New W. Britain clashes with old! (1 Viewer)

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

I couldn't resist it... I pulled my old Ertle/W.Britain 'Clear the Way!' Yankees out of the case to set up on one of the new displays we built. They are facing off with some of the Rebs we created under 1st Gear/ W. Britain.
There are 10 years difference between the two releases with the same two people behind the curtain.
It's been fun, and we look forward to keep bringing you good products at a fair price.

The Rebs are holding the rise behind the stone wall... These are the new W. Britain troops...

The Yankees charge against a murderous fire...

The Irish Brigade presses on... The old W. Britain 'Clear the Way!' set...

After several hundred figures under my belt I think my sculpting has improved a bit. This combined with the overall production values from 1st Gear have improved the product overall.
Richard and I are constantly working on improving the entire product line while always keeping an eye toward maintaining compatibility so you can continue to build your collections.

Look for some great new additions to our ACW line along with many new additions to all of the ranges across the board. We should be wrapping up the Fall catalog in the next couple of weeks so you can have it in your hands by late September.

I hope you enjoy the images... All the Best!

Ken Osen

 

[mestell]

Hello Ken - great pictures - I really like the stone wall . Makes me almost want to jump into ACW also.

Mike

 

[lancer]

Great set-up Ken. I have both "Clear the Way" and "Lone Star" and I think they have held up very well with the current figures. Those two sets and their add-ons got me buying Britains ACW and I am pleased the quality and the consistency of paint and detail allows me to display old with new. -- Al

 

[Systempunkt]

Great pictures Ken.

Talking of older WB figures..

Will we see any militia in your AWI range? Similiar to the old range (about 2001/2) with the Gadsden flag etc etc. I think they bring out the spirit of the AWI far more than line after line of redcoats and continentals, although I believe these are some of your best work yet (ie: the Continental casualty set). I appreciate the range is currently focused upon Yorktown.

I do hope I have not de-railed the thread, but had to ask this!

Thank you.

 

[Capitolron]

Ken

Always been a big fan of your work - both old and new !

I must say the newer items are just outstanding - keep up the great work !

ron

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hi there!
Not a problem at all. Thanks for the compliment on our 1st Gear/W. Britain AWI figures.
We are now in the midst of planning the 2010 releases and there is plenty to think about. The one thing that we know is that there will be additional colours and some of the pre 1779 regulation uniforms.

There was a wild variety of clothing worn by the various state line units and local militias prior to 1779, some of which would be a nice foil to the uniformed troops now offered. If we are thoughtful in our designs then some of these could also be used as Loyalist scouts and volunteers with the proper choice of weapons and accouterments.

Some times we are thoughtful about revisiting a few of the subjects that were produced in the period immediately before the 1st Gear ownership. This has helped avoid some of the confusion that was more common during our first year or two of production.
At this point we feel we have established a consistent look to our lines and enough time has passed for that not to be an issue. With that said, perhaps we could offer the Gadsden colour as a new sculpt again.

Thanks for your comments.
Ken

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Thanks Ron!
I really appreciate the kind comments and I enjoy seeing some of our work in your collection.
Ken

 

[Lewey Gun Vick]

Hi Ken! Great dio and figures! You're truely the master of sculpting and building!

Vick

 

[6th Wisconsin]

Love this little diorama, and the Clear the Way set is still one of my all-time favorite toy soldier sets by any maker. It was the set that first captivated me when I saw it in a store in Gettysburg nearly 10 years ago. I started collecting that day.

 

[Jagdpanther]

Awesome pictures ken!

I really enjoy looking at your work I think its the best out there.

 

[mestell]

I must give you fair warning Ken, you might be named as co-defendant if my wife finds out what I have been up to this morning . Its all your fault you know - tempting me and the others with these fabulous pictures and dioramas . Well I just pre-ordered #51004 Farmhouse, and was able to purchase this morning #17681 Smokehouse, #17868 Wash house, and #17918 Woodshed . I have had so much enjoyment collecting the Wm Britain Napoleonics and Zulu ranges that I have decided to give the ACW a try . I must be out of my mind and I am sure my wife will be the first one to sign the committment papers . What a great habit . . . . . er, I mean Hobby

Mike

 

[Leadmen]

Mike: You will need a larger truck and bags for Chicago this year. I feel like expanding back into the Civil War or Zulu. The new Britain figures are nice. I already do the glossy guys. John

 

[marco55]

I must give you fair warning Ken, you might be named as co-defendant if my wife finds out what I have been up to this morning . Its all your fault you know - tempting me and the others with these fabulous pictures and dioramas . Well I just pre-ordered #51004 Farmhouse, and was able to purchase this morning #17681 Smokehouse, #17868 Wash house, and #17918 Woodshed . I have had so much enjoyment collecting the Wm Britain Napoleonics and Zulu ranges that I have decided to give the ACW a try . I must be out of my mind and I am sure my wife will be the first one to sign the committment papers . What a great habit . . . . . er, I mean Hobby

Mike

Mike,
What will you do when the new Crusaders come out?
Mark

 

[mestell]

Mike,
What will you do when the new Crusaders come out?
Mark

Hello Mark - I'll probably try and figure out some form of creative financing and do my part to stimulate our economy . If that fails I'll ask our government to bail me out
Mike

 

[Jagdpanther]

I must give you fair warning Ken, you might be named as co-defendant if my wife finds out what I have been up to this morning . Its all your fault you know - tempting me and the others with these fabulous pictures and dioramas . Well I just pre-ordered #51004 Farmhouse, and was able to purchase this morning #17681 Smokehouse, #17868 Wash house, and #17918 Woodshed . I have had so much enjoyment collecting the Wm Britain Napoleonics and Zulu ranges that I have decided to give the ACW a try . I must be out of my mind and I am sure my wife will be the first one to sign the committment papers . What a great habit . . . . . er, I mean Hobby

Mike

Mike, for some reason I had a feeling you would be jumping into the Civil War range. Now you will have to get another table. I actually started into there Civil War, but only have a few sets and stopped buying them because I was buying other stuff.


Titus

 

[Lewey Gun Vick]

I must give you fair warning Ken, you might be named as co-defendant if my wife finds out what I have been up to this morning . Its all your fault you know - tempting me and the others with these fabulous pictures and dioramas . Well I just pre-ordered #51004 Farmhouse, and was able to purchase this morning #17681 Smokehouse, #17868 Wash house, and #17918 Woodshed . I have had so much enjoyment collecting the Wm Britain Napoleonics and Zulu ranges that I have decided to give the ACW a try . I must be out of my mind and I am sure my wife will be the first one to sign the committment papers . What a great habit . . . . . er, I mean Hobby

Mike

Mike, make sure to buy the Longstreet figure for your ACW collection, it is by far one of my favorite Britain's figure!

Vick

 

[UKReb]

I couldn't resist it... I pulled my old Ertle/W.Britain 'Clear the Way!' Yankees out of the case to set up on one of the new displays we built. They are facing off with some of the Rebs we created under 1st Gear/ W. Britain.
There are 10 years difference between the two releases with the same two people behind the curtain.
It's been fun, and we look forward to keep bringing you good products at a fair price.

The Rebs are holding the rise behind the stone wall... These are the new W. Britain troops...

The Yankees charge against a murderous fire...

The Irish Brigade presses on... The old W. Britain 'Clear the Way!' set...

After several hundred figures under my belt I think my sculpting has improved a bit. This combined with the overall production values from 1st Gear have improved the product overall.
Richard and I are constantly working on improving the entire product line while always keeping an eye toward maintaining compatibility so you can continue to build your collections.

Look for some great new additions to our ACW line along with many new additions to all of the ranges across the board. We should be wrapping up the Fall catalog in the next couple of weeks so you can have it in your hands by late September.

I hope you enjoy the images... All the Best!

Ken Osen

Great set-ups Ken-most impressive but then again you are the sculptor

Reb

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

"Clear The Way" is my all time favorite ACW set. How about a few new sets in 2010 to go with it