"AVANPOST 28mm napoleonic miniatures "experience"" Topic

Hello, i am new in this forum, coming from Germany.

I have seen in another thread that 'Avanpost Miniatures' were mentioned but i think not many folks here have any experience with those figures, so i will share mine.

Normally i collect 'bigger' miniatures, for napoleonics par example Metal Modeles in 54mm, or Atelier Maket, Pegaso for 75mm or 90mm. For me 'proportions' of the models were or are important, so the normal gaming minis not my favourites. But with those Avanpost models in 28mm i found for what i waited nearly decades ;). Not only looking good, finest castings and clear veryvery fine sculpting.

The Napoleonic Miniatures are released in Resin (result like hard plastic) and also the first in white metal, soon more metal shall follow (there are also some thirty years war releases in resin momentary).

Weeks ago i found those russian models 'AVANTPOST'
First i had seen the blog in russian language from 'Oleg Derbassov' and his Avantpost minis. Nothing understand to read, only seen the fine fotos. But an email address was there so i could try a first contact to him. His english is very good and conversation was (and is still) no problem (i hope you understand my english^^). He gave me the facebook address:

link

which is also the page to order the small soldiers. Because the contact to him was very soon nearly like friendship i tried an order and after receiving the package and assemble the figures i must say they looking as good as the fotos showing. First i thought, oh so small soldiers and clearly smaller parts to assemble, but casting is so fine these parts fit perfect together. Also for the most "professional" miniatures like par example Pegaso i seldom seen such fine results. I ordered the Resin, because the details looking so fine, normally i like metal more.

First Avanpost produces for napoleonics French Infantry 1805-12 (bicorns and chakos after 1806) and Russians 1812. First 8pd cannon is also available, this month the french crew for it shall also follow.
'Oleg' is also reenactor, also he comes from Russia he reenacts the 33th French Line Infantryregiment :). For him it was first important to show the troops in 'regular' poses, later there shall also come some 'action'. (i like the regular, especially loading and firing; nevertheless there are now 36 different frenchmen, 10 russians and 'the' cannon.

For me those Miniatures are the first in 28mm i really like, perhaps some folks will also like them.
One aspect is surely for many wargamers important….. "do they fit to my existing armies?" Its surely a decision because probably not to many existing ranges.

Sure, orders are only possible with personal contact to him, but at least for me that was no problem. Ok a bit 'courage' was necessary ;). The delivery of the package from Sewastopol (here he lives) was also no problem, only small hindrance was the german custom office, they work a bit slowly so the package waited there for two weeks (with the tracking number i could follow the package). For other countries it could be faster.

So this was my first post here, ok i am not wargamer, only fan of nice looking miniatures :D

Best regards
Rüdiger (Amelung)

Rudiger, I have ordered and received the French figures from Avanpost (Oleg) and they are as you've stated. They are beautiful and I cannot wait to have them painted and on the gaming table. I hope Oleg is able to expand his line quickly because the work done here is excellent.
The time from order to receipt of the package was much shorter than I expected coming from Russia to the Atlanta, GA area in the U.S. So anyone who might be put off with ordering from Oleg in Russia do not worry, my package got here safe and sound.

Hi, the delivery was also very ok, only 'my' german custom office is a 'bit' slow like i wrote.

My infos are 'Maxim' is the figure sculptor and 'Oleg' himself makes (and will make) 3D sculpting for all technical stuff like cannons, later wagons and so on. For holding the quality its surely not possible to produce faster. The (good) result is also for them the most important aspect. And they have released many figs in the last few months.

Sure would be cool if 'all' possibilities would be available at once but they shall have also a bit fun for producing, not only 'stress' ^^.

18th Guy
What was the actual time from ordering to receipt of your order?

18th Century Guy, what do these figures cost in US $? Basic cost, not including postage.

GdeP

Ahem, not to spoil everybody's enthusiasm for this new range, which from customers' testimony would appear to be of the most impressive quality, but – is anybody at all worried about doing business with occupied Crimea?

Remember we do not know whether this chap is Ukrainian or Russian and, either way, it is probably not his fault what happened. The poor guy is just trying to make a living flogging 28mm Napoleonics. Recent postings have shown how challenging that is.

My long late mother was convinced that anything above a certain line in my homeland should be referred to as "The Occupied Six Counties"…..

I can only repeat, however, that I get very nervous about sending financial details east of a line that was once Iron and a Curtain

Oh, now i am really a bit upset and sad that a thread about napoleonic figures is a bit abused for ideology, politics and national behaviour. I thought such things have nothing to do in a hobby forum. Its really not very amusing to read here about that.

Don't get upset Amelung--it's a legit question to ask and deadhead had a nice response.

I've been hanging out in the Avanpost FB group since I first saw pictures of the figures, but I'm really interested in knowing the delivery time to the US. I would definitely spring for some Russians, but the current poses are at attention, and don't mix well with march attack. Gorgeous looking figures.

Sure, nothing to overrate, but i was anyway a bit astonished.

The deliverytime should be shorter than to me in Germany. Oleg told me and i recognized it also ^^, the german custom office is most times a bit toooo slow so i received the figures slower than he sent to US, Spain or England (those countries he gives me as example).
So my figures needed nearly 3 1/2 weeks, alone 15 days in the custom.

On Avanposts facebook site a normal footsoldier costs 2$, specials like drummer 2,2$, mounted figure 4,8$.
Not 'cheap' models, sure.

Yeah, definitely not cheap, but the grenadiers have the grenade on the ammo pouch; the straps actually have buckles; and on and on. Love the detail--just looking for less static poses.

They look very good but, from the pictures alone, are they that much better than Calpe or the Front Rank re-inforcement packs for the price?

@Littlearmies, for me the Avanpost Minis are more for my taste. But as i wrote above, i collect(ed) 'bigger' historical miniatures from 54mm-90mm, like Pegaso or Metal Modeles, or newer companies like some of Chronos. Those are really "best" in quality, ok topic of figs are anyway taste.
The Avanpost 28mm have nearly naturalistic proportions, not the normal gnome-like appearance. But clear if someone has armies of the normal Wargame figures, then the Avanpost Minis are something 'new'. If i see hundred different figs on a 'battle' table of the Perry brothers then its also for me very impressive, but anyway also those figs are more dwarven warriors.
In 28mm only Oniria has veryvery few napoleonic minis, par example the 'Austerlitz' scenes, but those are in no way wargame figures and much more 'expensive' than Avanpost Figs or other companies but sculpted in not only realistic, also nearly naturalistic way, looking great.
I think the price is for the Avanpost Miniatures more than ok. If someone wants the thousands existing wargamefigures then those are still available, thats surely no problem.

But have a look on those painted figs i will show the links below, ok those are single masterpieces but with figs from other companies also that result would not be possible.

he is called 'le petit sergeant':

link

and here a mounted 'chef de batallion' from the same painter:

link

i have now the french Inf 'assembled' waiting for painting…. sure thats now the main 'problem' for me, if thats a problem :D

They look fantastic – the horses are particularly impressive.

I have them. Ordering was a bit odd but not difficult. Shipping was super quick to the UK and above all the quality is superb, knocks spots off the Perrys by miles imho. If I had to be critical I'd say resin would be an issue as would be price for gamers and the poses are a bit rigid, but a lot of people like that. But order some and see for yourself I can 100% guarantee you will not be disappointed.

@Three Armies, i hope also there will be later also some more 'freestyle'^^ poses. Also some personalities, especially if i see the talents of 'Maxim' (the sculptor).

Whats also nearly impressive for the casting (not only sculpting) that bridles and rein of the (ok momentary fewest mounted figures) are exactly casted, also par example the hand with rein of the chef de batallion fits exactly to that from the horse without any work on it. If you have not a good quality casting then also best sculpting will be finally end with bad result.

For your shipping, so Oleg is right, only 'to Germany' it could be so long ;). Anyway perhaps my next order will be shorter time in the custom office….. i wait for the artillery crew.

Amelung i fear if you want freestyle poses then you may be better with my Three Armies range. I dont think Oleg and Max are going to do it that way. 'regulation' is the keyword to his excellent range.

the poses are superb, what freestyle when having to fight in rank and file, this is not cowboy and indian war?
At least one of the very few manufactures takes tactical consideration as a basis for his sculpt, I can only applaud that effort.

This may be different for skirmishers – who had more freedom due to being not constrained in elbow to elbow formations – but also they wouldn't do summersaults, spins, flic flacs but would move according to the terrain, equipment and arms they had to carry.

Strikes me that if someone was to import a quantity of these figures, as an agent locally, this could prove a very popular range, Everyone benefits……..

@deadhead
+1

I am not going to open a fb account just to get the miniatures

@von Winterfeld, the 'order' will be anyway with email. If you only want to see the figs you can also visit Olegs russian blog, you don't need a FB account. Ok, if all to complicate, then wait perhaps they will present their at least 'metal range' in other shops (like momentary the first in 'Chronos'), sure.

Here the 'blog-address' ignore the cyrillic letters in that blog, i can also not read russian but was not very difficult to watch and find the images:

vk.com/avanpost_miniatures

But i think best will be contact Oleg himself, he is really a nice guy.

avanpost.miniatures@gmail.com

I think similar for the 'poses', if i see sometimes infantry 'lines' of napoleonics for wargamers, nearly every soldier looks to a different direction, some even to the sky like there would be an air attack or a swarm of mosquitos/bees above their heads. But i am not wargamer, only interested in 'nice(st) small soldiers' :). For me its absolutely more than only ok,…. 'regular' poses, if those are done then 'Maxim' can also sculpt some specials, if he had still the nerves for.^^ For skirmishers it would surely nothing special, clear.

My experience was that it took about 2 weeks for the figures to arrive from Russia. Oleg gave me a link where I could track my shipment and I could see that it went through The Russian Federation and at some point Sevastopol.
The pricing isn't cheap but for me it was worth it.

One way or another, Crimea is now within the Russian Federation….

Enough politics. These figures do look superb for collectors, if not for the mass purchasers who throw dice. The mounted officer…hard to believe 28mm!

thanks for all the usefull information

Salut again!

I have seen on Oleg's blog, not only today his birthday, also nearly all French Infantry now as 'Full Metal Soldiers' available. Sure not unimportant for the metal fans.^^

I have ordered from Oleg at least ten times and am waiting for a package at the moment, day six and it has been released from Russian customs it normally stays at British customs for four or five days but then I get it a day after release with no charges. The figures are hands down the best I have ever seen at this size, the proportions are exceptionally well sculpted, no massive hands or enlarged heads, the gun carriages are superb too, they are 3D printed and are almost exact replicas, the bronze barrels are fantastic and give the guns a little more weight as they are only produced in resin. So far I have painted one of each metal version of the French army in metal available here link