New AZW battles coming (1 Viewer)

[Isandlwana]

It is my understanding that Isandlwana will soon become the main focus of the AZW range, especially from 2010, which is great news because with Isandlwana you are able to build smaller vignettes - let's face it Rorke's Drift is starting to take over our homes in terms of its overall size.

However, and I hope Britains are reading this, I was told yesterday by a WB rep that eventually an Ulundi range is on the cards and that is not good news for varying reasons.

Ulundi in terms of size was a massive set piece encounter and apart from the 17th lancers having a dash at the retreating Zulus there is not really any other minor encounter you can concentrate on. Ulundi would have to be an all or nothing collection, something I can ill afford and would simply shy away from.

I made it known that if WB were to even consider another encounter following on from RD and Isandlwana then it had to be Myer's Drift. This would be much more marketable in terms of size and is an action never previously considered. There would be wagons, bell tents, half naked British soldiers, Moriarty perishing, Booth winning his VC and of course Harward fleeing on his horse.

Please show your support or indeed tell me if you think Ulundi is a good idea and why - can't see it myself but will always listen.

 

[thebritfarmer]

It is my understanding that Isandlwana will soon become the main focus of the AZW range, especially from 2010, which is great news because with Isandlwana you are able to build smaller vignettes - let's face it Rorke's Drift is starting to take over our homes in terms of its overall size.

However, and I hope Britains are reading this, I was told yesterday by a WB rep that eventually an Ulundi range is on the cards and that is not good news for varying reasons.

Ulundi in terms of size was a massive set piece encounter and apart from the 17th lancers having a dash at the retreating Zulus there is not really any other minor encounter you can concentrate on. Ulundi would have to be an all or nothing collection, something I can ill afford and would simply shy away from.

I made it known that if WB were to even consider another encounter following on from RD and Isandlwana then it had to be Myer's Drift. This would be much more marketable in terms of size and is an action never previously considered. There would be wagons, bell tents, half naked British soldiers, Moriarty perishing, Booth winning his VC and of course Harward fleeing on his horse.

Please show your support or indeed tell me if you think Ulundi is a good idea and why - can't see it myself but will always listen.

I think you'll find your answer right there !!!

 

[Isandlwana]

One could argue that that was rather an ingominious part of the battle - not something I would want to recreate I have to say. But each to their own!

 

[The Lt.]

It would only make sense that WBritain would gcontinue on to the battle of Isandlwana from Rorke's Drift. They've yet to feature the remainder of the VC winners along with the winners of the DCM . They've not yet provided any of the medical staff, the remainder of the members of the Natal Native Contingent which includes Lt. Adendorff and still lacking the remainder of the Commissary staff. The Drift is still lacking NCO's, Coporals, Lance Coporals which defended the Drift. Note all of the above can also be used in future events that have taken place during the Zulu War. You've also got to remember the Commissary Storehouse along with the Water Cart Biscuit Box Wall and Last Redoubt is yet to make their appearance and let's not forget the Zulu Warriors and then on to the the various combatants the took part in the fight at Isandlawana. Seems like Britain's got quite a way to go yet before getting to the battle of Ulundi. In the mean time I'm sure that the appearance of the 17th Lancer The Kings 1st Dragoon Guards would make those along with other who are collecting the Glossy Redcoats and Bluecoats very happy until First Gear arrives at the Battle of Ulundi in matte......The Lt.

 

[mestell]

I would have to agree with the LT. Much still has to (or could be done) with RD. Although I would also have to agree that I would be very interested in Myer's Drift figures and accessories.

Mike

 

[Isandlwana]

There's no doubt RD has yet to be completed but more characters are on their way but I'm looking much farther ahead. The Isandlwana collection will really start to take shape with, I'm told, a limber and crew (much like the WWI equiv) iminent. Personally I hope they focus on Pope's G Company and Younghusband's C Company or even Anstey's last stand on the trail - a very lonely and forlorn spot it is too, even now.

I'm just saying that the 80th's moment of disaster deserves to be portrayed more than the 17th lancers jolly skewering warriors that had already given up the fight.

 

[UKReb]

I cannot imagine any AZW TS fanatic- of which we have an abundance here on the forum- would really want to collect a Ulundi "genocide" series and find it hard to believe Britain's would go that route.

A rushed slaughter-hardly a battle-due to that charlatan Chelmsford ignoring several communiques from the new CinC Wolseley to hold fast until he arrived. Which resulted in a massacre of over 1500 Zulu by massed artillery and Infantry fire so intense that no Zulu got within 50 yards of the British guns followed up by bayoneting hundreds of wounded warriors where they fell. Vengeance perhaps for Isandlwhana but completely ignoring Cetshwayo attempts at negotiation before the battle and now toy soldiers to celebrate that event-Holy Cow

I'm a historic US collector but if a manufacturer told me he was bringing out a series on Wounded Knee or the Wash-ita it would beggar my belief and prompt me and I guess every other decent minded collector to run a mile. Therefore if Britain's are indeed going to produce a Ulundi series (and I very much doubt it) surely they need to examine their morals. Unless of course all you AZW collectors dont suffer such human frailities.

Reb

 

[Spitfrnd]

I cannot imagine any AZW TS fanatic- of which we have an abundance here on the forum- would really want to collect a Ulundi "genocide" series and find it hard to believe Britain's would go that route.

A rushed slaughter-hardly a battle-due to that charlatan Chelmsford ignoring several communiques from the new CinC Wolseley to hold fast until he arrived. Which resulted in a massacre of over 1500 Zulu by massed artillery and Infantry fire so intense that no Zulu got within 50 yards of the British guns followed up by bayoneting hundreds of wounded warriors where they fell. Vengeance perhaps for Isandlwhana but completely ignoring Cetshwayo attempts at negotiation before the battle and now toy soldiers to celebrate that event-Holy Cow

I'm a historic US collector but if a manufacturer told me he was bringing out a series on Wounded Knee or the Wash-ita it would beggar my belief and prompt me and I guess every other decent minded collector to run a mile. Therefore if Britain's are indeed going to produce a Ulundi series (and I very much doubt it) surely they need to examine their morals. Unless of course all you AZW collectors dont suffer such human frailities.

Reb

You have my vote mate.

 

[damian]

I would think that a gun and limber team similar to last years' WWI Limber would be an essential addition. As would a water cart sortie and even perhaps a pontoon bridge.
Joe what is all this about glossy KDG?
I have not seen anything about this.
My friend is just back from field deployment with the 1st Welsh Field Hospital in Helmand.
He was trying to impress me with all the photos of the trauma cases he had seen. I politely smiled and then showed him my own photo gallery which put him in perspective. However he did say that during his pre-deployment course they kept showing Zulu over and over and when the Welsh Field Hospital were replaced by an English one they kept playing Men of Harlech over the PA system.

 

[thebritfarmer]

So Ulundi is okay in gloss but not matte then

 

[The Lt.]

Reb I beleive most of the ZW fanatics as we're called are mainly interested in the mounted figures of the 17th Lancer and the 1st Kngs Dragoon Guards than creating the Battle of Ulundi I for one have no interest. I'm sure you'll agree that throughtout the American Civil War events took place that showed the worse of both the Union and Confedate States but hasn't stop any of the manfactures from providing the Cavarlies from both sides.......The Lt.

 

[The Lt.]

So Ulundi is okay in gloss but not matte then

No Scott a number of you have made request for First Gear to provide the 17th Lancers and with them provideing both Redcoats and Bluecoats it would be the quickes way to make them available......The Lt.

 

[damian]

Joe
Do have some inside info.
Are we getting some lancers for Christmas?

 

[Jagdpanther]

I agree, there still is alot more to be done for RD.

 

[The Breaker]

I don't agree that a battle should be ignored because one side was overmatched. What do you think the Zulus would have done if they had broken the square at Ulundi..Have coffee and cake with Chelmsford? I believe that by doing a few pieces from Ulundi would give you the 17th Lancers, a gatling gun and a 9pdr., units that can be used for other battles too. I don't think anyone celebrates the slaughter that took place at Ulundi but you can't ignore a part of history because it was disagreeable (the US Civil War and WWI are just two examples, these subjects are covered well without objection).

I am most interested in Isandlwana and would really like to see the Natal Native Horse, Myers Drift and Hlobane Mountain and Khambula would be great choices.

 

[The Lt.]

Joe
Do have some inside info.
Are we getting some lancers for Christmas?

I have no idea what's headed our way Damian and as to my comments on both the glossy Lancers and the King's 1st Dagoons it was meant as another way for them to make a quicker apprearance. I've no idea what WBritain has planned for the in matte as well as gloss. There's no doubt a gun limber team would be a hit but for me I would prefer that Britain provide the two 7 pounders with two different crews in different poses along with the rocket battery giving me a lot more for my money but that's me. Isandlwana all Britain has to do is provide Pope, Younghusband and Anstey in action poses firing their weapons which would fit in with figures of the 24th already on hand plus the new ones headed our way to satisfiy your request and mine also.....The Lt.

 

[Isandlwana]

If you want a Gatling from Ulundi then surely you must then incorporate the rest of the square and that is just too laborious and costly. I'm vehemently against Ulundi being depicted at all on many levels not least of all because the average collector is not loaded and it would be very difficult for some of us to commit to it. Thats what collecting is - a committment but most of us like to see that there is an end before there is a new beginning and Ulundi would indubitably never end.

 

[The Breaker]

Isandlwana,

I actually wish W Britain would make a gatling manned by the Naval Brigade rather than the RA.
After Rorkes Drift I would rather they make individual units that can be used for different actions rather than go through each battle( although I'd really like to see a Col. Durnford figure for a diorama). The artillery units, colonials, naval brigade and Zulus can be used interchangeably.

 

[Isandlwana]

Yes, I can see your point and agree. Trouble is the 80th, for instance, had yellow collar/cuff trimmings, the Buffs, well they had buff so I want my dispalys to be as accurate as they can be really and remember the 24th were not at Ulundi so you can't use them if youre a stickler like me!

 

[maddadicus]

What captures my imagination about the Zulu War, were all the hodge podge of civilian / military units. Why does any particular battle have to be represented? Just provide individual units and an artillery or gatling grouping. Throw in some naval and highlander units and let us make our own collective scenarios or displays. Throw in a wagon or limber set, if you must....if glossy, I will probably go after them all......Michael