deadhead | 26 Jan 2015 3:36 a.m. PST |
Started yesterday on their new train figures, to pull their ammo caisson, that has long languished on my shelf. It is not clear from their promotional picture that this comes with an infinitely improved harness as shown.
Now yesterday I cursed, yesterday I swore, yesterday I threw the tube of glue across my study (seriously) as cyanocrylate bonded to everything, but this harness arrangement. However, the end result is way above anything else available for French horse drawn equipment and far easier than ropes from brass picture wire. I think these would sell, in isolation, to upgrade all those vehicles from you know who, for example. Add in a few buckets, a length of chain maybe and I do think they would have a commercially viable product. Is it just me? |
Condotta | 26 Jan 2015 9:11 a.m. PST |
I like the amazing detail on Westfalia kit. This train (and harness) is on my Wish List for the next order. I agree, the harness could have more uses with other manufacturers with some conversion work. The only other harness I have is from Connisseur. |
deadhead | 26 Jan 2015 10:45 a.m. PST |
It would immediately fit the Perry horses pulling the 6pdr in the background (I checked) and transform them! These would make part of a "super-detailing set" and, if folk express an interest, the guys at Westfalia might listen! |
wrgmr1 | 26 Jan 2015 10:57 a.m. PST |
I would venture to guess that they will listen and produce a set of generic harness. These guys are top notch in my opinion. |
Musketier | 26 Jan 2015 1:47 p.m. PST |
Give us a limber and the harness please, pretty please! There are far too many guns without limber on sale… |
jeffreyw3 | 26 Jan 2015 5:41 p.m. PST |
My Perry Russian limbers and caissons have the same kind of detail (not surprising given the designer. :) ) I just need to figure out basing. |
KaweWeissiZadeh | 27 Jan 2015 3:13 a.m. PST |
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deadhead | 27 Jan 2015 5:03 a.m. PST |
We must hope…… Jeffreyw3, I had not noticed that, on the Perry Russian limbers there is now some attempt at harness ropes, connecting the middle two horses to a simple single pole (as far as I can tell from their pictures). The French system is so much harder to model. Till now one got the swingletree (see pics below and what is hanging vertically from the caisson doubletree above)) as a simple T piece from Westfalia (even that a great improvement on nothing at all, as in the background out of focus Guard limber). It lacked the ropes or traces (Marked as 4 below) that lead onto the pulling horses. Now, with the four horse French team, this is solved for you. Alas I had already superglued them to the horses (and my fingers and the work top and the carpet) when I took the pics, but I hope you can see the improvement. There is a long tradition for "superdetailing kits" to enhance your Sherman, your Scharnhorst or your Sunderland. The stuff that comes with the 8pdr plus these harness parts could be invaluable. And, if you seek a French limber, see what comes with the 8pdr!
link |
jeffreyw3 | 27 Jan 2015 6:26 a.m. PST |
Yes, I should have been more precise--I was referring to the overall detail and approach. I like the consistency with the rope modeled on the horse itself, but at least with the diy rope, I have some flexibility. If we can get them in 28mm, I'm there… |
deadhead | 27 Jan 2015 7:04 a.m. PST |
You do indeed, as you say, get the rope moulded on the horses body, just as with Perrys' (let's face it, there is a common ancestry!). It comes to a stop behind the last vertical belt, the rest was always up to you. The swingletree was simpler than the latest version and had no traces going forward to the horse. It was better than nothing at all and I used it in many vehicles, but this is so much easier and the end result better. I wish I had photographed them before sticking them on for greater clarity. Crudely, the idea is; Top left original Top right new design Bottom, how it will fit to most horses in 28mm
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jeffreyw3 | 27 Jan 2015 7:12 a.m. PST |
Hey…Westphalia--take my money! :) |
deadhead | 27 Jan 2015 7:20 a.m. PST |
Funny thing is they don't!!! They seem totally immune to commercial considerations, beyond breaking even. I've said before, the Ben and Jerry of 28mm (but look what those two real deadheads are worth now) |
AuvergneWargamer | 31 Jan 2015 9:38 a.m. PST |
Chaps, What a marvellous thing to have done! They look great and, more importantly, look like even I could use them to produce proper limber teams. Without being too cheeky, Westfalia should make these to go with limber teams by Front Rank, Calpe, Perry etc. I'd certainly buy them. Merci Beaucoup, Paul |
deadhead | 31 Jan 2015 1:02 p.m. PST |
I do not know what you get with Front Rank and Calpe limbers. There may well be all the traces/ropes/doubletrees/swingletrees etc already. I do know this new set fits Perry existing French stuff perfectly (I've tried it). It slots straight into where the ropes come to a dead end, at the back of the harness. Manufacturers generally welcome upgrade kits. If your M4A3E8 can be improved with a brass sheet and a few chunks of resin, you will still sell even more of your Easy Eight…. A set of this harness, with a bucket or two, with the kit that comes with the 8pdr, and a length of chain (no one remembers that!!!!) and I think there would be a very popular product. Kawe above says they are indeed listening……… Painting these today…they are a joy as such sharp and high relief. Belts, lace, cuffs paint themselves |
deadhead | 14 Feb 2015 10:29 a.m. PST |
I really had meant to get these properly based and photographed. The figures are far better than suggested here. I did just want to show how they will eventually come together and just how good this harness is. Notice the as yet unvarnished bay horse (glossy!) in close up. Somehow the makers have manged to create that undercut. Everything to the left of the vertical leather strap is part of the horse moulding. Above the rope you can see the light beyond and the stallion's important tackle. How can you possibly do that? Niels just said it is easy when you know how;
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von Winterfeldt | 15 Feb 2015 12:56 a.m. PST |
those figures and waggon look great |
AuvergneWargamer | 16 Feb 2015 10:08 a.m. PST |
Really excellent castings and painting. Well done! Paul |
AuvergneWargamer | 04 Jul 2015 5:49 a.m. PST |
Bonjour, So hot here that I'm melting but just received my first Westfalia Saxon artillery and Line Infantry. AWSOME! I'll have to do these limbers before returning to my Bavarian ones. Cheers, Paul |
deadhead | 04 Jul 2015 2:01 p.m. PST |
I've got their Saxon artillery horses for another project and you do have to admit……..first time ever I have seen horses that look like they could pull a gun. These are big lads! I would still kill for more of the harness that came with the figures above. |
Widowson | 07 Jul 2015 1:40 p.m. PST |
Correct me if I'm wrong – isn't Westphalia 1/72? |
deadhead | 07 Jul 2015 2:30 p.m. PST |
It is confusing. There is Westfalia Miniatures, Then there is Westfalia Miniatures Forge, but then there is Schilling-Figuren all somehow connected They do both 1/72 and the proper scale of course; For 1/72 link Then for 28mm there is link But for the main range; westfaliaminiatures.com They do some great super-detailing especially on vehicles and artillery pieces. I have almost finished the curricle with the British officer and I think it is captivating…it has great ….charm I guess! |