Brian McIver sent along to us some figure ideas for TSSD. TSSD has been asking people for ideas for future figures. This is Brian’s idea.
I have thrown my hat into the ring as regards new figure idea’s for TSSD & have emailed nick with my idea’s nothing special or out of the ordinary but something I think will be a viable money maker for him (after all that is what it is about at the end of the day) we all have our own idea’s as to what we are interested in & would like to see made (But Dutch alpine corps would not do it for everybody). So my idea is ACW (don’t groan please) Marching troops. None of the newer Manufacturers like TSSD, Conte, Cunningham, CTS or Paragon (as yet) have done them. There would be 4 basic poses (If I were doing them) with 8 head options.
That would be 32 pose variations from 4 basic poses Add 8 different arm options & you can see how many variations there could be. I would have figure in Shell jacket, Frock coat, shirt sleeves & sack coat. For heads you could have kepi, slouch, Hardee & bare headed. Plus a set of barefooted legs that would fit at least 2 of the torso’s.. To lead these men I would have a mounted officer or general with different head options on a new walking or trotting horse. If you look at the metal manufacturers like “Collectors Showcase”, Britains, K & C. Conte etc. they all have lots of marching figures. What would look better on the display shelf than lots of marching figures with a slight variation in each pose? After all ACW troops probably spent more time marching than doing anything else. Plus troops did march into action on the battlefield (See “Pickets Charge” in the movie Gettysburg) Add to this the fact that Paragon are bringing ACW troops with head swop options later this year & there could be loads pose options. This set me to thinking on making a few Marching figures from what I have here. I chose the 2 Marx marching figures for my 1st experiment. I will enclose photos of progress so far. I would be interested in finding out what the other members think or have in mind.
Excellent-interesting idea and I agree .In general any early XVIII-XIX century period army soldiers had been poor represented in the marching position depicted by Marx most of time only in plastic. It was the most drill formation used in march, before battle and even in battle as carrying musket in that position was best way to rest and change position of heavy weapon during advance.(In case you had never carry a musket I suggest to carry one and shot five time; you will feel the weigh way much more than any ww1-ww2 bold action rifle). Sample in order to do an advancing forward slow march line or coloum,the first two row may have the weapon position forward,but the rest(most in the rest of all back line/rows need to be in marching shoulder weapon carrying pose. The idea above mentioned will be a hit for those planning massive armies formation in battle and marching. Not a hard to sculpt and doing separated head as Brian said. Any one involved in future above mentioned period should take this idea serious with a simple pose and multiuse option using minor cost production. I should say Brian, you won the day!!!
And not, civil war is fine; I’m not a fan particular of it for personal feeling but agree is a most in the land/field. My dad was great enough to had chance to buy the poses separated he let me with 120 marching poses of Marx CW soldiers. I appreciate it so much now. But we had airfix Napoleonic case set that barely bring marching poses and the 27-29 figures case only came with 4 or 5 of then ,making difficult to find reissues replacement too, same on later accurate ,AIP,CTS,italeri,and others.
HAT was the only selling sets with that option but so far had not done any more that period in 4 years.
So what about TSSD next production think of this for CW ,ARW,ALAMO and others.
Like the Union guy,love the Confederate !
will send pics to Paul when done.
I think it’s a brilliant suggestion. And I agree that for the American Civil War period, the marching pose has been undervalued and underutilized. The marching position in the Civil War was used before the battle, after the battle, during the battle, and between the battles. A Civil War toy soldier diorama where every pose is a front line firing or charging pose isn’t realistic at all. I sent TSSD my own suggestion for Woodland Indians, of a quality equal to their Plains Indians. But I like Brian’s suggestion even better.
I may be in the minority, but I hate marching poses. Here you have this huge battle going on and these guys are just marching along like nothings happening. Blah!
Action poses or keep ’em. I won’t be buying.
Hey Bill you certainly up late (or early) There was more marching in battle’s than fighting. Maybe you don’t like marching figures because they are all in the same pose (I agree that is boring). Mine was just an idea to give multiple poses from 4 basic ones. What would you suggest?
Back in the day I really didn’t mind “Marching” poses too much no matter what war, they always ended as gun crews, what I really HATE are the ramrod loading musket poses,LOL.
I’d be surprised if he did more Civil War and even more surprised if he did marching poses. Of course, I have been surprised before. I think any figures they make now are thought of in how many other sets the can put them in down the line, marchers wouldn’t seem to have that versatility.
As a side note I never liked marching poses either. When I was a kid they were the first figures thrown to the side.
Marching is not a very excitement in moving action pose, still like say before and in the historical accuracy contest ,it was the most drill pose ever used in any battle during 3 century before during and at battle places, If you look most painting, book images and even movies or go and see reenactment most are all time like that, just the first two rows front line are the one either shooting charging, loading or getting shot ;rest are marching on regular infantry man private and even NCO with sword next to chest too at marching pose too.
But for those looking dynamism during battle or as real toy figure to play will be not a good choice .
Also at gamers convention shows representing historical battles ,most collectors and hobby look for these poses(marching) to fill ranks in the hundred and thousand. Before that gamers were in the 28-30 mm scale, recently and after AIP start making cheap sets in the early 2000 I had notice an increase of interest in the 1;32 scale by then (that most are younger generation). But many complain of lack of marching pose in those companies new producers. Hat was only one making then happy and had stop making any so far. Again by TSSD asking suggestion is just an open opinion ,but at the end they should look for easy, low cost production that will sale most in short and fast way.
My suggestion is take a (want list sign up page) to every show and gamers convention show too. Had then mark what sets/figures of choices described they will like more. May be that will give a more public and large idea what most want as so far even if in this forum 50 or more of us mention any ,it won’t be at all any real number of the thousand out there that will buy. My opinion…
I think toy soldier collectors/hobbyists and gamers are two almost completely different audiences/markets. While I don’t think TSSD would discount completely the war gamers market I also don’t believe they are the focus of his target audience. I think Bill is typical of the collector/hobbyist market in his dislike of marching poses which is the reason you haven’t seen any TSSD marchers to date. He has what, 28 sets and not one marcher, I think that says it all. Of course, this is my opinion , take that and $5.00 and you may be able to get a cup of Starbucks coffee.
As a side note, I have sold at maybe 50-100 shows and in all that time I have never had anyone come to my table or room and ask me if I had any marching guys. Of course now I expect Don to approach me in Indy and ask me if I have any marchers.
Got any Marchers ed?
Ed, will you be bringing any marching poses to Indy?!
One just for you Don.
One can never have too many marchers.
I’m bringing two now, one for each of you. I’ll give them to you for nothing, just buy my other stuff, lots of it. I’ll have over 90 Alamo conversions and 150 60mm Indians, plus other assorted goodies. Stop by and buy frequently or at least expensively.
I thought one was too much?
Yes gamers and collectors are way two different groups; I agree 100% on that. Still they run the same items ,70% of my buyers are gamers, so same for many big dealers as far I have heard regarding sale of all new release products , sample HB go to more game shows than toy soldiers a year. Once again it is two different mentality ,still are potential buyers and yes recently(last 10 years, gamers interest in 1:32 scale have increase a lot). Toy soldier shows are for most part the meca of those looking in to vintage, rare items or deals of what we can not find in hand or else. Now sample HB travel to most large toy soldier shows but avoid smaller. But they drive to most gamers shows/convention with out avoiding smaller. This is by own gamers association account per say. Not me.
Sample at others forum I had notice gamers making their comment not as true toy soldiers collectors. So my point was base in what they/could- will do to make more money with less cost in short time. I personally would buy many marching if doing many battle scenes with large fields/amount of figures but many would not and I’m happy with that too.
By the way Ed:I will love to see/buy those conversion you do ,but unfortunately my itinerary is not good for traveling any time soon. Hope next year I could make it to your table.
There is some truth to what you say, Minutemen and Hobby Bunker are pretty big into the gamer world. All the Kings Men are big into the game environment too and he did attend at least one OTSN, but he realized that it is indeed two different worlds and different customers so he no longer attends. I in fact offered to help him sell in the Midwest and he declined for those very reasons. It may translate in one direction more than the other though.
I have a room and table at OTSN, if you can make the Mecca of toy soldier shows. There is a lot of money to be made there. I think your line of tanks would do extremely well there.
Hi Brian, Good to see you again. I’m always up late. The result of a lifetime of working
as the C.O. of the NYPD Homicide Squad. Night and day never mattered. I’m retired 14 years and I still can’t sleep at night. Shift work destroys sleeping patterns.
But enough of that. Contact me offline, if you wish.
I would be happy if Nick picked up where Conte faltered on the Alamo figures.
First, it has to be a period with universal appeal, so that Nick can recoup his investment. He’s not making sailors that people will buy one bag of. He needs to sell multiple bag sets and be able to populate his playsets with these figures to make enough money to justify the initial costs. It’s not enough to just sell bags sets anymore.
Ask Beau, the guy who did beautiful ACW figures and promptly went bust. He managed one set and lost his shirt. You need more than bag sets.
Second, the figures would have to be compatible with another lines figures. Like Nick’s ACW line, that matches both Conte and Paragon. Conte is not making anymore Alamo figures but they are already out there. Paragon will continue producing figures. Between TSSD, Paragon and Conte you can really have a super size Alamo should Nick go this way.
And finally, Nick needs to have buildings and accessories to fill up playsets. To keep costs reasonable, he could use his Alamo buildings, which are already made. This will save a ton of money. And it serves two purposes. Because of the figures, Nick will sell more buildings. Playsets will appear and Nick may even make a buck or two.
So purely from a business standpoint, the Alamo figures would be both practical and economical. Collectors are always crying about Viet Nam or Korea, but there is a good reason why no one makes them.
Simple….they won’t sell.
The Alamo and ACW are “Glorious” periods with lots of heroism and courage.
Viet Nam was a nightmare. For many it’s a painful memory in our history. Many collectors my age lost loved ones in that struggle. I lost 3 cousins. I (and I suspect many others like me) have no wish to revisit that era.
Korea is a niche war. If you asked 100 Americans about it, maybe 5 would know anything about it. Not enough interest in it.
Unless Nick wanted to revert to the Marx/CTS/Barzso scale and make AWI figures that match them, I can’t see him making AWI in the same scale as TSSD ACW. No other line matches it. However Barzso just did this and I don’t see Nick stepping on Ron’s toes.
As an aside, I own Kings Mountain Miniatures which makes 28 mm AWI/F&I War figures. My poses are all action types, because that’ what I like.
However……..
Like some of you, I decided that I needed marching figures to complete my line.
Without a doubt, marching figures are my worst seller. It’s not even close. I sell 50 times the number of action poses than I do marching.
Everybody wants them until it’s time to shell out greenbacks. Collectors only have so much money to spend on toys and given the choice between 6 firing poses and six guys marching around, I know where that money is going.
Just my observation.
Hi Bill,
I too have worked shift work (Mechanical/Electrical Engineer) in a paper mill near my home for 31.5 years & still 6.5 years to go till I retire. I often find myself up & about through the night. Nick did have some AWI poses done but pulled the plug when He found out Ron was going that route. Mine was just an idea that would have given multiple poses from 4 basic poses. At the end of the day it is not my money & I don’t know what would be a good seller. Steve Weston over here in the U.K. is calling for Nam, but with the U.S. being the biggest market & deep rooted bad memories of this conflict I don’t see it happening (Nick did serve as a chopper pilot in the conflict though). If you have any Marx civil war marchers (recasts) I might be interested in them if you don’t want them.
Have to disagree with you about the Korean War. It has been a while since I have seen so many people, (Myself included) so excited about a new line of figures as when CTS came out of nowhere with their Korean War Chinese. And with more Korean War figure sets comming in the future, I think CTS and anyone else who does well sculpted, action packed Korean War figure sets will do well.
BOBBYGMOORE
Hi Bobby,
With respect, I did not mention the Korean war ( if you review my post) it was the Vietnam war I mentioned. I will also be painting up a set of the new “Korean war” figures from CTS. Hopefully Paul will post pics when done. I applaud CTS for this bold venture.
Brian. J. McIver
Sorry, I was refering to Bill Nevins post, where he mentions that there is a good reason no one does Viet Nam or Korean War, he says, because they would not sell.
Sorry, I posted it in the wrong spot.
BOBBYGMOORE
Bobby
No problem it happens
I thought you commanded Robbery according to those articles in the paper and on the web
The person being discussed here is Bill Nevins who has been commenting on this topic.
Robbery Squad 1991-1997
Homicide Squad 1997-retirement
I,ve been collecting plastic as long as anyone and for me I,m sick of Civil War & Alamo. In fact I,m selling off all my CW & Alamo.
My bet on TSSD would be mounted Romans and German falschmjaegers. No mater what, Germans sell.
With respect so does ACW (& I’m a Brit)
Gary, just because you’re sick of something doesn’t mean everyone else is. Sell away!!
You have to remember that this is Nick’s livelyhood. He makes his living doing this.
He needs to make something that the general public will buy and in quantity.
There are perhaps 3 main avenues that toy soldier collectors will pay for. ACW, WW 2 and Naps.
Here in America there is always a market for early American History from F&I War up until the Wild West.
In Europe it’s Naps.
WW2 universal appeal because it was a World War. All in.
Nick already has ACW, WW 2, and Wild West.
He also has plenty of Alamo building made. Now all he needs are figures to put around those buildings. The Conte scale will allow Nick to increase sales from disappointed Cnte buyers. paragon has chiped in with a few figures that match Conte scale.
So, that leaves Nick with a wide opening.
TSSD is not going to make Alamo figures in Marx/CTS/BMC scale. They would make them in the Conte scale, which has plenty of gaps. Hell, some of the so called Alamo defenders are left over Rogers Rangers or Zulu sculpts. The Conte scale Alamo needs more Texican poses. Not Frontiersmen or N.O. Grays, but Texican Militia types. Or Alabama Red Rovers. Or Seguine’s Mounted Militia and Scouts. There are plenty of holes in the Conte Alamo collection that need to be filled in. Making Alamo figures in the same Conte scale would be a winner in my estimation because there are already matching figures and playsets available. It just make business sense.
Bobby, I think you’re wrong about the Korean War. If you asked 100 people on the street to name on battle of the KW you would get nothing but blank looks. The Korean War is only memorable to those who fought in it or lived through it. That’s not to diminish the sacrifice that so many brave Americans made. It’s just the reality of today’s world. I’ll bet that most schools don’t eeven mention it in History classes.
It’s a shame but that’s reality.
In any case, just look at every major figure maker’s catalog…TSSD, Conte, Accurate, Imex, CTS, Paragon and hell yeah , Louis Marx.
All of them have ACW and many companies started with the ACW.
You have to make what sells .
So Bill, do you have any Marx ACW marcher’s?
Yes, Brian contact me through my website.
Yes, me personally I’m tire of civil war US and Alamo too, but can not denied are heck hot item ,even in Europe too.
As far I know the TSSD roman were a hurt not a hit!!.As german sale!! I hope ww2 German ;yes they are but for God sake I’m sick to of then to by now. It was from 1939-1945 and in fact most done are post 1943.Just Between Conte,CTS and TSSD so far are 64-PLUS poses new. Same on ww2 GI’s and close on japs.
I’d like to see some 1/32 Renaissance era figures like Landsknechts, late plate armored knights, Turks, etc. but I don’t know how much demand there would be for them.
Although the Star Wars Command figures bombed recently, I wonder if it would be worthwhile for TSSD to try making some Sword & Sorcery or zombie or science fiction or superhero type sets that might appeal to a youthful audience in order to a. make more money to produce “serious” figures and b. spark interest in a new generation of collectors.
I don’t know what is going to happen with toy soldiers in 10 or 20 years unless more kids get into the hobby. I mean, at 50, I feel like I am one of the younger guys who collect toy soldiers. I was hoping the Star Wars guys would do it for the kids. Maybe it’s hopeless if even Star Wars and Lord of the Rings figures don’t appeal to the younger generation.
In my opinion :SFC, fantasy, epic are a plus for gamers-hobbyist ,but not in toy soldier world collector group.
Only close to be in the toy soldier world were the LOTR series of multipose swap figures in true 1:32 with licenses from Director and in fact original idea of Peter Jackson himself. But after few years run and not much sale. As any particular toy store line is moved by next bombarded movie coming the figures died down, They did not do that well either in toy soldiers shows, you still could find hundred in mint packs at toy soldiers shows for bargain price easy. The problem was that for new generation the 1:32 scale action figure intended to be pushed by the new line cinema/wetta companies was not a hit;is not interest as they(kids) go for 4-6″ bigger figures as that is what they been seen in past 30 years. Large retailers kill enthusiasm as they move product fast to sale new coming too.
At the end it all went down and they lost money big time in production because the cost of so small well action swap figure mold was huge plus licenses and else.
In the other hand new fantasy sets at TRU and others in cheap unpainted sets so far had keep the sale up. But only with limited space.
So the gamers will applaud the production, but toy soldiers barely in those particular figures.
About late medieval and renaissance era, Yes but more for Europe I guess. Most US collectors don’t buy that. Star wars sets commanders sold well as cheap toys, but cost versus profit is what matters for producers. The cost producing one single action figure star war character and retail sale price is more profit than entire blister pack of SW command sets. The action figure has movement parts and all color( more children attracted)-Again in these figures happen same as above LOTR figures ,they move well first then died down ,big toy companies had realize it twice so far ,will not venture do it again soon I guess.
Until some one find way to produce short run low cost figures that could be sold for low price, the few making long run production mold will have to go very slow as will take then years to sale the first few batch run and cost of mold. That is their main concern in small toy soldier world small companies producers. Recovering the money fast enough to continue producing more!!=HARD TO DO my friends.
I agree with Jake, Muslims/Turks versus the West ,a siege of Vienna set ? Would it sell enough to be financially worth it ?,but it is fun to dream ! A Napoleonic battle of the pyramids could be awesome !
I’d like to see more WWII Russians from TSSD. Antitank rifle pose, machine gun team, advancing, throwing grenade, artillery crew. As well as the French & Indian and AWI. Ron Barzso seems to have slowed down/stopped playsets? I also am tired of Alamo and Alamo buildings. Seems there are enough poses to have one for every Texican historically at the Alamo (tongue in cheek). Like to see WWII Finnish, Rumanians, Hungarians, French (Pegasus should upscale their WWII French as well as WWI). Please advise why there was never any interest in WWI playsets and figures stateside?
Yes there are lots of great WW2 Minor Countries figure sets and late war Germans and Resistance fighters and Vietnam/Korea figures etc in 1/72 that I’d kill for in 54MM.When I’m King of the World will be a law all 1/72 sets have to be done in 54MM as well!!LOL.
You let me know Brian; When you win the lotto!!
Eddie, AIP from US had cover the ww1 very well better than any plastic soldier company after Marx; but because US enter so late in the war ,it has not been much interest I guess.Still they sold well here.AS OFF now Armies in Plastic have one large WW1 PLAYSET using Steve Weston tanks in comb.
here is the contain.
9701 – Giant Playset – $250
WWI Trench Warfare consists of 2 Urethane Foam trenches, (2 – 18” sections, 2 gun emplacements and 4 end caps for a total of 60”), your choice of any 10 Armies in Plastic regular sets (infantry, artillery or mounted), 1 German A7V tank in hard plastic (1/32nd scale), 1 British Tadpole tank in hard plastic, (1/32nd scale) both tanks are Weston Toy Co. products and are fully assembled. .
Thank you Erwin. I have never been a fan of the AIP figures with the sole exception of the F&I war Indians. They look too stiff, (the proverbial one leg raised parallel to the ground advancing pose as an example), seem slightly out of proportion anatomically and cartoonish in my opinion.
agree on cuality of all AIP ,but any ways is only company that had produce more and varied never before done in plastic 1:32 figures.Still not as accurate and well sculpted as other. Much better than BMC,and many old and not old figures from European/American companies. Price wise more affordable and vaired in poses is good.So I will considered then good toy soldiers. Not historical figurines.
In my opinion they are two types, the ones for the non that history/buff and pro detail and the figures that are for those looking realism and historic detail.
Hard to get both in one at a good low price I guess today!!.
Last I don’t think after all AIP WW1 sets done any body will dare least in US to do any more as won’t make any profit out of then. AIP did the profit from then already and only missing are machine gun team sets and artillery, maybe gas mask poses too. It is a non very popular war in US ,and many Europeans do not collect then either as WW2 figures take over then long ago.
Steve Weston did two tanks. The British was good as used often and in mass; German was not of much interest as very few build and saw combat during last month of war. May be the French Renault light tank would had been better as used in mass by Americans and French alike, even after WW1 in some minor/no minor conflicts too. Any ways my thoughts.
Best..
Erwin
World War One was not popular in plastic in Europe. Off the top of my head I can only think of Crescent, Mokarex and Starlux doing WWI figures. Crescent only did WWI British. Starlux did both French and Germans but in non action poses. Mokarex only did French and once again non action poses and the various French generals. In recent years Emhar has done some WWI figures in 1/35 scale. When Laurie and I were over to PW two years ago, I talked to a gentleman that had gotten Supreme to do Napoleonic and was hoping on getting them to do WWI. So far nothing has come about.
agree admin,that was I thought too about EUROPE market; incredible no even ww1 has been too popular for a continent so touched by the great war, only after AIP TOY plastic figurines come out that sold well there ,but still don’t think any other should venture in a long forgotten war. Part due to other eras more popular in Europe and US such as WW2 that way more movies had been done versus de few about WW1 .That may be another factor too. No much movies about it, had help to erase the interest. Interesting should be the fact that later British empire/others-FFL colonial wars movies in the 30’s and 40’s were done much more .
AIP cover those period- era too for that reason . Conte did the final touch in FFL and start others when we know what happen. So in my opinion
WW1,COLONIAL and even FFL-Arabs should not be touched as already produced by Conte,AIP ,A CALL TO ARMS and RECASTED/Cloned by DSG-Argentine too.
I don’t even do WWII, but one of my suggestions to TSSD was Russian and Japanese machine gun/ artillery crews, not because I want them, but because I don’t think they have adequately been done and they may sell.
I also of course suggested scaling the ladder guys and guys knocking them off the ladders for the Alamo, but I don’t think I’ll ever see them. Yes, I know CTS did a ladder team, two guys carrying and one guy climbing, but hat didn’t quite do it for me. Yes, and Conte did one of Willie Nelson smacking some hapless nameless Mexican from the ladder, that was better, but it was only one set.
As I stated, me, myself & I are tired of CW & Alamo. In know way was I saying eveyone else should be. And yes I totally understand Nick has to make what sells to the masses.
My problem with the Alamo, and I had every Conte set plus other buildings from TSSD & Hobby Bunker that I could make an entire Alamo, was that how many Alamo scenerios can you set up, one! As for the CW I simply got tired of it.
So Bill you were a MOS. I did 30 years with the ST Louis PD. We need to swap stoies.
Gary
As for Nick’s new project, I guess it will be whatever he feels he can make the most money from. I just think that all the stars are lined up for him as far as Alamo goes. But what do I know? Only he does.
I know this that if he makes something I want I’ll buy some. If not, I won’t.
I don’t collect WW2, so I never bought any of his Germans or Russians.
Just curious but did anyone make figures for Conte’s Greeks or Persians or whatever they were, to battle? I don’t collect ancients either. But they may be a choice depending on how well the Conte figures sold.
I’m sure Nick has something in mind and that he’s just testing the waters here.
I agree! That Nick has something in mind & is dipping his toe in the water to see, how hot or cold it will be?
Expeditionary forces company had produced plenty ancient Greeks.Persian and now thrasian to go with conte’s Spartans. So I thing that enough cover on that series for now.
I agree with Brian,I think it would be cool to see some of the 1/72 figures in 1/32 and maybe some 1/32 in 6 inch !
I just checked the Barzso site as they are due to start selling again on 1st April. it looks like there are more delays. I think this is an April fool (as we say here in the U.K.) or Ron has lost the passion for the hobby (so hope I am wrong)
Yes, the Alamo was one battle, but when you set it up you can use a variety of scenario’s depicting different time frames during the battle. The charge, the scaling of the walls and the last stand. So, at least to me it’s not boring. The same thing can be done with almost any battle.
Also during the Texan revolution other, most minor combat action took place, among then are the following that all figures made for the Alamo could well be used for.
Battle of San Patricio
Battle of Concepción
Battle of Coleto
Siege of Bexar
Battle of Agua Dulce
Battle of Refugio
Battle of San Jacinto
My hat off to you once again, Erwin. As I was reading this thread, I was thinking of mentioning that there were, in fact, OTHER battles in the Texas War of Independence and what did I find? Erwin to the rescue, yet again!
Plus, Conte’s New Orleans Grays are perfect for U.S. Mexican War Regular Infantry. I’ve spent several shows going through Conte Alamo figure bins picking out New Orleans Grays, and now I’ve got around 60 of them. Conte’s Alamo Mexicans serve equally well as Mexican War Mexican Infantry. Combine them with Italieri Napoleonic Lancers and TSSD Mexican Lancers and you have a perfect 1848 U.S. – Mexican War scenario. The CTS Alamo Mexican artillery units fit in perfectly as well.
Actually, I think Conte ‘s NOG’s were in reality US Mexican War regulars. Note the one cannon guy his alternate arm has a revolver.
Conte’s Alamo defenders were from the Patriot, the Zulu Wars, Confederates, US Mexican War and Rogers Rangers, roughly half the defenders were from other sets. I think 6 defenders were taken directly from the John Wayne Alamo movie.
I like the marcher idea….except I’d already done that. I kit-bashed a load of them so that hardly any two were alike, especially making sure the Confederates were very diverse. So, for me, I can’t see me cracking my wallet open. The WWII stuff is great, but it needs to cover different aspects. I’m SO tired of variations of the same old poses. How many different standing firing guys do I need? OK, clearly, there won’t be enough serious History geeks out there clamoring for odd stuff to make it profitable. It’ll have to have pretty wide appeal. I think the artillery crew idea has possibilities. It’s not been done for the Japanese and it’s not really been done very well for any. CTS did an OK job, but they have a fieled phone guy for every gun crew. Wrong. It wouldn’t take a lot of research to find out what an arty crew does to get some great pose ideas. Another thing that’s rather neglected – Mortar crews. The HMG team idea is good, too. It’s been done for Germans and GIs, the CTS Jap one is OK, but we need to see a good Soviet one done. The Atlantic one is way too big for what it is (PM-1910) and not that easy to find. There was one made by a Russian company that never identified itself and that’s hard to find, too. A Soviet Dshk or an SG-43 has, as far as I know, never been done and both look cool. The Anti-tank rifle for the Soviets is good, but it was done by BMC (?) when they released the copies of the Italeri Soviets and added 4 of the Ho Scale poses to the mix. I’d like to add this for what it’s worth: WWII mounted Cossacks. The AIP guys are not all that close as far as WWII. I might be geeking this one too much, though.
Greg,
Kit bashed? Must be an American saying. Which marching figures did you do? I would love to see some pic’s if you still got them.
Wow…and I thought it was a British slang term. I read it in a modeler’s magazine years ago. A few of my fellows use the term, too. The conversions are from mostly the 4 Marx poses (2 54mm, 2 60mm) and I’ve moved legs back, arms up, changed out head gear and heads.
I would really like to see some Eastern Front WW2 character figures, especially a “Sgt. Steiner” figure with an M43 field cap and a Russian PPsh.
I would also love to get some Mexican Revolution sets. They could be used with Weston banditos and peasants and Reisler and Deetail banditos. Nobody has ever done early 1900s Mexican Federales. I have to make do with a mix of AIP WW1 Japanese, Boer War British and Span/Am War Spanish. I’d also like American mercenaries, Pershing’s troops in campaign hats, Villistas, Zapatistas and definitely a couple of female “soldaderas”.
I love all those westerns like The Wild Bunch, Villa Rides and The Professionals. From the mid 60s to the early 70s a huge number of movies came out featuring the Mexican Revolution of 1910 -1920. It was a very popular setting at the time.
Agree in all mentioned by Greg-Yes, Russian did 70% of damage to Germans in WW2 and took the biggest casualties per ratio too in battles. They also fought the largest battles in history against Germans/axis.
Please WW2 was not fought by US and Germans along!!
Soviets-Russian armies even fought Japanese before US and allied in the 1938-1939 soviet/Japanese war in Mongolia where the first greatest tank battles ever occurred. Then again in 1945 when invade Manchuria and Korea.
Soviet armies was massive and they fought using overwhelming forces . Very few resent companies had represent then. In fact Chinese companies had done more poses in last years such as DGN and Supreme(22 poses ); plus italeri.
Russian made limited run factory as EB more expensive and not easy available in US too.
Also Russian snipers- special ww2 1943-1946 troops in camo type uniform had never been done.
Only TSSD did an small set and that all to add above mentioned few and all old stock-vintage sets.
Artillery/mortar crew and machine gun teams are missing too with the right weapons for all armies.
A fact that had been another neglected figures/poses in the WW 1 arena too; where AIP did so many sets and not a single machine gun team set(the number one weapon) of mass killing and preferences ever used in WW1.-Wonder why!?
Cossack are missing and where used by Germans and Russia alike ,in foot and mounted units. They could be produced as for soviet armies or German anti partisan units, even for partisan too. This last mentioned by Greg is a very interesting set that had not been exploited and the exotic uniform are a plus for collectors of the era.
I always thought AIP would do the MG teams in separate boxes. It just HAS to be there. The big coming of age of the MG, and it’s not to be seen except for the LMGs carried by the infantrymen. NOT the same thing.
Yeah, contrary to popular belief, not all Soviet mounted units were Cossack and not all Cossack units were mounted. I’d like to add, more poses of German mounted figures and not the crazy, highly unlikely shooting poses. The horses were just how they got there, they didn’t fight like 1800s Cavalry….like the Cossacks often did.
What I would really like to see and I might even by one is like a four piece terrain deal for Mt Surabachi, stackable so you could put machine gun and artillery crews inside and of course the men and equipment to go with it. Some black sand beach pieces and yes a whole host of marine’s with all their weapons being represented. To me that would be the ultimate set, but I know too big , too expensive and it’s sort of been done at least the figures. Just a dream it will never happen.
I combine my BMC set with a Navarone set and some other pieces. Viola! One reasonably credible Mt Suribachi!
I suggetsed Alamo because it is the most likely money maker.
But if I had my choice, it would be AWI with interchangeable heads.
Headgear in the AWI is one of the few things that distinguished a unit.
I told Tony of AIP that he should use interchangeable heads on his mounted AWI cavalry. Unfortunately, he didn’t.
The door is open for infantry.
Bill,
Check out the head choice’s for AWI from “All THE Kings Men” there is a good choice (Metal I know) & quite cheap too. I have used them with plastic
& they are great.
Brian, I use them and Imrie Risley heads, but wouldn’t it be nice just to plug the same colored plastic head right into the socket.
No gluing, no matching paint colors……one, two, three finished.
I noticed something peculiar on TSSD website for April Fool’s day. The War of 1812 was listed several times on the April Fool’s list of figures for 2015. I think that is a big/subtle hint they might be the next venture? anyone else get that interpretation?
think about the fact that it is the 200th anniversary of the end of that war in 1815. You could have British and American regulars, American militia, Indians, Highlanders/Scotts and pirates. Jives with his Indian pose shown awhile back when he put it on hold in respect to Barzso. Plus looking at the April Fools list War of 1812 was interspersed multiple times.
I don’t think he’ll do 1812. I would lean towards Nam if I had to guess.
I think everyone on this board who has purchased AIP’s WWI infantry and cavalry units should personally call AIP (Tony, as President and Owner will answer the phone) and ask him when we’re going to see the WWI machine gun teams and WWI artillery units.
We already have the plastic WWI tanks, thanks to Steve Weston. And we already have excellent WWI trenches and fieldworks thanks to Formtech. But AIP’s otherwise broad, extensive, and excellent WWI line is horribly incomplete without the machine guns and artillery pieces.
I know AIP can do this, because it has already released a wide variety of artillery and gatling gun pieces from other eras (ACW, Napoleonic/British Victorian Colonial). It’s just that Tony branched out into so many other periods before rounding out his initial WWI line. He has told me repeatedly that he ultimately plans on doing this, but he always gets side-tracked into new ideas and new periods.
My personal vote would go for the multipose varieties of marching ACW figures, then more Russians maybe even some that could do double duty as Chinese in the Korean War
Personally, as I am familiarizing myself with the history of the indigenous folk down here, I would like a good set of SEMINOLES for a “Fort Seminole” playset that could otherwise be easily cobbled together from previously-made stuff.