Some suggestions for Civil War authenticity (1 Viewer)

[gettysburgbuff]

There are a number of artillery sets but no caissons and limbers with full teams available to make the scenes accurate. We need some horses standing in place tethered to the limbers behind the guns. Also we need more infantry figures without knapsacks and blanket rolls. There were many instances where the armies were in static defensive postures and had left their knapsacks behind them in camps while in position. For those of us wanting to replicate a particular scene accurately, these are essential items. Perhaps in the future the manufacturer can direct some attention to these matters.

 

[6th Wisconsin]

I fully agree that both of these items would be wonderful to have. I have particularly wished in the past that we could have more soldiers without all the equipment because they would often leave them behind if possible when advancing into battle or fighting on the defensive. Manufacturers have given us these on occasion but could do more. I was just looking at my Pickett's Charge dio and noticed several without backpacks, such as the Britains Clubs are Trumps Union add on set I bought years ago. I also have a few newer Britains soldiers without backpacks.

 

[mestell]

Caissons and limbers are coming . . . . . its just a matter of time. Unfortunately for us ACW collcetors, the ACW range is not the only successful range that WB has. We just have to be patient and wait our turn in the lime light . . . .
Mike

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Mike is bang on... both requests are in the works.
Ken

 

[The Lt.]

Mike is bang on... both requests are in the works.
Ken

Hope WB's also got addtional RA figures for the ZW planned.....PapaZ

 

[Shiloh]

Some limbers with no horses please for guns in action.

 

[Terp152]

As mentioned earlier in this thread, hoping we get some horses in the standing pose. Also, horse holders and horses for the dismounted cavalry. Great news on the caissons. Chris

 

[UKReb]

Very valid points raised re too many figures with knapsacks & blanket rolls but I would also add too many officers carrying swords. Cavalry officers yes but according to many historians neither Lee or any of his Corps/Division commanders in the ANV carried them especially into a fight yet every single figure of an officer is either carrying one or has one sheathed by their side. I tend to remove them if possible but sometimes the pose stops you from doing this. The only recorded incident where Bobby Lee wore a sash & sword was when he rode to meet Grant at Appomattox.

Good news on the limbers/caissons but I would like to see Ken tackle Rebs & Yanks in winter garb such as that worn at Fredericksburg/Pea Ridge/Stones River. Apart from a couple of old Britains sets from way back no manufacturer has taken a shot at it. Greatcoats & blankets, musket barrels wrapped in muslin, scarves wrapped around hats and ears etc Now that would be something completely different as I note that every single new ACW release from all manufacturers - with slight variations- is beginning to become more of the same of what I already have in my collection.

Reb

 

[AIDMAN]

Very valid points raised re too many figures with knapsacks & blanket rolls but I would also add too many officers carrying swords. Cavalry officers yes but according to many historians neither Lee or any of his Corps/Division commanders in the ANV carried them especially into a fight yet every single figure of an officer is either carrying one or has one sheathed by their side. I tend to remove them if possible but sometimes the pose stops you from doing this. The only recorded incident where Bobby Lee wore a sash & sword was when he rode to meet Grant at Appomattox.

Good news on the limbers/caissons but I would like to see Ken tackle Rebs & Yanks in winter garb such as that worn at Fredericksburg/Pea Ridge/Stones River. Apart from a couple of old Britains sets from way back no manufacturer has taken a shot at it. Greatcoats & blankets, musket barrels wrapped in muslin, scarves wrapped around hats and ears etc Now that would be something completely different as I note that every single new ACW release from all manufacturers - with slight variations- is beginning to become more of the same of what I already have in my collection.

Reb

Bob.....I will also put my vote on your idea on winter Campaigns/Uniforms. It would certainly bring a new aspect to ACW collecting!!. Loads
of new diorama ideas spring to mind, and it would be a theme that WB could build on for years to come. Poor old Ken!!, as if he did"nt have
enough work already!!.

Steve

 

[Warrior]

Very valid points raised re too many figures with knapsacks & blanket rolls but I would also add too many officers carrying swords. Cavalry officers yes but according to many historians neither Lee or any of his Corps/Division commanders in the ANV carried them especially into a fight yet every single figure of an officer is either carrying one or has one sheathed by their side. I tend to remove them if possible but sometimes the pose stops you from doing this. The only recorded incident where Bobby Lee wore a sash & sword was when he rode to meet Grant at Appomattox.

Good news on the limbers/caissons but I would like to see Ken tackle Rebs & Yanks in winter garb such as that worn at Fredericksburg/Pea Ridge/Stones River. Apart from a couple of old Britains sets from way back no manufacturer has taken a shot at it. Greatcoats & blankets, musket barrels wrapped in muslin, scarves wrapped around hats and ears etc Now that would be something completely different as I note that every single new ACW release from all manufacturers - with slight variations- is beginning to become more of the same of what I already have in my collection.

Reb

This is the beauty of this hobby, collectors like Bob who know their stuff and haved great ideas for future releases.

Can just see an episode now in the ACW diaries, a certain stone wall manned by Confederates with waves of great coated clad union troops storming towards it, or better yet, the Battle of Stones River or Pea Ridge, both episodes from the Western Theater, hardly ever depicted with purpose made figures........

 

[jazzeum]

I would like to see some winter troops. That would be something different that we haven't seen before and, just as WW II winter troops have appeal, so would these.

 

[Jefman]

Would like to see some Confederate Cavalry. I really like the past WB early war 1st Virginia Cavalry rollouts. Nice, varied, well crafted sculpts with terrific paint jobs. This time I would like to see a more generic slant. Mounted and dismounted. Eastern or western theatre. Mid to late war. With some troopers depicted as horse holders. Go easy on the sabres, lots of pistols,muzzle loading carbines and shot guns. Nothing complicated.

 

[gettysburgbuff]

Some limbers with no horses please for guns in action.

Generally, the horses were always tethered to the limbers while the guns were in action, except in fortified permanent emplacements. This was so because often the guns had to be moved quickly and it was time consuming to harness them each time. There are countless instances were horses were destroyed by opposing fire, both artillery and infantry, just to immobilize the guns. If teams of six horses are manufactured, they should not be separate horses but rather groupings of six on one base so that all the harnesses and accurtrements can be molded on the piece together. This would make the piece cheaper to produce as well with corresponding cost saving to consumers. Most of us portraying a battery will require at least seven or eight sets of horses to add to the limber/caisson combinations to make a scene credible. Hopefully, they will be done separate from the limbers and caissons to allow flexibility for their use between limbers or limber caisson configurations depending on what the diorama maker wants to achieve. Also, some of us already have the set that has an open chest limber with two artillerymen servicing that limber. Making separate limbers and caissons would augment what has already been created in that regard. It would also help to have some horse casualties. Another suggestion: Make more generic union figures and sets with regimental colors in addition to the national colors, both of which were always together with the color guard in any regiment. As you can see, as we get more authentic and sophisticated in our renditions of battle scenes, the level of more highly authentic poses and figures increases.

 

[mestell]

Generally, the horses were always tethered to the limbers while the guns were in action, except in fortified permanent emplacements. This was so because often the guns had to be moved quickly and it was time consuming to harness them each time. There are countless instances were horses were destroyed by opposing fire, both artillery and infantry, just to immobilize the guns. If teams of six horses are manufactured, they should not be separate horses but rather groupings of six on one base so that all the harnesses and accurtrements can be molded on the piece together. This would make the piece cheaper to produce as well with corresponding cost saving to consumers. Most of us portraying a battery will require at least seven or eight sets of horses to add to the limber/caisson combinations to make a scene credible. Hopefully, they will be done separate from the limbers and caissons to allow flexibility for their use between limbers or limber caisson configurations depending on what the diorama maker wants to achieve. Also, some of us already have the set that has an open chest limber with two artillerymen servicing that limber. Making separate limbers and caissons would augment what has already been created in that regard. It would also help to have some horse casualties. Another suggestion: Make more generic union figures and sets with regimental colors in addition to the national colors, both of which were always together with the color guard in any regiment. As you can see, as we get more authentic and sophisticated in our renditions of battle scenes, the level of more highly authentic poses and figures increases.

I agree 100% with your thoughts on horses attached to the limbers for a gun/section/battery in action. Horse casualties would be really very nice also. just spot on in my opinion . . . . .
Mike

 

[Jefman]

Transportation in the ACW was usually accomplished by barge,rail, foot or via horse. To not produce horse related features for infantry,artillery, cavalry or for that matter any other application detracts from authentic portrayals of the occurences of the conflict. The issue for the manufacturers is if they roll out a line of horse related applications from tethered horses, troops holding mounts, dead horse casualties etc will the ACW end collector make enough purchases to justify the making of these posted desired enhancements. Seems like their is a pent up demand for equine related ACW subjects.

 

[Toy Soldier Brigade]

Caissons, limbers, how about a battery forge. I would also like to see some winter troops in great coats. My "Clear The Way" set needs some additional troops.

 

[Naps...just Naps]

I agree 100% with your thoughts on horses attached to the limbers for a gun/section/battery in action. Horse casualties would be really very nice also. just spot on in my opinion . . . . .
Mike

I think we all strive for authenticity in our dioramas and displays and I have also been asking for more dead horses to spread about the battlefield.
I like the ACW dead horse set and the Napoleonic Dragoon dead horse but they can't be used in any other scene or battlefield.
Does anyone share my opinion that a few horses in various dead/wounded poses without saddles would satisfy both the ACW and Napoleonic collectors and anyone else that needed a dead horse in their display?
A horse without a saddle should be cheaper to make/sell as well.^&grin
From what I've seen of the skills of some of you guys making a saddle to match the battlefield would not be a problem. I would really like this option.
Anyone agree?
Paul

 

[Shiloh]

Generally, the horses were always tethered to the limbers while the guns were in action, except in fortified permanent emplacements. This was so because often the guns had to be moved quickly and it was time consuming to harness them each time. There are countless instances were horses were destroyed by opposing fire, both artillery and infantry, just to immobilize the guns. If teams of six horses are manufactured, they should not be separate horses but rather groupings of six on one base so that all the harnesses and accurtrements can be molded on the piece together. This would make the piece cheaper to produce as well with corresponding cost saving to consumers. Most of us portraying a battery will require at least seven or eight sets of horses to add to the limber/caisson combinations to make a scene credible. Hopefully, they will be done separate from the limbers and caissons to allow flexibility for their use between limbers or limber caisson configurations depending on what the diorama maker wants to achieve. Also, some of us already have the set that has an open chest limber with two artillerymen servicing that limber. Making separate limbers and caissons would augment what has already been created in that regard. It would also help to have some horse casualties. Another suggestion: Make more generic union figures and sets with regimental colors in addition to the national colors, both of which were always together with the color guard in any regiment. As you can see, as we get more authentic and sophisticated in our renditions of battle scenes, the level of more highly authentic poses and figures increases.

The artillery manual clearly states that a limber will be 6 paces behind but facing the field piece when in action, terrain permitting. No way 6 horses fit in a 6 pace area. The only limber still hitched to a team is the one connected to the caisson located well away from the field piece behind cover if possible. The horses stay in harness but are unhitched from the limber and led a short distance behind the battery line. Hook up 2 chains to the limber and you are done. I have seen this demonstrated time and time again at the re enactments. It only takes them about one minute or less to hitch a harnessed team up to a limber and then move up to limber the cannon. So yes I would like limbers not hitched to horses. Cassions would very rarely be around a battery in action as the empty artillery chest on the limbers were replaced with ones from the caissons and then the limbers were swapped as necesary.