World War One (1 Viewer)

[kogu]

The WWI or "The Great War" has been featured a lot by several glossy manufacturers. One of them was Britains and I would like to bring up some of their sets here.

To start with, from the Premier Series by Charles Biggs, I have set no. 8925, Royal Naval Air Service Armored Car.

"The First Lord of the Admiralty, Winston Churchill, in 1914 ordered a Royal Naval aeroplane force to be stationed on the French coast. Their task was to seek and destroy Zeppelin airship bases in France and Belgium and prevent aerial attacks on London and the south.
To protect the airfields he then organised a batch of 250 men with 100 armed vehicles from The Royal Naval Air Service based at Eastchurch in Kent. They were sent to Dunkirk under Commander CR Samson, RN to carry out this task.
Samson immediately organised and led motor car patrols with mounted machine guns.
After several encounters with Uhlans, the German cavalry, Samson realized the value of armor and had his brother Lt. FR Samson RNVR draw up plans to fit armor to the cars. Using first his own car a Mercedes and then a Rolls Royce Silver Ghost 40/50HP of the Alpine type, a local Dunkirk shipyard fitted these with boiler plate armor.
However, the armor was only strong enough to stop an English rifle bullet at 500 yards.
To keep the weight down it was only fitted in front of the driver, the radiator and at the rear to protect the machine gunner, leaving the driver vulnerable from the sides."

Here are two pics of this set.

Konrad

 

[kogu]

Here's another set I would want to share and that is 8926, Thornycraft 3 Ton J Type Truck with Anti-Aircraft Gun.
This set is from the Premier Series, created by Charles Biggs, as well.

"The Thornycraft J Typer Truck led the field in the 1913/14 War Office trials. The truck built for the military in Basingstoke by the experienced firm of John Thornycraft Ltd was not only the lightest in it's class but produced a 14mph top speed from a 40HP side-valve engine.
5000 J types were supplied to the British Army from 1914 to 1918 gaining a great reputation for the more rugged specialized assignments during the Great War.
One of the best known vehicle types was the mobile Anti-Aircraft gun designed to combat the growth of air power during the war years.
The Anti-Aircraft gun mounted version was introduced during 1915. The Thornycraft was fitted with an 18pdr field gun, as used by the R.H.A. on field carriages. This was attached to a rotating pedestal mounting after the barrel was sleeved down to take the lighter 3 inch 13 pdr ammunition.
The usual gun section would be equipped with two Thornycraft AA trucks each supported by two 3 ton trucks to carry gun gun detachments, rangefinders and ammunition."

The explaining text is taken from the insert of the box.

Konrad

 

[kogu]

The last feature for tonight is the set no. 9810, French 75mm Gun And United States Gun Detachment

"French 75mm Gun, Length: 4.45m, Width: 1.51m, Weight: 1970Kg
The famous French 75mm gun was alleged to be one of France's war-winners. It had an unequalled rate of fire and could deliver up to 28 rounds per minute. The gun had an excellent handling ability because it was so light and simple to use for a 75mm (2.95") gun.
The 75 had a very flat shell trajectory. The shells were very light and as the war developed into a trench conflict the gun became unsuitable. This then saw the need for the use of Howitzers which dropped the shells from up high into the trenches of the Western Front.
Many years later the 75 was still in use and was modified to accomodate rubber tires in 1940.
America broke off relations with Germany in February 1917. A declaration of war was then made on 6th April 1917.
Meanwhile, the British set up recruiting offices in the USA to enlist the many British subject residents there.
A major step was made in the USA when President Wilson introduced conscription on 18th May 1917. The President later announced that a division of regular soldiers were to be sent to France under Major-General John Pershing, who was to be the Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Force to Europe.
There was a keen rivalry between the American Artillery batteries in France, to ascertain who was to fire the first shot against the Germans. The honour went to battery "C" in October 1917. The case of the first shell was engraved and sent home for presentation to President Wilson.
The French 75mm gun was so admired by the American Artillery that it was later to be manufactured in the US for issue to all American Artillery units."

 

[Ruggles]

The last feature for tonight is the set no. 9810, French 75mm Gun And United States Gun Detachment

"French 75mm Gun, Length: 4.45m, Width: 1.51m, Weight: 1970Kg
The famous French 75mm gun was alleged to be one of France's war-winners. It had an unequalled rate of fire and could deliver up to 28 rounds per minute. The gun had an excellent handling ability because it was so light and simple to use for a 75mm (2.95") gun.
The 75 had a very flat shell trajectory. The shells were very light and as the war developed into a trench conflict the gun became unsuitable. This then saw the need for the use of Howitzers which dropped the shells from up high into the trenches of the Western Front.
Many years later the 75 was still in use and was modified to accomodate rubber tires in 1940.
America broke off relations with Germany in February 1917. A declaration of war was then made on 6th April 1917.
Meanwhile, the British set up recruiting offices in the USA to enlist the many British subject residents there.
A major step was made in the USA when President Wilson introduced conscription on 18th May 1917. The President later announced that a division of regular soldiers were to be sent to France under Major-General John Pershing, who was to be the Commander-in-Chief of the American Expeditionary Force to Europe.
There was a keen rivalry between the American Artillery batteries in France, to ascertain who was to fire the first shot against the Germans. The honour went to battery "C" in October 1917. The case of the first shell was engraved and sent home for presentation to President Wilson.
The French 75mm gun was so admired by the American Artillery that it was later to be manufactured in the US for issue to all American Artillery units."

Wow, all great sets but this might be my favorite ^&grin WWI is becoming a new favorite era for me to study. Very nice indeed.

 

[lancer]

Fantastic sets, Konrad. The Britains Premiers are some of the finest WW1 glossies I've ever seen. I have a few sets but no where near the amount I would like to have. Thanks for posting the pics. -- Al

 

[Builtrite]

Konrad,
Nice to see these sets being appreciated by everyone. Glad they made it to safely.

 

[VIRIATO]

Fantastic sets, Konrad. The Britains Premiers are some of the finest WW1 glossies I've ever seen. I have a few sets but no where near the amount I would like to have. Thanks for posting the pics. -- Al

That's exactly what I wanted to say:wink2:...


Paulo

 

[kogu]

Thank you, guys, Ruggles, Al, Brent and Paulo :smile2:
Indeed, the Premier Sets are very good quality Toy Soldiers in the good old style :wink2:
Here's another set, which is 8912, A Mark I, 4.5 inch Howitzer (1914) with Q.F. 4.5 Mark Limber and Four Piece Khaki Gun Detachment of the Royal Artillery.

"Dressed in khaki, these Royal Artillery gunners appear as they would have been in the opening two years of the Great War. By 1916, the soft peaked cap was replaced by the steel helmet in action."

 

[kogu]

This is set, 8919, of a 13 PDR. Q.F. Gun and Limber of the Royal Horse Artillery with 4 Man Detachment in Home Service Dress, 1915.

"The first artillery round of the Great War was discharged by the Royal Horse Artillery, near Bray in France 22 August 1914, fired by a 13 Pounder Q.F. Gun of 'E' Battery as depicted in this Premier Series set.
At the start of the War only 20 regular batteries existed but by 1918 the number had grown to 25 by then mostly using the heavier 18 Pounder Q.F. Gun.
These R.H.A. Batteries served in every theatre of war from the Western Front, Gallipoli and Mesopotamia.
The famous action involving the Royal Horse Artillery using a 13 Pounder Q.F. Gun was on the 1st September 1914 at Nery in France.
While supporting the 1st Cavalry Brigade, 'L' Battery were surprised in open ground by heavy German bombardment.
After only two minutes, against overwhelming odds only one British gun had not been silenced, "The Nery Gund".
This single gun kept firing manned by a handful of heroic survivors. Three of these men were later awarded the Victoria Cross for their outstanding bravery."

This little info is, again, taken from the insert that came with the set.

Konrad

 

[craig1985taylor]

Konrad thanks for sharing the photos! I own most of the old Premier stuff & just love them all! These are some of the 1st sets I ever owned & are very special to me! Brings back some memories of growing up & spending time with my Grandad

Thank you Craig

 

[craig1985taylor]

Here is a link to my collection of Premier sets

http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/forum/album.php?albumid=150&attachmentid=53600

Craig

 

[kogu]

Thanks for the link, Craig,
a great collection that you have there :wink2: and it is especially nice that it serves for memories of times you spent with your granddad.
Konrad

 

[craig1985taylor]

Thanks for the link, Craig,
a great collection that you have there :wink2: and it is especially nice that it serves for memories of times you spent with your granddad.
Konrad

Thanks Konrad he got me into this at a very young age! It started with a few glossy Britains ceremonials which led to amassing all the limited edition bands & then before I knew it he had bought all thos lovely WW1 sets! Its kind of just gone from one extreame to another since then lol

Craig

 

[Leadmen]

Nice pictures of your Premier sets Konrad. I enjoy WWl glossy figures and guns. John

 

[kogu]

Thank you, John :smile2:
Nothing beats an Artillery Set in a fine gloss finish :wink2:

Here's another set, no. 41025, which was released later when Britains was already run by Ertl. It is the French 75mm Gun again, but this time with Caisson and camouflaged and the U.S. Gun Team is wearing Steel Helmets.
I believe with those changes, this is how the gun and crew would have appeared in the later part of the war.
Konrad

 

[kogu]

One last one to show, before I have to wait for reinforcements :wink2:
This is set no. 8924 German 7.7 Gun and Limber with Service Detachment

"The 7.7cm Feldkanone C 96 n/A (Fieldgun) was first introduced in 1896 and modified later in 1905-06. Throughout World War One it was the main weapon of the German Field Artillery.
The gun itself weighed a total of 1,930 pounds. The gun shield was 5'6" high when fully extended. The wheels were 4'5" dia. with a track of 5 feet.
The Feldkanone had a range of 9,186 yards when using a percussion fused shell but this distance was drastically reduced by up to two thirds when loaded with time fused ammunition.
The two side seats in front of the gun shield enabled the gun layer and loader to ride beside the gun barrel with their backs to the shield. When the gun was used by the horse artillery these seats were discarded.
The Feldprotze (Limber) carried 36 rounds of normal ammunition or could carry 24 long shells and 6 normal. The seat on top of the Limber could comfortably accommodate three gunners.
When in action, the Limber was withdrawn from the firing line once the ammunition had been piled alongside the gun in wicker containers.
The German Regiment depicted is Feldartillery Regiment "Von Peucker No. 9", Home Station Breslau, now Wroclaw, Poland."

Konrad

 

[biker3700]

Hello.
I am a Belgian collector of toy soldiers from the great war.
This is my Britains Premier sets collection.

 

[Napoleon1er]

Hello.
I am a Belgian collector of toy soldiers from the great war.
This is my Britains Premier sets collection.

Salut!
J'adore votre collection de soldats de plomb{bravo}}, et je pense que c'est une collection plus complète que le plupart d'autres. Merci pour les photographies, et j'anticipe parler avec vous sur Treefrog. Je collecte petites soldats mat napoléoniennes, le plupart de qui sont Britains. Il y a aussi un petit peu de Sudan et Premier Guerre Mondiale.
-Sandor:salute::

P.S. Begium est un de mes favorites de places pour visiter. La nourriture c'est le mieux, et l'archetecture est magnifique. Et Waterloo est là{sm4}.

 

[kogu]

Hello biker3700,
a warm welcome to the forum and thank you for posting your pictures here.
That is an impressive collection you have lined up on your shelves :salute::
Hopefully a few more collectors will chime in and show us their Premier items.
All the best.
Konrad

 

[lancer]

Thank you, John :smile2:
Nothing beats an Artillery Set in a fine gloss finish :wink2:

Here's another set, no. 41025, which was released later when Britains was already run by Ertl. It is the French 75mm Gun again, but this time with Caisson and camouflaged and the U.S. Gun Team is wearing Steel Helmets.
I believe with those changes, this is how the gun and crew would have appeared in the later part of the war.
Konrad

A particularly attractive set. Love the 75mm in camo. -- Al