Beautiful figures. Ochen Krassiva as the Russians would say. It's a pity that the Voltiguer downrange shot the plume off that trooper's shako.
It was the excited 12-year old Heid who's dumb-cluck clumsiness when opening the box shot the plume off the trooper's shako.
It's something I'm prone to do at times but it's a clean break and nothing that a spot of superglue won't fix.
Similarly to my other favourite manufacturer, First Legion's packaging is extremely professional and offers the protection my figures need - considering the way I cram them into my airline luggage in the effort to avoid more than 20kg of hold luggage at the check-in desk. I've even been known to throw my laptop into my hold luggage and put as many miniature figurines as I can get into my carry-on computer bag in the hope of avoiding crippling luggage charges.
Unfortunately, my usual cheeky grin has, (incredible as it may sound...???), been known to fail on occasion, and I've still incurred extra charges for overweight luggage by the hard-hearted ladies at check-in.
And then of course, getting painted metal miniature figurines and accessories through Hong Kong Airport security can lead to almost surreal Monty Python-esque comedy.
"Please remove your laptop and put it through the scanner Sir?"
"Umm, I don't have a laptop in there."
"But that's a computer bag? What do you have in there if not a laptop Sir?"
"Eeerr, ugh, Medieval Japanese Samurai Warriors/Greek Hoplites/Model Trees & Bushes/Zulu Warriors/Saracens from the 1st Crusade/WWII Tiger Tanks/Kilted and Extremely Hairy North-British Barbarians firing at Russian Hussars in The Crimea/etc."
"I think you'd better come with us Sir......"
Once safely escorted into the security room and I show the guys what's in my bag, the straight-jacket is put back in it's container; and it's invariably smiles all round, and generally very real interest in the examples of miniature art, that are to be new additions to our collection.
And then on arrival at the Dalian end, there's been some rather "
interesting" discussions with customs officials. (Hong Kong to Chinese Mainland flights are still classed as International arrivals). The officials seem to be getting used to me though and it's been gradually becoming easier.
"More
presents for your wife's
extended family Mister Heid?"
"Ugh, eeerr, how did you guess?."
Chinese people don't generally wink at folk, but the smiles on the official's faces amount to the same thing.
I'm almost getting around to believing that they, themselves, look forward to seeing what "
the crazy gweilo's bringing home this time".
On this occasion, it's the Missus who's taking the latest loot home - but it's an internal flight, (Beijing > Dalian), so I don't anticipate her having any problems on arrival.
I'm aware I have a tendency to drone on and on, but it's interesting that as I write this we're presently in our hotel room watching a documentary on Chinese TV about, believe it or not - the German invasion of Norway in 1940.
I hope Mister Legion's looking in. The invasion of Norway has just gotta be more worthwhile doing than some vague and obscure WWII battle on the Volga that no-one's all that interested in.....
Cheers
H
