The "other" guys- Barbarians, Zulu's etc (1 Viewer)

[Currahee Chris]

Hey fellas:

Just curious what you guys think of the "other" guys in your collections. You know, say you are a WW2 fan and you really dig the Americans but you gotta have Jerry on the other side to shoot at- or perhaps you enjoy the historical stand at Rorke's Drift and have to fill in the Zulus.

Does anybody really really enjoy collecting both sides of the conflict?? For example, I love ancient Rome and really enjoy collecting the Romans. But I also enjoy the "barbarian" tribes of Gauls, Celts and Germans and reading and understanding their history and significance- after reading enough about them, they suddenly aren't just guys running around shirtless and wearing very colorful pajama pants. They were real people defending their homes and families as well.

For WW2, I really never got into trying to understand the German army though I am interested in their TO&E- especially armor and automatic weapons.

For my AWI collection- no offense to my friends here but my interest is the Colonials and our struggle. .The redcoats are more or less filler for the diorama ^&grin- sorry- no offense meant.

and then the modern collection- well, of course I love my boys but really don't have any interest at all as to the methods and rationale of Al Qaeda and their groups.

How about you guys- anyone finding themselves really really interested and fascinated with Zulu culture. I can imagine the ACW guys can face a dillema here- who cares what makes those darn yankees tick!! ^&grin

 

[Louis Badolato]

Hey fellas:

Just curious what you guys think of the "other" guys in your collections. You know, say you are a WW2 fan and you really dig the Americans but you gotta have Jerry on the other side to shoot at- or perhaps you enjoy the historical stand at Rorke's Drift and have to fill in the Zulus.

Does anybody really really enjoy collecting both sides of the conflict?? For example, I love ancient Rome and really enjoy collecting the Romans. But I also enjoy the "barbarian" tribes of Gauls, Celts and Germans and reading and understanding their history and significance- after reading enough about them, they suddenly aren't just guys running around shirtless and wearing very colorful pajama pants. They were real people defending their homes and families as well.

For WW2, I really never got into trying to understand the German army though I am interested in their TO&E- especially armor and automatic weapons.

For my AWI collection- no offense to my friends here but my interest is the Colonials and our struggle. .The redcoats are more or less filler for the diorama ^&grin- sorry- no offense meant.

and then the modern collection- well, of course I love my boys but really don't have any interest at all as to the methods and rationale of Al Qaeda and their groups.

How about you guys- anyone finding themselves really really interested and fascinated with Zulu culture. I can imagine the ACW guys can face a dillema here- who cares what makes those darn yankees tick!! ^&grin

Interesting question, Chris. With regard to WWII, where (with the exception of Stalin), there was a clear good guys and bad guys distinction, I could care less about the Nazi's or Japs motivation - they are just canon fodder on my dioramas. I also agree that they had some very interesting looking and distinctive kit.

When, however, I don't see a clear bad guy (like WWI, where it was an unnecessary war, fought for no better reason I can see than a pissing match between Victoria's various grandchildren) I am much more interested in both sides. To me, everyone who fought in that war for their various countries, enduring the most dispicable conditions, was a hero about whose struggles I am interested.

For modern wars against Al Quaeda and the Taliban, see my comments about a clear good guy bad guy distinction. Frankly, other than of course depicting our heroic troops, I would be more interested in depicting the suffering of the innocent civilians caught up in the horror, like the victims of the World Trade Center or the women and children caught up in the middle of the war in Iraq, then the terrorists, who are beneath contempt.

 

[binder001]

It's kind of fun to look at both sides of any conflict. As far as collecting - I have a few K&C Germans to stand in their own scene, but most of the K&C Germans that I have are meant to be casualties or POWs. A similar situation for my plastic stuff. I have a scene in mind that would have both Germans and Americans present in battle, but in reality most WW2 combat was conducted at ranges that preclude both sides being in the same 12" X 24" scene. To me the US forces are the primary focus of the collections and the displays. The Germans are mostly "scenery" to me, in models, metals, or plastics.

Gary B.

 

[Mitch]

Interesting question. I don't really think too hard about it in terms of the toy soldiers I have as each side in any conflict thinks their point is the correct one enough to fight and die for. At a base level I suppose their a lot similar as they all probably just want to do what they have to and survive and get home.

I have studied the german Heer and their ideology was almost real the oath of allegience they took especially so, the SS oath was something which was with them until death which, is always interesting when de-nazification took place after the end of hostilities. This type of ideology was very similar with the Japanese but, was not the case with allied troops IMO
Mitch

 

[Currahee Chris]

.....but most of the K&C Germans that I have are meant to be casualties or POWs.

......but in reality most WW2 combat was conducted at ranges that preclude both sides being in the same 12" X 24" scene.

Man- those poor guys!! ^&grin^&grin I could imagine lining up in formation at your house as a German TS- Ok fellas- let's go get shot up!! Wahoo!! ^&grin^&grin

great point about diorama scale. For that sole purpose alone- the fact that I do not have a 100'x100' table to plop my collection on, is the reason I never really got too preoccupied with historical accuracy. Historical accuracy would require far more reality in terms of distances involving armored engagements- it's more than just looking at kit, tank treads, etc.

Thanks GB!!

 

[thebritfarmer]

For me I enjoy the Zulu figures as much as the Brits on my dio. All of them are enjoyable to play with and look great in a dio. I am campaining for some dead 24th and dead Zulu both of which would certainly enhance my Isandlwana dio.

 

[Spitfrnd]

Hey fellas:

Just curious what you guys think of the "other" guys in your collections. You know, say you are a WW2 fan and you really dig the Americans but you gotta have Jerry on the other side to shoot at- or perhaps you enjoy the historical stand at Rorke's Drift and have to fill in the Zulus.

Does anybody really really enjoy collecting both sides of the conflict?? For example, I love ancient Rome and really enjoy collecting the Romans. But I also enjoy the "barbarian" tribes of Gauls, Celts and Germans and reading and understanding their history and significance- after reading enough about them, they suddenly aren't just guys running around shirtless and wearing very colorful pajama pants. They were real people defending their homes and families as well.

....

Yes I enjoy collecting the Crapoids and even the Persians.:wink2:^&grin

 

[Currahee Chris]

......and even the Persians.:wink2:^&grin

talk about a neglected period of time- Persia rivaled Rome in size and granduer yet, aside from EoI's fantastic line, few do them- well Conte, and St. Pete release a few each year.

 

[lancer]

Interesting subject. I collect FIW and am interested in both sides equally, as well as the Indian involvement. On the other hand, I have a minor Crimean War set-up but I am only interested in the British cavalry. My WW1 collections are pretty evenly split as my interest is pretty much everything on all sides. Now, come to WW2, in the ETO, my interest is mainly the German Army with all it's weapons systems and Waffen SS units. I also love the airwar from both world wars and collect aircraft from all sides, in both conflicts. I find it kind of hard not to be interested in both sides of a given conflict but one does have to draw the line, sometimes.:wink2: -- Al

 

[theBaron]

I definitely like having figures from both sides of a conflict. As has been pointed out, sometimes it's hard to find enough of the opponents, especially for the Ancients.

For the Seven Years War, the Russians, French and Austrians aren't represented nearly as well as the Prussians are, to say nothing of the smaller states that were allied with one side or the other.

Prost!
Brad

 

[larso]

My current project is the British army of the 18th & 19th centuries, partly because of their uniforms but more so I am fascinated by their many colourful enemies. I like dioramas so I need both sides. A horde of charging JJ Jacobites and a swarm of forest Indians surround my little group of Line infantrymen and Grenadiers. Each group alone would not satisfy me, but together they make magic.

 

[aujj65]

My Crimean war collection - got to have both sides as it wouldn't make any sense just having the British, having said that I tend to view the Russians as something to ride down and shoot at!

Sudan - waiting for the JJD Mahdist and Fuzzy Wuzzies opposition, which will really be targets for the Gatling gun etc.

Eighth Army – just the British side.

Jeff

 

[jac28]

I usually go with both sides.. like Colonial Militia/Continental Army vs British.. If I ever so my Yorktown Dio would also include French and German..or least have figures to stand in for them....

Medieval - Robin & his Merrymen - gotta have the Sheriff and his Normans...

However, there are singles figures that I collect where it doesn't really matter... a few Del Prado knights, various other figures and odd scales which didn't even have an opposing force manufactured.. so are just my "shelf figures" and won't ever see the battlefield.

Jim

 

[Denver]

In my WW2 collection, the enemy forces are used mainly as accessories for the Marines and GI s. Both Armies for ACW are about equal in size. Also, the Plains Indians are about the same number as Cavalry.