The Huge Popularity of Zulu War Figures (1 Viewer)

[UKReb]

Today I visited my local ModelZone store (practically the only chain of stores that carry the Britains figures here in the UK) primarily to pick up some Vallego paint and dio bits and bobs. The store-keeper had a display of the new Britains Zulu and 24th foot and idly chatting with him he said he just cannot get enough of these figures to keep up with the huge demand for them-he added that his display dio he could have sold a dozen times over and nothing else in the Britains range sells anywhere near the units as the Zulu.

I had never considered before what's the most popular figure collected although I have always admired the Zulu era and the new Britains are in my opinion some of the best they have ever produced. But the evidence of this growing popularity is right here on the forum- as I have just checked out by browsing most of the threads here's a rough breakdown of a few of them.

Britains Zulu War- 1550 posts-48000 hits
Trophy (two combined threads) 1500 posts-30000 hits
Conte Zulu 411 posts- 19000 hits
Front Line Zulu 116 posts- 6140 hits
Britains Glossy Zulu 135 posts- 2600 hits
Creating mini dios mainly Zulu 535 posts- 20174 hits
My painted figures mainly Zulu 241 posts- 10000 hits
The Lt's magnificent Zulu Dios 1150 posts- 35000 hits

I never counted the Little Legion but even the pre-announcement of Collectors Showcase future Zulu series has in just a couple of weeks already garnered 79 posts and over 3000 hits. When you analyze this that's phenomenal because no other series of figures comes anywhere near these totals on the whole forum. For example Britains who make a whole range of different eras-any thread started on any of them quickly peters out after a few posts with pretty poor attendance figures to boot.

The prime initiator of most of these threads is of course the Zulu master Joe (The Lt) himself with perhaps a handful of like-minded serious collector disciples but with the amount of hits these threads have generated there just has to be a multitude of silent lurkers who appear to have a genuine interest in the Zulu. I believe what we are seeing here on the forum correlates exactly with what the store-owner told me this morning that The Zulu series are fast becoming the most popular figures collected today.

Any thoughts?

Reb

 

[thebritfarmer]

Well for me being a mainly ceremonial collector, I was intrigued by the postings of Joe & his WB matte figures. I never had an interest in matte figures or fighting figures for that matter, but when I saw them I thought they were something special. I got my first figure (guy with ammo crates) and haven't looked back. I have ordered all of the new figures for this year so far and am working on collecting the remainder of last years figures. I think these are the best Zulu figures out there!!!!
This is also proven by the fact that all the new limited edition sets are sold out from Britains (UK) and the regular releases are out of stock and they haven't even hit the stores yet !!! I believe the US is not far behind either.

I think it will go from strength to strength as other regiments are added, along with guns, cavalry, personality figures, tents and other scenic items are added. It certainly has got me interested. I feel like a kid again D and have certainly learned quite a bit of history on the subject. Before joining the forum I had never even heard of the Zulu War.

 

[Go for Broke]

I've had only a slight interest in the Zulu wars. However, after seeing GICOP, Lt., mikemiller and 1879 Fanatic's collections, I can't wait to view their latest posts with pictures of a large variety of poses and scenes that I never knew existed! Its these guys imo that really promote this time period. Although I can't expand my lines (WWII collector) because of expense, I am eyeing Britain's 1898 Sudan mounted lancer.

 

[marco55]

I was always interested in the Zulu War but I am surprised of the popularity of this little war.If you like Victorian colonial war period you would think The NWF,2nd Afghan War, Boer War or the Sudan campaigns would be more of interest.
Mark

 

[Spitfrnd]

That is amazing given how relatively small and short the conflict. I must confess I am a big fan of the movie and the Britains Zulu figures are to me among their very best. I must confess I have a small set and would like to have more if I can fit them in with the other competing desires.

 

[damian]

When I visited Len Taylor in 1997 I asked him about the popularity of the Zulu War. I was intrigued as I found it hard to fathom that so many people throughout the world would be interested in such a relatively obscure South African event. I mean you guys had the ACW, Napoleonic wars as well as most of WWII and WWI to occupy your interest.
Len said that he really could not explain it either. When he planned his attack on the US market he made sure he covered the ACW, the Wild West and even the various Mexican Wars, however much to his amazement the sets that sold the most in the US were you guessed it the Zulu sets. I agree with Reb in that it seems that this interest has grown immensely in the last three years. In 2007 it was only Frontline and Little Legion who were flying the AZW flag. Now we have a great series from WB and CS have joined the fray. We are all hopefully ( but not with bated breath, otherwise we would all have died by now) awaiting the return of Mr Conte to this field. Little Legion have continued to deliver great AZW sets and Mike's new "Saving the Guns" looks great. The Lt, with his great devotion to the cause of the AZW, has single-handely ensured that the e bay price for Trophy AZW sets approaches that of the equivalent weight in gold or platinum.
So all I can say is keep on delivering all those great Zulu sets. There is a definite market for them that is not in any danger of going away just yet.

 

[jazzeum]

Well, I guess the question remains unanswered. I certainly don't have an answer. I only collect the series because K & C made them. However, there is some mystique about the Zulu War.

 

[UKReb]

That is amazing given how relatively small and short the conflict. I must confess I am a big fan of the movie and the Britains Zulu figures are to me among their very best. I must confess I have a small set and would like to have more if I can fit them in with the other competing desires.

I mentioned on another thread sometime ago that practically everyone in the world must have seen the movie at least twice and possibly Zulu Dawn-but is this really the catalyst for the phenomenal interest in collecting these figures over the last couple of years?

If it's not the movie then what exactly is it about this little Victorian war that enthuses such an interest where the many other of her wars don't.
Is it because an indigenous people wiped out a modern army?
Is it the heroic stand at the Drift?
Is it the uniforms?
Is it the characters?
Is it an amalgam of all the above? but then you could relate any of the above with other such wars that simply just don't hold the imagination of non-military scholars such as The Zulu War does.
Fascinating!

Reb

 

[Louis Badolato]

I mentioned on another thread sometime ago that practically everyone in the world must have seen the movie at least twice and possibly Zulu Dawn-but is this really the catalyst for the phenomenal interest in collecting these figures over the last couple of years?

If it's not the movie then what exactly is it about this little Victorian war that enthuses such an interest where the many other of her wars don't.
Is it because an indigenous people wiped out a modern army?
Is it the heroic stand at the Drift?
Is it the uniforms?
Is it the characters?
Is it an amalgam of all the above? but then you could relate any of the above with other such wars that simply just don't hold the imagination of non-military scholars such as The Zulu War does.
Fascinating!

Reb

Reb,

I certainly can't speak for everyone, but the unique combination of the massacre of modern forces by colorful natives armed principally with spears and shields at Isandlwana followed the very next day by the herioc stand at Rorke's Drift, the fact that more Victoria Crosses were awarded at the Drift than in any other engagement in the storied history of British arms, and the wonderful movie starring Michael Caine all add up to some fairly compelling interest on my part.

 

[thebritfarmer]

I think it also has to do with ease of display and also ease of creating a diorama.

Here is what I mean, basically the Zulu war centres round Isandlwana & Rorke's Drift. With the exception of a few extra regiments, it was basically the 24th foot against the Zulus.

Unlike WW II, ACW, Napoleonic Wars for example there isn't as much room for error. I have never been a history fan in fact I dropped it as soon as I could. Just from the info on this forum which lead to watching Zulu and also googling info, I have been able to create (IMO) some nice little snaps. I don't think I would even know where to begin with ACW, WWII or Naps. There are lots of different regiments and not all would have been at the same places and then you have woodland, beaches, open fields, villages, towns, cities etc....

For me I also like the colourfulness of the 24th foot and the dress of the Zulus. All the extra little bits like the hospital, furnishngs etc appeal to me also. I think the sculpting plays an important part also, as there are some maers whose AZW figures do not appeal to me.

 

[damian]

I wonder if it is not more popular than other colonial wars because the actual battlefields are relatively accesible. Anyone fancy a package trip to Omdurman or Kabul. Not likely but a trip to Zululand is definitely on the cards.

 

[lancer]

Imo the popularity of the Zulu War was kicked off by the movie "Zulu" in 1964 and the publication of Donald Morris' book "The Washing of the Spears" in 1965. These two events brought the subject to the public in ways that had not been done. Morris' book was the first modern and available history of the whole saga and the movie was a visual treat. These two events so close together started an interest that has been building for years. More and more research has been done and more fans pulled in and involved in all aspects of the war. Quite remarkable for such a little war that remained mostly unknown until the mid 60's. -- lancer

 

[marco55]

Morris's chapter on Isandlwana is one the most exciting chapters I've read in any book.
Mark

 

[glossman]

Ian Knight is a prolific author of some 20 to 30 books on the Anglo-Zulu War.

His books are easy to read and readily available to all.

If I am not misinformed, he also conducts tours of the Anglo-Zulu War battlefields.

It is not inconceivable that his books have contributed to the popularity of Zulu War figures.

Raymond

 

[Systempunkt]

Interestingly enough, from my discussions with the owner of my nearest toy soldier store (Maison Militaire) I always thought American Civil War figures are the most popular range.

Model Zone cannot be considered as objective though, my nearest MZ does not stock most of the other WB ranges.

 

[Spitfrnd]

....
Unlike WW II, ACW, Napoleonic Wars for example there isn't as much room for error. I have never been a history fan in fact I dropped it as soon as I could. Just from the info on this forum which lead to watching Zulu and also googling info, I have been able to create (IMO) some nice little snaps. I don't think I would even know where to begin with ACW, WWII or Naps. There are lots of different regiments and not all would have been at the same places and then you have woodland, beaches, open fields, villages, towns, cities etc....
.....

Well I just got interested in the Napoleonic Wars last year and it is not that hard to sort out once you find a few of the very decent books on the subject. The many different regiments and uniforms are a mite daunting at first but you soon learn you have a fair degree of latitude with those and the similarities are such that you can easily import a similar unit to your chosen battle without great compromise. Yes the Zulu War is much easier to research and the collection requirements are much more manageable (Unless you want to model the actual numbers for the main battles) but collecting and displaying Napoleonics is well within the reach of any figure collector. Now the budget you need for WWII is a whole nother matter.

 

[UKReb]

Interestingly enough, from my discussions with the owner of my nearest toy soldier store (Maison Militaire) I always thought American Civil War figures are the most popular range.

Model Zone cannot be considered as objective though, my nearest MZ does not stock most of the other WB ranges.

Mine neither! Primarily because there is little demand for them- according to the owner.

 

[jazzeum]

Let's stick to the subject at hand.

 

[OzDigger]

Today I visited my local ModelZone store (practically the only chain of stores that carry the Britains figures here in the UK) primarily to pick up some Vallego paint and dio bits and bobs. The store-keeper had a display of the new Britains Zulu and 24th foot and idly chatting with him he said he just cannot get enough of these figures to keep up with the huge demand for them-he added that his display dio he could have sold a dozen times over and nothing else in the Britains range sells anywhere near the units as the Zulu.

I had never considered before what's the most popular figure collected although I have always admired the Zulu era and the new Britains are in my opinion some of the best they have ever produced. But the evidence of this growing popularity is right here on the forum- as I have just checked out by browsing most of the threads here's a rough breakdown of a few of them.

Britains Zulu War- 1550 posts-48000 hits
Trophy (two combined threads) 1500 posts-30000 hits
Conte Zulu 411 posts- 19000 hits
Front Line Zulu 116 posts- 6140 hits
Britains Glossy Zulu 135 posts- 2600 hits
Creating mini dios mainly Zulu 535 posts- 20174 hits
My painted figures mainly Zulu 241 posts- 10000 hits
The Lt's magnificent Zulu Dios 1150 posts- 35000 hits

I never counted the Little Legion but even the pre-announcement of Collectors Showcase future Zulu series has in just a couple of weeks already garnered 79 posts and over 3000 hits. When you analyze this that's phenomenal because no other series of figures comes anywhere near these totals on the whole forum. For example Britains who make a whole range of different eras-any thread started on any of them quickly peters out after a few posts with pretty poor attendance figures to boot.

The prime initiator of most of these threads is of course the Zulu master Joe (The Lt) himself with perhaps a handful of like-minded serious collector disciples but with the amount of hits these threads have generated there just has to be a multitude of silent lurkers who appear to have a genuine interest in the Zulu. I believe what we are seeing here on the forum correlates exactly with what the store-owner told me this morning that The Zulu series are fast becoming the most popular figures collected today.

Any thoughts?

Reb

Dearest Reb, my thoughts are that this last statement may be biased and is clearly incorrect considering the other more popular eras such as Napoleonic and WWII.

 

[Wraith]

My thoughts (on the actual original question )

The look good in both Matt and Gloss (as ably demonstrated by W Britains and others), whereas many other eras don't - therefore appeal to different collectors

They look good - colourful uniforms, interesting equipment.

There is a perceived charm about the era (IMO) where the underdog comes good, in spite of overwhelming odds, by grit and heroism (irrespective of whether you agree with that, I believe that it plays a part in the ZW popularity

'Zulu', I'm sure has a great deal to do with it.

Vesatility in figure placement. The ZW figures are equally at home being displyed in small numbers, or as part of a larger display (hand to hand vignette vs. full Rorkes Drift layout, for example), an option that is less viable for collectors of WWII, Napoleonics etc.). Therefore, displays, in whatever format, can be nicely put together for the collector who ony has a dozen pieces, or for those that have hundreds.

In relation to this forum, yes, there are a large number of posts, mainly due to the passion for the subject displayed by a few (gallant few!), the great varriety of sets and figures from a number of manufactrers and a willingness to share photos of sets and dios.

Simon