hair).

Many of K&C figures have squints too!

Historical Accuracy

I am awestruck by the historical research and details demonstrated on First Legion figures. The uniform is very accurate and the NCO distinguishes from the line gunners. K&C always make mistakes on their NCO/officers figures, paying much less attention to the subtle historical differences. (I am surprised nobody has critized K&C for the lack of accuracy on uniform and ranks, they've made big mistakes on all era, including the WWII Germans)

Although I am not a history professor/expert, but I can tell K&C has been sloppy in their research.

I know the First Legion bunch have a sound knowledge on historical matter.

Price

As we all know, K&C has an edge by its lower price, but K&C's price is inflating, and I am sure their price will definitely rise again in the near future.



As I've observed, K&C is becoming more sloppy in their new Napoleonic release (producing historically inaccurate figures, repetitive poses, paying less attention to details, etc...) Probably K&C is busy developing new lines e.g. WWI, Crusaders and focusing more on their winning WWII line instead of putting more interest in Napoleonics.

 

[OzDigger]

Since we're speculating K&C future napoleonic release here, I would like to highlight some comparison between K&C and the recent First Legion release.

I received the First Legion Artillery Set (It's my first non-K&C/Del Prado/Hachette Napoleonic purchase) and their scale matches well (same heights but First Legion figures are more slender)

The War between K&C and First Legion Begins!

Uniform

As we all know, of course, the details and price on First Legion figures are higher than K&C.

I am impressed by the details on the First Legion Shako with the plate and insignia and the fine outlines on the cords. The NCO particularly has alternate Gold and Red strips on the cord.

Cannon

The Napoleon Coat of arm on the cannon is brilliant. The K&C French Horse Artillery cannon lacks the coat of arm. But seems like the K&C Russian Cannon has a coat of arm too.

Poses

First Legion has very animated and variable poses. K&C poses lack animation and they're becoming repetitive.

Face and Sculpt

All First Legion figures have different facial expressions and the anatomical contour (the sunken orbits, nasolabial folds, the maxillary protrusions of both cheeks, philtrum dimple on the upper lip) is much more detail than K&C. K&C figures have flat faces in comparison.

Eyes

I am particularly fond of the eyes (I have a keen interest in ophthalmology). First Legion has fine detail in painting blue iris and central corneal reflex! The eyes've made the figures come to life! In contrast, K&C figures only have a black dot representing just the pupil. They appear invariably having dark iris.

(in my K&C collection, only the mounted Coldstream Guard officer have blue iris. All my German LAH parading soldiers have dark eyes instead of having blue iris along with blonde hair).

Many of K&C figures have squints too!

Historical Accuracy

I am awestruck by the historical research and details demonstrated on First Legion figures. The uniform is very accurate and the NCO distinguishes from the line gunners. K&C always make mistakes on their NCO/officers figures, paying much less attention to the subtle historical differences. (I am surprised nobody has critized K&C for the lack of accuracy on uniform and ranks, they've made big mistakes on all era, including the WWII Germans)

Although I am not a history professor/expert, but I can tell K&C has been sloppy in their research.

I know the First Legion bunch have a sound knowledge on historical matter.

Price

As we all know, K&C has an edge by its lower price, but K&C's price is inflating, and I am sure their price will definitely rise again in the near future.



As I've observed, K&C is becoming more sloppy in their new Napoleonic release (producing historically inaccurate figures, repetitive poses, paying less attention to details, etc...) Probably K&C is busy developing new lines e.g. WWI, Crusaders and focusing more on their winning WWII line instead of putting more interest in Napoleonics.

Excellent review, and it's pleasing to know that some companies make an effort to ensure accuracy.

Btw, take no notice of certain other members, with any luck you'll make it to their "ignore" list

 

[Peter Reuss]

Poses

First Legion has very animated and variable poses. K&C poses lack animation and they're becoming repetitive.

A note about poses...

We have recently seen some very impressive massed displays of AWI and Napoleonic sets. K&C provides collectors with standard poses to allow for these displays to be put together. If a figure is too unique, then massing them only brings out the uniqueness and detracts from the overall display. These periods were all about massing troops and keeping them in specific formations.

That said, there are unique pieces in the mix as well. When manufacturers ask me what poses I'd like to see (and they have), I always mention the standard ones (standing firing, kneeling firing, etc).

Perhaps it's a question of how large you want the display to be. If it's only a couple figures, maybe the more 'unique' poses work well. For massed displays, the standard ones are the best.

 

[oberstoskar]

Yup, just before I forget to mention, here are some winning points for K&C vs First Legion:

K&C packaging is well done.

I like the brighter/pinker skin tone on K&C faces comparing to the pale (zombie-like) skin on First Legion and Figurine Emporium.

I prefer the fatter bodies of K&C. First Legion heights are the same as K&C (I've excluded the base height) but bodies are too slender.

K&C have some weathering (i.e. dirt) on the boots. First Legion has more shadow on its paint job trying to look more 'battle-worn.' However, they've forgotten the weathering. Nonetheless, sometimes K&C may have overdone the weathering effect on their uniforms and vehicles.

Although First Legion figures have better historical accuracies and details, as a customer, I do appreciate the brochures and collectors news letter that Andy wrote providing the historical backgrounds. Great marketing strategy.

After all, I think it's great having another company to compliment K&C releases.

Regarding to the variety of poses... I know First Legion is producing the Old Guards marching with various sculpts and slight variation on their poses, making them look more realistic. But I guess doing so increases their production cost.

I just hope competition will make K&C strive to improve quality with lower price.

P.S. I've only recenly discovered TinBay and Figurine Emporium. I was surprised that their prices are so much higher than K&C yet the quality only seems to be the same as K&C. On the other hand, First Legion's soldiers do look very much like the Russian (St. Petersburg) figures except at a much lower cost. Having production in China is the way to go!

 

[kilted vampire]

It goes to show that there are always going to be pluses and minuses when it comes to manufacturers. One will always be cost versus cost. Attention to detail and accuracy. Production techniques. Lots of variables here.

I am looking forward to seeing the new figures in person. The WCer should be financialy devasting

 

[Capitolron]

My Two Cents:

1) I look forward to seeing the First Legion in person and make my own comparison to K&C.

2) I agree the more the merrier in making Napoleonics and I think Andy would agree competition makes everyone work harder and produce better products.

3) I TOTALLY AGREE WITH PETER ! The Napoleonic Wars were formation battles with brillant tactics by my HERO ! (wait for it..........) NAPOLEON !

Sorry - couldnt resist.

So you are going to have same firing and marching figures on all sides. Also there are new poses with the Russian figures - which I just think are great.

4) In the end of all this production - we the collector - WINS !

Ron

 

[Saber]

Well said! I would certainly like to see more Cav in "standard poses" as it would give me the ability to mass a decent size Cav formation. The action poses only happened toward the climax of a charge what about moving up or wheeling about etc? The only exception I see is the arty sets where I would like to see at least two or three different poses. Perhaps do two sets (A&B) with slight variations for a couple of the figures? I would be willing to pay extra for this option

 

[OzDigger]

I guess we need a Poll to see how many collectors still do displays with multiple single figures.

I don't know much about the Nappy scene, but I would have thought that the rising figure prices would have pushed a move to fewer but more varied poses.

POLL! POLL! POLL!

 

[Saber]

NEVER! Bring on the legions! Yes, my favorite movie scene is those little Roman guys unleashing on Ben Stiller in Night at the Museum.

 

[oberstoskar]

I guess we need a Poll to see how many collectors still do displays with multiple single figures.

I don't know much about the Nappy scene, but I would have thought that the rising figure prices would have pushed a move to fewer but more varied poses.

POLL! POLL! POLL!

Same here, for a poor guy like me that's my collection strategy to buy "fewer but more varied poses."
.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Same here, for a poor guy like me that's my collection strategy to buy "fewer but more varied poses."
.

Well, at least you'll have lots of expensive 1st Legion figures and will hopefully no longer have the urge to moan constantly about K&C.
Looking forward to the first of no doubt many greetin'faced posts concerning the shape of the bases on 1st Legion figures - or something equally spellbinding.

 

[oberstoskar]

oh yea, forget to comment on the bases.

So people prefer the square bases, some don't.

I personally like the irregular bases that K&C, Britains and others have done. And I don't like the exposed black edges of the square bases. But I also like the 'real' grass and 'dirt' on the First Legion bases, since I don't have a diorama terrain.

The Tinbay and Figurine emporium bases are old fashioned... they're square and too tall.

Also I personally like the K&C cavalry better. The charging Napoleonic cavalry have good variety of poses, and they've relatively good quality for value. The horses have the right scale (I think they're not too big, as European stallion are larger). The necks of some of the horses of both First Legion and a lot of the Frontline cavalry just look weird to me for some strange reason.

I am reluctant to buy First Legion mounted figures because I am afraid they don't match my pre-exisiting K&C ones and I can't afford the high price.

One aspect that K&C can definitely improve now is historical accuracy on the uniforms (without vastly increasing the cost of production).

H, do you have any TinBay, Figurine Emporium or any Russian/East european toy soldiers? What do you think of them (besides being very expensive)? Can you show photos of them? (or you simply won't admit that you've bought anything else other than K&C worrying you've offended Mr. Andy?)

 

[Mister Dave]

If anybody viewing this thread has not already viewed these, here are some side by side photos posted on the First Legion website.

MD