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Tehnolog Russo - Turkish War 1877 Turks

Review taken from 'Fantastic Plastics'

I explained last issue how this Russian company appeared here ‘fully formed’ with a large range of hard polystyrene plastic true 1:32 scale sets of unpainted figures across all periods from Ancient to Sci-Fi, spanning Fantasy and Historical. Most boxes contain six figures in six poses, but number of figures and poses do vary. The figures are such that each one is a ‘personality’ rather than one of a mass of soldiery in similar poses. The photos of the figures show they paint up well. Each figure is without base, standing on their feet in a similar pose. Most have an officer or similar ‘special’ type.

The boxes are reminiscent of the Airfix ones, full colour, with views of the figures in the set and painting instructions.

This time the set is for a most unusual period – the Russo-Turkish War 1877-8 and another hobby first surely? This conflict has long been an interest of mine, and I had never hoped to ever actually see figures in plastic for it. One of a long series of clashes between the Russian and Ottoman empires, this one was famous for a siege. The battle of Plevna is still looked on as one of the most amazing confrontations.
This set of Turks, or Ottomans, is of infantry, wearing the exotic ‘Zouave’ style of the Ottoman army of the time. They all wear packs, except the officer, of course, who also has the quite different and more western looking uniform of the officer corps. All wear the distinctive read fez, the identifying headgear of the Muslim Turkish soldier. There are also some Russians from the conflict, which I will feature next time. A quite remarkable set of toy soldiers, and one I personally (and no doubt many others interested in this conflict and the oriental army of the Ottomans) very much welcome.

There is no retailer in the UK or the US at the moment but Len Cooksey of Ivanhoe Figures, is investigating handling the figures in the UK. Sets are also appearing on eBay.

Date Published Sun, 01/30/2011 - 10:51
Author: Mike Blake

Contact
Tehnolog Ltd
108 Lunacharskiy Street
Gelendzhik
Krasnodar Region
353460
Russia

Tel: +7 86141 24658
www.tehnolog.ru

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Alexander’s Toy Soldiers - Napoleon in Egypt - Kleber & 22e Demi - Brigade Gre

Review taken from 'New Releases Part 2'

If you saw the first of the figures earlier this year that heralded the start of the ATS range chronicling the young Napoleon’s attempts to conquer Egypt, you could not fail to be impressed as this manufacturer once again offered us figures from a period in history that has rarely been covered.

The Egypt campaign marked the start of Napoleon’s rise to fame, and the domination and influence of France across Europe and the world, a dominance that would only be rivalled by Britain in the years to come as the two countries and their many changing allies would clash on numerous occasions.

The Napoleon at the pyramids and the mounted dromedary’s sets marked a high standard indeed, but Nik Biberovic, owner of ATS, is never one to rest on his laurels and he has been quick to add to this series with a mounted version of General Kleber (who also featured in the first release Pyramid set).

Kleber, as I’ve mentioned before, is a very interesting personality who many think was potentially a better military strategist and commander than Napoleon himself! He was one of Napoleon’s trusted members of his command group in Egypt who would meet an early death at the hands of an assassin shortly after assuming the role of the Governor of Egypt in June 1800.

This new version of Kleber sees him mounted on what appears to be a new horse from ATS, he is sculpted and painted to a very high standard in a traditional gloss finish. Nothing is left to chance thanks to a meticulous research process that is always undertaken when planning a new figure. This is borne out by the attention to detail that is always afforded to any new addition to the ATS range. Kleber would be equally at home displayed as an individual figure or together with other mounted personalities of the period.

However, Nik has taken the opportunity to add foot figures to accompany Kleber, so a total of 14 new figures in various action poses depicting infantry from the French 22e Demi - Brigade Grenadiers resplendent in their sky blue jackets with maroon collars and cuffs and white piping have joined the ranks of this latest range. The varied figures include an Officer, dressed in red with pistol drawn barking out orders to his men, to a Standard Bearer, together with an array of ordinary ranks in between all with different poses, an interesting action group can be quickly created especially when displayed alongside the previously released figures in the range. Another nice attention to detail is that all figures in this range are produced with realistic styled bases to create the impression that they are fighting in the sands of the desert! Another interesting note with these new releases is that Nik has chosen to depict the drummer from the Brigade as a black man, no doubt he was recruited from one of France’s many colonial territories at the time.

The mounted version of Kleber is priced at £40 painted, while the casting will cost you £18.50. The Demi - Brigade Grenadiers are all priced at £14 each painted with castings again available at a cost of £6.50 each. The Standard Bearer is slightly more expensive at £32.50 painted or £12.50 for the casting.

Date Published Tue, 11/23/2010 - 21:15
Author: Martin Ainscough

Contact
Alexander’s Toy Soldiers
14 Constance Road,
Whitton,
Twickenham,
Middlesex
TW2 7HY

Tel: 0208 8672664
www.ats-uk.net

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All The King's Men - New War of 1812

Review taken from 'Casting Around'

Ken Cliffe has been particularly busy adding figures for both sides to his War of 1812 series.

There are new 1812 British infantry flank (i.e. Grenadier and Light) companies. They have the characteristic shoulder wings of flank companies of the time and, in addition, the Light companies have the signature hunting horn shako plates. These figures are equally suitable for service in North America, in the Peninsula or at Waterloo. The regular use of Light companies from different regiments as a combined force would eventually lead to the formation of Light Infantry regiments in their own right. In contrast, the development of training and tactics resulted in regimental Grenadier companies being phased out by the British and other European armies by the mid nineteenth century.

Flank company figures measure 56mm approx and are supplied in sets of six other ranks plus an officer and drummer (Grenadiers) or six other ranks plus an officer and bugler (Lights). There is a choice of stovepipe or Belgic shakos and a choice of poses; at attention or porte arms for Grenadiers and advancing or firing for Lights. The sets of eight figures cost $25 each.

More of this review, including coverage of all the other new figures by ATKM, can be read by purchasing a copy of issue 37 of Toy Soldier Collector

Date Published Tue, 11/23/2010 - 20:54
Author: Paul Stocker

Contact
All the King's Men Toy Soldiers LLC
2456 Hewatt Road
Snellville
GA 30039
USA

Tel: +1 770 978 1645
www.allthekingsmentoysoldiers.com

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Paragon Miniatures - Apaches Set 2

Review taken from 'Fantastic Plastics'

Last issue I reviewed the first two sets, one each for cavalry and Apaches. Well, hot on their heels comes the second Apache set mentioned in Plastic News last time. This exciting new 54mm line combines elements of gritty realism and Hollywood romance to produce some dynamic action packed figures. Again detail is excellent, with lots of nice touches.

There are 12 unpainted figures in six action poses. The poses are nicely matched to the wildness and character of the Broncho Apaches, out on a raid after the Whiteman’s cattle, guns or ammo, or just for revenge. These cracking figures come in a set in Buckskin or Cream plastic, in a full colour box, and cost £15/$17.

Date Published Tue, 11/23/2010 - 20:49
Author: Mike Blake

Contact
Paragon Scenics & Miniatures
1520 North Street
Santa Rosa
CA 95404
USA

Tel: +1 707 536 9801
www.paragon-scenics.com

In the UK:
Steve Weston Toy Soldiers
14 Limburg Road
Canvey Island
Essex
SS8 0QJ

Tel: 01268 680117
www.plasticsoldiers.co.uk

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King & Country - Austin Light Utility (RAF version)

Review taken from 'New Releases Part 2'

Back in August King & Country, the company who could arguably be awarded the title of the hobbies most prolific manufacturer, launched itself into a new range entitled ‘Spitfire Summer’. This stunning new series is designed to represent the 70th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain, a time when Britain stood alone, with only the ships of the Royal Navy and a handful of Spitfires and Hurricanes left to stand up to the might of the Nazi war machine.

This new series features a model of the iconic British fighter plane the Supermarine Spitfire Mk. 1, a number of new ‘ace’ pilot figures, several ground personnel and the RAF airfield version of the Austin K2 Ambulance. However it’s not these earlier (August) releases I wish to cover (considering the Spitfire was only 750 worldwide it’s not doubt already sold out!).

The latest add-on to the Spitfire Summer series is a stunning model of an Austin Light Utility vehicle (RAF version). The set, limited to just 250 pieces worldwide, includes a detachable rear canvas (effect) canopy and seated Women’s Auxiliary Air Force driver. The model is well detailed with subtle touches such as the mud splattered arches and sills along with the RAF identification.

In standard K&C 1:30 scale expect to pay £102.95/$99 if you want to add one of these limited edition pieces to your airfield display!

Date Published Sat, 09/18/2010 - 10:33
Author: Andy Whittaker

Contact
For the UK & Europe:
King & Country UK
Unit 17, Enterprise City,
Meadowfield Avenue,
Green Lane Industrial Estate,
Spennymoor,
County Durham.
DL16 6JF

Tel: 01388 818882
www.kingandcountry.co.uk

For the rest of the World:
King & Country
Rm 2301
No. 3 Lockhart Road
Wanchai
Hong Kong

Tel: +852 2861 3450
www.kingandcountry.com

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Irregular Miniatures - Zulus

Review taken from 'Casting Around'

Ian Kay has produced something rather different for his Zulu War range in the form of a group of Zulus intended for a kraal, rather than a battlefield, setting.

They can be treated as generic figures but some are based on particular characters. The sitting chieftain with a headdress is based on Chaka Zulu. The lady sitting wearing a zebra skin shawl is his queen. The standing figure in what looks like a cloak is based on King Cetshweyo at the time he was captured by the British. He was wearing a tablecloth as a cloak, and carrying his grandfather Chaka’s staff. There is also a rather charming Zulu bride (straight out of the Zulu wedding scene early in the ‘Zulu’ movie).

The new Zulu castings measure 54mm approx and cost £3.75 each. They are cleanly cast one piece castings and the only assembly needed is fixing the assegais and the staff into the hands of three figures. P&P rates are UK 10%, Europe 20%, Rest of the World 20% (Surface) or 40% (Airmail).

Date Published Sat, 09/18/2010 - 10:27
Author: Paul Stocker

Contact
Irregular Miniatures Ltd
41 Lesley Avenue
York
YO10 4JR

Tel: 01904 671101
www.irregularminiatures.co.uk

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Zhong Shan Tanzhou Fuiduo Toys

Review taken from 'Fantastic Plastics'

I know, you have never heard of them! ZSTFT, as I shall refer to them from now on, are in China, and have made plastic figures in around 1:32 scale for a while, but they only turn up occasionally. Some importers have started picking them up more reliably, and some new sets have been appearing. This set is of Napoleonic Russians, Infantry, Artillery and a mounted officer and trumpeter. They are actually 1:30 scale, ie about 60mm in height, so rather tall alongside similar period figures from Black Cat, AIP and especially HaT.

They come in white plastic, and partially painted in a couple of colours – green which is Russian but also red which certainly isn’t! A proper paint job will transform them I’m sure, as the detail is actually very good. They should do, as they look like copies of now retired K&C metal Napoleonic Russians figures rendered into plastic, whether through a tie-in or not I don’t know.

Whilst the figures are fine, the horses which come with them are less so. They would need replacing with something a little less ‘child’s toy like’ to be anything more than a collector’s oddity. The cannon is rather flimsy, almost all parts being hollow, but it is actually a rather good representation of a Napoleonic period artillery piece. Filling the hollows with two-part epoxy putty would greatly improve its appearance and heft.

Date Published Sat, 09/18/2010 - 10:21
Author: Mike Blake

Contact
Ivanhoe Figures
6 Manor House Road
Rotherham
South Yorkshire
S61 1NT

Tel: 01709 558649
www.spanglefish.com/ivanhoefigures

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Dorset bands

News item taken from 'Noticeboard'

Just before going to print with this issue Giles Brown, owner of Dorset Soldiers, sent me images of two new band sets he’s just completed. Shown here are a Marine Light Infantry band, along with an Irish Infantry band c. 2007. The Marines are Britains reproductions which feature on Dorset’s website as part of 'Britains revisited' section (two new pages of boxed sets based on old Britains figures), whilst the Irish were based on a sample supplied by one of Giles’ collectors who has since given him details of the current band uniform which will also be added to the Dorset range soon.

Date Published Tue, 07/27/2010 - 19:44
Author: Andy Whittaker

Contact
Dorset Soldiers
Unit 112, South Way
Southwell Business Park
Portland
Dorset
DT5 2JS

Tel: 01305 823003
www.printteam.co.uk/websites/dorsetsoldiers

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Leddy & Slack - AWI Continental Army

Review taken from 'New Releases Part 2'

Two new figures for the American War for Independence Continental Army, indeed two Major-Generals no less, from this cottage industry American company. They can be guaranteed to come up with some unusual and charming pieces, and these are no exception.

As Sara from L&S puts it, “I'm not sure how well these fellows will fly on your side of the pond, but their ‘treason’ is far in the past now.” The first figure is Benjamin Lincoln, which was commissioned by the Hingham Historical Society, Hingham, Massachusetts. The second is Edward Hand, commissioned by Rock Ford Plantation in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Both figures are based on contemporary portraits provided by the historic sites and their respective boxes contain brief biographies, as do all L&S’s pieces.

The Benjamin Lincoln figure was originally created as a Christmas ornament with no base and a hook through his hat; he is also available as a standard toy soldier with base. More information on these subjects can be found at www.hinghmahistorical.org and www.rockfordplantation.org.

No doubt these two figures will appeal to all AWI collectors, but they also have a toy soldier charm which may well make them of interest to collectors simply as ‘toy soldiers’.

Date Published Tue, 07/27/2010 - 19:36
Author: Mike Blake

Contact
www.leddyandslack.com
Tel: +1 516 742 0960

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All The King’s Men - War of 1812 Militia

Review taken from 'Casting Around'

The latest additions to Ken Cliffe’s War of 1812 range are dismounted militia in hunting shirts. Armed with rifles, they are supplied with separate heads and there is a choice of four different types of headgear – top hat, round hat with plume, round hat with fur crest or floppy brimmed hat. Heads can be had all in the same style or as a mixed set. Their style of dress makes these figures quite versatile and they could be used in settings from the early 19th century through to the Civil War.

The militia castings measure 56mm approx and a set of six militiamen, an officer and a bugler cost $25.00 US plus P&P. For orders up to $50.00, shipping costs are approximately $7 US or less per set, assuming a Continental US customer (rates drop per set according to the size of the order). Contact Ken about shipping costs to destinations outside the USA.

Date Published Tue, 07/27/2010 - 19:27
Author: Paul Stocker

Contact
All the King's Men Toy Soldiers LLC
2456 Hewatt Rd
Snellville
GA 30039
USA

Tel: +1 770 978 1645
www.allthekingsmentoysoldiers.com