Stalingrad future releases? (1 Viewer)

[debrito]

Stranger things have happened, so you never know!

There is a book call Batallion de mujeres Women battalion, which is about Russians women snipers in the East Front, very nice book.

Rod.

 

[ExRanger]

I'm very excited that this battle will be covered in great depth. It's been long overlooked. There is a lot of potential in terms of figures for the time period being covered for this battle. If I may throw may nickel into the ring I hope the following could be produced.
VEHICLES.
German Stug III Long and short barrel.
Mark III and IV Tanks.
Sd Kfz 250/7 Motar, 250/10 3.7 Pak. 251 Troop carrier.
Sd Kfz 232 Armoured car and the 221.
Marder III

Anti Tanks Guns 37,50mm. An 88mm would be fantastic. How about a 10.5 Howitzer,like the one's used on the Grain elevator.
A Flak 30 (20mm) mounted on a half track.

German Troops.
MG crews 34/42. Prone and tri-pod.
Mortar crews.
Troops marching into the battle. Example the Rail station of Stalingrad.
Flame throwers.
Officers/Nco's conferring prior to an assault.
German assault groups storming buildings.
Moving alongside vehicles prior to the assault.
I guess the potential is limitless.

Buildings were also mentioned. Could we possibly see some type of commercial or factory building produced?
I've gotten my 9x12 table ready with Wagner music in the background waiting for the arrival of the new line of figures.
The battle time frame is also great because the tide had not yet turned on the Germans and no poor weather, so the troops are not covered up yet, which exposes the battle gear some troops carried.

And for those interested in this battle,there's a new book on the market called Angriff. The battle of Stalingrad in photo's. Has some 300+ pages with over 700 photos of the battle.Well researched.
EXCELLENT BOOK. HIGHLY RECOMMENED.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Now that's an interesting idea Harry - to use our Russian Figures against the Imperial Japanese in Manchuria. The Japanese army would actually be a fascinating little addition as doing the Japanese wouldn't require entry into an entirely complete pacific theater, but rather only the Japanese could be done at first specifically to fight the border clashes with the Russians.

Certainly a lesser known topic but possibly something worth looking at in the future. Of course, if Eastern Front doesn't sell, I can't imagine Japanese will either, so let's hope that's not the case and that collectors can appreciate figures for what they are! Either way, an interesting thought...

Regards,

Matt

Oh? Hi Matt,
I was unaware you might be following me & Rob's little side conversation. Please forgive us for mentioning anything other than FL products in this section.
I do admit that the thought of you giving me Imperial Japanese WWII figures has me squirming with excitement. Spring, summer, fall or winter Japanese troops would be swell cos I can always use them with the Airfix Japanese troops in the background to fill out the diorama idea that's occurred to me. I'd simply love to recreate some of these Russia vs Japan clashes, where although the Japanese generally came off second best, they honed their tactical skills to the point where the Japanese Imperial Army, the pilots of the Japanese Army and the pilots of the Japanese Navy simply swept everything before them in 1941. I
t was only the courage of the brave American members of the AVG and the handful of Commonwealth fighter pilots who put up any kind of a "Good Show" against the tidal wave of Japanese attacks in the China-Burma-India theatre and stopped the continual round of Japanese victories. Then of course any Japanese figures you give us could be used for any of the subsequent Battles in the CBI theatre.
I would suggest Japanese troops for the Pacific possibly wouldn't be a great idea though, for the same reasons your new Eastern Front might not appeal to the majority of knowledgable collectors - apparently?

PS. I'm just all curled up in the fetal position waiting for your new Japanese Samurai figures to be released. If I may ask, why did you choose medieval Japan for a range? Surely you're aware that Japanese figures (and Chinese troops) are rather unappealing to the majority of collectors? - apparently?

Come to think on it, have you considered giving us any Chinese figures from, say, the Han period. Another one I'd love to see is the two attempted invasions of Japan by the Chinese armies of Kublai Khan, when the "Divine Wind of the Kamikaze" saved the Japanese people - and the Japanese army from Annihilation. Maybe there's just something about Japanese figures that simply fascinates me. Japan from medieval times up to the end of WWII gets a big thumbs up from me, despite the apparent lack of interest elsewhere in our happy collecting family.

Cheers
Like a Coiled Spring Awaiting your Response
Heid

I await with baited breath while my questions make it through this rotten server.

 

[FirstLegion]

I'm very excited that this battle will be covered in great depth. It's been long overlooked. There is a lot of potential in terms of figures for the time period being covered for this battle. If I may throw may nickel into the ring I hope the following could be produced.
VEHICLES.
German Stug III Long and short barrel.
Mark III and IV Tanks.
Sd Kfz 250/7 Motar, 250/10 3.7 Pak. 251 Troop carrier.
Sd Kfz 232 Armoured car and the 221.
Marder III

Anti Tanks Guns 37,50mm. An 88mm would be fantastic. How about a 10.5 Howitzer,like the one's used on the Grain elevator.
A Flak 30 (20mm) mounted on a half track.

German Troops.
MG crews 34/42. Prone and tri-pod.
Mortar crews.
Troops marching into the battle. Example the Rail station of Stalingrad.
Flame throwers.
Officers/Nco's conferring prior to an assault.
German assault groups storming buildings.
Moving alongside vehicles prior to the assault.
I guess the potential is limitless.

Buildings were also mentioned. Could we possibly see some type of commercial or factory building produced?
I've gotten my 9x12 table ready with Wagner music in the background waiting for the arrival of the new line of figures.
The battle time frame is also great because the tide had not yet turned on the Germans and no poor weather, so the troops are not covered up yet, which exposes the battle gear some troops carried.

And for those interested in this battle,there's a new book on the market called Angriff. The battle of Stalingrad in photo's. Has some 300+ pages with over 700 photos of the battle.Well researched.
EXCELLENT BOOK. HIGHLY RECOMMENED.

Hmm...have you stolen a copy of our release list!!!

All in good time my friend, all in good time!

 

[ExRanger]

Nope.
Just one VERY EXCITED collector with a wealth of ideas. Ecstatic to see a great battle brought to life in miniature with what looks to be all the trimmings. As you said, Buildings/vehicles/support Etc. And if my list is any indicator of what's to come, WOW this going to be a fun collecting venture.
I have a large space to fill. And much Wagner to listen to. And also find a way to collect what's released and still get the kids to college.
Can't wait for your next info release.
All the best.

 

[ExRanger]

Some ideas.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Good Afternoon Mister FL.

I’ve been considering purchasing a few of your excellent new WWII Russian figures – but only if I can squeeze a decent discount out of your company; see my generous offer to assist in restoring your archive photos in the “Meanwhile, back in the Barrikady...” thread.

However, the only Japanese opposition I have at present for them is the Japanese tank shown below – which I think will actually “go” quite well with your company’s figures.

So, any chance of “giving” me some specially commissioned Imperial Japanese infantry opposition in a future WWII release? If so, then I’ll forego any discount on the WWII Russians, (this time).

Cheerio
H

 

[daruss]

Re: Stalingrad future releases? (ITALIA!)

Please, i hear all this talk about future Stalingrad releases.. But forgot to mention ITALIANS,ITALIAN CALVARY, ROMANIANS, HUNGARIANS, BULGARIANS, AND SLOVENIANS!! These were key in the campaign.. Really tired of people neglecting the italians, they have awesome uniforms and neat transport trucks!

 

[daruss]

Re: Stalingrad future releases? (ITALIA!)

Also, need some eastern front RAILROAD/TRAIN Goodies!

 

[debrito]

Re: Stalingrad future releases? (ITALIA!)

Please, i hear all this talk about future Stalingrad releases.. But forgot to mention ITALIANS,ITALIAN CALVARY, ROMANIANS, HUNGARIANS, BULGARIANS, AND SLOVENIANS!! These were key in the campaign.. Really tired of people neglecting the italians, they have awesome uniforms and neat transport trucks!

Italian was often chosen by the Russians Women Snipers as targets, they said that they were so naïf and an easy pray.

The trick was: 2 or 3 girls faked together that they were about to take a shower and start to take the clothes out, so the Italians were surprised happy and start to looked like a marble statue. 2 others girls were just prepared to put a bullet in the middle of the eye of each one.

Rod.

 

[Blowtorch]

Can i ask Matt,are you considering vehicles right now,or as Stalingrad was not suited to large tank confrontations are these down the list of priorities?.

Rob

I wouldn't worry about that Rob. Lots of tanks in this campaign, & lots of thematic opportunities. Paulus burned out a couple nice panzer divisions in that city; they were always supporting the infantry assaults. Same goes for the Russians. Yeremenko kept sending tanks across the river & Chuikov sent them right into battle...usually to emplaced positions.

Plus much was going on outside of the city. The Soviets had their usual fare plus Lend Lease Matildas, Stuarts, Valentines, Lees...Paulus had the two Emils prowling out on the steppe.

One of the most interesting & mysterious stories to me is the plight of the 22PD-virtually unknown in the English language. This was the unit...a junior PD...that was refitting on the 'quiet' sector of the front & found itself at Ground Zero of the Soviet counterattack. Because fuel was in such short supply, they never started the engines as a routine in the weeks before & this led to all sorts of mechanical problems that fateful morning. The Panzers that could mobilize a counterattack did so & were on the outskirts of a town on the snowy steppe when they ran out of fuel & started getting counterattacked by the Russians. Ju-52s airdropped fuel packages & civilian mechanics to emergency repair the panzers, but everything landed outside the perimeter & the fuel was lost & the mechanics executed.

I would add that the besides the city fight, the Stalingrad campaign (not including Blau or Caucausus operations) was a highly mobile operation over an area of 80,000 square miles. The area between the Chir & Volga. On top of that one of the first Tiger battalions (503) was sent to take part in relief operations of the pocket but got engulfed in the second phase of the Soviet offensive

 

[Spitfrnd]

I'm very excited that this battle will be covered in great depth. It's been long overlooked. There is a lot of potential in terms of figures for the time period being covered for this battle. If I may throw may nickel into the ring I hope the following could be produced.
VEHICLES.
German Stug III Long and short barrel.
Mark III and IV Tanks.
Sd Kfz 250/7 Motar, 250/10 3.7 Pak. 251 Troop carrier.
Sd Kfz 232 Armoured car and the 221.
Marder III

Anti Tanks Guns 37,50mm. An 88mm would be fantastic. How about a 10.5 Howitzer,like the one's used on the Grain elevator.
A Flak 30 (20mm) mounted on a half track.

German Troops.
MG crews 34/42. Prone and tri-pod.
Mortar crews.
Troops marching into the battle. Example the Rail station of Stalingrad.
Flame throwers.
Officers/Nco's conferring prior to an assault.
German assault groups storming buildings.
Moving alongside vehicles prior to the assault.
I guess the potential is limitless.

Buildings were also mentioned. Could we possibly see some type of commercial or factory building produced?
I've gotten my 9x12 table ready with Wagner music in the background waiting for the arrival of the new line of figures.
The battle time frame is also great because the tide had not yet turned on the Germans and no poor weather, so the troops are not covered up yet, which exposes the battle gear some troops carried.

And for those interested in this battle,there's a new book on the market called Angriff. The battle of Stalingrad in photo's. Has some 300+ pages with over 700 photos of the battle.Well researched.
EXCELLENT BOOK. HIGHLY RECOMMENED.

Don't you want any Russians? Otherwise it will be a rather one-sided battle.

 

[Blowtorch]

Don't you want any Russians? Otherwise it will be a rather one-sided battle.

There was at least one KV-8 in the city which would have been a nightmare for any Germans confronting it. Means to deal with KV heavies was still limited at the time. Russians also had armoured trains

 

[Blowtorch]

Don't you want any Russians? Otherwise it will be a rather one-sided battle.

You got me thinking...some more ideas would be the Russian 85mm AA/AT gun...they were definitely there. I've seen pics of them deployed in Red Square & south of the Tsaritsa (old city) during the September battles. I think a charging infantry unit with the USSR flag would be a classic move. A commisar with a megaphone & pistol? Chuikov with his hands all bandaged up. Chuikov talking to the Guards Lt. who got sent to retake the RR station? Guardsmen coming off a boat taking causualties? Muddied Chuikov in a trench with a communications unit? An old man/refugee carrying his cello out of his busted house? A wintered up German playing a piano in a busted up house-perhaps a Soviet listening next to him during a local truce? Russian tank Lt. taking Paulus prisoner? A flying typewriter? A shot down Russian pilot making a last stand with some surrounded infantry? Russian taking a German out of a sewer hole?

 

[marco55]

Matt,
How are you making out on your WWII range?Are orders better than expected,what you expected or are you disappointed in what's been ordered so far.
Mark

 

[ExRanger]

Don't you want any Russians? Otherwise it will be a rather one-sided battle.

I want to supply the German side first. There are way too many ideas for German forces within the frame of this battle and in my opinion this battle has been long overlooked by the toy soldier manufacturers til now. From the looks of the first releases, this is going to be a great collection for the fans of the Battle of Stalingrad. As Matt has stated, one can put together an entire battle with what he has to offer. For a collector, this is great news as some of the other manufacturers just give you dribs and drabs of a battle and then leave you blindsided, scratching one's head as to where to go next.
Plus having a German backround also tips the scale in their favor.

 

[fmethorst]

I'd like to see Soviet soldiers with antitank rifles.

http://www.antitank.co.uk/ptrs.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_ClWi27olA

...and to put those guns into perspective with todays big .50 cal. sniper rifles here is a picture comparing the various rounds. The PTRS fires the 14.5 x 114mm round (No. 5)

...and perhaps at some point those anti tank rifles can be employed at Pavlov's house.

 

[FirstLegion]

Some very good ideas here including a few we hadn't thought of. As for Russian AT Rifles, most definitely. We would like to integrate something Russian for the banks of the Volga, we just haven't decided what yet.

In regards to sales, well, you know we aren't going to discuss that. Suffice it to say, we're still expanding the range at a tremendous pace.

Speaking of which, here is a preview of a new figure that will be available early September....

GERSTAL014 Oberleutnant Directing the Assault

Hope you like him!

Regards,

Matt
First Legion Ltd

 

[Wraith]

Matt,

Is he pointing in a generic manner?

Simon

 

[FirstLegion]

Matt,

Is he pointing in a generic manner?

Simon

Most definitely NOT sir.

He is pointing for a VERY specific reason. You just need to surround him with a bunch of running germans and then put a big building with russians in it across from him to fully understand his non-generic point.