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Post by Graeme on Oct 23, 2018 10:53:24 GMT
Very nice. The French troops have a real campaign look, the Mameluk is wonderfully colourful (just as he should be), and the scene with the column of troops shuffling through the snow is really atmospheric.
Very well done.
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Post by Graeme on Oct 23, 2018 10:40:52 GMT
No chance of invasion with him on duty. Nicely done Highlanders.
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Post by Graeme on Oct 23, 2018 10:38:59 GMT
Congratulations on making such a mass of plain grey uniform look alive and interesting. Clever painting.
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Post by Graeme on Oct 23, 2018 10:30:58 GMT
Very nicely done and good to see Great War Portuguese, something we don't often see.
I really like the MG team and the three vignettes at the bottom. But the soldier walking through the field of poppies stands out as a powerful piece, simple but evocative.
Well done!
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Post by Graeme on Oct 23, 2018 5:50:50 GMT
The number of poses in the Greatcoats set is due to the fact that these are scaled down versions of the figures in the 1/32 set which has both marching and action figures, so only two marching poses; and the 1/32 Command set which has another marching pose. Therefore there were masters already available for three marching poses.
As to the 24 and 20 figure sets being cheaper, they will be cheaper to produce certainly. As Wayne said initial production costs are much higher than restock costs and cutting fewer figures into a mould costs less. But I don't think it is necessarily the case that restocking a smaller set is cheaper than a larger one. If I remember correctly HaT has told us before that the amount of plastic used does not make that much difference to the overall cost of a set and, anyway, I think we need to look at the cost of the number of figures HaT want to make, which ideally should be based on the number of figures their customers want to buy.
If I am the customer and I want to buy 100 figures I can buy one box of the 100 figure set. Put the case that four sprues can fit in the injection moulder tool, then HaT pays for one run of the injection moulder and the making of one box and I get my 100 figures. With the 24 figure set I have to buy 4 boxes to get nearly 100 figures or five boxes if it's a 20 figure set. Unless 16 or 20 of the smaller sprues can be fit into the tool that means haT is paying for more than one run of the injection moulder and paying to make four or five boxes in order to get those 100 figures. Also, I haven't measured this but I have a feeling that 16 or 20 of the smaller sprues just might use more plastic than four of the larger ones. Which means that I doubt there is an economy in the smaller sets when it comes to restocks.
Joe. Your point about HaT getting a better return from the smaller sets is a good one and I suppose money does talk but who's money talks loudest. Is it the amount of profit a manufacturer makes on a set that counts or the amount a customer is prepared to pay to get the set. If a customer refuses to buy a set because it's too expensive then the manufacturer makes no profit on it.
HaT needs to know that if you read some of the other forums there is a lot of ill feeling towards these small sets with some people feeling like they have been cheated. While I think it's true that there are some HaT bashers out there who actively seek any excuse to criticise HaT, and that perhaps they shouldn't be listened to when they claim "I'm not buying this HaT set because...", simply because I don't think these people ever buy a HaT set anyway; I think it is also true that there are some genuine people, who are genuine HaT customers, who have genuine concerns about these small sets.
There are also people who are saying that HaT sets have always been particularly good value and these smaller sets are still cheap. It has also been pointed out that for a long time HaT did not increase their prices and absorbed any increases in production costs so, perhaps, we should expect some price rises. A very good point and perhaps these sets are not as unfair as people think, but the fact is some people THINK they are unfair and perception is important.
There was some amount of criticism of the 24 figure sets on the HaT forum too, I notice that after that thread HaT ran a poll asking whether people thought infantry sets should contain 48, 60, or 96 figures. most people nominated 48 figures as the standard they were used to. I can't imagine HaT would ask the question without intending to act on the answer so I would guess that future infantry sets will be 48 figures.
I'm not ready for any sets to be discontinued just yet, I still want some of the 1808-12 infantry and I want a few more of the French fusiliers set. As for them being replaced by a better product I think that hasn't happened yet. There are masters for action figures for the Elites in Greatcoats and I think HaT has said these will be made, I really hope that that fabulous looking officer will appear in 1/72 as well. But the other marching and command sets were, I think, made to provide extra marching and command figures to older sets that had already been made in the pre MAC days, so there are no masters of action figures available and I haven't heard that any are planned for the future. I would encourage HaT to make some action figures to match the new marching and command sets though. I'd buy them and I know there are others here who would.
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Post by Graeme on Oct 13, 2018 18:10:53 GMT
Very nice job on these. I think the Swedes did have a bit of style and yours look splendid.
Those guns really do look real and recently fired, I'd rather be on the side that doesn't go bang.
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Post by Graeme on Oct 13, 2018 17:59:17 GMT
These ancient sets all work together nicely to make a really intimidating Germanic warband. Great work.
I don't have those mini sets so it's interesting to see the Picts and Visigoth and Franks painted, they look really good.
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Post by Graeme on Oct 13, 2018 17:32:49 GMT
These look great in formation like that. Those guys with the animal heads look quite threatening when you see them all together: some of their ancient opponents must have wondered what they were up against the first time they saw them.
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Post by Graeme on Oct 13, 2018 17:06:30 GMT
Wow! Terrific paintwork., I think white uniforms are a difficult thing to deal with but these look really good.
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Post by Graeme on Oct 13, 2018 16:56:46 GMT
Another incredible post Chris, excellent work on all fronts.
But it does look like a most desperate struggle. I hope the Belgian 7th Line were not too badly mauled, they put up a tennacious fight in the original.
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Post by Graeme on Oct 13, 2018 16:07:53 GMT
Yes, really nice. Splendid paintjob on some very nice figures.
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Post by Graeme on Oct 13, 2018 15:51:56 GMT
Very impressive looking figures and the shale effect on the bases is really interesting.
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Post by Graeme on Oct 13, 2018 15:38:24 GMT
I really like this one, I like the way you've painted the tartan setts to show the colour blending you get with woven fabrics. Very nicely done and a good approach to a tricky subject.
I couldn't work out what the lump beside his right leg was, what do you make of it?
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Post by Graeme on Oct 11, 2018 10:52:02 GMT
Can you pick up these figures at Ye Olde Modelle Shoppe??? Marry! Time was when such a thing 'twere so. But in a yester day, of long ago. Ye modelle Shoppe of present day doth seem. To be but unreal shade, in old man's dream. And emptor now must his ambition sette. To make purchase on Ye Olde Internette. To add some support to this thread, we actually do have the remnant of a hobby shop here and if HaT put some TYW figures that could be used for ECW on the shelf there I think I'd buy them. Cavalier cavalry would be a good start.
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Post by Graeme on Oct 3, 2018 1:17:22 GMT
Rumor has it set#8146 1805 French in greatcoats has been discontinued. It's on the list of possible restocks posted by the site administrator 2 days ago. If you want it speak up. I don't believe rumours unless they come from an unquestionably reliable source like that bloke in the pub.
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Post by Graeme on Sept 29, 2018 2:03:20 GMT
Alan and Wayne nearly said it all; great sculpting, very good body proportions and a good number of figures for firing line, advancing and marching.
But also, there are flanquer figures that actually work perfectly with the firing, loading, advancing and marching figures. The grenadiers are covered by an earlier set or I'm sure you would have provided more poses of those as well. Nice command figures too, a really complete single set that could only be improved by being 3 seperate MAC sets. (actually I don't need MAC for the Nassauers the single set fits my needs).
But the thing I like absolutely the most about the Nassau Infantry set is the fact that they are Nassau Infantry! Who would ever have given us these excellent troops if you hadn't.
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Post by Graeme on Sept 21, 2018 2:02:04 GMT
My completely selfish answer is no that wouldn't work for me because I only collect 1/72. The current policy of producing mostly 1/72 sets is good for me. But I am trying to disabuse myself of the notion that "me" means "everyone"
At the moment HaT is working through a backlog of sets waiting to be produced, I think those sets are mostly 1/72 because historically HaT is a 1/72 producer that just branched out into the other scales and polls on the old forum showed that 1/72 is the bulk of their current market. The British Dragoons weren't actually developed for 28mm; they were developed for 1/72 but a mix up at the factory meant they were made too large so they were sold as 28mm.
HaT's current production serves their current market. Of course they need to think about future markets, and the questions currently being asked on the forum show that HaT is trying to gauge the level of interest in 1/32 and 28mm. If there are hundreds of guys reading this who want more 1/32 and 28mm sets from HaT I think that NOW is the time to tell them. If there are enough of you making enough noise you will likely get the attention.
The figures I'd like to see scaled down to 1/72 are the officer in the 1/32 Elites in Greatcoats Command set, fabulous figure!. And also the 1/32 Celts.
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Post by Graeme on Aug 30, 2018 2:11:41 GMT
Yes, Brunswick horse artillery.
Also a quick look at Haythornethwait's "Uniforms of the Napoleonic Wars" and Uniforms of Waterloo" shows shakos with similar plumes on a Prussian General staff officer in parade dress (Italeri or Waterloo 1815 prussian staff figures), An officer of the Prussian Garde Jager Battalion (HaT's Prussian volunteer Jaeger figs), an officer of the brunswick foot artillery (but not the other ranks) and an NCO (so, presumably also the other enlisted men) of the Netherlands Guides te Paard, the personal body guard to the Commander in Chief so perhaps a few figures for the Prince of Orange's escort. "Battle dress : The Uniforms Of The Worlds Great Armies" shows a Chasseur volunteer of Von Reiche's Foreign Chasseur Battalion ( again haT's Prussian Jaeger and sharpshooter figs).
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Post by Graeme on Aug 27, 2018 2:51:41 GMT
An action set for the Elites in Greatcoats would be great, and I'd really like to see that officer in the 1/32 command set reproduced in 1/72 (second best figure haT ever showed us). I believe there are masters available. I think the poses in the marching set were limited to the number of masters available. These were originally made as a 1/32 set (see links below). HaT did tell us they would make sets which already had completed masters first. www.hat.com/Curr9/Bx9310FG/Bx9310FG.htmlwww.hat.com/Curr9/Bx9311FC/Bx9311FC.htmlAs I said I would like an action set and I'd be happy with one made up of those 4 poses but duplicating figures to give more than 20 figures per box would be preferable. And I really would like that officer marching with his coat tails flapping in the breeze.
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Post by Graeme on Aug 26, 2018 1:29:18 GMT
I understand the argument, that soldiers spent 99.99% of their time either standing around doing nothing or marching to the place where they were going to stand around doing nothing. That may well be true but it doesn't alter the unassailable fact that it is the other 0.01% of the time that is the reason we call them "soldiers" and not "pedestrians". I like action figures and I view marching figures as probably more correct but also kind of dull.
CPN. You have to understand that a lot of HaT's customers are wargamers and most of them seem to want to build thier armies from mostly marching figures. And, wargamers buy a lot of boxes of each set too so they are a big part of HaT's market. Looking at the way most sets were made in the past (maybe two or three marching figures in each box) these guys were not well served and the old HaT forum was always full of requests from wargamers for more marching figures. HaT came up with the idea of seperate sets for Marching, Action and Command figures, which is great, everyone can buy just what they want. These new Napoleonic French sets are marching and command sets so no action figures. These are subjects already covered by HaT in the pre MAC days so there are sets with action figures already available and the new sets are specifically aimed at supplying the demand for more marching figs.
But, I think it's fair to say that there has been an improvement in sculpting so HaT should know that if there were new action sets to match the style of these new marching and command sets then I'd buy them and I know there are others here who would also buy them.
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Post by Graeme on Aug 18, 2018 12:43:06 GMT
Caution Donald, don't be too quick to start painting. Alan reported that the plastic has a memory and reverts back to it's original shape and I found the same thing. You can see the thread we discussed this on in the link below. As I said when I bent them again they did stay in place better (and still haven't straitened too much after this amount of time). But after bending with the hot water I recomend making a cut part way through the arm and filling the gap, this seems to hold thgem in place quite admirably. hat.freeforums.net/thread/51/unmarried-zulu-test-sprues?page=4
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Post by Graeme on Aug 13, 2018 4:44:12 GMT
Keep an eye on your local newspaper classifieds for any liquidation sales involving office equpment. you might find some of your filing drawers at a bargain price.
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Post by Graeme on Aug 13, 2018 3:35:41 GMT
Firstly I want to say that I don't buy 28mm but I have no objection to HaT making more of them. If you guys want them and HaT wants to make them that's fine by me. And Your thoughts about future markets being mostly 28mm are interesting and certainly something HaT should consider but there are a few points I want to raise:
1. I don't post on TMP but I do read the posts there and I get the impression that the 28mm fraternity on the whole just don't buy HaT. There's still a large number of them who only buy metal and won't even consider what they call "plastic tat". It seems there are an increasing nummber who are begining to buy plastics but my impression is that they buy Perry's and they buy Victrix and they don't even look at HaT. Also I don't know how many of them actually want to build whole armies from the plastic figures rather than just using the plastic figures as additions to their metal armies.
2. If I understand this correctly I believe HaT's policy, espescially with the new production method using digitised masters, is to use the same masters and just scale them up or down for the three different scales. This means that if the 28mm figures had their style changed to match other 28mm manufacturers then we would also be getting our 1/72 and 1/32 figures in that 28mm style, I certainly don't want that. Honestly if I want 1/72 figures in heroic scale I can buy HaT. And I do buy HaT figures but I have bought far more HaT because I prefer the proportions (and because they make more of what I want). And I think I'm not the only one here who prefers more realistically proportioned figures.
Cetainly consider future markets but don't ignore your current market for an uncertain potential future one like Zvezda did.Changing the style of the 28mm figures to match others on the market would, I think, require a seperate line of production.
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Post by Graeme on Aug 9, 2018 12:53:35 GMT
Thanks for your efforts Jock, much appreciated. It wasn't my question but nevertheless the answer was of some interest to me so I might spend a bit of money in the Black Watch shop in lieu of a donation. Seems the pound's taking a nose dive due to the latest Brexit news though so I might wait a few days and see what kind of value I can get for my Dollar.
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Post by Graeme on Jul 19, 2018 1:45:27 GMT
C.E. Franklin says The Black Watch used a red stripe to distinguish grenadiers in the 18th century although there are some suggestions that the whole regiment had a red over stripe until 1812. The red stripe replaced the single black line on the green turns. Don't have much on this period but if I find anything about the bearskin caps I'll let you know.
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