Reader’s Contributions Part Two Rich Fisher, Bill Nevins Other Things we have some interesting items. First RichFisher shares photos of the Replicants Mounted Commanchees. Bill Nevins makes case of one company copying another company. T D Barnecut clues us in on a 3D project for Civil War mortar. I will finished the section with some photos.
Reader’s Contributions Part Two Rich Fisher, Bill Nevins Other Things Replicants
Rick Fisher sent us photos of the new Replicants Mounted Commanchees.
Replicants has done Commanchee rider shooting from the side and under the horse’s neck. This made it to harder to hit the Comanchee.
There is two different poses. The poses are firing bow and firing rifle. At the moment I do not know the cost and how many you get in a set. As we get more details we will let you know.
Reader’s Contributions Part Two Rich Fisher, Bill Nevins Other Things Copies?
Reader’s Contributions Part Two Rich Fisher, Bill Nevins Other Things 3D Civil War Mortar
T D Barnecut found following item. Here is what he said about it. I found this fairly accurate civil war mortar design on the shape-ways website. From the description it is not 1/32 scale, but a bit smaller. On the website you can rotate the design all around to see the mortar from every angle. Kind of interesting, not sure if your readers would be interested. It is for 3-D printing.
The mortar is made by Whiting Arts. The mortar is the following size
width 5.1 cm or 2.01 inch
height 3.2 cm or 1.25 inches
Depth 3.5 cm or 3.78 inches
The mortar is available frosted ultra detail $26.99 frosted extreme detail $36.99 or black hi-def arcylate $36.99. Not a cheap item. You can see it at this link
Reader’s Contributions Part Two Rich Fisher, Bill Nevins Other Things Odds Ends
I have been reading your comments on the heresy of chopping off the bases of the Marx Arabs. Here are two Marx Foreign Legion from that same lot. What do you think the person was trying to do?
I hate to criticize Replicants, because I like much of what it does. I purchase most of what it releases. But once again, the size of the horses is too small relative to the size of the riders. Why does Replicants keep doing this? In a couple of the photos, the Commanche looks like a big gobbish 400 pound gorilla clinging to the side of the horse.
I agree in horses with replicant,the poses choices in figures are superb always by them,but THEY ALWAYS have a Big issue with their pony horses,main reason i do not buy mounted poses from them as i will have spend in extra horse and trash out the ponies.Wonder why they had never change that error.
best.
And what is the issue
The Replicants when mounted properly are not that bad. Each also belongs on a special horse
It is an Indian pony.
I agree these are not replicants best efforts. In addition to the size / scale issue they do not show the other side of the figure – do they have detailed faces or are they just blank on the other side? Kudos to replicants for making these.
They are detailed
The figures were not copied .
Italian born and raised Julian Benassi lived quite some time in Glasgow -Scotland country till pass away years later .He’d did sculpting for Hinchliffe Models till well early 1980s least.Skytrex was not interested in reissuing his figures and he ended passing molds and prototype to others ,many prototype and mold -cast end in personal private shops sold for very low price unfortunately ,some sets made by Italeri were commissioned to him by ITALERI owner son of (Gian Pietro Parmeggiani ) who known him but were never produced x years ,they interested in starting 1.32 figures by Italeri was not share by other owner till finally launch it and eventually stop after losses..It is not only Italeri set made by him or base in his prototypes .
He may had work for ESCI by his own words recorded and mention by others but it has not been confirmed same way he says he was a from a former “”Count family in Italy.
Italeri had try to take the “”lost ESCI molds 1.32”” that end in S and C Americas but end in legal issues,it manage hire an old artist from ESCI to made more sets after. This artist claim to had work with Julian as pupil as well in the blogs and also at interview in magazine Model Soldiers where many of Julian works were posted as well .
Julian did figures from 45 to 90mm in general with early in less detail and getting much beter after. He separate from typical italin heavy classic romantic style to more traditional model realist figures in his sculptures.
According to Scottish blogger he was a curios charter back in the highland often driving his Italian car in erratic ways and of course with funny heavy accent .
You may read all over at models toy soldiers blog or modelers figures blog if google.
Personal and factory data is from.
Italeri and also Waterloo Italian blogs.
Best regards
Nice job Erwin !
Just a quick note to those who are interested but I can confirm contrary to popular belief that Julian Benassi lives to fight another day and will be celebrating his 85th birthday in June 2021. Due to his sight he no longer paints figurines. Best to all who love his work. Juliet Benassi
The FFL marx figures were trying to be used as possible Free FFL WW2 soldiers but the Tommy gun is giant out of proportion and the uniform of carrier is pre-WW2
When MARX did this set I have “A THEORY PLEASE””.Looks to me they first want do a type (Beau Geste playset ) then as FFL captain gallant TV series come out and as very popular, they finish by making characters in post WW2 figures FFL uniforms for the set .
That may explain also the 54 mm advancing arab pose versus rest in 65 mm and later rare revised mounted pose not sold with original playset .
In FFL poses.That is why the difference in uniforms in main charters and one officer in 1950 uniforms versus rest soldiers wearing the traditional 1870-1928 Uniform,as mounted was done without coat only but not waistband ,a main error too.
my thoughts .
best
You are not the first person to say that. In an article 20 plus years ago done in a toy magazine the author came to same conclussions. The playset figures are wrong for the show. The figures done by Starlux and Jim for example would be more correct for the show. It was chance to tie the playset into a tv show. Thus making it more marketable.
Erwn, so you’re saying that Benassi sculpted the 54 mm figures for Italieri?
It is what is say by others…and also other sets as well.
Best
The standing FFL figure does not look like Marx. I could be wrong, because it was difficult to see it with total clarity, but the stride and, mainly, the face, did not look like Marx.
About mortar my opinion is way too expensive as typical 3D production today of this type piece and details.
My thoughts.
Best
I guess shape ways sells these manufactured by 3D printing but my thought was that you could download the design and print them yourself.. I’m probably wrong about that.
I imagine the 3D printing technology is like any new tech; the price will lower and quality will rise with time. This is ONE development I am eagerly awaiting and watching for.
Mark, what you’re calling the “standing FFL figure” is definitely Marx. It’s the original Marx marching figure, but with a different head. Pull out your Cpt. Gallant marching legionairre, hold it up to the photo on your computer screen, and you will see what I mean.
Definitely Marx FFL marching figure. Had Cap’t Gallant as a child, but not now. If I ever acquire a set, will definitely add Oliver FFL & Reamsa Arabs:
https://ats-toy-soldiers.myshopify.com/collections/oliver-toy-soldiers-plastic-60mm-toy-soldiers-reissued/products/reamsa-arab-warriors-oliver-french-legion-26-toy-soldiers-25-poses
And OF COURSE Conte FFL!!
I don’t know those Replicnats look like two melted blobs on a horse to me, maybe they look better in person. They do look better on the galloping horse though.
It’s fine to disagree, as you say, as long as it stays focused on the issue and does not resort to personal attacks. I respect your opinion.
I also respect Ed and Don’s opinions. I would say that they have seen their fair share of figures over the years. Erwin also, who states that the horse are constantly too small.
I feel that the scales are all over the place, mainly on the smaller side for 54 mm.
I do own a bunch of Replicants, especially the Western themed.
Some are terrific, while others just don’t measure up to the Pinkertons.
I guess my main beef is that they are not up to the standard that I wish that they would have been.
Maybe I’m just spoiled by the Marx standard of quality.
Figures are like women, many guys have different tastes, so the beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I don’t follow one brand exclusively, I like poses, if I like the pose I have a tendency to like the figure no matter who the manufacturer. Recently I bought that Pech Hermanos cavalry figure that was similar to the figure Rich asked about and I bought those trappers from Publius. I have an affinity towards Plastic Undergrounds figures, naturally they are not all great, but there is something that appeals to me. People like P & P figures, they don’t appeal to me because mainly I don’t care for the poses, and the detail seems to be lacking , but I have purchased a few of what I thought were the better ones. People like what they like and opinions are like teeth every one has one.
Up late watching NBA (GREAT to be retired…). I like Marx, but there are no new figures coming out to look forward to. I personally have not had big problems with flash on Reps figures?? Re: scale; we are all different sizes. I’m 6’4″ & 250 pounds, others here may be bigger or smaller. Next to a smaller (or bigger) person, I may look “out of scale”. This is a quote from Replicants site under “Frequently Asked Questions”:
“Why are some of your figures out of scale with the rest?”
They’re not. We work to a constant 1/32 scale, re-using armatures and weapons from previous releases. All the armatures are made to a consistent scale, as are the weapons. However, real people are not all the same size and we try to reflect this in the models we make. We have made three figures armed with musketoons or blunderbusses; each time the very same weapon has been used but the three figures are very different sizes because the muscles can be made bigger or smaller and the height of a person can vary considerably within that 1/32 scale.
When Replicants make a set of six figures they are six characters, not one man in six poses.
Click FAQ on left: http://www.replastic.com/faq.php
Time for bed…….
I really like the one pose of the Zouave firing the pistol with the flag on his rifle. Too bad someone didn’t do a dynamic pose like that for the Little Big Horn. The quality on him isn’t great, but the pose is excellent. Another pose I like is the French Napoleonic cavalry guy on foot with the two pistols. I don’t rush out and buy every new set Replicants makes, but they do make some good figures, not all, but enough. I don’t care for the mounted Commanches at first glance, maybe if I had them in my hand they’d look better. I suppose I’ll see them up close sometime in the future, but they are not on my list of have to haves.
They didn’t sell out at OTSN, I know that for a fact because I have the ones that didn’t sell and it’s a fair number. Unless of course you are referring only to new releases as there were no new releases in Chicago . The newest ones for sale were the foot Commanches and I know we had at least bag of those maybe more.
From Erwin Sell’s post above re Captain Gallant: “That may explain also the 54 mm advancing arab pose versus rest in 65 mm and later rare revised mounted pose not sold with original playset .”
I have a different theory about the Marx Arabs and that “8th Arab,” that mounted figure in white plastic holding a rifle. His hips and legs are canted to one side (I think the right). As a result, he cannot sit well on a horse. I think the sculptor was told to go back and redo the pose. So what did we get for a mounted Arab holding a rifle? A pose where the legs are so straight that it looks like the sculptor over-corrected. No other Marx mounted figure has legs like that. Now I admit this is pure speculation on my part, but there is a certain logic to it. At any rate, I’ve used that 8th Arab to do a number of conversions (always with otherwise damaged figures, of course). Due to holiday plans, I won’t be able to send any photos until after Christmas (maybe not until after New Years). While some may shrink with horror at the idea of cutting up Marx figures, especially Arabs, it does give you the opportunity for a much bigger, broader, more varied Captain Gallant diorama while remaining totally “Marxist.” Those of you who have been with Paul long enough to remember he once put out a magazine — Wonderful World of Plastic — or something similar, might just remember I did an article for it on just this topic. I will say that in the years since then, Paul’s typing has improved greatly. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all.
Mark it may be a good one too ,why not !!
I really don’t have a theory about arabs poses other than one pose was done in 54 mm by size height and thickness of hands, body, weapon and heads versus others-rest in 65 mm (call 60 mm )the mounted pose with rifle done after or else could be well your theory or other and also a bit under 65 mm but not quite 54 mm either.
Yet i don’t know if a red a very alike comment as this regarding pose before from another person in blog or magazine too.Any ways wherever was definitely in the FFL soldiers are two era figures made mold mix and arabas two scales are definitely proof of two intentions ,the rider is a mystery that we will never know i guess yet definitely a reworked figure pose .
As admin mention the stalux jim and most french brands FFL are por WW2 1950 s era captain gallant era TV show uniforms corect,so are the Timpo swoppet .Only previews war uniforms in vintage are the Crescent ,some marx ,Pech Hermanos reissued under Oliver later ,Britain -DSG and other French brand as far i recall now.
In new production before CONTE.ATS from PA made 4 nice rare poses that are now hard to find and im still trying get ,so far he only sold then in playsets that i was not interested.
My thoughts
best
Replicants are not overpriced by today standard hobby and specially short run production at all.Look at EXF and others prices.my thoughts.
Case closed.
Interesting observations, there may some creedence to those thoughts. In the not too distant past someone was offering what they called prototypes of the Mrax Arabs, they were in white hard plastic and the only two poses that were being offered were the two poses you mention, the riding Arab and the one advancing with his rifle at the waist. Is this a remarkable coincidence or some indication there may be some substance to your theory? Personally I don’t believe in remarkable coincidences.
The variation of the Arab mounted was found by NickArgento of glencoe models at American Plastic. It was one of several molds that Marx did not used he found. Others are the pioneer with the axe and woman with the yoke carrying the buckets.
Ed the running pose in hard still white plastic was sold along with other hard plastic stiff poses .I did bought one firing and find out are very close either”counterfeit-false or a complete mold not related to one used x Marx soft plastic as the base varied a bit and have rare exit entrance mold lines marks in some part of body.,
Admin i have this (one pose)figure in white plastic Ed mention.Not mounted
The mounted running revised pose is by Glencoe reissued as you mention,the running in gard plastic Ed mention is not related to it along with three other 65 mm poses in same material.Some one may had do some type replicated or found some old stock done in this material white plastic and reselling,I also have access to the sellers who indicate were sold to him in big pile(large box) from a person of””unknown reference”” .As of now he still sale some at ebay once a while and others being resold by former buyers of him around as well in ebay.
These is not first time unpainted in white stiff plastic shows in the 65 mm MARX line on sale as vintage and i think are belong to former never sent or else to HK factory to eventually do a line of then painted there.My thoughts only in last lines please
Best.
I don’t know if it was the same guy, because I didn’t see any firing pose that he was offering, the running with rifle at the waist pose had a broken rifle barrel and he was selling as a prototype. I know that doesn’t mean it was in actuality a prototype, it could have been almost anything. However, he was saying it was hard white plastic, I wasn’t interested and I think he wanted more than I would be willingto pay in a situation where I could get duped easily. The revised riding pose is everywhere and I’ve had 15 or 20 of them that I got in large blind lots, always in a soft plastic.
I’m afraid that “prototype” has come to mean: “I have no idea what this is and I hope to sucker you for the maximum amount I can beat out of you as your fellow hobbyist.” If you can’t screw a fellow hobbyist, what fun is left in life???
Caveat emptor!!
Gosh you mean someone can get a thrill from putting something over on us dottering old men? Well, shame on the them. I hope they get warts on their gluteus maximus. Total sincerity, no sarcasm intended.
Sarcasm intended: They aren’t even on the horse. They are mounting not mounted. The bow pose looks like he is napping against the neck of the horse. They look like blobs to me too. I have the ECW figures of replicants which are ok, and the pinkertons (the best sculpting wise they’ve released) and the horse handler from the TSSD Gettysburg cavalry playset where they were included. Personally, I have not ever cared for replicant figures beyond mentioned above. The detail/sculpting is subpar in my opinion.
Re: Marx Arabs in white hard plastic. I’m pretty sure they’re legitimate Marx (or at least some are). Back in the 90s, Peter Fritz had these One-A-Day auctions in the main toy magazine at the time (can’t remember the name) and on one occasion he offered hard plastic painted Marx Arabs. I think someone attributed them to Marx’s English operation. At any rate, they were sometimes referred to as WOW, as that was Marx’s hard plastic line. I bid on them, but Peter told me I’d never be able to get them, because bidding against me was a super-rich Saudi. I didn’t get them. But I did, just a few years later, get a complete set of unpainted, white hard plastic Marx Arabs. I don’t know about the guy(s) offering them on ebay, but I have no reason to think mine aren’t legit. Maybe I’m fooling myself, but sometimes ignorance is bliss.
The white hard plastic figures have been alluded to be a part of a paint set. I have not had any confirmation one way or another.
Re: Replicants horses being too small.
To my knowledge Peter Cole uses a Travin TP-2 or an earlier version of one. The TP-2 has a 32 gram shot size which is enough for a horse, however the mold size isn’t large enough. The mold size is 3″ × 4″.
It’s the 3″ mold height that causes the problem.