For When It Really Matters: New Terrain

Need a little something to lay those newly acquired lumps of loveliness down on? Then look no further. John Gittins and the team at Build A Rama have some new mats about to hit the shelves [pun intended] and if they're anything like as good as their existing offerings then you'll be chuffed to get your hands on some of them

http://www.jgminiatures.com/category.php

Both of John's offerings measure 30" x 13" but can be made larger on request, up to 3' x 4'. The first mat is £30 and the one with the tank tracks on it is £36

Build A Rama have a number of new pieces up for grabs. Take a look and see which you prefer

Build A Rama Terrain Mats

• Brama364A -- 1:32 Diorama Mat 24" x 30" - Rough Turf
• Brama364B -- 1:32 Diorama Mat 24" x 24" - Rough Turf
• Brama364C -- 1:32 Diorama Mat 12" x 12" - Rough Turf
• Brama365 -- 1:32 Deluxe Terrain Diorama Mat 4' x 2' Grass Clearing with Road
• Brama366 -- 1:32 Deluxe Terrain Diorama Mat 4' x 2' Deep Beach
• Brama369A -- 1:32 Cobble Stone Diorama Mat 6" x 24"- Road Section
• Brama369B -- 1:32 Cobble Stone Diorama Mat 12" x 12"- Vignette Mat
• Brama369C -- 1:32 Cobble Stone Diorama Mat 12" x 24"- Shelf Mat
• Brama369D -- 1:32 Cobble Stone Diorama Mat 30" x 24"- Tabletop Mat

Build A Rama Terrain Mats

Happy Hunting!

Latest Additions 2

And so to the second of three LA installments and for this one I've chosen to return to some recently released figures from Britains which I featured in a couple of posts last year

I bought them a while ago but again it's taken me some time to get around to snapping them in situ, on the shelf they occupy with some First Legion enemies, on terrain modules produced by David Marshall

The figures in question are those depicting the Brunswick Leib Battalion which fought on the side of the British at Waterloo

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Brunswickers

Although not depicted here fighting the French they nevertheless make for quite an attractive group of figures and don't look too out of place sharing the same diorama with their FL fellows

Talking of FL, the company make a handful of 'Brunswickers' of their own, depicting the regiments you can just about catch a glimpse of on the left hand side in the illustration below

I'll end this post with a couple more photos of the Britains figures. Ideally I'd like three more and would love WB to make three more variants. Failing that, I'll double up on three already purchased

Happy Hunting!

Latest Additions 1

It's been quite a while since I last posted about new additions to my own collection and so it is, that like buses, you wait for an age and all of a sudden three come along all at once!

I don't know how that translates for those of you who might be reading this outside of the UK, or who have no experience of the English public transport system, but never mind

The first of the three installments concerns a single solitary figure added to my Berlin 38 Nuremberg party rally display. I can't recall how long ago this figure was retired but it was quite a few months ago now, and I bought her straight away. Since then she's been waiting quietly in the wings waiting to take her place along side the other notable 'glitterati'

The K&C figure of Traudl Junge, Hitler's last private secretary

On the right side of the display you can just about make out the left hand side of Hess, who is flanked to his left by Martin Bormann, personal secretary to Hess from 1933 to 1941, and personal secretary to the Fuhrer from 1943

'Out front' is currently bare, but for the rubberized flag stone matting supplied by John Gittins, but the plan is to have a march past of SA and early SS figures, and a few figures standing on guard duty around the base of the podium

http://www.world-war-2-diaries.com/traudl-junge.html

         

John Gittins Miniatures: Website News

This is an unusual notification but one I thought it might be helpful to share anyway

For anyone thinking of visiting John Gittins's website and/or purchasing anything from John via the website, and who hasn't already received this in their email inbox, please take note of the following message sent by John to many of his customers

Dear Valued Customer

 

Just to let you know that my website is currently difficult to access  and page loads are very slow. 

The site is however still functional,its seems quicker to access the home page from a favourite  or bookmark in your browser than from a Google search.

 

My web hosts are looking into the problem and i have been advised that  this is due to a structural problem and not any security issue.

 

The site is old and this problem  may take some time to resolve as the site may have to be re-designed using up to date code.

 

In the meantime I am losing business as my online shop is virtually closed , if you do wish to place an order, and you know what you want , you may telephone your order by calling 0114 4535237, or place an order through one of my dealers.

 

I apologise for the inconvenience

 

John Gittins

 

Here's hoping, primarily for John's sake, the issue will be resolved speedily and that his livelihood isn't too badly affected

New Kid on the Block

News now of a new [relatively speaking] manufacturer of scenic features for the 54-60mm toy soldier collectors market. Trading under the name of Eleven Tree Designs, and no that isn't a typo, the man behind the brand has worked closely with David Marshall, he of TM Terrain fame, and has been making items for wargamers for quite a while

He has recently announced the release of a number of WW2 aircraft control towers and a couple of building facades that will look very nice displayed on the sort of bookshelf spaces that many of us toy soldier collectors tend to favour. There is every intention presently of expanding both of these ranges

Take a look at the following images and follow the link to the website for more information

http://www.eleventreedesigns.co.uk/Eleven_Tree_Designs/home.html

Happy Hunting!

King and Country: December Dispatches

We're getting ever closer to Christmas and I for one am starting to get in the mood. The decorations have been up for about a week, the shopping is well under way and the treats are starting to arrive. I wonder what Santa has ready and waiting for your stocking come the 25th?

Take a look at the latest offerings from Andy and the team over at K&C and see if any of them tickle your fancy

The pictures above are by way of whetting your appetite. If truly whetted it is, then follow the links below for yet more information

http://www.toysoldiersclub.com/2014-12-KC-EN.html

http://www.kingandcountry.com/dispatches/december-2014/ 

Happy Hunting!

JG Miniatures: New Address

For those of you still in the dark, John Gittins Miniatures have, due to unforeseen circumstances, had to relocate and are now operating from the following address:

Happy Hunting!

King and Country: August Dispatches

A little late in the day but here they are, the latest releases and retirements from K&C. The number of retirements this month is unusually small, good news as far as I'm concerned as I haven't gotten round to buying the three I need from last month yet! Anyway, without further ado.....

LIFE ON THE NILE

• AE053 -- The New Pharaoh's Gate - A handsome Ancient Egyptian background piece that can be added to or stand-alone - works equally well. In 2 x pieces...the base and stone steps and the decorated wall and gate.
• AE054 -- The Wall Gods Set - Two statues, mounted on wall sections, portray "Annubis" and "Thoth", two of Ancient Egypt's most revered deities. Goes well with the previous AE053 "New Pharaoh's Gate".
• AE055 -- The Standing Pharaoh
• AE056 -- Pharaoh's Bodyguard
• AE057 -- The Vizier - One of Pharaoh's most trusted advisers.
• AE058 -- The New Fan Bearer - A 'new' edition of an old favorite.
• AE059 -- Paying Homage - Kneeling before the Pharaoh is a lesser ruler from one of the vassal states bordering Egypt. He offers a sword to Pharaoh to show his loyalty and obedience.

Ancient Egypt

BLOOD & SAND

For centuries alas, warfare has been the norm for the countries and peoples of the Middle East...As it is today so it was then during the time of the Crusaders...

• MK116 -- The Veteran - A mace-wielding mounted Knight prepares to do battle.
• MK117 -- Fighting Flagbearer - Another mounted Knight, William of Bordes, carrying his family's banner.
• MK118 -- The Crouching Crusader
• MK119 -- Sir John Trumpington
• MK120 -- Knight Hospitaller with Axe
• MK121 -- Knight with Double-Handed Sword
• MK122 -- Wounded Crusader Knight

Crusader - Cross & Crescent

 

Lawrence of Arabia

Three fine new additions to this First World War series...

• LoA011 -- Prince Feisal - Played in the movie by Sir Alec Guinness the noble Prince is mounted on one of his favorite Arabian steeds and brandishes his scimitar.
• LoA012 -- Feisal's Mounted Bodyguard - Prince Feisal was protected by a hand-picked group of Nubian warriors.
• LoA013 -- Standing Feisal Bodyguard - Typically all of the Prince's bodyguards wore special scarlett red cloaks to identify them among the bedouin of the Arab Army.

Lawrence of Arabia

TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATION

At the height of the Luftwaffe's attacks during the Battle of Britain many Royal Air Force airfields were being put out-of-action. In order to continue fighting many fighter squadrons were dispersed around the country and made use of any large grass areas that could land and take-off the Spitfires and Hurricanes...
Sports grounds and farmers' fields were among the favorites.

• RAF055 -- The Cricket Club - This handsome green and white cricket pavilion makes the perfect "dispersal hut" for our displaced RAF pilots. It's located in Walmington-On-Sea quite near where our Fields of Battle "Home Guard" soldiers live! A group of young pilots enjoy a well-earned (and brief) respite from the mighty aerial battles being fought over their heads...
• RAF057 -- A nice cup of tea! - Eating a sandwich in one hand and a "cuppa" in the other this pilot is ready to leap into the cockpit of his aircraft at a moment's notice.
• RAF058 -- Arms Folded - Standing Flying Officer is not only wearing his "Mae West" but still got his flying helmet on!
• RAF059 -- Intelligence Officer - This non-flying RAF officer is taking down notes on the latest aerial encounter between one of these "Brylcreem Boys" and the dreaded "Hun".
• RAF060 -- Sitting & Thinking - Another Flying Officer enjoying a cup of tea and pondering on the day's events.
• RAF061 -- Pilot with Map - Windswept hair and silk scarf blowing in the wind...One more young pilot ready to jump into his Spitfire for one more sortie.
• RAF062 -- Watching & Waiting - This Flight Lieutenant is taking no chances...he's also carrying a Webley .38 service revolver!
• RAF063 -- The Card Game - Seated in their rattan chairs these two pilots, one a Flight Sergeant, the other a Flying Officer enjoy a game of cards to help pass the time in a rare moment of relaxation.
• RAF064 -- Tea and Sandwich Table - Providing a welcome "cuppa" this trestle table has been set up with a tea urn, a pot of coffee, a plate of sandwiches, cups and saucers and a radio to listen to the BBC.
• RAF065 -- Anti-Aircraft Bren Gun Team - Once the Luftwaffe began attacking RAF airfields and other ground installations every kind of weapon was utilized in their defence. Here, a .303 Bren Gun is on its AA mounting and ready to "have a go" at any low-flying German aircraft. Both RAF ground crew are wearing "08" pattern webbing (blancoed in RAF grey) and one also carries a .303 Lee Enfield.

Royal Airforce

CLASSIC WEHRMACHT

• WS225 -- Pz.Kpfw38(t) - By the middle of 1942 many German vehicles were being camouflaged...including the Czech-made 38(t). Here is our version...
• WS291 -- Flak Panzer 1A - These little beauties were used primarily on the Eastern Front in the ground-attack role. This grey, dust-coated version mounts the highly regarded 20mm Flak Gun and comes with a seated gunner.
• WS292 -- Flak Panzer Gun Crew - Two additional crewmen to help 'serve' the gun (both with no base in order to stand better on the vehicles)
• WS297 -- The Nice German Soldier - Proof that not all Germans were "monsters'...This 'soldaten' shares his bread and jam with a young girl in one of the occupied countries.

Normandy '44 - Waffen-SS & Wehrmacht

DOUBLE HOUSE SET

Another of our "French Facades" and this time it's a double!

• SP060 -- Deux Maisons - A tall four-storey structure attached to a three-storey shop/house with a "Viennoiserie"...a typical French shop selling croissants, pastries and bread. Sounds good already!

Diorama and Scenic Building Collection

 

 

King & Country - Being Retired

BEING RETIRED THIS MONTH A very small batch this month... Please note we only Hyperlink the categories in case an individual piece has already sold out! Streets of Old Hong Kong HK121 New Running Rickshaw Orient Crusader's MK086 Royal Man-at Arms with Banner MK087 French Knight w/Lance MK088 French Man-at-Arms w/Banner MK089 French Man-at-arms w/Double Handed Sword Crusader - Cross & Crescent Retirements Happy Hunting!