Figarti: New Releases

 
More Russian and German vehicle and figure sets here for you to marvel at, all executed in the inimitable Figarti style, and all available in the UK from Clive at Grey Goose Collectibles

'Under Fire' priced at £65

The infamous Maxim machine gun, complete with two crew figures and priced at £75

A winterised T34-85, priced at £185

A German 81mm mortar complete with a full complement of crew figures, priced at £110

The first Tiger! Priced at £220

Clive, together with some of Figarti's masterful creations, will be attending the Birmingham Toy Soldier Show next Sunday, as will I. With any luck, I'll be walking away with one of those cute little German tanks with the rockets on the sides! Oh the joy of it! Happy hunting, folks!

Thomas Gunn Miniatures: October Releases

One or two of these releases have already been previewed in a September update I posted towards the end of last month, most notably the rather lovely anti-tank gun and crew figures, but they're so lovely I thought I'd post about them again so without further ado, over to the TGM figures and let them do the rest of the talking!

This month sees the release of our 3rd Anniversary set and rather
than make the normal HMG with Lafette stand we have made an artillery piece.
Most of you will know from last month's dispatches we are commemorating the
70th anniversary of Gunther Halm winning his Knights Cross at Ruweisat Ridge
in North Africa in 1942. In the action Halm and his crew personally accounted
for 9 British Valentine tanks destroyed, with another 6 hit and put out of
action. Halms artillery piece was hit several times and eventually also put
out of action; fortunately for him the remainder of the 21st Panzer Division
arrived in the nick of time and put the British force to flight. At the time
19 yr old Gunther Halm was the youngest recipient of the KC and was
personally awarded the medal by Rommel himself at a ceremony shortly
afterwards

SS041 Anniversary Set features a PAK40 cannon, 3 crew members, 2 boxes of
ammunition and some spare shells to bring your dio to life. Please note the A version is the Normandy version and the B version is the DAK Gunther Halm Anniversary set

 

 

 

The Normandy version features an SS crew in action somewhere in Europe in
1944/45. Personally I love the colour scheme of this version and I am sure
it will find a place in many collectors' homes. Price is $140 and both versions are limited to 150 pieces

 

WH001 SdKfz 252 Tractor Unit is a useful little vehicle for all you German
vehicle fans in need of something to resupply your tanks at the frontline.
Based on the Demag chassis a total of 400 units were manufactured before
production switched over to the SdKfz 250/6 variant. Those tractors still
serviceable were then sent to Luftwaffe airfield and other rear combat
areas,  and some units still had these vehicles on their strength as late as
winter 1944. WHOO01B is suitable for the Russian winter or Battle of the Bulge, in the
markings of the 9th Panzer Division. Priced at $135 and limited to 150
pieces

We have equipped our vehicle with an ammunition trailer to increase its load
carrying capacity and although no crew figures are provided both top hatches
do open and close. WH001C is an early war grey colour scheme in the markings of 7th Panzer
Division. All you need to complete your diorama is Rommel stood next to it
drinking coffee and eating a sandwich! Priced at $135 and limited to 110
pieces

WH001A is suitable for a Normandy or Russian summer scenario and is in the
markings of the 9th Panzer Division. Priced at $135 and limited to 150
pieces

SS040 SdKfz 234/4
Following on from our successful Puma we have launched the last version of
the SdKfz 234. The 234/4 had a long barrelled 7.5cm PAK40 fitted, with a
total of 89 produced before the war ended. Designed to give anti tank
support to other armoured cars, these vehicles performed admirably in their
designed role until the bitter end in 1945

Our version comes with a detachable crew member listening to his radio and
detachable road space rods. This will avoid breakages in transit of these
delicate parts. When you receive your model you can insert or leave the rods
out depending on your preference. Once again available in 2 versions
suitable for winter Battle of the Bulge or spring 1945. Both the winter and
spring versions come in the markings of the 116th 'Windhund' Division.
Priced at $159 and available now with 150 of each version produced

Once again, some more super releases from TGM, I'm sure you'll agree! Until next time, happy hunting!

JJD fans are in for a treat this month, and indeed next, with the announcement of a number of stunning releases available in November. Enough from me, more from JJD!

November Releases

The November releases are now available for Pre-Order now at JJD UK.

 

The first of the much anticipated World War I hangars has arrived, the German Hangar, these stunning models make the perfect backdrop to a German airfield diorama.

 

Captain William G. Barker’s B6313 Sopwith Camel swoops in over the trenches .

 

What would this stunningly liveried Camel be without the most decorated Canadian of the war, Captain William G. Barker himself?

 

The French ace pilot and adventurer, a veritable Evil Knievel of World War I aces, Charles Nungesser makes a welcome arrival, cigarette in hand, on the airfield.

 

The first two of five, not including the pilot, British ground crew figures has arrived in the form of the “Chocs Away” starter set.

 

The assault on Leuthen gains momentum with the addition of two Advancing Prussian Grenadiers. This collection is really coming into it’s own and exceeding expectations.

 

The Peninsular War collection expands with the addition of two more wonderfully colourful Spanish Guerrillas, loading and firing.

 

The battlefields of the Spanish Civil War rumble underfoot with the arrival of the Soviet version of the BT-5 fast Tank.

 

Sudan collector’s are in for a treat with the release of the beautiful Baqqara Lancer and Wounded Horse – just remember to tell the significant other that ‘it is okay the horse is just sleeping.’

 

After a near legendary and peculiarly mysterious disappearance last year Baron Von Santa makes a jovial return to the Knights of the Skies, let’s hope he thinks we’ve all been good boys and girls.

 

All pre-orders will be shipped as soon as they arrive, which should be early-Mid November.

 

Collector’s Club

The Collector’s Club is offering two superb new sets for preview and pre-order. The collector’s club models are made to a limited edition run based on the number that are pre-ordered and, unlike a number of other sets, they are not re-made. The preview period for both of these exclusive sets ends on the 31^st October 2012.

 

JJCLUBSET-12 Battle On The Monongahela 1755, Lieutenant Francis James Buchanan, and Light Coehorn Mortar. Buchanan was a lieutenant in the Royal Artillery. He was wounded at the Battle of the Monongahela. He was later to be promoted to captain in 1759

 

JJCLUBSET-14 Battle On The Monongahela 1755, Mortar Wagon. Braddock’s train of artillery consisted of, six brass 6pdr cannons, four brass 12 pdr cannons, four 8 inch brass howitzers, and fifteen, 4 2/5in brass Coehorn mortars. These light Coehorn mortars could have been transported on flat truck carriages. This model is based on the reproduction at Fort Ligonier Museum

Advancing Prussian Grenadiers from the Seven Years War

 

Happy hunting!

Warfare Magazine: Latest Issue

Well, what do you know, three weeks into October and this is my first post of the month! Shame on me! My only excuse is that it's been one heck of a busy month and I've been up to my eyes with work and family commitments. Hey ho. I have a bit of free time now and I intend to make the most of it

First up, the latest issue of Warfare Magazine looks like a jolly good read and if you haven't actually 'subscribed' to it yet then I strongly suggest you do, it's great!

Please add newsletter@warfaremagazine.co.uk to your safe list
Click here to view this email in your browser

Amongst other things on offer in this month's issue you will be able to enjoy the following articles and features

As Autumn dawns and Remembrance Sunday approaches, Warfare features a First World War story a little different from the norm: a look at the courts martial of a British soldier executed for murder during the First World War. Murderous Tommies by Mark Dunning and Julian Putkowski – an active supporter of the 'Shot at Dawn' war pardons campaign – explores the details of the case of Alexander Chisholm who, in April 1915, shot a fellow soldier and was executed.

Read more about the authors, their extensive research into the subject and ideas for future projects in the Author Spotlight. 

Warfare features articles on Operation Sealion – the proposed invasion of Britain following the Fall of Dunkirk in June 1940, and on Britain's Defences during the Battle of Britain, 1940. 2012 saw the 95th anniversary of the Battle of Passchendaele – the Third Battle of Ypres – and Warfare featured articles on the final memories of the war by those who were there in Britain's Last Tommies at Passchendaele by Richard Van Emden, and Jack Sheldon's account of the German Experience at Passchendaele, including footage from the battlefields. This year also saw the 70th anniversary of the Dieppe Raid, an account of which features in the article by Tim Saunders: Dieppe – Operation Jubilee.

Tunisia's Toll Readers who enjoyed Bryn Evans' article With the East Surreys in Tunisia, Sicily and Italy 1942-45 will be interested to know that Bryn has penned a second article on the East Surrey Regiment during the Second World War, this time focusing on the Tunisian campaign in April and May 1943. Click here to read the article... An interview with military historian Paul Reed discussing his consultancy role on the BBC documentary series Dig WW2 and what went on behind the scenes, a look at the work of the group Waterloo200 by Gemma Bagshaw and the upcoming 200-year anniversary of the Battle of Waterloo, plus their efforts to introduce the Napoleonic Wars into schools, and a report by In Memoriam 2014 project officer Annette Gaykema, about the recent excavations in the Somme village of La Boisselle.

As already said, it really is a thoroughly enjoyable bed time read and well worth adding to your lists. Subscribe today!

 

Masterpieces in Paper

The latest edition of Toy Soldier Collector landed in my porch the other day and it didn't take me long to find something of interest within its pages

Spread out across pages 6 and 7 is a long letter written by Mr P Walker of the West Midlands [my neck of the woods] intriguingly entitled 'Paper Soldiers'. The subject matter of the letter is a website, www.papermau.com which the writer was directed to by a friend when he was trying to find a suitable backdrop for photographing some of his medieval knights against

The site is hosted by Blogger and is essentially a 'one-stop-shop' for anyone interested in modelling pretty much anything in paper or card. The writer of the letter was delighted with the medieval castle he found through the site and, not only that, he was able to download a series of knights and men-at-arms models representing some of the soldiers that fought at Agincourt, models that he subsequently printed onto cartridge paper and constructed using a fairly minimal array of tools

Literally hundreds of sites are accessible through the blog providing a wide range of products from simple toys to superbly detailed and historically accurate representations of buildings, aircraft, tanks, soldiers and more

Why not take a look and judge for yourself? Happy hunting!

Airsoft Tour of Duty: AAF!

Howdie one and all. It's been a few days since my last post and we are rapidly approaching the end of the month. I'm bringing September to a close with a couple of quickies, the first of which is a reminder, on the off chance that you might have forgotten, that next Saturday Gunman Midlands, aka The Grange, will play host to the next Airsoft Arms Fair

Unfortunately I won't be able to go along to this event as I'll be shooting at my regular club site [Fireball Squadron] which has its monthly open skirmish on the very same day! Ho hum! If it's anything like the last two AAF's I've been to then it will be an event well worth making the journey for so if you haven't already been to one, book yourself in and take a look

Further details are available if you click the following link: http://www.airsoftarmsfair.com/

Thomas Gunn: September Update!

Just last night I posted about a number of new releases from TGM. Well, here I am again giving you a summary of the update I received in my inbox not long after I had put that previous post together. Enjoy!

Dear All

 

A few notes for you all prior to the Chicago show taking over everything! First piece of news is that ACCPACK 003 is now all sold out here, within 1 week of its launch. This was somewhat of a surprise as we expected to have these here for some time and gradually sell out over the next year or so. For those of you after one of these pieces I recommend you contact your dealer as soon as possible

 

Not far behind the ACCPACK in the sales stakes is the Blitz 3 Ton truck, especially the grey version which has nearly sold out here. Once again do not delay in placing your order as we will not be making another grey truck for the foreseeable future

 

I have attached pictures of our PAK 40 Anniversary set which will be making its debut at Chicago. A few dealers have been sent 1 of each version for display purposes at the show. Strictly limited to 150 of each piece the Anniversary sets are always a popular set and well worth taking a look at. I will save the main spiel for the Anniversary set for next month's newsletter, however I believe the pictures speak for themselves

 

 

 

As an added bonus I have also attached pictures of our new Nebelwerfer also due out in the next month or so. Our version comes in 3 camo schemes (the usual suspects, Normandy, Winter and Desert) and is limited to 120 of each

 

 

 

 

The crew figure can be purchased separately and combined with the Nebelwerfer if so desired. Only 100 of each crew member has been made 

 

Prices yet to be decided but as you all know we try to make everything of a high standard but at the same time affordable

 

Thank you for taking the time to read this and I will speak to you all next month

Until next time, happy hunting!!

Thomas Gunn: New for September

Back again with news of some forthcoming releases from TGM. I for one am absolutely loving what's coming out of this company at the moment, especially the WW1 and WW2 German figure sets, and that's what this post concentrates on. Take a gander at this little lot and tell me you don't want them!

SS043 Flakvierling

The Flakvierling was developed by the Wermacht in response to the increasing speeds of low flying attack aircraft being developed by other airforces. They correctly assumed that the current single barrel 20mm AA weapons in production would not have sufficient stopping power, should war break out

By mounting 4 x 20mm guns on a quad mount with a triangular base the Flakvierling was then born. Each of the four mounted guns had a separate magazine that held 20 rounds. This meant that a maximum combined rate of fire of 1,400 rounds per minute was reduced to 800 rounds per minute for combat use, which would still require 10 magazine swaps per minute on each of the four guns. The guns could be fired in pairs (diagonally opposite) or simultaneously, in either semi-automatic or fully automatic mode. The effective vertical range was 2200 meters and it was as  effective against ground targets as it was against low-flying aircraft

The gun was normally transported on a Sd. Ah. 52 trailer, and could be towed behind a variety of half tracks or trucks, such as the Opel Blitz which has also been released this month by TGM

Our versions come in a rough field applied tri-colour scheme for the Normandy, a newly applied whitewash scheme for the winter version and an authentic sand colour scheme for you North African collectors. All guns rotate and elevate and our set comes with 2 figures, the second loader figure can also be removed if required

Priced at $95 RRP with 150 of the Normandy/Winter versions being made and 120 of the Desert version available. All sets should be available mid September and with dealers shortly afterwards

 

SS038 Flak Officer

Designed to accompany the Flakvierling, or any other AA gun in your arsenal, our figure looks nervously upwards at the sky as the Allied air power advances remorselessly over the Reich's empire

Given the simpler uniform paint scheme utilised we can offer this figure at $30 each, with 150 of the Normandy/Winter and 120 of the Desert scheme available by about mid September

The three Flakvierling pieces with additional, and separately sold, officer figure

ACCPACK 003

It’s been a while since we offered an accessory pack and now seemed as good as time as any! For those of you who want some additional protection for your airfield, gun emplacement or bunker then these little beauties are just what you could be looking for!  

ACCPACK 003 consists of the afore-mentioned Flakvierling artillery piece but with no crew figures. This will make it a very flexible piece which will hopefully feature in many dio's with collectors around the world. As before all guns rotate and elevate and will enhance any diorama setting

Priced at $39 with 100 of each version being available and with a special early war grey version [shown below] also available

 

SS044 Opel Blitz Truck

One of the most widely produced trucks in the German arsenal the Opel Blitz was seen on all fronts during WW2 and produced for many years afterwards in various guises. This month we offer an early war grey version and a winterised version suitable for Russia or a Battle of the Bulge diorama 

It comes with a driver figure, a removable load and will be available in mid September. Please note the production vehicles will not have such large door hinges fitted and the doors do not open. The finished vehicle will have much smaller hinges fitted and also a seamless fit between the door and its vehicle frame. Unfortunately our factory supplied pre-production samples for the photo shoot!

Priced at $135 each with 150 of the winter version and 125 of the grey version available

All of the above are available in the UK from Maison Militaire, so get in quick if you want some. Until next time, happy hunting!

King and Country: Dispatches

Hello again. It's the middle of September and I feel almost duty bound to apologise for the late arrival of this month's K&C Dispatches to the blog. It's overdue status notwithstanding I sincerely hope you enjoy what K&C have on offer this month, and it's quite a hefty helping!! As always, further details and images are available on the company website which you can access by clicking on the following link: K&C Dispatches

All of the figure sets previewed in last month's post are now available to purchase so what follows is a selection of those due for release in October, together with a list of the retirements for this month

On September 6 1941, Hitler boasted, “Today begins the last great battle of this year!” But the Fuhrer had reckoned without the treacherous Russian weather… the mud of Autumn and the approach of “General Winter ” were to become his mortal enemies

For two more months the German armies continued to advance and win battles despite the almost continuous rain and sleet that flooded rivers, turned fields into quagmires and once dusty roads into knee-deep mud

Tracks and wheels churned the ground into axle-deep “glue” that sucked the boots off marching troops and stuck and stalled thousands of trucks and tanks

Then, on the night of 6/7 November 1941, the first frosts arrived… followed a few days later by early flurries of snow… “General Winter” had struck!

 

THE SOVIETS FIGHT BACK

Following the highly successful release, earlier this year, of our first Russian troops and T34 tanks, K&C has been hard at work on a “second-release” for this coming winter… And here it is..

Two new versions of the infamous T-34 are being released together with a lend-lease jeep and 7 supporting infantry figures

RA026 “Soviet T34/76 “Crush The Fascists.”

This first “winter” T34/76 bears the slogan “Crush The Fascists” painted in red on both sides of the turret and comes with a suitably-clad Russian tank commander in the open turret hatch. (Just 150 being produced)

RA039 “Soviet T34/76 “Moscow!”

A second “winterized T34/76 is also available for those collectors who might like another second model for their displays or dioramas. This one carries the number “4” and “Moscow!” on both sides of the turret and has NO commander.
Therefore, it’s a little bit cheaper!
(Just 150 being produced)

RA030 "Lend-Lease Russian Jeep”

As soon as Hitler attacked the Soviet Union both Britain (and later America) provided, Free-of-Charge, huge quantities of weapons, trucks and tanks to the Russians
Among the most valued were the Willys and Ford-built Jeeps which arrived by the hundreds and were immediately put into action. Here is one such example complete with Red Army driver

Three of the 7 infantry support figures due for release

WINTER IS HERE

German soldiers fought through six “winters of war” between 1939 and 1945 on both the Eastern and Western fronts. Here at K&C we thought it might be a good idea to portray a selection of “Classic Germans” dressed for battling it out in the worst winter weathers… We made the figures… You choose the campaign or battle you think it most suitable to display them in!

The pictures below show the entire release and all of the figure sets are prefixed with the 'BB' code for ordering purposes. As such they all form part of the Battle of the Bulge series but, as the company write-up states, they could quite easily be used as part of an Eastern Front diorama

BBG054 "Sd. Kfz. 222 Armoured Car (Winter camouflage)"

Another great version of a great-looking vehicle. Set includes a commander seen just inside the 222’s turret

EARLY TIGER ON THE PROWL

Designed to trundle alongside the 'classic' German infantry figures announced last month this field grey Tiger is sure to win the admiration of many a collector. All too often versions of this monster of German engineering are depicted in various camouflage patterns so this early version will make a welcome change and, I'm sure, a sought after addition to many a collection

WS216 "Tiger 1 (Early Production)”

This particular Tiger, the first of two “Early Production” models, is #”213” belonging to the famous Abteilung 503, the 503 rd. Heavy Panzer Battalion. This grey, battle-weary veteran has already seen some “hard-action” on the Russian Front. Both track guards have been lost and it's missing a front left wheel cover!

Another unique feature is the rear baggage bin behind the turret… “cannibalized” from a Panzer III. This allows us to place this tank as operational in Russia between August and November 1942. A shirt-sleeved commander completes the model

The company is also releasing a couple a ceremonial sets this month, the first depicting the Coldstream Guards on parade and the second celebrating the wedding of William and Kate. The final picture in the post shows this year's Christmas release, set this year in 1914 and commemorating the famous 'Christmas Truce' which took place at a number of locations in the trenches of Northern France

 

THIS MONTH'S RETIREMENTS

AL005 “Australian Lighthorse Charging w/ Bayonet (to the rear)”

CW026 “Union Officer w/ Binos”

CW027 “Union Chasseur Standing w/ Rifle”

CW028 “Union Kneeling Firing Rifleman”

CW029 “Union Standing Firing Rifleman”

CW030 “Union Kneeling Ready”

CW031 “Union Standing Ready”

CW032 “Union Kneeling Loading”

CW033 “Union Standing Loading”

CW034 “Union Standing Ramrod”

CW035 “Union Advancing”

CW036 “Union Sergeant w/ Flag”

CW037 “Union Bugler”

CW038 “Union Mounted Officer”

CW039 “Thirsty Work”

CW054 “The Photographer, Mathew Brady”

CW055 “General Lee's Belongings”

CW058 “Maj. Gen. John Buford Jr.”

CW059 “Union Guidon Bearer”

CW060 “Union Bugler”

CW061 “Officer Firing Pistol”

CW062 “Trooper Aiming Carbine”

CW063 “Prisoner and Escort”

CW064 “Trooper Kneeling Loading Carbine”

CW065 “Trooper Kneeling Cocking Carbine”

CW066 “Trooper Kneeling Firing Carbine”

CW067 “Trooper Standing Firing Carbine”

CW068 “Trooper Firing Pistol”

IF002 “Consul General of the Chaplains Dept.”

IF003 “Italian Forces, Marching Officer”

KM012 “Admiral Karl Donitz”

LAH105 “Heinrich Himmler Relaxing”

LAH108 “Sun Loungers”

MK036 “Charging Saracen w/Sword & Shield”

MK038 “Defending Saracen w/Sword & Axe”

MK051 “Fight to the Death”

MK068 “Fighting Priest w/ Axe”

        RTA036 “Mexican Soldier Running w/ Ladder”

So, that just about concludes another Dispatches for this month and, as I said earlier, what a hefty helping it's been! Until next time, happy hunting!