"Have Westwind's WWII range grown?" Topic

I've just read the review of the Westwind FJs when compared to Artizan and was surprised to read that they seem to match up. Does anyone know if (a) Westwind have realised that their figures were midgets when compared to the rest of the 28mm WWII market and are re-doing the range, and (b) if the new releases generally match up to the quality of WWII releases from BAM, Artizan, Black Tree and TAG etc, etc? I always had a soft spot for the Westwind range, but was often put off by their size (they didn't match up with any of the above being proper 25mm (ish)) and some unfavourable comments as to them being quite "cartoony". If anyone has the new ranges I'd be very interested as to what you think (I liked the look of the Russian partizans).

Thanks.

I got delivery of the Staff officers sets, Brits and Germans yesterday morning. They mix with my BTD very well. They are much bigger than the old Westwind. Dont know about the FJ though. If all their new WW2 releases are like this then its very welcome. Only hope they back track and revise their older codes.

The German generals are excellent. Rommel, Von Staufenberg, Heydrich, really nice sculpts. In the Brits, their are two staff officers holding tea mugs : ) nice if you like that, but mine were soon converted with two BAM hands holding webley revolvers – look very good.

Churchil I thought was a bit cartoony and I was a bit dubious about the hat, until I found a pic of him thats almost an exact match.

If you've seen the BTD "Men of War" personalities range – its a very close match.

Only downside was that two figures were missing from the German genarals pack, and two duplicates were included instead. I've sent an email complaint to Westwind and tried phoning them, but no response yet. Mind you, it was a Saturday.

Surely that would be

Has Westwind's WWII range grown"

or

Have Westwind's WWII ranges grown"?

Don't know answer toeither

Sorry

I think all the new 'Berlin or Bust' figures are in a more 'heroic' scale than the previous releases. They look very nice as well.

I think its a shame they seem to still be bringing out tiny 1/60th vehicles though – any chance this will change in the future?

JohnFoA – A pedantic comment but you are right. I'll be more careful with my grammar next time, lest the TMP goblins come after me…

One word: YES.

Let me address this issue.

First, the lastest figures were an example of scale creep, something that will be corrected with future releases. Meaning, that future figures will match in size with the rest of the line.

Second, our Berlin or Bust figures are not too small, everyone else just makes theirs too large. Plus, we are not concerned with matching other companies figures. We have nothing against the larger figures or other companies, we just chose a scale for our figures and tanks and plan to stick with that scale to give consistancy to our customers.

Third, our vehicles, which are made to go with our figures, will stay with the 1/60 scale. Companies that make the larger figures can pay to have tanks made to fit their figures or they can just rely on the toy market, our vehicles will continue to match what has come before.

Joel

Joel wrote:
"Second, our Berlin or Bust figures are not too small, everyone else just makes theirs too large. Plus, we are not concerned with matching other companies figures. We have nothing against the larger figures or other companies, we just chose a scale for our figures and tanks and plan to stick with that scale to give consistancy to our customers.

Third, our vehicles, which are made to go with our figures, will stay with the 1/60 scale. Companies that make the larger figures can pay to have tanks made to fit their figures or they can just rely on the toy market, our vehicles will continue to match what has come before."

Amen and thank you!

Brent

General Monty

Yes you're quite right, I was being an right old pedant. Sorry, just hacked off with England's poor play last night and your post, quite unfairly, took the vitrol I had.

Again sorry to be so publically rude.

John FoA

Miniatureships, are the 8th army figures compatable with my 'B or B' Western Europe Brits or are they on the larger side?

Phil

Joel,

So you are saying that the new figures I just bought won't be in line with the rest of the stuff you will sculpt? The line, will instead, revert back to the original scale of true 25's? You guys are wacky. That is all I can say.

Also, why not continue to produce the 28-30MM figures. I am sure that many purchases will be motivated by the compatability with the larger ranges people have in the their collection. What is wrong with that?

T

I got the British, German and US Staff packs delivered at the weekend. On the whole they are fantastic figures. The only downside was that the US pack only had 7 figures missing the Patton figure.

Has anyone managed to identify who all the staff figures are?

So far I've managened to identfy Churchill, Horrocks and Monty in the British pack.

Haven't looked at the German and US packs in great detail yet.

"Third, our vehicles, which are made to go with our figures, will stay with the 1/60 scale."

Fair enough – I was under the mistaken impression it was a concious decision to increase the scale so I agree – there is no point making something that doesnt match your own range!

Minitureships – Thanks for setting the record straight. Given that these will not be the future of Westwind I presume that they'll be in limited supply? It's a shame as I think these latest figures are very nice and have received some very favourable comments. Still I did wonder at the time where the release of 28mm figures would leave your 25mm customers. Out of curiosity why did you release 28mm figures – how does that sort of thing come about?

i found them to be a little small compared to all of my artizans…

No, the new figures will not be in limited supply. Basically, how many people game at eye level on a table? The reason that I ask this question is simple. When you put painted figures on the table, most will not notice the slight difference in height, nor will they care.

Example: I use to manufacturer and distribute the Bicorne line here in the US. The Bicorne ECW are taller than most figures on the market. Now, when I game with a couple of groups in Mpls, the majority have Old Glory, whereas my figures are Bicorne for ECW. On the table, since the figures are mixed in units, the units all look okay side by side, Old Glory next to Bicorne. The height issue has to be pointed out.

Basically, I believe that most gamers are only concerned about size when putting units together, and not with multiple units on a table.

Joel

[No, the new figures will not be in limited supply. Basically, how many people game at eye level on a table? The reason that I ask this question is simple. When you put painted figures on the table, most will not notice the slight difference in height, nor will they care.]

The sermon about miniature compatibility is unnecessary here. I think that what we are trying to figure out is what to expect to plan our projects that is all.

How confusing is this? Wish old glory would figure out what they are doing. It is sometimes nice to know if you are coming or going.

Combatpainter -

I did state that the present figures were the result of scale sceep on the part of the sculptor. He is not sure how it happened, since he does work of dollies for doing the figures.
But, he has promised to make sure that it does not happen again. Which, was what I saying in the post about the figures and scale to begin with.

Joel

[But, he has promised to make sure that it does not happen again. Which, was what I saying in the post about the figures and scale to begin with.}

Too bad because they are some of the most elegant figures to date for Westwind. It is a bit funny that hwe isn't supposed to do it again:) Oh, well…

He can come and mess up some figures for me if he likes – I think they look great :-)