What would you like to see (1 Viewer)

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hi There! If you look at the Conte GIs you will see that many of them match the ONWTC figures exactly. This is because they were licenced from me for plastic production by Conte. The ONWTC WWII figures, ACW figures and the first sets of WWI figures were also sculpted by me as a 40% owner of that company. As a result the white metal figure kits sold by ONWTC and Valiant will match in size and style with the new W. Britains.
As most of you know I am now working with Richard Walker at W. Britain and the Normandy figures released to date will match my earlier sculpts very well. Additional WWII figures from W. Britain will be coming soon to help fill any gaps before we move on to other areas in that conflict. Hope this clears any confusion!
Ken Osen

 

[thebritfarmer]

I voted Egyptians, though I don't see it ever happening.

Which would be a shame as it one of the few series they have visited. They would look good done in the style of the current Red & Blue coats.

 

[binder001]

Gary, have you looked at the ONTC WWII castings? Ken may have even done some of those, though I am not sure about that. They have a dozen or so GI's and about the same number of Germans in a pretty good variety of action poses, that would probably be almost identical in scale to the current Britains matte figures. MD

Yes, I knew that Ken designed the ONTC figures that became the first "wave" of Conte GIs' I have bought some of the Valiant unpainted figures. I just wish they had ALL the poses available - there are several neat poses that I would like to get without spending $$$$ to get a four figure set where three of them are in plastic already, just to get the one pose I don't have (like the GI reeaching for a new clip to reload his M1).

You know you are sick figure converter when you put a metal arm on a plastic figure or you want to buy painted figures because you can modify them to go with your plastic conversions. There must be a 12-step program for this.

Gary

 

[theBaron]

Finish? WW2 was fought only in MATTE! You shine, you die!

Gary

I must respectfully disagree, sir! How about natural metal finish on a Mustang or Thunderbolt?

Prosit!
Brad

 

[Mister Dave]

Yes, I knew that Ken designed the ONTC figures that became the first "wave" of Conte GIs' I have bought some of the Valiant unpainted figures. I just wish they had ALL the poses available - there are several neat poses that I would like to get without spending $$$$ to get a four figure set where three of them are in plastic already, just to get the one pose I don't have (like the GI reeaching for a new clip to reload his M1).

You know you are sick figure converter when you put a metal arm on a plastic figure or you want to buy painted figures because you can modify them to go with your plastic conversions. There must be a 12-step program for this.

Gary

But if you go on ONTC's website they have a lot of unpainted single GI castings available.

MD

 

[curassier]

Ken,
I would very much like to see ACW dismounted cavalry along with horse-holders with the same variety and dynamism of pose that you have done for your infantry offerings.
Curassier

 

[skeeterbuck]

I would like to see some French and Turks for the Crimean War.

Also figures for the Boxer Rebellion. If I remember correctly that was the only time that eight different countries fought on the same side....

Britain, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Japan, Russia & United States.

Chuck

 

[theBaron]

...that was the only time that eight different countries fought on the same side....

Britain, Germany, Austria, Italy, France, Japan, Russia & United States.

Chuck

More specifically, those 8 countries.

Prost beianand!
Brad

 

[VIRIATO]

I did expect Napoleonics to do a little better in this poll. After all, the matte Coldstream Guards look quite nice. Any thoughts?

 

[Mister Dave]

I did expect Napoleonics to do a little better in this poll. After all, the matte Coldstream Guards look quite nice. Any thoughts?

I am a little surprised at this result too. The Coldstreams are really nice sets, and they make a great little action diorama. I've got a ton of em all swarming around a hapless little group of French troops who got through the implied gate that I don't yet possess, before it was closed by the 'Gate Closers' that are also implied and should arrive soon. Also, you have to love the looks of that medical set due out this month as well.

MD

 

[Dickbuttons]

The poll results are surprising -- with no clear favorite. It seems that collectors are as diverse as the hobby permits!

Dick

 

[Spitfrnd]

I did expect Napoleonics to do a little better in this poll. After all, the matte Coldstream Guards look quite nice. Any thoughts?

Could that be the relative newness of this series for WB and the fact they have no cavalry yet? I know that affected my vote. Actually I would like to see more of those so add one more to the NAP total.

 

[tdubel]

I find the poll a little surprising. Zulu popularity is no surprise and the new Britains are very cool. However, why is WW2 that popular given the fact that a few other vendors produce a ton? I would have thought Durbar would be more popular.

TOm

 

[The Lt.]

I find the poll a little surprising. Zulu popularity is no surprise and the new Britains are very cool. However, why is WW2 that popular given the fact that a few other vendors produce a ton? I would have thought Durbar would be more popular.

TOm

I'm not surprised Tom as to the rating of WWII the period is the most domineering period on the forum...The Lt.

 

[kilted vampire]

I voted for napoleonic. Since I am firmly entrenched in that one. Maybe some Prussians. Hey how about Silly Billy

 

[kilted vampire]

I'm not surprised Tom as to the rating of WWII the period is the most domineering period on the forum...The Lt.

Yeah but Britains has not done so well in that Market. At least it appears that way to me.

 

[damian]

I really wish WB would leave WWII to you know who and develop their own special areas. The ZULU war stuff is great but Britains was always known for teh Indian army. Teh DUrbar is just crying out and similarly the band sets are also fantastic. I think teh Coldstream Band was well done but it was too unusal for the majority of band collectors who focus on more modern bands.
Regards
Damian

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

I suppose it is important to mention that W. Britain product is sold in many locations where many of the other manufacturers we know here are not represented at all. As a result we must have a product line that covers most of the important periods...including WWII, and we are working to fill the gaps but it takes time. The poll results here only confirm what we already knew from our own polls and chatting with collectors here and abroad.
Ken Osen

 

[Spitfrnd]

...The poll results here only confirm what we already knew from our own polls and chatting with collectors here and abroad.
Ken Osen

Do your own results indicate the desire for Napoleonic cavalry?

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

To do any one period justice all of the branches of service should be represented, so mounted units will be visited in our Napoleonic range.
I have been in this hobby since I was very young. As a hobbist and collector I preferred true military miniature style Matt finished figures from the 18th to the 20th centuries. It has only been in the last 18 years that I have been on the design and manufacturing side of the table and this is what I see:
The requests that we hear are traditionally a bit different depending on where you ask the questions. Even within a given country the answers can be very different. There is very little that we want and buy here in the US that is asked for at many toy shows in Germany for instance. In general Eastern Europe has a greater interest in Medieval subjects than the US. There is far more overlap in the requests from the UK and much of North America...but that also depends on the subject matter.
If it is traditional Gloss style the requests are for the obvious British Colonial subjects, although I am happy to report that as we experiment with other periods, the sales support further development of these subjects.
In the Matt true military miniature style the requests take rather different directions and often include high action, casualties and 20th century conflicts.
This can include campaign uniforms and weathering with correct details rather than the stylized approach that is often accepted in a traditional figure finished in Gloss.
Many of the younger collectors request Matt style representing 20th century conflicts, as well as those older collectors that are crossing over with a prior exsposure to 1/35th scale modeling when they were younger.
This is supported by the wonderful depth of choices from multiple manufacturers for WWII...and I do not see this changing anytime soon.
That is why I find this forum more interesting as it matures. We now have participants from all corners of the world sharing in the same conversations. In some areas of this hobby what we already know is confirmed, and at the same time we see rather new areas of interest develop and grow very fast.
At W. Britain we note the requests, track sales, take surveys, develop commisioned projects and occasionally revisit products from our past. In addition we consider new areas or new takes on old subjects like our newer Redcoats/Bluecoats. As a company, we hope W. Britain will continue to service the collecting community for another 100 years!
Ken Osen