Mark 1 | 20 Dec 2016 2:18 p.m. PST |
It seems there is renewed interest among vendors in 1/285, 1/300, 6mm scale models, with revitalization of some existing vendors, and entrance of a couple of new vendors, along with continued expansion to the lines of some of the grand old vendors to this set of scales. And yet there are still many items that are readily available in larger scales, but hard to find or non-existent at this old wargamer's mainstay. How about a few suggestions for our friends at the vendors? I propose we discuss the items we can not find available, that wish we could find available, and that we would buy if we did find available. So not just "It would be cool if …", but more "I would buy if …". How about it? -Mark (aka: Mk 1) |
daler240D | 20 Dec 2016 2:32 p.m. PST |
As a new player to this scale and period I am looking forward to this discussion! But alas as a new player to this period I have nothing to contribute… |
Mark 1 | 20 Dec 2016 2:33 p.m. PST |
OK, let's get this started then. I would like to see more in the way of WW2 motorcycle troops. GHQ makes some lovely German motorcycles/side-car figures. Scotia offers some Soviet side-car figures, and generic single motorcyclist and un-manned motorcycle, and a Japanese motor-tricycle, but quite honestly these are not particularly attractive, being very old masters and rather small in size (not just a 1/300 Scotia vs. 1/285 GHQ issue, but they are small in size vs. other Scotia infantry figures). Still, Soviet and some Japanese stuff exists. But there were several other nations who used motorcycle troops in WW2, and some of them were quite distinctive (meaning more than re-painting or even re-shaping helmets on existing figures). I would be a buyer if someone did some reasonable Italian motorcycle troops. I'd like to see two men tandem on the majority of motorcycles. No one makes this, and it was the common mounting for Italians, with side-cars being quite rare. I'd also like to see the Italian tricycle, which was used to haul support weapons, supplies, and other troops. And I'd like to see dismounted motorcycles for each. There are a total of 3 helmets that might be offered. The conventional Italian helmet, the helmet with plume of the Bersaglieri, and the tropical helmet with plume that the Bersaglieri often wore in North Africa. Multiple vendors offer Bersaglieri infantry figures. So I would guess that they are popular enough. But no one offers them mounted on their motorcycles. I would think a vendor could obtain expanded kit selling of the dismounted Bersaglieri with motorcycle-mounted Bersaglieri and dismounted motorcycles. I know I would be a buyer. And I might be for Romanians too. But first, some Italians, please! -Mark (aka: Mk 1) |
Legion 4 | 20 Dec 2016 4:11 p.m. PST |
Have you checked Shapeways ? link |
boy wundyr x | 20 Dec 2016 4:58 p.m. PST |
Like the motorcyclists idea, would also add bicyclists too, though I haven't searched that hard for them. |
Mark 1 | 20 Dec 2016 7:58 p.m. PST |
Have you checked Shapeways ? I have. I often find interesting vehicles there. In particular, when I'm looking for something a bit out of the ordinary, something that 2 or 3 of would satisfy me, something that I don't find from my preferred cast soft-metal vendors, I go there. I haven't seen any motorcycle troops there. Nor any infantry of any sort at these scales. And when looking at infantry, or motorcycles, or even relatively common vehicles at this scale, we are often speaking of purchases of a company or perhaps a battalion worth of figures/vehicles. So no criticism of Shapeways, but different courses for different horses. I could very well jump in to buy 100 or 300 figures at pricing of $5 USD-9 per 50, which is about the range I would expect between the various 6mm cast model vendors. It's a different kettle of fish altogether when the price is $20 USD to $40 USD per 50, which is about the range I would expect from Shapeways vendors. -Mark (aka: Mk 1) |
Narratio | 21 Dec 2016 12:15 a.m. PST |
I was always looking for 1930's civilian transport put into military use. And Bicycles. Lots of people used them, no figures. And mule trains. Can't have the Italian Alpini Corps without mule trains. |
Mark 1 | 21 Dec 2016 11:09 a.m. PST |
Can't have the Italian Alpini Corps without mule trains. Well, that raises another wish for my list. At the risk of appearing to focus too much on Italy from the outset, I will also wish for: Italian Alpini. Mules? Let's start with the basics. No vendor (that I know of) offers Alpini troops. They were present in several key battles on the Eastern front. My conversations with those who follow the history of Italy in WW2 almost invariably come around to the Alpini. And yet, I can not game them. I would be a buyer for at least a company's worth of Alpini. -Mark (aka: Mk 1) |
Bellbottom | 21 Dec 2016 2:18 p.m. PST |
I'd like to see the Mainforce Miniatures infantry range (now produced by Magister Militum) updated and expanded. OK they're 1/285, but I prefer them to any other infantry |
cent at war | 22 Dec 2016 2:11 p.m. PST |
East German NVA would be great with there unique shaped helmet not made in 6 mm scale. Heroics and Ros new style figures would be super. |
Scheremetjev | 23 Dec 2016 5:15 a.m. PST |
I am pretty sure I have German bicyclists from H&R and empty bicycles from Shapeways laying around, somewhere. Seconding interest in more motorcyclists for different nations. I'd also buy early war softskins, for instance pre-VW kübelwagen, especially the twin-MG AA configuration. I'd also like to see a good Belgian range, including Chasseurs Ardennais. |
xanthippus | 10 Jun 2018 4:39 p.m. PST |
SWedish armored cars and APcsand m42 btanks |
Rabelais | 13 Jun 2018 3:01 a.m. PST |
For Adler to do WW2 Japanese :) |
williamb | 14 Jun 2018 12:08 p.m. PST |
Pack mules are available in Heroics and Ros ancients line under Romans MAR26. The wagons would probably be useful as well. |
Mark 1 | 14 Jun 2018 5:37 p.m. PST |
At this scale I would consider mules to be indistinguishable from horses. In fact I think oxen are probably indistinguishable from horses as well. But camels and donkeys are a different matter.
Camels of course have an entirely different shape. Dromedaries are the key interest, as they were visible not only with combatants but just as part of the scenery across North Africa. I believe Dromedaries are available from a couple of vendors in 6mm … I know Baccus has some camelry in their "colonial" period products, and GHQ provides some pack camels in their Arab Civilians packs. I don't know if anyone makes Bactrians, but as I understand it they were used only in the Caucasus and only briefly during WW2. Donkeys are significantly smaller, with notably long ears, and so horses might not serve as stand-ins. But again, how common were they during WW2?
I believe the original caption for this picture was: "French soldier hauling @ss in Tunisia" when it appeared in the US Press in 1942/43. -Mark (aka: Mk 1) |
Mark 1 | 14 Jun 2018 5:45 p.m. PST |
The picture of the Meharist (French North African camelry) above brings to mind another item I would like to see. I'd be a buyer for some WW2 African colonial infantry. My interest would be Tiraillers Senegalese for my French forces. Tall hats (like a fez) and tropical kit with rifles and LMGs, and maybe even a few MMGs and mortars even. I expect that the same troops could do double duty as Italian Askaris. -Mark (aka: Mk 1) |
LeonAdler | 07 Aug 2018 10:26 p.m. PST |
'consider mules to be indistinguishable from horses. In fact I think oxen are probably indistinguishable from horses as well.' well if the models turn out like that the designer would need to get a different job if you ask me lol L |
PVT641 | 17 Jan 2019 1:15 p.m. PST |
I'd like to see Dutch troops for the Netherlands East Indies and Japanese bicycle troops. Also US troops for the Philippines 1941 and US 2.95" Mountain Gun. Oh, and Chinese infantry. |