Your Great War Manufacturer of Choice (Matte) (1 Viewer)

[Isandlwana]

So, who is it?

Is JJD floating your man boat moreso than K&C, Frontline, Order of Battle, TGM or WB? Do you simply buy everything WW1? What pieces do you treasure most? What would you like to see in the future?

If you had to choose one manufacturer to cater for you Great War needs, who would it be? It doesn't have to be one that is currently making any WW1 models.

For me, right now JJD can't do anything wrong. I can't fault what they are doing. The only thing is, they don't do infantry.

I do have a problem with K&C's colouring. It is just too vibrant. The Great War was not fluorescent! I like their poses but the SMLE's are a real bugbear. When you see the colour of the SMLE's in the ALH range compared to those used with both the earlier Cambrai and KOSB figures, I just don't understand the marked change.

TGM are newcomers to the era but the early signs are encouraging, particularly the sturmtruppen. The Allied variants may need a little tweaking.

WB are interesting. I really didn't like the look of the German figures due in Feb 13. I thought the pictures showed them up to be quite "clunky", even fat and given they are the work of a new sculptor I was concerned about the future of this range. However, in London I got to handle the figures and was pleasantly surprised. My conclusion was, they don't photograph well. My personal taste is that I'm not that keen on the trench sections but I like the figures. Absolute VFM.

Going forward I would really like to see JJD produce an infantry range, as was the original plan. However, I don't think this will ever happen unless one of the other big boys drops out from the WW1 market. WB have more allied figures and trench sections planned, so it is not going to be them. K&C will probably release limited ranges much like Cambrai as we progress through the centenary commemorations and TGM's intentions are an unknown.

If it were a case of choosing one then for me JJD would have to be it.

 

[Mitch]

I really had no interest collecting wise for WWI until speaking with Al about the JJ WWI aircraft and, now I have them all that are out and, they are my choice for WWI aircraft. I recently was bought some WWI Britain's troops and, they are really excellent and, in 2013 I will buy some more from this range.

Not one maker but, one for ground war and one for the air war.
Mitch

 

[Mascleo]

Well, I really have no favorite, each of the manufacturers are putting their own style and expertise into different aspects of WWI. They each excel at what they do.

JJD - fantastic aircraft!! Their couple of WWI vehicles are also outstanding!

K&C - best officers, parade figures and staff. I do agree with you that their infantry figures and vehicles are too "clean" for the trenches.

ONWTC - great rendition of the Mark IV tank! Not really a fan of their infantry though.

WB - I do love the trench figures and heavy machineguns, especially the Vickers. The few diorama extra are nice too. I am wondering why they appear to have two sizes for their WWI range?

 

[Isandlwana]

Well, I really have no favorite, each of the manufacturers are putting their own style and expertise into different aspects of WWI. They each excel at what they do.

JJD - fantastic aircraft!! Their couple of WWI vehicles are also outstanding!

K&C - best officers, parade figures and staff. I do agree with you that their infantry figures and vehicles are too "clean" for the trenches.

ONWTC - great rendition of the Mark IV tank! Not really a fan of their infantry though.

WB - I do love the trench figures and heavy machineguns, especially the Vickers. The few diorama extra are nice too. I am wondering why they appear to have two sizes for their WWI range?

Hi Mascleo

Which WB figures do you think have scale issues when compared? I will have a look see myself.

Regards

Michael

 

[Isandlwana]

I really had no interest collecting wise for WWI until speaking with Al about the JJ WWI aircraft and, now I have them all that are out and, they are my choice for WWI aircraft. I recently was bought some WWI Britain's troops and, they are really excellent and, in 2013 I will buy some more from this range.

Not one maker but, one for ground war and one for the air war.
Mitch

Yep, couldn't disagree with anything you have said there. 23030 is one of my favourite individual figures of 2012 and the S.E.5aD is my favourite item of all.

 

[maddadicus]

Yep, couldn't disagree with anything you have said there. 23030 is one of my favourite individual figures of 2012 and the S.E.5aD is my favourite item of all.

All my WW1 are gloss...Heco for airplanes, armored cars, and tanks. Toy Army Workshop for armored cars, various homecasters for figures and vehicles.. Michael

 

[Poppo]

So, who is it?

Is JJD floating your man boat moreso than K&C, Frontline, Order of Battle, TGM or WB? Do you simply buy everything WW1? What pieces do you treasure most? What would you like to see in the future?

If you had to choose one manufacturer to cater for you Great War needs, who would it be? It doesn't have to be one that is currently making any WW1 models.

For me, right now JJD can't do anything wrong. I can't fault what they are doing. The only thing is, they don't do infantry.

I do have a problem with K&C's colouring. It is just too vibrant. The Great War was not fluorescent! I like their poses but the SMLE's are a real bugbear. When you see the colour of the SMLE's in the ALH range compared to those used with both the earlier Cambrai and KOSB figures, I just don't understand the marked change.

TGM are newcomers to the era but the early signs are encouraging, particularly the sturmtruppen. The Allied variants may need a little tweaking.

WB are interesting. I really didn't like the look of the German figures due in Feb 13. I thought the pictures showed them up to be quite "clunky", even fat and given they are the work of a new sculptor I was concerned about the future of this range. However, in London I got to handle the figures and was pleasantly surprised. My conclusion was, they don't photograph well. My personal taste is that I'm not that keen on the trench sections but I like the figures. Absolute VFM.

Going forward I would really like to see JJD produce an infantry range, as was the original plan. However, I don't think this will ever happen unless one of the other big boys drops out from the WW1 market. WB have more allied figures and trench sections planned, so it is not going to be them. K&C will probably release limited ranges much like Cambrai as we progress through the centenary commemorations and TGM's intentions are an unknown.

If it were a case of choosing one then for me JJD would have to be it.

I made a WW1 dio with KC items, I like them very much even if I agree with you that colours are too vibrant, that s why I put some earth dust on them to make the colours more realistic. I don' t have planes, but, if I bought some I would buy JJ ones, I think they have good quality\price balance, and I like triplanes.

 

[Napoleon1er]

WBritain- must unique poses, best trench scenes
Thomas Gunn- best quality figures. best faces, details, sculpting, painting.
ONWTC/Order of Battle- best variety, best value.
John Jenkins- best aviation related figures
K&C- only leaders.

P.S. I am making a WWI trench diorama (2x1.5 ft.) for sale, which includes an underground bunker (with liftoff roof), underground tunnel network (with collapsed section), and machine gun nest accessible be shaft from the bunker. I will probably price it at $300-400, and will bring it to any Eastern show, or ship it at cost. Right now, all of the sculpting has been done, it just needs terrain and detail work (retaining walls).

 

[Louis Badolato]

All my WW1 are gloss...Heco for airplanes, armored cars, and tanks. Toy Army Workshop for armored cars, various homecasters for figures and vehicles.. Michael

I also tend more toward glossy manufacturers when it comes to WWI including Heco Tinplate Models, Toy Army Workshop, Trophy, and CJB Models. However, I have not been able to resist John Jenkins Designs Matt WWI aircraft, vehicles and figures, which are superb!^&cool

 

[lancer]

I am a huge WW1 fan, especially the air war and the French Army of 1914-16. As a result JJD aircraft rule the roost as far as I am concerned. For the French Army my interest lies in the 1914 actions and Verdun. First maker to do 1916 French in a decent way will get my money. KC has my money for the 1914 French which I think are very well done in detail and paint finish. Here is where the bright color works for them. Going forward I will continue to collect the superb JJD aircraft as long as I can. Maybe John will do those 1916 French somewhere down the road. I also have a great many of the Britains 1914 British, German, and French figures, all of which I really like. Included in my Britains are many of their glossy figures which are very well done, too. I wish they had done more with the French. ONWTC did some good stuff too, especially their tanks, but my interest is limited in the late war stuff. At any rate, all my efforts are currently going into JJD's Knights of the Skies, as IMO it is the best series on the market. -- Al

 

[kogu]

WWI figures/sets are offered by many mfrs, and I like to collect a mix of styles/makes from various of them.
Britains, King & Country, ONTC, Wilson Edwards, the old and retired Britains Premier Series by Charles Biggs and last but not least some wonderful sets of Beau Geste are currently represented in my collection.
Most favored by me are glossy sets and Louis' collection or especially Rob's Toy Army Workshop collection are much admired by me.
Konrad

 

[Isandlwana]

WBritain- must unique poses, best trench scenes
Thomas Gunn- best quality figures. best faces, details, sculpting, painting.
ONWTC/Order of Battle- best variety, best value.
John Jenkins- best aviation related figures
K&C- only leaders.

P.S. I am making a WWI trench diorama (2x1.5 ft.) for sale, which includes an underground bunker (with liftoff roof), underground tunnel network (with collapsed section), and machine gun nest accessible be shaft from the bunker. I will probably price it at $300-400, and will bring it to any Eastern show, or ship it at cost. Right now, all of the sculpting has been done, it just needs terrain and detail work (retaining walls).

Sounds good. Are you going to post it on here when complete? Would love to see it.

 

[waynepoo]

JJD Hands down best for Great War aircraft.
I have most Great War items from K&C and can not fault any of them.
TGM Great War Germans are just superb.
Sorry just don't like any of the WB.
Still to see any of the new releases from JJD and TGM so will reserve any comment until then, but all the manufactures please we want much more Great War stuff from you all asp.
Wayne.

 

[Isandlwana]

K&C really, really frustrate me. As I said, I like their poses and I was very excited when the Cambrai series came out but it was over as soon as it began really. The disappointing thing for me here was that there were nigh on 350 tanks used and K&C gave us only one.

They've done really well by sticking with the ALH and they seem to have been rewarded by excellent sales. They need to go 'all in' with the Western Front too. If they don't then I seriously hope JJD take up the baton and bring that Vimy Ridge range out because I know they wouldn't let us down and we would get something worthy of the word 'epic'.

 

[waynepoo]

K&C really, really frustrate me. As I said, I like their poses and I was very excited when the Cambrai series came out but it was over as soon as it began really. The disappointing thing for me here was that there were nigh on 350 tanks used and K&C gave us only one.

They've done really well by sticking with the ALH and they seem to have been rewarded by excellent sales. They need to go 'all in' with the Western Front too. If they don't then I seriously hope JJD take up the baton and bring that Vimy Ridge range out because I know they wouldn't let us down and we would get something worthy of the word 'epic'.

Yes, I have all but two of the ALH and as an Australian I would be more than happy to see Andy do the A.I.F on the western front (hint) but a British line is ok as they would be easy to adapt. But if none are forth coming from K&C I agree JJD would do very worthy figures. I do believe that any from K&C or JJD would sell well.
Wayne.