CONTENTS

Contents 36
#100
Issue

68

60 30 42

6 EDITOR’S WELCOME 46 CHICAGO SHOW'S 40TH

8 NOTICEBOARD
12 A WINNING CENTURY
George Philips celebrates TSC&HF's milestone
one hundredth issue with an illuminating
retrospective.
16 NEW RELEASES
36 THE VALLEY OF TEARS
David Grummitt examines one of the twentieth
century’s largest armour battles pitting Israeli
forces against their Arab neighbours.
42 BRITISH CAMPAIGN MEDALS
James H. Hillestad suggests ways to use medals
to enhance toy soldier displays.
ANNIVERSARY
Editor Stuart A. Hessney traces how the history of
our hobby is intertwined with the greatest toy
soldier show on Earth.
50-51 CENTREFOLD
52 BRUTAL VALOUR: ZULU WAR
Gary Emery chronicles the history of 1879’s Anglo-
Zulu War with his toy figures.
58 SCALING DOWN MILITARY
MINIATURES
Robert Bailey demonstrates the advantages of
28mm figures when it comes to saving on both
cash and space requirements.
60 THE WARS OF THE ROSES
The dramatic civil wars fought over England’s
throne are explored by David Grummitt.

4 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

 CONTENTS

TOY
SOLDIER We’re as serious about
COLLECTOR
& HISTORICAL FIGURES collecting as you are
52

80 84

66 WHAT IFS? 84 KIT KORNER: MODEL FIGURE

A.J. Mergenthaler whimsically mobilises toy PAINTER’S PROJECT
figures to form comical scenarios. Paul Newman builds and paints a 54mm figure of
a British hussars colonel who rode into history
68 THE GALLIPOLI CAMPAIGN during the Crimean War’s ill-fated Charge of the
Jock Gillespie creates dioramas to pay tribute to Light Brigade.
Anzacs who battled the Ottoman Empire during
World War I. 90 A LOOK AT BOOKS
73 SIX THINGS… 94 PRIZE EXERCISE
Editor Stuart A. Hessney drums up things you Thomas Gunn Miniatures generously gives
might not know about the 1981 war movie TSC&HF readers a chance to win a marvellous
Gallipoli. model of a World War II German Me 262 jet
fighter.
74 AT THE SIEGE OF OTSU, 1600
98 FACEBOOK/
Colin Luxford converts figures to recreate an early
Japanese artillery crew. SNEAK PEEK AT ISSUE 101
78 FANTASTIC PLASTICS
82 MODEL FIGURES

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 5

INTRODUCTION
Notes from the Editors’ Desks TOY
This is a very special issue of TSC&HF
as we mark our one hundredth edition.
Milestones like this are important both to
celebrate and to take the opportunity to
reflect on the past. As a relative newcomer
to this magazine and to the toy soldier
collecting hobby, it’s obvious that these
one hundred issues would not have been
possible without the help and support of
our friends in the hobby and, of course,
our loyal band of subscribers and readers.
There are a few individuals as well who
deserve a special mention. I don’t want to
steal any of George Phillips’s thunder as
he offers a retrospective on the magazine,
but Mark Avery, as one of the magazine’s
founders and long-time editor, obviously
deserves his own mention in dispatches.
TSC&HF has come a long way in its first
Welcome…
Welcome to this one hundredth
edition of TSC&MF, a milestone
to be very proud of that’s no
small feat in the rough-and-
tumble world of publishing. I
am literally the new kid on the block, but I
would like to take a moment here to salute
my very dedicated predecessors who paved
the way for what has become our hobby’s
premier magazine. Also, I want to express
special thanks to George Philips for writing an
enlightening retrospective on this publication’s
history for this edition. Besides George’s article,
this edition is jam-packed with news, reviews
and quite an eclectic array of features – just
the way I like it, and I hope readers do too.
Guideline Publications Managing Editor
David Grummitt has applied his expertise
on armoured warfare to recount one of the
twentieth century’s biggest tank battles in a
feature titled ‘The Valley of Tears.’ A World War
II donnybrook like the Battle of Kursk might
spring to mind for some people reading these
lines, but David’s focus is actually 1973’s Yom
Kippur War, also known as the Ramadan
War or October War, which pitted the Israel
Defense Forces against their Arab neighbours.
In addition, David’s scholarly knowledge of
the Middle Ages has come in handy for him
to pen a piece about the Wars of the Roses
fought over England’s throne. His riveting
and true but soap opera-like narrative makes
it easy to understand why this tumultuous
chapter from history inspired playwright
William Shakespeare. James H. Hillestad shares
ideas for using British campaign medals to
6 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
hundred issues, reflecting developments
in the hobby, as well as the publishing
industry, and I’m very excited to see what
the next hundred will bring!
We’ve had a very positive response to
our new-look and expanded magazine
from both hobbyists and our industry
friends alike. I’m delighted by the
additional scope it gives us to present
more in-depth historical articles and to
expand our coverage of other aspects of
the toy soldier and model figure hobbies.
Please do continue to share your thoughts
on the magazine with us; we love to hear
what we’re doing well and how we can
improve.
David Grummitt
Managing Editor, Guideline Publications
enhance toy soldier and model
figure displays. Yours truly explores
how the history of the Chicago Toy
Soldier Show goes hand-in-hand
with the history of our hobby as
organizers, vendors and enthusiasts
look forward to the fortieth anniversary event
scheduled for September 2021. In ‘Brutal
Valour,’ Gary Emery chronicles the history of
1879’s Anglo-Zulu War using toy figures from
his collection. Robert Bailey demonstrates the
advantages of 28mm figures when it comes to
saving on both cash and space requirements
in ‘Scaling Down Military Miniatures.’ Jock
Gillespie explores World War I’s Gallipoli
Campaign to create dioramas saluting the
Anzacs who battled forces of the Ottoman
Empire in brutal, close-quarters combat. On
the much lighter side, I delve into trivia to
share ‘6 Things’ readers might not know about
the movie Gallipoli (1981). A.J. Mergenthaler
mobilises toy figures to form funny scenarios
in an article titled ‘What Ifs’, while Colin Luxford
details how he converted figures to recreate
an early Japanese artillery crew besieging
Otsu Castle in 1600. Finally, Paul Newman
outlines how he built and painted a 54mm
model figure kit portraying a British hussars
colonel who rode into the Valley of Death with
the Light Brigade during the Crimean War.
There is much more in store in this edition,
so please start turning the pages and enjoy.
Happy collecting!
All the best,
Stuart A. Hessney
Editor
SOLDIER
COLLECTOR
& HISTORICAL FIGURES
Editor:
Stuart A. Hessney
(stuart@guidelinepublicationsusa.com)
Managing Editor:
David Grummitt
(david@guidelinepublications.co.uk)
Sales & Marketing Director:
Tom Foxon
(tom@guidelinepublications.co.uk
Tel: +44(0) 7540153368
Contributors: Martin Ainscough,
Robert Bailey, Jim Clouse, Gary
Emery, Jock Gillespie, Stephen Healey,
James H. Hillestad, Colin Luxford, A.J.
Mergenthaler, Paul Newman, George
Philips, Colin Pickett and Leo Winston
Design:
Andy Whittaker
Printing:
Kingfisher Print
Toy Soldier Collector ISSN
2631-3073
Subscription rates:
6 issues: UK £33, USA/ROW $72,
Europe £45.20
12 issues: UK £64, USA/ROW $140,
Europe £84.50
(all prices include shipping and postage)
www.toysoldiercollector.com
Magazine Licensing & Syndication
Guideline Publications publishes top
quality magazines, books & bookazines.
Guideline Publications publishes a wide
range of publications that are available
for licensing and reproduction around
the world. You can find out more by
contacting Tom Foxon.
Published by Guideline Publications
Unit 6 Kensworth Gate, 200-204 High Street
South, Dunstable, Bedfordshire LU6 3HS.
+44(0)1582 668411
e-mail tom@guidelinepublications.co.uk
www.guidelinepublicatons.co.uk
www.guidelinepublicationsusa.com
Copyright © 2021 Guideline Publications
& Guidelines Licensed Publications 2021
This magazine / book shall not without the
written consent of the publisher, be lent, resold, or
otherwise disposed of by way of trade in excess
of he maximum recorded retail price. All rights
strictly reserved. No part of this publications may be
reproduced print or digital in any way without prior
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artwork generated by Guideline Publications Ltd &
or Guideline Licensed Publications Ltd, photographs,
drawings, and plans used in the magazine and
or book become the publisher's copyright under
copyright law. The company reserves the right to
suspend or refuse any advertisements without
giving reasons. Whilst every care is taken to avoid
mistakes Guideline Publications Ltd and Guideline
Licensed Publications Ltd cannot be liable in
any way for any errors or omissions. Nor can the
publication accept the responsibility for the bona
fides of advertisers.
“Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success.”
Henry Ford



Bachmann Europe, W Britain’s UK distributors, congratulate Guideline on publishing the
100th issue of Toy Solder Collector & Historical Figures magazine.

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For more information on our products

and to find your nearest stockist please visit:
www.bachmann.co.uk
NEWS

Noticeboard
The latest news from across the hobby
Email any hobby-related news to the editor at stuart@guidelinepublicationsusa.com
or alternatively write in to: Guideline Publications 6 Kensworth Gate, 200-204 High Street South, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, LU6 3HS.

London Toy Soldier regard to social distancing regulations and other rules around
mass-gathering events leaves us in a very vulnerable position
Show and the London should the situation change further. Moreover, the majority
of our traders and visitors from Europe are currently unable
Plastic Modelling to travel to the UK and this has meant a large gap in those

Show able to attend. We are confident that our December shows,

By David Grummitt
It is with regret that we have taken the decision to cancel our
June shows, the London Toy Soldier Show and the London
Plastic Modelling Show on 26 and 27 June 2021. The dates are
very close to the planned 21 June lifting of COVID restrictions
by the UK government and the continued lack of clarity with
the London Toy Soldier Show on Saturday, 4 December and
the London Plastic Modelling Show on Sunday, 5 December
2021 will take place as planned. We have already taken on
additional space for both shows to ensure we can maintain
any social distancing guidelines that may be in place then
and to ensure we have enough space for everyone to
enjoy the shows. We have updated both web sites with the
December booking form for traders and clubs.

Imperial ‘Taylor and Barrett Pump’ (£17 casting,

£30 painted). There are also a couple
Miniatures of ‘Guardsmen at Attention in Tunic/
Greatcoat’, useful for standard bearers
and the Dorset and like (£4.30 each for a casting, £13
at £4.30 and the cart £8 as castings (the
ladder and bucket are from the existing
ranges). The complete set is available
for £30 painted. Please note that
all Dorset prices have increased due to

Model Soldier each painted with arms). Finally, there is

a nice Chasseurs a Chéval head, priced
VAT registration. Most bodies start at
£4.35, while heads and arms are 70p

Company at 70p per casting.

By David Grummitt
British manufacturer Mike Lewis has
been very busy over the Lockdown with
some new castings. In the Imperi
Miniatures range we have an
‘Indian and Canoe’ (£14.20 casting
£23 painted), ‘Mountie and Canoe
(£14.20 casting, £23 painted) and
In the Dorset range there is a
each. You can contact Mike and see the
full range at www.imperialminiatures.
modification of the ‘Crescent Kneeling co.uk or tel: +44 (0)1438 855757.
Nurse’ to give her a better World
War II appearance than the previous Indian
World War I look (£4.30 for a casting,
d), Second, there is
a ow Cleaner’ and cart
on the T&B one but
ulpted by Giles Brown.
e Window Cleaner retails

Nurse
Guideline Publications
North American
Subscriptions and Sales
By David Grummitt

For our North American readers, please remember you

can order individual copies and subscriptions of all our
magazines directly, and pay in US dollars, from our North
American agent, Larry Weindorf. Check out our US-based
Window cleaner
website, www.guidelinepublicationsusa.com, or email Larry
directly at larry@forthehistorian.com, tel: 717-685-5207.

8 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

 NEWS

US-based Hobby Bunker owner Matt Murphy stands outside his
Boston area shop’s new home in Wakefield, Massachusetts.
Shelves look fully stocked and
organised at Hobby Bunker soon
after it relocated.
Matt Murphy stands
next to display
cabinets starting to
fill up with old and
new toy soldiers.
been looking around for space for a couple of years,” Matt
related. “The Malden business manager was also helping us
look because the city did not want us to leave. But finding
affordable space was near impossible because Malden now
fetches Boston real estate prices.”
Matt said, “I decided to see if I could afford to buy
something. There was not much available a year ago. Timing
is everything sometimes. Although there are ‘for lease’ signs
up everywhere now, I think I made the right choice by buying.
I found and bought a building in the town I live in.” The old
spot in Malden, which closed to the public on 15 March 2021,
for the move, is about six miles south of Hobby Bunker’s new
home at 103 Albion Street in Wakefield effective on 1 April. It
has Boston train and bus links and easy access to via three
major highways. “The new place has that old school hobby
shop feel to it with a small storefront with models in the
window. It is a long narrow building that opens up into our
warehouse and we have a second-floor gaming area, office
and storage room,” Matt noted.
Hobby Bunker is open daily. If a hobbyist can’t visit the
store in person, Matt offers worldwide mail-order service.
Besides metal and plastic toy soldiers and military miniatures
highlighted on his website, Matt stocks a vast array of board
games, wargames, collectable card games such as Magic the
Gathering, role-playing games, Games Workshop figures, all
types of plastic model kits, Star Wars items, books, magazines,
a vast array of hobby supplies and more. “We easily have
the best paint selection around and we also boast one of the
biggest in-store gaming sections anywhere,” Matt said.

Hobby Bunker Marches
into New Quarters
By Stuart A. Hessney
Hobby Bunker President Matthew Murphy has moved his US
shop closer to home in Wakefield, Massachusetts. The main
reason for the Boston area store’s relocation was because
its long-time home in a leased building in Malden was up
for redevelopment. “Our lease was up in March and I have
Matt is well-known in the toy soldier and model figure
hobby as a road warrior whose team of helpers brings an
amazing array of stock to shows all over the United States. He
mused, “The move has kept us busy for sure. After moving
the shop, I felt like I had done the Chicago Toy Soldier Show
ten times in a row,” he mused.
Matt also organises the US West Coaster Toy Soldier Show.
It is tentatively scheduled for 27 Sunday, February 2022
at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Anaheim Garden Grove in
Garden Grove, California. Check out their website at www.
hobbybunker.com or give Matt a call on +1 (781) 321-8855.

Flash Master from some horrendous flash issues, the

Declares War Flash Master is a flexible metal blade

that slots into a standard X-Acto-style

on Flash knife handle. Its flexibility means that

By Colin Pickett
One of the things that is unavoidable
on any plastic model, especially items
reaching vintage status, is flash left
from moulding. It’s that line of raised
plastic that crosses highly detailed
parts. When flash is attacked with a
scalpel blade, it can result in slips and
judder marks instead of a nice clean
surface. Flash Master is a new tool
designed to eliminate the problem with
minimal effort. Initially intended for use
on polythene figures, which can suffer
the blade can access the hardest to
reach areas and return to its original
shape afterwards meaning it won’t
snap when overexerted like a scalpel
blade. Flash Master blades can be used Highlanders are
on seam lines on everything from shown before
and after flash is
soft plastic toy soldiers to wargaming removed.
figures, 3D-printed figures, resin figures
and model kit cars, military vehicles
and aircraft. Flash Master blades are
available in packs of ten, twenty or
Flash Master’s
forty supplied in a handy case so that a flexible metal
hobbyist will always know where to find blade is used to
clean up a plastic
them. You can find more details at www. British soldier.
flashmasterhobby.com.

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 9

NEWS

Davy Crockett’s hand-painted metal soldiers made

by W. Britain, Regal Enterprises and
Cabin Opens in March Through Times. Plastic brands
on hand include Americana, BMC Toys
San Antonio and W. Britain Deetail figures. Being
situated in a tourist hotspot deep in the
By Doug Dearth
heart of Texas, DCC also sells T-shirts,
Everyone knows books, toys, prints,
the old real estate glassware and just The new shop
sells gifts,
adage about about anything souvenirs, toys
location, location, do to with Davy and more.
and no one could Crockett, the
ask for a better Alamo he died
location – for a defending against
history-themed Mexican troops in many others. “I am currently portraying
store, anyway – 1836, or history in General Santa Anna for the Alamo
than next door general. and the San Jacinto monument,” he
to the Alamo The proprietor said. Martin also collects toy soldiers
in San Antonio, added, “It’s a and model figures. “I enjoy collecting
Texas, USA. Davy premier location. I Napoleonic, Alamo and Mexican-
Crockett’s Cabin am very optimistic American War figures, and a lot of
(DCC) is that about the future of books on military history. I am not
store and it is the my business.” ashamed to admit I am a history nerd
creation of owner/ Proud proprietor Martin Vasquez with a display And, speaking and a Bonapartist!” Besides running
of some of the toy soldiers for sale at DCC.
operator Martin of history, Martin the shop and maintaining an online
Vasquez, a new has been a presence, Martin hopes to revive
W. Britain dealer. Opened on 9 January living historian/reenactor for the last the Texas Toy Soldier Show. “I have
2021, DCC’s roots stem from a fabulous 21 years portraying Texas Revolution been in discussion with the Menger
toy soldier shop that showcased King combatants, War of 1812 soldiers and Hotel to bring back the show once
& Country Ltd. products in the same the time is right. It is a fantastic venue
location inside the historic Menger located on the Alamo battlefield and
Hotel on Alamo Square right across near the famous San Antonio River
East Crockett Street from the historic Walk. Stay tuned for an update!” You
landmark. can check out their website at www.
“I was a part-time employee for Kings davycrockettscabin.com, tel: +1 (210)
X Toy Soldiers in the early 2000s and 757-3463.
eventually took over running the store,
Martin recounted. “I wanted to buy the Editor’s Note: Doug Dearth is TSC&HF’s
shop before King & Country took it over, cartoonist and the graphic designer for
but it just wasn’t meant to be,” Martin W. Britain. A version of this article first
lamented. But opportunity knocked at appeared in The Standard, the exclusive
the end of 2020 as Kings X moved out After Kings X Toy Soldiers closed, the DCC shop journal of the W. Britain Collectors’ Club,
moved into the same space at the Menger Hotel
and DCC moved in. The shop carries in downtown San Antonio. 2020, Volume 6, No. 3.

TSC&HF Issue 99
Cartoon by Doug Death

Corrections
By Stuart A. Hessney

On page 44 of the ‘Thoughts on Collecting’ article in

TSC&HF issue 99, the photo at top right incorrectly
attributed a Christmas-themed vignette to Trophy
Miniatures of Wales Ltd. It was actually made by Garibaldi
& Co. of Italy.
On page 48 of the “Varangian Guard” article in TSC&HF
issue 99, the Web address was listed in incorrectly for new
UK-based maker Warrior Caste. Hobbyists can visit it online
at www.warriorcaste.co.uk.
Our apologies for the mistakes.

10 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

 www.TrainsAndToySoldiers.com
BUYING COLLECTIONS BIG AND SMALL
CALL 800-786-1888

Thomas Gunn Alymer

King & Country

Airfix
Elastolin
Frontline
Garibaldi
First Legion
Lionel
John Jenkins Designs

Conte (Museum Quality Backdrops) WBritain

Collectibles

Visit our New Arrivals page Like us! Follow

for the latest additions! @toytrains @trainsandtoysoldiers

1-800-786-1888 or shop our online store: TrainsAndToySoldiers.com

Retail Store: 3130 South 6th Street, Suite 104, Lincoln, Nebraska 68502
Email: sales@trainsandtoysoldiers.com
TSC&HF CELEBRATES 100 ISSUES
A Winning
Century:
TSC&HF Celebrates
100 Issues
As we celebrate our milestone 100th issue,
George Phillips traces the origins of Toy Soldier
Collector and the ways in which the title has
evolved over the past fifteen years to reflect
changes and trends in the hobby it serves.
12 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
I
n the winter of 2004, three toy
soldier collectors sat together in
the cafeteria at a hobby show in
Birmingham, UK. Over steaming
paper cups of tea – and with not a little
excitement – they hatched the plan for
a brand-new magazine. Among the
ambitions they set forth for the new
title was it should throw a vivid spotlight
on the exciting new releases from top
toy soldier makers and in particular the
burgeoning outputs of leading British
companies.
Those three collectors were Mark
Avery, until very recently the editor
of this publication; Ken Jackson, the
former proprietor of connoisseur figure
company Maison Militaire; and Rob
Hendrie, a leading hobby writer and toy
soldier enthusiast.
One hundred issues later and with
the magazine entering an exciting new
phase in its evolution, the instincts
of the ‘founding three’ that there was
demand within the hobby for a new title
have been wholly justified.
Early Days
“After the Birmingham show we
formed a limited company called
KRM Publishing to launch the new
magazine,” Mark explained. “Ken opted
to inject some cash into the project
as a silent partner, Rob invested some
money and looked after editorial and
subscriptions, and I took responsibility
for editorial, advertising, securing a
designer and print management.”
The tagline which still appears on
the front of this magazine – ‘We’re as
serious about collecting as you are’ –
reflects the original team’s passion for
the hobby. After one year and the first
six issues, the magazine was landing
very well within its target market
and sales were growing. “Collectors
told us they loved the magazine
and we wanted to continue to grow
the title, but it was tough juggling a
demanding fulltime role with the work
on the magazine in the evenings and
weekends,” Mark explained. “Rob and I
realised that for the magazine to go to
the next level, it would need to go into
the newstrade.”
Guideline Steps In
Through a mutual friend, Mark was
introduced to the late Regis Auckland,
the chairman of Guideline Publications.
Mark recounted, “At the time, Guideline
had two other successful hobby

magazines in their stable: Military
Modelcraft International and Scale
Aircraft Modelling. I’m pleased to say
they caught a vision for what Toy
Soldier Collector could achieve and
took on the magazine, along with a
commitment to honour all outstanding
subscriptions.” An exhausted Mark
stepped away from the magazine for a
couple of issues, then at the invitation of
Guideline, returned to take the editorial
helm.
Reflecting on his fifteen years as
editor before stepping down at the end
of 2020, Mark says he is proud to have
worked with a great team of hobbyists
and writers to build a strong following
for the magazine. “I think the fact that
the magazine is still standing strong
today is ample testimony to its quality
and relevance to the hobby,” Mark said.
Let’s turn back the clock back now to
some memorable issues and the stories
behind them.
Issue 1 - Dec/Jan 2005
Where it all started was the first edition
of Toy Soldier Collector published in
2005 (see cover image on page 12).
The choice of imagery for the front
cover is notable for two reasons. First,
the figures in the photograph are
from the Napoleonic period – one of
the most abidingly popular eras for
hobbyists – so the team was clearly
intent on catching collectors’ eyes with
the launch issue. Second, the diorama
representing Ensign Ewart of the Scots
Greys capturing the regimental eagle of
the French 45th Regiment of the Line
at Waterloo in 1815 was produced by
the UK company Heritage Miniatures,
based on sculpts by British artist Martin
Tabony. Thus, the founders’ desire to
shine a light on the best of British was
also very evident.
Issue 21 – Apr/May 2008
A clue to the significance of this
landmark issue is the digital barcode
that appears at the bottom of the cover.
Toy Soldier Collector, now under the
management of Guideline Publications,
had developed genuine newsstand
appeal and was now appearing
alongside its sister publications on
the shelves of the leading UK national
retailer, WHSmith, among other outlets.
The lead story in this issue was the
establishment of a UK headquarters for
popular modern manufacturer, King &
Country, which was enjoying a positive
TSC&HF CELEBRATES 100 ISSUES
growth trajectory. Also noteworthy is a
reference to the release of new Viking
figures from Conte Collectibles. A US-
based company, Conte is noteworthy
for its ‘Legends of the Silver Screen’
range of figures, which enabled
collectors to recreate scenes from some
of owner Richard Conte’s favourite
historical movies. These included
Beau Geste (1939), The Vikings (1958),
Spartacus (1960) and Zulu (1964).
Issue 27 – Apr/May 2009
During the past couple of decades, a
handful of plastic soldier brands have
emerged as bona fide challengers
to metal figures in terms of their
historical accuracy, sculpting and
quality of production. Among these
are Conte Collectibles and Toy Soldiers
of San Diego (TSSD). Reflecting his
evolutionary leap, issue 27 of Toy
Soldier Collector featured plastic toy
soldiers on the front cover for the first
time. The figures in question were
American Civil War infantry, artillery
and cavalry produced by TSSD and
injection-moulded in Confederate grey.
I once painted a set of these figures
over a long weekend to relieve some
work-related stress and they were
simply superb. The crispness of the
detailing – right down to a discernible
wood grain texture on an infantryman’s
water canteen – made them a pleasure
to paint.
Issue 31 – Dec/Jan 2010
Toy Soldier Collector has always sought
to keep readers informed of the exciting
developments within the hobby. This
includes introducing readers to some of
the gifted newcomers to the industry.
The front cover of issue 41 presented
a diorama featuring magnificent
Napoleonic figures produced by US-
based First Legion Ltd. The cover text
accurately describes the company
as ‘the new boys on the block’ as the
company had only been formed in
2007 before its first mouth-watering
product lines appeared on the market
in 2008. The mindset of the First Legion
team is best described by partner
Matthew Pavone: “The philosophy of
our company is to produce products of
the highest quality at prices affordable
to the average consumer. We aim to
make products that we ourselves want
to collect and we are – and will remain –
our own greatest critics.”
TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 13
TSC&HF CELEBRATES 100 ISSUES
Issue 41 – Aug/Sept 2011
After several years successfully
organising the London Toy Soldier
Shows, the Neville family behind
the King & Country UK dealership
decided in 2011 that it was time to take
a step back. To ensure the quality and
continuity of the events, Guideline
Publications threw its hat into the ring
and took on the organisation of the
shows, which attract traders – and
collectors – from across the globe. The
cover of issue 41 featured a magnificent
Russian-made vignette of a Mameluke
cavalryman being unhorsed by a male
lion. The figure featured in a London
Toy Soldier Show report which also
announced Guideline’s decision to take
on the management of the events. I
met an American collector some years
ago who informed me that the summer
vacation he took each year with his
family in England was always carefully
timed to coincide with the June show.
14 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
Issue 83 – Aug/Sept 2018
An important priority for the Guideline
team is to ensure that Toy Soldier
Collector retains a strong newsstand
appeal. Issue 83 saw the introduction of
a new masthead that harmonised the
design of its cover with the two other
successful publications in the Guideline
stable: Military Modelcraft International
and Scale Aircraft Modelling. The new
design makes it clear that all three
titles belong within the same ‘family’
of magazines. He’ll be mortified that
I’m doing this, but I’d like to take a few
lines to acknowledge the skills of our
talented designer, Andy Whittaker.
He has worked hard for more than a
decade to ensure the magazine has
a fresh, contemporary look and feel
that maximises its visual impact and
readability. Hats off to you for a sterling
job Andy and long may it continue!
Below: A shot of the London Toy Soldier
Show in full swing
Issue 98 – Feb/March 2021
This edition marked an important step
in the evolution of the magazine. The
most obvious of these can be seen in
the change to the masthead: from this
issue forward, the magazine has been
titled Toy Soldier Collector & Historical
Figures to reflect a broadening in the
scope of its content. This issue also
marked the farewell of Mark Avery as
editor after some fifteen years in the
seat. I’m sure all the writing team found
it a very positive experience working
with Mark, whose sound editorial
judgement and encouraging words
helped to bring out the best in all of us.
ALL YOUR FAVOURITE CONTENT AND MUCH MORE
TOY
February/March 2021 • £4.95
www.toysoldiercollector.com • Issue 98
SOLDIER
We’re as
serious about
collecting as
you are
COLLECTOR
NEWS AND REVIEWS
02
& HISTORICAL FIGURES
9 772631 307865
The World of
Model Soldiers
Around the world in miniature
‘Dressing
the Kiddies’
Uniforms of the
Scots Guards to the
Great War, Part 2
A Japanese Pilot
at Midway, 1942
THE LAST
SAKE
NUMBER 1 FOR NEWS, REVIEWS, FEATURES AND HISTORY
In Closing
Further changes were apparent in last
issue of Toy Soldier Collector & Historical
Figures. The title has grown into a 100-
page, perfect-bound publication with
the look and feel of a high-quality glossy
booklet. In addition, it now incorporates
the other great hobby title Toy Soldier
& Model Figure and is edited by Stuart
A. Hessney, who was at the editorial
helm of that publication for seventeen
years. So, lots of change and an exciting
future for your favourite magazine as
it continues to evolve in step with our
great hobby. END
ABOUT THE WRITER
George Phillips is an award-winning feature writer
and editor with 30 years’ experience in publishing.
An enthusiastic student of ancient Greek history, he
has a deep interest in the Persian War, the
Peloponnesian War and the campaigns of Alexander
the Great. George’s interest in military miniatures
was reignited 25 years ago and he has been writing
for this magazine for almost 16 years – an experience
he describes as ‘fascinating and rewarding’.
THE SIERRA TOY SOLDIER COMPANY
A family owned business located in Campbell, California

WE CARRY ALL
Visit the largest retail showroom dedicated to toy

www.sierratoysoldiers.com
MAJOR BRANDS:
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soldiers and model figures. Come visit us in person
Collection for a one-of-a-kind toy soldier experience.
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You can also visit our online store for the finest quality
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Hours: Monday - Saturday: 10am - 5pm

Shop in our secure, online store: www.sierratoysoldier.com
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Email: welcome@sierratoysoldier.com Phone: (408) 395-3000
REVIEWS
New Releases
Our team delivers reviews of new painted metal
figures arriving in the hobby.
‘Fritjof:
Viking
Attacking
with Axe’
(ref. 62142).
W. Britain
Various New Figures
Reviewed by Stuart A. Hessney
W. Britain Model Figures
has unveiled seventeen
authentically detailed figures
inspired by history, ranging
from the Viking Age to
World War II. Please join me
for an inspection of these
1/30-scale figures in timeline
chronological order.
Wrath of the
Northmen
‘Halvar: Viking Defending
with Sword and Shield’ (ref.
62138) rushes to join fellow
warriors in forming a shield
wall. Loosely translated, his
name means ‘The Strength
of the Protection as a Rock,’
according to W. Britain
General Manager and
Creative Director Kenneth
A. Osen. He added, “Perhaps
this young warrior will
someday use his share of
the spoils of war to acquire
one of the iron helmets or
even a shirt of mail like his
16 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
‘Halvar: Viking
Defending with
Sword and
Shield’ (ref.
62138) in a scenic
setting.
comrades wear.” ‘Fritjof:
Viking Attacking with Axe’
(ref. 62142) fiercely lives
up to his ‘Thief of Peace’
name. This Norseman is
modelled in an iron helmet
with a nasal guard, what
would have been a heavy
but flexible shirt of iron
mail rings and a fur cape.
The apparent veteran’s
shield is decorated with
entwined dragons. A person
with wealth is implied by
what would have been the
costly armour of ‘Svend:
Viking Wearing Chain Mail
Defending with Sword and
Shield’ (ref. 62143). A dagger-
like seax hangs from his belt.
The Vikings’ opposition has
been bolstered by ‘Abrecan:
Saxon Attacking with Two-
Handed Axe’ (ref. 62145). Ken
noted this fierce fighter’s
name aptly means ‘Storm’.
He wears an iron helmet,
mail and a woollen cloak.
Prices for these dynamic
additions to the maker’s
‘Svend: Viking
Wearing Chain
Mail Defending
with Sword and
Shield’ (ref. 62143).
‘Abrecan: Saxon Attacking with
Two-Handed Axe’ (ref. 62145).
‘Wrath of the Northmen’
series were not available at
the time of this writing.
Jack Tars &
Leathernecks
Uniforms from US Marine
Corps history are illustrated
by two new entries in the
‘Jack Tars & Leathernecks’
range. The ‘NCO in Dress
Uniform, 1833’ (ref. 13049)
sports green garb with brass
buttons and the tails cut
away at the front. The eve
of the Civil War is echoed
by the new ‘Marine in Dress
Uniform, 1859’ (ref. 13050).
French military fashions
of the time influenced the
design of his shako with a
pom-pom above the brass
plate and his full-length frock
coat with red piping that

‘Confederate Infantry in
Frock Coat Reaching for
Cap’ (ref. 31366).
‘Confederate ‘Confederate
Infantry in Frock Reaching for
Coat Advancing Cartridge’
Loading’ (ref. 31361). (ref. 31358).
would have been made from
blue broadcloth. An 18-inch
steel socket bayonet is fixed
to his M1855 .58-calibre rifled
percussion musket. Ken
pointed out that it was one
of the first three US arms
specifically designed for
the use of Minié balls. Both
‘Confederate Ramming Leathernecks retail for $45
Cartridge No. 2’ (ref. 31357).
US.
US Marines ‘NCO in Dress Uniform, American ‘Marine in Dress Uniform,
1833’ (ref. 13049). 1859’ (ref. 13050).
‘Confederate
Advancing Firing
No. 1’ (ref. 31362).
‘Federal General George McClellan’
(ref. 31299).
The Young
Napoleon
Since the turn of the twenty-
first century or so, no maker
has continuously sustained
a deep dive into the Civil
War like W. Britain has. I like
to imagine how some of
my fellow collectors could
have mustered battlefield or
behind-the-lines dioramas
with dozens of figures from
this firm with no two alike.
The latest batch includes five
matt-painted Confederate
sculptures and a faithfully
rendered personality figure
of Union Major-General
George Brinton McClellan
(ref. 31299) standing with his
right hand stuffed inside his
jacket like he is posing for a
photograph to illustrate his
‘Young Napoleon’ nickname.
Born in Philadelphia in 1826,
the West Point graduate
REVIEWS
served with distinction
during the Mexican-
American War of 1846 to
1848. His mastery of French
and his political connections
gained him an assignment
as an official observer in
the Crimean War in 1855.
McClellan wrote a cavalry
manual and designed what
became known as the
McClellan Saddle before
resigning his commission in
1857 to apply his engineering
and management skills
in a lucrative career as a
railway executive. After
Republican Abraham
Lincoln won election as
president running on an
antislavery platform in 1860,
slave states started seceding
to form the Confederacy.
Open warfare erupted in
April 1861. McClellan was in
great demand because of
his knowledge of ‘big war
science’ and how his railroad
experience dovetailed with
military logistics. He was
appointed to the rank of
major-general. At age 34, he
outranked everyone in the
US Army except Lieutenant-
General Winfield Scott,
who retired on 1 November
1861, leaving McClellan in
the dual role of general-
in-chief and field army
commander. Also known
as ‘Little Mac,’ he played
a key role in raising and
organising the Army of the
TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 17
REVIEWS
‘Waffen-SS
Advancing with
MP 40’ (ref.
25063).
Potomac. However, he wa
removed from command
following the November
1862 midterm elections.
This was largely due to th
debacle of the Peninsular
Campaign and McClellan’s
failure to aggressively pur
Confederate General Robe
E. Lee’s Army of Northern
Virginia in the wake of
the tactically inclusive but
strategic Union victory in h
Battle of Antietam outside
Sharpsburg, Maryland, on 17
September. Factors behind
McClellan getting sacked
included Northerners’
frustration with his slowness
to attack Southern forces
massed near Washington,
D.C., and mutual distrust
between the exasperated
Lincoln and the general,
who was insubordinate
and in private insulting to
his boss. Though McClellan
never held another field
command, he was popular
enough in his own right that
he became the Democratic
presidential candidate in
1864, but he was outpolled
by the incumbent. After
the Union prevailed in
1865, McClellan continued
working in engineering and
railroads and won election
as governor of New Jersey
before dying at age 58 in
1885. W. Britain’s portrayal of
him is priced at $43.
18 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
‘Waffen-SS Advancing with
Panzerfaust’ (ref. 25099).
Very nicely varied
characterisations of Rebel
reinforcements priced
at $42 apiece include
infantrymen in frock coats
either advancing loading
wearing a Federal-style dark
blue forage cap (ref. 31361)
or reaching into a leather
pouch for a percussion
cap to arm a Springfield
.58-calibre muzzle-loading
percussion musket (ref.
31366). One standing soldier
reaches for a paper cartridge
for his rifled musket (ref.
31358), while another titled
‘Confederate Ramming
Cartridge No. 2’ (ref. 31357)
puts his steel ramrod to
work. The latter’s dark grey
shell jacket would have been
made of wool imported
from England, according to
Ken. A Southerner dubbed
‘Advancing Firing No. 1’
‘U.S. 101st Airborne
Advancing with BAR,
Winter, 1944-45 (ref. 25126).
31362) provides visual
ation by wearing a cloth
ll jacket and trousers
ng with a felt hat instead
more ubiquitous kepi.
World War II Troops
Three new ‘Screaming
Eagles’ of the US Army’s
101st Airborne Division
are perfect for refighting
World War II’s wintry Battle
of the Bulge of late 1944
to early 1945 in miniature.
The detailed paratroopers
either wear a greatcoat
while kneeling firing a
Thompson submachine
gun (ref. 25124), stand and
fire a carbine (ref. 25125),
or warily advance with a
Browning Automatic Rifle
(ref. 25126). Each combatant
costs $44. The same pricing
applies to German Waffen-
SS figures first unveiled in
2018, but not available until
now. A grenadier is armed
with an MP 40 submachine
gun, wears a steel helmet
and sports a pea-pattern
camouflage jacket (ref.
25063). His comrade carries
both a rifle and a Panzerfäust
‘US 101st
Airborne
Standing Firing
Carbine, Winter,
1944-1945’ (ref.
25125).
60, the most common
variant of the inexpensive,
single-shot, disposable and
highly effective anti-tank
weapon (ref. 25099). Artistry
and historical accuracy
combine to make this entire
parade of W. Britain releases
highly collectable.
‘US 101st Airborne
in Greatcoat
Kneeling with
Thompson, Winter,
1944-45’ (ref.
25124).
CONTACT
W. Britain
20 E. Water Street
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
United States of America
US Tel: +1 (740) 702-1803
UK Tel: +44 (0)8000 869123
Email: wbinfo@wbritain.com
Website: www.wbritain.com
REVIEWS
KRONPRINZ TOY SOLDIERS
Various New Releases
Reviewed by George Philips
Rising Spanish stars
Kronprinz Toy Soldiers
have recently bolstered
their excellent World War II
range and introduced some
intriguing new character
figures in a larger 90mm
scale. The first item for
review is a well-proportioned
'Wehrmacht General'
(ref. WW 021) dressed in
an accurately rendered
greatcoat and uniform. The
picture that accompanies
this review gives an
indication of what a great job
sculptor and painter Emilio
Arrendodo has done in
bringing the 1/30-scale figure
to life: from the miniature
‘Reichsadler’ insignia on his
peaked hat and Knight’s
Cross at his throat, down
to the flocked metal base
with the suggestion of
coarse grass and a dusting
of snow. The figure would
display well with Wehrmacht
officers produced by some
of the other leading metal
manufacturers, perhaps as
part of a command set. It
retails at a very competitive
€32.
Aficionados of the classic
1960s war movie The Great
Escape will be familiar
with some of the powerful,
large capacity motorcycles
used by the Wehrmacht
during World War II. The
sequence in which actor
Steve McQueen’s character
Captain Virgil Hilts is pursued
by a squad of German
bikers is arguably the most
memorable in the film. One
of the vehicles seen pursuing
Hilts in his dash for the
20 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
Swiss border is a depiction
of the famous BMW R75
motorcycle and sidecar
combination. Powered by a
throaty 750cc engine and
capable of producing 26
horsepower, the R75 combo
was widely used in Western
Europe, Russia and North
Africa.
The Kronprinz version
of this epic three-wheeler
(ref. WW 075) is finished in
a functional dark grey and
comes complete with a rider
seen studying a terrain map.
Appropriately enough, the
R75 retails for €75. Kronprinz
also offers a really nice
version of the BMW 75-5
motorcycle (ref. WW 020),
on which a despatch rider is
mounted in winter greatcoat
and Stahlhelm. With plenty
of excellent engine detail,
this set is also priced at €75.
I’m delighted now to be
able to introduce to our
readers a brand new product
range from Kronprinz:
90mm character figures
with micro-dioramas. The
first three items in the series
span around 200 years of
US history, starting with
a depiction of American
The BMW R75-5
captures the
rugged
appearance of
the machine
perfectly.
Konprinz’s ‘Wehrmacht General'
is an impressive large-scale
figure that will be the
centrepiece of any World War II
German-themed collection.
Founding Father, Benjamin
Franklin (ref. K9US 001).
The remarkable Franklin
was born in 1706, so was
not a young man when
he put his signature of the
Declaration of Independence
and prepared to incur
the wrath of the British
Crown. As well as being
an influential politician,
Franklin was also a leading
writer, printer, philosopher,
Freemason, postmaster,
scientist, inventor, humourist,
civil activist, statesman and
diplomatic. A man, as the
saying goes, of many talents.
Emilio’s sculpt captures
the venerable Franklin at the
height of his powers, gazing
appraisingly through his
trademark round spectacles
as he prepares to sign a
document with a quill pen.
The muted colours and
highly realistic finish of the
figure’s clothing demonstrate
the level of detail Kronprinz
is able to achieve with a
larger-scale figure. In short,
the company does not
disappoint. This piece is
priced at €120.
Fast forward to the early
1960s and Kronprinz’s
90mm representation
of another iconic US
statesman, President John
Fitzgerald Kennedy (ref.
K9US 002). Young and
idealistic, Kennedy is sadly
remembered more for the
shockingly public nature
of his assassination in 1963
than for the progressive
policies and laws he ushered

in at a time of enormous
political and social change in
America.
Emilio’s sculpt of Kennedy
is seated in his famous
‘Oval Office rocker’, a
chair in which he spent
countless hours rocking
and ruminating on some
of the many important
decisions he would have to
make as the leader of the
free world. If there is such
a thing, I believe this is a
highly respectful
K9US 001
Benjamin
Franklin
sculpt of Kennedy: he
appears calm, assured and
statesmanlike. I suspect
Emilio is a big fan of JFK and
everything he stood for. I
shall have to ask him. This
figure is priced at €100.
The final new release in
90mm is a representation
of US military leader Harold
Gregory Moore, Jnr (ref:
K9US 003). ‘Hal’ Moore
served in the US Army
from 1945-1977, eventually
reaching the rank of
lieutenant general. The
Kronprinz model of him
dates from his service in the
Vietnam War and the 1965
Battle of Ia Drang, the first
major engagement between
US forces and People’s
Army of Vietnam. Moore
demonstrated incredible
Hal Moore is
portrayed
wearing a
combat uniform
from early in the
Vietnam War.
courage and determination
during battle, which featured
in the excellent 2002 movie,
We Were Soldiers. Moore
was portrayed in the film by
a top-of-his-game Mel
Gibson. The figure is
accurately kitted out
with the uniform and
equipment of the US
Army of the period,
including the M16
rifle which had just
come into service.
There are few things more iconic
of the Wehrmacht in World War II
than the motorcycle-and-sidecar
combination.
REVIEWS
JFK in pensive
mood in the
Oval Office.
The textured base of the
figure even offers a hint of
South-East Asian terrain.
Another highly collectable
larger-scale figure, this item
also retails for €100.
CONTACT
Konprinz Toy Soldiers
España NNNN Madrid Calle
Señora Bienvenida 39 28250
Torrelodones
Spain
Tel: +34 6406 26049
Email: info@konprinztoysoldiers.es
Website: www.konprinztoysoldiers.com
TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 21
REVIEWS

Military Mites
Old Guard fifer
by Military Mites.
(Photo by
Scarlett Rose)
US Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps

Reviewed by Stuart A. Hessney
Jon Woolf, the skilled painter
behind UK-based Military
Mites, has created a splendid
rendition of America’s
ceremonial Old Guard Fife
and Drum Corps. These
54mm figures depict one
of the US Army’s premier
musical organisations. They
appear in uniforms inspired
by Continental Army
musicians of the American
Revolutionary War as
illustrated by imagery
accompanying this review
shot by Jon’s granddaughter,
Scarlett Rose.
The Fife and Drum Corps
has been based at Fort
Myer, Virginia., since being
founded on 23 February
1960. The military post
is located adjacent to
Arlington National Cemetery
and across the Potomac
River from Washington, D.C.
Part of the 3rd US Infantry
(‘The Old Guard’), the
Fife and Drum Corps is
the only unit of its kind
in the armed forces.
Jon originally decided
to undertake this project
because 2020 was a
presidential election
year to be followed
by events
surrounding the
inauguration in
January 2021.
Jon traces his affection
for toy soldiers and model
figures to the pageantry
surrounding the coronation
of British Queen Elizabeth
II in London on 2 June
1953. Soon afterward, the
young boy’s mother took
him to the famous Hamleys
toy store and bought him
the State Coach made
by Britains. “I used to visit
Hamleys regularly to go
to the basement where
there was a huge range of
Britains soldiers,” Jon fondly
remembered. “I
kept up my interest
until my teens,
when I discovered
girls.”
“After my marriage
in 1966, I started to
collect in earnest,”
he added. “I
had joined
the family
business
and we had
five toy stores around
North West London, so I was
able to continue collecting.
In 1978, I was offered the
Britains agency for London. I
called on the major stores in
and around the city selling
my favourite company’s
products. I also worked quite
closely with Charles Biggs
on developing the limited-
edition metal figure sets.”
Due to Dennis Britain’s
retirement, the UK family-
owned business was sold
to the Dobson Park Group
in 1984. It changed the
company name to Britains
Petite Ltd. in 1986. After it
was sold to US-based Ertl in
1997, Jon joined forces with
the late Peter Kingsland of
HM of Great Britain. He sold
the much-admired sculptor’s
products and collected
many of them too.
To start creating his own
figures under the Military
Mites banner, Jon began
collaborating with Bob
Prati of RP World Models,
located in a former Britains
factory in Nottingham,
England. It is the source of
these authentically detailed
castings, painstakingly
hand-painted by Jon
in traditional gloss. The
impressive complete
band of nineteen figures is
composed of a drum major,
six fifers, six buglers, five
side drummers and a bass
drummer. ‘The President’s
Own Fifes & Drums’ is
limited edition of only six
numbered sets offered in a
presentation box specially
priced at £395/$495 US.
These striking eighteenth-
century-style figures are also
available singly as castings
for £12/$16 or £25/$32
painted.

CONTACT
Military Mites
10 Blenheim Mews
Shenley, Radlett
Herefordshire
WD7 9LL
United Kingdom
Email: jonwoolf99@hotmail.com
Tel: +44 (0) 1923 635977

‘The President’s Own Fifes & Drums’ set marched out by Jon Woolf of Military Mites.

22 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

Boer War 1899 New Panzer 3 with
SS Mortar Crew

1/30
T
sca H
ful
ly
le
and a
sse
pai mbled
mod nted
els

The Japanese Surrender 1945 Zulu War 1879

www.tomgunn.co.uk
email: welcome@gunnclub.co.uk

Available direct from us and from all good quality

toy soldier stockists throughout the world.

Thomas Gunn Miniatures,

Unit 4, Stephens Way, Swan Business Park, Warminster, BA12 8HG

Tel: 01985 218112

REVIEWS
The impressive sixteen-
piece ‘Roman Testudo’ set
(ref. ROM51) can be
reinforced with additional
new figures sold separately.
King & Country Ltd.
Various New Releases
Reviewed by Stuart A. Hessney
France’s Michelin Guide
awards up to three stars for
excellence to a select few
dining establishments. That
venerable rating system
has inspired me to award
four stars to prolific King
& Country Ltd. not only
for consistent quality, but
also for regularly cooking
up eclectic menus of
1/30-scale new releases to
keep whetting collectors’
appetites. The latest varied
array ranges from turtle-like
ancient Romans to pre-World
War I Europe, World War II’s
harrowing Battle of Britain,
the Vietnam War, British
24 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
shields to the front, two with right hands. Also available
swords in their left hands
and shields to the right,
are either a set of five
varied reinforcements (ref.
and a duo with shields to ROM055) that costs $249
the left and swords in their or figures sold singly for $55
ceremonial splendour and a
A Cane Corso
whole lot more. mastiff is
featured in
Roman Testudo K&C’s ‘Roman
War Dog” set
For an appetiser, K&C (ref. ROM052).
is serving up a heaping
helping of sixteen pieces
to form an Imperial Roman
testudo (ref. ROM051) priced
at $799 US. This tortoise-like
formation entailed creating
a moving shield wall above,
in front and on the flanks of
closely packed legionnaires
to ward off projectiles while
they advanced towards
an enemy. This impressive
group is made up of nine
legionnaires posed holding
their shields overhead, three
with their pila horizontal and

Prussians include a sneak peek at upcoming infantry in action along with the recently released bugler (ref. FW247), ‘Line Infantry Officer’ holding
binoculars on horseback (ref. FW242), the mounted ‘General Helmuth von Moltke’ (ref. FW241) and a soldier at present arms (ref. FW248).
with a pilum (ref. ROM56) or
holding a sword in either the
right hand (ref. ROM57) or
left hand (ref. ROM58). Also
new is $59 ‘Roman War Dog
Set’ (ref. ROM052). It is made
up of a handler and a Cane
Corso, an Italian breed of
mastiff. Legions used them
to attack enemies and guard
prisoners. They were also
unleashed in spectator blood
sports.
Eve of World War I
K&C is whipping up the
European quiet before the
storm that was World War
I with Prussian infantry
dressed in pickelhaubes,
blue tunics and white
cotton trousers on summer
manoeuvres. The
centrepiece of this group is
a mounted figure of ‘General
Helmuth von Moltke’ (ref.
FW241), a veteran of the
Franco-Prussian War who
rose to become an aide-
de-camp to Kaiser Wilhelm
II and was chief of the
General Staff when Germany
went to war in 1914. The
general is accompanied
on his tour of inspection
by a senior ‘Line Infantry
Officer’ holding binoculars
on horseback (ref. FW242).
Each mounted officer costs
$119. Standing infantrymen
priced at $45 apiece depict
a bugler (ref. FW247) and a
soldier at present arms (ref.
FW248). Matching Prussian
infantrymen in action are in
the works.
REVIEWS
K&C’s tasteful ‘Tsarina
Alexandra’ (ref. TR005),
which costs $45, portrays
a German granddaughter
of Britain’s Queen Victoria
who married Russian Tsar
Nicholas II. She encouraged
his reluctance to making
reforms. In addition, her
reliance on the mystic
Rasputin gained her
enemies. Russian military
losses in World War I, a strike
K&C’s tasteful figure of Russia’s
and a mutiny led to the ill-fated ‘Tsarina Alexandra’
February Revolution of 1917 (ref. TR005).
and the fall of the House of
Romanov. After the emperor updated and reissued its
abdicated on 15 March, his versatile ‘European Walls &
family was exiled to Siberia. Gates’ (ref. SP114). That scenic
Alexandria, Nicholas and item retails for $149 while
their five children were a set of two additional wall
murdered by Bolsheviks sections (ref. SP119) sells for
in July 1918. K&C has also $99.
The ‘European Walls & Gates’ (ref. SP114) form an apropos
backdrop for various figures from the maker’s World War I range.
TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 25
REVIEWS

Vignette composed of the new RAF Spitfire (ref. RAF085), the ‘Saluting RAF
Policeman’ (ref. RAF087), ‘Air Chief Marshall Sir Hugh Dowding’ (ref.
RAF078) and the ‘Standing Flight Sergeant’ (ref. RAF079) together with the
previously unveiled ‘Two RAF Pilots Playing Drafts/Checkers’ (ref. RAF084)
and ‘The RAF Dispersal Caravan 1940’ (ref. RAF083).

World War II An officer with a sword not included

Themes
After the distasteful
evacuation of the British
Expeditionary Force from
Dunkirk followed by the
surrender of France on 25
June 1940, only the Royal Air
Force and Royal Navy stood
between Nazi Germany and
its plans for a cross-Channel
invasion of Britain. For that
to be possible, Luftwaffe
air supremacy was crucial,
but the outnumbered
‘Few’ flying less than 650
Hurricanes and Spitfires
stood up to the challenge
and turned the tide during
the Battle of Britain. K&C is
saluting the man who played
crucial role in orchestrating
the air defence with its
second rendition of ‘Air
Chief Marshall Sir Hugh
Dowding’ (ref. RAF078). That
matt-painted personality
figure is modelled in service
dress and costs $49. A
new ‘Flight Sergeant’ (ref.
Russian Naval Infantry advancing with a captured German MP 40 submachine gun (ref. RA090), standing firing
(ref. RA088) or kneeling firing (ref. RA089) rifles and the prone sniper (ref. RA091).
supervises the four-man ‘Japanese Coastal
Gun Crew Set’ (ref. JN068) manning the
French-made, 155mm artillery piece (ref.
JN067) sold separately.
RAF079) relaxing with his
arms folded and a ‘Saluting
RAF Policeman’ (ref. RAF087)
retail for $45 apiece. The
maker’s latest authentic
model of a Supermarine
Spitfire fighter Mk.I/II (ref.
RAF085) bears markings of
the No. 610 Squadron ‘City of
Chester’ Royal Auxiliary Air
Force, comes with a pilot in
cockpit and sells for $279.
Four savoury figures of
Russian Naval Infantry priced
at $45 apiece include men
either standing firing (ref.
RA088) or kneeling firing
(ref. RA089) Mosin-Nagant
rifles. Another Soviet marine
is advancing with a captured
German MP 40 submachine
gun (ref. RA090), while a
sniper is lying prone and
taking aim with his scoped
rifle (ref. RA091). Switching
from Europe to the Pacific,
K&C’s newly released set
of four Imperial Japanese
gunners (ref. JN068)
are designed to man an
imposing French-made,
155mm coastal gun captured
and repainted in Japanese
camouflage (ref. JN067).
Those detailed items cost
$169 and $219, respectively.
Vietnam War
Communist forces of the
Vietnam War are being
reinforced by a ‘Female
Viet Cong with M16’ (ref.
VN103), the ‘NVA Regular
with AK47’ (ref. VN104) and
a scrumptious sculpture
titled ‘Pretty But Dangerous’
(ref. VN105) that portrays a
woman armed with an AK47
fighting for the Viet Cong.
They sell singly for $45.
Three Americans make up
the $139 ‘Marines on Patrol’
set (ref. VN109), with two in
‘light green’ carrying M16s
and the other in ‘dark green’
lugging an M60 machine
gun. Two figures compose

26 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

 REVIEWS

The US ‘Marines
Mortar Team’
(ref. VN116) in
action. The
sandbag
emplacement
and extra shells
are sold
Vietnam War communist separately.
figures from left include the
‘Pretty But Dangerous
Female Viet Cong with
AK47’ (ref. VN105), ‘NVA
Regular with AK47’ (ref.
VN104) and ‘Female Viet
Cong with M16’ (ref. VN103).

The new ‘Australian Base Flag

Set’ (ref. SP116) is displayed with
the ‘Vietnam Guard Post’ (ref. K&C’s new
SP115) with a removable roof as American
well an Australian Military ‘Marines on
Police Land Rover and MPs sold Patrol’ (ref.
separately. VN109).

Highland regalia and holding standards are escorted

the $119 ‘Marines Mortar
Team’ (ref. VN116) in action.
A versatile sandbagged
‘Guard Post’ (ref. SP115) with
a removable roof is priced
at $119. It would look great
in a shelf display or diorama
with either Australian (ref.
SP116) or US (ref. SP121) ‘Base
Flag’ sets. Three 50-gallon
oil drums topped with
sandbags hold the flagpoles
in each of those $55 sets.
Ceremonial
Splendour
I am a lifelong collector
who has always enjoyed
deploying toy troops to
fight imaginary or actual
battles. But nothing is
more delectable to an
Anglophile like me than
British ceremonial splendour.
I know that K&C co-founder
a steady diet of toy soldiers
on parade. The Scottish
veteran’s own branch of the
armed forces is represented
by a splendid new ‘Royal
Marines Colour Sergeant’ (ref.
CE066) standing at attention
with his swagger stick
tucked under his left arm.
He costs $45. Handsome
Black Watch officers in full
the 1828 Pattern Officer’s
Sword are posed either
marching (ref. CE067) or
standing at attention (ref.
CE068). Please expect to
pay $49 for either variant.
I don’t advocate eating toy
soldiers, but this review’s
fine dining metaphor would
not be complete without
an exquisite dessert. K&C
literally comes through with
flying colours thanks to its
‘Black Watch Colour Party’
(ref. CE70) priced at $299.
Officers carrying either the
regimental or sovereign’s
K&C’s striking
ceremonial ‘Black
Watch Colour Party’
(ref. CE070).
by a colour sergeant
and two privates. Those
kilted collectibles put an
exclamation mark on how
K&C steadily continues to
conceive a smorgasbord
of history and traditions
in miniature to dish out to
hobbyists!
The
splendid
new ‘Royal
Marines
Colour
Sergeant’
CE066.
CONTACT
King & Country Ltd.
Room 2301, 23/F
No. 3 Lockhart Road
Wanchai, Hong Kong

and Creative Director Andy Tel: +852 2861 3450

Fax: +852 2861 3806
C. Neilson shares my passion
Website: www.kingandcountry.com
and — luckily for him — he Email: sales@kingandcountry.com
is in a position to produce

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 27

REVIEWS
Patrick Adams
has launched a
marvellous
model of the
USS San Pueblo.
Naval personnel
and Chinese
civilians
pictured with
this review
include K&C
figures.
The British Toy Soldier Company
Various New Releases
Reviewed by Stuart A. Hessney
The British Toy Soldier
Company (BTSC) has
launched a magnificent
waterline model of a US
Navy gunboat on river patrol
duty in 1920s China as well
as colourful building facades
to serve as backdrops.
Proprietor Patrick Adams
took inspiration directly from
King & Country Ltd. Creative
Director Andy C. Neilson
and his late brother Gordon
C. Neilson. One of the most
talked about dioramas at the
2008 Chicago Toy Soldier
Show showcased K&C’s
1/30-scale US Navy sailors
in white summer uniforms
aboard the USS San Pueblo
moored at a quay in a city
composed of figures and
polystone building facades
from K&C’s popular ‘Streets
of Old Hong’ series. The
Neilson brothers had found
their inspiration in The Sand
Pebbles (1966), a war movie
starring Steve McQueen,
28 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
who was the subject of
two different matt-painted
seamen produced by
K&C. Extremely talented
craftsman that he was,
Gordon scratch built
the superb San Pueblo
from wood, artist card,
polystyrene and brass. After
consulting with his friend
Andy, Patrick embarked on
a project to recreate the
eye-popping San Pueblo
in his model ‘Boatyard’. His
version of the naval vessel
was constructed from wood
with a few resin or metal
small parts. “The only things
not unique and made by
us are the portholes and
metal stanchions,” Patrick
said. “Everything else,
including the deck gun, are
made in-house.” Only three
The gunboat display is
enhanced by the ‘Moon Gate’,
‘Veranda Building’ and ‘Police
Station’ (from left).
were made, with Patrick
keeping the prototype for
his own collection, one
already sold and the third
still available for purchase
for £1250.00/$1,500 US.
In addition, BTSC plans
to make a limited edition
of ten more San Pueblo
gunboats compatible with
54mm figures and priced at
£750/$1,036. To crew them,
three different sets of six
sailors in unique poses are
being expertly sculpted by
David Scheinmann. They will
be painted in white tropical
dress with gloss painting
costing £75/$105 and a matt
finish £95/$135 per set.
Chinese Building
Facades
To complement both his
gunboat diplomacy project
and displays of K&C Hong
Kong figures, Patrick has
unveiled a half-dozen scenic
backdrops. I have to give
him extra credit for clearly
marking them as not being
K&C products, designing
them to be at least twenty-
five percent different from
their forerunners with
some unique twists and
for offering each type in a

Hong Kong-style
building facades include
the ‘Brothel’ with the
‘Temple Gate’ at right.
The ‘Shop & Houses’ add colour and visual interest to a
Chinese streetscape.
choice of either 54mm or
60mm scale, though I think
when it comes to backdrops,
one size would likely work
for all. They are made
from laser-cut plywood
Khaki No. 2 Service Dress is
modelled by a set of six
marching figures (ref. 245)
representing the Royal
Gibraltar Regiment.
and stylishly hand-painted
by Patrick and his wife,
Christine. Dimensions for
the 54mm versions were
not available at the time of
this writing, so what follows
Royal Gibraltar Regiment
releases include a colour
party (ref. 249) in striking
white No. 3 Warm Weather
Ceremonial Dress.
here are the 60mm variants
with prices for both scales.
The ‘Brothel’ (ref. B6/60) is
16cm by 20.5cm, the ‘Police
Station’ (ref. B1/60) 22cm by
19cm, the ‘Veranda Building’
(ref. B2/60) 25.5cm by 13cm,
the ‘Moon Gate’ (ref. B3/60)
22cm by 28.5cm and the
‘Shop & Houses’ (ref. B4/60)
22cm by 20.5cm. Each of
those cost £90/$125 or
£80/$110 in 54mm scale. The
atmospheric ‘Temple Gate’
(ref. B7/60) with a statue of
Buddha measures 18cm by
13.5cm and sells for £70/$97
or alternatively £60/$85 in
54mm scale.
Royal Gibraltar
Regiment
The Royal Gibraltar
Regiment is fascinating
from both geographical and
historical perspectives. But
as a toy soldier collector, I
think what makes it special
is how the regiment is
issued five different uniforms
because of its ceremonial
duties and local climate.
They include scarlet full
dress, dark blue No. 1
Temperate Ceremonial,
khaki No. 2 Service Dress,
white No. 3 Warm Weather
Ceremonial and No. 6
Warm Weather Parade
(bush jacket) uniforms.
The ‘Rock’ is a favourite
REVIEWS
subject for Patrick, who has
marched out a half-dozen
new offerings. An attractive
four-piece colour party (ref.
249; £54.00/$75), a group of
six soldiers marching with
rifles at the slope (ref. 248;
£78.00/$108) and an officer
holding his sword (ref. 250;
£13.00/$18) come in striking
white ceremonial dress
replete with pith helmets.
The authentically detailed
variants in khaki with peaked
caps are sets refs. 246,
245 and 247, respectively.
Made in Britain, these are
stylish additions to Patrick’s
Gibraltar series, which has
ranged from British soldiers
based on the French and
Spanish siege between 1779
and 1783 to Los Carreteros
Del Rey (The King’s Cart
Drivers), who served against
the Mahdists in the Sudan in
1885; a drum corps and the
governor taking the salute.
CONTACT
The British Toy Solider Company
Vein Cottage
Reapsmoor
Nr Longnor
Buxton
Derbyshire
SK17 0LG
Tel: 01298 687331
britishtoysoldiercompany.co.uk
TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 29
REVIEWS
ALYMER
Napoleonic Figures
Reviewed by George Philips
The rich and varied product
portfolio offered by the
Spanish manufacturer
Alymer includes a terrific
range of Napoleonic figures
in number of different
scales. A small selection is
showcased in this review.
The first item is a five-figure,
54mm vignette depicting
the heroic defence of the
Monteleón Artillery Barracks
in Madrid during the summer
of 1808, titled ‘Defensa
del parque de Artillería de
Monteleón’ (ref. M2).
Some 30,000 French
troops, including elements
of the Imperial Guard, had
been sent to occupy parts of
the Spanish capital with the
aim of gaining administrative
control. They were faced
by a garrison estimated to
number around 3,000 men.
Against the backdrop of
increasing civilian unrest and
simmering anger among
the Spanish garrison, on 2
May 120 soldiers and armed
civilians equipped with
nine 24-pounder cannons
prepared to defend the
Monteleón barracks. They
were led by Captains Luis
British infantry on the road during the Peninsular War.
30 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
Daoíz and Pedro Velarde,
and their lieutenants, Jacinto
Ruiz and Rafael Arango. The
Alymer vignette is gloss
painted in the traditional toy
soldier style and bursting
with action. The hatless figure
of Daoíz stands defiantly
with sabre in hand as the
bronze cannon prepares to
blast the advancing French
with another load of canister
shot. In addition to the
highly animated figures, the
base of the piece is littered
with realistic equipment,
including a ramrod, sponge
bucket and cannonballs.
After successfully defending
against a number of direct
assaults, the Spanish position
was overrun and both Daoíz
and Velarde were killed in
hand-to-hand combat after
being wounded several times
by French musket balls.
The engagement on
2 May 1808 was the
This dramatic vignette
showcases an incident from
the early exchanges of the
Peninsular War.
flashpoint for the Spanish that this is no ceremonial
War of Independence against march. Muskets are carried
Napoleon and I’m sure fans slung, at hip height in one
of Spanish national history or hand, or thrown stock-first
the broader Napoleonic era over the shoulder. So, this is
would be delighted to have very much British infantry on
this piece in their collection. campaign. Again, the style
The piece is priced at €140 is classic gloss toy soldier
or €152 supplied with a and the price for the seven
wooden display base. figures is €115.
On a related theme, The final item is a
Alymer proprietor Antonio depiction of the ‘Caporal la
Marti C V ’ apoleon
a very f B ( E112).
54mm ‘ Th l r scale
Penins c f re
British ’ p 90mm
(ref. 26 / ) a ct of the
includ ld s l mediately
carryin r . In a
Bess m d h greatcoat
one d a oots, with
produ h tucked
descri ch lly into
move h his is
troops c arte. The
and th g fg ted on a
figures s play base
w a kmanlike
g aint finish
a etails for
€ 5.
Napoleon Bonaparte in 90mm
CONTACT
Alymer Military Models SL
Calle Benicadell no 26
46015 Valencia
Spain
Tel: +34 963 234 504
www.alymer.com
REVIEWS
Thomas Gunn Miniatures
World War II Japanese Surrender & More
Reviewed by Stuart A. Hessney
‘Japanese Surrender; World
War II Ends’ is the banner
newspaper headline being
quoted by Thomas Gunn
Miniatures (TGM) to trumpet
its ambitious effort to
produce figures recreating
photographs of the formal
capitulation aboard the
battleship USS Missouri in
Tokyo Bay on 2 September
1945. Imperial Japan’s defeat
seemed like a foregone
conclusion by the summer
of that year, but the Allies
were planning to have to
mount a costly invasion
of the home islands code-
named Operation Olympic
32 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
to compel the tenacious
Axis Power’s submission.
After the Allies’ Potsdam
Declaration demanding the
‘unconditional surrender
of all the Japanese armed
forces’ was ignored, US
President Harry Truman
ordered the dropping of
an atomic bomb dubbed
Little Boy on Hiroshima on 6
August. The secret weapon
killed an estimated 80,000
people and thousands
more were fatally wounded.
Japan’s situation worsened
on 8 August, when the
Soviet Union declared war
and invaded Manchuria.
The next day an American
B-29 Superfortress dropped
the Fat Man plutonium
bomb, which was 40
percent more powerful
than Little Boy, on Nagasaki.
An estimated 40,000
people were vaporised
or fatally burned by the
initial detonation, while
people farther away from
the epicentre contracted
radiation poisoning. By
the early 1950s, more than
100,000 deaths were
attributed to the attack on
Nagasaki. Emperor Hirohito
convened the Japanese
supreme war council just
before midnight the day
that Nagasaki was bombed.
After much debate, Japan
communicated acceptance
The inclusion of prototype figures
illustrates how TGM’s recreation of
Japan’s surrender is a work in
progress. For the Allies, MacArthur
(ref. RS075) is seated at the table
with Wainwright (ref. RS076A)
standing to his left and Percival
(ref. RS079A) to the right. Foreign
Minister Shigemitsu (ref. RS077A)
stands at the front of the Japanese
delegation with Okazaki (ref.
RS077B) holding a briefcase right
behind him. The diplomatic aide is
flanked by Lieutenant-General
Miyakazi (ref. RS078B) to his right
and Major General Nagai (ref.
RS078D) to his left. The display mat
replicating the wooden deck of the
battleship USS Missouri is available
separately.
of the Potsdam Declaration
to the Allies on 10 August.
The United States replied
two days later. Nuances of
the terms were debated, but
the emperor declared peace
was preferable to destruction
and he commanded the
Japanese government to
accept surrender. In the early
morning hours of 15 August,
a military coup attempt had
 REVIEWS

Representatives of the Empire of Japan stand aboard USS Missouri prior to

signing of the Instrument of Surrender.

to be crushed, then Hirohito figures by TGM. The

went on national radio to
announce Japan’s surrender.
Truman appointed US
Army General Douglas
McArthur to command
the Allied occupation
of Japan and preside
over the surrender
ceremony scheduled for 2
September to allow time for
representatives of the major
Allied powers to be on hand.
The flags of Britain, China,
the Soviet Union and the
United States flew above
the battleship’s deck as the
surrender was formalised
just after 09:00 Tokyo
time. This is the historic
moment in time which
has been captured like a
snapshot in miniature with
highly detailed 1/30-scale
Allied contingent includes
MacArthur seated at a table
with the official surrender
documents (ref. RS075); US
Army Lieutenant-General
Jonathan Wainwright (ref.
RS076A), a Medal of Honor
recipient who had been a
POW since surrendering in
the Philippines on 6 May
1942; and British Army
Lieutenant-General Arthur
Percival (ref. RS079A), who
had been held captive since
surrendering Singapore on
15 February 1942. TGM has
also produced matt-finished
models of Japanese Foreign
Minister Mamoru Shigemitsu
(ref. RS077A), who wears
a top hat, holds a walking
stick and signed on behalf of
the Japanese government;
Japanese ‘Lieutenant-General
Suichi Miyakazi’ (ref. RS078B) by
TGM.
and diplomatic aide Katsuo
Okazaki (ref. RS077B), who
carries a briefcase and also
wears a top hat. General
Yoshijiro Umezu signed on
behalf of the armed forces.
A figure of him has not
surfaced yet, but TGM has
issued personality figures on
rectangular bases depicting
witnesses Lieutenant-
General Suichi Miyakazi (ref.
RS078B) and moustachioed
Major General Yatsuji Nagai
(ref. RS078D). The MacArthur
figure costs £58/$65 US and
the others £40/$45 apiece.
More are in the works,
according to proprietor
Simon Thomas Gunn. For
display options, collectors
can buy a wooden deck mat
TGM is relying on photographs to
recreate participants such as
Japanese ‘Major General Yatsuji
Nagai’ (ref. RS078D) and their
positioning during the surrender
ceremony.
are also available on terrain-
covered round bases.
Also new representing
World War II are two-figure
sets of a German Waffen-SS
sniper set (ref. SS108) and
tank crewmen passing shells
(ref. SS110), with either duo
costing around £80/$90. In
addition, the proprietor has
very generously made it
possible for TSC&HF readers
to have a chance to win an
ME 262 fighter jet on page
94 in this edition’s ‘Prize
Exercise’ competition!
CONTACT
Thomas Gunn Miniatures
Unit 21, Deverill Road Trading Estate
Sutton Veny, Warminster, Wiltshire,
BA12 7BZ, United Kingdom

measuring 24cm by 20cm Tel: +44 (0)1985 840539

and priced at £20/$30 and Email: thom@tomgunn.co.uk

Website: www.tomgunn.co.uk
the standing military men

WIN this
r
ME 262 fighte
f
jet courtesy o
G un n
Thomas
Miniatures.
See page 94
Other recent World War II releases include a German
Waffen-SS sniper set (ref. SS108).

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 33

 REVIEWS
World War I mounted Indian lancers on the Western Front.
Alexanders Toy
Soldiers
Various New Releases
Reviewed by Martin Ainscough
No sooner had I finished my
review of the latest figures
from Alexanders Toy Soldiers
(ATS) when my inbox was
inundated with further
details and images from
Nik Biberovic of more new
releases. He hasn’t previously
covered World War I in any
detail, but recently Nik has
ventured into this period
with a six-figure mounted
set representing the British
21st Lancers (ref. LAN34) on
the Western Front, which I
reviewed in TSC&HF issue 97.
Consequently, it would seem
appropriate to continue this
theme with the release of a
five-figure set of mounted
Indian lancers (some product
codes were not available
at the time of this writing)
depicted as they would have
looked deployed on the same
Distinguished British generals of the Boer War: Wolseley, Kitchener and
Roberts (from left).
34 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
front. An estimated 1.4 million
soldiers and labourers from
the Indian sub-continent
volunteered to help the war
effort between 1914 and
1918. A total of 74,187 died,
while a similar number were
wounded. The figures are
dressed in khaki and, in Nik’s
trademark attention to detail,
the Indian officer is depicted
wearing the regulation
issue tin helmet, while the
remaining four figures have
the traditional turban. For
collectors of gloss World
War I-themed figures, this
54mm set offers a different
and unusual subject. Another
notable detail is the German
helmets fastened to one
trooper’s lance as if to denote
the number of kills he has
made. They are painted
to a high standard and, in
common with all mounted
figures from ATS, no two
The ‘Boer Command Group’ on horseback (ref. BOERS01).
New Boer Commandos by ATS.
horses are the same. The set
is priced at £232.50 inclusive
of post and packing.
Two topics which are
relatively new to the ATS
catalogue are the Boer War
and Sudanese campaigns,
but they are quickly building
into substantial listings
with the result that there is
plenty of choice available
for collectors. I am going to
concentrate on the Boer War
releases on this occasion.
Previous releases for the Boer
War have concentrated on
the British and Empire troops
involved, but these have
now been joined by sets of
Boers. They include a four-
figure mounted ‘Command
Group’ (ref. BOERS01)
priced at £186.00. A full set
of fiteen differently posed
‘Commandos’ fighting on fo
(ref. BOER02) costs £214.50
They are also offered in one
set of four and two different
groups of six, with a half-
dozen selling for £99.00.
Several stand-alone
mounted figures are also
among the new releases.
As a young man, Winston
Churchill fought in the Boer
War and he is depicted here
charging into battle with pistol
drawn. He is joined by three
distinguished personalities
from the period, namely
Generals Garnet Wolseley,
Herbert Kitchener and
Frederick Roberts. Churchill
retails at £46.50, while the set
of three generals is priced
at £140.00. Again, the horse
poses for these stand-alone
figures are exceptional and
very true to life. I hope to
cover even more Boer War
additions and figures related
to the Sudan Campaign in
future issues, but for now I
cannot recommend these
new figures from one of the
best UK gloss-painted makers
highly enough.
The young
Winston
Churchill
during the
Boer War.
T
A
14 Constance Road
Whitton
Twickenham
TW2 7HY
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)208 894 5925
Email: nik@ats-uk.net
Website: www.ats-uk.net
 13031 13039
Shore Leave U.S.M.C.
U.S.N. Sailor Pilot Major
on Liberty With Gregory
Date, 1942-45 “Pappy”
$74.00 Boyington,
1943

matte finish
$40.00

56/58 mm-1/30 Scale

25075
Ge an
13030 · $40.00 y NCO
U.S.M.C. Women’s Reserve SH-41
1941-45 $ 00
Hand-Painted
Pewter Figures
25082
German
13017 Army Tank
On Watch
In Parka
German U-Boa
No.1
Crewman and
$42.00
Captain, WW I
$72.00

13014
10068 U.S. Navy Pilot,
John F. Kennedy 1941-45
U.S. Navy, 1945 $38.00
$40.00

25027
25025 RAF Pilot with Model
I’ll Be Seeing Spitfire and Child
You $ 0
RAF Pilot and
Girl Kissing
25123 Goodbye
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For The Historian The History Store Treefrog Treasures Sierra Toy Soldier Michigan Toy Soldier Co. Redcoat Models
Tel: 717-685-5207 Tel: 740-775-7400 Tel: 507-545-2500 Tel: 408-395-3000 Tel: 248-586-1022 www.redcoatmodels.com
www.forthehistorian.com www.thehistorystore.net www.treefrogtreasures.com Fax: 408-358-3966 888-MICHTOY 31 Hillingdale,
web@forthehistorian.com info@thehistorystore.net 2416 E. River Rd NE www.sierratoysoldier.com www.michtoy.com Biggin Hill,
42 York St, Gettysburg, 101 North Paint St. Rochester, Minnesota 55906 1400 East 11 Mile Road Westerham, Kent,
Pennsylvania 17325 Chillicothe, Ohio 45601 Royal Oak, Michigan 48067 TN16 3NR, U.K.
See our complete collection of 1/30 scale W.Britain historical metal figures at:

Tel: U.S. 740-702-1803 • wbritain.com • Tel: U.K. (0)800 086 9123

WBTSC 05-07-2021 ©2021 William Britain Model Figures. W.Britain, and are registered trademarks of the William Britain Model Figures, Chillicothe, OH
FEATURE
The
Valleyof
Tears
David Grummitt examines one
of the largest armour battles of
the twentieth century.
Text: David Grummitt Photos: King and Country
A
t 14:00 on 6 October 1973, the Egyptians on the
Sinai Peninsula and the Syrians in the Golan Heights
launched a massive, surprise attack on Israeli forces to
regain territory lost six years earlier during the Six-Day War.
Despite their initial gains, the Egyptian advance was soon
halted, while in the north, the Israelis were able to defeat
the initial Syrian invasion and go on the offensive into Syria
itself. An United Nations-brokered ceasefire on 22 October
did not hold, leading to a risk of confrontation between the
superpowers, the United States and the Soviet Union, who
backed opposing sides, and three days later all sides agreed
to an end to hostilities. The Yom Kippur War, also known as
the Ramadan War or October War, lasted just short of three
weeks It resulted in massive losses of both men and material
for the coalition of Israel’s Middle Eastern enemies, as well as
36 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
many dead and wounded on the Israeli side. The outcome
was, however, a resounding Israeli victory and significant
territorial gains in both the Sinai Peninsula and the Golan
Heights.
One of the most significant actions of the war was a clash
of armoured forces in the so-called ‘Valley of Tears’, part of
the Golan Heights. Between 6 and 9 October tanks of the
Israeli 7th Armored Brigade and Barak Armored Brigade faced
some several hundred Syrian armoured fighting vehicles.
The Israeli defences held -- just -- and on the fourth day the
Syrians withdrew in disarray just as the Israeli resistance was
threatening to collapse.
Background
During the Six-Day War (5-10 June 1967), Israel had captured
the Sinai Peninsula from Egypt and roughly half of the
Syrian Golan Heights, as well as the territories of the West
Bank which had been held by Jordan since 1948. Israel made
no public undertaking to return these captured territories in
exchange for a permanent settlement, although it seems this
was discussed internally by the Israeli government, so the
two sides remained in a state of undeclared war. In 1970, the
new Egyptian president, Anwar Sadat, made peace overtures
to the Israelis, which were received with little enthusiasm.
While the remainder of the Arab world showed little appetite
for renewed hostilities with Israel, the Syrian leader, Hafez
Al-Assad, had embarked upon a massive reinforcement of his
country’s military with a view to retaking the Golan Heights.
 FEATURE

A pair of King & Country’s

Sho’t Centurions (ref. IDF035)
in a typically weathered
‘Sinai Grey’ paint scheme.

With no settlement in the offering, Sadat also began to build

up his military and by the end of 1972 both Egypt and Syria
were making serious preparations for war.
The Israeli government, however, was not aware of the
imminent threat. Intelligence considered it unlikely that
either Egypt or Syria would attack in 1973. A warning by King
Hussein of Jordan in September was dismissed by the Israeli
prime minister, Golda Meir, and it was not until the eve of the
attack that the Israeli authorities recognised that war was
imminent, and they mobilised their reserves.

On the Golan Heights

The Israeli commanders on the Golan Heights, however, had
observed Syrian preparations and had strengthened their
defences. Just one Israeli armoured unit was deployed there
in the autumn of 1973. This was the 188th Barak (‘Lightning’)
Armored Brigade, consisting of two tank battalions with 69
Sho’t Kal Centurion tanks. Facing them were some 1,400
Syrian tanks and armoured vehicles of the 5th, 7th and 9th
Infantry Divisions and 1st and 3rd Armoured Divisions, as
well as two independent armoured brigades. The Israeli
commanders on the Golan Heights were confident that
their small force of well-protected Centurions could hold a
Syrian attack for the 48 hours it would take them to deploy
their reserves. They were confident that no Syrian attack
was imminent, but at the end of September it was agreed
that the defences could be bolstered by the deployment of
a single battalion of 22 tanks from the 7th Armored Brigade.
A US Army map shows the initial Syrian attack on the Golan Heights during
the 1973 War and the subsequent Israeli counterattack.
(Department of History, US Military Academy)
Elite infantry units from the Golani Brigade also replaced the
reservists manning the Mutzavim, a series of twelve infantry
strongpoints that the Israelis had built to counter the regular
Syrian artillery barrages. These were built along the so-called
Purple Line, which ran from Jordanian border in the south to
the slopes of Mount Hermon in the north.
The Syrians, following the advice of their Soviet advisors,
were confident that an armoured thrust, with their new

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 37

FEATURE
Soviet T-62 tanks and
BMP-1 Infantry Fighting
Vehicles, would sweep the
Israeli defenders from their
positions, while the threat
of the Israeli Air Force
would be neutralised by
the arrival of Soviet SA-6
Gainful anti-aircraft missile
systems and ZSU-23-4
Shilka self-propelled anti-
aircraft guns.
It was only on the eve of
the Syrian attack that the
Israelis fully grasped the magnitude of the threat facing them.
The other two battalions of the 7th Armored Brigade, the
71st and 83rd, were sent north to join the 77th Battalion on
the Golan Heights and reinforced with an armoured infantry
battalion equipped with M113 Armored Personnel Carriers and
M3 halftracks. The commanders of the 7th Armored Brigade
were all veterans of the 1967 war, but the outcome of the
battle would depend on the crews of the Sho’t Kal Centurions
that formed the bulwark of Israel’s defence on the Golan
Heights.
Centurions on Guard
The British Centurion tank has some claim to be the first
proper main battle tank. It was developed as a heavy cruiser
tank at the end of World War II under the designation A41.
The first tanks arrived in Europe just weeks after the end of
hostilities in 1945. In November 1950, it saw action for the
first time with the British Army in the Korean War and it also
served in the 1956 Suez Crisis. The Centurion was one of the
most widely exported tanks of the Cold War, serving with
various North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) members,
with Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries, as well as
with India and South Africa and, of course, Israel. It was well
armoured, mechanically reliable and was armed with the
20-pounder (84mm) and subsequently standard NATO
105mm main gun.
Israel had purchased almost 400 Centurion Mk. IIIs (armed
38 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
King & Country’s
Sho’t Kal captures the
imposing bulk of the
Centurion tank. Note
the realistic
arrangement of
stowage in the rear
turret basket.
with the 20-pounder) and
Mk. Vs (with the 105mm
gun) in the late 1950s. These
underwent a series of minor
local modifications and were
christened Sho’t (‘whip’ in
Hebrew). By the mid 1960s,
however, it was clear that the
Centurion was becoming
obsolete in the face of the
newest generation of Soviet
tanks. The harsh climatic
conditions of Israel’s Negev
Desert had also exposed the
shortcomings of the Centurion’s Rolls-Royce Meteor engine.
In the late 1960s work began on the Israeli Centurion
fleet to ensure the tank remained an effective armoured
fighting vehicle. The Rolls-Royce engine was replaced by
a diesel-powered Teledyne Continental power pack and a
new automatic transmission was installed. Further changes
included new sights, a new turret rotation mechanism and
a stabiliser for the main gun. In June 1970, the new Sho’t
Kal (unmodified Centurions were known as Sho’t Meteor)
received its baptism of fire during an incursion into Syrian
territory in which 36 enemy T-55s were destroyed in a four-
hour battle.
Into the Valley of Tears
At 13:55 on 6 October, the Israelis manning the Purple Line
noted that the Syrians were removing the camouflage nets
from their vehicles. Five minutes later air attacks and artillery
barrages began on the Israeli positions. Soon hundreds
of Syrian tanks began to emerge from the dust clouds. All
along the 43 miles of the Purple Line the Sho’t Kals of the
Barak Brigade engaged the advancing enemy armour from
their firing ramps. Initially, it was thought this was another
‘Battle Day’ – one of the regular incursions by Syrian troops
against the Israeli positions – but as more and more enemy
tanks appeared, and the Centurions began to run low on
ammunition, it became clear that this was a major offensive
designed to recapture the Golan Heights.
 FEATURE

on 8 October, the Syrians

were in retreat leaving 130
burning AFVs in their wake.
The attacks continued on
8 October, with Syria’s Assad
Republican Guard committed
to the fray. Syrian artillery
was also beginning to zero in
on the Israeli positions and
by nightfall the 7th Armored
Brigade was left with only
forty tanks still fighting,
while the Barak Brigade
had virtually ceased to exist
with its commanders dead
and its units absorbed into
other formations. 9 October
began with the largest Syrian
artillery barrage to date and
‘Israeli Tank Commander’ (ref. new formations of tanks
IDF029) is dressed in the typical General Aerial Sharon was a
tank crew overalls and carries his commander of a reserve armoured
amassing for the attack. The
‘bone-dome’ helmet under his left division during the 1973 War who Israelis were now operating
‘Dismounted Israeli Tank Crewman’ arm. Israeli tank commanders were led his troops on an audacious and in small group of three to
(ref. IDF030) is the perfect noted for exposing themselves in unsanctioned counterattack across
complement to the Sho’t Kal. Israeli the open top turret cupola, while the Suez Canal. The King & Country six tanks. Avigdor Ben-Gal,
tank crew were frequently forced their Syrian opponents preferred figure (ref. IDF027) depicts him commander of the 7th
to dismount to repel Syrian to stay ‘locked-down’ inside their during this campaign. He went on
infantry attacks on the Golan turrets therefore limiting their to serve as Prime Minister of Israel Armored Brigade facing the
Heights. situational awareness. between 2001 and 2006. Syrian Republican Guard in
the centre, radioed Northern
Soon, along the length of the Purple Line, the battle Command to say he could hold the line no longer, but he was
descended into a series of platoon-level actions. At Mutzav asked to remain in position for a further thirty minutes. At that
115, one of the prepared infantry strongpoints, the five-strong point, a further eleven Sho’t Kal of the Barak Brigade arrived,
Sho’t Kal platoon of Lieutenant Oded Beckmann faced a but the Israelis were rapidly running out of ammunition.
41-strong battalion of Syrian T-54/55s. A Syrian bridge-laying By the evening of 9 October, the 7th Armored Brigade was
tank laid its bridge across the Israeli anti-tank ditch, but down to seven operational tanks and surrounded by Syrian
Beckmann’s tanks knocked out two T-55s as they attempted forces. Then, miraculously, the Israelis observed the Syrian
to cross. A second bridge-laying tank was knocked out supply vehicles began to move to the rear. Intelligence filtered
before it could deploy, halting the Syrian attack. The Sho’t through from divisional headquarters that the Syrian General
Kals engaged the Syrian armour at the maximum range of Staff had ordered a general retreat from the Golan Heights.
2,500m, demonstrating the superiority of the British-made After four days of fighting, the Sho’t Kals of the 7th and Barak
105mm L7 main gun. Armoured Brigades had, as General Rafael Eitan told them,
Within hours of the Syrian attack, the tank battalions “saved the people of Israel.”
of the 7th Armored Brigade with 105 Sho’t Kal had also
deployed to the Purple Line, acting as a reserve to the Barak Conclusion
Armored Brigade. As the battle wore on, the Barak Brigade The Syrians left some 500 AFVs burning in the Valley of Tears
began to suffer casualties. The Israeli tank commanders’ and along the Golan Heights. The Israelis lost between sixty
standard practice of directing the battle with their heads and eighty tanks. The Israelis were too exhausted to pursue
outside the cupola proved costly. Nevertheless, the Sho’t Kal the retreating the Syrian forces, but they had done their job.
demonstrated its resilience. Within the first two hours of battle Modern historians have stressed the role of the Israeli Air
one tank had destroyed no fewer than 35 Syrian T-54/55s Force in the defence of the Golan Heights and the lack of
despite taking four direct hits. By the morning of the second tactical awareness by the Syrians in explaining their defeat,
day of the battle, 7 October, the area between Booster Ridge yet the courage and professionalism of the Israeli tank crews
and Hermonit had been christened ‘the Valley of Tears’ in and the resilience of their Sho’t Kal Centurion tanks goes a
reference to the dozens of burning tanks that littered the long way towards explaining the outcome of the battle. The
17km stretch of land. 1/30-scale, matt-finished range of Israeli figures and superb
The battle raged on, with more Syrian armour pouring replicas of the Sho’t Kal by King & Country Ltd., including
into the maelstrom to break the Israeli line. On the night recent releases, are a fitting tribute to the men who fought in
of 7/8 October the forty or so remaining Centurions of the these desperate battles. END

77th Battalion of the 7th Armored Brigade and the Barak

Brigade’s 74th Battalion met an attack of 500 Syrian tanks.
Due to the lack of night-fighting equipment, it developed into
a desperate short-range melee in which the greater armour
and rate of fire of the Israeli tanks proved decisive. By 01:00
ABOUT THE WRITER
David Grummitt, managing editor at Guideline Publications, is also a
professional historian, having previously taught in UK universities for 25 years.
He is author of A Short History of the Wars of the Roses (I.B. Tauris, 2013).

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 39

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TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 41

 FEATURE

Maharajpoor Star, 1843.

Waterloo Medal, 1815. British infantry by All the Queen’s Men.

British Campaign Medals:

Another Display
Dimension
James H. Hillestad suggests ways to use medal in my Toy Soldier Museum is
a Nile Gold Medal commemorating
medals to enhance toy soldier displays. Royal Navy Vice-Admiral Sir Horatio
Text and Photos: James H. Hillestad
Nelson’s victory over a French fleet
in Egypt’s Aboukir Bay in 1798. The
medal was awarded to the ratings of

S
ome people might ask, “What History in Hand HMS Victory, Nelson’s flagship. My
do medals have to do with The history of campaign medals spans example was presented to Alexander
toy soldiers?” My response is more than 200 years. The oldest Davison, the admiral’s prize agent.
“Everything!” Toy soldiers conjure
images of historic battles and royal
events. Medals are evidence that
such events occurred. They are an
actual piece of history collectors
can hold with their hands and use
with their displays.
British medals are especially
noteworthy in that most prior to
World War II are solid silver rather
than nickel/bronze and they bear
the name of the recipient etched
on the rim along with the person’s
regiment or ship. The medals
represent blood, sweat, courage
and suffering. Seeing them, holding
them, makes one feel a part of their
history.

British medals bearing the image of Queen Victoria in 1879 (Zulu War) and in 1899-1900 (Boer War).

42 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

 FEATURE

Pip, Squeak
and Wilfred
Pip, Squeak and Wilfred are
nicknames given irreverently to
three Great War campaign med-
als: the 1914 Star, the British War
Medal and the Victory Medal. The
nicknames came from a popular
newspaper comic strip published
by the Daily Mail. Pip was a dog,
Squeak was a penguin and Wilfred
a baby rabbit. This light-hearted
treatment of the medals stemmed
from the vast numbers that were
awarded — more than ten million.
Indian Mutiny Medal, 1857. The figures are W.
Britain’s ‘British 93rd Highlander Capturing the
Enemy’s Colour at Secundra Bagh’ (ref. 43097).

‘British medals are especially

The comic strip characters Pip, Squeak
and Wilfred.
noteworthy in that most are
solid silver rather than nickel/
bronze and they bear the name
of the recipient etched on the
rim along with the recipient’s
regiment or ship. The medals
represent blood, sweat, courage
and suffering. Seeing them,
holding them, makes one feel a
part of their history. ’

First World War campaign medals: 1914 Star,

British War Medal and Victory Medal (from Crimean War Medal, 1854. British
left). They are irreverently nicknamed Pip, Coldstream Guards by Imperial
Squeak and Wilfred. Productions of New Zealand.

The most recent medal in my
collection was presented to a sergeant
in the Royal Artillery for service in the
1991 Gulf War. Many famous battles
and campaigns are memorialised by
medals, beginning with Waterloo and
continuing with Balaclava, Lucknow,
the Zulu War, Kandahar, Tel-El-Kebir,
the Boxer Rebellion, Ladysmith and
the turmoil of the World Wars.
Some medals have unusual
pedigrees. The rare Gwalior Star for
Maharajpoor was made from guns
captured from the Mahrattas in India
in 1843. Similarly, the Victoria Cross
was originally made from Russian
guns captured during the Crimean
War. The most expensive medal
to produce was for the Abyssinian
campaign culminating in the defeat
of King Theodore at Magdala in 1868.

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 43

FEATURE

Abyssinia
Medal, 1868.

General Gordon’s sand-cast Khartoum Star awarded to participants in the 1884 siege. Gordon riding a
camel figure by All the Queen’s Men.

‘If a reader enjoys

making dioramas,
consider giving them
another dimension
with a placard
highlighting the
significance of the
scene, accompanied
by a relevant
campaign medal.
Any display will take
on added interest!’

A medal and placard enhance a Toy Soldier Museum display featuring American William Driscoll’s
splendid model of the gunboat Sultan loading troops from British General Sir Herbert Kitchener’s
showdown with the Mahdists at the Battle of Omdurman in Sudan on 2 September 1898.

Each medal was embossed with the
recipient’s name and unit on the face
of the medal, necessitating a separate
die for each one.
Sands of Sudan
in Sudan when it was besieged by
the Mahdists. Based on the Turkish
Order of Medjidie, it was hand-cast in
sand by the goldsmith Bishara Abdel
Molak.
Medals also offer a trip through
dioramas, consider giving them
another dimension with a placard
highlighting the significance of the
scene, accompanied by a relevant
campaign medal. Any display will take
on added interest! END

Though perhaps not the most time as a collector sees Queen

beautiful, one medal stands out as
truly unique – a crude one given by
Major-General Charles Gordon in
1884 to the defenders of Khartoum
Victoria’s image mature on the face
of medals given out during the
course of the nineteenth century.
And, if a reader enjoys making
ABOUT THE WRITER
James H. Hillestad is a military historian and
proprietor of The Toy Soldier Museum in Cresco,
Pennsylvania, United States of America.

44 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

 The largest selection of W.Britain and King & Country

Offering the latest figures from John Jenkins and Team Miniatures

We are the proud owners of Paragon Scenics & Miniatures! Playsets coming Summer 2021!

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(781) 321-8855 • matt@hobbybunker.com

FEATURE

Come One, Come All!

To the CTSS 40th
Anniversary Bash
Editor Stuart A. Hessney traces how the history of our hobby is
intertwined with Chicagoland’s greatest toy soldier show on Earth.
Text and Photos: Stuart A. Hessney

T
he history of our hobby is A 1980 photo of the brand new
intertwined with the Chicago Hyatt Regency in Schaumburg,
Illinois, home of the Chicago Toy
Toy Soldier Show (CTSS), which Soldier Show for 38 years. (Photo
is scheduled to mark its milestone Courtesy of Roger Garfield)
40th anniversary on Sunday, 26
September 2021, at the Hyatt Regency
in Schaumburg, Illinois.

enesis Begins since the 1950s. There was no Internet

e genesis of the for finding or sharing information much
eatest toy soldier show less specialised hobby magazines back
Flyer for n Earth can be traced then. Only a few books were available
the first
Chicago ack to 1966, when — primarily thanks to the efforts of
show with ad soldiers stopped members of the British Model Soldier
artwork
by Roger eing sold in the United Society, founded in 1935.
Garfield. tates. Meanwhile, As the 1970s unfolded, collectors with
(Photo
Courtesy of plastic figures had been nostalgia for childhood playthings had
Roger gaining in popularity to become detectives as they tried to
Garfield).
track down old store stock or scoured
antique shops and fairs, general old
toy shows, train shows, or doll shows.
A few fortunate collectors found each
other and traded, bought or sold among
themselves. Some pioneering dealers
started issuing mail-order sales lists.
“There were old toy soldiers and
collectors of them, but the lead figures
always seemed to be secondary or
adjunct to other collector interests,”
Original OTSN Inc. partners and Chicago show founders Joe Wallis, Steve and Josie Sommers, Roger
today’s CTSS Manager Roger Garfield
Garfield, and Don Pielin (from left) gather in 1983. (Photo Courtesy of Roger Garfield) observed.

46 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

 FEATURE

Plastics maker Ron

Barzso unveiled his
‘Braddock’s Defeat’
playset based on
the French and
Indian War at
the 2004
show.

American dealer Julie Abraham of Treefrog

Treasures and maker Matthew Pavone of First
Legion Ltd. at the 2015 show.

Patrick Adams of the British Toy Soldier

Company at the 2004 show.

Great Leap Forward

However, our hobby took a great leap
forward in 1976, when Roger joined his
friends and fellow toy figure collectors
Steve and Josie Somers, Joe Wallis,
and the late Don Pielin to form a
partnership. They believed that there
CTSS owners Jan and Roger in the host hotel’s
were enough collectors to warrant a Kenneth and Ericka Osen of W. Britain at lobby welcoming vendors and visitors to the
speciality publication, so they launched the 2015 show. 2019 show.
the Old Toy Soldier Newsletter (OTSN).
It started out being simply typed and first show was planned for 70 vendor to retire from running the show and
mimeographed, but it was a hit. The tables and 55 were sold. were looking for a buyer. Roger and his
publication flourished as it became “That was the only year that the show wife, Jan, decided to take up the reins.
more professional in appearance did not sell out,” he mused. Since OTSN Inc. was to continue, the
and production. It also became the new owners chose the corporate name
springboard for the Chicago show. Garfields Take Up the Reins Chicago Toy Soldier Show Inc. In a way,
Roger remembered, “In 1981, OTSN Don went on to serve as show manager not only did the show ‘stay in the original
took heed of toy soldier collectors who for 35 years. In the meantime, Roger left OTSN family’, now members of Jan and
had expressed an interest in having a the partnership and retired to Virginia in Roger’s extended family band together
show dedicated solely to toy soldiers.” the early 2000s. The publication, which to handle all aspects of staging the show.
As Steve has said, “Like our OTSN had evolved into the Old Toy Soldier Roger joked, “Not a lot of people can
magazine, we invented our path.” Journal, was sold to Ray Haradin in say that they have been partners in the
The partners realized that the show 2002. same toy soldier show twice!”
would have to be located near O’Hare During an annual holiday catchup call
International Airport to attract attendees with Roger in 2015, Steve mentioned that Hobby, Show Evolve
from beyond Chicagoland. For its first the OSTN partners were getting ready The Chicago show, which draws
two years, the event was booked at a
small Quality Inn just down the road
from the airport.
“In retrospect, the hotel had seen
better days, but it was what OTSN Inc.
could afford,” Roger said.
He added, “A favourite story that the
partners enjoy telling is about a wedding
that had been booked at that first hotel
the night before the show. The hotel was
not planning to take down the dance
floor in the show venue until the next
morning, after the vendor arrival time!
The wee hours of that Sunday morning
found the partners on their hands and
knees disassembling the dance floor that
lay on top of the carpeting.”
In a 2019 interview with Old Toy Andy C. Neilson of King & Country Ltd. at the 2008 show with a diorama inspired by the 1966 movie
Soldier magazine, Don recalled how the The Sand Pebbles about a US Navy river gunboat on river patrol duty in 1920s China.

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 47

FEATURE
Canadian Don Ritchie crafted this 365-figure massed bands display of the British Foot Guards
displayed at the 2004 show. Sadly, Don passed away on 23 March 2021, after a long illness.
collectors from around the globe, is a
good barometer for the evolution of
the hobby as collectors’ interests and
vendors’ offerings have changed and
expanded. For instance, Roger pointed
out only one table was devoted to plastic
figures and playsets at the first show in
1981 but collecting them was starting to
grow just as interest in metal figures had
ballooned in the prior decade. Now a
large portion of the show is dedicated to
makers and collectors of plastics.
As mentioned before, commercial
production of metal toy soldiers – most
notably the Britains traditional-style, 54-
mm figures painted in shiny gloss – drew
to a close in the mid-1960s. But nostalgia
for them and other types, such as larger
American Dimestores, led to some
people making new ones to reinforce
them aimed for an audience of adult
collectors, not children. More realistic
matt-painted figures began being
marched out in the 1990s to breathe life
into hobbyists’ dioramas and displays
on shelves. Painstakingly sculpted and
painted connoisseur-style figures are the
epitome of today’s art of the toy soldier.
Aladdin’s Cave
The Chicago show is like an Aladdin’s
cave where collectors from around
the globe can find almost any kind of
treasure they can dream of. And, when
I use the term ‘show’, I don’t mean just
the actual Sunday show but all the
special events and several days of room
trading preceding it. Some participants
arrive as early as the prior Monday and
spend the week to dovetail Chicagoland
48 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
American dealers Michael Hall of Sierra Toy
Soldier Company in California and Matthew
Murphy of Hobby Bunker in Massachusetts
compare notes at the 2014 show.
sightseeing and shopping with setting
up shop in their hotel rooms. When I’ve
been lucky enough to attend the show
through the years, I have always tried to
arrive early enough so that I have Friday
and Saturday to roam the hallways of
the world’s biggest pop-up toy soldier
mall to go shopping, inspect what’s
brand new from manufacturers and
enjoy the camaraderie.
There is some handwringing about
the future of our hobby. Yes, those
ground-breaking collectors of the 1970s
are aging out. Yes, there are many things
that compete for children’s time and
attention these days from video games
to other types of collectibles and all
types of rather intensive youth sports.
Also, I worry that schools don’t teach an
appreciation of history as well as they
used to. But as a long-time magazine
editor, I hear from people all the time
who have just discovered our hobby
and have become gung-ho. Though
they might not have any childhood
nostalgia for toy soldiers, common
denominators are they have started a
family and got their careers in gear, then
Australian collector Howard Woods and Sydney
shop proprietor Peter Nathan at the 2010 show.
have been drawn into the hobby as
adults somehow. A regular refrain from
newcomers is that they were completely
unaware of the hobby’s existence and/or
its scope until they encountered it online,
while trying to learn more about the
history behind an article or book they
read or movies they watched such as
Zulu (1964), Gettysburg (1993) or Saving
Private Ryan (1998). Or, one day they
happened to walk into a toy soldier shop
somewhere around the world, became
entranced and … the rest is history.
Still, it never ceases to amaze me
how many people have been collecting
for years by shopping online but stay
on the sidelines by never attending
a local toy soldier show — much less
making a pilgrimage to the CTSS
destination extravaganza to experience
and enjoy how it brings our hobby’s
far-flung devotees together, along with
local families with children thanks to
promotional efforts. The 2020 edition
of the in-person show was cancelled
due to the COVID-19 pandemic and a
virtual version was held online instead.
At the time of this writing in April 2021,
there are some flare-ups of new cases,
but vaccinations are on the rise and
the world is reopening for travel. So, of
course, please be careful, plan ahead
and be wise. But I strongly urge anyone
who possibly can go to the Chicago
show’s 40th birthday party to join the
‘family’ and see first-hand how fantastic it
is to check out so much varied stuff, get
to talk with fellow hobbyists, and meet so
many dealers and makers in person!
As Roger observed, “The reason
that the Chicago Toy Soldier Show has
continued so long is that it has changed
with the hobby and with vendor/
collector interests.” END
 Joseph Saine
Heirloom Toy Soldiers
Quality Antique Toys
We carry a large stock of soldiers from W. Britain,
King & Country, and Thomas Gunn.
Also stockists of: Corgi/Airfix/Britains Farm & Steiff.
We also sell: Militaria/ Antiques/Collectibles/Jewellery & Toys.

Mail Order Worldwide

Opening Times – 9.00am to 5.30pm

josephsaine.com Closed Wednesday and Sunday
1 High Street, Evesham
628 Dixie Highway, Rossford, Ohio 43460 Worcestershire, WR11 4DA. England UK
Tel: 01386 41631

419-662-TOYS(8697) eBay shop: Manchester House Collectables

Email: magpie2500@aol.com
www.magpieantiques.co.uk

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 49

 CENTREFOLD
In a British ceremonial display titled ‘Fanfare for a Queen’
created by King & Country Ltd., buglers from the 1st
Battalion, the Coldstream Guards, sound a salute for their
colonel-in-chief, Queen Elizabeth II, on horseback followed
by her son and grandson, Prince Charles, honorary colonel
of the Welsh Guards; and Prince William (saluting to the
right), honorary colonel of the Irish Guards; a mounted
parade commander of the Coldstream Guards and a
Household Cavalry escort. This scene brings to mind the
Queen’s Official Birthday Parade, also known as Trooping
. the Colour. It is scheduled for 12 June 2021 but will not be
held in its traditional form at Horse Guards Parade in central
. London. An alternative event at Windsor Castle was being
. 50 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
considered at the time of this writing. K&C has knowingly
engaged in some artistic licence by showing all three royals
on horseback because Her Majesty has worn civilian clothes
and ridden in an open-topped carriage for the special
event since 1986. But as a collector who doesn’t mind a few
anachronisms for the sake of a great display, I think this
grouping looks marvellous! Ceremonial figures like these
underscore how Andy C. Neilson was first and foremost
a collector before becoming the co-founder and creative
director of K&C. “As a wee boy, growing up in Scotland in
the 1950s, I would marvel at the displays of massed ranks
of toy soldiers on display in the toy departments of major
stores in nearby Glasgow”, Andy recounted. “I remember

one particular Christmas display seeing a painted model
backdrop of Buckingham Palace in front of which were
hundreds of red-coated Guardsmen marching past a figure
of Queen Elizabeth II on horseback. Standing to one side of
the monarch and other mounted officers was a fifty-piece
band of the Grenadier Guards playing while standing at
attention. On the other side of the Queen were two long
files of horsemen from the Household Cavalry resplendent
in their blue and red tunics, plumed helmets, and shining
silver breastplates. Together all of these toy soldiers made
a splendid and impressive spectacle that was this little
boy’s dream. “‘One day,’ I thought, ‘I’ll have a collection like
that!’ Wishful thinking indeed!” The Royal Marines veteran’s
CENTREFOLD
Fanfare for
a Queen
collecting was sparked in adulthood by his late brother
Gordon gifting him a set of toy soldiers. Living in Hong Kong
led to Andy looking into making toy soldiers. In 1983, he and
his former wife Laura McAllister Johnson established K&C.
It has grown from modest beginnings to become one of
the foremost producers of hand-painted, 1/30-scale figures,
ships, aircraft, vehicles and buildings. “I never dreamt, in
my wildest dreams, that I would ever have the opportunity
to not only collect, but actually design and produce, many
thousands of our own ceremonial toy soldiers for collectors
all over the world to buy, appreciate and create their own
spectacular parades and displays”, Andy reflected. –Stuart
A. Hessney END
TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 51
FEATURE
The stylised Rorke’s Drift
diorama issued by W. Britain
in the early 2000s.
Brutal Valour:
Zulu Warfare In Miniature
Gary Emery chronicles the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 with his toy figures.
Text and Photos: Gary Emery
T
here is little doubt that collecting
British infantry in red tunics and
pith helmets, together with African
warriors bearing spears and shields,
based on the Anglo-Zulu War of 1879 is
a big draw for toy soldier collectors. The
sense of days of the British Empire long
since gone in exotic and faraway lands
where soldiers’ devotion to duty and
steadfastness despite overwhelming
odds draws fellow collectors to this
rather short and one-sided conflict.
I know that historians will tell me of
the slaughter of the British camp at
Isandlwana and how the defenders
of Rorke’s Drift only just hung on to
their hastily constructed compound,
52 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
or how the three-pronged attack into
Zululand by British forces stalled and
initially failed in January 1879. Yet once
the mother empire had regathered her
strength there was only ever going to
be one outcome. The African warriors’
cowhide shields, spears and wooden
clubs were never going to be able to
match hundreds of bullets fired from a
disciplined line of scarlet-clad infantry
armed with Martini-Henry rifles. Artillery,
Gatling guns and cavalry added to the
overwhelming firepower of, at the time,
what was probably the most disciplined
and well-equipped military force on the
planet. The undoubted valour displayed
by the 35,000 Zulu warriors involved
in the conflict was never going to be
enough to turn the tide of inevitable
defeat.
Favourite for Collectors
Nevertheless, we collectors are drawn
to the little figures from this war. There
are few enthusiasts who do not have at
least a small display of this backwater
of a conflict. Then there are others with
vast displays of the struggles at Rorke’s
Drift, Isandlwana or perhaps the final
defeat of the Zulu Kingdom at Ulundi.
And let’s be honest — they look so darn
good on our toy soldier shelves that
who could resist!
I am guessing the 1964 movie Zulu

starring Stanley Baker and a young
Michael Caine stirs something within
us. The Zulu war chants or the Welsh
rendition of the song ‘Men of Harlech’
still resonates and makes the hair on
the back of my neck stand up. I simply
couldn’t imagine having a 1/32 to
1/30-scale toy soldier collection and not
having examples of figures from this
South African struggle. I started early
by acquiring a few glossy W. Britain
figures when I came back to the hobby
in 2002. A big purchase for me at the
time was the maker’s diorama featuring
ebony Zulus attacking a rudimentary
version of the Rorke’s Drift enclosure. Let
me just say that there was a fair amount
of artistic licence when producing that
model. I purchased more British soldiers
of the 24th Foot and Zulus, while my first
wife bought me a lovely British Gatling
gun and crew for my birthday. Those
were the days when my collecting was
still a small and innocent pastime that
had not yet morphed into the huge little
army I have acquired since.
Colonial Expansion
So why was the flower of British
youth standing in a dusty savannah
landscape facing brave warriors
who were defending their freedom
and homeland? The short answer
is industrialised nations, and Britain
was at the forefront of that elitist club.
They needed resources and wealth
to continue to generate even more
economic success. This unquenchable
appetite led to greed, the need for
power and space to grow. Empires
were extended in the latter half of the
nineteenth century like never before as
industrialised warfare easily dispatched
and displaced indigenous peoples who
dared to stand up to the might of these
increasingly ruthless killing machines.
American and European armies could
scythe indigenous warriors with
mechanical ease using machine guns,
artillery and repeating rifles. It certainly
was not a fair contest.
Peace in Europe since the demise
of French Emperor Napoleon I had
allowed the Industrial Revolution to
take hold and flourish. It was financed
to a large extent through colonial rule.
The freedom of millions of people in
indigenous communities was further
extinguished by an exaggerated
confidence in white racial superiority.
Southern Africa was certainly not
immune from such excesses that
FEATURE
had started as soon as Napoleon was
shipped off into exile.
The Cape of Good Hope was an
important stopping off point en route
to the riches of India and the Far East
before the construction of the Suez
Canal. It was administered by the Dutch
until the British seized it in 1806. It was
affirmed as a British possession in 1814.
While tensions with Dutch settlers
simmered under British rule, eventually
resulting in the Boer Wars, a common
enemy kept their grievances at bay.
That common enemy was initially a
small unimportant South East African
tribe: the Zulu. A Zulu warrior from my first W. Britain diorama.
It was King Shaka Zulu who
galvanised the tribe. He made it into in which most males were forced to
a military machine in an approach join the army at an early age, serve in
reminiscent of the militarised Spartans specific regiments depending on their
of ancient Greece. Shaka suppressed age and were not allowed to marry until
other tribes through warfare, they were effectively too old for military
assassinations and patronage. He service. He changed Zulu fighting
enlarged his territory and other tribes tactics to a more aggressive hand-to-
he controlled during the 1820s. Shaka is hand fighting style using encirclement
credited with instilling a military culture manoeuvres to destroy enemy forces.
A wonderful
study of a Zulu
war chief by W.
Britain.
Superb matt-
painted British
infantry by
Thomas Gunn.
W. Britain’s set titled ‘British
Royal Artillery Gun Team No. 1
— Desperate Escape’ (ref.
20099) depicts soldiers trying
to save the guns at
Isandlwana.
53
FEATURE
British cavalry on patrol in Zululand by Heritage
Miniatures.
Shaka’s success spread fear amongst
other regional tribes who moved south
to get out of his way only to run into
Dutch settlers and the British. This
time of great upheaval went on long
after Shaka’s assassination by his half-
brothers in 1828 and well into the 1840s.
Further upheaval occurred in South
Africa as Dutch settlers trekked north
and east to get out from under the
control of the British. They soon ran
into the Zulus, who they defeated in the
Battle of Blood River in 1838. Around
600 settlers in a fortified laager made
from their wagons defeated around
15,000 Zulu warriors. They suffered
around 3,000 causalities, while only
three settlers were wounded. Earlier
Zulu warriors did have some initial
success against settlers, but it was based
on ambush and surprise attacks. When
54
W. Britain’s ‘Overrun’ set (ref. 20150) portrays a British 24th Foot
hospital wagon being stopped and assaulted by Zulus.
Figures from W. Britain and Heritage Miniatures
depict how some Boer and Natal native troops
fought bravely alongside the British.
Zulus tried to attack a fortified fixed
position like a wagon fort, European
firepower proved devastating and was
Thomas Gunn figures illustrate
how not all British troops kept
to wearing pristine uniforms.
Some men made alterations to
better fit a more inhospitable
climate.
a warning of things to come forty years
later.
By the 1860s, Britain had decided
that it wanted to stabilise the South
African region, which included a
hotchpotch of African kingdoms and
Boer (Dutch) republics. It wanted to
create a confederation of disparate
states through political pressure
and limited military action. After the
discovery of diamonds near Kimberly
in Natal in 1867, British interest in the
area dramatically increased. It wanted
to set up a region controlled by a white
minority and using black labour for
sugar plantation and mining activities.
One of the main obstacles to this
ambition was the independent Kingdom
of Zululand. Ruled by King Cetshwayo,
Zululand needed to be brought to heel.
To achieve this, the British needed
an excuse for war. They demanded
an extravagant ultimatum that any
reasonable ruler would have to reject.
Despite resistance from the British
government in London, Cetshwayo
was issued an ultimatum to disband
his army and accept limited British
occupation in December 1878. Both
sides knew this ultimatum could not be
accepted and war would be inevitable.
Defeat at Isandlwana
Knowing that the ultimatum was
just a pretext, the British had been
preparing for an invasion for some
months previous. In January 1879,
troops crossed the border in the hope
of a swift and overwhelming victory.
Lord Chelmsford, a favourite of Queen
Victoria, commanded the British forces.
They were split into three columns
sweeping through the north, south

Natal Carbineers in action against the Zulus.
Figures by W. Britain.
and middle of the country converging
on the Zulu capital Ulundi. Chelmsford
commanded the centre column that
crossed into Zululand by fording the
Buffalo River at Rorke’s Drift, where a
supply base was set up. Initially, things
seemed to go well. Skirmishes with a
few Zulu warriors did not hinder the
British advance. Chelmsford’s main
priority was to force a battle with the
Zulu army. The British three-pronged
attack was a way of encircling it and
therefore not allowing the Zulus to avoid
a pitched battle where British firepower
could be used to best and lethal effect.
Therefore, the priority of the centre
column was to seek out the Zulu army
and engage it as soon as possible. On
22 January, the column was encamped
near Isandlwana when Chelmsford
decided to divide his force and go after
what was reported to be the Zulu army
some miles away. Two military blunders
were committed by the overconfident
general: leaving the camp unfortified
and splitting his force in enemy territory.
But what could go wrong against such
a primitive native force pitched against
him?
What Chelmsford didn’t bargain
for was the cunning of the Zulu
Zulu warriors on the move by W. Britain.
‘Zulu Induna Commander Prince
Dabulamanzi Mounted’ (ref. 20048)
by W. Britain.
commanders, who sent him off chasing
ghosts while a 20,000-strong African
army attacked the unfortified camp
containing around 1,800 British, colonial
and native troops. The resting Zulu army
was discovered near the British camp
at around 11 am by colonial scouts. On
being discovered, the Zulus rose up
as one and chased the scouting party
back to the main camp. With their blood
Part of a stunning
Rorke’s Drift diorama
series produced by
W. Britain in the mid
to late 2000s.
FEATURE
A dramatic depiction of a British quartermaster
trying get ammunition to the troops at
Isandlwana created by Conte Collectibles.
up, around 10,000 to 15,000 warriors
rushed the camp where British troops
were overstretched. If the camp had
been fortified or the British had formed
a tight square with ammunition and
supplies in the centre, the Zulu attack
would have surely failed. Thinning British
lines were pushed back into the camp.
The Zulus used their encircling ‘horns of
the bull’ manoeuvre to cut off any line
of retreat. The British and allied forces
fought on bravely in small, isolated
groups but were shown no mercy as
ammunition ran low and these valiant
men waited for the inevitable spear
thrust or a skull-crushing clubbing. They
tried to save the guns and the Queen’s
colours but to no avail as the camp
was completely overrun. About 1,300
died, but they did not give their lives
cheaply as there was around 3,000 Zulu
casualties.
TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 55
FEATURE
W. Britain figures recreate how small groups of British troops fought back-to-back until the
death at Isandlwana.
Glossy W. Britain figures
are enlisted to show the
24th Foot on parade in
Cape Town, South Africa.
Defence of Rorke’s Drift
Around 300 colonial, native and sixty
Europeans on horseback made it
back over the border into Natal while
running a gauntlet with hundreds
of rampaging Zulu warriors. Trying
to contain the war, King Cetshwayo
ordered his warriors not to cross the
border. But around 4,000 Zulu warriors
not involved at Isandlwana wanted
some glory for themselves and headed
to Rorke’s Drift. This siege was the stuff
of legend as the 160-strong garrison
fortified the small outpost and held out
for 10 hours against repeated attacks
from the brave Zulu warriors. The
difference from Isandlwana was the
Zulus were attacking a fortified position.
Although they nearly prevailed, they
retreated after suffering heavy losses
and discovering that Chelmsford,
having camped amongst the dead at
Isandlwana, was heading to Rorke’s
Drift. It seems the British do not like
too much bad news, so to overshadow
the debacle at Isandlwana a record
number of 11 Victoria Cross medals were
presented to defenders or Rorke’s Drift
to highlight the gallantry of the troops
in Africa.
56 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
With the other two columns bogged
down, the invasion was called off. The
right hand (southern) column was
under siege at Eshowe but eventually
relieved after British forces fought
through stiff Zulu resistance. However,
it was only a short-lived reprieve for
Cetshwayo as Chelmsford gathered
his forces boosted by reinforcements
and once more set off to finish the job
of suppressing Zululand. He was in a
rush as he was being replaced by Sir
Garnet Wolseley. However, in the time
that it would take Wolseley to get to
South Africa, Chelmsford intended to
restore his credibility by finishing the
job he had started. Learning his lesson
and building fortified camps along the
way, Chelmsford led 24,000 men on a
second invasion in June. After a steady
advance, he successfully reached the
Royal Kraal at Ulundi. Cetshwayo tried
to negotiate a peace settlement but the
British were having none of it and easily
defeated the remaining 15,000-strong
Zulu army in its vain attempt to defend
the kraal. Cetshwayo became a fugitive
and was captured around a month later,
eventually ending up in Britain for a
while. The British divided Zululand into
thirteen chiefdoms under compliant
local chiefs and by doing so ensured
the Zulus could not rise again as one
nation. This arrangement only led to
internal unrest and conflict between
the various chiefs which eventually
resulted in Cetshwayo’s death after he
returned from Britain in 1882 to try to
restore order.
Collecting Toy Armies
After those early sorties into collecting
figures from the Zulu War, I was
delighted to acquire W. Britain releases
of a matt range of toy soldiers in the
mid-2000s. The extensive range
focused on Isandlwana and Rorke’s
Drift. Diorama pieces released
allowed me to build a large model
of the Rorke’s Drift fortified post with
many British and colonial defenders.
White bell tents and British artillery,
cavalry and personality figures
enabled me to recreate Isandlwana
in a vast scope. I reinforced my ranks
with figures from Thomas Gunn
Miniatures, Heritage Miniatures and
a few other manufacturers. But I
have resisted further purchases from
the connoisseur-quality likes of First
Legion Ltd. or glossy examples from
manufacturers such as Little Legion
Toy Soldiers or Regal Enterprises. Put
simply, I have enough figures to fill an
entire large cabinet and need no more.
I admit that they do look resplendent
and have been a drawing card for
visitors perusing my collection. But as
the saying goes, ‘never say never’ and
if some interesting figures should come
onto the market that would add some
diversity to my large collection, I might
be tempted to add just a few more
to the ranks of those steadfast British
redcoats and valiant Zulu warriors. END
ABOUT THE WRITER
Like many collectors, Gary Emery played with
plastic toy soldiers from the likes of Airfix and W.
Britain while growing up in rural Devon, England, in
the 1970s. He became hooked again after seeing
an advert for a Del Prado figure in 2001. Through
the ensuing years, Gary has amassed a collection
of more than 12,000 metal figures covering most
eras of history. His work as a senior government
auditor has taken him around the world with stints
encompassing England, Wales, Australia and
Samoa. The collection has not travelled
everywhere with Gary, but eight years ago it did
make the 12,500-mile trip to New Zealand in
conjunction with him moving for a new posting. He
recently moved to Tasmania to take up a senior
auditing role with the Australian state’s
government. Gary has yet to decide whether his
toy soldiers will be shipped over to the island.
FEATURE

Scaling Down
Military Miniatures
Robert Bailey demonstrates the advantages of 28mm figures when
it comes to saving on both cash and space requirements with an epic
diorama inspired by the Mahdist War.
Text and Photos: Robert Bailey

Size comparison
between a British Camel
Corps trooper made by
W. Britain versus 28mm
figures from Perry
Miniatures.

The panoramic diorama in 28mm scale includes the Nile port of Suakin,
Sudan, with British steamers and Arab dhows.

I
have been collecting military miniatures, including painted out beautifully crafted and quite detailed figures primarily in
metal toy soldiers, for more than forty years. The long-time plastic. They are designed for wargaming, but they are truly
industry standard was to make toy soldiers in 54mm or awesome for building dioramas. I think the biggest advantage
1/32-scale. In recent hobby history, however, various makers is the cost. For example, a hobbyist can purchase a boxed set
such as W. Britain, King & Country Ltd., and First Legion of figures by Perry Miniatures for the price of a single 54mm
Ltd. have marched out larger 1/30-scale collectibles (a class figure these days. This got me thinking about the advantages
ranging from 58mm to 60mm or more). More significantly, and disadvantages of scaling down my military miniatures
the cost keeps increasing. An average single figure retails hobby.
for about £26.06/$36 US to £32.57/$45, while mounted
men range from around £57.90/$80 to £90.47/$125 or so. I Advantages
admire W. Britain’s ‘War Along the Nile’ range featuring figures The 28-mm figures are nicely crafted and cover everything
based on the 1882 Battle of Tel-el-Kebir, but I calculated that from ancient history to the modern era. They are also
collecting eleven British and Egyptian foes singly, a pair of
two-figure vignettes, and Egyptian artillerymen manning a
Krupp gun would cost £532.00/$735, plus shipping. It would
be a pretty penny, to say the least. The rising cost of painted
figures has triggered price hikes for castings too. My research
has turned up foot soldier castings priced at £8.69/$12
to £10.86/$15 and mounted for around £25.33/$35. The
expense has become prohibitive for me, so I started looking
into different scales. There are 40mm figures, but they are
somewhat limited in scope. However, I have found that there
is a number of nicely crafted figures representing multiple
time periods in 28mm or 1/56-scale. Companies like Perry Beja warriors attack the British Camel Corps and Naval Brigade defending
Miniatures, Warlord Games, Games Workshop and Victrix turn their encampment raised around a well.

58 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

 FEATURE

The Mahdists are intent on destroying the infidels and seizing the well. A cavalry charge is launched by the British 10th Royal Hussars.

54mm collection and some

of my figures’ makers have
gone out of business. For
example, my pieces by
Trophy Miniatures of Wales
Ltd. are now selling for four
times what I paid for them. I
couldn’t afford to buy them
now. I still purchase the odd
54mm figure, but my main
focus is 28mm now. To show
TSC&HF readers what can
be done in that small scale,
photographs accompanying
Mahdists assault the city’s walls.
this article show elements of
my biggest diorama based
relatively inexpensive, with an average figure costing about on the nineteenth-century
£.09/$1.50, depending on the manufacturer and material, or Mahdist War in Africa. I
about £25.33/$35 to £32.57/$45 for a boxed set. Makers also scratch built a Nile River
produce specialty pieces and nicely detailed vignettes. There port’s buildings and wharfs, Men aboard a British paddle
are numerous manufacturers who are constantly coming out paddle-wheel steamers, a steamer try to repel would-be
boarders.
with new sets. Typically, the figures come as multi-part plastic scenic desert pass, and a
kits — sometimes with spare arms, heads and weapons — so British encampment raised around a precious well. It took
they can be modified to create something unique. Perry me about a year to complete this project and I thoroughly
Miniatures mostly produces plastics, but also casts a few enjoyed it. I think 28mm figures are well-worth looking into.
character figures in metal. Affordable accessories available Happy collecting! END

include vehicles, buildings and rivers. This scale is ideal for

displaying more figures in a smaller space for hobbyists who
don’t have a lot of room.

Disadvantages
Smaller pieces do not have as much detail as some larger-
scale figures. Because they come as plastic kits, 28mm figures
require assembly, being mounted onto bases, priming and
painting. Some people might be intimidated by building and
painting their own figures or they simply don’t have the time.
However, there are a few companies offering finished 28mm
figures and some hobbyists sell their painted figures via eBay.
Collectors of 54mm to 60mm figures can pick and choose
Scenes within the diorama include the Mahdi’s camp.
from among single figures, while 28mm figures generally
come in sets except some character figures available singly.
ABOUT THE WRITER
Personal Preference Robert Bailey of Fort Collins, Colorado, has been collecting military miniatures
for more than forty years. The American delved into 28mm or 1/56-scale several
In the end, it all really boils down to one’s personal preference years ago and started building dioramas based on different time periods. His
and financial resources. Enthusiasts will get more for their Anglo-Zulu War diorama won a Best in Show award at an International Plastic
money with 28mm figures, but they have to be willing to Modellers Society (IPMS) show in October 2019 in Loveland, Colorado. Robert
belongs to the High Plains Modelers Club (an IPMS chapter) where he enjoys
put in the time and effort to finish them. I still have a large sharing his work and obtaining tips and ideas from fellow members.

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 59

FEATURE

TheofWars T
he Wars of the Roses, thanks
in main to the history plays of

Roses
the
David Grummitt looks at the civil wars that
gripped England at the end of the Middle Ages.
Text: David Grummitt Illustrations: Various
William Shakespeare, is one of
the best-known periods of English
history. During the second half of
the fifteenth century, England was
torn apart by a series of violent
struggles for the throne. The period
1455-1487 witnessed the deposition
of three kings, and the bloody
deaths of two of them, in a series of
bitter battles that engaged all ranks
of society. The origins of the wars lay
partly in the dynastic rivalries within
the royal house of Plantagenet, but
also in the aftermath of England’s
humiliating defeat in the Hundred
Years War.

60 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR


The Origins of
the Wars
The untimely death of
Henry V in 1422 and the
accession of his baby son
had placed great strain on
the English crown, both
domestically and in those
parts of France now under
English control. From the
mid-1420s, the conquests of
Henry V were becoming
increasingly untenable.
In 1445, Henry VI married
the French princess, Margaret
of Anjou, in attempt to bring an end
to the Hundred Years War. While not
abandoning his French kingdom,
The longbow had lost the decisive role it had enjoyed at Crécy and Agincourt, but still played an
important role in the battles of the Wars of the Roses.
Henry secretly agreed to cede some
Lancastrian territories in France to the
French king, Charles VII, in return for
a truce. Although unpopular among
some, the truce was supported by the
English lords and parliament. In 1449,
however, the truce was broken and
by May the following year Normandy,
the principal Lancastrian conquest,
had been entirely lost. This sparked
unrest in England, with the king’s
c , duke of Suffolk,
m ular uprising in
t of England. The
r ed for Henry’s
c , Richard, duke of
Y return to England
f eland, where he
w e king’s lieutenant,
a d b nish the corrupt
c u rs who had been
r sible for the English
d f a n France. York
a n England and
d a o be named as the
k g ounsellor. Henry
r d instead promoted
Y ’ great rival and
t a t commander
o English forces
i mandy, Edmund
B t, duke of
So e set.
I , faced with further
d f ts in France, Henry
VI collapsed into
a tupor and York
John de Vere, 13th earl of Oxford, was the only
English nobleman to fight for Henry Tudor at
Bosworth. His heraldic surcoat identified him to
his retinue and enemies alike, making nobles a
prime target on the battlefield.
FEATURE
was named by parliament as Protector
of the Realm. The duke moved to
dismiss Somerset and his cronies, but
when the king recovered his faculties
in December 1454 he immediately
dismissed York and reinstated
Somerset.
The Struggle for the Throne
On 22 May 1455, the duke of York and his
allies, the earls of Salisbury and Warwick,
clashed with a royal army in the streets
of St. Albans. York would later claim he
was merely seeking an audience with the
king and was ambushed by his enemies.
This first clash of the Wars of the Roses
was a desultory affair. The rival armies –
little more than the lords and their armed
retinues – brawled in the streets of the
Hertfordshire town. York and his allies
sought out their rivals and the battle
ended with the killing of Somerset and
his allies, the earl of Northumberland
and Lord Clifford: as one contemporary
observed ‘when the said Duke Edmund
and the lords were slain, the battle was
ceased.’
In the aftermath of the battle, York
was reappointed as Protector and
the violence blamed on members of
the king’s household. In the face of
Henry VI’s inactivity and his inability
to curb York’s ambitions, the following
years saw the Lancastrian lords rally
around Queen Margaret, who one
chronicler described as ‘a great and
strong-laboured woman.’ She sought to
protect the interests of her young son,
Edward (who had been created Prince
of Wales in March 1454) and relocated
the royal family to the prince’s lands in
the midlands.
TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 61
FEATURE

Lancastrian attempts to dislodge the Rutland, and the earl of Salisbury were
Yorkists from Calais failed and Warwick defeated and killed as they sallied out of
destroyed a royal fleet in Sandwich, the duke’s castle at Wakefield to break a
Kent, early in 1460. In June that year Lancastrian siege.
the Yorkist lords mounted an invasion The Yorkist cause now passed to the
of England, marching from Kent to duke’s younger son, Edward, earl of
London and then defeating the royal March, then at Shrewsbury. He defeated
army at the Battle of Northampton on a Lancastrian army, marching from
10 July. The duke of Buckingham and Wales and led by the earls of Pembroke
earl of Shrewsbury, stalwart supporters and Wiltshire, at Mortimer’s Cross on
of Henry VI, were killed in battle and 3 February 1461, demonstrating great
the king himself was seized by the personal prowess and leadership in
victorious Yorkists. England now the process. However, just two weeks
anxiously awaited York’s return from later the Yorkist cause was dealt a blow
Ireland. when Warwick was defeated by Queen
York crossed the Irish Sea early Margaret’s northerners at St. Albans.
in September 1460. His intentions Crucially, for the Yorkists, London
were clear and when he arrived barred their gates to the Lancastrians,
in Westminster on 10 October, he allowing the earl of March and Warwick
immediately laid claim to the throne. to enter the capital on 27 February. On
This dismayed many of his supporters 4 March 1461, March declared himself
and instead an agreement was reached King Edward IV on the steps of St.
that disinherited Prince Edward and Paul's.
made York heir to the throne. ‘The
Accord’, as it became known, was an The Battle of Towton
unrealistic compromise that neither The Yorkists now marched north,
York nor Queen Margaret could funded by generous loans from the city
accept. York marched north and on merchants, to crush Queen Margaret’s
31 December he army By 28 March Edward had
Ralph Vestynden was Edward IV’s standard h ld ollowing
bearer at Towton. He is shown here wearing full
plate armour and carrying the king’s personal y y mies
standard of the Black Bull. (Painting by Graham While it g of Saxton
Turner © Graham Turner – www.studio88.co.uk) was
traditional a a orkshire
for English men-at- y ton was
arms to fight on foot
In March 1458 the king made a forlo alongside the archers g oodiest
attempt to reconcile the two sides at t and billmen, a f wars and
mounted cavalry
so-called ‘Loveday’ at St. Paul’s Cathed played an important
largest
One can only imagine the bitterness part in several ught on
that existed as the sons of those killed battles during E g Chroniclers
the Wars of the
at St. Albans some three years earlier Roses, gg the
were forced to parade arm-in-arm with especially at y mber
Bosworth.
their fathers’ killers. In May 1459 Henry , men
joined his wife and son in the midland p the field
and began arrangements to summon gh an
the nobility – except for York and his gg ion, it is
allies – to a great council meeting. The p b bl hat the
Lancastrians attempted to prevent a armies
rendezvous between York, Salisbury u in the tens
and Warwick, but Salisbury clashed f u .
with a Lancastrian army at Blore Heath T e e s tt e
in Staffordshire on 23 September 1459 p y dence for
Salisbury prevailed, killing the Lancast during
commander, Lord Audley, in the mêlé a ere are no
The following month, however, the Yo y accounts
lords were defeated at Ludford Bridge d y historians
mainly due to the desertion of some o a ed on
Warwick’s men who refused to take th ourful
field against the king. York and his eld e s o of events
son, the earl of Rutland, were forced to by the
flee to Ireland, while Warwick, Salisbury h-century
and York’s younger son, Edward, earl o h cler,
March, fled to English-held Calais. a d Hall. It

62 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR


is clear, however, that the battle took
place in a blizzard and the Yorkist
archers appear to have been assisted
by the strong wind which speeded
their arrows towards the Lancastrians,
while ensuring their enemy’s volleys
fell short. It was also notable for the
aggressive tactics employed by the
Yorkist army. Edward himself may have
been responsible for this dynamic
approach and he was certainly in the
thick of the fighting: one contemporary
described how the king and the
other Yorkist lords had won the battle
through their prowess ‘first fighting like
common soldiers, then commanding,
encouraging and rallying their
squadrons like the greatest captains’. At
first it seemed that a cavalry charge and
the Lancastrians’ advantage in numbers
would carry the day, but the arrival
late in the afternoon of the duke of
Norfolk’s men turned the tide of battle
in favour of the Yorkists. Eventually,
the Lancastrian lines broke and they
retreated towards Tadcaster. The result
was a catastrophe for the Lancastrian
cause: many lords and knights were
killed or subsequently captured and
executed, but the Lancastrian royal
family escaped across the border into
Scotland. Edward was crowned king at
Westminster Abbey on 28 June.
Warwick the Kingmaker
Edward IV had won the throne
through a combination of good luck,
his own charisma and his prowess on
the battlefield. The remnants of the
Lancastrian regime fled north, holed
up in various Northumberland castles
or, like Henry VI, in exile in Scotland.
Edward left the defeat of these last
Lancastrians to his cousin, Richard
Neville, earl of Warwick. The last
Lancastrian stronghold in the north
fell in 1464 and soon afterwards Henry
VI was captured and imprisoned in
the Tower of London. Warwick, who
had played a pivotal role himself in the
Yorkist victory, expected to be rewarded
as the king’s leading counsellor and
most powerful man in the kingdom, but
when Edward surprised everyone by
marrying a widow from a Lancastrian
family, Elizabeth Woodville, in May
1464, the earl gradually saw his position
undermined by the numerous and
ambitious members of the queen’s
family. By 1469, Warwick had sided with
Edward’s disenchanted brother, Thomas,
duke of Clarence, and rose in rebellion
FEATURE
against the king. On 26 July, he and
Clarence routed a royal army at the
battle of Edgecote in Northamptonshire.
Warwick then attempted to govern in
Edward’s name, just as the Yorkist lords
had done with Henry VI a decade earlier.
Edward though was a very different
proposition to Henry and Warwick
appeared incapable of controlling
growing unrest in the north and
in Lincolnshire. Warwick and
Clarence took advantage of unrest
in Lincolnshire to again rebel against
the king, but their rebellion ended in
ignominy at Losecote Field on 12 March
1470. Warwick and Clarence were
declared traitors and fled to France but
Warwick, quite extraordinarily, sought
out the exiled Margaret of Anjou and
pledged himself to the Lancastrian
cause. ‘The Kingmaker’ made an
audacious return to England in October,
taking Edward unawares and forcing
him into exile in the Low Countries. He
then duly restored the hapless Henry VI
to the throne.
The Triumph of York
Yet this success was short-lived: Edward
returned to England in March 1471. On Edmund Beaufort, 2nd duke of Somerset, was
the last commander of Lancastrian Normandy
the morning of 14 April, Easter Sunday, and killed at the first Battle of St. Albans. A
he faced Warwick’s army just outside veteran of the Hundred Years War, he is
depicted wearing armour typical of the mid
the town of Barnet. Edward took the fifteenth century. (Painting by Graham Turner ©
initiative and attacked, despite a thick Graham Turner – www.studio88.co.uk)
fog. Probably due to the Yorkists’ night
deployment, the two armies were not the Lancastrian left Richard, duke of
aligned perfectly. On the Yorkist left Gloucester’s battle crashed into the
Lord Hastings was engaged by the flank of the men led by the duke of
earl of Oxford in the flank, while on Exeter. In the centre, however, Edward
The bulk of any army during the Wars
of the Roses was made up of billmen.
These ranged from farm labourers
pressed to serve by commissions of
array to well-equipped men of noble
retinues, like the one portrayed here
by John Jenkins Designs, serving
alongside bowmen.
TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 63
FEATURE
Breech-loading cannon, like
this one by John Jenkins
Designs, played an
increasingly important role
in the battles during the
second half of the fifteenth
century.
himself stood firm, again displayi g
great personal courage. At the he g
the battle Warwick’s men had mis a
the earl of Oxford’s badge of the ‘
with streams’ for Edward’s ‘sun w
streams’ and attacked, causing O
contingent to cry “Treason” and flee.
The Kingmaker himself was killed as the
battle turned against the Lancastrians,
‘somewhat fleeing’ according to one
contemporary source. In three hours
of fighting Edward had reasserted
his authority through a stunning
demonstration of personal prowess.
Edward could not rest on his laurels:
on the same day as he had defeated
Warwick at Barnet, the Lancastrian
exiles had finally returned from France,
making landfall at Weymouth. On
4 May 1471, Edward met Margaret’s
army at Tewkesbury. The Yorkist host
was deployed in the customary three
‘battles’: the vanguard commanded
by Gloucester, the centre by the
king himself, and the rearguard by
Lord Hastings. The Lancastrians
were similarly deployed: the duke of
Somerset, commanded the battle facing
Gloucester; Warwick’s former lieutenant
at Calais, Lord Wenlock, stood opposite
the king; while the earl of Devon was
arrayed against Hastings. A heavy
artillery bombardment by the Yorkists
goaded Somerset into the attack, the
duke moving against Edward’s own
battle in search of a quick and decisive
outcome. The king, assisted by the
men of Gloucester’s battle, blunted
Somerset’s initial attack. Then 200
mounted Yorkist men-at-arms fell upon
the Lancastrians’ flank and before long
Somerset’s attack faltered. A complete
rout of the Lancastrians ensued. Devon
64 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
John Howard was a stalwart supporter of
Richard III and was raised to the title of duke of
Norfolk in 1483. He died fighting for his king at
Bosworth, although his son, Thomas, would go
onto serve the Tudors and win the Battle of
Flodden against the Scots in 1513.
and Wenlock were killed in the fighting,
while, most significantly of all, Edward,
Prince of Wales, was cut down as he
fled the field. Somerset himself sought
sanctuary in Tewkesbury Abbey but
two days later he was dragged out
and summarily executed, along with
other prominent Lancastrian prisoners.
On 21 May, Edward entered London
and shortly thereafter the unfortunate
Henry VI was put to death in the Tower.
Richard III and Henry Tudor
The 1470s were marked by conflict
between the king’s younger brothers,
Clarence and Gloucester. They clashed
over the division of the Warwick
inheritance (both were married to
daughters of the earl of Warwick)
and in 1478 Clarence was accused of
treason and executed. Gloucester also
clashed with the Woodvilles and in 1483,
when Edward died prematurely, the
governorship of the eldest of Edward
IV’s son, the new king Edward V, passed
to his uncle, Anthony, Earl Rivers.
Gloucester railed against this, seizing
the young king and his brother, Richard,
duke of York, and executing Rivers. In
May Gloucester was named Protector
of the Realm but then, in June, he
declared the young princes illegitimate
and had himself crowned Richard III.
Gloucester’s actions alienated many
Yorkist supporters, who now sided
th the exiled Henry Tudor, earl of
R chmond, the last surviving member
the Lancastrian royal family. Tudor’s
laim was a tenuous one, through his
other Margaret Beaufort, but his
omise to marry Elizabeth of York,
dward IV’s daughter, rallied a small
and of supporters who, with French
elp, landed at Milford Haven in August
85.
The Battle of Bosworth was a much
maller affair than either Towton or
wkesbury. Many members of the
istocracy, lacking a commitment to
ther the king or Tudor, made their
xcuses or were late in answering
e summons to battle. The earl of
orthumberland, one of Richard’s
osest supporters during the 1470s,
f r example, took no part in the battle.
R chard attempted to win the battle
hrough an audacious cavalry charge
gainst Tudor’s position. It almost
succeeded, but through luck and the
last-minute intervention of the Stanley
family, Henry won an unlikely victory.
Richard III died heroically on the field
and Tudor was crowned Henry VII.
Henry Tudor was far from secure on
the throne, however, and the immediate
aftermath of the battle witnessed a rash
of pro-Yorkist rebellions. His kingship
was secured in June 1487, however, by
the defeat of a Yorkist army, led by the
earl of Lincoln, that had rallied around
the pretender Lambert Simnel, who
claimed to be Clarence’s son, the earl of
Warwick. This victory effectively ended
four decades of bloody civil wars.
Conclusion
The Wars of the Roses was a pivotal
event in English history. It took
place against the backdrop of the
Renaissance and profound changes
in the nature of warfare and society
at large. The John Jenkins Design
figures that illustrate this feature do a
superb job in capturing the appearance
of men-at-arms and foot soldiers at
the Battle of Bosworth, although the
figures are relevant for the entire period
covered by the Wars of the Roses. END
ABOUT THE WRITER
David Grummitt, managing editor at Guideline
Publications, is also a professional historian, having
previously taught in UK universities for 25 years.
He is author of A Short History of the Wars of the
Roses (I.B. Tauris, 2013).
40 Annual
th
Chicago Toy Soldier Show
Sunday, Sept. 26, 2021 10 am - 3:30 pm

E is for Ensign,
Strong, Brave, and Keen,
Trounces the Monster
Covid-19

Metal and Plastic - Old and New Soldiers, Farm, Zoo, and Circus Figures
Hyatt Regency Woodfield, Schaumburg, Illinois USA
Roger Garfield: Phone 847-567-5355
Email: Roger@ChicagoToySoldierShow.com
Facebook: Chicago Toy Soldier Show
Contracts, photos, and more information on our website!

www.CHICAGOTOYSOLDIERSHOW.com
FEATURE

“We could
have used
that at
Marathon”
(490 B.C.)

Figures Form Comic

T
here have been numerous

What Ifs?
A.J. Mergenthaler illustrates alternative history
with selections from his collection.
Text and Photos: A.j. Mergenthaler
‘what if’ alternative history
books written, including the
1962 novel The Man in the High Castle
by Philip K. Dick. The author considers
what things would be like if Nazi
Germany and Japan had won World
War II. This set me thinking about other
historic what ifs.
For example, what if French Emperor
Napoleon I had machine guns at the
Battle of Waterloo in 1815?
What if ancient Carthaginian army
commander Hannibal had tanks
instead of war elephants to battle the
Romans at Zama in 202 B.C?

“Two horsepower
isn’t going to do it.”

66 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR


You should
really keep up
with the times.”
What if Lieutenant Colonel George
Armstrong Custer of the U.S. 7th
“Wow! What a
Cavalry had drones to deploy against gorgeous uniform,
American Indians at the Battle of the but not very
practical.”
Little Bighorn in 1876?
What if France had submarines to
deploy against the British Royal Navy
at Trafalgar in 1805, etc.?
Herewith I offer six incongruous
pairings of toy figures and varied
vehicles from my collection spanning
the centuries and the military arena.
Military science is a field that constantly
advances in terms of innovation and
imagination with respect to everything.
Whether it is weaponry, equipment or
attire, the never-ending “refinement”
of destructive implements and the
apparel of war inexorably marches on.
Readers might chuckle at the
figures and situations pictured here.
But they are nevertheless a sobering
reminder of how mankind has always
FEATURE
“We certainly
could have
used one of
those vehicles
Archie.”
had a penchant to use force rather
than reason to settle individual and/or
national disagreements.
So please sit back and enjoy these
what ifs. END
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 COLLECTOR 67
FEATURE

The Gallipoli Campaign:

A Crucible for Anzacs
Jock Gillespie creates dioramas to pay tribute to World War I soldiers from
Down Under in battle against the Ottoman Empire.
Text: Jock Gillespie Photos: Jock Gillespie and the Australian War Museum

fore despite many setbacks Adelaide, Albany, Western

attributable to inadequate
intelligence and unfortunate
decisions. Gallipoli captured
my imagination and keen
interest through the many
documentaries, movies and
TV mini-series produced
about the campaign; visits to
the Australian War Museum
in Canberra; and the National
Anzac Centre, Mount
Corpses strewn across the battleground created an imaginable
stench and fly infestation, prompting a truce for burials on 24 May
1915. (Photo Copyright Australian War Museum)
Australia.
Seizing control of the
Ottoman Empire’s Gallipoli
Peninsula was a key Allied
objective in a Dardanelles
campaign that aimed to
capture the enemy capital
Constantinople, weaken
German support and open
the key route between the
Mediterranean and Black

A
nzac Day, a national brothers on the Western
day of remembrance Front, Gallipoli was the
marking the first major action of early
anniversary of the first major Commonwealth nations
military action fought by (apart from small colonial
Australian and New Zealand forces deployment to the
forces during World War I, Sudan and Boer campaigns),
was marked on 25 April 2021. that saw volunteers flock to
In Australia, some traditional enlist. The Aussie and New Turks attack the ANZAC lines on 19 May 1915.
services and parades Zealander spirit came to the
were held in contrast to
2020’s COVID-19 lockdown,
Fierce fighting erupts as
when we observed the the ANZAC lines come
commemoration while under attack by Ottoman
forces in May 1915.
standing on our driveways
with candles listening to a
radio broadcast. With the
solemn day still fresh on my
mind, I thought it would be
timely to share my dioramas
inspired by the World War
I’s Gallipoli Campaign with
fellow hobbyists. It was
extremely significant for the
Australian and New Zealand
Army Corps (ANZAC), whose
soldiers became known as
Anzacs. Like our Canadian

68 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

 FEATURE

Seas to Russia. The original Anzacs already ashore try to negotiate steep and
scrub-covered cliffs while the whaleboats come under
plan called for using naval fire from Turkish sentries.
using forces from Britain and
France. It was approved by
the British Secretary of State
for War Lord Kitchener and
First Lord of the Admiralty
Winston Churchill. No
land-based actions had
been planned as there was
confidence in the naval
action succeeding without
taking away resources from
the Western Front.
I used a variety of materials
to make a number of
dioramas illustrating key
actions at Gallipoli, from the
first landing in April 1915 to
the August offensive. The
combatants are recreated
using 1/32 and 1/30-scale
figures from Great War
series by John Jenkins
Designs, King & Country
Ltd., W. Britain, Thomas
Gunn Miniatures, Empire
Military Miniatures, and
Heritage Miniatures. During
this campaign, steel helmets
were not worn, while Vickers
heavy machine guns were
only used at Gallipoli. The
Lewis gun only came into
use when ANZAC units were
deployed to the Western The ANZAC cove diorama base was made using foam, adding terrain
effects and painting the ocean colours. Beach pebbles were sourced from
Front. an aquarium store.
A diorama illustrates how
whaleboats were rowed for about
Naval and Land 50 metres to the shore after being approved by Lord Kitchener, ANZAC Cove
Operations towed by small steamers. Churchill and the First Sea Landing
Intelligence gathering was Lord, Admiral John Fisher. It The ANZAC divisions training
limited leading up to the ships were sunk and some involved British, Australian, in Egypt and expecting to
naval action. The Dardanelles superstructures damaged by New Zealand, African and be deployed to the Western
Strait was lined with Ottoman shore batteries. Indian troops, supported by Front were assigned to the
forts armed with artillery that The naval action’s failure French forces and totalling Gallipoli Campaign under
a naval bombardment could led to a land-based operation 78,000 men and placed the command of Lieutenant-
take out of action. However, falling on the shoulders of under the command of General William Birdwood.
the Strait was narrow in some British and French forces General Sir Ian Hamilton. At dawn on 25 April 1915,
points and heavily mined. Anzacs assaulted the beach
Allied minesweepers were in the Ari Burnu area (Beach
used, but their proximity to Z—ANZAC Cove), using
the shore batteries put four whaleboats towed to within
of the six available out of fifty metres of the shoreline
action. Water currents were by steamboats, then rowing
also tricky and the mines too the rest of the way. The
scattered to have any effect. first assault wave was from
A naval action undertaken on the 3rd Australian Infantry
18 March 1915 with fourteen Brigade (1st Australian
British and four French ships Division) consisting of six
failed. Some of the forts companies of the 9th, 10th
Steam launches tow whaleboats carrying ANZAC troops to within fifty
were knocked out, but the metres of the beach for the initial amphibious assault on Gallipoli at dawn
and 11th Battalions. The 2nd
mines took their toll. Three on 25 April 1915. (Photo Copyright Australian War Museum) Australian Infantry Brigade

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 69

FEATURE
Making the Lone Pine
covered Turkish trench using
foam and painted texture.
formed the second wave,
while the third wave involved
the two New Zealand
brigades. ANZAC troops were
ordered to wear the British-
style cap instead of the
slouch hat, but in the typical
Aussie approach, some still
wore the slouch hat for the
assault. Intelligence was poor
and some of the of the maps
used had not been updated
since the Crimean War. The
terrain faced by the Anzacs
was not what they expected.
It was rugged and impossible
to traverse because of
scrub-covered gullies and
steep cliffs (about 300
feet/91metres) that nearly
met the waterline — not the
expected easy wide beach
landing conditions. The first
wave was faced with random
Turkish sentry gun fire, but
resistance became stronger
as the defenders built up
their forces and increased
their artillery bombardment
of the attackers.
To portray the first landing,
I used figures from King &
Country, W. Britain, Heritage,
Empire, and John Jenkins.
I repainted and converted
some of the figures to
represent the divisions and
The Anzacs charge Ottoman covered trenches at Lone Pine at 1730 hours
on 6 August.
70 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
their distinctive headdress.
The terrain was created using
a Perspex frame, moulding
and gluing EPS foam board
to the cliff shape. A wash
of putty and Polyfilla with
paint pigment was used to
represent the cliff colours
using photo references.
The scrub plants were
created using commercially
produced diorama terrain
mats and plants. The seabed
was undercoated using oil-
based artist ocean colours
and poured with various
resin layers.
During the course of the
day, any ground that the
Anzacs took was retaken
by the Turks. However, the
objectives on higher ground
could not be achieved as
the Turkish forces increased
in strength and leadership
under their commander
Mustafa Kemal. The ANZAC
Trench wooden posts and
ceiling logs were sourced
from Jock’s yard.
Asparagus fern fronds
were used to replicate
pine needle branches
used to cover the trench.
commanders considered
the position dire and
recommended evacuation
to General Hamilton. Instead
he replied, “You have got
through the difficult business,
now you must dig, dig, dig,
until you are safe.” By the
end of the first day, 16,000
troops had landed with
approximately 2,000 killed
or wounded. The situation
became a stalemate with
trench warfare like another
Western Front for the next
eight months. The Turkish
forces did not mind this
situation as they held most
of the high ground and had
limited the Anzacs’ advances
to some ridges contained
in a small beachhead. After
the landings, the German
adviser to the Ottoman Army,
General Liman von Sanders,
was made commander of
the newly formed Turkish 5th
Army for the defence of the
Dardanelles.
May Offensive
Actions in early May by
British and Turkish forces
to break through each
other’s positions at Helles
and Krithia failed. Because
the Anzacs were positioned
in close opposing trenches
and not open to naval fire,
von Sanders decided on
“one last decisive attack.” If it
was successful, it would free
up divisions to support the
Helles offensive. Fortunately
for the Anzacs, the Turkish
troop build-up had been
observed by aerial spotters,
allowing the ground forces to
be ready for the offensive.
In the late afternoon of
18 May 1915, the ANZAC
trenches were subjected
to a Turkish artillery
bombardment — the worst
experienced since the
landing. The next day four
Turkish divisions (some
40,000 men) attacked the
entire ANZAC lines ‘to drive
them back to the sea.’ The
attacks came in waves of
massed formations before
daybreak and were met
with withering fire from
Vickers heavy machine gun
and Lee Enfield rifles. The
attack had ended in failure
by midday with at least
10,000 dead Turks, while
100 Anzacs had been killed
and 500 wounded. The
unburied corpses created
an imaginable stench and fly
infestation, prompting a truce
on 24 May for burials.
I built a half-shelf sized
diorama of part of this action
using John Jenkins, King &
Country, and Thomas Gunn
Turkish prisoners and Anzacs inside
the covered trench at Lone Pine.
(Photo Copyright Australian War Museum)
 FEATURE

ANZAC forces try to access the

enemy’s damaged covered
trench at Lone Pine. The Nek diorama depicting the narrowness of the battleground.

forces from Sari Bair. The four British divisions landed

Anzacs were faced with at Suvla Bay without
head-covered trenches resistance and to the relief of
made from pine trees and commanders. Their objective
earth, fierce rifle fire, and was to occupy the hills north
machine gun fire. The bulk of the ANZAC positions to
of the fighting was done silence artillery batteries.
underground: the so-called Once taken, they were to
‘the heart of the pine.’ The link up with the Anzacs
attack was not expected to toward Chunuk Bair and
succeed, but the tenacity move on Sari Bair. However,
of the assault resulted in the landing force was slow
the Anzacs taking and in deploying. Instead of
holding Lone Pine despite taking the surrounding hills
A view inside the Lone Pine covered trench diorama as hand-to-hand
combat erupts. gritty counterattacks. The that were not occupied
Australian War Memorial by the Turks, they did not
Miniatures Gallipoli figures. ground through coordinated has a great diorama of this go on the offensive until 9
Please note the sniper and joint attacks. action and it inspired me August. By that time, Turkish
placement for Billy Singh of to do something similar. I reinforcements had arrived
the First Australian Imperial Lone Pine built a section of the head- and stalled the offensive
Force (AIF). At 1730 hours on 6 August, covering trench to portray resulting in another ‘dig in’ —
Lone Pine was attacked by the urgency and ferocity of not what Hamilton wanted.
Breaking the the 1st Australian Brigade the fighting, which extended The operation failed.
Stalemate consisting of 1,800 men from for four days.
Hamilton needed a breakout. both frontal and tunnelled Sari Bair Ridge
ANZAC General Birdwood positions. This was a feint Suvla Bay At 2030 hours on 6 August,
came up with a plan to designed to draw Turkish At 2130 hours on 6 August, contingents of ANZAC and
take Sari Bair Range, a
strategic position north of his This diorama depicts how entrenched Turkish troops delivered devastating fire against four
troops that would provide waves of ANZAC assault troops at The Nek on 7 August 1915.
a high point to oversee
the Dardanelles narrows.
Hamilton saw the potential
and with more detailed
planning the operation was
approved, with preparations
made to provide more
British troops. These August
Offensive actions would
consist of ANZAC feint
attacks on Turkish positions
at Lone Pine, Sari Bair (Aghyl
Dere and Chunuk Bair) and
the Nek, with a British landing
of four divisions at Suvla Bay.
The intent was to spread the
deployment of Turkish forces
and take the Sari Bair high

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 71

FEATURE

British troops commenced

attacks through two
columns (left and right) on
Turkish positions below the
approaches to Chunuk Bair
and Sari Bair (main objective).
The terrain proved difficult to
navigate — especially with no
maps or compass bearings.
Some contingents went
in the wrong direction or
held positions in the wrong
location, putting them behind
schedule. The delay in taking
some positions would affect
the Nek attacks.
Chunuk Bair was intended
to be taken by 2300 hours
on 6 August. Once it had The fourth wave of Anzacs launch their costly and futile attack at The Nek.
been taken, Allied forces
were to support the Nek
attacks by tackling the Turks
from the rear and linking
up to support the Sari Bair
offensive. The position was
taken and held with tenacity
by the New Zealand Infantry
Brigade (Wellington Battalion)
and British contingents
from 6 to 10 August. To The Nek is shown while the Commonwealth Memorial A vintage colour image of The Nek’s terrain.
was being built in 1923. (Photo Copyright Australian War (Photo Copyright Australian War Museum)
make matters worse, Museum)
wayward naval fire took its
toll on both contingents. Australian 10th Light Horse Gallipoli Evacuation Lord Kitchener, the decision
The New Zealand action Regiment. The attacks were After further offensive was made to evacuate. An
is showcased through Sir supported by shore-based actions to capture some evacuation plan was devised
Peter Jackson’s sponsored and naval bombardment key positions failed, the by ANZAC Lieutenant-
Chunuk Bair diorama in the that finished seven minutes stalemate remained. The Colonel Charles Brudenell
Great War Exhibition at the early, which put the first wave Turkish forces with German White to withdraw men and
Dominion Museum Building into disarray and stalled the support were deploying equipment gradually, while
in the Pukeahu National War attack. The delay allowed heavy howitzers to the convincing the Turks that
Memorial Park in Wellington, Turkish troops to return to Turkish lines that would everything was normal.
New Zealand. their trenches before the devastate Allied trench All ANZAC troops and
attacks commenced. This positions. Due to growing equipment were evacuated
The Nek included the repositioning of criticism of the campaign by 20 December 1915.
At 0430 hours on 7 August, five machine guns. Despite and political disillusionment, The British Empire’s last
the Nek’s four feint attacks seeking a change in orders, Hamilton was relieved of forces withdrawn were the
on Turkish positions to the attacks were ordered to his command and replaced rear-guard Newfoundland
assist ANZAC contingents go ahead. Each wave was by General Sir Charles Regiment and elements
in capturing Baby 700 and annihilated with the enfilade Monro, who reassessed the of The Plymouth Battalion,
Chunuk Bair started. The of combined machine gun situation. After consultation Royal Marine Light Infantry,
Nek is a narrow bridge of and rifle fire and grenades. with commanders and Lord on 9 January 1916. END

land stretched between the The assault troops suffered

landmarks of Russell’s Top
and Baby 700 no bigger
than a full-sized tennis court.
The attacks were undertaken
by 600 men in four waves
of 150. The first and second
waves were formed by the
Victorian 8th Light Horse
Regiment and the third and
fourth waves by the Western
234 killed and 138 wounded.
This action portrays the
poor coordination and
communication leading to
so many casualties. I wanted
to convey the moment in
a diorama. John Jenkins
Designs, King & Country, and
Thomas Gunn figures were
ideal for this project.
ABOUT THE WRITER
John ‘Jock’ Gillespie spent some of his childhood in Scotland and resides in
Perth, Western Australia. He has a passion for military history and collecting toy
soldiers. Jock served in the Western Australia Police Force for 31 years in a
variety of management positions. He has qualifications in policing and criminal
investigations, specialising in performance management systems. Jock also
worked in the Asia-Pacific and Caribbean regions in a policing senior advisory
capacity. He semi-retired in 2018, after serving five years as the chief executive
officer of the Federation of Western Australia Police and Community Youth
Centres in Perth.

72 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

6
FEATURE

Things...
You Might Not Know About
The War Movie Gallipoli
Text: Stuart A. Hessney

1
Battleground Visit Inspired Film.
After visiting the World War I battle site in Turkey,
Sydney-born director Peter Weir was inspired
to make the movie Gallipoli (1981). He originally
intended to encompass the entire 1915 campaign from th
perspectives of both opposing forces. Instead, the drama
focus became one small group of Anzacs to humanise th
tragedy and underline the brutal realities of combat.

2
Facts Underlie a Work of Fiction.
David Williamson’s fictional screenplay was A 1/30-scale set produced by King & Country Ltd. called ‘Defending
the Line’ (ref. GA027) depicts a Turk using his rifle as a club against
adapted from the 1974 book The Broken Years: an Anzac during fierce hand-to-hand combat at Gallipoli.
Australian Soldiers in the Great War. Author

Bill Gammage compiled letters and diaries from more
than one thousand men to reconstruct their personal
experiences, the reasons behind the Great War and its
lasting impact on Australian attitudes and ideals. On
screen, Williamson makes a cameo appearance as the tall
and dark-haired footballer who gets tackled hard when
the soldiers play football in Egypt before shipping out for
Gallipoli.
5
Mel Gibson Was Full of Beans.
Cast members included Mel Gibson (Frank
Dunne), Mark Lee (Archy Hamilton), Bill Kerr
(Jack), Robert Grubb (Billy), David Argue (Snowy)
and Tim McKenzie (Barney). Gibson and Grubb also
appeared together in Mad Max: Beyond Thunderdome
(1985). While filming Gallipoli, director Weir thought the
young Gibson was “full of beans, and really with no grand

3
Light Horse Women Saddle Up.
Except for bazaar scenes in Cairo, Egypt, the
movie was shot in various locations in Australia.
The producers advertised for 400 skilled male
horse riders, but only half that number showed up for
career ambitions.” However, Gibson’s performance earned
him a Best Actor Award from the Australian Film Institute, a
reputation as a versatile and serious actor, and he has gone
on to enjoy a successful career not only as an actor, but
also as a director, producer and screenwriter.

6
shooting. The other 200 mounted extras in the film were
women dressed to look like men. Favourite Quotes From the Film.
Billy: “Oh, be in it. The girls go wild over a

4
uniform.”
Murdoch Family Ties. Barney: “Yeah?”
Australian media mogul Rupert Murdoch was Billy: “In your case, I don’t think anything would help, but
one of the movie’s producers. His father, Keith, you might as well give it a go.”
was a journalist during the Great War. After he
visited Gallipoli briefly in September 1915, he became an Army Doctor: “Teeth aren’t all that good.”
influential critic of how the British top brass conducted Snowy: “Supposed to shoot the enemy mate, not bite
themselves during the campaign. them.” END

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 73

FEATURE
At the Siege of
Otsu, 1600
Colin Luxford converts an early Japanese artillery crew.
Text and Photos: Colin Luxford
I
n issue 92 of TSC&HF, I wrote an article about completing
my collection of the Del Prado samurai series and how I had
converted duplicate figures to make new characters. Since
then, I have only been able to find one of the missing models,
so I decided to make some more ‘new’ ones. I settled on an
artillery set, depicted in Stephen Turnbull’s Siege Weapons
of the Far East (2) AD 960–1644 (Osprey New Vanguard 44).
The illustration showed a ‘European cannon and fire arrows
against a castle gate at Otsu, Japan’, during the Sekigahara
campaign of 1600. Sekigahara was the most decisive battle
in Japanese history, bringing to an end the power struggle
between Tokugawa Ieyasu and Hashiba Hideyoshi. For
anyone who wants to find out more about this campaign, I
would recommend Anthony Bryant’s Sekigahara 1600: the
Final Struggle for Power (Osprey Campaign 40).
74 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
Otsu Castle could have been of strategic importance but as
Hideyoshi, the victor of the siege, was defeated at the Battle of
Sekigahara, the outcome had no effect on the overall campaign.
In fact, it was a bit of a sideshow for the local residents who
apparently watched the spectacle from roofs and mountainsides
while picnicking. European cannon were of superior quality to
their Japanese counterparts, so samurai leaders were keen to
obtain them, mainly through trade with the English and Dutch.
Large cannon were generally not popular, however, and were
regarded merely as occasionally useful siege weapons. In the
illustration, the cannon is still on its naval carriage. Its ammunition
is a fire arrow with a barbed spear-shaped head designed to
bury itself into wooden gates. Apart from the straightforward
fire arrow, there was also an explosive projectile. The crew was
protected by bundles of green bamboo.
 FEATURE

helmet (jingasa) was made

with wine bottle foil.
I also had two spare
samurai figures for the crew
members with flaming
torches. They needed
decapitating and their arms
and legs chopped about
so that on reassembly they
could carry out their ignition
duties. The final member of
the crew, kneeling to open
a barrel of gunpowder, took
a lot more work. The only
other spare figure I had was
standing. He was wearing
a helmet (kabuto) with
‘wings’, and a double rim, a
surcoat (jinbaori) and didn’t
have armour plates (sode)
on his arms. He needed
major surgery with lots of
chopping, filing and careful
sanding, then repositioning
Colin Luxford’s 1/30-scale to the required kneeling
recreation (facing page) took position. The tool for opening
inspiration from Wayne Reynolds’
illustration in the Osprey New the barrel was fashioned
Vanguard book on early Japanese from bent wire and I sourced
siege weapons showing a
European-style cannon employed the barrel itself from my bits
against the castle gate at Otsu. box.
(Reproduced With Kind Permission of
Osprey Publishing) The three senior members
of the crew all carry back
banners (sashimono). The
way these were secured is described in the Osprey books.
In essence, there was a tube secured to the warrior’s back,
into which the shaft of the flag was placed. I made these with
pieces of empty hard-plastic ink tubes from a ballpoint pen,
straightened paper clips and bits of wine bottle foil. The helmet
turnbacks (fukigayeshi) were made from bottle capping.
Repainting was fairly straightforward, as everything was
basically black with a few bits of colour.
I had an off-cut from a piece of laminate flooring that would
make an ideal base. It was generally the correct colour, but I
painted the areas where the woodgrain was too pronounced
The most involved conversion was this ashigaru opening a barrel of and sprinkled a little sawdust while the paint was still wet. The
gunpowder.
cabinet which houses the samurai figures is not very deep so
I had to bunch them together more closely than I would have
Ashigaru Inspiration liked.
What made me think of making this set in the first place
were two ashigaru (foot soldiers), duplicates in my collection The various
that were similarly posed to the two ashigaru gun crew in parts used to
the illustration. One was thrusting with a lance (yari), but by scratch build
the cannon.
simply removing the lance and pushing the rope through
his hands, he looked like the one hauling the cannon back
into position. I also noticed that the illustration showed a third
crew member’s hand pulling the rope on the other side of the
cannon. He was also mentioned in the text, so I purchased
another yari figure, which gave a better balance to the scene.
The fourth crew member was holding a bow and arrow (yumi)
and could easily be changed to the one holding a fire arrow.
He simply needed his bow and quiver removing and the holes
filled, as well as work on his left hand. The shade under his

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 75

 FEATURE

The finished Japanese artillery piece.

Bamboo Fireworks
The fiddliest part was to create the bundles of green bamboo
which provided the protection for the crew. I determined
the size of each bundle by roughly scaling it against height
of the crew in the picture. I used soldering wire as it looked
the correct thickness for a piece of bamboo. I didn’t want to
actually gather hundreds of lengths of wire into bundles, but
created the illusion by gathering some tubing of the correct
diameter and cutting it 10mm shorter than the overall height
required. I then cut lots of lengths of wire that were 10mm
longer than the tubes. I blocked up one end of each tube
with some cork, flush with the top and wrapped double-sided
sticky tape around the tubes and across the cork. Starting at
the open end of the tube and flush with it, I pushed the pieces
of wire next to each other around the taped tube meaning
that they protruded by 10mm at the closed (corked) end.
Soldering wire bends very easily but it also straightens too just
by rolling it with index fingers across a flat surface. I then used
thin strong wire to tie the bamboo onto the tube. Next I cut
a mass of 10mm pieces of solder wire that I pushed into the
void at the corked end until full.
The frame to hold the bundles was made from small sticks.
I like to use bits in my scratch builds that remind me of other
things. In this case, the sticks were actually firework rocket
shafts, gathered when we lived in Spain. Our small town had
The bamboo protection in progress, as seen from the front.
various festivals each year and on the square in front of the
church, an elderly gentleman would stand with a bag full of
rockets. He held each one in his gloved, extended left hand
and ignited them from a cigarette held in his right hand. They
went straight up and the burned-out shafts would fall to earth
onto the parishioners who were making their way into the
church. Every time I look at this model I am reminded of that
crazy practice! I drilled holes in the base to fit the frame and
notched the poles where they overlapped each other before
gluing. I used thick button thread to represent the rope that
would have lashed them together.
The cannon was a pretty simple design and reasonably
easy to make as per the Osprey illustration. I used a pen tube,
thin squares of balsa wood, washers, a metal bottle screw top,
odd bits of plastic, wire and the wheels from sawn-off doweling
with holes drilled for the axles. The end of the barrel was
shaped with Milliput. The rope was four strands of wire twisted
together to create a twisted twine look. The arrows’ heads
were cut from a wine bottle screw cap, glued to a piece of
wire and Milliput used for the
wadding. The fire basket was
made with strips cut from
screw top wine bottles bent
and glued, while the flames
and smoke were made from
cotton wool. The rocks were
simply small pebbles from
a flowerpot. I enjoyed doing
the research for this little
project and it makes a nice
addition to my collection of
Del Prado samurai figures. END

ABOUT THE WRITER

Colin Luxford is a second-generation
toy soldier collector, his father
having started the collection about
a century ago. The bulk of Colin’s
figures are of the Victorian period,
particularly Raj India although
nearly every part of the world and
era are represented. He particularly
enjoys creating models and
dioramas from scrap materials. Colin
was a college vice principal prior to
Colin Luxford collected and converted Del Prado figures to create a Japanese artillery crew besieging retirement.
Otsu Castle in 1600.

76 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

 WANTED!
Andrew of Miniature Autoworld is
• looking for all makes and scales of:
• • Modern & Vintage Toy Soldiers
•
• Modern & Vintage Diecast Models
• White Metal & Resin Models
• •White Metal, Resin g & Plastic
y Kits
•
Large Collections - Small Collections
- Surplus Stock
Selling couldn’t be easier!
We will travel anywhere in the
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We can make payment by your
preferred method! Asset 54mm Military
& Civilian Figures
Simply phone Andrew direct, anytime: Mounted RMP
01271 864061 or 07515 743152 c.1918
Visit the website: Painted £28, casting £16.

WWW.MINIATURE-AUTOWORLD.CO.UK For a full list send an A5

Email us: SAE to:
miniature-autoworld@outlook.com 12 Norwood Drive,
Or post details to: North Harrow,
Middlesex, HA2 7PE.
Andrew Sutton, Miniature Autoworld,
Green Ridge, West Down, Ilfracombe, Tel: 0208 8680422.
Devon, EX34 8NF www.assetminiatures.co.uk

E: enquiries@grey-goose.co.uk
T: 07768 354122

www.grey-goose.co.uk

The sole UK dealer for:

john jenkins
Designs

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 77

REVIEWS

Fantastic Plastics
Jim Clouse reviews makers’ latest and greatest plastic figures
to be released into the hobby for collectors

W. Britain
Civil War Union and
‘Union USCT Infantry Set No. 1’
Confederate Infantry (ref. 52101).

Reviewed by Jim Clouse

W. Britain is re-joining the plastic

side of the toy soldier hobby
with new Super Deetail sets of
American Civil War Union and
Confederate infantry.
Deetail plastic toy soldiers
originated in England in the
1970s. They were produced
there until the 1990s, when production was
moved to China. Eventually, creation of new types
was phased out. Now the 1/32-scale line has been revived
complete with a unique set of Black soldiers fighting for the
North.
Kenneth A. Osen, W. Britain general manager and creative
director, first revealed the news in the latest Standard, the
exclusive journal of the W. Britain Collectors’ Club. “After more
than 10 years, W. Britain is re-entering the arena of plastic
combat with this new sensational inclusion to the Deetail line,”
Ken announced. “Painted with the brilliance and artistry W.
Britain is known for, the United States ‘Colored’ Troops (USCT)
plastic figures will be welcomed by collectors and hobbyists
alike. And anyone who just wants to play with a good, old-
fashioned toy soldier.”
“Along with the USCT set, reworked sets of additional
Federal troops and Confederates in both butternut and grey
will make for hours of playtime in the backyard or front
parlour of any household,” he enthused.
regimental and national colours so standard-
bearers can be customised. Ken explained, “Detailed yet
simple instructions for application of replacement flags
are supplied so you can have your troops fight under the
banner of the famed 54th Massachusetts or the 22nd
Regiment of Colored Troops. Deploy other Union forces as
the Irish Brigade or the 20th Maine Volunteers. Outfit your
Confederate forces under the Bonnie Blue flag, as the 1st
Texas Brigade or the Army of Northern Virginia -- it’s up to
you.”
The line-up of sets priced at $30.00 US apiece follows:
• ‘Union USCT Infantry Set No. 1’ (ref. 52101)
• ‘Federal Infantry Set No. 1’ (ref. 52002)
• ‘Confederate Infantry Set No. 1’ (ref. 52000)
• ‘Confederate Infantry in Butternut Set No. 2’ (ref. 52001)
‘Federal Infantry Set No. 1’
(ref. 52002).

Spare Flags Supplied

For starters, the maker is
issuing four different sets of
six plastic figures on metal
bases, with two squads each for
the Union
and the
Confederacy.
They come packaged in
attractive, full-colour window
boxes. Each set comes with
a sheet of additional
flags depicting both

78 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

 REVIEWS

‘Confederate Infantry Set No. 1’

(ref. 52000).

Varied Poses
The list of pose
variations — some of
which will be recognised
as old friends by
collectors — follows:
• Flag bearer firing
pistol
• Standing firing rifle
• Kneeling firing rifle
• Loading rifle
• Charging officer with
raised sword and
pistol
• Advancing with rifle

Please note that sets Sheets of varied spare flags for

The six-figure sets come packaged in customising standard-bearers are
52000, 52001 and 52002 attractive, full-colour window boxes. supplied in each set.
include one each of all
six of the above poses. According to the product photos, in
‘Union USCT Infantry Set No. 1’, the charging officer is replaced
by a second standing firing pose. So, an enthusiast gets six
figures in five poses. Besides offering these Civil War figures in
sets, W. Britain also plans to make counter-packs available to
retailers for single-figure sales.
I’m sure this is welcome news to many plastic toy soldier Standard-bearer from
the ‘Union USCT Infantry
collectors the world over. While I don’t typically paint my Set No. 1’ (ref. 52101).
plastic toy soldiers, there are many people who do. Those
who stage large battles with hundreds of hand-painted
figures will be glad to add fresh troops without needing to
take the time to paint them!

‘Confederate Infantry
in Butternut Set No. 2’
(ref. 52001).

CONTACT
W. Britain Model Figures
20 E. Water Street
Chillicothe, Ohio 45601
United States of America
US Tel: +1 (740) 702-1803
UK Tel: +44 (0)8000 869123
Email: wbinfo@wbritain.com
Website: www.wbritain.com

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 79

REVIEWS/MAKER PROFILE

Maker Profile:
Sergey Zabashta
of Mars
By Jim Clouse

S
ergey Zabashta owns
the Mars figures
company based in
Odessa, Ukraine. He began
making plastic figures
under the brand name Mars
in 2004. Initially, he only
produced 1/72-scale figures.
Items in 1/32 scale were
introduced in 2015. Painted examples of 1/32-scale British infantry of the Napoleonic
Sergey said that his original Wars by Mars.

plan was “to make a few sets Sergey related, “First of all, I hoped that the volume of 1/32
of the conflict in Afghanistan, sales would be higher, but fortunately the 1/72-scale figures
but we realised this had too do sell in big amounts. Currently, we produce 1/32-scale sets
narrow an appeal, so then we as well as 1/72 ones. The challenge is to keep the interest in
decided to launch a series our products, and this means we have to produce new sets
of sets dedicated to the war constantly — otherwise the interest declines and sales fall as
in Vietnam. Collectors have Plastic figures maker Sergey well.”
been extremely interested Zabashta of Mars. Sergey identifies a set of figures he would like to make —
in these sets.” Next Mars usually based on what he is interested in and how widely the
released two sets based on the film Black Hawk Down (2001) topic been made in the hobby. Extensive historical research is
about US special forces undertaking a raid in Mogadishu in done on the uniforms and weapons. Then poses are selected.
1993 that went awry when they come under attack by Somali All this preliminary information is passed on to a sculptor
forces. (Mars uses several different sculptors), who creates the original
Based on the widespread interest in World War II and sculpts. Those are used to begin making a mould. This is an
the number of countries that took part in the conflict, it extremely complicated process which requires experience.
was decided that Mars would venture into that era. It also The mould is then tested and adapted for production. In the
began making Caribbean pirates and zombie pirates. Sergey meantime, boxes and associated artwork are developed. The
explained, “I was inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean figures are cast in polyethylene plastic. It is quite malleable
movies.” It was during this period that Mars also began and safe to play with. Figures from polyethylene can be easily
producing sets based on the Napoleonic Wars. painted, as long as they are primed beforehand.
Sergey recently put British infantry of the Napoleonic Wars
and World War II German ‘Night Hunters’ into production.
World War II German and US
paratroopers are expected PLASTIC APPEAL
Plastic toy soldier manufacturers
to be available soon. Mars
and traders are invited to send
does not take orders from figures in for review. Please direct
hobbyists directly, but it has enquiries to the editor at stuart@
guidelinepublicationsusa.com or
distributors and retailers in a reviewer Jim Clouse at
number of countries, including toysoldierjim@gmail.com.
the UK and US. END

ABOUT THE REVIEWER

Box art for a 1/32-scale set of British foot soldiers of the Napoleonic era
(ref. 32032). The set features twelve figures in six different poses.
Jim Clouse is first and foremost a collector of plastic toy soldiers, with his main
interest being vintage Marx and Barzso Playsets items. He has sculpted buildings
and terrain for Barzso. Readers might also know Jim from the BattleBoards he
makes for displaying toy soldiers and playsets. In addition, Jim is the webmaster
for several toy soldier hobby-related websites.

80 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

 W.Britain is pleased
to be your best source
for the artwork of
Don Troiani.
W.Britain works closely with
Mr. Troiani to ensure that the
beliefs and values of this famed
historical artist are met and
exceeded!
Please browse the limited
edition artwork collections
from America’s most respected
historical artist at wbritain.com.

The Black Hats,

19th Indiana Regiment,
Iron Brigade at
Gettysburg, July 1, 1863
Available as Signed/Numbered prints, Signed/
Numbered Artist Proofs, and Signed/Numbered
Canvas Giclée, starting at $225.00. Call or
visit our web site for details.

Soldier Studies
We now offer over 350 different Soldier Study prints from multiple time
periods. These stunning 11"x17" giclées printed in pigment inks on the
same high quality 100% cotton rag paper as the originals are painted on.
Each art print comes with a certificate signed by Don Troiani, each print
is embossed with Mr. Troiani’s initials ensuring authenticity.
Each 11"x17".................................................. $55.00 plus shipping and handling

General J.B. Gordon at

Gettysburg, July 1, 1863
Available as Signed/Numbered prints, Signed/Numbered Artist Proofs, and
TCWSU43 TCWSC33 TCWSU98 TCWSU38 TCWSC36 Signed/Numbered Canvas Giclée, starting at $225.00. Call or visit our
45th N.Y. 20th Tennessee 54th Mass. 34th Ohio Vols. 29th Alabama web site for details.
Volunteers Drummer Piatt Zouaves

See the complete line of Don Troiani Art at:

Tel: U.S. 740-702-1803 • wbritain.com • Tel: U.K. (0)800 086 9123
WBSOVM 04-07-2021 ©2021 William Britain Model Figures. W.Britain, and are registered trademarks of the William Britain Model Figures, Chillicothe, OH
REVIEWS
Model Figures
New unpainted resin and plastic figures and kit
‘Mercenary, 15th Century’
(ref. MFM-A017).
Medieval Forge
Miniatures
Various New Releases
Reviewed by David Grummitt
El Greco Miniatures is a UK-
based online retailer offering
a wide array of historical and
fantasy figures and busts.
Recently, it has received
some interesting new figures
in stock which cover a nice
range of subjects, periods
and scales. Among the
most eye-catching of these
are those by the Russian
manufacturer Medieval
Forge Miniatures. First,
we have this imposing
82 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
1/10-scale resin bust of a
‘Mercenary, 15th Century’
(ref. MFM-A017). The later
Middle Ages were noted
for the rise of mercenary
forces with some states, like
the Swiss Federation and
some German principalities,
gaining great renown for
providing men to fight in the
princely wars of the Italian
Peninsula and north-west
Europe. This bust represents
a well-appointed mercenary,
wearing a breast plate and
gauntlets over his padded
‘Pierre Gerlofs Donia' (ref. MFM-
C75018) comes with a choice of
headgear — either a soft cap or a
sallet with the visor raised.
jacket. He is armed with a
halberd – the weapon which
the Swiss made their own in
the fifteenth century – and
wears a sallet, which comes
with the option of the visor
up or down.
Moving forward to the
sixteenth century, the
importance of mercenaries,
if anything, grew as they
provided many of the troops
who fought in the long wars
between the French royal
house of Valois and the
Habsburgs. The boundaries
between these mercenaries
and brigandage was a
narrow one and the subject
e next Medieval
F Miniatures release
exemplifies this. Pier Gerlofs
Donia (c.1480-1520) was
a Frisian pirate who was
known as ‘Grutte Pier’ for his
unnatural size and strength,
and who terrorised the
Dutch provinces, then at war
with the neighbouring duchy
of Guelders. Donia’s wife
was, legend had it, murdered
by mercenaries in the pay
of the Habsburgs and in
revenge, ‘Grutte Pier’ pledged
his allegiance to their rival
the duke of Guelders. This
wonderful 75mm figure
-- ‘Pierre Gerlofs Donia’ (ref.
MFM-C75018) -- is based on
contemporary descriptions
and seventeenth-century
paintings.. It shows him
dressed in the fashionable
multi-coloured slashed
clothing of the day and
wearing a breastplate over a
quilted suit of ‘Almain Rivets’.
He carries a broad sword.
Again, the figure comes with
a choice of headgear – either
a soft cap or a sallet with
the visor raised. The quality
of the sculpting and casting
on this piece is absolutely
breathtaking. You can follow
Medieval Forge Miniatures
through its Facebook site
and website, where it also
has a list of international
distributors for its products.
CONTACT
Medieval Forge Miniatures
Website: www.medievalforge.
pythonanywhere.com
Email: forge-m@mail.ru
El Greco Miniatures
Tel: +44 (0)7293 096311
Website: www.elgrecominiatures.co.uk
Email: info@elgrecominiatures.co.uk

MiniArt
Various World War II Releases
Reviewed by David Grummitt
Ukrainian company MiniArt
are one of the most prolific
plastic kit manufacturers
active today and each month
sees the release of new and
revamped kits of figures, as
well as military and civilian
vehicles, in 1/35 scale. Among
their latest World War II
offerings is a very nice set
of ‘British Tank Riders, NW
Europe, Special Edition’ (ref.
35312). This contains five
seated infantrymen (four
soldiers and an NCO) suitable
to ride atop any British tank
from D-Day to VE Day. The
set was previously released in
2018 (ref. 35118), so isn’t strictly
speaking a new release,
although it earns its ‘Special
Edition’ tag by virtue of the
inclusion of a new weapons
and equipment sprue from
the ‘British Infantry Weapons
and Equipment’ set (ref.
35368). One sprue contains
the figures, all appropriately
dressed in the simplified 1940
‘Austerity’ Pattern Battledress
and Mk. III helmets, while
there are four
sprues of
weapons and
equipment,
including Bren
guns, Sten
guns and
SMLE No. 3
and No. 4 rifles, as
well as the various pouches
worn with Pattern 1937 Web
Equipment. These new
weapons replace the inferior
ones included on the figure
sprues and are a marked
improvement. MiniArt’s multi-
part plastic figures are very
nicely sculpted and moulded,
but, as with all plastic figures,
you will need some basic
modelling skills to get the
best out of them.
Also in the pipeline from
MiniArt we have ‘German
SPG Crew’ (ref. 35363). There
is no shortage of 1/35-scale
plastic figures of late-war
German Panzer crew, but this
is a useful set nevertheless.
It includes an officer holding
a pair of binoculars and
shouting (perhaps to some
supporting infantry). He
REVIEWS
wears the
typical black
Panzerjäcke, first
introduced in
1934 and worn
by tank and
‘Panzerjäger’
crews
throughout the
war. It can, of
course, simply
be painted loading ammunition, wear
Field Grey and he shirtsleeves. A sprue of
will be transformed into a personal weapons and
Sturmgeschütz (assault gun) equipment is included, as
or self-propelled artillery are some 75mm rounds
commander. The second along with their wooden
crewman wears the later- ammunition crates. There are
war, reed-green herringbone also decals supplied for the
twill version of the Panzer latter.
uniform, while the final Continuing the German
two figures, depicted World War II theme, we have
‘German Repairmen’ (ref.
35353). This is a very nice little
set depicting two soldiers
hard at work in a repair
workshop. One hammers
something on an anvil, while
the other appears to be
choosing a wrench. They first
figures wears a blacksmith’s
apron over his shirtsleeve
order, while the second
wears the denim overall that
Panzer crew were supposed
to wear when engaged in
maintenance tasks. The kit
also includes a workshop
bench, anvil and a nice array
of tools. This is a lovely kit
that has utility far beyond
its intended Whermacht-
themed setting. MiniArt kits
are available from all good
model shops. Do check out
their website, which is one
of the best in the business
and incredibly useful in
determining what among
their huge array of kits will
provide the figures and
pieces necessary for your
next project.
CONTACT
MiniArt
114 B Kharkivske Highway
Kiev, 02091, Ukraine
Tel: +38 044 337 1815
Website: www.miniart-models.com
Email: support@miniart-models.com
TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 83
FEATURE
Kit Korner:
Model
Figure
Painter’s
Project
Paul Newman builds
and paints a Pegaso
Models portrayal of
a British hussars
colonel during
the Crimean
War.
Text and Photos:
Paul Newman
L
ately, I have been going through my ‘grey army’
sorting out model figure kits that I really want to make
versus some that might never see the light of day (or a
paintbrush)! I also found time to build and paint the Pegaso
Models 54mm (1/32) mounted figure of British Lieutenant-
Colonel John Douglas (ref. 54-905), who commanded the
8th and 11th Hussars in the ill-fated Charge of the Light
Brigade during the Crimean War. This colourful cavalryman
represents one of my favourite periods in history. After I first
saw it advertised, I decided to add it to my wish list. Then I
started saving up because it cost a pretty penny at €97. After
checking it out ‘in the round’ at a show, I decided that this is a
white-metal figure that I just had to have and make!
Kit Inspection
The sculpting is attributed to Richard Galicek. The kit comes
in many parts — thirty-three to be exact. They include a
blank plaque to paint a title on and a very nicely turned and
varnished wooden base. The latter is an unusual because
it would be a fairly pricy item to include, let alone its weight
which would add to any postage and packaging costs. The
kit depicts Douglas riding a galloping horse while holding
his sword held high to encourage his troops onward against
Russian cannons in the distance.
The Italian maker’s box shows a sepia photograph of the
finished figure. I would have preferred to have seen more
84 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
photos with different views because there’s an awful lot of
fiddly bits to put together. I had to research hussar uniforms
and equipment for help. My main reference book was Into
the Valley of Death: The British Cavalry Division at Balaclava
(1991) by John and Boris Mollo, with artwork by Bryan
Fosten.
The standard of the moulding and sculpting is up to
Pegaso’s usual extremely high standard. It is moving toward
producing resin figures now, but this is one is metal. When
put together, it has quite a fair weight, especially as the
mounted figure wears a tall hat and has a large body. The kit
comes in a sturdy box and is protected inside by packaging,
with all the small parts held in plastic bags to help prevent
losing them. The lacing, clothing and equipment —
especially the sabretache — are extremely well-sculpted and
will require careful painting. The horse is a magnificent beast
really suited to the figure with a long flowing tail and its head
being pulled back by the rider as he signals to the troops.
The only criticism I have of the figure is that it is supplied
with a pelisse, so it has minimal detailing underneath on the
back of the figure. My point is that at Balaclava, according
to my research, the only person to have his pelisse with him
was Lord Cardigan, commander of the light cavalry. All the
others in the hussar regiments had left theirs back onboard
ships when they arrived in September and they did not get
them unloaded until November. Also, the battle was fought

1 out of the box, excluding
in autumn weather, so
they just wore their jackets.
Therefore, I decided to
make this figure without
the pelisse, which would
require some amendments
to the straps over his
shoulder.
Valley of Death
The model portrays
Douglas as he would
have appeared during
the famous charge on
25 October 1854, when
he commanded two squadrons with 257 men of the 8th
and 11th Hussars. He reported directly to Lord Cardigan, a
friend (Douglas had stood
in as Cardigan’s second
in a duel with another
officer five years before).
Cardigan commanded
the Light Brigade, which
was rounded out by the
4th (The Queen’s Own)
and 13th Light Dragoons
and the 17th Lancers.
There are many magazine
articles and books on the
charge to which I would
refer TSC&HF readers to
for a fuller story, but I will
concentrate here on the
‘Cherry Pickers’ of the 11th
Hussars.
At the start of the
attack, the Light Brigade
was formed up in three
lines, with the first line
2 must have been a surprise to the 11th was that this group,
The Pegaso Models kit fea-
tures excellent sculpting and
moulding.
3
After being painted in oil paints, the horse is ready to receive the rider.
FEATURE
The metal kit as it comes
the wooden base.
consisting of the 13th Light
Dragoons on the right
and the 17th Lancers on
the left. The 11th Hussars
under Douglas, who had
originally been on the left
of the first line, were pulled
back to form a support
line because the North
Valley they faced riding
through was thought to
be too narrow to hold the
three regiments in line.
The reserve was formed
by the 8th Hussars on
the right with the 4th
Light Dragoons on the
left. However, by the time
the first line reached the
Russian guns at the end of the valley and began disposing of
the artillerymen, the others were in an echelon formation.
On arrival at the Russian guns, the 4th Light Dragoons and
8th Hussars joined the remnants of the 13th Light Dragoons
and 17th Lancers, while the 11th Hussars were out on the left
going past the end of the guns. No sooner had they passed
the battery, they found in front of them a body of enemy
hussars and Cossacks (those had been previously sent off
the ridge by a charge by the British Heavy Brigade). What
who would have been shaken by their previous engagement
and seeing their artillery being overrun, turned around and
rode away from the battlefield. The 11th, which now could
only be about eighty men strong, charged after them, with
the remainder of the 4th Light Dragoons and 8th Hussars still
some distance behind. After joining the remnants of the first
line and advancing a short distance beyond the guns, the
TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 85
FEATURE

4 5 6

I had to do some work on

the back of the figure be-
The face was painted first to enhance the sculptor’s depic- cause I did not want to add Base red paint is added
tion of the 44-year-old colonel. the pelisse. before the gold lacing.

4th Light Dragoons and 8th Hussars withdrew, supporting horse and rider. For instance, because of how the left arm
the others as they rode back through the heavy enemy fire holding the reins is positioned toward the front, it might be
and attacks by Russian lancers from either flank. The 11th best to leave it off. This makes it easier to paint the colonel’s
Hussars having reached the very end of the ‘Valley of Death’ torso before the arm is painted and attached. The head could
came face to face with the now rallied Russian cavalry and also be painted separately, but I prefer to paint as much of a
held them at bay for several minutes until the appearance figure all assembled as possible. I removed a few mould lines
of Russian lancers, who forced them to turn and make for in between the legs with a scalpel and rat tail file. I also drilled
home. a small hole in the crutch to hold the figure, which I glued in
There are several differing statistics about the numbers place with two-part epoxy resin glue. It made a good holder
involved, but a good estimate of what occurred is that in the while painting.
8th and 11th Hussars out of 257 men who went into action, I started with the horse, as I usually do for a mounted
only 146 returned with losses of 111 men and 118 horses. The figure, as I wanted to paint it in oils which take time to dry.
losses might well have been worse during the disorganised The two halves and head were attached with two-part epoxy
retreat back down the North resin glue. When dry (I
Valley if it was not for the allow at least a day for it to
Heavy Brigade, who had 7 set), the rest of the horse
actually followed the Light parts were added. The
Brigade into the valley only leather part I attached
but halted halfway down. before painting the horse
Also, the French Chasseurs was the strap under the
d’Afrique cavalry regiment breast. I glued the horse to
saw what was happening the provided metal base as
and supported the retreat it would provide a strong
by storming the hillsides on support when painting.
the Light Brigade’s left flank As mentioned before,
to attack Russian positions. the figure is supplied with a
Even so, the two regiments pelisse which Douglas did
in the first line and the 11th not wear in the battle, so
Hussars in the second line I had to scratch build the
had the most casualties. straps over his shoulder. I
made them out of Green
Building the Figure Stuff, a two-part epoxy putty
This is one of those kits that which stays relatively soft
a hobbyist should compare for a time allowing sculpting.
with as many references I tried to copy the pattern of
as possible. I also suggest the rest of the strap so that
several goes at dry fitting it would not stand out too
of parts to see where and much.
how they go together before A blend of cavalry brown and ochre brown are used as I opted to make the
starting construction of the base colours for the gold finish. sabretache and scabbard

86 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

 FEATURE

8 9 10 11

The colour of the lace The gold lace is finished

is built up with mixes of with white highlights to
The base colour is the base colour, yellow Shadows are added to give the cap cords and
mixed with yellow. and white. the details. tassels some depth.

and glue them to the figure at this point. In hindsight, it Painting the Horse
would have been better to leave this until after the figure was I painted the horse in a mix of burnt sienna, deep red, black
mounted because it got in the way of positioning the figure and vermillion, with the base colour being a mix of the
on the horse. Usually these parts are flexible enough to allow mainly burnt sienna with some deep red. Black was added
repositioning of the rider, but not in this case. for shadows and the vermillion for highlights. This is one of
The cap straps do come in this kit, but I decided I wanted my most favourite colours for a horse, providing a bright
them to have a bit more life, so I made some out of fuse wire to dark bay look, which I think goes well with the bright
instead. Also, the detail was missing where the pelisse would colours of the mounted figure.
have been, and I had to amend the straps around the front of By the way, I only own cheap oil paint sets as the
the neck as well. quantity used is so small. If any fluid oil goes to the top of
As the figure is metal and needs a base for the paint to the paint, I wipe it off with a tissue before adding a small
adhere to, I primed the horse and figure with a grey primer amount to the palette. I always use artists’ white spirit to
and left them to dry. dilute the oil paint. But when I apply the oil paint to the
figure, I use it neat from
the palette in a very small
12 13 quantity, trying to keep
a gap between the light
and dark areas of paint,
then blending between
the tones with a dry brush
which is constantly wiped
on the tissue to prevent
a build-up of paint on the
model. This colour also
allowed me to have white
socks on some of the legs,
which look good on a
miniature horse.
I decided to paint the
horse’s mane and tail in a
satin to gloss finish in black
(the usual hair colouring
for a bay) as it would
provide a bit of life to the
flowing hair (or ‘shine’
as hair product adverts
Using metallic colours say). The horse was then
shows the difference put aside to dry, before
between the various metal painting the reins and
elements and the lace. Washes of black bring out the depth of the sculpting. adding the figure later.

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 87

FEATURE

I the gold lacing so that

14 colours and give them
f the lacing again to ensure
h l k rect. The hands were
sent gloves. I finished
figure, as I often do, by
the metal parts (buttons,
bb rd, sword, spurs and so
) h appropriate metallic
f rylic paints, with washes of
Plaster groundwork and grass enhance ing out the depth of the
the base. l ng.

Fi ishing Touches
Colonel Colouring I h d built the horse on the
Moving on to the colonel, I always b se which came with it
start by painting the face on any d decided to incorporate
figure. This sculpture has a hard- this into a larger piece of
Adding a name-
featured face. It hints at an older man than his fellow soldiers. 15 plate puts the groundwork to fit a wooden
After all, Douglas was age 44 at the time. I painted the face in base. I decided not to use the
finishing touch to
a base coat of dark flesh mixed with a brown leather. I used a wooden base supplied
the base.
standard set of colours, ranging from dark flesh to an off-white. with the kit because I thought
I undercoated the trousers and sabretache in a medium it was a bit short and could easily damage the horse’s tail.
red before painting all the I had another base which would do perfectly, so I fixed the
gold lace. On a 54mm base of the figure to it with epoxy resin two-part glue. Then
figure, I believe that unless 16 I covered the base with plaster filler, which was then coated
a modeller is painting it in in a plaster to provide a fairly dry ground effect. I left it to dry
the toy soldier style, this before adding some artificial model scale grass and a few
should not be painted in cannonballs. The grasses were given a dry-brushing of a light
pure gold. On this kit figure, green/yellow to help them display better.
I did not use gold at all, The figure was added to the horse, at which point I realised
but I decided to have a go that the sabretache and scabbard were in the way. I carefully
at painting it with other removed them, then added them after attaching the figure
colours without utilising to the horse with epoxy resin glue. The reins were cut from
any metallic colours. My a sheet of thin pewter (which I had from another model,
reasoning behind this although the kit comes with a very thin piece to use) and
is that I hoped it would painted before being glued to the model. I painted the reins
emphasise the difference on the horse at this time as well, so that the colour would be
between the lace and the same as those added to the model. The model painted up
the brass buttons. For Close-up view of the portray- really well, especially the lace and bright brass buttons on the
the gold finish, I used a al of British Lieutenant-Colo- jacket. It gave me a chance to paint braid with ‘non-metallic
palette consisting of Vallejo nel John Douglas during the metal’ paints and add a model of a Crimean War personality
Cavalry Brown (ref. 70.982) Charge of the Light Brigade. figure to my collection. END

and Ochre Brown (ref.

70.856) as the base, with
black, yellow and white for
shadows and highlights.
The paint mix was also
used to add texture to
the lace as well as pure
lighting effects. I gave the
lace an overall wash of
the base colour of Cavalry
Brown and Ochre Brown
and when dry, I built up
the colour of the lace with
mixes of the base, yellow
and white. A final highlight
was added with almost
pure white, especially to
give the cap cords and
tassels some depth.
17 ABOUT THE WRITER
Paul Newman is a keen modeler
Right side view of whose main interest is the Napoleonic
the built and painted Wars, particularly British cavalry. He is
cavalry kit from
a long-time member of the British
Model Soldier Society and serves as its
Pegaso Models. treasurer while his wife, Julie, is its
secretary. Paul’s memberships have
also included Planetfigure and The
Basement. In addition, the Newmans
operate Name It! providing engraved
nameplates to model figure
enthusiasts. They can be found
manning their stand at many major
European shows.
CONTACT
Pegaso Models
Italy
Website: www.pegasoworld.com

88 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

 ‘SCOTT J. DUMMITT PRESENTS’
Serving the Hobby Community since 1996
FEATURING:
• Military Miniature Toy Soldiers
• Action Figures and Accessories
• Die Cast Military Vehicles
SCOTT J. DUMMITT PRESENTS
and Aircraft
RETAIL STORE: 1754 Carmel Line,
Bailieboro, Ontario K0L 1B0, Canada
Hours: Friday to Monday, 10 am to 5 pm
(705) 939-1028 email: gijoe@kos.net
www.gijoecanada.com

THE
DORSET
MODEL
SOLDIER
COMPANY

We produce 5,000+ 54mm Toy Soldier castings between the Dorset Soldiers and All the Queen’s Men ranges.
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Price lists can be download from the website or send a Large Letter SSAE for complete lists.
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email: sales@imperialminiatures.co.uk

www.dorsetmodelsoldiers.com www.imperialminiatures.co.uk

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 89

REVIEWS

A Look at Books
Our reviewers check out some new books that might
pique the interest of hobbyists and history buffs.

The Year 1000: When Explorers Connected

the World – and Globalization Began
ABOUT THE BOOK
Author: Valerie Hansen
Publisher: Scribner
ISBN: 978-1-50119-4-108
Price: $30.00 US
Reviewed by Stephen Healey
Valerie Hansen, author of The Year 1000: When Explorers
Connected the World — and Globalization Began, is a
distinguished professor of history at Yale University. In eight
chapters, she surveys the globe circa A.D. 1000 and shows
how interconnected the world was even before the Age of
Exploration began in the fifteenth century. She compares that
world to today’s and provides links to show the consistency
and the patterns.
The book begins with a survey of human economic
activity at the time. Populations were growing as more settled
conditions and new farming techniques allowed for increased
trade and movement of peoples. China’s population of one
hundred million was already 40% of the worldwide count at
the time. The Mediterranean region was seeing a population
increase. The Muslim world was in flux. Mercantilism was
starting and sea trade was well underway. Independent
trading networks existed in key regions of the globe, and all
before the Europeans began their seafaring journeys and their
Eurocentrism. This was an era before the Black Death and
before the Western Hemisphere was invaded with smallpox
and other diseases from the Old World. It also reflected a
warming period in the Northern Hemisphere but perhaps not
everywhere, facilitating economic growth.
The story moves on to the era of Viking expansion overseas
as far west as North America and possible contact with the
Mayans. The trade networks of the Western Hemisphere were
already in full bloom. The author delves into the Slavic world,
the development of Russia and late Byzantium. Next, it’s on
to the African resources and trade networks within and also
across and around the Sahara Desert. The Islamic empires and
civilizations serve as a link between Africa, Asia and Europe
due to their central location. The writer’s study of Asia focuses
on China and India initially, then describes the networks within
(Japan, Korea and South East Asian civilizations) to illustrate
varied cultures’ vibrancy, size, and self-sufficiency. It can be
argued that China is the hub of this vast network and the
world’s largest trading partner at the time. This book provides
a solid reference for readers in an easily digestible format with
many maps and a section of pictures. I recommend it.

Last Stands: Why Men Last Stands: Why Men Fight When All Is Lost details the
preludes, results and lessons of fifteen battles, ranging

Fight When All Is Lost

from Thermopylae in 480 B.C. to the Korean War’s Chosin
Reservoir Campaign in 1950. In the latter example, Chinese
troops encircled UN forces, including US Marines, but they
were able to break out and make a fighting withdrawal in
ABOUT THE BOOK freezing weather. Author Michael Walsh’s father, Lieutenant
Author: Michael Walsh John J. Walsh, was among them and was presented with
the Bronze Star for his actions as assistant commander of
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press an 81mm mortar platoon. This book about dramatic and
ISBN: 978-1-25021-7-080 traumatic battles delves into combatants’ reasons for fighting
on even when there is no hope of victory. The writer’s
Price: $28.99 US
research fleshes out the subject matter. This book is more
Reviewed by A.J. Mergenthaler than just a military history of extraordinary last stands. It is
a thought provoking and interesting analysis of the societal
impact of the past that has credible applications today. As has
been often repeated, the one thing man learns from history is
that he doesn’t learn from history.

90 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR


Medieval Military
Combat: Battle
Tactics and Fighting
Techniques of the
Wars of the Roses
ABOUT THE BOOK
Author: Tom Lewis
Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 978-1-61200-8-875
Price: £25.00/$34.95 US
Reviewed by David Grummitt
Historians of the Middle Ages have long recognised that the
accounts of battle contained in contemporary chroniclers
owe more to literary genres of the time and the imaginations
of their authors than to what actually happened on the
battlefield. Tales of individual acts of fighting prowess are
chivalric tropes, while the number of combatants and
casualties were routinely exaggerated. The author of this
ambitious study puts forward three hypotheses to present
what he calls ‘a new theory of medieval battle’. First, he argues
that the men-at-arms – what we would best understand as
‘knights’ – were rotated on the front line as they could only
engage their opponents for a few minutes at a time without
becoming exhausted; second, that battles were far less deadly
that might be imagined; and third that the overall numbers
involved were far fewer than is generally thought. The second
and third conclusions won’t really surprise serious student
Bosworth 1485: The
Downfall of Richard III
ABOUT THE BOOK
Author: Christopher Gravett
Illustrator: Graham Turner
Publisher: Osprey Publishing, Campaign 360
ISBN: 978-1-47284-3-418
Price: £15.99/$24.00 US
Reviewed by David Grummitt
The Battle of Bosworth, as every schoolboy used to know,
marked the end of both the Wars of the Roses and the
Middle Ages in England. Recent historians have argued at
REVIEWS
of the Middle Ages, but the first
hypothesis is interesting and
needs further investigation.
Unfortunately, the author’s
argument is based on some
fundamental misunderstandings
of the late Middle Ages and
bad history. Lewis presents a
caricature of the fifteenth century
where illiterate and violent nobles
gather together their ‘banners’ (in
language straight from Games
of Thrones) to fight carefully
choreographed battles. We are told that ‘recording the battle
also had little point’ as few people could read and there was
no market for books. As someone who has spent most of
his adult life, researching and teaching late medieval British
history, I can say that this is very far from the truth! In other
words, Lewis’s arguments are based on a deep ignorance
of the fifteenth century. What they are based upon, in fact,
is the concept of ‘Inherent Military Probability’ – the idea
that military men and minds work in a timeless fashion –
and interviews with twelve re-enactors. The absurdity of
using reenactors to determine what actually happened on
a battlefield some 550 years ago is underlined in the table
where each reenactor estimates the number of men he
could kill in an hour of combat! And while they could only
‘fight’ for fourteen minutes in plate armour, it does not follow
that medieval knights, who had trained since adolescence
and whose bodies, we know, were physically transformed by
their martial training, would be similarly constrained. Lewis
assumes too that all men-at-arms acted with similar levels
of commitment and violence, something we know was not
the case on modern battlefields and probably wasn’t during
the Wars of the Roses either. In short, this is a very silly book,
based on some fundamentally ahistorical readings of the
fifteenth century, and it doesn’t really add anything of value
to our understanding of the Wars of the Roses. Our thanks to
the publisher (casematepublishers.com) for a review copy.
length over the location, events and
significance of the battle, but during
the last fifteen years there has been
extensive archaeological work carried
out at the battlefield and, of course, in
2012 the discovery of the remains of
Richard III. Bosworth 1485: The Downfall
of Richard III is Christopher Gravett’s
second book for Osprey Publishing on
the battle and he has done a superb job
in synthesising the latest scholarship. He carefully reviews
the contemporary documentary evidence, which is scant,
and later chronicle accounts and argues for a much smaller
number of combatants involved, probably fewer than 15,000
on both sides. Gravett also does a good job incorporating
the archaeological evidence, particularly around the use of
guns. As usual, the book is beautifully illustrated and Graham
Turner’s superb artwork is as good as ever. Overall, this
excellent account offers real insights into one of the most
important battles fought on English soil. Our thanks to the
publisher (ospreypublishing.com) for a review copy.
TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 91
REVIEWS

Siege Warfare During Roman Soldier

the Crusades Versus Parthian
ABOUT THE BOOK
Warrior
Author: Dr. Michael S. Fulton
Publisher by: Pen & Sword Military ABOUT THE BOOK
Author: Si Sheppard
ISBN: 978-1-52671-8-655
Illustrator: Johnny Shumate
Price: £30 UK/$42.95 US
Published by: Osprey Publishing, Combat 50
Reviewed by Stephen Healey
ISBN: 978-1-4728-3826-1
Price: £13.99 UK/$22 US
Dr. Michael S. Fulton, author
of Siege Warfare During Reviewed by Leo Winston
the Crusades, is a medieval
historian and archaeologist
with a special interest in Rome was still a republic when it advanced into Asia looking
fortifications, siege warfare for new worlds to conquer and clashed with the Parthians
and the Crusades. The period for the first time on 9 June 53 B.C. on a dusty plain outside
covered is from 1097 (the Carrahe along today’s border between Syria and Turkey.
Siege of Nicaea – the first Romans would come to rue the day.
‘Frankish’ win) to 1291 (the fall Disciplined legionary infantry, in this instance led by glory
of Acre after a short siege seeker Marcus Licinius Crassus, was accustomed to usually
and effectively the end of the conquering all. However, they were no match for Parthians
Franks in the Levant). ‘Franks’ raised in a horse culture. They fielded skilled mounted archers
was the term given to Latin armed with composite
Christians who arrived from bows and heavy
Europe and settled and/ cavalry cataphracts
or were born in the near Middle East (Levant)]. Franks can encased in armor that
include French, German, Italian and English nationals and made them virtually
the Catholic military orders (Templars, Hospitallers, Teutonic immune to enemy
Knights, etc.). The Muslim side included Fattimids, Ayyubids arrows. They looked
and Mamluks among other players. like precursors of
This is a very detailed study of the subject. It is a book for medieval knights.
laymen, but also a textbook for students. I felt like I needed to Si Sheppard, author of
keep key terms and concepts handy at all times, just in case Roman Solder Versus
the professor decided to have a pop quiz! The story begins Parthian Warrior:
with an overview of the period. Who were the historic leaders Carrhae to Nisibis, 53
and the interests involved? How was religion mixed in? What B.C.-A.D. 217, vividly
was the battle of Hattin and what was its meaning? Why details how Parthian
were these struggles labelled as the Crusades/Jihad when it cavalry crushed
wasn’t so clear at the time and both sides fought internally as their foes and killed
well as against each other during a 200-year time span? The Crassus in their first
story then moves into studies of the fortifications and castles major battle. Then he
themselves, including how they were engineered, attacked goes on to succinctly describe 250 years of ensuing warfare
and defended. The book includes maps and photographs of between the intractable foes as they kept innovating new
castles, forts, trebuchets, and the like, to lend credence and tactics to try to gain the upper hand.
examples for the narrative. Brilliant illustrations by Johnny Shumate re-create
I learned a lot about the period, fortifications and why they examples of the opposing fighting men. The artist’s colourful
were designed the way they were. The author explains how battle scenes vividly show how Parthian hit-and-run
geography played a key role in how the conflict started and maneuvers unfolded and could make frustrated legionnaires
evolved. Many leaders are examined on both sides. Even the seal their doom by breaking ranks.
Mongols make an appearance in the mid-1200s, arriving in Photographs and maps complement this 80-page
Syria to make their mark as a third party to the overall conflict. paperback’s narrative as the author focuses on three pivotal
This is a definitive account of the topic and a good read for battles underscoring how they brought together two armies
those who want a refresher on the overall subject and like with vastly different approaches to warfare from ancient
the detail involved. Our thanks to the UK-based publisher’s US cultures completely alien to each other. Our thanks to the
distributor (casematepublishers.com) for a review copy. publisher (ospreypublishing.com) for a review copy.

92 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR

 REVIEWS

Hitler’s Spanish Custer From the

Division Civil War to the Little
ABOUT THE BOOK
Bighorn
Authors: Pablo Sagarra, Oscar Gonzalez and
Lucas Molina ABOUT THE BOOK
Illustrator: Romiro Bueiro Authors: Ted Behncke and Gary Bloomfield
Publisher: Frontline Books Publisher: Casemate Publishers
ISBN: 978-147387-8-877 ISBN: 978-1-61200-8-899
Price: £19.99 UK/$32.95 US Price: £25 UK/$34.95 US
Reviewed by A.J. Mergenthaler Reviewed by A.J. Mergenthaler

The subject of Hitler’s
Spanish Division became
a reality in June 1941. That
is when Spanish Foreign
Minister Ramon Serrano
Suner proposed a volunteer
force to Nazi Germany’s
government for service in
World War II against the
Soviet Union. Dubbed the
Blue Division (‘División
Azul’), it was comprised
mainly of Spanish Civil War
veterans and dedicated anti-
Communists. It mustered
18,000 men when it was
formed. From 1941 to 1945 a total of 45,000 men served. The
division suffered 22,000 casualties, including 4,500 dead,
8,000 wounded, 7,800 sick and 1,600 frostbite cases. The
division arrived on the Eastern Front in July 1941. After further
training, the unit fought in the Volkhov sector against the
Red Army in October that year. The Spanish Air Force (five
Blue squadrons) and Navy provided volunteers as well. They
fought in the Volkhov Pocket, Leningrad and Krasny area
until most of them were repatriated in the autumn of 1943.
Approximately 2,000 Spanish troops remained in Russia and
were reorganized as the Blue Legion. They continued fighting
in the Kostovo sector at Lyuban until April 1944. Some
volunteers chose to stay until the bitter end serving with
German troops until May 1945.
This is a beautifully illustrated book of 115 pages. It is
chock-full of period photographs of individuals, group shots,
equipment, documents, medals and decorations. Almost half
of the book is comprised of artist Romero Bueiro’s renderings
of 76 individual Blue Division members, from generals to
NCOs, pilots, and medical and liaison staff members. This
book is a very easy read, albeit somewhat repetitive in
terms of the 76 individuals selected as representatives of
the thousands of volunteers who served and suffered in the
brutal conditions and severe weather of the Eastern Front.
It would be a nice addition to the library of any World War II
buff. Our thanks to the UK-based publisher’s US distributor
(casematepublishers.com) for a review copy.
For many, the name George Armstrong Custer is most closely
connected with his defeat at the Battle of the Little Bighorn.
On 25 June 1876, the lieutenant colonel and five companies
of the U.S. 7th Cavalry were defeated by Sioux, Cheyenne and
Arapaho warriors protecting their expansive village. Custer’s
orders were to return the Plains Indians to government
reservations or subdue them by force. This very detailed and
interesting book, Custer From the Civil War Boy General to the
Battle of the Little Bighorn, also covers his personal life.
Custer was a precocious and
prank-loving individual before
and during his days at the
US Military Academy at West
Point and after. He was either
loved or hated by his military
contemporaries. His meteoric
rise in rank during the Civil War
only gained him the enmity of
many other long-time members
of the officer ranks.
Custer was an innovator of
cavalry tactics and a ‘lead from
the front’ officer. At age 23, he
became the youngest general
in the Union Army. Not bad for
a cadet who was graduated
last in his class and came close to dismissal on a couple of
occasions. Some consider him the greatest cavalry officer in
American history.
This well-written book utilizes personal accounts, battlefield
reports and quotes from many of his contemporaries as
well as his wife, Elizabeth. Co-authors Ted Behncke and Gary
Bloomfield have created a revealing portrait of a complex
soldier and his date with destiny. Our thanks to the publisher
(casematepublishers.com) for a review copy.
Write a Book Review!
Do you have a non-fiction book of interest that you’d
like to review in TSC? Then please get in touch with the
editor, Stuart A. Hessney, about requirements via
e-mail at stuart@guidelinepublicationsusa.com.

TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR 93

COMPETITION
Prize Exercise
Win a World War II German Me 262 Jet Fighter
Courtesy of Thomas Gunn Miniatures
Readers have a chance
to win TGM’s World
War II German Me 262
jet fighter.
T
SC&HF readers have
a chance to win
smashing, red-nosed
model of a World War II
German Messerschmitt
Me 262 — the world’s first
operational jet-powered
fighter aircraft — courtesy
of Thomas Gunn Miniatures
(TGM). UK-based proprietor
Simon Thomas Gunn is
very generously making this
1/30-scale mahogany model
(ref. WOW262) available as a
competition prize. He drew
inspiration from a Luftwaffe
aircraft nicknamed as either
the Schwalbe (Swallow) in
its fighter version or the
Sturmvogel (Storm Bird)
configured as a fighter-
bomber. One of the war’s
most advanced aircraft
designs, the Me 262 was
faster and more heavily
armed than any late-war
operational fighter fielded
by the Allies, including
Britain’s ground-breaking,
jet-powered Gloster Meteor.
Fortunately for the Allies, the
94 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR
Luftwaffe jet did not take
wing in greater numbers nor
sooner, so it had little impact
on the course of the war.
TGM’s hand-carved
wooden fighter sports a
wavy, late-war Wellenmuster
camouflage pattern and
comes with its landing
gear down. It was modelled
after an aircraft of Gruppe/
KG 51 Edelweiss based at
Schwäbisch Hall in Baden-
Württemberg, Germany.
To complement the jet, the
maker plans to include a
fallschirmjäger sentry (ref.
FJ044B) detailed in an early
pattern jump smock, green
combat trousers and blue
Luftwaffe bandolier. Instead
of a traditional base, the
paratrooper stands next
to a jerrycan that holds
him up so he can easily be
placed inside a building or
on a vehicle in a diorama.
The figure alone is valued
at £39/$42.50 US. This
stunning Me 262 represents
the culmination of about
sixty hours of craftsmanship,
including applying up
to thirty coats of paint,
according to Tom. It retails
for £450/$499. However,
TSC&HF readers can have
a chance of winning one of
these brilliant models simply
by sending in the correct
answer to the following
question:
Which of the
following
World War I
German fighter
pilot aces
commanded
the Luftwaffe
during World
War II?
A. Erich Hartmann
B. Max Immelmann
C. Hermann Göring
D. Oswald Boelcke
The prize
package
includes a
German
fallschirmjäger
sentry (ref.
FJ044B).
HOW TO WIN!
All entries must be submitted with
your complete contact details,
including a daytime telephone
number. Entries should be emailed
to TSC&HF Editor Stuart A. Hessney
at stuart@guidelinepublicationsusa.
com. All entries must be received by
31 July 2021. Good luck!
CONTACT
Thomas Gunn Miniatures
Unit 21, Deverill Road Trading Estate
Sutton Veny, Warminster, Wiltshire,
BA12 7BZ, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 (0)1985 840539
Email: thom@tomgunn.co.uk
Website: www.tomgunn.co.uk
 54mm Soldier and Civilians
nges and eras
Many ranges
M d and
Made d Painted in the UK

14 Constance Road, Whit

Twickenham, Middlesex, TW Y
Tel: 0208 8945925 Email: nik@a k t

Secure web ordering at

www.ats-uk.net

“nostalgia”
MILITARY and
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greeting cards
and postcards

A large range of
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Trade enquiries welcome
Also available at the
UK Virtual Toy Soldier Fairs
with special discounts offered during the Fairs

Une Candidate a l’Ecole de Guerre

Illustrations by Leo Fontan
Front cover of “La Vie Parisienne” 1915
From Greeting Card set no. TS8

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Coming Next Time in Issue 101

of Toy Soldier Collector & Historical Figures

FIRE IN THE DESERT SAN MARINO SOLDIERS

A diorama illustrates how the enigmatic A hobbyist creates toy soldiers illustrating the
Lawrence of Arabia led guerrillas in audacious colourful military uniforms of San Marino, a
assaults on the Ottoman Empire’s key Hejaz country within a country on the Italian
Railway during World War I. Peninsula.

On sale in print and online 22 July 2021

98 TOY SOLDIER COLLECTOR