"Jacklex Miniatures creator dies" Topic

Jack Alexander, creator of the "Jacklex" range of 20mm figures sadly died yesterday (12 Feb) aged 95. He made figures and models from the 1960s onwards – Don Featherstone asked him to make models for his 2nd book and he produced 1/100 scale (although nobody knew that scale then) modern figures and vehicles as training aids for the British Army. He then started producing his 20mm Colonial figures under the "Jacklex" banner – a range that is still commercially available today. His figures were made to fit in with Airfix and to fill in their many gaps. He was inspired by Britains toy soldiers, and his figures were clean and simple with little detail. If you wanted detail you painted it on. But they had a style and a charm of their own, still visible today and completely different to today's highly detailed individual miniatures. They were designed in an era when wargamers wanted every figure in their unit to be the same. As figure makers moved into 25mm and 15mm scales Jack remained in 20mm and his earliest figures still match those produced today.
I met Jack in the ‘70s and we played together, often at Stuart Asquith's table. Jack always wanted historical accuracy in his figures and games and went ot great lengths to ensure it. But we had great fun over the decades. Jack was happiest in the 19th century and just into the 20th. His figures are now produced under the "Jacklex Miniatures" banner by Mark Lodge – pictures on his website and a sample box of the different ranges available.
Jack was highly talented, making detailed buildings as well as figures, but also modest. He always failed to realise how popular his 20mm figures were, not just in this country but across the world.
I know many of you will share my sadness at the passing of one of the early designers, although his legacy has passed to Mark Lodge who ensures that his ranges live on for newer generations.
Bob Black

We certainly are coming to the end of an era – the Jacklex figures were – and actually still are – lovely figures.

Items like this were just to drool over:

link

Many thanks for the comment. Of all the games we have pictures of this is my favourite and shows British,Indian, Russian and Pathans on the NW Frontier.
I hope you enjoy it
link

Thank you for letting us know Bob.
A loss to the hobby I believe.
His figures can still "speak" for him.
95…gosh!

martin

Sad news. I used to have some of his colonials.

Very sad news. I think that his figures were amongst my favourite figures. Nicely proportioned, easy to paint, and bridged the gap between the toy figures style of figures and the more modern ones.

I can't claim to have known Jack, but I am somewhat familiar with his figures.

That is to say not too long ago I was commissioned to add to the Jacklex ranges by sculpting new figures which were to emulate the style and proportions of his work. It was refreshing to work on an old-school style of project which more closely resembled small, simple scale models than many of the current war-games miniatures with their very over-blown and exaggerated proportions.

Condolences to his family and friends.

Perhaps not the end of an era, but pretty close to it. Thank you for the fond remembrance. Suddenly, I feel very, very old.

I do not have any of his figures but they look very good even at this day and age. He was certainly a person who contributed immensely to the hobby. May he rest in peace.

A sad loss to his family and the wargaming community. But he had a good run of dice, RIP

Thank you for all the above (and for any further comments) Jack would be pleased that he and his figures are remembered fondly so long after he started making them.
All these comments (and others I've received) will go to his daughter and son Helen and John and will give them some comfort and pleasure
thanks again
Bob

Beautiful proportions. Simple without being simplistic.

These figures hold up incredibly well, and have an undeniable charm. Thanks for posting them.