Steady here! I'm talking miniatures. Toy soldiers.
You know, I really don't like Horse & Musket era Artillery figures holding handspikes. Usually quite useless in my opinion, requiring you to place them at the gun trail, probably having to extend the base to accommodate them and then leaving you thinking that's not a good place to stand when that gun goes off.
So I tend to leave them out when crewing my guns. The result is however that I have a small collection of these guys now. So I've often wondered, "What to do with them?" Then it occurred to me. How about an early golf vignette? I could even set up some sort of early Ryder Cup tournament! Each nation in their own uniforms. Or, maybe better, a hockey tournament ..... Any ideas, guys? What are your least favourite poses?
Use them as road menders?
I'm not too keen on the can-canning horses...
Least favourite pose:
WWII figures lying down.
That would be the mg 34 loader! He looks odd, he's usable though :)
Here's another one that used to (still does) baffle me. Does anyone remember the old Airfix WW2 British Paratroops box set? There was one pose where the Para is standing with a tommy gun firing upwards. What was going on there? Who was he firing at? Guys floating down in parachutes perhaps? They're on your side you :O) !!
Kneeling anything. I will
tolerate them on crew served weapons post 1900, but before 1900 they are an abomination, Sir, an abomination. Imagine your poor Grenzer being told to move double speed whilst kneeling! Most ungainly and unmilitary. Half the time whilst in column, his only view is the coat tail of the man loading in front of him, and the only time that a kneeling figure has any use whatsoever is in the front rank of the firing line - perhaps in square. Surely (and Techno will back me up, because I know where he lives and am not afraid of going into deepest, darkest Wales) the kneeling pose is the most complex and fiddly of all?
What use have they? The only thing I can think of is a chorus line finale - a la "It Ain't Half Hot Mum".
I also hate lying poses, firing poses, grenadiers (post 1900, not the chaps in funny hats), those bayoneting the ground, cavalry looking anywhere but to the front, reloading poses (pre 1900), and "falling wounded".
Thanks. I'm now well wound up and need to bite the head off some Airfix US Marines. >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( >:( I may need to have a Scotch and elephant in order to calm down.
Quote from: Westmarcher on 08 December 2014, 09:03:41 PM
You know, I really don't like Horse & Musket era Artillery figures holding handspikes.
I'm OK with handspikes. I tend to have no 1 gun firing, and no 2 gun loading/aiming.
I'm not overly keen on the standing early war MG34 team :(
Figures lying down tend to be harder to fit on a base and look odd if the rest of a stand is moving so not keen on them.
Other than that I'm not too fussed. Not keen on units of identical poses but practically that's hard to avoid if you like to fill bases, as I do.
I used to hate prone figures but changed my mind a few years ago and even did a whole unit of prone WWII Brit inf.
My least favourite pose has to be the German MG team where the gunner is firing over the loader's shoulder.
Nothing wrong with it as such but if miniature companies are to be believed it was the most common method.
Don't think Pendraken have succumbed to it as yet but it's been a while since I got any WWII in 10mm.
The main thing for me is that the poses in a range work together.
Quote from: NTM on 08 December 2014, 10:30:29 PM
The main thing for me is that the poses in a range work together.
Well said that man =D>
Quote from: NTM on 08 December 2014, 10:30:29 PM
The main thing for me is that the poses in a range work together.
I agree.
Gun crews that are in sync, please. "Where's the guy who's going to fire the cannon?" "He's not here, sir, but at least you are with your hand raised ready to shout FiRE!" Naps Austrians anyone?
And if the bulk of your army is based on two figure poses then it's really helpful if they work together. WW1 Turks anyone?
A non-military blast from the past:
(http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/SetScans/AIR01706b.jpg)
What is the guy who is meant to be running actually doing? Auditioning for Singing in the Rain?
Are they the Airfix Railway ones?
Quote from: Fenton on 09 December 2014, 12:06:42 AM
Are they the Airfix Railway ones?
Yes, the 'Civilians'.
Quote from: WeeWars on 08 December 2014, 11:45:39 PM
And if the bulk of your army is based on two figure poses then it's really helpful if they work together. WW1 Turks anyone?
I will be grappling with this particular challenge later this week :-\
Have to admit, I've got a running pose dolly, not too dissimilar to the one above, that's been sitting on the desk for months waiting to be converted to something a bit more 'believable.'
I think I've worked out how to get the pose I want and still make it.....
a) castable , and b) not have a huge feed into the raised foot.
When I'll get around to it is anyone's guess. :'( :'( :'(
Cheers - Phil
I've said it before, and no doubt will do so again -
WORK FASTER PHIL
IanS ;) :D
The Airfix ACW running man waving at the camera always got me wondering.
The two WW I Americans playing hop scotch in a minefield carry an ammo box between them.
In the original WW II British Airfix set there was a bloke carrying his rifle across his chest whilst hopping.
#Westmarcher The Para shooting at birds always got me as well.
The two prone Matchbox? MG 34 team lying at opposing angles. You could get everyone else on a 15 x 15 base but this pair had to go on at least 25 x 25.
There's a recurring theme here. Airfix!
As fsn says, the guy bayoneting the ground ..... or is he just simply picking up litter? (I converted one of these into a very plausible standard bearer by the way). Subedal - yes, the hopping guys ..... its like the ending of a Morecambe & Wise show! Then there's the ballerinas - so called running pose with one leg in the air with or without support (I hate these 'support' moldings too - looks like they've stepped on something, having to cut them off or try to disguise them as a large clump of grass) (Wee Wars: I was thinking 'ice skater' but singing in the rain is a good one ;D).
And finally (hope not - keep 'em coming, guys), the 'fragging fellow troopers' pose. You know, the cavalry trooper with carbine firing sideways........!
P.S. fsn: Whisky, elephant and Airfix US Marine heads ...... never thought of trying them together. Taste any good?
Quote from: Subedai on 09 December 2014, 09:39:28 AM
The Airfix ACW running man waving at the camera always got me wondering.
You mean the "Hi! Sorry I'm late." pose next to the one trying to shake a stuck matchstick out of his firearm.
(http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/SetScans/AIR01713b.jpg)
Trouble with the Airfix Nap French infantry was that there were two guys sh**ting themselves about the ground rising up and attacking them.
(http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/SetScans/AIR01744b.jpg)
As far as dance poses go, second guy from the right is likely auditioning for
Dad's Army the Musical.
(http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/SetScans/AIR01703a.jpg)
I like the British Infantry guy at the end playing bowls
Quote from: ianrs54 on 09 December 2014, 08:25:25 AM
I've said it before, and no doubt will do so again -
WORK FASTER PHILIanS ;) :D
Chance would be a fine thing, Ian !....Mrs T's had a 'gall bladder relapse' X_X X_X X_X.....I think I'll be spending the majority of the day being stable boy......Might find time to do the
very final touches to Orc's early WWII German para's and take some photo's. Can't see myself getting much else done.... :'( :'( :'( :'(
Hey Ho !.....There's worse troubles at sea. ;)
Cheers - Phil
Wish her a fast recovery. Cant you get the Labs to muck out, they like digging.
IanS
For me its figures with cast on flags, especially if part of the flag is joined or partly wrapped round the figure
The strangely posed running figure in a lot of the packs, that doesn't look like a natural run. Frankly it puts me off buying them!
A lot of the Airfix figures had strange poses but without them how many of us would have got into wargaming?..I am sure I wouldnt have so I like to give them a break when it comes to some of their dodgy poses
Phil, my old auntie suffered badly from that. Hope it soon passes.
Wee Wars, thanks for posting these Airfix figures. Now that I think of it, it was the bugler I converted to a standard bearer - someone else on some blog converted the bayoneting the ground figure to a standard bearer (and, besides, the guy doesn't even have a bayonet!).
You are so right, Fenton. When I look back, my first attempt at writing my own wargame rules co-incided with the acquisition of my Airfix collection 8-> (which I later gave away thinking I had 'grown up' :'(). And to give further credit where it is due, where would we be without the vast choice we have nowadays in numerous scales from numerous manufacturers. But ...... where's the fun in that? ....... so, onward once more ....... ;D :d
Quote from: WeeWars on 09 December 2014, 11:08:24 AM
You mean the "Hi! Sorry I'm late." pose next to the one trying to shake a stuck matchstick out of his firearm.
(http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/SetScans/AIR01713b.jpg)
Surely the "Hi! sorry I am late for the war " pose is an historically accurate pose for an american soldier ?? ;D
Orcs puts on tin hat and retreats to hardened concrete bunker and awaits incoming !!!
Quote from: Techno on 09 December 2014, 12:17:12 PM
Chance would be a fine thing, Ian !....Mrs T's had a 'gall bladder relapse' X_X X_X X_X.....I think I'll be spending the majority of the day being stable boy......Might find time to do the very final touches to Orc's early WWII German para's and take some photo's. Can't see myself getting much else done.... :'( :'( :'( :'(
Hey Ho !.....There's worse troubles at sea. ;)
Cheers - Phil
I would also like to wish Mrs T a swift recovery,(and before anybody says anything IT IS NOT SO THE PARA'S GET DONE QUICKER!!!!!)
Quote from: Westmarcher on 09 December 2014, 10:38:37 AM
P.S. fsn: Whisky, elephant and Airfix US Marine heads ...... never thought of trying them together. Taste any good?
Nah. But you get used to it. Better than the Airfix Japanese Infantry heads.
Quote from: ianrs54 on 09 December 2014, 12:25:43 PM
Wish her a fast recovery. Cant you get the Labs to muck out, they like digging. IanS
Thanks, Ian......If we had a few more Labs, they'd probably scoff it all.....Revolting animals !
Just having a quick break before going out to do some more 'horsey chores'.....Just seen Mrs T off in another ambulance.....Hope something gets sorted this time.
Yours truly staying at home, as the animals still need sorting out.....Wonder if I'll be picking her up tomorrow.
It's an exciting life on't farm....Sorry, Mark (And thanks to you, too...and Westmarcher).....You won't get an piccies today. (Sigh !)
Cheers - Mr Exhausted..But fine apart from that.
Quote from: WeeWars on 08 December 2014, 11:45:39 PM
(http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/SetScans/AIR01706b.jpg)
I once bought a used car from the second guy from the right
Was that after he managed a 2nd division footie team in the 1970's?
(http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/SetScans/AIR01705c.jpg)
Why is the chap second from right playing "hide and seek"?
Quote from: Shedman on 09 December 2014, 06:26:26 PM
I once bought a used car from the second guy from the right
It wasnt a 1924 "Swiftmobile" from Dudley Dorchester was it?
Quote from: Techno on 09 December 2014, 06:03:44 PM
Thanks, Ian......If we had a few more Labs, they'd probably scoff it all.....Revolting animals !
Just having a quick break before going out to do some more 'horsey chores'.....Just seen Mrs T off in another ambulance.....Hope something gets sorted this time.
Yours truly staying at home, as the animals still need sorting out.....Wonder if I'll be picking her up tomorrow.
It's an exciting life on't farm....Sorry, Mark (And thanks to you, too...and Westmarcher).....You won't get an piccies today. (Sigh !)
Cheers - Mr Exhausted..But fine apart from that.
Hoping for a swift recovery, look after yourself as well as the animals ;) ;D
(http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01573/IanCarmichael3_1573561a.jpg)
It seemed like a jolly good bargain at the time, what?
Quick recovery Mrs Techno.
Quote from: fsn on 09 December 2014, 06:29:55 PM
(http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/SetScans/AIR01705c.jpg)
Why is the chap second from right playing "hide and seek"?
He's ducking so the officer can shoot they guy with the MG :)
........ not only that but it looks as if the MG guy's nether regions are about to get very hot. Great balls of fire!
Quote from: Techno on 09 December 2014, 06:03:44 PM
Thanks, Ian......If we had a few more Labs, they'd probably scoff it all.....Revolting animals !
Just having a quick break before going out to do some more 'horsey chores'.....Just seen Mrs T off in another ambulance.....Hope something gets sorted this time.
Yours truly staying at home, as the animals still need sorting out.....Wonder if I'll be picking her up tomorrow.
It's an exciting life on't farm....Sorry, Mark (And thanks to you, too...and Westmarcher).....You won't get an piccies today. (Sigh !)
Cheers - Mr Exhausted..But fine apart from that.
Hope she is ok. No need to appologise,in the list of important things in life wargames and hobbies are nearly at the bottom of the list.
Thanks again, Mark.
Hopefully, she'll be able to come home today after another scan this morning...Apparently they don't operate on a gall bladder while it's 'inflamed'.
Different (new) painkillers seem to wok for her.....at the moment....but as we've been through this a few times now, all we can do is keep our fingers crossed.
Just off out to do my most hated chore re the beasties......Making up hay nets.......I'm rather allergic to hay, especially when I'm 'wafting' it about. ;D ;D
I'll try and get those pics done sometime today and bung them up to you....Which reminds me....If you read this, Leon...There should be a 'biggish' package arriving at Pendraken Towers today.
I think that was the only work related thing I managed to get done yesterday. ;D
Cheers - Phil
Glad to hear that your wife is now more comfortable, Phil. My pal, Paddy, got key hole surgery for this many years ago and it worked a treat. Here's hoping that the good ole NHS will be able to come up with a longer term solution to her condition in the not too distant future.
Whilst it was good of you to keep us all posted, Phil, don't worry about any further posts until she is well and back home again. All the best.