New Fallshrimjager (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter wwiibuff
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The current W. Britains Fallschirmjager are wearing Field Grey trousers; but the Ospery Art Fallschirmjager wore Luftwaffe Blue helmet and trousers. Is the difference in colors because of a difference in organization; Luftwaffe versus SS? The Tunisan colors were yellow helmet and trousers.
Dave-LC
Private 2
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The helmet was issued in various blue tones (depending on manufacturer) and was camouflaged often with whatever paint was available - sometimes just mud to reduce glare! Many wore the issued cloth camo cover depicted also. The majority of Fallshirmajagers wore field gray trousers but like everything else during the period what was worn was that which was available at the time.
WBritain
Master Sergeant
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Hi all,
I also need to point out that we were required to follow the artwork provided by Osprey for the figure made years ago, including colors.
That is one advantage to designing our own figures is the flexibility to finish them as we think they should look.
This is very important for very early uniforms that often need to be reconstructed based on very little surviving information. We are always learning and I think the work shows it.
I hope this helps,
Ken
I also need to point out that we were required to follow the artwork provided by Osprey for the figure made years ago, including colors.
That is one advantage to designing our own figures is the flexibility to finish them as we think they should look.
This is very important for very early uniforms that often need to be reconstructed based on very little surviving information. We are always learning and I think the work shows it.
I hope this helps,
Ken
Ken; my example of the Osprey Art Fallschirmjager WB#25005 was issued 2009 and the box cites a 54mm figure; which by actual measure is 60mm. Can yo provide a firm date when WB transitioned to 60mm figures from 54mm. I wish to purchase only 60mm figures in scale with my Figarti armor pieces. A lot of confusion exists on this issue of when the change occured and multiple suppliers still stipulate that WB WWI figures are 54mm!
WBritain
Master Sergeant
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Hi there,
Thanks for asking...I have explained this several times before on various places, but I am always happy to explain it again.
I have sculpted for W.Britain for a little over ten years now and the figures in the matte range have always been 58 to 60mm in height and scaled for sculpting purposes at 1/30th scale.
The former general manager simply refused to have the proper scale stated.
The classic gloss are scaled at 1/32 and have also been very consistent during the 1st Gear ownership. When looking at the antique W. Britain figures, they mostly state 54mm if anything at all with no real scale.
This is as accurately as I can answer this for you, other than to state that while I am in the position to oversee the creative end, you can be assured that there will be continued compatibility within the brand.
All the best,
Ken
Thanks for asking...I have explained this several times before on various places, but I am always happy to explain it again.
I have sculpted for W.Britain for a little over ten years now and the figures in the matte range have always been 58 to 60mm in height and scaled for sculpting purposes at 1/30th scale.
The former general manager simply refused to have the proper scale stated.
The classic gloss are scaled at 1/32 and have also been very consistent during the 1st Gear ownership. When looking at the antique W. Britain figures, they mostly state 54mm if anything at all with no real scale.
This is as accurately as I can answer this for you, other than to state that while I am in the position to oversee the creative end, you can be assured that there will be continued compatibility within the brand.
All the best,
Ken
Thank you Ken for the comprehensive response. I can now be assured that when I purchase a W. Britains WWII figure that it is 60mm and not 54mm. I will assume any figures made under First Gear ownership are 60mm; not the 54mm cited on the box. The former General Manager did a great disservice to his customers and created considerable confusion that persists to this day!
I have in the past rejected WB WWII figures as 1/32 scale and too small for my Figarti armor; even though I liked the figures. I purchased the Osprey Art figure as a stand alone display piece where scale was not a factor and I was greatly suprised to find it was 60mm. The figure is now displayed with my Figarti Panther G and I will be purchasing the newly released Fallschirmjager figures.
I have in the past rejected WB WWII figures as 1/32 scale and too small for my Figarti armor; even though I liked the figures. I purchased the Osprey Art figure as a stand alone display piece where scale was not a factor and I was greatly suprised to find it was 60mm. The figure is now displayed with my Figarti Panther G and I will be purchasing the newly released Fallschirmjager figures.
Richard Walker
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Ken and I have worked together for many years and I have only the very highest regard for his historical knowledge and sculpting talent. We traveled extensively together over almost 10 years at W. Britain, traversing the US and even the UK. During that time we became friends and discussed many issues from what figures would be made next, to great battles, leaders, our kids and the state of American politics! During that time I am sure I made some decisions not everyone agreed with, but I meant only the best for the company and this hobby, both of which I love deeply. One of the things I greatly enjoyed about working with Ken was the collegial atmosphere and joint decision making. Ultimately though, any errors or mistakes must be mine alone. I am proud and pleased to have run Britains for as long as I did and wish Ken and every collector out there only the very best. Richard Walker
Panzer ace
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Richard:
Anything thought to be deficient during your tenure at Britains is far outweighed by your contributions to this hobby.
Please accept my sincere gratitude for all that you have done and continue to do for the toy soldier industry.
Best,
Jason
braddinpa
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Richard. I have to admit I have gained a lot of respect for you with that post. It would have been easy to blame someone. But to accept responsibility is something you don't see too often (and I am not saying by any means that you did or didn't do anything wrong). Richard well done and welcome back to the hobby. You did some great sets at Britains and have no doubt you will do an awesome job with Treefrog. Brad
What I do not understand is why when the scale changed from 1/32 (54mm) to 1/30 (60mm) the change was not advertised and marked on the product boxes as Figarti did when they made the same shift in scale. I rejected W. Britains for years because they were 1/32 not 1/30; even though I liked the figures! Some W. Britains sellers are still stateing the figures are 54mm! Imagine a customer that believes they have ordered a 1/32 figure only to find that it is out of scale with the rest of their figures. Not a good outcome for seller or buyer!
WBritain
Master Sergeant
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Hi all,
Hopefully this will explain a bit more specifically about W. Britain size and scale during 1st Gear ownership.
From the time 1st Gear purchased the W. Britain brand the actual product has remained pretty consistent in size and scale in most the matte ranges. It has remained very consistent in size and scale for the Classic Gloss Redcoats and Bluecoats developed under 1st Gear ownership. The archive figures have been copies of vintage W. Britain products in their original sizes, which varied.
When Figarti changed the actual scale of the products, they marked the boxes appropriately, and as I recall at one point they produced products in both 1/32 and 1/30.
Only the nomenclature on the W.Britain boxes has changed in the past few years to provide more accurate information on the scale of the product inside. If we consider producing a smaller scale such as 1/48, or a larger scale such as 1/16 we will state that on the packaging. This change in nomenclature reflecting scale happened about 2 1/2 years ago.
There will be older W. Britain product in the secondary market made by Ertle, RC2 and some earlier 1st Gear items that may scale differently than stated on the packaging.
I think the new toy and model figure industry continues to grow and mature. The issues such as size and scale have become far more important to collectors building displays and dioramas than it traditionally has been in the past. The model railroad industry went through the same process years ago and enjoys more consistency today than in the early years.
I hope we see even more consistency in the toy and model figure industry in the future, but maybe that is just the model maker in me!
All the best!
Ken
Ken; thank you very much for the expanded explanation. I agree that model makers collecting 1/30 scale will tend to be more demanding of figure accuracy. Accurate scale, proportions, color et. al. are important to realistic displays and dioramas. First Legion recognised this shift in customer demand and has catered to it; but with premium prices much higher than the traditional Toy Soldier products. K&C seems to have taken a page from First Legions business plan and is improving quality and increasing prices. W. Britains has shown in recent products that quality can increase significantly; but prices can be maintained at a reasonable level. I am very impressed with the quality versus price point of the W. Britains Fallschirmjager which equal or excel other manufacturers IMHO. Armor Please!
jazzeum
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I hope this does not come off as flippant or rude and apologies in advance if it does but haven't you asked this question before a few times. I thought you had received an answer.
Brad
Brad I have asked the question several times in several ways and received several answers that did not answer the question or resolve the problem. When I buy a 2009 W. Britains product labeled 54mm and it measures 60mm that is a problem. The fact that multiple sellers cite W. Britains matt figures as 54mm is also a problem. The problem persists for the customer, the seller and the manufacturer. I am trying to bring attention to the problem and have it resolved. A step in the right direction is citeing the correct size on the WB website. The sellers need to be informed of the change and correct the erronious information posted on their websites as Treefrog Treasures has done after it was brought to their attention. Figarti handeled the change from 1/32 to 1/30 scale correctly; W. Britains has not. Consider me a nag!
More a matter of truth in advertising IMHO. I am not selling a product specified to be a certain size. A box labeled 54MM should contain a 54mm figure. Brad took great exception with TCS. as I recall because TCS was selling 1/28 Panzers as 1/30 and they were too large to work with his earlier TCS Panzers. The early TCS Tiger I was an accurate 1/30 scale. I have one and I have measured it with a digital caliper. The TCS Panzer IV, which Brad had a problem with was 1/28 scale and made the Tiger I look small in comparison. I agreed with his position. 1/30 (60mm) figures and vehicles should be able to be confirmed by direct measurement and manufacturers need to conform to the size or scale printed on the box.
jazzeum
Four Star General
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Sorry but that wasn't me.
As far as a label matching the box's contents, I agree. In not sure that question has been answered. I've noticed that Empire has done this as well. The box says 1/32 but it's more like 58mm than 54mm. It could be a case of trying to be all things to all people.
Figarti set the standard for advertising a change in figure dimension/scale. K&C, TCS, W. Britains et.al. need to do the same. W.Britains has acknowledged the change on their website; but the box label needs to be changed. K&C and TCS figures are now 66-68mm which is about 1/28 scale; as far from 1/30 as 1/32 and it is obvious to anyone with a critical eye! Acknowledge the fact and inform your customers as Figarti did!
WBritain
Master Sergeant
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The box labels were corrected as soon as I became general manager.
Boxes more than two years old will still have some incorrect labeling. We simply cannot go back to older packaging and correct nomenclature, but all current and future products do have correct size or scale stated.
Ken
Thank you Ken; that is great news. 2009 must be the last year of the erronious 54mm marking. Your predecessor should have attended to this problem at the time of the transition. I only wish other Toy Soldier manufacturers would do the same.
A 66+mm figure is not a 1/30 figure. A company starting a new scale; as 1/28 is, needs to mark its products accordingly.
A 66+mm figure is not a 1/30 figure. A company starting a new scale; as 1/28 is, needs to mark its products accordingly.