What would you like to see (2 Viewers)

[The Lt.]

A question for both Richard and Ken are they any future plans in adding The Zulu War to WBritain's Victoria Cross Series? If so would they also be done in gloss and in this series the Foreign Service Helmet done in white in lieu of tan. There's a great list of hero's availabe to be featured in action poses as well as others and if I'm not mistaken no one's ever done all of the award winners in the past in a complete series. There's is no doubt it'll be another feather in WBritain's hat. Poses for figures to be provided upon request .....The Lt.

 

[UKReb]

WWII in current first position does not surprise me as at least 70% of the threads on this forum cover in some considerable depth every single factor and issue of that war/era and discuss toy soldier collections/dioramas/books/films on the subject.

The Zulu War is Joe's territory and he has done a fine job in interesting quite a few other disciples to discuss/post pictures/comment on that era helped recently by Britains outstanding new releases.

But ACW as joint second???????-Dont believe it absolute rubbish- Who's voting for more Yanks & Rebs? Who are all you ACW collectors? Where's your ACW comments? Where's pictures of your existing troops?
I am a passionate ACW figure collector and have been on this forum nearly a year and know that Damian has a small Gettysburg collection, Bobby Lee too, wadepat has a few fine pieces and Vamp tinkers around the edges of the war. But that's about it I know of no other serious collectors as I have been round this buoy a couple of times trying to locate anyone on this forum really interested in toy figures of the War between the States, so if you really are voting for more civil war figures enough to get it joint second- Who are you?

Guys with hand on heart that's why these polls are a complete waste of time and why I never vote on them and most probably voting is just a "if I had the cash wish list" not sure it's an accurate "would like to see more of"- unless you just want to look at pictures of them in catalogues.
However, I too was surprised that the Naps were "voted" low because that subject is discussed a hell of a lot more on this forum than ACW toy soldiers ever is.
Reb

 

[damian]

I am not sure if this forum is a complete cross section of the collecting world. It is heavily WWII dominated. However before the matt era there was very little in terms of WWII. It was all colonial war (Zulu and Sudan) Napoleonic and ACW. WWI got a bit of a peek in with Trophy and Toy Army Workshop and of course Britains. I think the ACW is a perennial favorite. I do think that some of these exotic regiments will reignite the spark for a lot of collectors.
Regards
Damian

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hi There!
Please undersatnd that the following comments are my own and have nothing to do with any company I have ever worked for...just thoughts about the American Civil War from my perspective.
I grew up at a time when the American Civil War was just as much part of who I was, as baseball and apple pie. When I was sixteen my parents bought me my first Civil War musket as a gift and I got involved in shooting and later living history.
I know literally, hundreds and hundreds of folks that are passionate about this conflict and collect everything from A to Z from the period. Paper, furniture, images, militaria, post war momentos and art. Most of my closest friends have been interested in this conflict since we were kids, and a few of them have very exstensive collections of original militaria, books and images.

The thing is, I have noticed a few comments here that suggest that if you do not chat about the war blow by blow you must not be interested...and I know that is not true. I suppose, at least to me the American Civil war just is...I mean it is sort of a living thing rather than some distant mystery.

I disagree with the thought that if there arn't unusual units and uniforms offered as miniatures...the collector interest will be flat. There are still hundreds of figures I would love to see in sack coats, frock coats and shell jackets to give a real period look to dioramas. These uniforms represent the bulk of the fighting men of this conflict the way a 4 pocket combat tunic in it's various forms does for the WWII German soldier. Just look at the period images.

I understand that some collectors may want representations of various uniforms styles or flags for this period and that is the focus of their collection. Others are often just as interested in what the figure is doing, or is about to do. Some dioramists could use infantry in every possible pose for loading, firing, attacking and drilling, camp life, foraging, you name it. The same is true for all of the other branches of service, then multiply this by two as the are Northern and Southern forces...well you get the idea. I do not think this period will ever run out of subject matter.

In the end I guess I understand that this is not any different than the discussions about WSS Oak Leaf pattern 'A' camo vs Blurred edge, or The French 1803 pattern uniform vs the 1812...but perhaps a little less exotic and a lot more subtle to the point that it is not discussed the same way.
At a recent show I watched someone pick up one of the new W.Britain Yankees and look at it and then turn to his companion and say "look at the way the trousers are cuffed...and the canteen and haversack are at the right height..." This is pretty sublte stuff that these guys picked up on, but the point is that they commented on it. I think it demonstrated a kind of advanced level of awareness for small details that comes with study of the period.
So in the end I belive that the Civil War is still alive here in many ways...and that may also translate into a long term interest for the miniatures we collect too.
Just some thoughts...
Ken Osen

 

[skeeterbuck]

I think Ken reminded us of something that I think that we all tend to forget.

Many toy stores and gift shops ONLY carry Britains soldiers, so Britains has to make a complete line of figures covering many areas. Britains is more of a toy company that the other makers in this respect.

Most all of us here are collectors and search out different companies and the numerous figures that are available. But think for a moment how many Britains figures are bought as souvenirs in those gift shops worldwide. In London alone all those marching Scots Guards, Life Guards and Beefeaters etc. going to travellers who will probably never buy another figure. Remember these are Britains customers too.

That's maybe why they have to keep making certain lines like American Civil War and WWII. I hope this makes some sense.

Chuck

 

[lenswerks]

I’m very thankful we have Ken sculpting these absolutely outstanding figures.

Ken the the level of detail in the ACW, NAP, ARW and structures is the reason I started collecting Britains and now I’ve added ZULU.

Your hard work is very much appreciated!

 

[Harrytheheid]

WWII in current first position does not surprise me as at least 70% of the threads on this forum cover in some considerable depth every single factor and issue of that war/era and discuss toy soldier collections/dioramas/books/films on the subject.

The Zulu War is Joe's territory and he has done a fine job in interesting quite a few other disciples to discuss/post pictures/comment on that era helped recently by Britains outstanding new releases.

But ACW as joint second???????-Dont believe it absolute rubbish- Who's voting for more Yanks & Rebs? Who are all you ACW collectors? Where's your ACW comments? Where's pictures of your existing troops?
I am a passionate ACW figure collector and have been on this forum nearly a year and know that Damian has a small Gettysburg collection, Bobby Lee too, wadepat has a few fine pieces and Vamp tinkers around the edges of the war. But that's about it I know of no other serious collectors as I have been round this buoy a couple of times trying to locate anyone on this forum really interested in toy figures of the War between the States, so if you really are voting for more civil war figures enough to get it joint second- Who are you?

Guys with hand on heart that's why these polls are a complete waste of time and why I never vote on them and most probably voting is just a "if I had the cash wish list" not sure it's an accurate "would like to see more of"- unless you just want to look at pictures of them in catalogues.
However, I too was surprised that the Naps were "voted" low because that subject is discussed a hell of a lot more on this forum than ACW toy soldiers ever is.
Reb

Reb,
With a few honourable exceptions, the vast majority of these polls and discussions tend to remind me of that great, and oh so true 1970's song by Supertramp;

"Dreamer, you're nothing but a Dreamer"

Now, I do vote on these waste-of-time polls. Why..?? Because there's a fighting chance that I will actually go and buy the items that I vote for.
That's why I tend to agree with Damian's points that he's made in this thread and over on the K&C section as well - and your's too. This forum is not a true representation of the wider TS collecting population. Yes, it's top-heavy on WWII. Why..?? Cos the majority of members here collect "That Other Company's" stuff. Nuthin' wrong with that - so do I, because their WWII stuff is affordable and generally accurate enough.
I often wonder about some of the loud people who post on this forum. I've got this and I've got that...and I've got the other. Well, yeah - anyone can learn the S/N's of TS products off by heart, if their life is so empty, I suppose. But haven't you noticed that when it comes down to;
"Okay Bubba - so where's the photo's of these wonderful collections..??"
The response is inevitably;
"Oh, uuuggh, emmm, well, like, ummm, I never did get to grips with these new-fangled digital cameras you see...." - Bollocks.
Dreamers, every last one of them.

This is in no way meant as an attack on;
a) Old Age Pensioners who can't afford to buy TS's
b) Schoolbys who can't afford to buy TS's

Cheers
H

 

[damian]

So right then, when can we expect to see our series of figures from the Second Carlist war then. I know I would buy them all in a heartbeat....
Just kidding.
But to go back to the issue of the exotic regiments in the ACW. Obviously being where I am in the world there are not a hoard of people re-enacting the ACW or collecting it as a theme. Having said that it holds a special place in my affections as it was one of the first themes I did collect. Britains Deetail back in the 1970's. I have never forgiven my parents for refusing to buy me that Swoppet?Britains limber and artillery piece. They said it was too expnasive and only let me buy the Confederate stand alone artillery piece, which I still have. I mean the limber cost 10 ZAR I ask you with tears in my eye, I should have bought 10 of them for that price. When I got back into metal TS in 1996 I kicked off with the WB ACW series from the 1996 catalogue. I still have all of those. Ok HarryI will take some pics tonight. When Britains went matt I got those as well as the Conte Troiani sets and the K and C Burnside Antietnam stuff. So I am a bit of an ACW dilatente. However with all due respect Ken there has not been much in the way of these exotic units from the recent toy soldier world. Even looking at Troani's books he doesn't feature them very much. Irish Brigade and Rebel charges he has a lot of. I must say the CS Brooklyn line which I don't have has got me having some thoughts. The Berdan sharpshooters look good and even the K and C Chasseurs seem to be growing on me. It does add a dash of color to the collection. I just need more info on exactly where these units fought. I am not a complet rivet counter but I don't do alternative history either.
Regards
Damian

 

[jrsteel]

WWII in current first position does not surprise me as at least 70% of the threads on this forum cover in some considerable depth every single factor and issue of that war/era and discuss toy soldier collections/dioramas/books/films on the subject.

The Zulu War is Joe's territory and he has done a fine job in interesting quite a few other disciples to discuss/post pictures/comment on that era helped recently by Britains outstanding new releases.

But ACW as joint second???????-Dont believe it absolute rubbish- Who's voting for more Yanks & Rebs? Who are all you ACW collectors? Where's your ACW comments? Where's pictures of your existing troops?
I am a passionate ACW figure collector and have been on this forum nearly a year and know that Damian has a small Gettysburg collection, Bobby Lee too, wadepat has a few fine pieces and Vamp tinkers around the edges of the war. But that's about it I know of no other serious collectors as I have been round this buoy a couple of times trying to locate anyone on this forum really interested in toy figures of the War between the States, so if you really are voting for more civil war figures enough to get it joint second- Who are you?

Guys with hand on heart that's why these polls are a complete waste of time and why I never vote on them and most probably voting is just a "if I had the cash wish list" not sure it's an accurate "would like to see more of"- unless you just want to look at pictures of them in catalogues.
However, I too was surprised that the Naps were "voted" low because that subject is discussed a hell of a lot more on this forum than ACW toy soldiers ever is.
Reb

I don't know why there aren't more ACW collectores on the forum. Britains seems to be the leader in ACW and I always figured it was their number one selling line.

 

[Pierre]

I just entered my vote today, I missed the thread

Wild West... that would be a great serie. I just won 2 sets from Sarum on eBay.

Pierre.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Those look very nice Pierre. I think Britains would do a great job of a wild west series. They always have in the past.

 

[UKReb]

I just entered my vote today, I missed the thread

Wild West... that would be a great serie. I just won 2 sets from Sarum on eBay.

Pierre.

Pierre
Great couple of sets but I just love the mini-painting of Armistead charging up Cemetery Ridge. Did that come with the set or did you make it?

Reb

 

[UKReb]

I don't know why there aren't more ACW collectores on the forum. Britains seems to be the leader in ACW and I always figured it was their number one selling line.

jrsteel

Good comment and my point exactly, so I reiterate if the collectors are not here on this forum who are the mystery ACW voters?

I believe there's a lot of truth in Harrytheheid's post, as some of the threads on this forum appear to get more like facebook every time I check in.

Reb

 

[Spitfrnd]

You guys have lost me but then I have no idea what facebook is like since I have never even been to the site. If the point is that some people do not accurately reflect their intentions in response to polls, I agree but I think many, if not most, of us try. I thought that many of these polls, like this one, include a request for what we currently expect to collect within the forseeable future, as well as what we currently have. Certainly that is what most manufactuer's would like to know. So if I think I will buy it, than I think it is fair to ask for it. I do take the response seriously but of course it is no guarantee.

 

[thebritfarmer]

Maybe those people don't feel comfortable posting, or maybe the don't have a digital camera (yes there are many that still don't)
I know for one that if I did a civil war dio I would be intimidated to post on here as Rebs is so fantastic and way better than anything I could do.
Perhaps they only have 1 or 2 pieces so don't feel like posting just a pic of their collection.

Just a few reasons why you may not be seeing as many ACW people posting.

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hi There!
For what it is worth these polls are just another tool that is considered along with all of the other surveys, meetings with retailers, requests at shows and brain storming sessions we have. As a result I guess I consider them useful and not at all a waste of time. If we did not consider the collectors requests then we would have never revisited the Zulu War.
Ken

 

[The Lt.]

Hi There!
For what it is worth these polls are just another tool that is considered along with all of the other surveys, meetings with retailers, requests at shows and brain storming sessions we have. As a result I guess I consider them useful and not at all a waste of time. If we did not consider the collectors requests then we would have never revisited the Zulu War.
Ken

Which I'm very greatful that WBritain returned to.....The Lt.

 

[Pierre]

Pierre
Great couple of sets but I just love the mini-painting of Armistead charging up Cemetery Ridge. Did that come with the set or did you make it?

Reb

Hi Reb,

I wish I had that talent! It comes with the set.

Pierre.

 

[Pierre]

Those look very nice Pierre. I think Britains would do a great job of a wild west series. They always have in the past.

Hi Scott-

Thanks for the comment. Agree with you how Britains would do a great Wild West serie.

Pierre.

 

[Pierre]

Which I'm very greatful that WBritain returned to.....The Lt.

Me too

Pierre.