TOY195

STOOYLDIERTHEWORLD’S NO. 1 MAGAZINE FOR COLLECTORS OFALL STRIPES WWWWWW.T.TOOYY-S-SOOLLDDIEIERR.C.COOMM MODEL FIGURE WTHWOIMSAGWST.GYIOUNRNKN’SOVER THE TOP!Coverage From in the Trenchesat the Annual BMSS Showcase $8.50/£4.95 IN THIS ISSUE: 08 • The ARW Frontier’s Wyoming Massacre • Military Miniatures Invade Valley Forge • Collectors Battlefield Range Is Launched • OMSS On Parade 2014 • WWII D-Day 70th Anniversary Releases • Three Musketeers • Black Virgin of Smolensk9 771359 742033AUTGOUYSSTO2LD01IE4R:-AIUSGSUUSET195 FREE PULL-OUT CENTERFOLD POSTER!

LANDING SOON! LANDING SOON! GERMAN PANTHER AUSF. G TANK MEDES PROVINCIAL| (MEDIUM) WS272 $229.00 INFANTRYMOSBY’S MOUNTED FLAGBEARER- WCSCTHEIOOTEBLECFLUKIFENYOCOD&RTUIITHOTSENEAOMLRSULDSR -SINGLE MOUNTED FIGURE 54PSN03Y-M $28.00 TCS00780 $79.90 US INFANTRY TOMMY GUNNER NOT TODAY--BRITISH 42ND HIGHLAND- USA003A $70.00 ER WOUNDED AND MAHDIST ATTACK- ING WITH 42ND OFFICER STABBING MAHDIST WITH SWORD HAND-TO- HAND SET 27012 PRICE: $96.00LANDING SOONETG-098 ETG-099 ETG-102



inside this edition 14 toy soldier showcase NEW METAL SHOWCASE......40 Editor Stuart A. Hessney’s reviews cross swords with “ e ree Musketeers,” recount the story of Russia’s “Black Virgin of Smolensk” during the Napoleonic Wars, delve into American Civil War cavalry and sharpshooters, commemorate the Great War centenary, and mark the 70th anniversary of World War II’s D-Day. PLASTIC PARADE……52 Len Cooksey revisits one of his all-time favorite playsets: “Tales of Robin Hood” by Barzso Playsets.FIGURE OF THE MONTH ..............................................5 44 20READERS: FIRE BACK! ...................................................6 30OPENING VOLLEY ..........................................................8 58THE ARW FRONTIER’SWYOMING MASSACRE.................................................14MILITARY MINIATURESINVADE VALLEY FORGE ..............................................20COLLECTORS BATTLEFIELDRANGE IS LAUNCHED.................................................26OMSS ON PARADE 2014 ................................................30CENTERFOLD .......................................................... 3839BMSS PLAYS HOSTTO HOBBY SHOWCASE...............................................58BOOK REVIEWS ............................................................66PRIZE EXERCISE...........................................................70Win figures of World War I U.S. Army Cpl. Alvin C.York and hiscomrades courtesy of omas Gunn Miniatures.CALENDAR..................................................................... 74 26bringing you this issueStuart A. Hessney Ann Pavlish 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 When spring is in the air, the annual schedule of hobby showsChichester Road kicks into gear. For proof, look no further than this edition’s threeArundel, West Sussex different reports on 2014 events staged by clubs in the UnitedEngland, U.K. BN18 0AG Kingdom, Canada and United States.Tel: 01903 884988Fax: 01903 885514 Vendors are a vital part of the equation at all of these shows.US OFFICE: However, TS&MF’s correspondents mainly spotlight the efforts ofAshdown Inc. their fellow hobbyists. I hope readers enjoy the reports’ words and68132 250th Ave. photos providing insights into what some people collect and looksKasson, MN 55944 at others’ marvelous model-making skills, especially when it comes to painting.Toll-Free: 1-866-606-6587Fax: (507) 634-7691 TS&MF “Kit Korner” columnist Paul Newman is also treasurer of the British Model Soldier Society (BMSS) while his wife, Julie, serves as its treasurer. Together they ran April 26’swww.toy-soldier.com BMSS annual show and competitions at the Holiday Inn, Bloomsbury, London. Paul’s report covers the traders, BMSS branch displays, demonstrations, contest entries and more.EDITOR:Stuart A. Hessney Scott J. Dummitt documents May 3’s On Parade, the Ontario Model Soldier Society’[email protected] (OMSS) annual show and competition at historic Fort York in Toronto, Canada. My wife, Sally,SALES & MARKETING: and I were fortunate enough to be able to travel to the gathering. It was wonderful to see fellowSara Vix collectors’ impressive displays, do a little shopping and, most of all, see some good friends [email protected] make new acquaintances who share my passion for this hobby of ours.DESIGN:Ann Pavlish More hobbyists’ projects and vendors are spotlighted in A.J. Mergenthaler’s report onCONTRIBUTORS: the 73rd Annual Miniature Figure Collectors of America (MFCA) Show & Mart. It was heldClyde Cocke, Len Cooksey, Doug May 9-10 at the Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia, Pa., USA.Dearth, Scott J. Dummitt, HaydenHammersmith, James H. Hillestad, Despite the disparate geography of these three shows, their common denominators areA.J. Mergenthaler, Paul Newman, camaraderie, craftsmanship and good cheer. I highly recommend that TS&MF readers go toGrant Peterson and Leo Winston any of these events in the future to find out for themselves how fascinating and fun they can be.SUBSCRIPTION MANAGERS: Elsewhere in this edition, Toy Soldier Museum owner James H. Hillestad recounts how heU.S.: Kelly Johnson/ recruited figures from W. Britain’s new “Clash of Empires” range to re-create the Wyoming Massacre. e frontier raid was launched by Loyalists and Indians in 1778 during the American usoffi[email protected] Revolutionary War.U.K.: [email protected] SUBSCRIPTION RATES: In addition, Hayden Hammersmith examines the launch of the Collectors Battlefield rangeU.K.: £59.99 of 28-mm painted metal figures and vehicles. e new brand is the brainchild of CollectorsU.S.: $109.99 Showcase President Brian Levy, who aims to offer collectors and wargamers anCanada: $125.99 affordable and space-saving way to display and play with their military miniatures.Europe: €87.99 For starters, the focus is World War II’s Battle of Carentan fought in NormandyRest of World: $134.99 shortly after D-Day 70 years ago.AUGUST2014 As usual, there’s lots more in store in this edition, so please start turning the pages, enjoy and, asPostmaster: Send address corrections always, happy collecting!to Toy Soldier & Model Figure,Ashdown Inc., 68132 250th Ave. Stuart A. Hessney, editorKasson, MN 55944 2nd Class PostagePaid. Canada Post International  Publications Mail - Sales AgreementNo. 546038. All rights reserved. Stuart A. Hessney, editorReproduction in whole or partwithout the written permission of the figure of the monthpublisher is prohibited. All editorialcontributions in the form of articles, As the World War I centenary gets underletters and photographs (b/w or way in 2014, W. Britain has unveiled acolour print or transparencies) are poignant vignette titled “ e Veteran’swelcomed by Toy Soldier but cannot Farewell.” It depicts a venerable Britishbe returned unless accompanied by veteran of 19th-century imperial combata stamped addressed envelope. All shaking hands with a young lad heading omaterial submitted to the magazine is to war in 1914. is set is an evocative andaccepted on the basis that copyright touching study in contrasts.in 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 FIGUR

FIRE BACK! ■ The place where you canYOUR LETTERS sound off about your views about SOUND OFF ABOUT THE HOBBY OR MAGAZINE anything to do with this hobby, or this magazine.ARNOLD ROLAK 2013 Chicago show, we were afraid that LESTTTAERRWILL BE MISSED something serious was happening with his health because he would not miss that event, LEFT: The lateDear Editor: if at all possible. Arnold Rolak’s business card My friend Pam Yelverton from Brun- underscored his interests and his In the obituary, his friend Steve Rhea sense of humor.ton’s Barracks e-mailed me in December mentioned how Arnold’s business card was2013 about Arnold Rolak’s passing, then a bit unusual. I remembered I had a copy of one version of it. I haveI saw the obituary published in TS&MF now placed it in one ofissue 191. My wife, Heidi, and I met my toy soldier cabinets asArnold many times through the last 12 a reminder of a great manyears or so at the OTSN Inc. Chicago and a person we wouldToy Soldier Show. call a real “character.” He was always a gentleman and a great I would love it if youconversationalist, which I think is becom- could put a copy of the business card in youring a lost art. I do have to admit that Ar- next issue to help readers appreciate Arnold’snold always seemed a little more interested sense of humor as well as his love of life andin talking to my wife than me. But he was our hobby.a “ladies’ man!” Jeff Duncan Arnold was a great host in his usual hotel Hillsburgh, Ont.accommodations during room trading. Itwas always fun talking about the hobby, Canadapolitics and jokes with him. Watching all thepeople he knew coming and going from hisroom was one of the highlights of the show. When Arnold did not make it to the NOT ON FRIDAY OR A SATURDAY GET WRITING! Dear Editor: Win a prize by sending in a letter In TS&MF issue 191, retired U.S. Army Gen. Raymond E. Bell Jr. recounted a on anything concerning the toy soldier and model gure hobby. Each month a visit to the Au Plat d’Etain toy soldier shop in Paris, France, in an article titled “Never special surprise gift will be awarded to on Monday!” It mentioned new owner Patricia Hebert, regular hours, etc. I became the Star Letter writer! excited and couldn’t wait to visit the shop. CONTACT US On Friday, May 2, 2014, I found the shop at 11 a.m. closed! I returned at 3 p.m.; still closed! I tried calling the phone number posted, no answer or response. We welcome readers’ Fire Back! feed- back via e-mail at [email protected]. I returned at 3 p.m. Saturday, May 3; still closed! I was greatly disappointed!  In addition, letters can be sent via fax Issue 193 carried a letter from William Monahan, who praised the article and to 01903 885514 or mail to Fire Back!, stated he looked forward to visiting Au Plat d’Etain. Beware. I hope other readers will TS&MF, Ashdown Ltd., Unit 5E, Park not be disappointed like I was. Farm, Chichester Road, Arundel, West Sussex, England, U.K. BN18 0AG. Let- Robert W. Braun ters can also be sent via fax to (507) Orland Hills, Ill., USA 634-7691 or mail to Fire Back!, TS&MF, Ashdown Inc., 68132 250th Ave., Kasson, e Editor Responds: I envy your being able to visit Paris! I’m very sorry you encountered MN, USA 55944. All correspondence disappointment, whatever the particular circumstances might have been. Whenever a fellow must include your full name, address and collector plans to make a long-distance trip to a toy soldier shop, I highly recommend calling daytime telephone number in case veri- and/or e-mailing ahead to con rm open hours. Please consider that even though most stores have “regular” hours, in some cases they are operated by only one or two people. As a result, a cation is needed. Letters may be edited would-be customer could be out of luck if a shop’s sta closes to deal with a family situation, for length or clarity. Anonymous letters take a holiday or attend a hobby show. will not be considered for publication.6 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

BEWARE GREEKS SPLITTING HAIRSDear Editor: essence, they were unquestionably Greek, series is titled “World of the Greeks” and is might sound like nitpicking. in the same way Spartans, Athenians and the gure in question is o cially called Arcadians were Greek. Alexander the “Alexander the Great” (ref. AG016).But it is an issue very relevant and trou- Great was Greek, just like the Athenian It is part of the maker’s “Macedonianbling to all Greek-Americans/Hellenes, philosopher Plato was Greek. Cavalry” group depicting the conqueror’salthough as a toy soldier enthusiast I Companions. In this case, my focus andnever expected to have my hobby touch ere is now a dispute between today’s First Legion’s focus was on ancient history,upon current geo-political issues. But “former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia” not “current geo-political issues.” It ishere I go!   (FYROM) whereby that country, one perfectly accurate to describe Alexander as of the former provinces of Yugoslavia, is the King of Macedonia (aka Macedon), TS&MF’s issue 193 preview for the not only attempting to usurp the name as was his father, Philip II, before him.issue 194 “Prize Exercise” stated readers Macedonia, but also much of the legacies In their day and age, Macedonia was awill have a chance to win a “majestic and culture of the Macedonian Greeks, small kingdom on the periphery of Classicalmounted gure of Macedonian King such as and most prominently, Alexander Greece. Many snooty Greeks actuallyAlexander the Great” made by First the Great! First Legion has an obligation regarded Macedonians as outsiders whoLegion Ltd. Alexander was and to this to not only be accurate in its rendering of were “uncouth” and even “barbarians.” atday should be considered Greek.   its gures, but in its naming of its gures, is, at least, until Macedonia under Philip II as well. and Alexander rose to dominate the entire e ancient Macedonians lived in Hellenic world, the former Persian Empirewhat was in essence a Greek state, Gregory J. Stamos and beyond. erefore, please be respectfullyspoke a Greek dialect, used Greek cur- Ansonia, Conn., USA advised that I have no qualms aboutrency, sacri ced to the gods believed by identifying any ancient King of Macedoniaall Greeks to live on Mount Olympus e Editor Responds: I wrote those lines, so as the King of Macedonia.in the state of Macedonia, and even please credit or blame me, not First Legion,participated in the Olympic games when splitting hairs. e maker’s pertinentwhere only Greeks were allowed. InSHARING THE HOBBY UPDATE DELIVEREDDear Editor: As you enter the library, to your Readers might recall my TS&MF issue immediate left is a low bookshelf, the top of which holds a 24 by 45-inch tabletop181 article that described eye-catching diorama, under a Plexiglas dome. Lastdisplays that I put in our local Barrett year’s “Dog Show on the Green” has beenParadise Friendly Library in Cresco, Pa., replaced by a fantasy world of plasticUSA. e result was “kids” of all ages were knights by W. Britain doing battle amidenthralled with the gures and how they medieval “forts” assembled of woodencombined to tell a story. One display case building blocks. My goal with this dioramafeatured the ill-fated ocean liner RMS was to suggest that toy gures don’t haveTitanic. Another exhibit chronicled the to be expensive to capture the imagination.travels of Marco Polo. With a little bit of resourcefulness and ingenuity, the topography can also be For a change of pace in 2014, I have simple and a ordable.installed a collage of sets portraying theBeatles to celebrate the 50th anniversary As I was setting up the display, theof their U.S. debut on television’s “Ed library director mentioned that youngSullivan Show.” e gures were created children “playing” with blocks are actuallyby the talented Peter Davis, formerly laying the groundwork for learning literacy,located in Cambridge, England, and now in math and science, plus physical, social,Normandy, France. emotional and creative bene ts. Who knew! e sets illustrate the Fab Four at the Why not think about a creating displayheight of their creativity and in uence, at your local library, community center orincluding the “Abbey Road,” “Yellow town hall. It’s fun and very satisfying. ShareSubmarine” and “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely the hobby!Hearts Club Band” albums. A backdropof vintage news articles about the group, James H. Hillestadpostcards and album covers adds dimension Toy Soldier Museumto the display. Cresco, Pa., USA e other display case, much to thedelight of the younger generation, is a TOP RIGHT: The Beatles are celebrated by an arraycolorful visual feast which evokes the of sets from Jim Hillestad’s collection.excitement of a circus coming to town. MIDDLE: A miniature circus comes to town in a e gures were contributed by Bob library display.Emmons and John Lesinski. Clowns,seals, tigers, bareback riders and a RIGHT: Plastic knights and building blocks form amounted mariachi band make for a diorama the child in all of us can enjoy.spectacular and nostalgic show. 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’S NEW CATALOGUE COMMEMORATES GREAT WAR CENTENARY W. Britain’s 2014 Summer Catalogue pathos-packed set titled “Life Tedtoy Miniatures, Old Toy Soldiercommemorates the centenary of the com- in the Trenches” made up of an Home and History Store. A Britishmencement of World War I, salutes sailors exhausted Tommy sitting on a box 24th Foot soldier tangles with a Zuluand marines, and spotlights plastics. and a pal eating chow while seated in “The Deadly Dance,” the third in a on the ground. Seventeen different metal releases in series of limited editions only avail-58-mm scale remember the 100th anni- British cavalry of 1916-18 is able from Sierra Toy Soldier Co.versary of the Great War. Britain declared brought to life by a mountedwar on Germany Aug. 4, 1914. Those two lancer and a rather unique set Plastics fans can look forwardcountries are the focus of the company’s composed of a dismounted lancer to seven newly configured Superlatest matt-finished work, according to feeding his horse. Storm trooper Deetail sets. Each group is composedGeneral Manager and Creative Director of six matt-finished figures on footKenneth A. Osen. tactics are demonstrated by in window boxes. Colorful cowboys seven lively Germans. and Indians re-create the Wild West. For example, three soldiers with peaked WWII infantrymen fight for eithercaps depict “Old Contemptibles” of the Seven other pieces have been Britain, Germany, Japan or the UnitedBritish Expeditionary Force deployed in added to the fledgling “Jack Tars & States.mainland Europe after the shooting started Leathernecks Collection.” Britain Copies of the catalogue are avail-100 years ago. One Tommy has collected a is represented by a World War II able from the manufacturer and itsGerman pickelhaube for a souvenir. period Royal Navy sailor in blue dress dealers around the world. enjoying his rum ration as well as Roy- A new Voluntary Aid Detachment al Marines of 1805 and the circa --Stuart A. Hessneynurse figure reminds me of the Lady Sybil 1970s King’s Squad. Two ver-Crawley character in the “Downton Ab- sions of seamen in blue winter ABOVE: “Britishbey” TV drama.  service dress have been inspired by Royal Marine, U.S. Navy history. The latest U.S. Marines King’s Squad, Western Front trench warfare has replicate WWII green winter service dress 1970s”spawned four British Army items with and Vietnam War combat gear. (ref. 13002).Brodie steel helmets. They include a A piper, side drummer and NCO from TOP LEFT: the British Army’s 78th (Highlanders) “1916-18 British Regiment of Foot are reinforcing the Lancer Feeding “Museum Collection.” These circa 1870 Horse” (ref. kilted figures re-create a 3-year stint in 23063). Canada, where these “Ross-shire Buffs” garrisoned Fort George atop Citadel Hill RIGHT: “U.S. in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Marine, Vietnam, 1966-68, No. 1” Exclusives include “The Struggle,” (ref. 13008). which pits a downed soldier from the Union Iron Brigade against an onrushing BELOW: Super Confederate. That set will be sold by the Deetail “Wild Toy Soldier Shoppe, For the Historian, West Indians Set No. 1” (ref. 52012).8 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

TOYMAKER OF WILLIAMSBURG SHOP CLOSES The Toymaker of Williamsburg, Va., three more ex- ABOVE: the toymaker’s sarah Gunn holds ana landmark for generations of collectors clusive figures exclusive Colonial bass drummer figure producedyoung and old, closed after 49 years in the portraying a by w. britain. her shop has closed, but the businesssame U.S. location at the end of January side drummer, continues to operate online.2014. standard-bearer and base drum- Richard Gunn, father of current mer releasedowner Sarah Gunn, opened the store in from 2010 toMerchants Square, directly adjacent to 2012.the restored Colonial Williamsburg, in1965. Sarah began working at the store The shopas a youth and started full time in 1978. carried allShe assumed full ownership in the early kinds of toys,1990s. in addition to an extensive Sarah was one of the original sponsors inventory ofof the Military History Weekend when toy soldiers bythe event was launched in Williamsburg various makers.in 2009. An open house was held at The According toToymaker on the Friday prior to the start Sarah, business did not recover from theof the October show from 2009 to 2012. recession of 2009. W. Britain produced an exclusive Though the bricks-and-mortar storefigure for The Toymaker depicting a Co- has been shuttered, the business continueslonial fifer of the Virginia State Garrison to operate online.Regiment. It made its debut at the 2009open house. It was complemented by —Clyde Cocke‘BAND OF BROTHERS’ BRIGADE DEACTIVATED, CURRAHEE NAME LIVES ON One of the U.S. Army’s most storied of Easy Company’s experiences during World War II. ABOVE: fairly recent wwiiunits was rendered inactive in a ceremony Since WWII, the Currahees have aggregated more than 101st airborne releases include thisat Fort Campbell, Ky., April, 25, 2014. nine years in combat. kneeling officer reading a map made by King & Country ltd. The 101st Airborne Division’s 4th The name Currahee has been traced to the CherokeeBrigade Combat Team, which included Indian word “gurahiyi” (stands alone) and the name of athe famous “Band of Brothers” who fought mountain in Northeast Georgia where the 506th Para-under the “Currahee” banner, was deac- chute Infantry Regiment trained during WWII.tivated. But as the United States’ longestwar winds down and the Army becomes Now that the 4th Brigade Combat team has beensmaller, the name will live on in two other deactivated, the regiment’s 1st Battalion “Red Currahees”combat teams. will bring their name and lineage to the 1st Brigade Combat Team “Bastogne,” joining two battalions of the The 506th Infantry Regiment, a forma- 327th Infantry. tion of light troops within the 101st, wasthe nucleus for the establishment of the Meanwhile, the 2nd Battalion “White Currahees,”4th Brigade at the height of the second including Easy Company, has combined with two battal-Iraq War in October 2005. The unit was ions of the 187th Infantry Regiment in the 3rd Brigadedeployed to Iraq a month later and went Combat Team “Rakkasan.” to Afghanistan three times. --Stuart A. Hessney However, the Army began downsizingas the Iraq War concluded and opera- Cartoon by doug dearthtions in Afghanistan shifted to “advise andassist” missions. In 2013, the Pentagonannounced that 10 brigades – the equiva-lent of more than 35,000 soldiers – wouldbe cut. The reorganization’s casualties includedthe 4th Brigade Combat Team, whosetroops received the news while in Afghan-istan on what turned out to be the unit’sfinal mission. But the renowned Curraheename will live on according to Maj. Gen.James C. McConville, commander of the101st Airborne “Screaming Eagles.” The Currahee nickname and heritageof the 506th Infantry was made famous in2001 when HBO televised the “Band ofBrothers” miniseries chronicling the men toy soldier & model fiGUre 9

TREEFROG TREASURES MILITARY STATUES Honoring All Who Served • Treefrog Treasures has launched a new website focused exclusively on larger scale military statues. • Offering the expanding range of Khaki Army figures, including 1:6 scale statues, 1:6 scale presentation busts, and 1:10 scale statues • e exclusive US dealer for the extensive Ballantynes of Walkerburne range of figures, handmade in Scotland, with statues from ancient to modern time periods in bronze and painted finishes • Extreme Detail • Bronze Cold Cast Resin www.militarystatue.com Email: [email protected] Phone: 1-507-545-2500 or US Toll Free 1-866-394-2418 248 Sandstone Dr. NW, Eyota, MN 55934



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

We have numerous out-of-production King & Country pieces in stock! We also buy collections, one piece or one hundred. Currently carrying the following lines • King & Country • First Legion • W. Britains • Figarti • Thomas Gunn Miniatures • John Jenkins Designs • Collectors Showcase • Build A Rama • Del Prado • JG Miniatures • Kronprinz • Frontline35 Pilgrim Village Road, Unit 902, Taunton MA 02780 tel: 617-462-5431 email: [email protected] Sierra Toy Soldier Company New! Britain’s Zulu War - BR20147 -- “The Deadly Dance” - Zulu Warrior and British 24th Foot Hand-to-Hand Set - 3 Piece Set - Limited Edition of 500 - Sierra Toy Soldier Company Exclusive! Peter Nathan Toy Soldiers Visit Our store, In person Or Online For The Largest Selection Of Toy Soldiers! We offer the widest variety of elite military miniatures, toy soldiers and diorama accessories available for your 29 N. Santa Cruz Avenue, Los Gatos, CA 95030 visual hobby. Peter Nathan Toy Soldiers has been in Toll Free (866) 869-7653 International (408) 395-3000 business over 20 years and all the products displayed Fax (408) 395-3006 in our new store are available online. www.sierratoysoldier.com Shop 18, level 2, Queen Victoria Building,455 George Street, Sydney, Australia. Tel: (+612) 9267 5591 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 13 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

History & diorama projectThe ARW Frontier’sWyoming MassacreJames H. Hillestad recruits figures from W. Britain’s new `Clash of Empires’ range tore-create an ARW frontier raid launched by Loyalists and Indians in PennsylvaniaText: James H. Hillestad Photos: James H. Hillestad & W. BritainT he American Revolutionary War was in full fury.  After spending the winter of1777-1778 in Philadelphia, British forcesmarched across New Jersey and returnedto their base in New York City. With itsmain army bottled up in that area, theBritish government sought to exploit aperceived Patriot weakness: the fact thatthe frontier to Gen. George Washington’srear was vulnerable to Indian raids.British Loyalists incited and encour-aged Indians of the Iroquois Confederacyin the heartland of New York state toattack frontier settlements in NortheasternPennsylvania. It was there that the Wyo-ming Massacre -- one of the war’s most ABOVE: Indians attack a Colonial homestead BELOW: The Susquehanna River bisects thehorri c events -- occurred July 3, 1778. defended by militia in Jim Hillestad’s diorama. Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania.  GUERILLA WARe site of the massacre, also known asthe Battle of Wyoming, is less than 30miles from where I sit writing these linesin the Pocono Mountains. eword “Wyoming”derives fromthe MunseeIndianlanguageand means“at the bigriver at.” LEFT: W. Britain’s “Eastern Woodland Indian Attacking BELOW: A mayhem-minded Indian makes his way through woods toward settlers’ farm. With War Club.”14 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

History & diorama project e Wyoming Valley is a wide, bucolic and his trapped army Oct. 17, 1777, northern and western frontiers of theplain bounded on two sides by mountain following the Battles of Saratoga in New irteen Colonies.ranges bisected by the Susquehanna River. York state. is spurred France to enter A regiment of Loyalist Rangers wasFollowing the French and Indian War, 40 the war as an ally of the rebel colonists.settlers from Connecticut established a town recruited by Lt. Col. John Butler. Chiefsalong the river. It became known as Forty As a result, the British adopted Cornplanter and Sayenqueraghta collectedFort due to the number of original pioneers. a defensive posture in Quebec over Iroquois warriors, mostly from their own worries that France might try to seize Seneca tribe. Joseph Brant marshaled e tiny frontier community became parts of New France lost in the French fellow Mohawks for the campaign. Of thea big target in the wake of events of and Indian War. e British also actively Iroquois Six Nations, only the Oneida andthe previous year – particularly the enlisted Tories and Indian allies to Tuscarora became allies of the Patriots.surrender of British Gen. John Burgoyne conduct guerrilla warfare along the e Senecas started launching raids RIGHT: “Eastern Woodland Indian Running With Musket No. 1” by W. Britain.ABOVE: W. Britain’s figure of Chief Joseph Get In TouchBryant directs the attack. The Mohawk leader wasnot present during the Wyoming Massacre, but W. Britainnevertheless vilified for it. Ken Osen Phone: 563-690-1259TOP: Indians launch a raid along the frontier. Email: [email protected] Web: www.wbritain.comRIGHT: Historical marker for Forty Fort, site of theARW massacre. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 15

History & diorama project against settlements along the Allegheny and Susquehanna Rivers by April 1778. e three groups – Loyalists, Senecas and Mohawks – met to confer at the Indian village of Tioga, N.Y., in early June. Brant and the Mohawks headed north, where they had already raided Cobleskill, N.Y., the previous month. Butler’s Rangers and the Senecas fatefully opted to strike south into the Wyoming Valley.   GRISLY ORDEAL On June 30, the British allies arrived in the valley. ey included about 700 Seneca warriors and 400 Loyalists. e next day Butler demanded and gained the surrender of Wintermute’s Fort. He arranged for its defenders to be paroled on the condition that they would not bear arms again for the duration of the war. On July 3, the British spotted numer- ous Colonial troops mustering outside Forty Fort. Butler had Wintermute’s Fort put to the torch and set up an ambush while the Americans were still a mile away. e Patriots advanced rapidly because they thought the burning fort signi ed an enemy retreat. ey marched right into the trap. e Rangers red three volleys from a range of only 100 yards. e Senecas had TOP: A Colonial militia officer squares off against an onrushing warrior. LEFT: W. Britain re-creates the sort of fierce hand- to-hand combat that occurred during the Battle of Wyoming. BOTTOM LEFT: A warrior takes a scalp from a fallen militiaman. BELOW: “Eastern Woodland Indian Kneeling Firing No. 1” by W. Britain.16 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

History & diorama projectbeen lying at on the ground to avoid troops. Some of them were reportedly ABOVE: Civil War figures produced by W. Britainbeing seen. e warriors sprang up, red taken captive and ritually tortured before were converted into Colonial settlersa volley and rushed forward to engage being killed.the Americans in erce hand-to-hand TOP: Patriot militiamen take cover behind a wagon.combat. Out of the 300 Colonial militiamen and 60 Continentals involved in the clash, drove o 1,000 cattle and other livestock. A sharp ght erupted and lasted about only ve were taken prisoner and 60 es- Survivors’ accounts of the grisly ordeal sent45 minutes. An attempt to reposition the caped alive. Forty Fort and two other forts chills throughout the Pocono MountainsAmerican line triggered panic amongst were surrendered the following morning. and the nearby Delaware River Valley.inexperienced militiamen, then a rout. However, the Loyalists and Indians actu- Lt. Col. Butler claimed that his force ally took some pains to spare most non- e Indians hunted down eeing Patriot took 227 scalps, torched 1,000 houses and TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 17

History & diorama projectcombatants and defenseless civilians.   ABOVE: The action-packed diorama depicts Subsequently, the Iroquois were enraged Indians on the warpath. SULLIVAN STRIKESby accusations of atrocities they claimed they LEFT: “Eastern Woodland Indian Crouchinghad not engaged in. In the 1809 poem “Ger-  Responding to this threatening situation, Advancing” (ref. 16012).trude of Wyoming,” Scottish poet omas Washington ordered Maj. Gen. JohnCampbell vili ed Brant as a “monster,” Sullivan to lead a punitive expedition BELOW: “Eastern Woodland Indian Squatting,though the famous native leader was not to the Wyoming Valley and eradicate Waiting With Musket” (ref. 16010).present at the battle. the Indian menace during the summer of 1779. After building a road pieces, 1,200 pack horses, and 800 cattle Indian ire was also roused through the forbiddingby some American troops who wilderness, Sullivan set up marched out of Easton and headed alongviolated their parole by resum-ing hostilities. British and camp at Easton, Pa. what became known as “Sullivan’s Trail”Iroquois forces retaliated e campaign beganin the Cherry Valley for the Wyoming Valley. Later on, theyMassacre in Eastern in earnest June 18, whenNew York Nov. Sullivan’s force of 2,300 linked up with a smaller force commanded11, 1778. men, eight artillery by Brig. Gen. James Clinton and swept through Iroquois territory. ere was only one signi - cant bat- tle Aug. 29 at Newtown, N.Y. e over- whelming American force relentlessly compelled tribes to evacuate. e Sullivan-Clinton Expedition methodically destroyed 40 Iroquois villages along with enormous quantities of stored corn and vegetables by the time the campaign ended Oct. 3, 1779. Many Indians died of starvation that winter. e Iroquois never recovered.  18 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

CLASH OF EMPIRES History & diorama projectW. Britain General Manager and Creative LEFT: “EasternDirector Kenneth A. Osen recently Woodlandinitiated the “Clash of Empires” series of Indian Kneelingmatt-painted gures. ey are designed Priming Musket”to enable collectors to re-create con icts (ref. 16014).between 1754 and 1794 that embroilednative peoples and European intruders converted to create Colonial civilians. ewhile shaping North America’s destiny. overall scene measures 23 inches by 45 inches. “Clash of Empires” gures werereviewed in TS&MF issues 188 and 191. e diorama illustrates a historic clashA half-dozen more animated additions to of empires captured in miniature by de-the range were unveiled in the manufac- tailed gures from by W. Britain. .turer’s 2014 Spring & Stock Catalogue.For collectors fond of traditional-style  painting in gloss colors, a Huron war- Editor’s Note: is TS&MF article wasrior posed standing ring has joined the adapted from a version that originally ap-“Redcoats & Bluecoats” series. peared in the February 2014 edition of e Standard, the quarterly journal of the W. W. Britain’s detailed new releases of Britain Collectors Club. anks to writerEastern Woodland Indians, coupled with James H. Hillestad and W. Britain Gen-a visit to the Wyoming Valley, were theinspiration for my diorama depicting an eral Manager and Creative Directorattack on a Colonial farmstead defended Kenneth A. Osen for sharing it with ourby local militia. readers. Various 58-mm gures from the “Clash TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 19of Empires” series were supplementedby ARW pieces from the same maker. Acouple of gures that started out life as part of W. Britain’s Ameri- can Civil War range wereABOVE: W. Britain’s new glossy “Native American ABOVE: “EasternWarrior, Huron, Standing Firing No. 2” (ref. 47046). Woodland Indian Running With MusketTOP: A farmer’s cornfield becomes a battlefield. No. 2” (ref. 16008).about the writer RIGHT: The latest additions to the “Clash James H. Hillestad is the of Empires” series proprietor of The Toy Soldier include an Indian Museum and shop in Cresco, dragging off a wounded Pa., USA. comrade in a set titled “No One Left Behind” (ref. 16013).

Show reportMilitary MiniaturesInvade Valley ForgeA.J. Mergenthaler explores the traders and exhibits at the MFCA’s 73rd annual show and competitionText and Photos: A.J. MergenthalerD uring the very long, cold, snowy and dark winter months before the real show schedule’sspringtime rebirth, I began to think aboutour shared hobby. Why am I and countlessothers drawn to it? What keeps us, oncebitten, so committed to what some mightthink of as a child’s interest or curiosity? It is true that there is, in a very realway, a degree of childish fascination -- nomatter what your chronological age -- intoy soldiers of one sort or another. Prob-ably most of our fraternity evolved fromplaying with toy soldiers into the categoryof collectors not only of toy soldiers butexquisitely produced military miniatures. ABOVE: Harmony House had a wide selection BELOW: The AeroArt St. Petersburg Collection of old toy soldiers for anyone looking to fill in their continues to create dramatic and exquisite mini- collections of Britains and other makers. dioramas like this Viking vignette.ABOVE: Matthew Murphy of Hobby Bunker is aregular dealer at shows as well as having a brick-and-mortar store in Massachusetts. However, there must be a bridge thatspans a childhood connection to an adultdedication. For many, if not most, thatconnection is based on a real love of his-tory -- speci cally an interest in militaryhistory. Basically, enthusiasts seem toeither focus on one speci c historicalperiod or have a general interest regardlessof time period. I nd myself in the lattercategory, with a desire to immerse myselfwith information spanning the centuriesof recorded history. For most of us, a break seems to occurwhen we broach the changing years of20 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Show report ABOVE: Custom-made castle sections were available from Lord Tankervilles Knights.ABOVE: Medieval Crusades grouping by AeroArt. adolescence, at which time toy soldiers, etc., become less of an all- consuming interest due to our expanding world and its enticements.ABOVE: Nazi SA, SS and personality figures made by King & Country were onseveral dealers’ tables. However, at some point the hook that was rst set -- perhaps years before -- takes hold once again and our earlier fascina-ABOVE: Imrie/Risley Miniatures was represented by Heather, Calder and Helen tion breaks forth in a renewed desire to make up for lost time.Imrie (from left). For some, a hiatus from the hobby might have been decades. For others, it might have never been totally forsaken. Some get into the hobby in the later years of life. Whatever the case may be, it nevertheless is an addictive pastime that requires constant acquisi- tions to assuage the collector’s voracious appetite. Well, enough about the mystery of our magni cent and satisfy- ing hobby. Let’s see what the 73rd Annual Miniature Figure Collectors of America (MFCA) Show & Mart had to o er at the Valley Forge Casino Resort in King of Prussia, Pa., Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10, 2014.   MARKET SEGMENT A number of vendors remarked about the somewhat shrinking number of tables in the market area of the U.S. show. e always faithful, however, continued to have blocks of tables, including Hobby Bunker, e AeroArt St. Petersburg Collection, Crown Military Miniatures, Minutemen Toy Soldiers, Relic Golden Amusements and Red Lancer. A welcome and very delightful sight was Helen Imrie; her daughter, Heather; and Helen’s 12-year-old grandson, Calder; manning the Imrie/Risley Miniatures tables after a hiatus for sev- eral years. It was great to see I/R back on the show circuit again. Harmony House had several tables of old toy soldiers by Britains and other makers in excellent condition available for the nostalgia-minded crowd. Dr. Christian B. Keller, professor of his- tory at the U.S. War College, displayed some of the best tin tanks, vehicles, artillery and aircraft by German makers such as Lineol and Tippco. e condition and variety was amazing for these 1930s-era toys. ese days so many vendors o er gures from the same manu- facturers that one has to appreciate the quality and diversity o ered by Crown Military Miniatures and proprietor Nicholas Cameron’s terri c dioramas. And, at the higher end of gures, AeroArt’s su- perb Russian miniatures are without doubt the top of the line. I believe that Minutemen Toy Soldiers and Hobby Bunker had the most extensive selections of King & Country Ltd. and W. Brit- ain products available, along with gures from other manufacturers and numerous diorama and scenic pieces to augment displays. Another show regular on hand was Al Green of Green’s Col- lectables, who advertised “toy soldiers at their best.” Little Tin Soldier provided hundreds, if not thousands, of tin ats in several scales depicting various historical periods. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 21

Show report Artist Keith Rocco of Tradition Studio displayed severalbeautiful oil paintings and printed reproductions of his work bothframed and unframed.  EXHIBIT AREA e exhibit area was well-supplied with works in the severaldi erent categories of the medals competition. e wide varietyof single gures; multi gure, mini and full-size dioramas; andfantastic, scratch-built pieces would have made any of thecompetition judges scratch their heads when trying to make theirselections. An area that seems to have grown during the past severalyears is fantasy and science ction gures and dioramas. ey areexceptionally well-done and imaginative, but seem somewhat outof place in a military and history-themed competition. ABOVE: Dr. Christian B. Keller offered Lineol and Tippco vehicles in excellent condition and more. LEFT: “English Archer” bust painted by Patrick Kuh. TOP: Painted examples of some of the dozens of 120-mm figure kits offered by Model Cellar Productions. LEFT: WWII diorama by David Vickers titled “Guardian of the Bridge.” Several items caught my attention as being some of the best examples of the skills, imagination and diversi ed subject matter our hobby o ers. For example, a 120-mm “Guardian of the Bridge” scene by David Vickers featuring a World War II U.S. Army halftrack with quad antiaircraft guns was extremely eye-catching. Mike Cramer’s busts of Polish King Jan III Sobieski and Emperor Qianlong of China’s Ch’ing Dynasty were absolutely stunning and seemed to breathe. He built and painted them from kits by Adalbertus and Seil Models, respectively. A superb bust from a Verlinden Productions kit portrayed a wounded English archer. Painted by Patrick Kuh, this piece was frighteningly realistic and arresting.  I liked the e ect and movement of a “Waterloo 1815” non- competition diorama by Alan Golden. It gave new meaning to the term “grassroots movement” (sorry, I just couldn’t help myself, but readers will see what I mean in the corresponding photo). A diorama titled “Tank Attack, 1916” by Jim Molenaro was22 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Show reportpacked with action, drama and visual impact. ere was lots going Get In Touchon in his depiction of a World War I combat encounter betweena British tank and German soldiers enlisted from kits by Andrea IMRIE/RISLEY MINIATURESMiniatures. quality  mm and mm military kits    P.O. Box 8920-MULE TEAM Burnt Hills, NY 12027 USA Phone: 563-690-1259As I conclude this report, I want to mention the most unusual Email: [email protected]. At the far end of the exhibit area and on a long table sitting www.ImrieRisleyMiniatures.comthere all by itself was James Poe’s model of one of the famous 20- Made in USAmule teams of the late 19th-century American West. TOP LEFT: A very nice diorama by Alan Golden depicting Napoleon’s is model was a partially scratch-built a air with commer- campaign in Egypt.cially produced mules and gures. It measured several feet inlength. It was, undoubtedly, one of the most unique entries I have TOP RIGHT: Mike Cramer’s building and painting skills were exhibited inever seen at an MFCA competition. busts of Polish King Jan III Sobieski and Emperor Qianlong of China’s Ch’ing Dynasty (from left). e term “20-mule team” is really a misnomer since the teamswere actually comprised of 18 mules and two horses. e largewagons carried borax out of Death Valley from 1883 to 1889. e three wagons pulled by the team were the trailer, tenderand the tank at the very rear. e cargo wagons were some ofthe largest ever pulled by draft animals. ey were designed to ABOVE: James Poe’s unique 20-mule team model. LEFT: Dramatic, non-competition diorama by Alan Golden depicting the splendor of cavalry in the grass at Waterloo. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 23

Show reportcarry 10 tons of borax ore from mines BON APPETIT On the other hand, you might be soacross the Mojave Desert a distance of inspired that you will continue to sharpen165 miles to the nearest railroad spur in e next MFCA show is scheduled for your skills. And, perhaps one day youMojave, Calif. May 8-9, 2015. might be entering examples of your own work in the competition. Rather than just Poe’s model was a quite di erent and If you have never attended one of these ogling what others have accomplished, younicely created piece of American history. shows and exhibitions, you are really miss- might be a contender. ing one of the major events of our hobby.   Whatever the toy soldier equivalent e only trouble is, if you are a modeler of “bon appétit” is, I wish it to my fellowBELOW: Jim Molenaro’s action-packed “Tank or painter of gures, that you might be collectors.Attack, 1916.” somewhat intimidated by the quality of the work on exhibit. about the writer A.J. Mergenthaler was a co-owner of TBC Graphics, a typesetting and printing company, in New York City and Rockland County, N.Y., USA. After the business was acquired by Bowne & Co., he became vice president and sales manager of Intergraphic Technology and Action Graphics. The retiree is a longtime toy soldier and model figure collector. He has also contributed articles to several hobby and history-related publications through the years. In addition, he was one of the founders of the Military Historical Society.Toy Soldier Fans Flock Storm. ere are also civilian gure dis- time, visitors were welcome to helpto Museum Open House plays, dioramas, authentic uniforms, drums, themselves. medals and prints. e Toy Soldier Museum had many Dozens of sets of toy soldiersreasons to welcome springtime this year As always, regular visitors found that had long been stored away were-- at last! Green lawns and blooming something new to interest them. My brought out for the sales tables. eyda odils were among them, as was our latest dioramas included a depiction of were o ered alongside antique militaryannual spring open house in Cresco, Pa., the American Civil War’s Battle of Fort prints and books, both current and outUSA. Stedman in 1865. It was the last concerted of print. Confederate attempt to break the Siege of Our event was held ursday, May Petersburg, Va. e American Revolution- All are welcome at the museum’s8, 2014, the day before the 73rd Annual ary War’s Wyoming Massacre in Pennsyl- twice-yearly open houses. e next oneMiniature Figure Collectors of America vania during 1778 was the basis of another is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 1, 2014,(MFCA) Show & Mart in King of Prus- diorama. Both scenes featured gures by the day before the East Coast Toy Sol-sia, Pa. More than 50 toy soldier enthusi- W. Britain. dier Show & Sale in Hackensack, N.J.asts came from as far away as Canada andas nearby as Stroudsburg, Pa. Martin Ritchie of U.S. Military Min- --James H. Hillestad iatures displayed a new 28-piece set of the For rst-time visitors, the museum 1st Marine Division band in dress blues. BELOW LEFT: New diorama based on theo ers toy soldier displays ranging from ACW’s Battle of Fort Stedman.ancient Egypt to Operation Desert From morning co ee and cake through homemade soup and sandwiches at lunch- BELOW: The 1st Marine Division band by U.S. Military Miniatures.24 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

TOY SOLDIER SHOPPE “FIRSTLEGION’S IRONBRIGADE”STORE 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., Tof rToiompes MMiliiltiatarryyMMiinniiaattuurreess •• LLiimmitieteddEEdidtiiotinoPnrPinrtisn•tsM•ilMitairliitaaria Greenfield, WI 53228 16106022CCooppeellaanndd SStt..J•a3c8k1so-n6v8i2ll8e,•FwLw• w90.t4r-o38o1p-s6o8f2t8ime.com (414)302-1850 SMwatouwnrddwaayy.–t1Fr1r:oi0d0oay-p140s::0o300f-•t5Ti:3um0e•sedSa.ayctu-ordFmaryi:dBayy A1p0p:3o0in-tm5e:n30t [email protected] www.tomgunN.co.uk • email: [email protected] Legionnaires Heinkel 162 SalamanderV Series Fuel Truck Celtic ArcherAvailable direct from us and from all good quality toy soldier stockists throughout the world.1s/c3a0lteh Thomas Gunn Miniatures, 67 Market Place, Warminster, BA12 9AZ, UK 1s/3c0atlhe Phone: 0044 1985 219472 - Fax: 0044 1985 216105 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 25

Collecting & wargamingCollectors BattlefieldRange Is LaunchedBrian Levy’s latest brainchild offers hobbyists an affordable and space-saving wayto display and play with their collectibles, according to Hayden HammersmithText: Hayden Hammersmith Photos: Courtesy of Collectors BattlefieldB rian Levy has opened a new front in the retail war for capturing the hearts and minds of collectors andwargamers by launching Collectors Bat-tle eld. For starters, the 28-mm lineupof painted metal gures and vehiclesis focused on World War II’s Battle ofCarentan. Brian is president of e CollectorsShowcase (TCS) in Austin, Texas, USA,and thus has been creating 60-mm mili-tary miniatures for a number of years. Hehopes to tap a new vein of interest with hislatest brainchild. “Collectors Battle eld is meant to sat- ABOVE: The German 17th SS Panzergrenadier isfy both the wargamer and the dioramist,” Division launches a counterattack at Carentan June Brian related. “It has been conceived as a 13, 1944. way that dioramists can bring to life much larger-scope dioramas and make possible LEFT: U.S. 101st Airborne “BAR Team” (ref. CBA034). gaming those pieces.” BELOW: A pack howitzer team supports Screaming   Eagles squaring off against Germans.26 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Collecting & wargamingCOST, SPACE FACTORS don’t have to worry about staying up late at night painting gures for tomorrow’s battle anymore!” Brian exclaimed.From the manufacturer’s point of view, one big plus is that Briandid not have to start Collectors Battle eld completely from e maker is placing a premium on maximizing visual variety.scratch. Instead the 28-mm items are based on past TCS products German and American soldiers come in varied poses. ey in-with a proven track record of popularity and collectability. clude everything from action-packed privates to character gures of commanders, casualties and medics to tend to them. e little Brian explained, “Each 28-mm pose is based on a larger pose AFVs are made of a combination of heavy resin and metal parts,in 60-mm that our parent company, Collectors Showcase, has cre-ated. With all of the pieces we’ve dreamed up through such as their tracks and guns. Despite the small scale, tankthe years, we thought it high time to market hatches actually open and close.a range that had an accessible price “ e AFVs look and feel just like ourpoint and a small initial footprint. larger Collectors Showcase pieces,It’s truly scalable -- a customer and at a fraction of the cost,” Briancan indulge in just a few observed. “Knowing that collec-pieces or quickly build up tors would want to accumulatean entire battle scene that more than one, we thoughtfullyheretofore has been out of add decals for three di erenttheir grasp.” hull numbers in every package, so no two Shermans or other A common lament this tanks will be alike.writer has heard from fel- ough the brand name islow toy soldier and model brand new, Collectors Battle- eld can already supply tabletop gure collectors is that they generals with WWII gures in moreare simply running out of than 100 poses and seven vehicles. eyroom when it comes to con- feature historically accurate details and comesidering acquiring more 54-mm or60-mm gures to display on their cabinet on ocked bases. shelves or deploy in dioramas. Cost is also a  major concern shared by many hobbyists as the global economystill tries to recover from a massive recession. CLASH AT CARENTAN Besides being less taxing on both the wallet and space require- Collectors Battle eld’s rst wave of o erings is based on Caren-ments, the Collectors Battle eld concept is appealing because tan, a clash whose pro le was raised by its depiction in the “Bandit injects interactive fun into our hobby by making it possible to of Brothers” television miniseries.actually play wargames with a collection rather than simply haveit on display.  e stage was set by the Allied invasion of French NormandyVA  RIED & DETAILED ABOVE: The SS Sturmgeschutze assault gun (ref. CBG025) comes with a commander andCollectors Battle eld gures, jeeps and armored ghting vehicles hatches that open and close.are designed in Austin by drawing from the parent company’s richdatabase and using the same cutting-edge technology. RIGHT: Panzergrenadiers manning an MG42 lay Partners in China are enlisted to produce the matt-painted down covering fire (ref.pieces with an impressive level of detail in miniature right down CBG015).to camou age schemes and unit insignia. Everything comes fullyassembled and ready for play and display. BELOW: Collectors Battlefield has “Wargamers can deploy reinforcements immediately, so they unleashed 28- mm GermanBELOW: American infantrymen supported by a Sherman tank go into action. Fallschrimjäegers. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 27

Collecting & wargaming June 6, 1944. Seizing German-held Carentan became a key objective to consolidate U.S. troops’ toeholds on Utah and Omaha Beaches, and create a continuous de- fensive line against anticipated enemy counterattacks. Germans defending the city included the 6th Parachute Regiment, a couple of Ost battalions and remnants of other units. ey came under attack by “Screaming Eagles” from the U.S. Army’s 101st Air- borne Division June 10. American paratroopers forced their way across a causeway and into Carentan June 10-11. Running low on ammo, the Germans withdrew June 12. However, the German 17th SS Panzergrenadier Division launched a counterattack against the 101st June 13. In what became known as the Battle of TOP: Panzergrenadiers leap into action from a Hanomag. LEFT: A Marder III accompanies SS troops trying to seize a key crossroads. BELOW: German Puma SdKfz 234 armored car and troops from the 17th SS.28 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Collecting & wargamingBloody Gulch, German troops spear- up to encourage them to change their e historical periods with hundreds of gures,”headed by tanks and assault guns made minds and have more fun. he added. “In the larger 54-mm/60-mmgood headway at rst. But they su ered scales, it would be space-prohibitive andheavy losses and were repulsed after U.S. e keys are an individual unit card cost-prohibitive, except for those withLt. Gen. Omar Bradley sent Combat system and rules designed to make unlimited funds. But Collectors Battle eldCommand A of the 2nd Armored Divi- skirmish games easy to learn and play. is making it possible to create large-scalesion into the fray. cards describe details such as unit type clashes with 28-mm miniatures that don’t morale, strength and ring specialty to take up as much space and cost less.” Collectors Battle eld is re-creatingthis dramatic clash with gures depicting RIGHT: Screaming Eagles sets include a three-manthe 101st Airborne and its 327th Glider team armed with rifles and a submachine gunInfantry Regiment, a jeep that can tow a (ref. CBA035).pack howitzer, a 57-mm antitank gun andRIGHT: German 17th SS forces include a 7.5-cm Pak 40 antitank gun and crew(ref. CBG020).crew, and Sherman and Stuart tanks on help players keep track of their teams. about the writerthe American side. “At Collectors Battle eld, we envision Hayden Hammersmith is German forces include Fallschrim- miniature worlds where squads do battle intrigued by military historyjäegers from the 6th Parachute Regiment, nightly, then are displayed during the day in and collects toy soldiers, with17th SS panzergrenadiers, a Sturmge- hobbyists’ homes,” Brian enthused. an emphasis on the Britishschutze assault gun, an eight-wheeled Empire. The U.S. writer residesPuma SdKfz 234 armored car, a Marder e maker also hopes the smaller pieces in Philadelphia, Pa., where heIII and a Hanomag. Prices range from and smaller prices will appeal to anyone enjoys eating soft pretzels oraround $8.90 per gure to $66 U.S. for an with budget and space constraints. cheesesteak sandwiches whileAFV. on lunch breaks from his job in “Keeping prices low means people who the financial services sector or at Brian revealed that coming next are have only thought about collecting can now games cheering on his belovedmore WWII items, including British 1st NFL Eagles, NHL Flyers, MLBAirborne Division “Red Devils” inspired nd an a ordable and easy entry point into Phillies and NBA 76ers.by Operation Market Garden and the the hobby,” Brian pointed out.Battle of Arnhem Sept. 17-26, 1944. “Imagine battles from a myriad of   ABOVE: The 28-mm range includes AmericanPLAY OR DISPLAY paratroopers, a jeep and a Stuart tank.Some people with a passion LEFT: Machine gun team from the 101st Airbornefor collecting military minia- (ref. CBA033).tures have never engaged inwargaming. But CollectorsBattle eld has been geared TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 29

Show reportOMSS On Parade 2014Scott J. Dummitt covers all the festivities and camaraderie at the Ontario Model Soldier Society’sannual show and competition at old Fort York in TorontoText: Scott J. Dummitt ABOVE: Andy Traverse’s diorama depicting the closing stages of the Anglo-Zulu War’s Battle of Isandlwana Jan. 22, 1879.On Parade 2014, the Ontario Model Soldier Society’s (OMSS) 52nd annual show and competition, rolled BELOW: Dealer Dennis DeRusha and collector Dan Tiffin (from left). around quite fast because it returned to being a spring-time event after being held in September the last two years.   e Society wants to keep On Parade at Toronto’s historic FortYork, so the event was moved to the rst weekend in May due tovenue availability. Once again the show was plagued with sporadicshowers. However, the rain did not dampen the spirits of thosewho attended the largest military miniatures show in CanadaSaturday, May 3.  NEW CHAIRMANNew show Chairman Tom Elliot received lots of support whileoverseeing the event for the rst time. He was well-prepared forany last-minute problems that might occur. A larger than usual setup crew was ready to help Tom withpreparations on the Friday before the show. Even with the major-ity of the tables being delivered late to the fort, Tom and his crewhad everything set up and ready to go by 2:30 p.m. At that point, some of early arriving vendors and displayerswere able to move in with their wares and so on. e rest set upearly Saturday morning.BELOW: A modern Britains band of the Sherwood Foresters marches across adrum table handcrafted by John Hambly.30 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Show report   ABOVE: German troops cross a pontoon bridge in Les Eslary’s expansive WWII diorama titled ““France Near Arras, 21 May 1940.”SHOPPING FUN ABOVE: Women in uniform tend to wounded Tommies in Jim Matresky’s colorful is year’s show was most fortunate to have displays by W. WWI FANY diorama.Britain, Hudson & Allen Studio, and Borgfeldt (Canada) Ltd. LEFT The 1/6th-scale W. Britain General Manager Kenneth A. Osen and his wife, displays included a WWIIEricka, also displayed scenic items from their own Hudson & German 7.5-cm PakAllen enterprise. ey were making their rst Canadian show 97/38 antitank gun andappearance since Ken took the helm of the toy soldier company crew on the Russianin 2013. Front kit-bashed and customized by Keith ere was a continuous crowd around the Osens’ stand the Ritchie.whole show. It was obvious that collectors north of the U.S.border wanted to nd out what projects Ken has up his sleeve. BELOW LEFT: Longtime OMSS e show also a orded a great opportunity to see some of the members Ed Tansley andnew World War II Royal Air Force gures, such as the romantic John Brown (from left).“We’ll Meet Again” vignette and an antiaircraft emplacement,and other upcoming releases from W. Britain. Hudson & Allen’s WWII factory building and damagedsmokestack were things many OMSS members had not seen upclose before, and again they drew a lot of favorable comments. Merle Tubman represented Borgfeldt, one of the largesthobby distributors in Canada. Based in Markham, Ont., thecompany carries products from major hobby manufacturers suchas Tamiya, Dragon Models Ltd., Italeri and Zvezda. e vendors also included local W. Britain dealer HenryChow, Wiggy and Grant Lawson of Toy Soldier Toronto, myown Scott J. Dummitt Presents business, and brothers Antoineand omas éberge from the Toy Soldiers’ Club shop inQuebec City. Besides W. Britain products, new toy soldiersby makers such as King & Country Ltd., e CollectorsShowcase, First Legion Ltd., Frontline Figures, Del Prado,John Jenkins Designs, and omas Gunn Miniatures wereavailable at the show. e vendor area was busy for most of the show. Who couldblame people for wanting to shop as there were some excellentproducts to look through. Not only were there new items frommajor toy soldier manufacturers, a few tables were blanketedwith vintage Britains and other types. For example, Leon Doucet of Kingston, Ont., o ered ahuge selection of gures depicting hishometown’s Fort Henry Guard. I evenspotted TS&MF Editor Stuart A.Hessney walking around with a half-dozen pre-1967 Fort Henry Guard fersmade by Britains.  Once again the Independent Orderof the Daughters of the Empire (IODE),48th Highlanders of Canada Branch, rana snack and refreshment table during theshow. e pro ts will be donated to theveterans wing of Toronto’s SunnybrookHospital.GREAT WAR THEME e 2014 show centered on the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War I.Many of the Society’s members went to great lengths to create displays and competi-tion pieces re ecting the centenary.  Canada’s military contribution to the Great War amounted to approximately620,000 men and women out of a 1914 population of approximately 8 million. Itwas the rst time since Canada’s Confederation in 1867 that the nation sent an armyabroad, aside from a few regiments deployed in the Second Anglo-Boer War in SouthAfrica. s e victory at Vimy Ridge during 1917’s Battle of Arras in France has been recog-nized in Canadian history as the coming together of men from across the nation forthe rst time. ough Vimy Ridge was only one part of that battle, it showed that theCanadian Army had come of age. Perhaps one of the most touching memories from that “war to end all wars” was thepoem “In Flanders Fields.” It was written by a Canadian Army physician, Lt. Col. JohnMcCrae, in May 1915. e poppies growing in Flanders which McCrae wrote about TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 31

Show report have become internationally accepted as a symbol of remem- brance of those who made the ultimate sacri ce during WWIABOVE: Part of Jeff Duncan’s display of “Village Idiots.” and subsequent con icts.BELOW: Canadian trenches come under German artillery fire in Scott J.Dummitt’s WWI diorama titled “Stan Lee’s War.” OMSS member Jim Matresky assembled a wonderful display portraying the last cavalry charge by a Commonwealth unit. On March 31, 1918, Canadian Lt. Gordon Flowerdew led a charge by 100 troopers from C Squadron of Lord Strathcona’s Horse at Moreuil Wood in France. A German force of about 300 infantry- men supported by machine gun re was defeated in the action. Flowerdew was killed in the clash and posthumously awarded the Victoria Cross. Jim’s diorama highlighted the moment (as depicted in Alfred Munnings’ painting “Charge of Flowerdew’s Squadron”) when the lieutenant’s men, in full gallop, were about to engage the enemy. It was a wonderful example of what conversion work can be done with Armies in Plastic gures. Jim also created a display of British women in uniform from the First Aid Nursing Yeomanry (FANY) treating wounded Tom- mies. It was not only colorful, but a reminder that it wasn’t just the men who went o to war in 1914. Frank MacKay’s magni cent, 1:35-scale Mark IV tank depict- ing the 1st Canadian Tank Battalion illustrated the demise of the cavalry in modern warfare and the emergence of mechanized armor. He took an Emhar model kit and reworked part of the hull so a kit-bashed crew member could be seen inside the tank. e battalion was formed in 1918 but did not see combat.  For my own part, I wanted to do a diorama depicting the trench war as it would have been around 1916. Using Armies in Plastic’s Canadian Expeditionary Forces gures, I created “Stan Lee’s War.” My Great Uncle Stan, who was still alive when I was a young- ster, joined the CEF when he was underage. He didn’t talk much about the war except to tell a few humorous stories. rough the years I learned that these tales were his way of coping with what he might have seen and experienced. Using Styrofoam, stipple, and odds and ends, I was able to make a 4-foot trench coming under a surprise attack from a Ger- man artillery barrage. Many of the gures were converted, includ- ing a Lewis gun ammo loader and stretcher-bearers. e diorama wasn’t as colorful as many of the other interesting presentations, but then again it wasn’t meant to be. LEFT: Ken and Ericka Osen represented both W. Britain and their own Hudson & Allen Studio. BELOW LEFT: W. Britain display of WWII RAF items. BELOW: Factory building and battle-damaged smokestack by Hudson & Allen Studio.32 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Show report   ABOVE: While the OMSS show was going on BELOW: Bill Wyatt’s scratch-built royal barge was indoors at Fort York, re-enactors from the Loyalist inspired by Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond JubileeIMPRESSIVE DISPLAYS King’s Royal Yorkers practiced volley fire outdoors. and came complete with a string quartet.Other noteworthy displays included BELOW LEFT: Leon Doucet with one of his many old BELOW: Ron Peraziana depicted Union Maj. Gen.Andy Traverse’s “Battle of Isandlwana.” It Britains Fort Henry Guards sets available at the show. Joseph Hooker at the Battle of Chancellorsville.incorporated W. Britain gures, DragonModels Ltd. action gures, a full-sizereproduction of a British 24th Regimentof Foot tunic with webbing, and a Zulushield. Ron Peraziana had both a WWI dis-play and an American Civil War dioramadepicting Union Maj. Gen. Joseph Hookerat the Battle of Chancellorsville in 1863. Les Eslary spent four hours as-sembling a vast WWII display titled“France Near Arras, 21 May 1940.” It de-picted German troops occupying a town.Most of the gures, vehicles and buildingswere made by King & Country. Perhaps one of the most eye-catchingpieces was a small diorama by WilliamWyatt depicting British Queen ElizabethII’s royal barge. It was part of a otillaof more than 1,000 boats that navigatedthe ames River in conjunction withHer Majesty’s Diamond Jubilee in2012. Bill scratch-built the barge andmanned it with conversions of W. Britainand Corgi gures along with a stringquartet from Sarum Soldiers. It was a trulyunique display that drew a lot of attention. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 33

Show report One of the odder displays was Je ABOVE: Frank MacKay’s “Gothic Armour 1480.” ABOVE: Wiggy and Grant Lawson of Toy SoldierDuncan’s collection of “Village Idiot” Toronto offered the first modern Britains limited edition set made up of Cameron Highlanders. gures. Anyone who knows the storyof the original “Village Idiot” made by ABOVE: Gates Bisson’s “Vive la Resistance” WWIIBritains would have gotten a chuckle out diorama.of Je ’s display. It incorporated an oldBritains U.S. Marine Corps band andvarious British military gures, includingHousehold Cavalry mounted bandsmen,all converted to “Village Idiot” heads bythe late Bill Brunton. ere were plenty of bands to see,including a 1:72-scale Royal Canadian AirForce pipe band from Canadian ForcesBase (CFB) Downsview by Carl Mills,54-mm Irish Guards from Je Duncan’scollection, and Don Ritchie’s U.S. armedforces and police. Connoisseur-style gure numberswere down a bit this year. However, therewere still some impressive entries in thecompetition, including Phil Andrews’ circa1870 corporal of the Royal Scots Fusiliersof Montreal, Bruce Sundstrom’s displayof Napoleonic gures and Gates Bis-son’s highly animated WWII “Vive LeResistance” diorama. Not to be outdone by the larger-sizedentries, Jim Leatch’s 28-mm entries ofSeven Years’ War Prussian grenadiers andhis Sudan Campaign British Camel Corpswere both examples of how much detailcan be painted when one is patient andskillful enough. Another real eye-catcherwas Max Ramano’s “Dark Elves.” e OMSS was also fortunate to onceagain have a large display of action guresset up by members of the Ottawa 1/6thScale Club. is group focuses many of itsdisplays on WWII Canadian gures. Onceagain this year they delighted the generalpublic with a D-Day display highlightedby a Sherman VC Fire y tank scratch-built by Geo rey Prescott.BELOW: Don Ritchie marched out U.S. military LEFT: “Uber Feldwebel Grossdeutschland 1943”and police musicians in a vast display called “And by Will Murray.the Band Played.”34 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Show reportABOVE: John Hambly (left) and Scott J. Dummitt,who came dressed for success in attracting attentionat his stand.TOP RIGHT: The WWI charge of Flowerdew’ssquadron by Jim Matresky.RIGHT: “Mark IV Male Tank, 1st Canadian TankBattalion, 1918,” by Frank MacKay.BELOW: Bruce Sundstrom’s display ofNapoleonic figures.RIGHT: Phil Andrews’ circa 1870 corporal of theRoyal Scots Fusiliers of Montreal.FAR RIGHT TOP: Jim Leatch’s 15th PrussianRegiment of the Seven Years’ War.FAR RIGHT BOTTOM: The 1:72-scale “400Squadron Helicopter and Pipe Band” at CFBDownsview by Carl Mills. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 35

Show report e competition awards were presented by President Norm e presentation of awards wrapped up On Parade wasWhite and Secretary Gary Lenius at 3 p.m. A list of thewinners follows: wrapped up for another year. Congratulations go out to Chairman   Tom Elliot alongCOMPETITION RESULTS with a big thank   you to all the showCerti cate of MeritGates Bisson: “Fritz Ruddell.” volunteers and theAndrew Laschuk: “50 Years of G.I. Joe.”Carl Mills: “400 Squadron Helicopter and Pipe Band.” sta of Fort YorkWill Murray: “Uber Feldwebel Grossdeutschland 1943.”Don Ritchie: “And the Band Played.” for their assistanceKeith Ritchie: “Fallschirmjäger Mortar Team.”Bruce Sundstrom: “Canadians Charge” and “Force H.” during the two daysBill Wyatt: “RAF Parade.”  it took to set up andBronze AwardsJe Duncan: ‘French Hollowcast.” stage the show.Frank MacKay: “Gothic Armour 1480.”Andrew Laschuk: “Paddy Mayne” and “Canadians 1939-45.” e next OnWill Murray: “O cer, Brussels City Guard, 1585.”Geo rey Prescott: “Sherman VC Fire y.” Parade is scheduledMax Ramano: “Xerxes’ Archers.”Keith Ritchie: WWII German “Pak 97/38 With Crew.” for May 2, 2015.Bruce Sundstrom: “Scots Greys Guidon.”   Silver AwardsPhil Andrews: “Royal Scots Fusiliers of Montreal Corporal.” Editor’s Note:Gates Bisson: “Vive La Resistance.”Je Duncan: “Irish Guards.” Photos for this showJohn Hambly: “Winston.”Andrew Laschuk: “Day 4 on Juno Beach.” report were providedJim Leatch: “British Camel Corps.”Andy Traverse: “Battle of Isandlwana.” by Scott J. Dummitt,Bill Wyatt: “WWI British Artillery” and“Diamond Jubilee Royal Barge.” Heidi and JeGold Awards Duncan, Stuart A.Bob Boothe: For his whole display (Praetorian Guard and bustsof a Hanoverian king, Hospitaller, Greek warrior, 2nd Hussar of Hessney, and Merle ABOVE “Dark Elves” display by Max Ramano.1815, Celtic warrior, Viking warrior and a piece titled “Viking Tubman.Fury”).Scott J. Dummitt: “Stan Lee’s War.” ABOVE: Antoine and Thomas Théberge of the Toy Soldiers’ Club (from left).Je Duncan: “Village Idiot Collection.” ABOVE: Around 100 figures made up Jeff Duncan’s impressive display of Irish Guards.Jim Leatch: “Seven Years’ War -- 15th Prussian Regiment.”Les Eslary: “France Near Arras, 21 May 1940.”Frank MacKay: “Mark IV Male Tank, 1st Canadian Tank Bat-talion, 1918.”Max Ramano: “Dark Elves.”Bruce Sundstrom: “Murat 1805.” Best of ShowScott J. Dummitt: “Stan Lee’s War” (picked by judges). Club’s ChoiceLes Eslary: “France Near Arras, 21 May 1940” (voted on byattendees).about the writerScott J. Dummitt retired from the Royal Canadian Navy after 25 years of service. He is an avid collector of action  gures and toysoldiers. He is also the proprietor of the Scott J. Dummitt Presents shop in Bailieboro, Ont., which sells items such as 1/6th-scaleaction  gures, publications, vehicles, aircraft and toy soldiers by various makers.  e latter includes his own Pride of the Nationrange of 54-mm gures depicting Canadian units. Scott is a past president of the Ontario Model Soldier Society.36 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Toy Soldier is available around the world We carry these lines of products: from any of the specialist shops listed below • Collectors Showcase • William Britain USA: Toy Troops • Del Prado USA Hobby Bunker 7561 Center Ave. #17, • Forces of Valor 33 Exchange Street, Huntington Beach, CA • Armies in Plastic Malden, MA 02148 • Figarti Miniatures Sierra Toy Soldier Co. CANADA: • Thomas Gunn Miniatures 15466 Los Gatos Blvd. #108, Scott J. Dummitt Presents Los Gatos, CA 95032 1754 Carmel Line, Bailieboro, Free shipping on all domestic US orders. Ontario, Canada K0L 1B0 We ship internationally. Joseph Saine 628 Dixie Highway, Maitland Toy Soldier Shoppe Email: [email protected] Rossford, OH 43460 108 Victoria St. South, Phone: 205-903-5998 Goderich, Ontario Website: http://stores.ebay.com/thetoysoldierpatrolbase e Toy Soldier Shoppe Canada N7A 3H9 3775 S 108th St., (HWY 100), Tarrant’s Toy Green eld. WI 53228 AUSTRALIA Soldiers e Toy Soldier Experience Troops of Time The following are available: 1602 Copeland Street, 810 Donnybrook Road Rank & File Jacksonville, FL 32204 Donnybrook. Victoria. 3064 Also available from Seaview Curios and Collectables, Seaton. Michigan Toy Soldier If you wish to see Toy Latest Rank & File set is Joe Smith’s War. 1400 E. 11 Mile Road Soldier & Model Figure 16 Oxbarton, Stoke Gifford, Royal Oak, MI 48067 magazines in your area, Bristol BS34 8RP please encourage your Tel: 01454 777278 43028 favorite shop to call and Email: [email protected] order at 1-866-606-6587 or e History Store 507-634-3143. 101 North Paint Street, Chillicothe, OH 45601 We are also available in all UK n4e30w3s4agents. wA43l0C5a0llaoYAlloinbtkgooiAanlplrgBdru!ofsiomnerosstaese! theSMoladTiioteylrSaonSlddhieorTMpoupyseeumYour business?e GoingPrOdUCT to The Chicago Toy SreoTAlIldieSrAlSe how?e COde dCEeaoSrmlCotrefIPHdTueInOBtNienagudfoonrtMMotouhunnitteIsefddaydo,ui’tr’e$$sP33r99swI..C99ee88oerikn$P$2i2rg66nI..C995ge5 !0 41089 Canada’s pStloaeuecro.e.u. rwfoawrlwl-Tn.toehwye-twSoyeo-blssdoitliedeiarenrs.dc!ovmideo0 41090 41091 $39.98 $26.950 17278 $18.50 $15.00 $18.00 $14.50Advertise inYoouur scpeocuiall dsebcteion0 43028 $18.00 $14.50 $18.00 $14.500 43034 $20.00 $16.00here next issue5 43050in the next issue of Toy Soldier0 43081 Earl of Oxford 108 VOicnttoarrii•ao,S3Ct,ra0en0eat0dSasoNquut7haA,rGe3oHfed9eetriocfh,dazzling Lord Cornwallis Tel: (5d1i9sp) l5a2y4s-6a8n0d4 dioramas Royal Marine Marching Less than two hourEsmail: in•[email protected] and banners U.S. Marine Marching Scots Guard Colour Bearer - Queens fcPraholilmlaJiNdmeelwpHhYiilaolw.erskWtawardintedfwoorr .to•ytHosasonhodlwdsocimaeseerdysios.upcrlaocyomlfluercntiiotnure Blues & Royals Farrier Mounted Make our readers your customers!ue& Model Figure Magazine0Shipping charges $O5rd0e.r0v1a-$lu7e5ShippCingac$hl1al0r.g98e5s66-60O$61rd1-e06r.v05a1l-u8$e1S75h0ipopirngec$h1ma5r.g9ea5s il $6.9550 $8.95 SPECIAL RATES AVAILABLE NOW$75.01-$110$13.50 sara@as$h15d0 oanwd anbo.vce o.uFRkEE Contact Sara for more information: directions and hours. • Vintage prints and books 1C537r40es.3c6o2P,9aP.r7Aa2d12i87se32F6allgHs liogshs•ltyEAoduydtewhsteoaanrlitdilceiiaedVnricgsutaonfrolilifraeornrcmyoaslnq,ldeucatloitrys Phone: 1-866-606-6587(only available to US & Canada residents) Email: [email protected] jimhill @ ptd.net medals and memorabilia. Get on board with Store noW open 6 dayS a Week! model-rail road. t vking & Country WBritain oMpoennS–inFugrihb1o0usarmcs:–r5ippmt,iSoant 1s0ams–t4apmr.ting Little LegionaJleoxhoVantBlndrJdliaaesnedcnrokiiknttrhigtonahycCwwdSokreeo,ssaltidginfert-ac3(Gs4l7ur17elb4o5e).n3wScf0.io2e1al-0md1s8,8tW5h$t0SIo4t5.s,352ig28n( UuKp £24) CHoTa Bai aNd today! THE WaTER Boy www.model-railroad.tvand others. 4835 Hickory Valley Rd, Heiskell, TN 37754 Tel: 1 865 745 1080 www.toysoldiershoppe.net Email: [email protected] www.somersetltd.com [email protected] TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 37

(Photo Courtesy of Kenneth A. Osen, W. Britain) 19538 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

W. BRITAIN DIORAMA depicting the British 44th Foot forming a firing line during the Napoleonic Wars. The famous “Fighting Fours” saw action in Spain and NorthAmerica during this era, including the War of 1812’s Battle of New Orleans. In Belgium, the regiment was heavily engaged against French forces in both the Battle of Waterlooand its prelude at Quatre Bras. Collectors can probably expect lots of Napoleonic reinforcements from W. Britain and other toy soldier makers during the run-up to Waterloo’s200th anniversary June 18, 2015. —Stuart A. Hessney TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 39

New Metalon the March ■ Editor Stuart A. THE LATEST TOY SOLDIERS MARCH IN REVIEW Hessney reviews some of the latest items from around the globe to land in the marketplace.WORLD WAR II D-DAY FORCES AND MOREBY KING COUNTRY LTD.Reviewed by: Stuart A. Hessney In November 1941, the Stuart rst LEFT: “U.S. Army Tank Riders Set No. 1”   (ref. DD228). World War II items commemorating saw action with British troops ghting ABOVE: “U.S. Army Tank Riders Set No. 2”the 70th anniversary of D-Day highlight the Axis Afrika Korps in North (ref. DD229).new releases from King & Country Ltd. Africa. U.S. forces sent the M3 e Stuart had technical aws, an   awkward internal layout and limited range. into combat for the rst time against However, it was well-liked for its reliabilitySTUNNING STUART and relatively high top speed of 36 mph. Japanese Type 95 Ha-Go tanks in the Typically, three companies of ShermanA stunning U.S. Army M3A3 Stuart medium tanks and one company of Stuartslight tank (ref. DD224) priced at £166.95 Philippines Dec. 22, 1941. e composed a U.S. Army tank battalion. U.K./$169 U.S. spearheads additions to themaker’s D-Day series. Made of polystone Stuart was found to be usually K&C’s detailed model is designed for re-and metal, the 1:30-scale model comes with creating history’s largest amphibious landinga half-body gure of a commander to place unsuitable for tank-on-tank combat, June 6, 1944 (D-Day), and the campaignin an open hatch atop the turret. e tank’s that followed. e assault on German-armament includes a 37-mm main gun and but it was adept in reconnaissance occupied France unfolded in two phases..30-caliber machine guns.  British, Canadian and U.S. airborne forces and screening roles. started dropping in shortly after midnight. is type of tank was named after Maj.Gen. J.E.B. Stuart, who led Confederate Allied infantry and armor started landingcavalry during the American Civil War. Its along a 50-mile stretch of the Normandydevelopment began before the war erupted coast at 6:30 a.m.and production commenced in 1941.Under the auspices of the Lend-Lease At sea, nearly 196,000 Allied naval andprogram, a number of General Stuart tanks merchant marine personnel aboard morewere supplied to British and than 5,000 ships supported the invasion.Commonwealth forces By the end of the day June 6, the Allies(K&C recently managed to land 160,000 troops ashore.introduced a Britishversion). ey nicknamed it ey included 21,400 Canadians, 61,715the Honey after a driver British troops and 73,000 Americans. eirexclaimed, “She’s a valiant e orts and countless sacri ces helpedhoney!” pave the way for victory in Europe. K&C is issuing two di erent sets of GI tank riders to complement the Stuart and LEFT: U.S. Army M3A3 Stuart light tank (ref. DD224).40 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

BELOW: German BELOW: German “Kneeling Loading” (ref. “Kneeling With Rifle” (ref. WS287). WS289).ABOVE: German “Pointing ABOVE: German “Kneeling ABOVE: GermanOfficer” (ref. WS286). With Binoculars” (ref. WS290). “Kneeling Grenadier” (ref. WS288).other tanks. In set No. 1 (ref. 228), kneeling About 6,700 Panther variants were K&C has also unveiled ve di erentsoldiers are armed with either an M1 produced and sent into action between panzergrenadiers to either ride the newGarand ri e or an M1 carbine.Tank riders mid-1943 and the war’s end in 1945. Panther or ght on foot. ey include aset No. 2 (ref. 229) features gures posed When the Allies invaded Normandy on standing and pointing o cer armed withsitting and kneeling with an M1 Garand D-Day, there were only 156 Panthers an MP40 Schmeisser machine pistoland a Browning Automatic Ri e. In a divided between two panzer regiments (ref. WS286). Soldiers all posed kneelingthoughtful touch of exibility, these gures on the Western Front. By the end of July either load a ri e (ref. WS287), grippingare designed to work equally well whether 1944, an in ux of seven more regiments a potato masher grenade (ref. WS288),placed on the back of an armored ghting brought the Panthers’ maximum hold a ri e (ref. WS289) or peer throughvehicle or on the ground. ese sets cost strength to 432. Most of the panzers binoculars (ref. WS290).£87.95/$89 each. in Normandy became embroiled in the Battle of Caen against Anglo-Canadian Unlike the American tank riders sold Production of the M3A3 (Stuart V) units of the 21st Army Group. in pairs, these Germans are sold singlyvariant totaled 3,427. It integrated hull for £44.95/$45. Like the GIs, the Axisimprovements, sloped armor and a turret Andy acknowledged that the Panther troops have the attitude and authenticwith a rear overhang to house a SCR-508 is probably only second to the Tiger wear of tear of men in the midst ofradio. when it comes to being K&C’s most combat. produced German tank. e latest edition is reviewer is smitten with this is a Panther Ausf. G (ref. WS272). BELOW: German Panther Ausf. G (ref. WS272).type of light tank for one main reason: itgot the spelling of the melli uous name “It was reckoned by most Panther“Stuart” right! crews to be the best of all and the new K&C Ausf. G is certainly the best we   have manufactured!” Andy enthused.PROWLING PANTHER Nazi Germany rolled out 2,953 Ausf. G tanks beginning in March 1944.After the Germans launched their K&C’s Wa en-SS model depicts a late-Operation Barbarossa invasion of the Soviet war, battle-weary Panther in a two-colorUnion June 22, 1941, they were dismayed camou age scheme. It comes with ato discover that their Panzer III and IV half-body commander in panzer blacktanks were outclassed by the Red Army’s uniform and sells for £225.95/$229.T-34 medium tanks and KV-1 heavy tanks. A second version is expected to come out e Germans responded by developing the later in 2014,Panzerkampfwagen V medium tank with an according toordnance designation of Sd.Kfz. 171. Andy. “It soon became known as the `Panther’to friend and foe alike,” K&C cofounderand Creative Director Andy C. Neilsoncommented. “With this tank, theGermans nally had a ghting vehiclethat could counter theSoviet T-34.” He added, “ ePanther copied, adaptedand improved many of thecharacteristics of its Russian opponent. Itproved to be an excellent combination of repower, mobility, a wider track and goodarmor protection.” TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 41

  After the wounded and badly burned Nicolson bailed out and descended to the FRENCH FAÇADE ground, he was red on by members of the Home Guard, who were unconvinced that To help collectors re-create a Normandy he was a RAF pilot despite his insistence. village streetscape, K&C has constructed “La Cremerie” (ref. SP056). “Fortunately, their accuracy was not as good as the young ight lieutenant’s,” Andy described it as a typical Andy mused. “1940s-style, family-owned and operated little shop selling all kinds of Nicolson’s “exceptional gallantry and dairy products such as cream, butter, disregard for the safety of his own life” milk and, of course, a wide variety led to him being given the Victoria Cross of excellent French cheeses. Despite Nov. 15, 1940. some minor battle damage, the store is still open for business.” He went on to be posted to India in 1942, received the Distinguished Flying is beautifully rendered Cross and became a wing commander. French building façade retails for Nicolson was ying as an observer on a £156.95/$195. It is designed to be RAF B-24 Liberator when it caught re shelf-friendly for collectors as well as and crashed into the Bay of Bengal May 2, looking fantastic grouped in a diorama 1945. He was 29 years old when killed. with previously released home and business fronts. VCs were presented to several members of Bomber Command during the course of   the war. But it seems rather surprising that Nicolson was Fighter Command’s one FIGHTER COMMAND VC and only VC recipient during WWII. His VC is displayed at the RAF Museum at Also new for WWII from K&C is Hendon in his hometown of London. a handsome model of the Hawker Hurricane designated “GNA” (ref. K&C’s 1:30-scale tribute includes a RAF067) and piloted by Flight Lt. ne likeness of Nicolson standing next to James Nicolson during the Battle of his Hurricane. Priced at £274.95/$279, Britain. this is a “strictly limited” edition of 300 sets. e ghter and pilot come in a As a member of the Royal Air specially designed, full-color box. Force’s No. 249 Squadron, he was making a sortie Aug. 16, 1940, near In other news, the maker is adding Southampton, England, when he was seven varied gures to its sharp series of ancient Greek hoplites. Collectors red on by a German Messerschmitt who specialize in the Napoleonic Wars Bf 110. Not only did Nicolson su er can look forward to French Voltigeurs eye and foot wounds, his engine was distinguished by green and yellow hit and the fuel tank set ablaze. epaulettes. ey include a mounted o cer and nine infantrymen posed While he was struggling to bail out skirmishing. from his burning aircraft, another Bf 110 ew in front of him. Somehow Nicolson hung in there and managed to re a burst that shot down the enemy plane.ABOVE: A figure of VC recipient JamesNicolson comes with K&C’s model of hisHawker Hurricane “GNA” (ref. RAF067).TOP: Collectors can add “La Cremerie” (ref. SP056)to their miniature French villages.42 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

THE THREE MUSKETEERSBY TRADITION OF LONDON LTD.Reviewed by: Stuart A. Hessney 1700. “ e ree Musketeers” was the rst   Swashbuckling French Musketeers in a trilogy of action-packed novels au-have sprung into action from Tradition of thored by Dumas known as the d’ArtagnanLondon Ltd. Romances. ese amboyant, 54-mm gures werebased on “ e ree Musketeers.” e story Dumas recounts the 17th-century ad-has been re-created in countless forms,including a couple of dozen movies. How- ventures of young d’Artagnan, who leaves RIGHT: d’Artagnanever, Tradition’s Magnus Lindstrom drew (ref. TS54-037).inspiration from the original source: French home for Paris to join the King’s Mus-novelist Alexandre Dumas’ “ e reeMusketeers.” First serialized by a French keteers. He is befriended by “ e reemagazine during 1844, his book becamean international bestseller after an English Musketeers” referred to by the book’s title:translation was released two years later. Athos, Porthos and Aramis. e ctional Now Tradition has   heroes’ bitter rivals are the powerful and redressed the balanceALL FOR ONE! conniving Cardinal Richelieu’s personal a bit by releasing g- e King’s Musketeers of the Guard wereformed in 1622. e Musketeers helped bodyguard of Musketeers. ures of d’Artagnan,young men of noble birth qualify for beingcommissioned as regular army o cers by   Athos, Porthostraining them in handling a matchlockmusket, horsemanship and fencing. Blue FOUR FENCERS and Aramis. eycassocks emblazoned with white crossessigni ed their status as royal guards. Dumas’ books perpetuated the popularity cost £39.95 When the Musketeers weren’t training, of “ e ree Musketeers.” ey have been apiece expertlythey were ghting as infantry or mounteddragoons. ey su ered heavy casualties reproduced in all kinds of media, from painted inwhile carving out a reputation for valor incon icts such as the Wars of Spanish and books and lms to costumes and toys. matt colors or £10.85Austrian Succession. Dumas summed uptheir esprit de corps when he wrote, “All For example, France’s own CBG Mi- per kit. Gloss- nished versions are plannedfor one and one for all!” gnot has made miniature King’s Musket- for future release, according to Magnus. Before Dumas made the Musket-eers legendary, he found inspiration eers for many years. I recently acquired a ese nicely detailed swashbucklersin a veteran’s memoir published in couple of other examples made in Spain were sculpted by the tremendously talented by Altaya. ey made me wonder why Andrew C. Stadden. ey look quite Musketeers aren’t more of a mainstay in authentic with blue cassocks worn over our hobby consid- ering all the great their varied civilian clothes and ostrich publicity they’ve garnered. feathers stuck in their cavalier hats. Touché to the designer for posing all four fencers raising their swords as if together they’re exclaiming: “All for one and one for all!” BELOW: Tradition’s new figures of Athos, Porthos, Aramis and d’Artagnan (from left) seem to exclaim, \"“All for one and one for all!” TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 43

NAPOLEONIC WARS: BLACK VIRGIN OF SMOLENSKBY FIRST LEGION LTD.Reviewed by: Stuart A. Hessney army to buy time was the better part of     valor under the circumstances. But there French Emperor Napoleon I was was a clamor at court and within the REVERENT army to give battle. Kutuzov real- RE-CREATIONat the peak of his power when his ized his men’s morale would sink286,000-strong Grande Armée invaded if they didn’t rise and ght the is manufacturer’s marvelousCzar Alexander I’s Russia June 16, 1812. French and their allies soon. matt-painted gures are made Imperial Russian troops commanded e Russian general decided in China. But the mastersby Count Michael Barclay de Tolly were to draw the line near the village of are designed in Russia,massed along the Polish frontier. But they Borodino, located about 72 miles where Borodino is such anwere compelled to fall back in the face of west of Napoleon’s objective: Mos- important touchstone thatthe enemy’s enormous tsunami of weap- cow. e terrain was mostly open the battle is re-enacted ononized humanity. the rst Sunday of September elds with few natural obstacles. yearly. Napoleon wanted to catch the out- However, the Russian position First Legion has reverentlynumbered Russian army in the open and would be shielded by the Kolocha re-created the religiousdestroy it. But the farther he advanced into River, block roads between Smo- overtones of the momentRussia, the fewer the soldiers he had at his with a total of seven 60-mm gures. e centerpiece is\"Smoke blanketed the battle eld as human esh was used like a sledgehammer to batter andcapture hotly contested Russian defensive positions. Gwynne Dyer, a Canadian journalistand historian, has compared the slaughter at Borodino to `a fully-loaded 747 crashing, with nosurvivors, every ve minutes for eight hours.’\"ABOVE: First Legion has re-created how the Black lensk and Moscow, and it was simply the a set made up of a green-clad RussianVirgin of Smolensk religious icon was paraded through best available spot. Kutuzov’s men began Grenadier and a member of the Moscowthe Russian camp on the eve of the Battle of Borodino. throwing up disconnected earthworks and Militia in gray somberly joining forces arrow-shaped “Bagration eches” Sept. 3. to carry the Black Virgin icon (ref.command while his vital supply lines grew NAP0445; $129.95 U.S.).ever longer. To boost his men’s morale and help them believe God was on their side, Sky blue raiments set apart the Instead of standing and ghting, Gen. Kutuzov had a Russian Orthodox presiding priest (ref. NAP0443; $69.95)Barclay retreated and got sacked for his Church icon known as the Black Virgin and a young acolyte carrying a religiouswisdom. He was replaced Aug. 29 by of Smolensk paraded through his army's gonfalon (ref. NAP0444; $84.95). ea 67-year-old general, Prince Mikhail camp on the eve of the battle Sept. 6. banner is a beautiful and intricate work ofKutuzov. art in its own right. is is the moment from history that has Kutuzov perceived that Barclay was inspired a half-dozen new releases from A amboyantly but gorgeouslycorrect: withdrawing and preserving the First Legion Ltd. uniformed o cer of the Izumsky Hussars44 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

(ref. NAP0446; $69.95) watches theicon pass by. Kneeling gures pricedat $59.95 apiece depict a SimbirskyMusketeer (ref. NAP0447) and aMoscow Grenadier (ref. NAP0448)making the sign of the cross anddevoutly praying for victory andsurvival. All of the detailed soldiers havetaken o their hats out of respect forthe holy icon. ey can be combinedwith previously released Russiansfrom First Legion to create a vignettethat’s eclectic, elegant and electrify-ing due to the spiritual signi canceof the moment.  VENERATED ICON e Russian soldiers gained steelydetermination from the sight of the“Hodegetria” (Greek for “she whoshows the way”), an iconographicdepiction of Christianity’s VirginMary (“ eotokos”) holding babyTOP: “Russian Grenadier and MoscowMilitia With Black Virgin of Smolensk Icon” (ref.NAP0445).LEFT: “Russian Priest” (ref. NAP0443).RIGHT: “Russian Boy With Religious Gonfalon”(ref. NAP0444). TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 45

Jesus at her side and pointing at him as not commit his 20,000-man Imperial ABOVE: “Russian Izumsky Hussars Officer” (ref.the salvation of mankind.  Guard and 10,000 other fresh troops, NAP0446). missing a chance to possibly deal a Copies of the icon were produced decisive defeat to the enemy eld army. LEFT: “Simbirsky Musketeer Kneeling” (ref.through the years. But the original was NAP0447).believed to have been painted by St. Luke, ough it could not have been apparentbrought back from the Holy Land by to the participants at the time, Borodino BELOW: “Moscow Grenadier Kneeling” (ref.Byzantine Empress Eudocia and housed ranked as a Pyrrhic victory for Napoleon NAP0448).in a monastery in Constantinople. that ultimately cost him his army, the war and his throne. e imagery became widely used inChristendom. But many Russians believe  that after Constantinople fell to theOttoman Turks, the Black Virgin icon ARMY ATTRITIONwound up in the Assumption Cathedral inSmolensk e stark reality was that the Russians had manpower reserves while the French e Russian army had brought the didn’t, and they were losing men at anicon with them when they evacuated from attrition rate of 2-to-1. Napoleon went onSmolensk the previous Aug. 5. After it to occupy Moscow. But after the Russianwas paraded through their camp at Boro- capital was ravaged by re, he couldn’tdino, the sacred icon was sent on to Moscow winter there nor could he spur peace termsand then elsewhere for safekeeping. from the Czar. Art historians dated this particular ver- e French army was exhausted.sion of the venerated icon to the 11th cen- Besides the Russians, Napoleon’s enemiestury. It is believed to have been consumed included brutal “General Winter” andby re during World War II in 1941 while logistics nightmares because his suppliesGerman forces occupied Smolensk. had to be transported vast distances through hostile territory. e longer the   Russians stubbornly stayed in the ght, the more depleted the French forcesPYRRHIC VICTORY became.Napoleon triggered the Battle of Borodino e fate of the Grande Armée wasby launching a frontal attack Sept. 7. It sealed when Napoleon's long retreatwas the biggest and bloodiest clash of the from Moscow began in mid-Octoberentire Napoleonic Wars, causing 70,000 1812. e soldiers faced scorchedcasualties. earth and partisan tactics. Napoleon had about 130,000 troops Meanwhile, the Russian army hadand 587 guns. Kutuzov had 120,000 or fully recovered from the heavy lossesso soldiers and 624 guns, whose epic su ered at Borodino. Kutuzov’s troopscacophony still echoes in composer Pyotr doggedly nipped at the heels of theIlyich Tchaikovsky’s “1812 Overture.” French as they withdrew. e Russians, snow, starvation and disease claimed the Smoke blanketed the battle eld as lives of most of Napoleon’shuman esh was used like a sledgeham-mer to batter and capture hotly contested surviving troops. OnlyRussian defensive positions. Gwynne about 23,000 of themDyer, a Canadian journalist made it back acrossand historian, has compared the border alive.the slaughter at Borodinoto \"a fully-loaded 747 Because of itscrashing, with no rami cations, Borodinosurvivors, every is regarded by Russians as ve minutes for a triumph inspired byeight hours.\" the Black Virgin of Smolensk that saved Napoleon their country fromcautiously would French domination.46 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

WORLD WAR I BRITISH ARMY VIGNETTESBY W. BRITAINReviewed by: Stuart A. Hessney and failed to accomplish their territorial objectives, making any success pale in Both the poignancy and the agony ABOVE: “The Veteran’s Farewell” comparison to the cost in human lives.of the Great War have been captured (ref. 23059).in a pair of British-themed vignettes  W. Britain is punctuating the agony ofbeing released by W. Britain as the RIGHT: “Hanging on the Old Barbed Wire” warfare at the Somme and elsewhere dur-Great War Centenary observance (ref. 23060). ing World War I with an eerily lifelike setgets under way in 2014. called “Hanging on the Old Barbed Wire” e rst day of the Somme (ref. 23060). e title sums up the grim “ e First World War of was the worst single day in the situation for an unfortunate Tommy felled1914-1918 ended the Edward- history of the British Army by enemy re during a frontal assault. isian era of optimism and laid the because it su ered 60,000 set costs £37.40/$48.groundwork for the balance of casualties. Many of themthe 20th century,” W. Britain were members of Pals bat- Superb sculpting has imbued all ofGeneral Manager and Creative talions enlisted from the same these gures with crackerjack characteriza-Director Kenneth A. Osen ob- workplaces, universities, clubs tions and authentic details par excellence.served in the 2014 Spring & Stock or neighborhoods. eir losses More like them are in store, according toCatalogue. triggered a profound social Ken. impact in cities, towns and vil- “Although civilization had expe- lages back on the home front. “Over the past few years, we haverienced worldwide con ict in the o ered a wide selection of gures and ac-18th and 19th centuries,” he added, e Somme was notable cessories representing some of the battles“massive industrialization and new for marking the rst use of of this `War to End All Wars.’ With thetechnologies created unprecedent- the tank and underscoring 100th anniversary upon us, we will be de-ed casualties and destruction.” the importance of air power. veloping this collection in depth in 2014,” Also, the Allied o ensive he stated.   captured the most German- held ground since Get In TouchVETERAN’S FAREWELL 1914’s Battle of the Marne. W. Britain e poignancy of wartime has But the Ken Osenbeen eloquently encapsulated in Allies Phone: 563-690-1259a 58-mm set titled “ e Veteran’s advanced Email: [email protected]” (ref. 23059). It depicts a only about 6 miles Web: www.wbritain.comvenerable British veteran of19th-century imperial combat TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 47shaking hands with a younglad heading o to war in the20th century. e old warhorse has a gray beard andhis scarlet jacket is bedecked with medals. e youthful soldier looks like he couldbe a member of the relatively small buthighly professional British Expedition-ary Force deployed to ght in France andFlanders after Britain declared war onGermany Aug. 4, 1914. If he’s not a member of the BEFdeployed at the onset, this Tommy is nev-ertheless kitted out in early-war gear. Heis dressed in a sti ened peak cap and 1902Pattern Service Dress pants and tunic, allin khaki. He also wears webbing equip-ment, puttees and ammunition boots. Hisgear includes a backpack and a bayonet forthe ri e he’s shouldering. is evocative and touching study incontrasts retails for £61.70 U.K./$72 U.S.  TRENCH WARFARE  W. Britain’s 58-mm, matt- nished rangehas primarily focused on the horrors oftrench warfare along the Western Front ingeneral and the First Battle of the Sommein particular. e clash pitted British andFrench forces against German troops onboth sides of the River Somme in Francefrom July 1 to Nov. 18, 1916. More than1 million men were wounded or killed inthe bloodbath.

CONFEDERATE MOSBY’S RANGERS UNION BERDAN’S SHARPSHOOTERSBY THE COLLECTORS SHOWCASEReviewed by: Stuart A. Hessney   Figuratively speaking, e CollectorsShowcase (TCS) hopes to rally hobbyistsaround the colors of Confederate Rang-ers commanded by the “Gray Ghost” andgreen-clad Berdan’s Sharpshooters of theUnion Army. e U.S.-based maker’s latest releasesmarking the American Civil War sesqui-centennial include a quartet of Rebelson horseback and seven Yankees on foot.As usual, TCS President Brian Levy andcompany have created 1:30-scale, matt- nished gures lled with vigor.  GRAY GHOSTWhen the ACW erupted, the North hada big edge in industrial and manpowerresources. But the South had theadvantage when it came to rounding uphorsepower and men who knew how toride the four-legged war machines. One of the Confederacy’s best cavalrycommanders was Col. John SingletonMosby, the subject of a personality gureand escorts previously produced by TCS.Now they are being reinforced by acaptain (ref. CS00777) and corporal (ref.ABOVE: “Mosby's Mounted Corporal” CS00778) ring their sidearms, a trooper to jail. But he was granted a gubernatorial(ref. CS00778). aiming a Spencer carbine (ref. CS00779), pardon. Mosby's trial spurred his interest and a rider carrying a battle ag while in the law and he became an attorney.ABOVE RIGHT: “Mosby's Mounted Trooper With slashing his sword downwards (ref.Spencer” (ref. CS00779). CS00780).  ey cost $79.90 each. Mosby disapproved of slavery and opposed secession. But he remainedTOP: “Mosby's Mounted Captain” (ref. CS00777). Mosby was born Dec. 6, 1833, in Ed- staunchly loyal to his home state when the gemont, Va. After shooting and wounding ACW erupted. He enlisted as a private in a bully in a dispute, he was expelled from the 1st Virginia Cavalry and fought at the the University of Virginia and sentenced First Battle of Bull Run (First Manassas)48 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

in 1861. His scouting ability impressed alry commander who had insulted MosbyBrig. Gen. J.E.B. Stuart and won Mosby by calling him a \"common horse thief.\" In-promotion to rst lieutenant in time to stead the Confederates captured three otherguide Confederate cavalry in a famous ride high-ranking Northern o cers, includingaround Union Maj. Gen. George B. Mc- sleeping Brig. Gen. Edwin H. Stoughton.Clellan's Army of the Potomac during thePeninsula Campaign in 1862. e Rebels also bagged 50 sentries and 58 horses without ring a shot. Union cavalrymen captured Mosbywhile he was napping in a shady spot Mosby's feat thrilled Southerners andat Beaver Dam Station north of Rich- shocked Northerners. After hearing themond, Va., July 19, 1962. He was held news, Union President Abraham Lincolnfor 10 days in Washington, D.C., then wryly commented, \"Well, I'm sorry fortransferred to Hampton Roads, Va., for that. I can make new brigadier generals,exchange. Prior to his release, Mosby spied but I can't make horses.\"a number of Union troop transports in theharbor. He was able to personally deliver Mosby made colonel by the end ofthis valuable information to Gen. Robert 1864. e Federals couldn’t nd a way toE. Lee, leading to the successful Confed- stop him. A special task force of 100 menerate campaign against Union Maj. Gen. was dispatched, but nearly wiped out. Af-John Pope's forces and the Second Battle ter Lee surrendered at Appomattox Aprilof Bull Run. 9, 1865, Mosby refused to capitulate. A dozen days later he reviewed his men for Mosby sought to emulate Revolu- one last time, then they simply disbanded.tionary War hero Francis \"Swamp Fox\"Marion's guerrilla warfare tactics by lead- Following the war Mosby resumeding small mounted units in strikes against the practice of law, became a Republicanenemy outposts and supply lines in Union-occupied Northern Virginia. With Stuart ABOVE: TCS’sand Lee's support, Mosby formed the new Berdan’s43rd Battalion, Virginia Cavalry (Partisan Sharpshooters form aRangers), in January 1863. skirmish line. Scenery is not included. e ability of Mosby's Rangers to make LEFT: “Berdan’slightning raids and evade pursuit made Sharpshootersthe marauders a tremendous menace and Commander andtied down thousands of Federal troops. Flag Bearer” (ref. CS00786). e “Gray Ghost” and his men were so TOP: “Mosby'se ective that their stomping grounds Mounted Flagaround Centreville, Va., was called Bearer”\"Mosby's Confederacy\" in the North and (ref. CS00780).South alike. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 49 Mosby became legendary for leading 29men on a daring midnight raid deep be-hind enemy lines at Fairfax Court House,Va., March 8, 1863. He was actually benton capturing Col. Percy Wynham, anEnglish soldier of fortune and Union cav-

RIGHT: “Berdan’s Sharpshooter Prone Reloading” (ref.CS00788).BELOW: “Berdan’s Sharpshooter Shooting Kneeling”(ref. CS00787).and supported former Union commander ABOVE: “Berdan’s Sharpshooter Standing Reloading”Ulysses S. Grant's election as president. (ref. CS00791).Mosby went on to serve as U.S. counsel inHong Kong and as an assistant attorneyfor the U.S. Department of Justice. Hedied in Washington in 1916.BERDAN’S MARKSMENHiram Berdan was born Sept. 6, 1824, inPhelps, N.Y., and became a mechanicalengineer. He invented a repeating ri e,patented a musket ball and ranked as thecountry’s top ri e shot for 15 years prior tothe ACW. Berdan became involved in recruiting18 companies of marksmen from eightstates during the summer and autumn of ABOVE: “Berdan’s Sharpshooter Standing/Reaching/ Reloading” (ref. CS00790).ABOVE: “Berdan’s Sharpshooter Shooting Standing” 1861. ey were formed into the 1st and 2nd the two regiments of sharpshooters played(ref. CS00789). Sharpshooters Nov. 30, 1861, with Berdan as a crucial role in delaying Rebel assaults on their colonel. Devil’s Den and the Peach Orchard. ey were armed with the Sharps New TCS is commemorating these crack Model of 1859. e elite soldiers from this marksmen with a half-dozen releases led by unique unit could re 10 rounds per minute. a two- gure set made up of a commander Purportedly, they rarely missed while picking and standard-bearer (ref. CS00786) priced o enemy targets at long distances. at $69.90. Taking a cue from the British Army’s Two of the soldiers are posed kneeling renowned Ri es, the Union sharpshooters (ref. CS00787) and standing ring (ref. wore dark green coats and caps with black CS00789). Another Yankee reloads while plumes. eir trousers were blue at rst, but prone (ref. CS00788). Others are posed later changed to green. However, resup- standing either reaching for a round (ref. ply problems led to most of them wearing CS00790) or inserting a round into a ri e modi ed standard blue uniforms by the time (ref. CS00791). Sold singly for $35.90, these of 1863’s Gettysburg campaign. gures rate high marks for their very varied e highly motivated Berdan’s Sharp- poses. shooters saw action in as many as 65 battles throughout the war, including Atlanta, Designed in the USA and made in Chattanooga, Petersburg, Spotsylvania, China, these action-packed gures would be Vicksburg and Yorktown. At Gettysburg, great additions to battle scenes commemo- rating events of the ACW 150 years ago.50 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE