What happened to the SYW?

I would love more SYW sets-especially British and French. However, considering the apparent reluctance for these to be made, perhaps it is not a popular/commercially lucrative period? I have the three Prussian sets and the Austrian sampler set (I really like the idea of the sampler set) and in my opinion they are not examples of Hat's best work. The command poses are all well done (minus the poor fit of the drum), but the 'action' poses lack imagination and energy. The Austrian figures are ok-but only after I began priming and painting did I notice consistent lack of details lost in the mould. These are my opinions only however, and I would absolutely respect other people's views on the merits of these sets. Revell also made a bit of a mess of this era-their Prussian Infantry are way below their usual high standards and the Austrians are a mixed bunch. I believe the the only really accomplished set of SYW out there is the Austrian Artillery which is a great set.

I have the entire Revell 7YW series and agree their infantry sets left something to be desired. Their 7YW cavalry sets were superb in my opinion (I have mingled their Prussian Hussars with HaT's Prussian Hussars and really like the way they mix) and I agree the Austrian Arty set IMHO (along with their 30YW arty set) set the standard for what a one box artillery set should be. The problem is, Revell has apparently stopped production of this series (and most other sets) so if you CAN find a set on ebay or somewhere the prices are outrageous. I have used the 7YW Austrian Arty set to stand in for several armies just out of lack of an alternative.  So I would love HaT to take a crack using the same approach they've taken with their Napoleonic artillery - 1) Guns with Crews set; 2) Caissons set; 3) Limbers set. 

I've always liked that as it allows me to organize my Artillery Corps according to my specific design.  Right now, patience seems to be the name of the game with this current world pandemic just as it appears HaT has finally gotten on track with an entirely new business model and reality. I really believe from what I glean from information put out that we had turned a corner and were about to see an increase in new sets. I think rumors of HaT's demise were greatly exaggerated considering the restocks that continued even as new set releases diminished. I think if the WORLD can get its wheels turning again we'll see some of the long-awaited sets begin to appear.  Once we get the current (quite long, if you'll look) queue cleared we might begin seeing the rest of our wish list appear.

Who knows, we might one day see Pommeranian Piccolo Players and their rivals appear... 

If any 'tricorne' era sets appear from HaT in the next 12 months I suspect (and actually hope) it might be for the AWI.


I have a feeling that the SYW, despite all its many battles, interesting armies, great uniforms, charismatic commanders etc etc, may just be a bit 'off the mainstream'.  As such however, the 'other' company might well get there first once they have released enough WoSS sets.


During the pandemic I'm doing as all conscientious modellers/collectors/gamers are I guess, and trying to make some inroads into the substantial (and still growing) stash of figures.  Having started the year with the Great Northern War and WoSS, I've been diverted in the last week or two to have a look at a sizeable collection of SYW sets that I purchased a while back.  I've been taking the figures off sprues, washing them and started sorting them into units.  This activity has also allowed me to more closely examine the various sets and makes - which basically come down to old Revell and newer HaT. 


As always, a  bit of ingenuity is required to fit different sizes and styles. I won't be using the Revell Prussian infantry, as the HaT ones are much better (even if they are about 5-10% too big).  The Revell set has its charm but the heads are tiny and the proportions are wrong.  I don't have many sets of Revell Austrian infantry and those I do have will be converted fairly heavily into Pandour and Croat infantry.


Tiny heads is also a problem with the Revell Austrian dragoons, but I've found that swapping the pin heads for heads which are properly proportioned and have larger tricornes  brings a new lease of life to these figures...and anyway, the horses are great and a good size and the riders are well posed if too thin.  Up close against the HaT Prussians you really notice the difference, but at a distance with the new larger heads these old Revell figures still work.

Zvezda Saxon cuirassiers with HaT Prussian tricornes make good cuirassiers, properly large and imposing heavy cavalry.  In comparison, the Revell and HaT (Prussian 1806) hussars look suitably smaller and more nimble.

Best of all in my view are the HaT Austrians.  I bought a fair number of sets when they came out and have just ordered some more.  Correct size, well proportioned, good poses, good command figures, who could want more.

For artillery I have three sets of the excellent old Revell Austrian set.  For Prussians, converted Accurate AWI figures, Imex, and Zvezda Swedish GNW guns plus various conversions for teams, limbers etc.

I fear the lockdown may come to an end before I make much of an inroad into this pile of figures though!!

Thanks for the pictures Donald, very inspiring indeed!

Re: AWI; it's just a feeling.  Were HaT (or anyone else) to make some decent mid-18th century cavalry and artillery I'd be buying them like a shot.

I'm not familiar with Wodenfield figures, but from your pictures the French infantry do look very good and I'm assuming that these are the said figures.

In this case 'Minuteman' is a true Brit....

That's an interesting question: Is AWI more 'mainstream' than SYW? I would say not... SYW was one of the first wargaming 'periods' to gain popularity (quickly overtaken by ancients, ACW, Napoleonics & WW2 but still...) it is also more popular in teh German speaking parts of Europe and I believe they constitute a large market for model figures? (Well they used to be). AWI on the other hand is very popular in the US which is probably a growing market so I guess there isn't that much in it but...

We are looking at AWI at the moment.

Hello paintdog,

Fantastic Pic's
Are Wodenfield figures still available ?
If so from where ?

Nice shared photos. I particularly like the look (or what can be seen of them) of the French infantry. Sounds like everyone has been doing some very creative conversions. I would be very happy to see more SYW-and it was a global conflict so has the potential for a diverse range of uniforms etc. In particular it would be a dream come true to see the French and Indian War well represented. I just wonder if the hit and miss range of SYW sets out there already and the prospect of very slow output of new sets would put potential new collectors to this era off? If you already collect SYW then obviously you're a guaranteed customer to new additions to the range.

HaT (referred to as the other lot etc?) may well have had the success with their WSS range because they've been able to prove they would be releasing a huge range in a relatively short period of time. If the SYW were to be given that backing then I'm sure future sets would be a greater success and bring in new collectors to the era. Just my thoughts.

I'm looking forward to the AWI range if it materialises and hopefully it would be a commercial success with the backing of US customers in particular. If Hat can prove they have multiple sets in the pipeline and there won't be long long waits for each set, then again maybe that will bring new collectors to the era.

Didn't the first set of Hat 7-years war figures come out in 2013? That's seven years, so maybe the war is over

Hi Paintdog.
Thankyou very much for sorting out the Wodenfield contact.