What new ACW figures would you like? (1 Viewer)

Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio

Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio

Command Sergeant Major
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I just wondered if there were any particular subjects or units some of you would like to see added to the ACW line in matt finish. There are several new sets already developed for the 'Jackson in the Valley' range for 2007, but what are your thoughts for other subjects?
 
Ken,

First I must say that I am honored to be replying back to such a question. After 3 years out of the hobby, I decided to collect the entire Jackson in the Valley series after seeing it. It is SO IMPRESSIVE!

My initial suggestion would certainly be calvary and artillery units (but I know there are hints that these will soon appear). My next suggestion would be to gernally include more wounded/dead soldiers. While this may seem morbid, a good display of the ACW would not be realistic without more fallen soldiers. In particular, a fallen soldier "searching through his clothes" for the wound would seem quite dramatic and realistic. It is also something I have never seen sculpted before.

Thank you for asking.
 
Ken Osen/H&A Studio said:
I just wondered if there were any particular subjects or units some of you would like to see added to the ACW line in matt finish. There are several new sets already developed for the 'Jackson in the Valley' range for 2007, but what are your thoughts for other subjects?
Click to expand...

Ken,

One of the most neglected areas of study concerning the American Civil War is the Trans-Mississippi Theater of Operations. The Trans- Mississippi theater did not have the large pitched battles between large opposing armies, but the theater was full of interesting, notible, notorious, and otherwise colorful figures. The Qauntrill raid on the city of Lawrence (Kansas), the battle of Wilson's Creek (Missouri), and the Battle of Pea Ridge (Arkansas) are, in my opinion, very interesting historic subjects.

Most of the Trans-Mississippi "soldiers" dressed very differently than the uniformed soldiers of the East. Frequently, they fought from horseback and carried as many as 8 loaded pistols into their battles so they would not have to reload them during tense moments.

Since the Trans-Mississippi does not seem to draw the greatest interest of the historians, I do not know how well they would sell. I only know they would be a very different addition to the ACW line. And, ...if I am not mistaken, it would be an addition that has seldom been done by toy soldier makers.

I have a few more thoughts concerning Civil War subjects that I may share with you in the next couple of days. Let me think about them for a while.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat
 
These are indeed some great subjects and often the topic of discussion with my ACW buddies. The Western theatre is also often ignored... and a fair number of midwestern Yankee units served there.
You are correct about the services other than Infantry...and yes that is being addressed!
I will be in Chicago at OTSN with both W.Britain and ONWTC so look me up so we can chat!
All the best, Ken
 
5th New York Duryee Zouaves
146th New York Volunteers
Berdan's Sharpshooters
Chamberlain & the 20th Maine (I know it's been done, but I can't get enough of them)
Robert Gould Shaw & the 54th Mass Infantry
Any Irish Brigade Units
Any figures with Union Great Coats
 
Funny...I have had a couple of Yankees in Greatcoats on my bench for a while now and every time I show them to someone they ask what you would use them with... I guess I like them though.
 
Ken Osen/H&A Studio said:
These are indeed some great subjects and often the topic of discussion with my ACW buddies. The Western theatre is also often ignored... and a fair number of midwestern Yankee units served there.
You are correct about the services other than Infantry...and yes that is being addressed!
I will be in Chicago at OTSN with both W.Britain and ONWTC so look me up so we can chat!
All the best, Ken
Click to expand...

Ken,

I will plan to stop by your room at OTSN. See you in Chicago!

Warmest personal regards,

Pat
 
I know I would love to add a few 28th Mass troopers to my "Clear The Way Set. Which Is probably my all time favorite ACW set.
 
Some Zouave units would great, such as the 5th and 9th NY, or the 146th NY Garrard's Tigers with their light blue Turcos style uniforms. The V Corp of the Army of the Potomac went to a great effort to keep a Zouave brigade throughout the war, converting regular uniformed volunteer regiments to Zouaves as the original Zouave regiment enlistments expired.
 
How about paying homage to the Wizard in the Saddle, Wm Bedford Forrest? I can just see the massed mounted cavalry attack. Mounted & dismounted cavalry from the West. He had any number of engagements against Union cavalry that could be used.

Pete
 
Yes "The Devil Forrest" I forgot him on my list. Britains did produce a mounted Forrest figure if you can find him.
 
They did do one figure, but what about a whole scene - a scene played out all over - both east and west..

Line up some cavalry against a small garrison left to protect something (a railroad, bridge, town, stores). While this doesn't have the allure of the epic battles, it was the Civil War on a smaller scale. Our smaller dioramas are more likely to properly re-create that kind of action.

Forrest demanding the surrender of a garrison. I'd love it!
 
Gentle Friends,

I agree that a Nathan Bedford Forest would be a great addition to the line!

What about adding the "Gray Ghost," John Singleton Mosby? He plagued the Federals endlessly and created much havoc in "Mosby's Confederacy."

Warmest personal regards,

Pat
 
The "mounted infantry" of Union Colonel John T. Wilder in the Western Theatre. Equipped with 7 shot Spencer repeaters, they became famed as the "Lightning Brigade" for their swift movements. I remember a picture of a trooper mounted on a mule.:)
 
I have to second the ideas for both the Lightening Brigade and the Irish Brigade. Of course, what really makes the Irish sets stand out are the flags -- Raise the harp of Erin, boys!

I have a collection of letters from 2 brothers in the 92nd Illinois, which was part of Wilder's brigade in 1863, so that subject is very dear to me. As usual, I am in favor of more Western troops.

Some other suggestions:

Leaders -- Phil Kearney at Seven Pines and John "Black Jack" Logan at Atlanta.

Looking at the earthwork scenics for the Yorktown series makes me think of Vicksburg. How about the 8th Wisconsin -- with Old Abe -- assaulting the works near Graveyard Road?

Finally, I would like to see figures depicting soldiers not in combat. I would especially like to see soldiers on a picket line, or on patrol. That is, alert and ready, but not necessarily fighting.

Thanks for asking!

Blackhat
 
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Something completely new! How about a naval set? Maybe the battle scarred deck of an ironclad complete with crew members after a battle resting and tending to wounded.
 
I like that Civil War Navy idea. Maybe another set could be Capt. Raphael Semmes of the CSS Alabama directing the firing of one of her massive pivot guns. This could be followed with a deck scene of Capt. John Winslow bringing the USS Kearsarge into action.
 
These are all good suggestions, and I will bet that most of them will be addressed, in part at least.
As some of you already know W.Britain was aqquired almost exactly 1 year ago by 1st Gear in Peosta, Iowa. This is a first rate collectible die cast car and truck company that produces well thought out quality products.
Richard Walker is the manager of the W.Britain line and I had the good fortune to work with him back when Ertle owned W.Britain and we introduced the realistic matt finished figures to the line.
Well we are back working together again and we are refining the look of W. Britain once more, rebuilding and introducing new lines (like WWI in matt). It will take a few catalogs to rebuild the basic lines of infantry and support services befor more specific units like Zouves are added. Be assured that we will visit these areas and include thoughtful additions that can be used in several theatres and periods of the war. 34 years of living history and collecting ACW help define the figures here. Many of the touches I add as the designer/sculptor are not obvious to folks that do not have the first hand exsperience with the military material culture of this period. I love to see folks who know, pick up a figure and discover one of these details. The production values of the 1st gear factory are celebrating these touches instead of overlooking them as other companies I have worked for have done.
An example I can give you are some of the new Yankees for the 1st half of 2007. They will sport a combination of frock coats, sack coats, felt hats (beat up Hardees) and 1858 forage caps. Even though these were designed to embellish the already established 'Jackson in the Valley' range, they could be used in almost any theatre. I wish I could tell you more, but you must be patient.
 
The Devil on the River. The battle of Johnsonville Nathan Bedford Forrest is still the only Cavalry leader to win a battle against a naval force. Some one painted a picture of Forrest with the cannons he captured at Parkers crossroads dug in on the river bank getting ready to attack the Union gunboats. It can get no better than that. Cannons, cavalry, horse holders and limbers. It give sme goose bumps thinking about it.
 
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