"Who makes the AWI Miniatures sold at Yorktown National Park?" Topic

While on vacation last week, we stopped at Guilford Courthouse in North Carolina and Yorktown in Virginia to see the battlefields. While that was a great time, what caught my eye was that they both sold small bags of about 28mm figures (compared to Perrys after I got back home). Each bag had two figures enclosed. The detail is such that you can tell the light from a grenadier. They are a little "bulky" but not too bad where it is terribly noticeable. I bought some at both Museum stores as sort of some "one off" figures for my AWI armies. When I got back to the hotel, I noticed there was no manufacturer name on the packaging at all except for made in the USA.

I picked up what I saw, which was hatmen, militia, grenadiers, lights, George Washington and highland infantry. I did see two packs of Hessians, but they were obviously better fed than the rest and about 30-32mm tall, so I did not buy them.

Does anyone have an idea of where they came from or who made them? I haven't seen figures in that scale at any park before our visit. Not quite interested in buying more, so I am just curious if anyone knows how the NPS began stocking miniatures or who sculpted them?
Thanks, Larry

You might try contacting the company that runs the park service book store and ask them. They are usually fairly good about answering such questions.

They are made by a gentlemen in North Carolina. The figures are conversions of Stadens, Willies or Traditions depending
on the indivdual figure. He supplies all of the figures to the entire National Parks Service system and has for many, many years.
I am guessing that if he wished to be identified he would print the information on the packaging. Since he does not, I'll respect his wishes.

The stunning diorama of the battle of Guilford Court House was done for the Park Service by Chris Hughes and Dave Bonk. The display actually shows three stages of the battle. I believe all the figures are Old Glory 25s with conversions. Everybody interested in the War of the Revolution should see it. A real masterpiece.

So the Park Service is selling pirated figures?

I am sure they are done with permission ;)

I hope to pop into Yorktown on Friday I will have a look! Have also seen the David Bonk diorama! Mainly Old Glory but I did spy a few Front Rank in the ranks when I visited!!!???!!!! Has anyone seen the NP's Bunker Hill model! I managed a look the other week, very nice, it gave me a better understanding of the terrain at the time.

Larry (FreemanL) – would you be prepared to supply some photographs of the figures you purchased at Guilford/Yorktown to Tradition? No one has the right to reproduce Tradition figures so IF nevinsrip is correct then this is a serious matter.

Oh Oh! Cats out of the bag! Actully, edinburghowl could have a point with this! Need to ask first if you convert and then sell!

I *think* IF the chap is buying castings from Tradition, converting, painting, and then selling them on that would be OK. I inferred from Larry's original post that these were unpainted castings (would you sell painted metal figures loose in bags, and he would have to be very productive in order to supply the whole NPS with one off conversions..?) – i guess this point needs to be clarified. Hopefully someone will do that – please contact magnusDOTlindstromATtraditionoflondonDOTcom if you can help.

whatever make! they are very rough and more 30mm!

I picked up some figures back in 95 at the New Orleans battlefield (1815) and there close to 20mm in size.

I remember seeing the ones at the gift shop at Yorktown and they looked around 20mm as well.

Robert Henry