Saturday 28 January 2012

On the Hunt for some Old 'Toys'

At this point in time there are two things I am looking for. Firstly there is of course the Minifigs Canopus from their old warship range - this is in danger of becoming something of an obsession as I am desperate to get hold of one! I would also like to get of their 'Early Turret Ship number 14' which I have on good authority is an HMS Edgar class cruiser.

The second item(s) I am after may come as a little bit of a surprise but I am after some Peter Laing 18th century figures - specifically AWI infantry command figures; officers, drummers, ensigns, sergeant and perhaps mounted officers if possible. I have said Peter Laing simply because these figures need to be small and most current 15s are too large. Even Irregular Miniatures 15s are too big but the Laing version would be ideal.

Actually, a 12mm figure would be about right but to the best of my knowledge the only 12mm figures I can ever recall were those available from Hinchcliffe and they were only Napoleonics but I stand to be corrected. I know Minifigs has a 12mm range but I am unsure what is available - I know there are WW2 and ACW but I think that is about it at present.

Still no Hexon so the game tomorrow will be plan B and I apologise in advance for the fact that the models in use will be, shock horror, UNPAINTED!!!

12 comments:

Brigadier Dundas said...

If you have access to Naismith Designs range of 15mm and they make some 18th century figures they may be small enough. I remember a Mayan Army I had and the figures were small compared to other lines at the time.

Don

David Crook said...

Hi Don,

Many thanks for the heads up re Naismith - I remember their ECW range in years gone by and yes they were very small. I am planning a visit to the shop in a couple of weeks so will take a look then. I also thought about Mikes Models as another potential source.

I only need command figures and perhaps some gunners.

All the best,

DC

Bluebear Jeff said...

And I suppose that the various 10mm figures out there are too small, eh?


-- Jeff

Chris said...

David,

Histofigs (formerly Scruby) "N" gauge figures are compatible with 12mm, at least the 12mm figures I've seen , but I don't know who made them; whether they would work with what you have in mind is another question, of course.

On an unrelated note, do a search on YouTube for "First Balkan War". There are 4 parts, made up almost entirely of contemporary film clips and pictures. Of particular interest to you may be the plentiful clips involving the Balkan navies(in action, no less!) The episodes are (unfortunately for me) entirely in Greek, but they are still well worth seeing.

Best regards,

Chris

David Crook said...

Hi Jeff,

The only 10mm figures I have are some Pendraken AWI command figures I purchased as a sample for this idea but they are too small. I suspect Irregular would be as well and have not seen Magister Militum to be able to comment. I know that Old Glory have a 10mm range but they only set in packs which would not really be suitable.

It is not major priority in the short term but I would like to find some if I can.

All the best,

DC

David Crook said...

Hi Chris,

Thanks for the heads up - on both counts! I have never considered YouTube as a resource before but will certainly do so now - and the Greek would be a problem for me as well!

One to check out later today so many thanks once again.

All the best,

DC

Peter Douglas said...

DC

Good luck with your pursuits. What about Friekorps 15mm, I seem to remember that they were smaller than the newer ones.

PD

David Crook said...

Hi Peter,

Good shout! I want to find something suitable for a long term idea I have kicking around and so am trawling for ideas at the moment. The idea involves using the 1,000 or so hard plastic 12mm-ish generic 18th century figures I have from seeral copies of the board game of Risk.

It seems a shame to waste them although the idea is well down the batting order.

All the best,

DC

jhnptrqn said...

David,
I have quite a few Marlborough Period Peter Laings. Would the command figures from that period work for you?

David Crook said...

Hi jhnpteqn,

Oooohh yes please! Email me on roguejedi@btinternet.com to discuss. If they are wearing tricorns they will do nicely.

Many thanks for getting back to me - it is a very long term idea but these are the figures I need.

All the best,

DC

jhnptrqn said...

David,

I will try to dig them out tonight and get a count of what I have. If not tonight,tomorrow.
John

David Crook said...

Hi John,

Many, many thanks! Drop me a line when you have had a look.

All the best,

DC