"Fantassin/Capitan/Battlemodels 20mm WW2??" Topic

Does anyone know what has happened to the 20mm WW2 miniatures that were produeced by Fantassin/Capitan/Battlemodels? The current website shop.capitangames.com/index.php only shows their 10, 15 & 28mm figures.
I already have some of their figures & want to pick up a few more.

Thanks in advance.

There was a litigation recently in Spanish courts about their rights, that has been apparently won by the range sculptor --who is the owner of Xan Miniatures (www.xanminiatures.com). As for what I know, he's started to revamp and re-launch the range.

Hi All:
The litigation is pending of the judge sentence. The contract has been canceled by us, but the judge's ratification is lacking.
In the responses to the judge of the administrators of Capitan Games SL and Warmodelling SL (Spanish companies), it has become clear that all the material of my authorship sold by BattlemodelsLTD and Capitan gamesLTD, does it illegally.
They say does not know anything of Battlemodels LTD and games Captain LTD, except for his web page
That is to say, it should think that they are miniatures pirates, which I cannot assume as an author, that respond to my work as reproduction, or fidelity to the original. BattlemodelsLTD and Capitan gamesLTD, do not have my permission to market these figures.
In addition, in this forum and in others there have been many complaints about the poor reproduction of these miniatures.
The 20mm figures are being transformed for commercialization and new figures are being added, giving rise to figures of better quality and will have better reproduction. This is independent of the outcome of the litigation, according to the Spanish laws.
In my opinion, and this is opinion, the molds are in such poor condition that they can not reproduce minimally presentable figures. And in any case, pirates. I am going to send Bill both the texts of the lawsuit to the judge, to ratify the termination of the contract, and the response of the opposing, to attest my words.
They not have now, not morally, not legally, not in the practice, the rights snatched up with a lot of lies, for which there are already criminal denunciations, for all their falsehoods and blackmail.
Xan miniatures and Steel72, is recovering this work, reconstructing simultaneously that modifying original destroyed, the only thing of what we arrange to recover the work. The work will be a better different result and therefore, in the practice and in the eyes of the law, new works.
Finally, I sit the hurt that these companies have caused to the image of the sector of the historical miniature made of Spain, where the professionals we are serious and honest. But everywhere there are black sheeps.
Best wishes:
Xan

I had several boxes of these figs before I went to 28mm for WW2. I thought they were some of the best looking 20mm figs out there & painted up beautifully! I hope you get everything straightened out & get all that you deserve, Xan. You have some damn fine figures there & they need to be back in production for the 20mm crowd. They are fantastic sculpts! Best of luck & hope everything works out good for you & your Company!
Peter
board2deathterrain.com

As soon as you have them back in production I will be buying a bunch! I have loved painting all the ones I have bought in the past (none from Capitan, thankfully) and really look forward to MORE. 8)=

Thank you: Really I am reforming deeply the figures, actually they are new figures, different and better.

Its good to hear that these figures are going back into production they were great figures. I bought some from Captain Games about a year ago and couldnt belive how bad the molds had become one figure was missing a foot!. Anyway as soon as they ar available again by Xan I will be buying plenty of them.

I hope I'll be able to re-stock my shelves from you Xan!

link

Great to hear that we will see them again soon. Thanks for the update.

Extract from the written opposition to the breach of contract, addressed to the judge by Miguel Costa, Luis santigosa and Rafael Gómez, in spanish, (It is legal language and not if I would be able to translate it well):
"……Warmodelling Miniatures, S.L. cesó en su actividad el día 26-2-2015. Capitan Miniatures, S.L. cesó en su actividad el día 31-12-2015. Desde esa fecha ninguna de ambas mercantiles ha vuelto a ejercer su objeto social y en ningún caso Warmodelling Miniatures, S.L. ha cedido derecho de explotación de ningún tipo a nadie. Ni Warmodelling Miniatures, S.L. ni Capitan Miniatures, S.L. tienen página web alguna……."
"…….Ignora en qué modo se puede sostener que las reproducciones que Fantassin Miniaturas, S.L. comercializó en su día estaban mal ejecutadas, pero desde que dejó su actividad nunca ha vuelto a hacer ninguna copia. Capitan Miniatures, S.L. nunca ha comercializado ninguna figura de Fantassin Miniaturas, S.L………."
"………Como ya hemos dicho Warmodelling Miniatures, S.L. es la actual razón social de Fantassin Miniatures, S.L., ignorando esta parte quien es Capitan Games Ltd (según su página web es una Entidad con domicilio en el Reino Unido) ni Battle Models………"
I hope you understand.
CAPTAIN GAMES LTD AND BATTLEMODELS, MADE PIRATE FIGURES.
Best wishes

Capitan Games Ltd. has been the distributor, for several years, of the former Fantassin Miniatures (later Warmodelling) and Capitan Miniatures ranges. Any person or organisation making comments that insinuate or directly state that Capitan Games Ltd, its officers, staff or associated companies are not acting according to British law or good business practice, will be pursued by our lawyers for libel. We have no further comment to make at this time, but to reiterate that any person or organisation in any country insinuating or stating that we are not acting lawfully or correctly, will be required by our lawyers to attend a British court and demonstrate proof of their allegations

Perfect, show a permission or contract that allows you to market these miniatures. To begin with, since the old dealers do not know you. Besides who are you?

Fantassin miniaturesSL=Warmodelling miniaturesSL=Capitan miniaturesSL= Capitan Games SL= BattlemodelsLTD= Capitan games LTD.
Always without my permission.
What will you say to the British justice, who found the molds in Stonehenge, when invoking the gods?
No wonder they do not want to say anything else, whatever they say can be used against them (American films)

The contract is broken. The decision is in my favour, but awaits final ratification and sentence by the judge.I have terminated my contracts with Warmodelling SL and Capitan Games SL.
Battlemodels LTD and Capitan Games SL are still selling my figures, but they now do so illegally. They do not have my permission to market these figures , since I am the designer, and the owner of the Copyright.
I ask that the people wait , since they are pirated, wait until I can make new moulds, and produce better quality figures .
I think it's very clear. Fantassin miniatures SL, Warmodelling SL, Captain miniatures SL, no longer manufacture
They have the very cheeky.
Since when has a dealer made molds with the manufacturer's products? That's called piracy.
They are accused of making illegal copies and say what they are going to fix the miniatures and make new molds, A DISTRIBUTOR !!!!!!. As to give them distribution of any brand.
That is to say, they are told to make illegal figures and respond with an announcement that they will do more.
They should be ready to not manufacture these figures immediately, if they go to the British courts, I expect they to confess these acts they do.
Having several lawyers (plural) means that they must have many legal problems.
The only owner of the miniatures is me, they do not have my permission.
I am already taking the appropriate action by my lawyer (Yes, I only have one, with one I enough).
I know they will continue to produce those miniatures in that pitiful state. But all figures, they are being transformed and improved, from broken masters. to get them under the brands Xan miniatures and Steel72, as new works, in my real level of sculpture.
It is only necessary that the judge say the amount of compensation that must be paid by all of these companies, for the damages caused.
No one can now, extinguished these companies, to market these products except myself.

Well, 1 simple question opened one huge can of worms! That will teach me to open my mouth, or let fingers touch keyboard LOL.

No Tunnel rat, I was going to do it myself. Officially, it has already been posted by me in other forums.
I recommend people to wait. They clarify that they make illegal copies.
Thanks, and best wishes.

In reference to the OP, I received an email from Capitan Games, Ltd., on Saturday evening announcing that several of the 20mm WWII ranges have been released using new moulds. Here is the link

Some of these figures a quite nice and so I hope that they are back on the market after all of the legal dust settles.

Just wait and buy them only from xan miniatures and there appointed outlets.

Dont support piracy by purchasing them from anywhere else.

Yes I received a similar email.
I notice Bill has an add showing these figures up on his main banner ……

I have put in knowledge of my authors association in Spain, VEGAP. As partner, I take refuge in the agreement with the British association DACS, they will do the necessary negotiations in UK, in order that the figures is withdrawn.
Best wishes.

I am the owner, the author. The only one who can give him permission to make copies, did not give it to him.
In addition, where has it been that a distributor makes molds of the figures of a manufacturer?
Warmodelling SL and Captain Miniatures SL, do not manufacture. Do not confuse with Capitan games LTD, that's another company.
It's all said. They have no permission from anyone, and I warn that they are pirate figures and in what state they are.
The one who buy them, you know what you do.
I return to my work table, I have many new figures to finish and many broken old Fantassin to repair, transform and improve.
People with more power than me, is already in charge of this matter.
Best wishes.

I posted this on another forum. After discussions with Xan and other well respected sculptors in this business, I have chosen to support Xan and post it here as well.

Humm,
I have pondered if I should post on this subject or not. Xan, I am sorry for your troubles and wish you well with your new and old range of miniatures. They are very nice figures indeed.

Being "in the trade" it's a bit of a "shall I shan't I" on this one. I don't want to be seen as "having a dig at a competitor" here folks, really I don't. BUT, I think its time to round on Figure pirates with as much force as we collectively can, so here goes…..

I have been party to seeing Mr Costa and his UK side kick called Mike I think, both now of "Captain Games" in action at SELWG one year, not too long ago. It was a time when I was working with someone who got involved with Mr costa and Captain games, but that person was is very honest and had the integrity and foresight to get out of that commercial relationship rather fast. Mr Costa of Captain Games had just been to have a stiff word with the Gentleman who is Stonewall figures. Stonewall, I was told, had previously retailed the Fantasin/warmodeling ranges. Mr Costa had just Boll**ked him for Pirating that range of figures! Turns out, he had not "bought" any "stock" for years, yet was selling loads of it? That may go some way to stories of poor quality castings?
You will love this next bit…..

Now it turns out, after touting the warmodeling ranges around various other figure makers and casters, all of whom either had a short go or rejected the offer to produce from these rather knackered moulds and distribute here in the uk. It now turns out that, Mr Costa of Captain games has got the person who was caught by him pirating the figures not so long ago, to now Make and sell them in the UK! It's a joke, really.
I saw the moulds in question, they were mostly knackered, had a poor distribution of castings on them, i.e looked like master moulds, run and run and run, few healthy "production moulds" left. Poorly catalogued, i.e. whats on which mould! The ones I saw all looked well shagged!
So, Xan, I really hope you get your models back under your control and I wish you well with your new ranges. I cant imagine your frustration at what is happening with your figures. I hope that by exposing what is going on here, in the UK with Captain games and Stonewall, is now in the OPEN. You can all make your own judgements on this one.

This forum has a great history of exposing figure pirate activities an supporting us designers and makers of miniatures.

Its hard making a living making miniatures, even harder when some smuck is ripping off your figure designs as well.

Good Luck Xan. Let me know if I can help you in any way possible buddy. :
Paul T@EWM

So, based on earlier posts here and threats, I have witnesses to the above.
I just think it's wrong that figure pirates are not FACED with MORE effect consequences to their actions. I wish those who organise shows would take a stance and not ALLOW those who are KNOWN figure and model pirates to TRADE at their shows?

We need collectively, to round on these people and support those who create and design, by boycotting known figure pirates! There, said it now. XAN, best of luck my friend. I said I would support you in any way I can.

PAul T@EWM

I must express my sincere thanks to all the professionals and sculptors of the United Kingdom. I have met with real gentlemen.
People from which, in fact, we could say that we are "competitors", support me taking risks.
Truly thank you all.
I hope everyone becomes aware and close the doors to these bad traders.
The market is tough, but I think it's room for everyone and especially for something that fits me, synergy.
If there is a good makers, there will be more fans wanting to mix brands or complement their collections with each other's thumbnails.
That's what I think. We will not become rich, we only want to live from our work, our vocation. And piracy, takes our bread.
Sincere thanks to all .

This would then appear to be a common theme with Stonewall as I recall a similar issue with them & FAA figures some time back. FAA had gone across the pond and were like the proverbial rocking horse doodoo in the UK & I believe there were also similar problems in the US. So when I found them being sold on Stonewalls website it was like having my prayers answered as I think they are one of the best ranges of figures out there, only being bested by AB IMHO. I unwittingly bought a significant number of FAA Brit Para's from them without realising they were re-casts. If I had known, I wouldn't have bothered. TMP has a few threads on this matter.

I raised the point with Stonewall and got some story about orders being sent, payment taken & only partial delivery so they were just recouping their losses. Initially this seemed a fair point but after consideration, taking intellectual copyright & ownership of the figures, moulds, etc., into account I realised this didn't stand up to scrutiny. Subsequently I stopped buying figures from them.

Not good for the trade or the hobby & great that TMP allows us all the ability to highlight the issues so that we have a better understanding of who/who not to buy from.

Hi Tunnel rat,
Was this a recent sale of FAA from Stonewall?

In UK, there is an author's association that is called DACS, which helps the authors. She is a sister of my association, called VEGAP. They help the plastic authors.
dacs.org.uk/home
They "hunt" pirates.

We hope to be working with you too Xan.
You make a great line of miniatures.

To finish and to tackle this matter. I am going to re-throw all the Fantassin's ranges, of which I am an author. This will take me enough time, since I have to arrange all originals broken. But everything will be returned to the market, improved and molten good.

Von Milligan, this was a good number of years ago – probably more than 10.

Sorry but AB, FAA, Battlefield, Wartime and Kelly's Heroes are all far superior figures.

Yes, back when Baxter owned FAA there were issues with Stonewall copying and altering the original Dave Allsop figures as well as the later Paul Barnshaw figures.

Besides the metal that Stonewall use is absolute crap, and he doesn't use centrifugal casting either

Hi, Wish I'd read this thread earlier, I just received an order from Stonewall miniatures after waiting 6 weeks and having concerns that it wouldn't have appeared if I hadn't escalated it via paypal. However wish I hadn't bothered about a third of the figures so miscast they're unusable and another third or just crappy and would take that much preparation they're not worth the effort.

Xan good luck with the Court case and I'll wait until you've got control of the figures before ordering some more, cheers Pete

Just found this post. A friend and I were thinking of ordereding some "Capitan" Austrials and US marines from Stonewall. Seeing this we will hold off.

Good luck Xan and hope get this all sorted out.

I wish I'd read this only last week before I placed an order. Fortunately not a very big one, but now I'm regretting even that……..

When is this going to finally happen?

Would be nice if he shipped my order, it's been a good, long while. I've asked for updates and receive…silence.

I guess he's too busy playing at "Artiste" to send my stuff.

Hi Minipigs:
News from your order??
Best wishes:
Xan