TOY187

StOoyLDIERThe World’s No. 1 Magazine for Collectors of All Stripeswww.toy-soldier.com MODEL FIGURE WINUK.SIF.NRCGOASMVXALRY BARBARIAN BATTLE CRY! Alesia Gauls vs. Romans From First Legion Ltd.$8.50/£4.95 12 In this issue: • Soldiers Abound at Hobby Bunker • Battle of Leuthen • ARW Washington’s Life Guard • WWII Soviet Red Army• West Point’s Parade of Military Dioramas • OMSS On Parade 2013 • Highlander Kits • Soldiers of the World • Napoleonic Figures • ACW Rebel Generals • Old West Cowboys • Lawrence of Arabia 9 771359 742033 cONTEST:DecTeOmYbSeOrLD2I0E1R3:D-EiCsEsMueBE1R87

Barbarian Victorious 2 pieces Abraham Lincoln & His Captain Younghusband and TCS00748 $65.90 Generals CW102 $185.00 NCO Charging 20132 $64.00 Robin Hood First Legion Ltd. Painted Waffen SS Germans RHL001 now in s tock! $25.00 Bocuehrescufkroreoutumot ! British Naval French Brigade Naval Cuirassiers Officer, First Charing Sudan War, Bugler 1884-1885 NA251 SRN-05 $39.00 $109.00Check out...products From Figarti & othermakers flying in this fall



inside this edition 48 40FIGURE OF THE MONTH...............................................5 56READERS: FIRE BACK! ....................................................6OPENING VOLLEY...........................................................8 toy soldier showcaseSOLDIERS ABOUND AT HOBBY BUNKER..................14BATTLE OF LEUTHEN..................................................20 NEW METAL SHOWCASE......................40WEST POINT’S PARADE OF MILITARY DIORAMAS....28 Editor Stuart A. Hessney’s reviews range fromOMSS ON PARADE 2013.................................................32 ancient history to 20th-century combat and aCENTERFOLD........................................................... 38-39 whole lot more.KIT KORNER...................................................................60BOOK REVIEWS.............................................................66 PLASTIC PARADE....................................54PRIZE EXERCISE............................................................70 While Len Cooksey takes a little break, Jamie Delson graciously steps in to examine the Italeri Win figures from the “John Ford’s Cavalry” series inspired by origins of Napoleonic figures copied by Supreme. Hollywood Westerns courtesy of King & Country Ltd. and its Kings X Toy Soldiers shop in San Antonio, Texas, USA. 1/6TH ARMY..............................................56CALENDAR............................................................................. 74 Scott J. Dummitt previews upcoming releases and sings the swan song of “1/6th Army.”20 32 14bringing you this issueStuart A. Hessney Alison Smith Kelly Johnson 14Sara Vix EDITOR DESIGN DIRECTOR Sales & Marketing4 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

from the editorPUBLISHED MONTHLY BY: Welcome to TS&MF, the world’s No. 1 magazine for collectorsAshdown Ltd. of all stripes!Unit 5EPark Farm This edition was quite a personal milestone for me becauseChichester Road I put most of it together during September 2013, which coincidedArundel, West Sussex with my 10th anniversary as editor of TS&MF. Considering allEngland, U.K. BN18 9EY the inherent challenges involved in creating this magazine everyTel: 01903 884988 single month on a “part-time” basis, I was gobsmocked wheneverFax: 01903 885514 I paused from pursuing things, writing and editing long enough toUS OFFICE: realize that this TS&MF issue 187 you’re reading right now marksAshdown Inc. my 120th edition at the helm.68132 250th Ave.Kasson, MN 55944 I have done this every month 120 times in a row?!? Whew! Obviously, I enjoy creativeToll-Free: 1-866-606-6587 challenges, I love the toy soldier hobby and I’m just plain nuts, or I wouldn’t keep doing this.Fax: (507) 634-7691 And, of course, I couldn’t keep doing this without all the makers, dealers and fellow collectors around the globe who support and contribute to TS&MF; my loved ones and friends; and thewww.toy-soldier.com staff centered in our publisher’s U.K. and U.S. offices. Thanks to all concerned for making this possible! I’d like to add a special note of thanks to my very understanding wife Sally and toEDITOR: TS&MF designer Alison Smith for all her brilliant work through the majority of my stint.Stuart A. [email protected] Just before I became editor a decade ago, I visited Fort Henry in Kingston, Ont., Canada.SALES & MARKETING: During the course of that 2003 trip, I met fellow enthusiast Scott J. Dummitt. Like RickSara Vix says to Louie at the end of the 1942 film “Casablanca,” it was the “beginning of a [email protected] friendship.” I soon enlisted Scott’s expertise for TS&MF’s “1/6th Army” column. Now, afterDESIGN: 10 years of entertaining and informing readers, Scott has decided to call it a day, and with thatAlison Smith the monthly “1/6th Army” will be retired too.CONTRIBUTORS:Doug Dearth, Jamie Delson, Scott J. I’ll leave it to Scott to say his own poignant farewell in this month’s “1/6th Army.” ButDummitt, Alan Golden, Hayden I’m not letting him off the hook! He has already written a report on the Ontario ModelHammersmith, James H. Hillestad, Soldier Society’s 2013 On Parade show and competition in Toronto for this very same edition.Henry Kurtz, Paul Newman and Leo In addition, he has some great articles simmering on the back burner that will delve into hisWinston interests in history, ceremonial pageantry, uniforms, military music and 54-mm toy soldiers. To paraphrase lyrics from the Eagles’ song “Hotel California,” you can check-out any time youSUBSCRIPTION MANAGERS: like Scott, but you can never leave TS&MF!U.S.: Kelly Johnson/ [email protected] Elsewhere in this edition, collector Alan Golden profiles U.S. dealer Matthew R. Murphy,U.K.: [email protected] who is marking his 15th year of welcoming customers to his Hobby Bunker store in theANNUAL SUBSCRIPTION RATES: Boston area. Matt is a stand up guy and he runs an amazing business. Hobby Bunker’sU.K.: £49 incredible inventory is so extensive that Matt is many collectors’ go-to guy for everything fromU.S.: $110 hard-to-find items to the latest releases. Plus, he regularly takes Hobby Bunker on the road toCanada: $121 shows coast to coast.Europe: $114Rest of World: $119 The Toy Soldier Museum’s James H. Hillestad deploys Austrian and Prussian troops from(U.S. funds only) John Jenkins Designs in a dramatic new scratch-built diorama depicting the Battle of LeuthenDECEMBER 2013 in 1757. That same clash of arms was the inspiration for one of the battlefield scenes covered by Henry Kurtz in an article titled “West Point’s Parade of Military Dioramas.”Postmaster: Send address correctionsto Toy Soldier & Model Figure, There’s lots more in store in this issue as usual, so please start turning the pages, enjoy and,Ashdown Inc., 68132 250th Ave. as always, happy collecting!Kasson, MN 55944 2nd Class PostagePaid. Canada Post International  Publications Mail - Sales AgreementNo. 546038. All rights reserved. Stuart A. Hessney, editor  Reproduction in whole or partwithout the written permission of the figure of the monthpublisher is prohibited. All editorialcontributions in the form of articles, The honors go to a vigorous figure of ancient Gallicletters and photographs (b/w or chieftain Vercingetorix by First Legion Ltd. His warriorscolour print or transparencies) are might have been better, stronger and faster than thewelcomed by Toy Soldier but cannot average Roman, but the barbarians proved to be no matchbe returned unless accompanied by for legionnaires’ discipline, determination and engineeringa stamped addressed envelope. All skills during Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul.material submitted to the magazine isaccepted on the basis that copyrightin the work will be vested in thePublisher who assumes all rightsworld-wide, in all forms and media.In any event the publisher canaccept no responsibility for lossor damage to contributions.© TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 5

FIRE BACK! n Win a prize by sending in a YOUR LETTERS letter on anything concerning the Sound off about the hobby or magazine toy soldier and model figure hobby. Each month a special surprise gift will be awarded to the Star Letter writer!CLUB MEMBERS CREATE STORE WINDOW DISPLAY LESTTTAERRDear Editor: with toy soldiers, the display had zeppelins, occurring to the actualDuring the 2012 Christmas season, airplanes, tanks, Western cap pistols, a setting up was two-and-the South Carolina Military Miniature circus wagon with stuffed animals, game a half-weeks. The displaySociety (SCMMS) put on a toy soldier boards and a Christmas tree.  was exhibited from Thanksgiving untiland toy display in the Village at Sandhill In October 2012, I had the idea to the end of February. I maintained theshopping mall in Columbia, S.C. decorate or put a display in a department display by adding and replacing lights,Club members involved in assembling store window in Columbia and had been and resetting fallen soldiers. There were atthe display included President Dennis trying to find someplace willing to let us least three updates to the display to keep itFontana, Patrick M. Teague, Wendell do it. Dennis and I both drove through the fresh and interesting.Snapp and me. Contributors also included Village at Sandhill vicinity seperately about We learned several lessons from thisMichael Hansen and Jo Jacobs. Along a day before we and our wives met for lunch. display. The biggest lesson was the joy we I pitched the idea to Dennis, he concurred got from sharing our toy soldiers with and the mall manager was approached about others, and the joy we witnessed from the SCMMS using an empty storefront. people stopping to view our items from Both the property owner and manager liked our collections. the idea, offering us an empty storefront The SCMMS has been invited back with 40 feet of window space. by the Village at Sandhill and will have We brought the project idea up at the another exhibit on display in the same next club meeting, which happened to storefront from Thanksgiving 2013 be that same week, then our work began. through January 2014 in conjunction with Mike Gearon and Dennis were responsible the holiday season. for posters used in the display. Dennis CW5 Roger W. Jacobs and I brought additional lighting. I was USARCENT Command responsible for the Christmas tree. All the Chief Warrant Officer toy soldier and toy decorations were mine. G2 Chief of Analysis  It was the last public display of a number Columbia, S.C. of items from Dennis’ collection, includingSCMMS President Dennis Fontana and Patrick M. Teague composition toy soldiers made in Germany The Editor Responds: My compliments to all(from left) set up Elastolin toy soldiers and a card stock by Elastolin, before they went to auction. concerned from the SCMMS for their effortscastle for a holiday hobby display in a mall storefront.  The time from the original idea to showcase our hobby to the general public!COLLECTOR COMPLAINS ABOUR RISING PRICESDear Editor: will be just for the well off. The Editor Responds: As a fellow collector onI am writing in regards to rising prices Perhaps no matter what someone’s a tight budget, I completely sympathize withand the high cost of our hobby of your sense of frustration. But please keep incollecting military figures. I have noticed hobby is, prices can get out of hand. But mind that toy figure makers are not doingthat common 54-mm painted metal foot I know a lot of fellow toy soldier collectors nonprofit charity work. They are businessesfigures are currently running about $30 who have cut back on buying them due to trying to stay in business. Manufacturers areU.S. to $42 apiece; some mounted figures rising prices. For those of us with families faced with rising materials, labor and delivery$100 or more. I think such prices for who must come first, it’s becoming costs. Also, toy soldiers are specialty productsfigures made in the thousands are out increasingly difficult to afford to collect which demand skilled and reliable handwork.of sight. entire series of figures like we used to. Figures are often made only in dozens or hundreds, not thousands. Makers are striving This might not affect people who can Not all of us are CEOs, bank to try to keep costs down, but the challengingafford them and don’t care about prices presidents or retired from high-paying economic situation is what it is. I honestlybecause they have the money to buy them jobs. I hope the people who produce don’t know what the solution could possiblyregardless. But those of us who cannot figures will please keep in mind to keep be besides somehow finding cheaper labor -- aafford to keep up with the prices will just prices down some because not everyone is situation that might profit makers and benefithave to drop out and find some other born with a gold spoon in hand! us collectors, but suck for the workers.hobby. Pretty soon toy soldier collecting Dan Cloran Palmyra, N.J., USA6 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

TERRIFIC TINY TOY SOLDIERSDear Editor:  be of interest to readers. Many years ago, “Armies of the World” sets were madeAs a mini-followup to my “John Niblett’s I had the good fortune to purchase the in the 1980s by Bob Hornung of HornungMini-Warriors” article in TS&MF issue two sets pictured of Prussian lancers and Art. He purchased small castings, painted185, I thought the enclosed photo might Union Army horse-drawn artillery. These them and made various boxed sets. A 54-mm figure shows how tiny The photo includes a 54-mm figure Bob Hornung’s “Armies of the of a circa 1914 Austro-Hungarian World” sets really are. dragoons officer made by Wiener Metallfigurinen to give some idea of the Hornung figures’ scale, which is slightly more than 5-mm. The sets came in red boxes with labels that Bob fabricated by hand. They evoke the boxed sets of the past made so popular by W. Britain. Even the painting is quite good for such tiny figures. In retrospect, I wish I had purchased several more of these little boxed sets. But hindsight is always 20/20. I am not sure if Bob still turns out these terrific tiny toy soldiers, but they certainly are quite unique. They would be very useful, I think, for dollhouse enthusiasts.CANADIAN HIGHLANDERS CONTACT USMAKER WAS OVERLOOKED We welcome readers’ Fire Back! feedback viaDear Editor: letter is not published, I will be banned e-mail at [email protected]. In addition,The Toy Highland Military Police of from the Ontario Model Soldier of letters can be sent via fax to 01903 885514Canada have placed me under house Society (OMSS), of which Scott is the or mail to Fire Back!, TS&MF, Ashdownarrest for a glaring error I made in president. It is difficult to blubber in Ltd., Unit 5E, Park Farm, Chichester Road,my “Highlanders Forever!” article print, but I extend a blubbering apology Arundel, West Sussex, England, U.K. BN18published in TS&MF issue 185. to Scott. 9EY. Letters can also be sent via fax to (507) 634-7691 or mail to Fire Back!, TS&MF, I neglected to mention that Scott Harold R.W. Morrison Ashdown Inc., 68132 250th Ave., Kasson,J. Dummitt Presents of Bailieboro, Toronto, Ont., Canada MN, USA 55944. All correspondence mustOnt., is a registered manufacturer of include your full name, address and daytimeCanadian Highland regiments and The Editor Responds: Thanks for giving telephone number in case verification ishas produced toy soldiers and model me a laugh while underscoring Scott’s needed. Letters may be edited for lengthfigures for years, aye laddie. His wonderful work. I hope now that I have or clarity. Anonymous letters will not bePride of the Nation 54-mm metal printed your letter, our fellow OMSS considered for publication.series includes the 48th Highlanders, members will treat you gently withBlack Watch of Canada, Toronto sympathetic understanding. TS&MF IS ONScottish, Canadian Scottish, Seaforth FACEBOOK, TWITTERHighlanders of Canada and the RIGHT: BlackCalgary Highlanders. These regiments Watch of Canada Have you got something to say to theare presented in detailed gloss, but piper crafted by hobby world and you want to say it now?!?muted colors. They are available in Scott J. Dummitt. Then use your computer mouse to clickboxed sets. your way to Toy Soldier & Model Figure Editor Stuart A. Hessney’s Facebook page While some indigenous enthusiasts and become a “friend” of the magazine.make their own molds and figures, Scott Enthusiasts can debate views, share hobbyis the only registered manufacturer of tips, spread news, post photos, help eachtoy soldiers in Canada. He hand-paints other identify figures, and more. It’s yourmany of his figures personally. forum for fun! Also readers can now follow TS&MF on Twitter as we strive to keep The Toy Highland Military Police collectors around the globeof Canada have advised me that if this informed and connected.CONTEST: GET HAPPY IN YOUR HOBBY!To have a chance of winning a prize, enter the monthly “Get Happy in Your Hobby!” contest by submitting onephoto along with a couple of paragraphs relating how the toy soldier and model figure hobby makes you happy.Send your entry to Editor Stuart A. Hessney via e-mail at [email protected] or post it to the TS&MFGet Happy in Your Hobby Contest at either Ashdown Ltd., Unit 5E, Park Farm, Chichester Road, Arundel,West Sussex, England, U.K. BN18 9EY; or Ashdown Inc., 68132 250th Ave., Kasson, MN, USA 55944.All entries must include your complete contact details. Enter as many times as you like. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 7

VOOPELNLEIYNG n Editor Stuart A. Hessney and latest news from the toy soldier hobby his worldwide team of intrepid correspondents track down the latest news and notes of interest to toy soldier and model figure enthusiasts.W. BRITAIN UNVEILS ‘CLASH OF EMPIRES’ RANGEEmpires were established, expanded or plans to steer things. Easterncontracted during the second half of One point that caught this collector’s Woodlandthe 18th century. Europe’s Seven Years’ Indian inWar, which encompassed the French eye is how W. Britain has begun specifying Europeanand War in North America, flared into that its matt-painted, 56 to 58-mm figures jacket from thehistory’s first truly global conflict. are actually 1:30 scale like those of King new “Clash of & Country Ltd. and other competitors. Empires” range. Now W. Britain’s 2013 Spring In the past, they always have been listedCatalogue has unveiled a new “Clash as being 1:32-scale like their 54-mm available from either the manufacturerof Empires” range. For starters, the toy glossy forbearers, such as the previously or dealers.soldier company plans to issue a trio introduced Scots Guards marching acrossof Eastern Woodland Indians inspired this catalogue’s cover. --Stuart A. Hessneyby American conflicts that embroilednative tribes, European powers and New releases include figures basedcolonists in various clashes from about on the Napoleonic Wars, the Anglo-1750 to 1794. Zulu War’s Battle of Isandlwana and the Mahdist Wars. Museum Collection “Clash of Empires” is the brainchild additions include U.S. Marines of theof new General Manager and Creative Spanish-American War, World War IDirector Kenneth A. Osen. However, and the Banana Wars circa 1920s. Thethe offerings in this catalogue were World War II British Royal Air Force ismostly already in the production the basis for a smooching pilot and hispipeline before the sculptor and girlfriend, a policeman, an aircraftmanhistorian took the helm in mid-2013. on a bicycle, and an aerodrome gateThe next catalogue is expected to be a complemented by a sentry box.clearer indicator of the direction Ken Copies of this 16-page catalogue areOLD GERMAN FIGURES ABOUND IN COLLECTOR JOURNALGerman made-flat, semi-round and Anglo-Boer War. German-made figures aboundfully round toy figures abound in the Profiles and interviews feature U.S. in the latest edition of the collector journal.third edition of Die Zinnlaube releasedin September 2013. collector S. Mark Young and American illustrator Roger Garfield. German Old toy soldier collectors put enthusiast Alfred Umhey relates how histogether this hobby journal for favorite figure happens to look just likefellow enthusiasts. Most of the text him uniformed as a circa 1796 soldier ofis translated for the convenience of the French Revolutionary Army.German, English and French readers. Zinnlaube also delivers news about The latest issue totals 106 pages the discovery of a giant old mold, a yarnin full color. I was graciously supplied about a not so old ancient Roman soldierwith a copy by Gisbert Freber, who and a look at figures from the collectionserves on Zinnlaube’s editorial of Markus Grein.advisory board along with Dr. ErhardSchraudolph. A professor, Dr. Ignacio A copy of this fascinating laborCzeguhn, serves as editor. of love produced by collectors for collectors costs 17 euros, including Historical topics include the postage. Additional information canAmerican Civil War’s Battle of be obtained by sending an e-mail toGettysburg, the Russo-Japanese [email protected] of 1904-1905, and the Second --Stuart A. Hessney8 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

LEGO BECOMES THE WORLD’S SECOND-BIGGEST TOY COMPANYThanks to an increase in sales, Lego has in English. The companybecome the world’s second-biggest toy started producing interlockingmaker. toy bricks in 1949. Lego is controlled by Kjeld Kirk The Danish construction toys company Kristiansen, grandson ofgenerated sales of £1.2 billion U.K. (about the company’s founder and$1.8 billion U.S.) for the six months Denmark’s wealthiest man.ending June 30, 2013, up 13 percent fromthe same period the previous year. Lego Lego-themed amusementhas surpassed Hasbro to rank second parks, competitions, games,behind Mattel. Hasbro and Mattel are movies and specialty storesboth based in the United States. have evolved through the years. In early September 2013, Legochief executive Jorgen Vig Knudstorp STAR WARS BATTLEcommented, “It is a very satisfactory resultin view of general developments in the According to theworld toy market, which has had a slowstart to the year in the largest and most manufacturer, 400 millionmature markets of North America, Europeand Japan.” Lego toy figures were sold Lego reported that its first-half during 2012.profits amounted to £349 million ($550million) while its market share increased I happen to know thatto 8.8 percent. hundreds of the Lego figuresASIAN GROWTH SPURT can be found in the home ofSlow sales in the United States were offsetby a 35 percent rise in Asia, where Lego’s my young American friendnew Legends of Chima series of animaltribe plastic building blocks is gaining in Noah Arzoumanian ofpopularity. Queensbury, N.Y. I decided Noah Arzoumanian, 10, has been collecting Lego “Star Wars” “Asia has not been a major focus for us to interview him to try to items since 2007.as a company up until this point, but we understand a Lego devotee’ssee now with the emerging middle class,more and more consumers that are really mindset, which must beinterested in our products,” John Goodwin,Lego chief financial officer, said. similar to that of a toy soldier collector. hang from the ceiling over Lego starships, In March 2013, Lego unveiled Noah’s interest is all things “Star battle vehicles, artillery, and armies ofplans to build its first factory in China.Construction is expected to begin in 2014. Wars.” He has imagined a Lego battle warriors and robots from all over the “Star Lego is an abbreviation of the Danish between good and evil pitting Jedi Knights Wars” universe painstakingly arranged inwords “leg godt,” which mean “play well” of the Republic against sinister Sith Lords. the diorama. Their planetary clash is over control of a “I have been making this battle since “holocron,” an ancient organic device that 2007,” Noah noted. “One day I just stores a phenomenal amount of precious decided that I didn’t like a Lego Indiana data and its gatekeeper. Jones set, so I used it as a base for my ‘Star Noah is only 10 years old, but he Wars’ things. I have added on and on to has been building up his battle scene for make a big battle. It has improved a lot.” several years already. It blanketed an entire “I never thought I could make all this,” kitchen countertop for a couple of years the Lego collector added. “And, I hope for until moving into his bedroom. Planets more for the future!” The manufacturer claims that 10 Lego sets are sold every second and each person on Earth owns an average of 86 Lego bricks. Considering that the world’s current population is 7.111 billion people, that’s an awful lot of bricks! But with imaginative and loyal customers like “Star Wars” battle-building Noah to bank on, it’s understandable how Lego has managed to become the world’s second- largest toy maker. --Stuart A. HessneyNoah Arzoumanian’s “Star Wars” battle diorama is animated by hundreds of figures and accessories. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 9





Peter Nathan Toy Soldiers We offer the widest variety of elite military miniatures, toy soldiers and diorama accessories available for your visual hobby. Peter Nathan Toy Soldiers has been in business over 20 years and all the products displayed in our new store are available online. Shop 18, level 2, Queen Victoria Building,455 George Street, Sydney, Australia. Tel: (+612) 9267 5591 Email: [email protected] Website: www.toysoldiers.com.au Store Hours Mon, Tue, Wed, Fri, Sat: 10am to 6pm Thu 10am to 9pm, Sun 11am to 5pm TOY SOLDIER SHOPPEKing & Country- Opel MaultierFlakwagen –LW032Store Hours: King & Country • WBritainTuesday – Friday Little Legion • John Jenkins Design10am – 5pm Alexander Toy Soldier • First LegionSaturday Black Hawk and others.10am – 4pmClosed: www.toysoldiershoppe.netSun & Mon Come Visit Our Store! 3775 S. 108th St., Greenfield, WI 53228 (414)302-1850 [email protected] TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Sierra Toy Soldier Company Start Christmas Early, Come For A Visit And Be Amazed! Currently carrying the following lines Visit Our store, In person Or Online • King & Country • Figarti • First Legion • Britains For The Largest Selection Of Toy Soldiers! • Thomas Gunn Miniatures • John Jenkins Designs • Collectors Showcase • Build A Rama • Del Prado 29 N. Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030 • JG Miniatures • Kronprinz • Frontline Toll Free (866) 869-7653 International (408) 395-3000 Fax (408) 395-3006 35 Pilgrim Village Road, Unit 902, Taunton MA 02780 tel: 617-462-5431 email: [email protected] www.sierratoysoldier.comwww.mmtoysoldiers.com American HeroesMarch Through Times History In MiniatureABOVE: Battle of the Little Round Top ABOVE: American Heroes AMH-0220th Maine Regiment - Set 20thME – 07 “Always Faithful” War Dog withColonel, Joshua L. Chamberlain Marine Handler And Japanese Prisoner& Confederate Officer, (2pcs) $72.50 WWII – US Marines at Iwo Jima (3pcs) $79.50 RIGHT: AMH-03 “Gunnery Sergeant John Basilone” WWII – US Marines at Iwo Jima (1pc) $52Web: www.marchthroughtimes.com • Email: [email protected] • Phone: (775) 323-4070 Larry Simons • 1530 Pass Drive, Reno, NV 89509 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 13

Business profileSoldiers AboundAt Hobby BunkerAlan Golden shares the story behind a bountiful toy soldiershop marking its 15th year of welcoming customersText and Photos: Alan GoldenOnce again my fellow collectors, the editor figures, happiness and satisfaction top other enthusiasts, I also like to acquireof this great magazine has given me an the list. Those two comforting thoughts ready-made figures and dioramas becauseopportunity to share a look at a special far outweigh any time, effort or expense I enjoy them so much. I cannot help it.individual and organization with readers. involved in the pursuit of military All ways of approaching the hobby areAfter many precious hours spent putting miniature exploration. good, as long as you enjoy whatever youthis article together to get it from my do. The key thing is to just do it!brain and experiences to print, I am most I prefer to build and paint models orgrateful that it will be published for all construct dioramas myself. But like many The entire spectrum of toy soldierto see. collecting fascinates me. I have found that it’s very rewarding to chase history We are constantly bombarded with bad through battlefields, museums, books,news. This, my friends, is only good news, prints, shows, movies and so on, then re-a good story and it strongly ties in with create the area of interest in miniature.what we enjoy so much. My particular passions combine travelHOBBY PLEASURES with trying my hand at modeling. I like the challenges and rewards.But before I begin the story, I would liketo address questions that have been asked The U.S.-based Hobby Bunker storeof me over and over again: Why have a has been very important and helpful inhobby and what are the benefits? achieving my miniature goals. This is its story. So please get comfortable and Hobbyists who are predisposed to follow my 15-year journey with Matthewcollecting can answer those questions R. Murphy, the commanding officer of theeasily and with enthusiasm! However, Hobby Bunker complex.many people don’t have a clue what it’slike to be passionate about a hobby.Collectors must seem mystifying tosome perplexed people. When I think about the benefits I getfrom collecting toy soldiers and model ABOVE: Matt Murphy has been welcoming toy soldier collectors to Hobby Bunker for 15 years. LEFT: Lots of items were on clearance during a recent visit to the store.14 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Business profile LEFT: Lots of books await collectors looking to expand their reference libraries. ABOVE: Hobby-related reference materials and publications abound in the shop.HOBBY HERITAGE in the Philadelphia region. Malden, Mass., a suburb located north As time passed, Matt’s unique of Boston. Matt was 15 years old. At thisFirst, let’s travel back in time to about 33 teenage time of life, his interests shiftedyears ago, when young Matt enjoyed playing childhood experiences reinforced his to sports and everything else young menwith the toy soldier inventory of Excalibur modeling skills and whetted his appetite usually do. But he still worked for thisMiniatures.The Boston area store was for collecting. He enjoyed painting 25- dad part time and was paid with toyoperated by his father, William Murphy. mm figures for wargaming. He collected soldier currency. 54-mm plastic and painted metal figures Bill Murphy is a U.S. Marine Corps from makers such as Airfix, Britains and Matt attended the University ofveteran with a longtime interest in military British Bulldog, to name a few. He was also Massachusetts at Amherst. He playedmodeling, collecting and wargaming. After fascinated by 1:72-scale plastic soldiers and American football there and wasbeing laid off from construction work in Games Workshop’s Warhammer figures. graduated with a degree in business.the mid-1970s, he bought Excalibur, whichwas a struggling business at the time. All Matt had to do was take a trip HOBBY BUNKER to his family home’s attic and browse Matt’s mom was a nurse who had to stockpiles of toy soldiers and other What Matt did next has impacted a lot ofwork weekends, so he and an older brother merchandise which didn’t fit in the collectors. Though his father’s Excaliburspent nearly every Saturday at their dad’s Excalibur shop. store had closed, Matt found the path toshop. This gave Matt hours of playtime! opening a toy soldier business easy for himAdditionally he was only about 5 years When Matt was about 8 years old, he to follow. Hobby Bunker was officiallyold when he attended his first hobby- started spending Saturdays at his father’s incorporated in 1997. However, therelated event: the Miniature Figure store working in exchange for toys. By Malden store didn’t open its doors toCollectors of America Show and Mart the age of 13, he had learned inventory the public until 1998. management and shipping procedures,BELOW: The Boston area store is further cementing his future. You cannot open a hobby-relatedrenowned for catering to toy soldier and business simply because it appeals to you.model figure enthusiasts, but it carries In 1989, Bill moved Excalibur toproducts for all sorts of hobbies.RIGHT: An ancient Roman legionnaire’sregalia stands guard over new arrivals. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 15

Business profileABOVE: Hobby Bunker’s large shippingdepartment is always busy fulfilling orders.RIGHT: Toy figures from a variety ofmakers are available to re-create epochsfrom throughout history.BELOW: Hobby Bunker is well-suppliedto serve fantasy and adventure gamers’needs.Personally, I know of a dozen hobby stores keys were how Matt was able to combine department store that had gone out ofthat did not last, and certainly could not his college education with his firsthand business. When the venture started up, thehave in today’s challenging marketplace. knowledge of the hobby business and his proprietor only used about one-third of love of models and military miniatures the space for shelves of stock and displays. Fortunately for all concerned, Matt’s along with his willingness to workexperience has only grown during his extremely hard. From street level, customers have tomany years of being involved in this descend a few stairs to reach Matt’s frontvery challenging business. The company Curiously, Hobby Bunker started in door, thus the name Hobby Bunker. Ofpresident has earned the support of his the same spot it is located now, which all the “bunkers” I have toured in mycustomers every minute of every day. is amazing considering how much the military-related travels, Hobby Bunker is business has grown. Originally, Matt’s my favorite! There’s no easy path to the elusive goal shop occupied only one-quarter of theof success. There are many reasons why space available in the lower level of a HOBBY HEAVENHobby Bunker has become successful. The Today Hobby Bunker encompasses more than 15,000 square feet of space for retail sales, wargaming tables, offices, warehousing and its shipping department. To the best of my knowledge, it’s the world’s largest hobby store specializing in military miniatures and related items. Matt’s Massachusetts hobby heaven probably has more inventory on hand at any given time than all the other hobby stores I’ve ever visited through the years put together. In addition to his bricks and mortar store, Matt offers more than 13,000 products online. Many folks in the toy soldier and model figure industry are very dedicated and work hard, including managers, master figure LEFT: Everything from “Star Wars” figures to all types of model kits and paints are available from Matt Murphy’s store.16 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Business profileABOVE: Militaria, models and “Matt’s Massachusetts hobby heaven probably has moreparatroopers dropping in make for lots to inventory on hand at any given time than all the othersee in the store. hobby stores I’ve ever visited through the years put together.”RIGHT: Hobby Bunker has glass walls ofdisplay cases filled with toy soldiers, scenicitems, trains, planes and even spacecraft.sculptors and painters, factory workers, takes long hours and must present a original Marx molds to turn out plastics).support staff, and all sorts of vendors. myriad of challenges. Besides all the Matt has an amazing knowledge ofHowever, a number of people in this field time Matt and his helpers spend driving,whom I’ve talked to generally agree that consider the stresses of having to load and his products and a genuine interest in hisMatt is the hardest-working individual in unload their van and trailer, setting up customers.the military miniatures business. for a show and packing up when it’s over, spending days away from home, and so on. HOBBY WORLD These days viable merchants have Nevertheless, Matt and other members ofto maintain a strong Internet presence, the Hobby Bunker team are always very Slowly but surely the small space occupiedincluding eBay sales and a Web shop; professional and pleasant at events. by Matt’s Hobby Bunker store grew to itsattend lots of shows annually; advertise; current size. None of it occurred by accident.maintain a mailing list and produce Matt is well-liked, good natured,fliers; promote the hobby in their local well-stocked and willing to help in any His store is just the sort of placecommunities through means such as way he can. He is always fielding questions, I hope to find when I travel for business orpublic library displays and special events; handling orders, providing layaway and pleasure and look for a “miniature world.”and in a few cases operate a retail store. conducting wargames in the store. He even Anyone in New England near Boston plays a role in the production of new figures should stop by and enjoy the “show.” Any one of those facets would keep a and scenic items (plus, his dad Bill is usingdealer busy. But Matt covers all of them Parking is easy because there is a multi-in a spectacular fashion as he handles the level municipal parking garage right acrosschallenges and responsibilities of running the street from the store. Its entrance isa complex and ever-growing business aswell as being a husband and father.HOBBY TRAVELSMy personal experiences with HobbyBunker date back to the beginning of thebusiness. I have encountered Matt andhis crew at various hobby-related showsI have attended in Valley Forge, Lancasterand Gettysburg, Pa.; Hackensack, N.J.;Freeport, L.I., N.Y; Chicago and elsewhere. Matt also takes Hobby Bunker onthe road to shows ranging from Floridato California, Virginia and Texas. Inrecent years, Matt has also organized thebiannual North East Toy Soldier SocietyShow and Sale in Massachusetts. Appearing at dozens of shows yearlyRIGHT: Just part of the store’s wide-ranging inventory. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 17

Business profilemodest as befits a “bunker.” Upon entering, Ironically, what a customer can survey HOBBY HUNTINGa visitor will realize that this is going to be in the vast retail store is just a fraction ofa very memorable experience. A customer his total space. Matt is one of the biggest In retrospect, I have been seeking outmight need to have lunch delivered while dealers, if not the largest of all, of many hobby stores since I was age 8, whenenjoying spending a day of quality mental popular toy soldier lines, including W. my father started taking me to varioushealth time exploring the store. Britain and King & Country Ltd. He is locations in Brooklyn, N.Y., where I grew also the exclusive U.S. distributor for Figarti up. After 55 years of aggressive hunting There are several paths to choose from Miniatures. Name a brand and it probably for shops in the United States and manyand five main aisles with piles of stock. can be found at Hobby Bunker. It has a foreign countries, my overall favorite isIn most cases, hobby stores have a shelf massive inventory on hand at all times. Hobby Bunker.or two for their products. Matt has manyshelf units and glass showcases full of In addition, Matt buys collections. An incredible benefit for today’svehicles, figures, airplanes, boats, books, Also, he has been known to trade for some collectors is that if you cannot visit themovies, paint, wargaming gear, “Star Wars” unusual hobby-related things, such as a store and be overwhelmed in person, youcollectibles, models, magazines and the large castle or a complete, 54-mm Alamo. can shop at Hobby Bunker online or meettotally unexpected. Unfortunately, collectors either pass away, Matt at one of the many shows he attends change interests, run out of space or want across America. From time to time, Matt sets aside a to generate funds by selling some of theirlarge area in the store for a “flea market” items. Matt has built a reputation for For me, it truly has been a pleasure toof bargains. He also offers online bargain- being willing to work well with collectors be a friend and customer of the Murphypriced “damaged goods and toy soldier who are ready to part with their treasures family. Matt’s store staff and show helpershospital” items that need some repair. and for dealing fairly with them. are terrific too!ABOVE: Hobby Bunker’s warehouse Sometimes Matt has bought items It is always a further pleasure to sharearea is a toy soldier treasure trove. simply because he admires them and he information about this fantastic hobby still collects. His biggest problem is having with my fellow collectors in the pages ofABOVE RIGHT: Whether a collector the time to enjoy his personal treasures. TS&MF. Happy collecting! nprefers plastic or metal, Hobby Bunkerhas all the bases covered with scenic about the writerenhancements to boot.BELOW: Aisles, piles and shelves packedwith toy soldier and model figure itemsawait customers at Hobby Bunker. American Alan Golden was born and raised in Brooklyn, N.Y. He has collected military miniatures and other items of interest since he was 5 years old. Inspired by watching movies, appreciating illustrations and his fertile imagination, Alan wished to be a set designer. However, he became an interior designer and creates dioramas with military miniatures instead. He has fun buying, selling and trading collectibles. He also enjoys exploring military history, studying artists who bring the past to life, and sharing his knowledge and experiences with others. He loves being with his wife and daughter, playing tennis, and traveling.18 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Specializing in Mint Condition Rare & Retired sets! Buying, Selling and occasional Trading. For all of the latest follow us on Facebook and Twitter! FREE LAYAWAY • Up to 30 day layaway with no down payment • Up to 60 day layaway with 20% down • Up to 90 day layaway to 30% downIn Store Viewings and Sales by Appointment Only. Featured Dealers Include King & Country, Collectors Showcase, John Jenkins, First Legion, Figarti, Conte, Honour Bound and many more. www.rodneysdimestoregallery.com Email: [email protected] • Phone: 850-932-6522 2937 Rosa Del Villa Dr  Gulf Breeze, FL 32563

Jim Hillestad’s completed Battle of Leuthendiorama measures 30 inches by 60 inches.Battle of LeuthenThe Toy Soldier Museum’s James H. Hillestad deploys Austrian and Prussiantroops from John Jenkins Designs in a dramatic new dioramaText and Photos: James H. HillestadIt’s hard not to be inspired by figures perpendicular to the route of his advance Te Deum crafted by John Jenkins. Dec. 5, 1757. They were drawn up in a long line, centered at the village of Leuthen. The celebrated hymn of praise “Now Using his wonderful John Jenkins Thank We All Our God” was writtenDesigns brand creations, I have made Hills obscured the Prussian by a Lutheran minister, Martindioramas of three French and Indian War movements, so Frederick could Rinkart, about 1637. At the conclusionclashes in North America: Braddock’s concentrate his highly disciplined troops of the Battle of Leuthen, a PrussianDefeat near the Monongahela River, soldier started to sing it. Soon theRogers’ Rangers in the Battle on A Prussian entire army joined in singing theSnowshoes and the Black Watch’s grenadier hymn. This sacred song is still sungattack during the Battle of Carillon falls prey today on a variety of occasions of(Ticonderoga). Plans are under way to to enemy national rejoicing. It is often calledinstall these dioramas in the Fort Pitt fire. Germany’s national “Te Deum.”Museum in Pittsburgh, Pa., USA. --James H. Hillestad As for the wintry Battle of Leuthen,it took place during the same period in One of the PrussianEurope, where the overall conflict is referred casualties made byto as the Seven Years’War (1756-1763). John Jenkins.  FREDERICK’S TRIUMPHLeuthen pitted King Frederick II ofPrussia against Austrian Gen. PrinceCharles Alexander of Lorraine. The Prussian monarch, who becameknown as Frederick the Great, marchedhis army of about 36,000 soldiers to Silesia(in present-day Poland). He was intent onchallenging 80,000 Austrian troops whowere attempting to recapture the region. Frederick sighted the Austrians arrayed20 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Re-creating history in miniature “Beadboard” was used to create a mockup of the Leuthen church. Two-figure set of Austrian soldiers in firing poses.to attack the Austrian left wing, withoutbeing observed. Meanwhile, PrinceCharles obliged by transferring men tohis right wing, further weakening hisvulnerable left wing. A strong point of the Austrian defensein the village was a Catholic church. It wasgarrisoned by the elite Imperial regimentof Roth-Wurzburg. The church was idealfor defense because it stood set apart on itsown, surrounded by a churchyard wall withPrussia’s Military Genius: Der Alte FritzPrussian King Frederick II was born horses shot from under him during First Legion Ltd. has paid tribute to theJan. 24, 1712, in Berlin. He was the battles. tactical genius with its new mountedson of King Frederick William I figure of Frederick the Great.of Prussia and his Queen Consort In the field of military science, Colorful and detailed figure by FirstSophia Dorothea of Hanover. He Frederick the Great is admired for his Legion Ltd. portraying Lt. Gen. Hanswas also a grandson of King George operational successes. He is also regarded Joachim von Zieten, who led theI of Great Britain and a nephew of as a tactical genius, particularly for Prussian cavalry at Leuthen.King George II. his deployment of an oblique order of battle to focus on attacking one flank For his accomplishments, of an opposing line, thereby affordinghe became known as Frederick advantageous local numerical superioritythe Great. In later years, he was to his overall weaker force, as was theaffectionately nicknamed “Der Alte case at Leuthen.Fritz” (Old Fritz).   Frederick II was, however, onlyage 28 when he ascended to the PRESERVED PRUSSIAthrone of Prussia and only 45 whenhe prevailed at Leuthen, his greatest Frederick’s leadership skills werebattle. underscored during the Seven Years’ War as he managed to preserve PrussiaTACTICAL GENIUS and keep it in the fight while repeatedly driving off invading armies. This feat wasFrederick always tried to match his all the more remarkable because Englandmethods to the terrain and then was his only ally against a powerfulto bring to the fore the qualities of coalition composed of Austria, France,speed and flexibility. Russia, Saxony and Sweden. At Leuthen, both wings of the Frederick the Great died at age 74 inPrussian army worked in complete Potsdam, Prussia, Aug. 17, 1786. He washarmony. The cavalry led by Lt. entombed next to his father, FrederickGen. Hans Joachim von Zieten William I, in the Potsdam Garrisonprovided a feint to the Austrian Church.right, drawing the Austrianreserves, while Frederick pounced French Emperor Napoleon I regardedon the Austrian left (First Legion Frederick the Great as the greatestLtd. has released new figures of tactical genius in history. After Napoleonboth the monarch and his cavalry defeated the Fourth Coalition in 1807,commander). he visited Frederick’s original tomb in Potsdam and appreciatively remarked to Frederick often led his troops his officers, “Gentlemen, if this man waspersonally. He had a half-dozen still alive, I would not be here.” --James H. Hillestad TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 21

Re-creating history in miniatureround turrets in each of the four corners. The Prussian attack rolled back the Despite the Austrians’ formidable Austrian left and went on, after a series of actions, to win the day.defensive position, Prussian grenadierssucceeded in forcing their way into the The Austrians lost 33 percent of theirchurchyard by way of a side gate and army before they fell back into Bohemia.Thethrough a breach in the southern wall Prussians, who were outnumbered bettermade by their army’s heavy artillery. than 2-to-1, lost 20 percent of their strength. Resin prototype and The Austrians lost 36 regimental colours completed example and 131 cannons in the battle. About 12,000 of an Austrian soldier Austrian troops were captured. crafted by John Jenkins. The victory secured control of Silesia for Prussia for the duration of the war.Prussians and Austrians Leuthen was a signature triumph for Frederick the Great. His use of maneuverBy John Jenkins Designs and terrain to decisively vanquish a much larger enemy army established him as oneTHE PRUSSIANS staunch opponent of Prussia. of history’s great military commanders. The musketeers wore theOn his accession to the Prussian  throne in 1740, Frederick formed the conventional tricorn with whiteGuard regiment. Composed of three lace, decorated with three white DIORAMA PROJECTbattalions, they were the elite of his pompoms. They wore white coats andinfantry. waistcoats with red facings. The new matt-painted, 1:30-scale series by John Jenkins Designs is based on Grenadiers of the 2nd and 3rd At Leuthen, the Roth-Wurzburg Carl Röchling’s painting “Die SchlachtBattalions were charged with making Regiment lost more than 500the attack on Leuthen. Both battalions men. Only five officers and 33 men ABOVE: The Leuthen church andwore basically the same dress blue survived the battle. graveyard.coats, yellow undergarments (waistcoatand breeches) and red cuffs. The only John Jenkins Designs offers BELOW: A Prussian grenadier loses hisvariation was the back of the mitre cap, both two and four-figure sets of the mitre cap but not his resolve.which was red for the 2nd Battalion Austrians in action poses such asand yellow for the 3rd Battalion. kneeling and standing firing. John Jenkins Designs produces  Prussian grenadiers sold singly andin sets. There are soldiers in varied SCENIC PIECESadvancing poses as well as Prussiansfiring their muskets and casualties. A To complement his 1:30-scale figures,set made up of an ax-wielding pioneer maker John Jenkins has also fabricatedand a grenadier using his musket as scenic items to help collectors builda club are designed to be positioned their own Battle of Leuthen dioramas.assaulting the churchyard’s mainwooden gate. The churchyard can be re-created with a gateway, a straight section ofTHE AUSTRIANS stone wall and a corner turret. These factory-made items are sold separately.The Leuthen church was defended byAustria’s Roth-Wurzburg Regiment. The manufacturer even offers aThis mercenary unit was raised in 1757 snow-covered diorama base. It measuresby the Prince Bishop of Würzburg, a a shelf-friendly 25.5 inches long by 10 inches deep to help collectors display their Prussians and Austrians clashing over the churchyard. --James H. Hillestad22 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

WWII’s Operation Re-creating history in miniature Bodysnatch TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 23 Near the end of World War II, German leader Adolf Hitler ordered the coffins of Frederick the Great and his father, Frederick William I, as well as those of statesman/Field Marshal Paul von Hindenburg and his wife, to be disinterred and moved to an underground bunker near Berlin to safeguard them from destruction. As the Soviet Red Army advanced ever closer to Germany’s capital city, the four distinguished corpses were relocated to a salt mine near Bernrode, Germany. When U.S. Army troops discovered the caskets April 27, 1945, they were salted away deep in the 14- mile mine complex behind a 6-foot masonry wall 1,800 feet underground. The coffins were moved to the basement of heavily guarded Marburg Castle, a collection point for Nazi plunder recovered by the Allies. In conjunction with a secret project called “Operation Bodysnatch,” the American Army laid the quartet of corpses to rest at St. Elizabeth’s Church in Marburg. The pair of Prussian kings were later moved to Hohenzollern Castle, located atop a mountain about 31 miles south of Stuttgart. After the postwar German reunification, the kings’ caskets were returned to Potsdam in 1991. Frederick the Great was placed in a tomb overlooking the gardens he created at Sanssouci, his summer palace and favorite residence.  --James H. Hillestadvon Leuthen.” It depicts the Prussiansstorming the main gate. In addition to the painting, referencematerials that I used included “Rossbachand Leuthen 1757: Prussia’s EagleResurgent,” a 2002 Osprey Publishingbook authored by Simon Millar andillustrated by Adam Hook. My onlineresearch revealed a photo of a superbTOP OF PAGE: Prussian grenadiersexploit a breach in the stone wall.MIDDLE: Prussian grenadiers advancethrough woods.RIGHT: The Leuthen church wasdefended by Austrian soldiers of the Roth-Wurzburg Regiment in white coats withred facings.FAR RIGHT: An Austrian soldier takes aknee during the clash.

Re-creating history in miniatureLeuthen diorama with flat figures on give the impression of window leading. ABOVE LEFT: An ax-wielding pioneerdisplay at the Zinnfigurenmuseum The indentation technique was also used spearheads the Prussian assault on thePlassenburg in Kulmbach, Germany. to create the doors of the church. main gate. ABOVE: John Jenkens’ own resin Based on this information, I started The turrets were made from Styrofoam prototype and finished model of anmaking my own diorama. Without rings, such as those available at craft stores Austrian infantryman.blueprints, I had to extrapolate sizes and for wreath-making. The church steeple is a BELOW: A Prussian takes aim at andistances from the various images at hand. Styrofoam cone. Austrian foe.This wasn’t easy, given that the wall andthe church were shown at oblique angles. I spray-painted the church and theFurther, in the case of Röchling’s painting, wall with textured paint. Then I coveredstructures were obscured by the action. the outside of the walls with sheets printed to simulate stone. Cemetery headstones John ships sets of his figures in boxes were made from wooden coffee stirrers.lined with sheets of white foam board or The completed diorama measures 30“beadboard.” I used these sheets to make inches by 60 inches.a pro forma model of the church. OnceI was satisfied with the mockup, the All in all, re-creating the Battle ofchurch was rebuilt with sturdy Styrofoam. Leuthen was a challenging project. But given the superb figures of John Jenkins For the windows, I cut their shapes Designs, it was worth the effort. nout of one-quarter-inch plywood. Thenthey were then laid on the church wall and about the writerhammered in place. The plywood templatewas then removed, leaving the window James H. Hillestad is the proprietorindentation. of The Toy Soldier Museum and shop in Cresco, Pa., USA. I painted the windows charcoal blackand covered them with plastic mesh to ABOVE: Prussian grenadiers posed advancing from John Jenkins Designs. LEFT: Austrian soldiers of the Roth- Wurzburg Regiment defend one of the round turrets of the walled churchyard.24 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

In 1782, the 44th Regiment of Foot also became known Fuentes de Onoro (1811), the Siege of Badajoz (1812),as the East Essex. The 1st Battalion served in Spain in and the Battle of Salamanca (1812). It also was heavily1814 and then sailed to North America where it fought engaged in fighting at the Battle of Quatre Bras (1815)at the Battle of Bladensburg (1814), the Battle of North and the Battle of Waterloo (1815).Point (1814), and the Battle of New Orleans (1815). Contact your authorized W. Britain dealers for detailsThe regiment was increased in strength and a 2nd and delivery schedules of our new 44th Regiment ofBattalion was formed in 1803. The 2nd Battalion saw Foot figures.active service in the Peninsular War at the Battle of The figures above are just a small sampling of historical ranges that W. Britain produces.The figures shown and the entire W. Britain product line can be purchased from the retailers listed below: Sierra Toy Soldier Green’s Collectables Tedtoy Miniatures Chester’s Hunting Tel: 408-395-3000 Tel: 973-627-4961 Tel: 270-929-2876 & Fishing Fax: 408-358-3966 www.tedtoy.com www.greenscollectables.com 1301 Walnut Street Tel: 631-738-6991 www.sierratoysoldier.com 46 Warren Trail e-mail: [email protected] 29 N. Santa Cruz Ave. Owensboro, Kentucky 42301 Denville, New Jersey 07834 232 Ronkonkoma Ave. Los Gatos, California 95030 Hobby Bunker Ronkonkoma, New York 11779 DuTtkeli:n8s0’0C-LoIlLle-cAtRaMbles Tel: 781-321-8855 The History Store (800-545-2769) Fax: 781-321-8866 Treefrog Treasures Tel: 740-775-7400 www.hobbybunker.com Tel: 866-394-2418 101 North Paint St. Fax: 856-428-9640 33 Exchange Street Chillicothe, Ohio 45601 www.dutkins.com Malden, Massachusetts 02148 Outside U.S.: 1-507-545-2500 www.thehistorystore.net 1019 West Route 70 www.treefrogtreasures.com [email protected] Cherry Hill, New Jersey 08002 Last Cavalry Historical 248 Sandstone Drive NW Toys & Hobbies Eyota, Minnesota 55934 Toy Soldier Shoppe For The Historian Tel: 414-302-1850 Tel: 717-685-5207 Tel: 855-527-8228 (855-lastcav) For more information visit Fax: 414-302-1851 www.lastcavalry.com 42 York Street P.O. Box 1266 www.wbritain.com www.toysoldiershoppe.net Gettysburg, PA 17325 Royal Oak, MI 48068 3775 S. 108th St. are registered trademarks of First Gear, Inc., Peosta, IA FIRST GEAR®, design, W. Britain®, and Greenfield, Wisconsin 53228WBA2513 ©2013 FIRST GEAR, INC.

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Fine Toy Soldiersand FiguresThursday 5 December 2013OxfordBonhams are proud to offer an impressive For a free and confidential valuation with Illustrated:collection of 1,000 Lucottes, including: a view to selling at Bonhams or for further Lucotte 3rd Hussars Elite Company (front)400 mounted figures, Carriages, Artillery, details regarding the auctions please contact: Est: £800 – 1,000,Napoleon and his staff, Imperial Guardin Review and Greatcoats with slung drums, James Opie Trumpeters (centre)Drum Corps, Band, Pioneers, Engineers, +44 (0)208 963 2836 Est: 900 – 1,200,Chasseurs, Flanqueurs, Marines, Cavalry, [email protected] Lancers with mounted band, Empress Hussars (rear)Dragoons, Horse Grenadiers, Gendarmes Catalogues: +44 (0) 1666 502200 Est: 900 – 1,200d’Elite, Horse Chasseurs, Artillery, Supply Or visit our web site www.bonhams.com/Train, Mamelukes and Guard of Honour toys three weeks prior to the sale for fullCavalry: Cuirassiers, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th catalogue descriptions and illustrations.and 7th Hussars, 5th Lancers, Carabiniers,Line Infantry, Grenadiers, Light Infantry,Voltigeurs, Bands, 3rd Swiss, Isenbourg, IrishLegion, Tour d’Auvergne, Vistula Legion andBavarians Austrian and British Armies withGrenadiers, Infantry, Dragoons and Artillery.Also included in the sale:3,000 Britains, early boxed sets, Marklinguns, Fine Flat Figures, German review of theImperial fleet by Wilhelm I, Heyde, Elastolin,CBG Mignot, Civilians and others. Oxford MeHrarpypyChHroilsitdmaayss!& A Toy Soldier Shop and Military Gallery When Visiting Florida Make Sure You Stop By! SHOP OPENING HOURS: Monday - Friday 10:30am - 5:30pm Saturday by Appointment King & Country • John Jenkins First Legion • Thomas Gunn W. Britain...and a host of others!Minutes from I-10 and I-95 • 1602 Copeland Street • Jacksonville, Fl 32204Toll Free: 1-866-601-8192 • [email protected] • www.troopsoftime.com TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 27

Hobby-related travelWest Point’s ParadeOf Military DioramasSeeing the West Point Museum’s battle dioramas is a must for alltoy soldier and model figure enthusiasts, according to Henry KurtzText: Henry Kurtz    Photos: Henry Kurtz and Stuart A. HessneyA ny visit to the U.S. Military Academy Imperial Rome to the Atomic Age is ABOVE: Gothic-style Olmstead Hall at West Point must include a stopover a group of superb miniature soldier houses the West Point Museum. at its fine museum just outside the dioramas. They depict key battles from BELOW: Roman soldiers commandedmain gate in Highland Falls, N.Y. history and their influence on the by Julius Caesar besiege Avaricum in evolution of warfare. Gaul in 52 B.C. The West Point Museum, whichhouses more than 45,000 items of interest  to students of military history, has beenlocated at Olmstead Hall since 1988.The neo-Gothic building is convenientlysituated near the Visitors Center, fromwhich one can take a relatively inexpensivebus tour of the Academy. The museum is divided into five maingalleries. The first one on the main floor is theWest Point Gallery. Here visitors willfind exhibits tracing the history of WestPoint from its American RevolutionaryWar origins as a fortification guarding theHudson River and its modest beginningsas the U.S. Military Academy in 1802 toits present status as a major educationalinstitution and military training center forfuture Army officers. For toy soldier and model figureenthusiasts, however, the real treat is to befound in the History of Warfare Galleryacross the hall. Interspersed among themany exhibits tracing the developmentof military tactics and weaponry from28 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Hobby-related travelGREENWOOD’S WORK Roman foot soldiers, ending the ABOVE LEFT: A formidable Macedonian battlefield dominance of infantry and phalanx is vanquished by Roman manipularFour of the six dioramas were created by the heralding the age of cavalry. legion tactics at Cynoscephalae in 197 B.C.well-known English model maker John A.Greenwood.They were presented to West Cavalry held sway in warfare until ABOVE: Museum exhibits includePoint by the Lily Endowment in the 1950s. the Middle Ages, when the firepower WWII German Field Marshal Hermann of strong-armed English and Welsh Göring’s American-made revolver and his Greenwood and his colleagues, longbowmen brought the plumed and baton made of ivory, gold, platinum andKathleen Ball and Denny Stokes (who armored knights of France crashing to 640 diamonds. did the settings), had earlier produced the ground at Crécy and Poitiers.dioramas for the Royal United Services of Breitenfeld in 1631 during theInstitute in Whitehall, London. They also A Greenwood diorama of the Battle Thirty Years’ War.had collaborated on a series of dioramas of Crécy in 1346 is my personal favorite ofwith Jewish themes that were sponsored the group. It shows gallant French knights Gustavus was a tactical genius.by Otto Gottstein, a celebrated patron being cut down by showers of arrows as He employed a modern combined armsof model soldier makers. Those dioramas they try to assault the right wing of the approach to warfare, making greater usewere exhibited for many years at the English line commanded by Edward, of mobile light artillery working in closeJewish Theological Seminary of America Prince of Wales. He is more popularly support of swiftly firing musketeers andin New York City. known, and was celebrated by figure maker hard-hitting cavalry columns. Richard Courtenay, as the Black Prince. Using 30-mm figures, the late Mr.Greenwood chose four battles to highlight Some 300 years later in Saxony,certain tactical changes. Swedish King Gustavus Adolphus soundly defeated an Imperial Catholic army The first of these is a diorama commanded by Count Tilly at the Battledepicting the Battle of Cynoscephalaein 197 B.C. Roman infantry unitsusing flexible tactics teamed up withcavalry and war elephants to penetrate aMacedonian phalanx formation formerlythought to be invincible. The Romans’accomplishment was as eye-opening aswhen fierce “Fuzzy-Wuzzy” Beja warriorsmanaged to break a British square in theSudan some 2,000 years later. Cynoscephalae asserted Romanmastery over Greece. In addition, thebattle’s outcome established the militarysupremacy of Roman manipular legioninfantry tactics for more than 500 years. Greenwood created another dioramathat has been displayed at the museumillustrating the Battle of Adrianoplein A.D. 378. Visigoth cavalry defeatedRIGHT: Anglo-Welsh archers rain arrowson French knights at Crécy in 1346. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 29

Hobby-related travelABOVE: The museum’s collectionincludes a WWI Renault tank. RIGHT: French infantry formed in amass column launches an assault duringNapoleon’s brilliant victory at Austerlitzin 1805. BELOW: Swedish King Gustavus Adolphususes combined arms tactics to triumph atBreitenfeld in 1631. Against the more static, densely “Interspersed among the many exhibits tracing thepacked masses of Tilly’s pikemen and development of military tactics and weaponry from Imperialsmaller number of musketeers, Gustavus’ Rome to the Atomic Age is a group of superb miniaturetactics proved highly successful. The soldier dioramas. They depict key battles from history anddiorama of this engagement shows the their influence on the evolution of warfare.”final attack by the Swedish forces. formation, Frederick’s superbly trained SIEGE OF AVARICUM   troops soundly defeated the Austrians in 1757’s Battle of Leuthen. Also in this gallery will be found anCHERNACK DIORAMAS enormous diorama showing a Roman The second of the more recent army under Julius Caesar laying siegeOn the occasion of the museum moving dioramas shows a small portion of the to the fortress town of Avaricum into Olmsted Hall in 1988, two 30-mm battlefield at Austerlitz, where French 52 B.C. This mammoth display perfectlydioramas created by Andrew Chernack Emperor Napoleon I achieved one of his illustrates how the Romans used movablewere added to the exhibits.  most brilliant victories over Austrian and towers and ramps to breach the walls of Russian opponents in 1805. The diorama the town and capture it from the Gauls. The first of these shows Prussian King depicts a detachment of French troopsFrederick the Great’s infantry assaulting preparing to launch an attack in mass A gift of Time-Life Inc., the AvaricumAustrian troops in the churchyard of column formation. diorama features 30-mm figures craftedLeuthen, Silesia, during the Seven by John Scheid and Col. Joe Shimek. TheYears’ War.  The Prussians were heavilyoutnumbered. However, by use ofskillful maneuvering and extended order30 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Hobby-related travel ABOVE: “Fat Man” atomic bomb case. LEFT: Highly trained Prussian infantry assaults Austrians defending the churchyard of Leuthen in 1757.latter is well known to many of today’s up to World War II and Vietnam. Then All of the West Point Museum’stoy soldier collectors for his wonderfully trace the evolution of the Army through dioramas are magnificent examples of thecreative Potsdam Tin Soldiers line. the past 200 years in the adjacent gallery. art of military miniatures. They should not be missed by anyone who has an After viewing the miniature soldier Finally, two galleries on the lower level opportunity to go see them.dioramas, visitors can make a quick Cook’s are devoted to small and large weaponstour of the wars of America from Colonial from primitive clubs and spears to a Admission is free to the West Pointtimes through the Civil War and right on replica of the “Fat Man” atomic bomb case. Museum. It is open from 10:30 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. Monday to Sunday, except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. The Visitors Center is open daily from 9 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. It is only closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. Fees are charged for one-hour or two-hour guided bus tours of West Point. Tours are not available at times such as fall American football game days or graduation week. Would-be visitors are advised to please check ahead on the availability of tours. n BELOW LEFT: Cadets “Pass in Review” in a poster-size picture displayed at the museum.   BELOW: Remote-controlled “Goliath” used by the Germans for WWII demolition work.  about the writer American Henry Kurtz is the author of “The Art of the Toy Soldier,” and a dealer and collector of toy soldiers and model figures. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 31

Show reportOMSS OnParade 2013Scott J. Dummitt covers the Ontario Model SoldierSociety’s annual show and competition in TorontoText: Scott J. Dummitt  Photos: Scott J. Dummitt, Heidi and Jeff Duncan, and Audrey ClarkeT oronto had great weather all week, Starting around 9 a.m., the rooms were TOP OF PAGE: Jeff Duncan’s display of then it rained all day Saturday, set up. Just short of three hours later, the a British Royal Marines band created by Sept. 7. But that didn’t seem to first of the vendors began bringing in their the late Gord Dumbleton.dampen the spirits of those attending that wares. Around that same time some of theday’s On Parade 2013, the Ontario Model members’ displays were put together.  Soldier Society’s (OMSS) 51st annualshow and competition. The main floor of one of two of the ABOVE: Part of Guy Elliott’s “Guns on the Go” display. Once again the OMSS was fortunateto be able to hold its show at historic Fort  York in the heart of the Canadian city. BELOW LEFT: Andrew Laschuk’s “Town This year’s theme was “Remembering of Ryken” depicted WWII Canadian troops inCanada’s Korean War Veterans.” With a 1/6th-scale display extending 9 feet long.that in mind, the Society encouraged itsmembership to bring any items they had,  either in miniature or full scale, to put ona tribute to not only Canada’s veterans, BELOW: Longtime OMSS membersbut to all the United Nations member Tommy Thompson and Brendan Furlongcountries that contributed personnel to (from left).defend South Korea 1950-1953.  GREAT VARIETY The Friday before the show is always abusy day for OMSS members as a groupof volunteers helps set up two buildingsthat the event is held in at the fort. Show Chairman Norm White keepsthings going with his operational chartsshowing what rooms and table allotmentsare needed for vendors, displays andcompetition areas.32 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Show reportABOVE: “An Incident on the Nile 1885” fort’s blockhouses is used for 54-mm British military bands and much more.by Les Eslary. displays while the upper floor is used for An added attraction for this year’sABOVE RIGHT: Zeno Mladin’s “Clash large 1/6th-scale displays. Once again thison the Metaurus 207 B.C.” year there was a great assortment of figures show was the inclusion of War of 1812BELOW: Militaria enhanced Scott J. on both floors, including an 1885 display re-enactor Richard Feltoe and hisDummitt’s toy soldier display titled of British troops battling Mahdists along grandson. Both wore undress uniforms“Canada’s Sons of Scotland.” the Nile River, the “Queen’s Birthday of that period. Their regimental jackets, Parade” marching down the Mall in accoutrements and everyday articles used London, a salute to Canada’s kilted units, by 19th-century British and Canadian soldiers drew many questions from inquisitive onlookers. INTERNATIONAL FLAIR Throughout the two days that I was on the site, I chatted with people from Canada, the United States, Great Britain, Russia, Italy and Sweden. At least two of the OMSS members from the States made it to the 2013 On Parade, with one from Derby, N.Y., and the other from Alexandria, Va. Once again club members, exhibitors and vendors came from one end of Ontario to the other (Ottawa to Windsor), plus Quebec City. While our show might not be as big as some staged in the United States, it’s the largest one held in Canada. My own business, Scott J. Dummitt Presents, was fortunate in getting U.S.- based W. Britain to expedite sending 20 units each of the new glossy British 8th Regiment of Foot (the King’s) NCO and Regimental Colour Ensign of the War of 1812 period. Both exclusive figures are limited editions of only 250 each. Elements of the 8th Foot took part in the Battle of York (Toronto) in 1813. GOOD CAUSES Part of the OMSS operating budget comes from our yearly club table at the show. We have been lucky to have the right people run our table each year, namely Evelyn and John Brown and Heidi and Jeff Duncan. Even though we LEFT: Maori fort and battle scene by Mike Pidgeon. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 33

Show reportABOVE: Bruce Sundstrom’s beautifully “There is always a mixed bag of vendors at the OMSS show.painted “Sir John Codrington.” … The great thing is there always seems to be lots of good bargains and hard-to-find treasures available.”TOP RIGHT: “Females Through theAges” display by Bryan Gibbins. a commendable amount of funds, with the OMSS show. The crew did numerous all profits going to the John McDermott interviews with show Chairman White,ABOVE RIGHT: “More Bands” display House. It’s a palliative care unit for OMSS original founding member (51by Don Ritchie. terminally ill first responders and military years ago) Carl McTaggart, and longtime personnel at Sunnybrook Hospital in vendor and member Henry Chow.had a day full of rain, which we feared Toronto.would keep attendance down, they raised There is always a mixed bag of vendorsa substantial amount in table sales to put   at the OMSS show.into the Society’s coffers. NEWSMAKERS Some run regular toy soldier Heidi also volunteered part of her time businesses like Grant Lawson of Hedwigwith the Imperial Order of the Daughters A news team from the Chinese-language & Sergeant Major, who just returnedof the Empire (IODE) concession table station Fairchild TV in Richmond Hill, from a military mission in Afghanistan;at the show. Headed by Janet MacKay, the Ont., was once again in attendance atconcession table team makes sure there areplenty of sandwiches, muffins, cookies, andcold and hot drinks readily available forvendors and attendees. The IODE concession table raisedRIGHT: Royal Canadian Air Force Pipesand Drums by Scott J. Dummitt.BELOW: “The Canadian ScottishRegiment” by Scott J. Dummitt.34 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Show reportChow, a W. Britain dealer in Toronto; ABOVE: Connoisseur competition figuresbrothers Antoine and Thomas Thebérge, by Colin Fraser and Colin Semenenko.who operate the Toy Soldiers’ Club in RIGHT: Detail from Les Eslary’s “AnQuebec City; and myself. Others were Incident on the Nile 1885,” which won theselling estate collections or parts of their Club’a Choice award.own collections. BELOW RIGHT: Glimpse at part of part of Mike Pidgeon’s medieval castle. The great thing is there always seemsto be lots of good bargains and hard-to- and 1/6th figure displays. BELOW LEFT: Re-enactor Richardfind treasures available. This led to some challenging decisions Feltoe and his young grandson with OMSS member Mike Cruz.   for the Society’s five judges: Ian Pearson, BELOW: Evelyn Brown helps staff the Bruce Sundstrom, Keith Ritchie, Jim OMSS club table.TROPHY PRESENTATIONS  Qualtrough and John Hambly. Ian has been strengthening his judging skills forThe highlight of the day was the several years now, and has been a guestpresentation of trophies for the judge at a few U.S. connoisseur shows.competition pieces. This year’s top On Parade display, as On Parade is an open show, meaning determined by the show judges, was Zenothat you don’t actually have to be a Mladin’s five magnificently painted figuresmember of the OMSS to compete. The and busts.Society does this to encourage newmembership, as well as put on the best With the presentation of awards over,show that we can. By doing this, we have sadly another On Parade came to an end.attracted other groups such as the Ottawa Despite the poor weather, a good crowd1/6th-scale club to participate in the turned out, the vendors were happy and allannual show. those who participated were pleased. In its 51st year, the OMSS show was still going This year OMSS members were strong and it was a great way to introducepleasantly surprised not only by some new people to the hobby.the Ottawa club’s displays, but by threegentlemen who attended the show fromLondon, Ont. There was definitely a larger numberof connoisseur figures at this year’s show,along with an abundance of toy soldier TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 35

Show reportABOVE: Carl Mills’ “400 Squadron COMPETITION RESULTS With Screen.”Griffon Helicopter” diorama in 1:72 scale • Joseph McEvoy for “Am Berg.”nicely depicted the effect of chopper rotor Bronze Awards • Carl Mills for “400 Squadron Spitfire.”blade downwash. • Bob Boothe for his entire display: • Mike Pidgeon for “Three Forts” (MaoriABOVE RIGHT: Bob Boothe’s “FrenchVoltigeur.” “Highwayman,” “French Voltigeur,” Wars, French Foreign Legion and  “Polish Winged Hussar,” “Celtic medieval castle).BELOW: Colin Fraser’s scratch-built bust Warrior” and “Knight Templar.” • Don Ritchie for “More Bands.”of Canadian U.N. peacekeeping force • Jeff Duncan for “The Royal Marines.” • Colin Semenenko for his entire display:commander Gen. Romeo Dallaire. • Bren Furlong for “The Regiment.” “Flashman at the Charge,” “Roll Call,” • Bryan Gibbins for “Females Through “From Calamity to Chaos,” “Royalist the Ages.” Cavalier,” “Red Lancer,” “Waterloo,” • Andrew Laschuk for “Sgt. Major of the “The Trophy,” “Bersaglieri Officer 1870,” Regina Rifles.” “British Grenadier 1751” and “Road to • Andrew Laschuk for “Time Line.” Moscow 1812.” • Grant Lawson for “Night-Time • Bruce Sundstrom for “The Queen’s Hobby.” Escort.” • Grant Lawson for “Napoleonic Camp.” • Bruce Sundstrom for “HMS Rodney • Grant Lawson for “Withdrawal and Renown.” • Bill Leary for “38th Parallel Outpost.” BELOW LEFT: Ian Pearson (right) and • John Tatham for “Ambush in Korea.” Bruce Sundstrom hard at work judging Carl • Bill Wyatt for “Royal Canadian Mills’ “400 Squadron Spitfire” diorama. Regiment.”   • Bill Wyatt for “Princess Patricia’s BELOW: OMSS tribute to all U.N. Canadian Light Infantry.” veterans of the Korean War.36 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Show reportSilver Awards • Zeno Mladin for his entire display: ABOVE: Show Chairman Norm White• Jeff Duncan for “Beetle Bailey and Sarge.” “Clash on the Metaurus 207 B.C.,” (right), a retired member of Toronto’s• Jeff Duncan for “Canadian United “3rd Dragoons 1806,” “Carabineer 48th Highlanders of Canada, prepares Officer,” “Knight of the Holy Sepulcher” to be interviewed by a news crew Nations Peacekeepers.” and “Wounded Viking.” from Fairchild TV.• Andrew Laschuk for “Royal Canadian ABOVE LEFT: Detail showing 1/6th-scale • Bruce Sundstrom for “Sir John Canadian troops from Andrew Laschuk’s Medical Corps.” Codrington.” impressive WWII “Town of Ryken” display.• Andrew Laschuk for “The Prize -- Para   Capture.” Best of Show• Frank MacKay for “Austrian Airlines The judges’ selection for Best of Show was Zeno Mladin for his figures. Millennium Edition 2000.”• Will Murray for “Colour Sergeant   Club’s Choice 1914.” Voted by the show attendees as Best of• Andy Traverse for “Soldier Bear.” Show was Les Eslary’s “An Incident on• Bill Wyatt for “Queen’s Birthday Parade.” the Nile 1885.” n   RIGHT: Heidi Duncan and Janet MacKayGold Awards (from left) ran the IODE concession table,• Les Eslary for “An Incident on the Nile helping to feed show-goers while raising funds for a worthy cause. 1885.”• Colin Fraser for his scratch-built figures BELOW: “Canadian United Nations Peacekeepers” display created by Jeff of Gen. Romeo Dallaire, Adm. Wilhelm Duncan. Canaris and Lt. Col. Sir George McRae.• Colin Fraser for his stock kit figures: “Napoleon’s Royal Italian Guard,” “Zero Hour” and “Col. John B. Gordon, CSA.”• Andrew Laschuk for “Town of Ryken.” about the writer Scott J. Dummitt retired from the Royal Canadian Navy after 25 years of service. He is an avid collector of action figures and toy soldiers. He is also the proprietor of the Scott J. Dummitt Presents shop in Bailieboro, Ont., which sells items such as 1/6th- scale action figures, publications, vehicles, aircraft and toy soldiers by various makers. The latter includes his own Pride of the Nation range of 54-mm figures depicting Canadian units. Scott also serves as president of the Ontario Model Soldier Society.  TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 37

(Photos Courtesy of Andy C. Neilson, King & Country Ltd.) 18738 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

NEW BRITISH COMMANDOS by King & Country Ltd. star in a diorama created by Gordon C. Neilson re-creating World War II’s St. Nazaire Raid, also known asOperation Chariot. The Royal Navy and special forces troops launched the amphibious attack against German-occupied France March 28, 1942. They accomplished theirgoal of knocking out the heavily defended Normandie dry dock to deprive Nazi warships such as the battleship Tirpitz from having a safe haven along the Atlantic Coast.However, 169 of the raiders were killed and 215 taken prisoner. About 360 Germans were slain. Members of the raiding party received 89 decorations, including fiveVictoria Crosses. K&C planned to unveil this detailed diorama during September 2013’s OTSN Inc. Chicago Toy Soldier Show. --Stuart A. Hessney TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 39

NEW METAL n Editor Stuart A. HessneySHOWCASE reviews some of the latest items from around the globe to land in the marketplace.THE LATEST TOY SOLDIERS MARCH IN REVIEWASSORTED NEW RELEASESBY KING & COUNTRY LTD.Reviewed by: Stuart A. Hessney German Adler Kfz.13 armored car (ref. WS246). “Friends to the End” (ref. TRW051;  £83.95/$84) shows a downed cavalryFrom America’s Old West to Russia’s U.K./$102 U.S.). “The Last Bullet” (ref. casualty struggling to aim his revolver.World War II Eastern Front, King & TRW049; £41.95/$42) depicts a wounded Meanwhile, his kneeling pal tries toCountry Ltd. can check a variety of items trooper sitting on his butt and apparently fire his carbine left-handed becauseoff collectors’ wish lists with its latest turning his head in surprise as a foe closes his preferred right hand is bloody andmonthly batch of releases. in. bandaged. Overall, I have 19 new releases to Collectors can inject more action into The title of the new “Kneeling Officercover here. They range from Custer’s Last dioramas with the “Falling Horseman” (ref. With Pistol & Carbine” figure (ref.Stand to the Great War and WWII. As TRW050; £104.95/$106). It’s a piece in TRW052; £41.95/$42) is self-explanatory.usual, these 1:30-scale items were designed which both the blue-clad soldier and hiswith authentic attributes, molded in metal mount have been mortally wounded.  and matt-painted in China for the HongKong-based company.  REAL WESTCofounder and Creative Director Andy C.Neilson reported that K&C’s reinvigorated“The Real West” series has gotten such an“amazingly warm reception” during thepast year that the company wants to “strikewhile the iron is hot.” The linchpin of salessuccess has been figures based on 1876’sBattle of the Little Bighorn in Montana,where Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custerand 263 men of the U.S. 7th Cavalrydied fighting thousands of Cheyenne andLakota Sioux warriors. A fallen trooper is about to meet hismaker at the hands of a knife-wieldingwarrior in a set graphically titled “TheCutthroat Duel” (ref. TRW048; £98.95 “The Cutthroat Duel” “The Last Bullet” “Kneeling Officer (ref. TRW048). (ref. TRW049). With Pistol & Carbine” (ref. TRW052).40 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

M3A3 Stuart light tank in Britishservice (ref. DD223).\"Andy gave credit for the cool model of Ottoman WORLD WAR IIofficers' desert convertible to an Australiancollector who repainted a K&C German staff car The legion of hobbyists focused on WWIIto how it might have looked in the Middle East.\" can look forward to British, German and Soviet reinforcements.GREAT WAR These allied fellows cost £44.95/$45 apiece. Also new is a “Turkish Staff Car” Allied forces of 1944’s D-DayK&C’s World War I Australian Light campaign are being bolstered by a U.S.-Horse series has proven to be quite (ref. AL056) that comes complete with a built M3A3 Stuart light tank (ref. DD223;popular, especially Down Under, of course. seated driver wearing goggles and a red £166/95/$169). It has been dubbed fez for £146.95/$149. Andy gave credit for “Exeter,” bears the “Desert Rats” markings The latest opposition includes an the cool model of Ottoman officers' desert of the British 7th Armoured Divisionimposing “Turkish Commander” (ref. convertible to an Australian collector who and comes with a half-body figure of aAL054) modeled after a character played repainted a K&C German staff car to how commander ready for a recon mission.by Jose Ferrer in the 1962 film “Lawrence it might have looked in the Middle East.of Arabia.” A “German Officer With Pistol” A Soviet general in a greatcoat (ref.(ref. AL055) wears tropical uniform. He is “We liked the idea so much we RA027) and a platoon leader (ref. RA050)shading his eyes as if he's being charged by thought, `Let’s do our own official K&C command soldiers posed sitting woundedan enemy force with the sun at their back. version,’” Andy explained. (ref. RA022), surrendering (ref. RA023) and advancing with either a burp gun (ref. RA051) or rifle (ref. RA052). These Soviet Red Army figures sell for £41.95/$42 apiece. “Turkish Commander” German military (ref. AL054). policeman “Checking Papers” (ref. WS250). “German Officer With Pistol” (ref. AL055). “Friends to the End” (ref. TRW051). TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 41

“Falling Horseman”(ref. TRW050). The Russian infantrymen are lent some “Turkish Staff Car” (ref. AL056).support by a polystone and metal model ofa BA-64B armored car (ref. RA049) that Soviet BA-64B armored carcosts £136.95/$139. (ref. RA049). “It was one of the smallest Russian “Red Army Advancingarmored fighting vehicles and one of the Burp Gunner” (ref. RA051).most numerous,” Andy noted. “Somecaptured ones were even used by the “Red Army General”Germans.” (ref. RA027). Speaking of Nazis, K&C is rolling out anifty gray model of an Adler Kfz.13 armoredcar (ref. WS246; about £145.95/$149). Itwas under-gunned, under-armored andalready obsolete but still in use when AdolfHitler launched the Operation Barbarossainvasion of the Soviet Union in 1941. The armored car can be complementedby “Breakdown” (ref. WS249; £87.95/$89),a set made up of a working mechanic andan impatient comrade nervously checkinghis watch and keeping a lookout forpartisans. Also new is a German militarypoliceman posed “Checking Papers” (ref.WS250; £44.95/$45). Once you’ve had a chance to checkwith your favorite dealer about when thesedetailed items will become available, pleasetry to resist the urge to impatiently checkyour watch constantly to count down thedays, hours, minutes and seconds until anyof these things on your wish list can joinyour collection. n “Red Army “Red Army Soldier Sitting Platoon Leader” Wounded” (ref. RA050). (ref. RA022).42 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

WASHINGTON’S LIFE GUARD OF THE REVOLUTIONARY WARBY KING & COUNTRY LTD.Reviewed by: Stuart A. Hessney commander in chief, official papers and being an elite group. It became an honor   the army’s cash in a manner similar to the to serve in the unit. All 13 Colonies were duties of a modern headquarters security represented in its ranks.In the past, King & Country Ltd. detachment.produced Continental Army Gen. George Gibbs created the blueprint for theWashington on horseback as part of its   Guard’s blue and buff uniform. InsteadAmerican Revolutionary War range. Now of the usual regimental number on thethe maker has issued the Founding Father HICKEY MUTINY pewter buttons, Gibbs chose “USA” for theon foot along with uniquely uniformed Guard cipher. This ranks as the first knownsoldiers of his Life Guard. About two months after the Guard use of an insignia still worn today. was formed, a few of its men became Washington was directing the Siege embroiled in the “Hickey Mutiny.” At Red waistcoats became symbolic of theof Boston when he issued a general order the time, Washington was camped on unit, though Washington didn’t like them.March 11, 1776, for selection of four men Manhattan Island in anticipation of a Gibbs might have resorted to the iconicfrom each regiment to form his personal British invasion of New York City. scarlet simply due to a shortage of choices.guard. He knew exactly what sort of chapshe wanted. A couple of guardsmen were accused Gibbs’ greatest fashion coup was the of passing counterfeit money. This led Guard’s headgear. Instead of the usual “His Excellency depends upon the to a probe that uncovered a conspiracy tricorn hat, they wore a leather helmetColonels for good Men, such as they can involving Loyalists and guardsmen whose with a bearskin crest. The helmets wererecommend for their sobriety, honesty and supposed goal was the assassination of said to have been destined for the Britishgood behavior,” Washington wrote. “He Washington. 17th Light Dragoons when capturedwishes them to be from 5 feet 8 inches by a privateer. Gibbs had each helmet’shigh to 5 feet 10 inches; handsomely and The only conspirator put on trial was red cloth binding taken off and replacedwell made, and as there is nothing in his Sgt. Thomas Hickey, an Irishman who with medium blue. A white plume tippedeyes more desirable than Cleanliness in a had deserted from the British Army and in blue and placed on the left side ofSoldier, he desires that particular attention joined the Continentals. He was found the helmet completed the distinctivebe made in the choice of such men as are guilty of sedition and mutiny in a court appearance of the Guard as replicated inclean and spruce.\" martial, then earmarked for execution. 1:30 scale by K&C. Continental Capt. Caleb Gibbs of the About 20,000 spectators witnessed Poses include a corporal resting his14th Massachusetts was chosen to lead the Hickey’s hanging June 28, 1776. A gallows musket on the ground (ref. AR073) andnew unit. He was promoted to major and crowd that size would have been nearly guardsmen either presenting arms (ref.give the title of captain commandant. One equivalent to New York’s entire population AR074) or marching (ref. AR075). Theyof his staff officers was Lt. George Lewis, at the time. Recruitment of “foreign-born” cost £42.95 U.K./$43 U.S. apiece while aWashington’s nephew. guardsmen was avoided afterwards. rather serious-looking Washington (ref. AR072) retails for £44.95/$45. “Conquer or Die” became the motto of  the unit, whose official designations were These are highly attractive and uniquethe “General’s Guard” or “His Excellency’s DISTINCTIVE STYLE matt figures that will look fantasticGuard.” Washington referred to them as mustered in multiples. Here’s hoping“My Guards.” Enlisted men called them The Guard’s strength varied from 50 to 70 K&C will follow up by producingthe “Life Guards,” the “Washington Life men for starters to as many as 250 during the Philadelphia Light Horse, whichGuards” or “Washington’s Body Guard.” the winter of 1779-80 and 64 when it was often supplied Washington’s mounted disbanded at the end of the war in 1783. bodyguard. n They were tasked with safeguarding the They fought as light infantry and were usually attached to larger units in battles. Guardsmen acquitted themselves well in action while forging a reputation for “Guardsman Corporal” “Guardsman (ref. AR073). Presenting Arms” (ref. AR074).Gen. George GuardsmanWashington Marching”(ref. AR072). (ref. AR075). TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 43

WARRIORS OF ANCIENT GAULBY FIRST LEGION LTD.Reviewed by: Stuart A. Hessney the relentless campaigns of Julius Caesar,” loyalty while moving the ball forward. The   according to Peter Wilcox, author of the Romans usually managed to suppress any 1985 Osprey Publishing book “Rome’s revolts that erupted because they tendedRemember “The Six Million Dollar Man,” Enemies (2): Gallic and British Celts.” to be limited by only receiving local tribalthe 1970s television series about a cyborg? support.It starred Lee Majors as Steve Austin, an As part of its “Glory of Rome” range,American astronaut saved from the brink First Legion Ltd. previously released The most formidable threat to Romanof death with bionic implants and an Republican legionnaires based on Caesar’s supremacy in Gaul was mounted byatomic power plant that made him “better, conquest of Gaul that I recently reviewed Vercingetorix, an Arvernian noblemanstronger, faster.” in TS&MF issue 184. To oppose them, from the fortified town of Gergovia. His the manufacturer has now issued 13 Celtic father, Celtillus, had been put to death by Those same three adjectives could Gauls. They are led by a splendid figure his own people for trying to unite all ofhave been used by ancient Romans (in of “Vercingetorix, King of the Gauls” (ref. Gaul under his rule. Vercingetorix tookthe proper Latin language, of course) to ROM079), who challenged the might a stab at inciting a revolt. However, hedescribe their seemingly superhuman of Rome only to wind up as a captive in and his followers were kicked out of theCeltic foes. They were brawny physical chains. town because its nobility, including hisspecimens and stood a head taller than theaverage Mediterranean man. “The Celts defined the word 'barbarian’ for 'civilized’ peoples such as the Greeks and Romans. Celtic   Gauls led by Brennus even sacked Rome in 390 B.C. They became the bogeymen of Roman nightmares.”ANCIENT BOGEYMEN GALLIC WARS own uncle, thought it would be far tooThe Celts defined the word “barbarian” for dangerous to try to defy Caesar.“civilized” peoples such as the Greeks and Caesar began campaigning in GaulRomans. Celtic Gauls led by Brennus even (more or less modern France) in 58 B.C. This did not faze Vercingetorix at all.sacked Rome in 390 B.C. They became the Using “divide and conquer” tactics, the He raised an army, seized Gergovia inbogeymen of Roman nightmares. politically astute proconsul exploited 53 B.C. and was acclaimed as a king. He fractured factions amongst Gallic tribes’ melded various tribes into an alliance with Celtic warriors’ physiques, fighting elites. He also played favorites to foster himself in supreme military command.prowess and lionhearted fierceness weremore than a match for most Romans in “Gallic Standard-Bearer”single combat. Roman soldiers learned (ref. ROM081) withfrom the fruit of bitter experience that optional boar emblem.extensive training, strict discipline andmaintaining cohesion in closed ranks werekey to surviving and defeating surgingtidal waves of charging Celts. The Romans relentlessly and mercilesslyslaughtered the barbarians whenever theycould. On the other hand, they also paidtribute to Celts’ remarkable attributes byrecruiting them into their own army. The Celts' rich Iron Age culture rangedfrom Ireland and Asia Minor to Spainand Italy at its peak. Eventually, however,their military ascendancy and loosely-knit“empire” collapsed “piecemeal in the face of “Vercingetorix, King of the Gauls” (ref. ROM079). “Gallic Hornist With Sword” (ref. ROM080).44 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

“Gallic Warrior “Gallic Druid”Charging and (ref. ROM091).Swinging Sword”(ref. ROM086). “Gallic Warrior Charging With Spear” (ref. ROM084).To hobble advancing Roman legions, he streets of Rome by Caesar, then executed – These figures were designed to aengaged in a scorched earth strategy. probably by customary strangulation. connoisseur-quality standard by talented artisans in Russia, then crafted in China After defeating Roman forces in the Alesia was the turning point of the to realize savings on production costs.Battle of Gergovia, Vercingetorix holed Gallic Wars. The battle is regarded as Impressive intricacy has been achieved inup with an estimated 80,000 warriors plus marking the end of Celtic domination in the convincing characterizations’ clothinglocal civilians in the hill fort town of Alesia. what is now Belgium, France, Northern patterns (where clothes are worn – moreCaesar had 12 legions and auxiliaries Italy and Switzerland. Gaul became a on that in a moment), body paint, arms,amounting to 60,000 troops at his disposal. profitable Roman province. and homegrown or captured armor. The Romans launched a siege of the Ironically, the glory-minded Caesar The miniature Vercingetorix has doffedstronghold during September 52 B.C. thought he did not get enough recognition his plumed helmet, rests one foot on aThey were outnumbered by as much from the Senate for his decisive victory in rock and points out trouble. His followersas 4-to-1 at one stage, but managed to Gaul, and so this perceived snub was one include a warrior holding a lengthy carnyxrepulse a massive Gallic relief force. of the triggers of the Roman Civil War, war trumpet and a sword (ref. ROM080), the end of the Republic and the rise of the a rather excitable and well-endowed It was a close shave but the Romans Empire. “naked fanatic” (ref. ROM082), andultimately prevailed in a classic Gauls posed charging with a spear (ref.demonstration of siege warfare. Faced with   ROM084), charging with a sword (ref.both sagging morale and the prospect of ROM085), and charging while swinging astarvation, Vercingetorix surrendered. He HELL-BENT ON HACKING sword (ref. ROM086).was held prisoner until 46 B.C., when hewas triumphantly paraded through the First Legion’s 60-mm, matt-painted Gauls look gallant, fearsome and hell-bent on hacking down some Romans. “Gallic Warrior Wounded Vignette” (ref. ROM090).“Gallic Warrior “Naked FanaticCharging With Gallic Warrior”Ax and Cloak\" (ref. ROM082).(ref. ROM083).  TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 45

“Gallic WarriorWith Sword”(ref. ROM085). Noble warriors distinguished by the First Legion's Gallic warriors and Caesarian Roman soldiers clash in an Alesia diorama setting complete with aquality of their armor and attire are watchtower expected to be released soon.either holding an ax (ref. ROM087) orcatching a Roman pilum in the chest (ref. \"Impressive intricacy has been achieved in theROM089). All of the aforementioned convincing characterizations’ clothing patternsfigures retail for $69.95 U.S. apiece. (where clothes are worn), body paint, arms, and homegrown or captured armor.\" Priced at only $10 more is a cleverlyconceived standard-bearer with These vigorous, determined and in the end they were no match for theinterchangeable rooster or boar icons to imposing-looking little figures effectively Roman war machine’s organization, robotictop his staff (ref. ROM081). evoke how Gallic warriors might have discipline and collective might geared up seemed like “better, stronger, faster” ancient under the command of a military genius Expect to pay $74.95 for either a cyborgs straight out of science fiction. But like Caesar. ncharging warrior with an ax and cloak (ref.ROM083) or a noble armed with a spear(ref. ROM088). Trying to leave no manbehind, a Gaul helps a downed comrade ina wounded vignette (ref. ROM090) thatsells for $134.95. Finally, First Legion has also conjuredup a Merlin-esque “Gallic Druid” priest(ref. ROM091) who might lift collectors’spirits for $64.95.“Noble GallicWarrior With Ax”(ref. ROM087). “Noble Gallic “Noble Gallic Warrior With Warrior Struck Spear” (ref. by Pilum” (ref. ROM088). ROM089).46 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

VARIOUS TOY TROOP TYPESBY SOLDIERS OF THE WORLDReviewed by: Stuart A. Hessney launched by Tony in 1997. Samples of the dismounted Junagahr Lancers include an   The Toy Soldier Gallery closed officer and sergeant.Incredible depth, amazing variety and at the end of 2010. However, the lancers on horseback or a half-dozenglorious gloss are the bywords of a Ciccarellos continue to produce Armies dismounted troopers at attention. Thehistorical series made under the Soldiers in Plastic boxed sets of unpainted figures. same three types of configurations apply toof the World label. Meanwhile, the Soldiers of the World all Indian cavalry contingents. series has become exclusively available in This brand should appeal to any the USA from Stockade Miniatures. A set of Junagahr Lancers on footcollector enamored with toy soldiers (ref. IA65/C) is made up of an officeradroitly hand-painted in the traditional   with sword, sergeant and four men withglossy style. They are presented as being lances at attention. These bearded fightingstandard 54-mm scale, but they are rather BREATHTAKING BREADTH men look handsome in dark blue turbans,robust and approach 60-mm proportions dark blue kurtas with red facings, whitelike Beau Geste products from Argentina. The Soldiers of the World range offers breeches and dark blue puttees. Pricing breathtaking breadth. There are ancient is $150 U.S. for sets of three mounted or   Romans and Celts, medieval knights. $132 for six foot presented in burgundy Scottish Highlanders, West Point cadets, boxes.BEHIND THE BRAND Croatian Presidential Guards, U.S. Marines, London ceremonial figures, and These examples are just the tip ofSoldiers of the World are produced more. the iceberg when it comes to exploringby brothers Ian and Allan Farley of the Soldiers of the World catalog. ItemsGreytown, New Zealand. They have been Historical themes include the 1066 are actually available in either matt orinvolved in the toy soldier industry since Battle of Hastings, French and Indian gloss finishes from Mike or the Farleys.the 1980s and started up their own Regal War, American Revolutionary War, Personally, I prefer the glossy figures withEnterprises business in 1992. Napoleonic Wars, Texas Revolution, touches of deft details reflecting the high Mexican-American War, Crimean War, quality of the regular Regal range, which The same year Regal was established, British India’s North-West Frontier, features New Zealand themes. nthe Farley brothers began collaborating and American Civil War. Collectors willwith Marilyn and Anthony C. Ciccarello also find figures to re-create the Franco-of The Toy Soldier Gallery in Highland Prussian War, Zulu War, Egypt and SudanFalls, N.Y., next door to the U.S. Military Campaigns, Boxer Rebellion, Boer War,Academy at West Point. Tony would Spanish-American War, World War I, andsupply master figures for Soldiers of the World War II.World production by Regal. Mike has graciously supplied three sets In 1996, Norene and Mike Rosso for review now, then they will be givenopened Stockade Miniatures in away to lucky TS&MF readers later inStroudsburg, Pa., the gateway to the next month’s issue 188 “Prize Exercise.”Pocono Mountains. A year later theybegan partnering with the Ciccarellos on They include a Crimean War RussianSoldiers of the World. \"Battle Line\" (ref. CW40C) with three infantrymen kneeling and an equal Allan and Ian are both involved in number standing, all at the ready. Theythe research and development of figures. wear spiked helmets, gray greatcoats andAs time has passed, Ian has sculpted an black boots.increasing number of the exclusive mastersfor Soldiers of the World. Most new An Indian Army officer, bugler andreleases are now completely designed and lancer in khaki dress with dark bluemade in New Zealand. puttees compose the “Indore Mounted Escort” (ref. I64/A). They can be Some collectors who specialize in reinforced by a sets of either three moreplastics might already be aware thatSoldiers of the World metal figures have Examples of the Crimeanbeen source material for much of the War Russian \"Battle Line\"Armies in Plastic lineup since it was infantry at the ready.Indian Army “Indore Mounted Escort” by Soldiers ofthe World. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 47

BRITISH 44TH FOOT BATTALION COMPANY OF THE NAPOLEONIC WARSBY W. BRITAIN “British 44th Foot Standing at Ready No. 1” (ref. 36106).“British 44thFoot StandingFiring No. 1”(ref. 36104). “British 44th Foot Standing Loading No. 1” (ref. 36105).Reviewed by: Stuart A. Hessney The 44th’s original complement was fought under the overall command of  reorganized as its 1st Battalion. It most Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington,Eleven mighty fine new figures from W. notably fought in Spain during 1814 and during his strategic victory in 1811’s BattleBritain depict the British 44th (East Essex) in clashes against the United States in of Fuentes de Onoro in Spain.Regiment of Foot braced for intense action North America, including 1815’s Battle ofduring the Napoleonic Wars. New Orleans. Soldiers of the 2nd/44th were the first to plant their flag atop the San Vicente Originally named after its colonel, it A 2nd Battalion was added to the bastion during the climax of the Siege ofwas raised as James Long’s Regiment of 44th Foot in 1803, when the “Little Badajoz April 6, 1812. But the battalion’sFoot in 1741. It saw action during the Fighting Fours” were raised in Ireland. moment of glory came at a cost of 134Jacobite Rising’s Battle of Prestonpans in The 2nd Battalion would be disbanded casualties.1745 and in Flanders in 1748, the same in 1816 following the conclusion of theyear it was renumbered from the 55th Napoleonic Wars, but not before covering Even greater glory followed fromRegiment of the Line to the 44th. themselves in glory and becoming the the Battle of Salamanca July 22, 1812, inspiration for novelist Bernard Cornwell’s when the 2nd/44th captured the French The unit fought in North America’s fictional “South Essex” in his “Sharpe” 62nd Regiment’s Eagle standard duringFrench and Indian War as well as the series of action-packed books. the Allied army’s decisive victory. It wasAmerican Revolutionary War. The 44th the second of a total of only five Eagleswas present for Braddock’s Defeat in 1755   captured during the Napoleonic Wars.and the Battle of Carillon (Ticonderoga)in 1758 during the former conflict, then CAPTURED EAGLE Casualties and sickness reduced thethe ARW’s battles of Brooklyn in 1776, 2nd/44th’s strength to only 42 men ofBrandywine in 1777 and Monmouth in The 2nd Battalion arrived in Iberia in1778. 1810 to serve in the Peninsular War. It “British 44th Foot Kneeling at Ready No. 1” (ref. 36108). The regiment’s East Essex county “British 44th Footdesignation dates to 1782. This brings its Kneeling Firing No. 1”story up to the Napoleonic Wars, when the (ref. 36107).demand for additional soldiers to fight theFrench led to an increase in the regimentalstrength of the “Fighting Fours.”“British 44th FootDrummer Wounded No. 1”(ref. 36109).48 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

all ranks by the time it sailed home to “British 44th Foot Ensign “British 44th Foot Ensignregroup, recruit and refit in 1813. Later With King’s Colour No. With Regimental Colourthe battalion took heavy casualties in 1” (ref. 36111). No. 1” (ref. 36112).Holland as part of a force trying to stormthe fortress of Bergen op Zoom March 8,   done King’s (ref. 36111) and Regimental1814. (ref. 36112) Colours. An evocative LABOR OF LOVE wounded drummer boy (ref. 36109) costs   £28.99/$34 as does a standing version These attractive 44th Foot Battalion drumming away (ref. 36097).WATERLOO CAMPAIGN Company figures must have been a labor of love and something of a family tribute The rest of the squad sells forAfter Emperor Napoleon I escaped for sculptor Graham Scolick, whose £27.49/$32 apiece. An officer standingfrom exile, the 2nd/44th was part of the father’s great uncle served in the Essex holding his sword (ref. 36096) and anvanguard of the Duke of Wellington’s Regiment during World War I. Graham’s NCO (ref. 36110) leveling his pike tryarmy as it marched south from Brussels to attention to detail is quite evident from to stir resolve in soldiers posed standingfind and fight the French. A clash at the the stalwart soldiers’ bicorns or Belgic firing (ref. 36104), standing loading (ref.Belgian crossroads of Quatre Bras ensued shakos to their weapons, backpacks and 36105), standing at ready (ref. 36106),June 16, 1815. other gear. They are matt-painted in scarlet kneeling firing (ref. 36107) and kneeling jackets with yellow facings, gray trousers at ready (ref. 36108). The 2nd/44th was among British units and campaign grime.caught in a battle line when unexpectedly These “Fighting Fours” are first-rate,assailed by French chasseurs and lancers. These approximately 56-mm figures frontline authentic additions to W. Britain’sThe East Essex’s rear rank calmly turned are perfect for forming either a battle line burgeoning army of Napoleonics. naround to blast a volley at the oncoming or square. Ensigns priced at about £36.99horsemen while British infantry raced to U.K./$48 U.S. apiece hold beautifullyform squares. Still some valiant enemy lancersreached the 2nd Battalion’s colour partyand nearly captured their silk flags. EnsignPeter Cooke, the King’s Colour bearer,was slain. Ensign James Christie, theRegimental Colour bearer, was lancedthrough the left eye, tongue and jaw.A lancer tried to seize the yellow flag,but Christie saved the banner by divingon it despite his injuries. The 2nd/44th was mauled but stillfought at the climactic Battle of Waterlootwo days later. It was part of the Alliedcenter hammered by a French infantryassault until Napoleon’s troops were sentreeling by a cavalry charge mounted by theBritish Heavy Brigade. Through reorganizations andamalgamations, the 44th’s lineage liveson in today’s 1st Battalion, Royal AnglianRegiment. The French Eagle capturedat Salamanca is displayed at the EssexRegiment Museum in Chelmsford, Essex.“British 44th FootOfficer StandingWith Sword No. 1(ref. 36096). “British 44th Foot NCO No. 1” (ref. 36110).“British 44th FootDrummer StandingPlaying (ref. 36097). TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 49

NAPOLEON & HIS COMMANDERS AT WATERLOOBY THE COLLECTORS SHOWCASEReviewed by: Stuart A. Hessney available include Polish Lancers, offers British Foot Guards, Royal Horse   Carabiniers and the 10th Currassiers on Artillery, Scots Greys, 95th Rifles and horseback; Imperial Guard gunners and 92nd Highlanders.The Collectors Showcase (TCS) has other artillery; and foot soldiers such astrotted out equestrian figures of French Old Guard Grenadiers, Voltiguers and line These items are ideal for re-creatingEmperor Napoleon I and three of his infantry. the victory scored by British, Prussian andcommanders at the Battle of Waterloo other allied troops in the climactic clash ofJune 18, 1815. For opposition, TCS currently the Napoleonic Wars. n Napoleon (ref. CS00638) wears a gray Colbert, Ney, Napoleon and Soult (from left) by TCS. Scenery is not included.coat over a green Chasseurs à Cheval tunicand white trousers. He is mounted on hisfavorite white stallion Marengo. A striking Red Lancers uniform setsapart Imperial Guard Lancer RegimentGen. Edouard Colbert (ref. CS00637). Red-haired Marshal Michel Ney (ref.CS00639) was one of the original 18marshals of France created by Napoleon,who called him the “Bravest of the Brave.” Marshal General Jean Soult (ref.CS00640), who was nicknamed the “Handof Iron,” served as Napoleon’s chief of staffduring the Waterloo Campaign. Soult and Ney are both dressed in bluejackets and white trousers. But Soult wearsa bicorn turned sideways like Napoleon'swhile Ney's cocked hat is worn front toback. These 1:30-scale, matt-finished figuresare good likenesses of the historicalpersonages. TCS President Brian Levylists these mounted men as costing $74.90U.S. apiece. Other French army types currentlyOLD WEST COWBOY CAMPFIREBY SARUM SOLDIERSReviewed by: Stuart A. Hessney partners, but this ace-high maker’s work Patrick hopes to complement this is fine as cream gravy and collectors won’t campfire scene with a chuckwagonThe latest addition to the wide-ranging have to pay through the nose for this bang- and more figures in the future. TheSarum Soldiers “Wild West Show” series up set priced at only £59.95 painted in Sarum honcho’s U.S. compadre andis a quartet of cowboys who look right at traditional gloss. For folks who like to paint agent is Toy Soldier Museum ownerhome on the range. things themselves, castings cost £27.65. James H. Hillestad. n Patrick Willis, proprietor of the U.K. Cowboys look right at homecompany, has created an American West on the range in a new campfirecampfire vignette circa 1880s. Cowboysare posed pouring coffee, playing the vignette from Sarum Soldiers.guitar, cooking a steak and eating beans. Adding to the mood is a Dutch ovensimmering over coals. A bucket of wateris suspended from a fire iron above theflames. Accessories include a pair of laidout bedding rolls and two saddles, withone covered in a Navajo blanket. A beholder can practically smell andtaste the meat, beans and java. Imaginethat the cowboy strumming his guitaris singing “Home on the Range” and itslyrics, “How often at night when theheavens are bright, with the light from theglittering stars, have I stood there amazedand asked as I gazed, if their glory exceedsthat of ours.” Please pardon the cowboy slang50 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE