Lead Adventure Forum
Miniatures Adventure => The Second World War => Topic started by: Paul @ Empress Miniatures on February 23, 2017, 09:14:43 AM
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Empress Miniatures 28mm World War Two
First Releases for a Major New Range
Well, this is a big day here at Empress Miniatures, and one that sees the release of a significant new range for us.
Firstly a little history. We first met Paul Hicks back in Empress's pre-history when he was the sculpting talent and part owner of an exciting new miniatures company called Bolt Action. His work during this time played a significant part in establishing what has become one of the dominant scales for World War Two gaming. Indeed many of Paul's World War Two figures are considered definitive to this day.
28mm World War Two has always been on the list for Empress (indeed our Italians represent our first steps in this direction) and we felt there were some serious gaps in what is currently available. Beyond this we were sure we aren't alone in wanting to see Paul back to one of his first loves and producing beautiful second world war sculpts again! We've been quietly waiting until we all felt it was the right time to take this step ...
So where do we start? Our ranges start with Late War World War Two American GIs. There are in the M43 uniform so suitable from autumn 1944 onward. Holland, Belgium, Ardennes, Hurtgenwald, Germany and all points between. This initial release is just the spearhead and we have more due imminently, including .30cal teams, bazooka teams, more infantry etc.
These will also work perfectly for Korea and, at a push, French Indo-China too. You can expect to see more releases very soon, along with painted examples etc. We will be approaching these in typical Empress style with a lot of depth and options allowing you to field really attractive and comprehensive armies on the table. We might also have a few surprises up our sleeves too.
These are size-compatible with all current World War Two ranges, particularly those already sculpted by Paul!
We will be producing everything you need for the most popular World War Two rules (Chain of Command, Bolt Action etc.). We'd love to hear your feedback and suggestions on this range so please get in touch and let us know what you think.
Cheers,
Paul.
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag359/EmpressMiniatures/GI3_zpsix5oso3k.jpg) (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/EmpressMiniatures/media/GI3_zpsix5oso3k.jpg.html)
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag359/EmpressMiniatures/GI1_zpswbnwunur.jpg) (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/EmpressMiniatures/media/GI1_zpswbnwunur.jpg.html)
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag359/EmpressMiniatures/GI2_zpsouc94dgf.jpg) (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/EmpressMiniatures/media/GI2_zpsouc94dgf.jpg.html)
(http://i1372.photobucket.com/albums/ag359/EmpressMiniatures/GI4_zpstaurn5ta.jpg) (http://s1372.photobucket.com/user/EmpressMiniatures/media/GI4_zpstaurn5ta.jpg.html)
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The figures seems to be nice, but - being honest - not so neccessary. There is a lot of WW2 around in very good quality. I hoped for more visionary stuff from empress like the moderns (PLA,etc.) or SCW. But I think a company needs stuff bringing money for all the "side" projects. So WW2 will sell in the days of Bolt Action bring some numbers...
But, please, don't forgett the ECW and the Rest....
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I am also quite surprised as I thought late war was already well covered in 28mm metals and plastics.
Will you bring out late war Germans, especially SS in Erbsenmuster uniforms (pea dot) and Oak Leaf Smocks and Winter Parkas?
I do see an opportunity there.
Regards
Mick
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They look great Paul. I think they could really tempt me into Late War WW2 with these :o :o :o :-* :-*
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Funnily enough this range was part-prompted by difficulties in trying to build exactly this army. There are some figures available for post-September (M43 uniform in particular) by they aren't complete or consistent. I play US and previously I had a real mix of greatcoats and all-sorts, from across several ranges (some of which are getting old now). Trying to field a company+ in the 'Fury' style wasn't easy.
43-44 US are better served in plastic and some metals, but the hard fighting into Germany generally means 'winter' figures for a lot of ranges.
Just a little insight into some of the thinking behind these. As mentioned in the release, there are a lot more to come very soon.
Oh, and the other ranges carry on regardless ;)
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Fantastic! :-*
As it happens there aren't many late war GIs available in the M-43 uniform. Warlord's recent plastic US airborne is about the strength of it in 28mm. Those and the somewhat odd and OOP Wargames Factory GIs which are wearing canvas leggings. Having a proper range, sculpted by Paul Hicks is a very welcome development.
Now, if you wanted a potentially popular WW2 range that currently nobody produces, try US Army in the Pacific. More US army troops in the Pacific theatre than Marines, yet there's not a single figure available and no, they don't look like USMC. I reckon if someone did GIs in the herringbone twill uniform they'd clean up. In addition to the Pacific could also be used for North Africa and Europe. Their absence is a mystery.
Anyway back to the matter at hand, congrats Empress! Excellent choice of topic and sculptor.
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Another project with lots of opportunities ans a wide area of interest should be early/ mid war germans in greatcoats. Not much out there thats Not either really late or too specific.
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Fantastic! :-*
As it happens there aren't many late war GIs available in the M-43 uniform. Warlord's recent plastic US airborne is about the strength of it in 28mm. Those and the somewhat odd and OOP Wargames Factory GIs which are wearing canvas leggings. Having a proper range, sculpted by Paul Hicks is a very welcome development.
Now, if you wanted a potentially popular WW2 range that currently nobody produces, try US Army in the Pacific. More US army troops in the Pacific theatre than Marines, yet there's not a single figure available and no, they don't look like USMC. I reckon if someone did GIs in the herringbone twill uniform they'd clean up. In addition to the Pacific could also be used for North Africa and Europe. Their absence is a mystery.
Anyway back to the matter at hand, congrats Empress! Excellent choice of topic and sculptor.
My constant and presentment spam messages to do late war WW2 suitable for Korea has finally paid off it would seem. :D
Doing a happy dance on this end.
Now all is needed is FOOs, Platoon support (1919s, Bazookas, super bazookas, M18 57mm recoilless rifle, medic, an M3 and the odd scoped rifle M1) and then on to company support assists!
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As has been said, there were barely any '43 uniform U.S. available until now. While shoes and spats might have been de rigueur for the Army that landed in Normandy and the '43 pattern actively resisted by them for some time, it was introduced in Italy much sooner.
Seriously, I'm surprised that in a period that sees a new range of Fallschirmjager or obscure SS units brought out every five minutes, that anyone should look askance at a range that plugs a quite evident gap in what's currently available. That it's not a range sculpted with the 'Desperate Dan' faces of a certain manufacturer and is in fact by Paul Hicks, ticks all my boxes too.
What's next? Brits in 'Turtle' helmets? Bring it on I say!
So, full marks from me! :)
My constant and presentment spam messages to do late war WW2 suitable for Korea has finally paid off it would seem. :D
Doing a happy dance on this end.
I suspect NKPA and CPVA of the same quality might be a way down the line amigo. :?
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Beautiful figures Paul!
I echo Carlos' sentiment in request for Early War US Army - especially Pacific.
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Get the Late War brits with the turtles and most commonwealth will also be kicked for Korea. (yes I know they changed up the collar or some such thing but toss a scarf on the service men and you got the 50s covered as well)
I am also excited because I can now do some of the cheesy 1950s coldwar gone hot and Martion invasion stuff with these guys. might have to check out the atomic café line again. :)
As for the NKPA and CPVA sadly not for a bit. Just moved into a new place with all the cash that entitles and am going to school full time now. But if we can get some like minded folks to toss into a fundraiser. We might be able to do it. lol
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I disagree about WWII being well-served. I think there is very limited choice out there and I am very pleased to see these. They look really nice.
Rich
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Thanks for the good comments guys. Some of you have immediately identified where we are going with this. ;)
There is another load being sculpted and then more will quickly follow. Everything is planned and researched carefully as always with Empress.
The first of the vehicles, a jeep, is currently being moulded. Note in 1/50th scale so its true scale to the figures.
Keep looking for further announcements in a few weeks and details are always on our Facebook page.
https://www.facebook.com/mailempressminiaturescom/
Cheers,
Paul
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Yes, should be a crowd pleaser with the 1950s Scifi crowd too. File the boot straps back and you are pretty much good to go up to the early 1960s. There is footage of US troops in Berlin in 1961 dressed pretty much like these. Actually it might be worth thinking about doing some in Corcorans that would also pass muster for post war boots.
Funny old world ain't it? All of a sudden the two companies producing the best modern ranges have moved on to WW2.
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Well there''s gold in them thar (WWII) hills and the main competition is not all it could be imho. Perry's aside I only typically buy figures from those two companies that use 'those two sculptors', so that''s what it would take to get me buying WWII.
I'm guessing 1/50 was a typo, as that would be one huge jeep next to Mr Hick''s usual size of figure.
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Very very nice.
Glad you are going to do vehicles,
in 1/50 no less.
I for one love that scale.
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Best news this year so far! I was lucky enough to buy a couple of late war US troops from the old bolt action line and was gutted they never resurfaced in the switch over. Well done Empress can't wait to see what else is coming please say you'll be doing some 101st in the Bulge!
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Well there''s gold in them thar (WWII) hills and the main competition is not all it could be imho. Perry's aside I only typically buy figures from those two companies that use 'those two sculptors', so that''s what it would take to get me buying WWII.
I'm guessing 1/50 was a typo, as that would be one huge jeep next to Mr Hick''s usual size of figure.
Actually no :-)
Obviously these things are subjective, but some other companies already produce 1/56th Jeeps and (to our eye) they look seriously small compared to the real thing. The Perrys are an exception because their figures are 'true' 1/56th. It's less of an issue with armour, but the smaller vehicles have started to look like kids buggies in comparison to the real thing (again IMO). This has been scaled based on photographs and plans of the real thing.
Anyway, see what you think when it's released (which won't be long). It's a bit of a risk we'd admit, but knowing the real thing very well a Jeep still looks pretty big in a car park full of modern cars.
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I'm guessing 1/50 was a typo, as that would be one huge jeep next to Mr Hick''s usual size of figure.
No its correct and no it does not look wrong. My neighbour has an original which I occasionally drool over and I am 6'2" and it looks big with me in it.
If you look at original pictures they are very much military workhorses capable of all terrain as they should be and not toy pedal cars.
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I think you are right.
Visually, I think that 1/50 or 1/48 vehicles look right with most of the popular 28mm figure ranges.
(Perry are noticably smaller)
This is very noticable if the figures have bases and the vehicles have no bases.
Mick
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I'll be honest I've found 1/48 usually a little too big, but can fully understand why some folk go with them (especially when you take figure bases into account). We started doing 1/50th in our modern ranges as our preferred scale on the table after spending time around some the real vehicles.
I'm probably a heretic in that my only guide is that I don't tend to mix scales for the same vehicle in the same game. Otherwise I use a mix depending on what I can get :). If Empress are commissioning vehicles though we aim for either what we already support (so 1/56th SCW) or 1/50th in a new range (such as our Moderns).
Over the years it seems scale creep was limited more to the figures themselves and vehicles didn't necessarily keep up, although I remember 1/60th being standard back in the dawn of 28mm WW2.
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One of the "problem" people have with 1/50th jeep may come from the fact that a lot of so called "1/50th diecast" small vehicles are actually 1/43th o_o
Anyhow, these a very nice figures for very late war US troops :-*
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Also since we did say some thing about Korea. With a little bit of mod work, they will work just find for lots of the U.N. troops and post WW2 US supplied nations. Hell some countries in NATO where using similar kit and M1s with their reserve/militia forces into the 80s.
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Well that was a surprise. I like the look of these a lot and as they are Paul Hicks sculpts you know they will be good close up too.
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Omg I love you! :-* Sorry :P
But this is perfect! Yes there are so many 28mm Minis on the market, but many have horrible faces and way off proportions. These here are just a dream come true!
Could you to late war germans as well? :-X ::) pleeeeeeease?
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I clicked on this thinking it would be an announcement that the projected 20mm WWII range to go with the ex-AB equipment was finally in production. Is it still planned? I like 28mm too, though I adopted it somewhat reluctantly for WWII, but 20mm will always be the primary WWII figure size as far as I'm concerned.
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Wow - not my period but lovely figures!
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I'm also excited to hear about this range, and happy to hear the vehicles will be 1:50.
We will be producing everything you need for the most popular World War Two rules (Chain of Command, Bolt Action etc.). We'd love to hear your feedback and suggestions on this range so please get in touch and let us know what you think.
One thing that I've been looking for is infantry carts for US, UK and German platoons. They were very common, but aren't available for 28mm figures.
US
(http://www.theliberator.be/HandCartImages/WartimeHandcarts/1RNGRAluCart.jpg)
UK
https://paradata.org.uk/content/airborne-handcart (https://paradata.org.uk/content/airborne-handcart)
German
(http://www.toadmanstankpictures.com/jf801.jpg)
These would be really useful as Chain of Command Jump Off Points.
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Great news!
As you're asking for suggestions, may I suggest to have a look at the "support lists" of Chain of Command?
The right weapon, with the number of crewmen as suggested in the rules would be very useful (to CoC players of course!)
And I'm also thinking about engineer teams (flamethrower, demolition and mine clearing).
Anyway, great news, and another great set of sculpts by Paul!
Marco
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28mm ww2 that dont look utter rubbish.... about time, unfortunately yanks dont interest me but il keep an eye out for any late war germans (ss)
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I agree with your disagree, most everything American is geared towards the Normandy Campaign.
I disagree about WWII being well-served. I think there is very limited choice out there and I am very pleased to see these. They look really nice.
Rich
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Seriously, I'm surprised that in a period that sees a new range of Fallschirmjager or obscure SS units brought out every five minutes, that anyone should look askance at a range that plugs a quite evident gap in what's currently available.
I fear the answer is that unfortunately Germans are "cool".
Not my cup of tea either, but glad to see a very good looking range (I especially like the chap on the radio) and somewhat new ground uniform wise being trod.
Uniform woes for everyone but Germany is always an issue. I've only familiar with the details of Soviet uniforms and there are very few ranges which aren't a disaster zone of wrong details, insignia missing or incorrect, or whatever else. It is quite maddening.
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Great looking minis!
Good luck for your new range !
I think it is well appreciated !
Cheers
Björn
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Very happy to see these. It's a continual surprise to me how few good WW2 28mm ranges there really are, given the popularity of the period. I like the character of the Artizan, Crusader and early Foundry figures, but have gone with the more recent Perrys which means needing smaller / more delicate figure styles to match. Empress and Offensive both work well, and the new May 40 Dutch are a great addition. But for even something very 'basic' - early war Germans - I haven't found a range, either plastic or metal, with which I am happy. Hopefully Empress / Mr Hicks will do some early war ranges too to save me from the temptation of moving to 20mm.
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Great looking minis!
Good luck for your new range !
I think it is well appreciated !
Cheers
Björn
Thanks mate : )
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I am quite excited by this.
I have bought a lot of Empress modern figures and also some of the Zulu war range. I have always been impressed with the quality.
I think a platoon of late war Americans and a suitable Fury-ous opposition force would be a great success.
I hope there is room for a few characters such as tank crew and an angel with a Thompson.
Mick
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They look great as usual for Mr Hicks :D
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You know my thoughts.
THEY ARE AMAZING!!! Well done and great choice. Also looking forward to see how you guys make it grow :)
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MUST....
HAVE....
NOW!!!!
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I like them better than warlords metals, would like to see more varied officers (I like the thompson armed one!) these days they all seem to be armed with the M1 carbine.
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That's because the M1 carbin was more prevalent and issued to officers, secand line troops..etc. And in the late war M3s would be more prevalent, the Thompson be faded out do to it weight, price, etc.
But i trust that there will be more packs in the near future with what you desire. Empress does a good job of covering the base
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I know the m1 was pushed more but...Id love some variation, plus in my experience m1 barrels on minis are flimsy, maybe some captured weapons?
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It''s hardly a case of 'pushed more', a battalion had just twenty SMG's in its TO&E, of which the M3 had become the most common by 44-45, as CM says. There were 219 Carbines in comparison. Okay a few more SMGs might be begged, stolen, or borrowed, but there were limits.
Empress it seems have done their research, rather than going overboard with a Hollywood style Tommy Gun quota.
That said, jeep cap wearing M3 toting guys work for night patrols and the 'Dirty Dozen'.
I'm up for the whole nine yards, so medics, combat engineers, wire teams, you name it, I'll buy it. :)
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Right what he said. Arlequin, said.
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Given Empress's track record, I'd even bet they plan some jeep cap heads somewhere down the line. I suppose it would be too much to ask for some 'Ridgeway' caps to take these figures into the '50s, but if you don't ask, you don't get.
;)
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Already asked for all the above a few times.
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WW2 is a pretty heavily covered period. That said, I would love to see some decent late war USMC, ala "The Pacific". Tattered uniforms, bare chests, 1000 yard stare. No one really does a good range of Jarheads, IMO. Brigade do a few that are nice albeit small (More early war too), Assault Group have some but I think they're awful, and Warlord metals are terrible and the plastics are worse. I'd certainly buy some...
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WW2 is a pretty heavily covered period. That said, I would love to see some decent late war USMC, ala "The Pacific". Tattered uniforms, bare chests, 1000 yard stare. No one really does a good range of Jarheads, IMO. Brigade do a few that are nice albeit small (More early war too), Assault Group have some but I think they're awful, and Warlord metals are terrible and the plastics are worse. I'd certainly buy some...
Late war Jarheads will also work for the Inchon landing, along with all the other little brush fire post WW2 conflicts that are forget about in the history books. China, Philippine hut rebels, Dutch marines in the Indonesian war of independence.
I would say that they would work great for US army in the Pacific also with out helmet covers, but I believe the USMCs uniforms only had one pocket on the breast instead of two. I will have to look back into that...
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WW2 is a pretty heavily covered period. That said, I would love to see some decent late war USMC, ala "The Pacific". Tattered uniforms, bare chests, 1000 yard stare. No one really does a good range of Jarheads, IMO. Brigade do a few that are nice albeit small (More early war too), Assault Group have some but I think they're awful, and Warlord metals are terrible and the plastics are worse. I'd certainly buy some...
The Brigade Games PacWar range is by no means small and The Marines and Japanese are all sculpted by Paul Hicks.
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Indeed. The Paul Hicks sculpted Brigade Games USMC probably make more of the buggers redundant. US Army in the PTO are noticeably different. More use of gaiters and the HBT uniform had a different cut. It was originally designed as a fatigue/ work uniform to be worn over the standard wool uniform. No helmet covers.
Such a range would work for Rangers and others in the ETO and MTO especially the MTO and for Operation Torch. As I said earlier nobody makes such a range, which is odd considering it covers all major theatres and the full gamut from 1942 to 1945.
As for the new Empress troops, I'm happy with standard platoon weapons, some light company stuff like 60mm mortars, .30 cal MGs, bazookas and a 57mm RCL, which Paul really should have sculpted for the Red Star/FNG French. Speaking of which, these can't really be used as French in Indochina. Different weapons and other details. They could be pressed into service as proxies for some of the metropolitan French garrison troops in Algeria in the 50's, some of which were equipped with M1 Garands.
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The Brigade Games PacWar range is by no means small and The Marines and Japanese are all sculpted by Paul Hicks.
I was not aware that he made that range. I might have to give it a look over.
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The Brigade Games PacWar range is by no means small and The Marines and Japanese are all sculpted by Paul Hicks.
Yeah, the Brigade range is decent, but the Garands are wee and the legs and feet are off and too small. Look at them in comparison to the Empress figs in this post. The Empress ones are proper! The weapons look great, nice and detailed and the right size. The Brigade ones simply aren't. I knew paul Hicks did them, and they're not his top work IMO. I got some and was so dissapointed in the range that I never even painted them. The newer stuff in that range is good, the specialists, engineers, and raiders but the rest is just meh. Lots of room to improve and given how many ranges there are with good regular Army figs, more Marines would be very welcome. Of course, European theater is much more popular so maybe it wouldn't make sense from a business standpoint. But, the European theater is a pretty saturated market whereas the Pacific is not.
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Just got mine in the post and wow they are a million times nicer up close if that's even possible! I know it's a brand new line but I Can't wait to see what's coming next! Come on Paul and Christine don't leave us hanging to long ;D
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Next, and being sculpted as I write, will be;
4 x firing line to add to the ones released.
4 x advancing to add to the ones released.
4 x figures making two Bazooka teams. One firing one advancing.
4 x 30 cal with two firing and two moving.
Jeep just being cast but will need crewing etc. Then the basic jeep will be used for a number of developments such as ambulance version.
Then well we just keep going to be honest.
Cheers,
Paul
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Just take my money!! Can't wait! it will give me time to paint up this lot first!
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Jeep just being cast but will need crewing etc. Then the basic jeep will be used for a number of developments such as ambulance version.
Awesome! Then I have another request. AFAIK, nobody does a recon mortar jeep:
(http://www.inert-ord.net/usa03a/usa5/6081/60mmJeeps.jpg)
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Recieved my miniatures here in Stockholm yesterday, I've never had anything arrive that fst from the UK before! So, cheers for that!
Oh yeah, the miniatures are amazing too! ;D
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4 x 30 cal with two firing and two moving.
I've been trying to sit back and enjoy the releases as they come, but I have to ask, is that the bipod M1919A6, or the 'light tripod' M1919A4 and whichever one it is, will we see the other at some point too?
... and please, yes, just keep going. :)
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Okay, I like the figs, as I always like Paul's sculpting style and these are much better than the ones he did when he first started. You can really see more character and detail in his sculpting these days, so the young man is clearly getting better and better...and that is better for all of us! ;)
All that said, I really think the decision to go with 1/50th AFVs is just a bad mistake. I read Keith's take on things and understand his point, but don't think for WW2 is works at all. To be clearer, Empress commissions modern AFVs in 1:50 and this made sense, as there is simple a dearth of modern AFVs out there in 1/48. Yet, for WW2 1/48 offers a load of options (Tamiya, Hobby Boss, Gasoline, AFV Club, etc). Moreover, you would be able to cross sell items (and figs) into the 1/48 model crowd. Back to Keith's view that the 1/48 AFVs don't look quite right compared to 28mm (well, many are bigger than this, especially when based) figs. For softskin items like Kubels and Jeeps, perhaps. However, for tanks and such, the figs look appropriate. In contrast, aside from the Perry WW2 items, which Keith rightly points out fit more with 1/56 AFVs, almost all the larger WW2 ranges (plastic and metal) look wrong with such tiny AFVs. That's just my take.
Less I digress, I just think Empress would be better off spending its resources on items that are more likely to sell. Many gamers either opt for 1/56 or 1/48 AFVs...so why decide to do your own scale of 1/50? It just doesn't make much business sense to me. I really want Empress to succeed, and in the past have encouraged a few small suppliers to use them as their UK reps.
Looking forward to seeing more of Paul's sculpts but really think the 1/48 AFVs would be a better way to go.
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PS And I really think the Perry's made a big mistake with going with a smaller sized WW2 figs. Don't get me wrong, I love their WW2 Desert War range, and have loads of the figs (not the AFVs, as I really don't like these much...but some are nice). I keep the Perry's specifically for WW2 N Afrika games, as they are the only desert troops I have. The rest of my extensive WW2 stash (in 28mm and 20mm) are mostly geared towards Europe (generally the Ost Front), with some for the Pacific island hopping campaigns. So the different sized figs don't matter. Yet, if the Perry's had done with larger WW2 figs I really think they would have encouraged more sales.
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All fair points and all things we've considered at length.
In this case, however, it was us very much taking advantage of being able to commission exactly what we wanted. There's a definite vision for what we want to do with this vehicle and, for that, it absolutely needs to scale correctly. An ambulance conversion etc. just won't look right on something too small or too big.
This is entirely subjective of course, but sometimes you just have to go with your instinct on these things. There wouldn't be any point in producing either a 1/56th or 1/48th version because there are perfectly serviceable models in these scales already.
Also, before we panic too much, it's not as if we'll be producing loads of AFVs. Armour is already well catered for in both popular scales. Artillery makes some sense (many pieces do look very small these days tbh) but we'll see. Small soft-skins are unsatisfactory though currently in our humble opinion. YMMV and that's fine. :-)
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I can't wait to see what you got in stores for us! Really looking forward to the jeeps!
Will some of the miniatures be wearing greatcoats? What about a more gritty battle-worn look for the Hurtgen forest? On pictures from WW2 US Troops often have scarves wrapped around their head to protect against cold...
But I don't want to request too much, I'll let meself be surprised with what you are going to produce!
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:)
I could tell you but then Paul would have to kill us both ...
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:)
I could tell you but then Paul would have to kill us both ...
Let's put it to a vote lol
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Actually 1:50 would work very well with my Corgi stuff so it'd be ideal for our group. It's funny how we all do such varied things with the same basic starting point (28mm WWII in this instance).
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I have a suggestion for this range: a standalone pack of extra "crew" figures. Guys with and without carbines standing, squatting, or lying down would work as generic extras for all kinds of crews - mortars, mmgs, spotters, etc. This would be great for chain of command that has large crews that go with support weapons.
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I've been trying to sit back and enjoy the releases as they come, but I have to ask, is that the bipod M1919A6, or the 'light tripod' M1919A4 and whichever one it is, will we see the other at some point too?
... and please, yes, just keep going. :)
I would lean towards the 1919A6. I have been a gunner, AB, and assistant gunner on a few gun teams and it's far easier on every one involved if a tripod set team has at least 3 guys....one time i had to be all 3, the RTO (2 man packs) and had a mess of mortars. Not my fondest memorie. lol
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Both would be the ideal for me. :)
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:)
I could tell you but then Paul would have to kill us both ...
Its always a consideration lol
However I will say that the first 30cal up is the M1917A1 with water jacket on tripod. The M1919A6 with bipod will follow just after.
In reference to vehicle scale its what Keith said so well.
Cheers,
Paul
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works for me
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Here's hoping you'll sell the jeep crew separately as I don't want to mix scales with the 1/56 jeeps I already have.
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I must admit I would have preferred bipod and tripod M1919s, rather than the M1917, or preferably all three. Please, when you get round to the Bazooka, go for the M9 rather than the M1, it's more in keeping with the late war mojo.
As for the vehicle scale debate, granted I was the first to mention it, but it might be a mountain being built out of a molehill. A 1/50 Jeep is only 8mm x 4mm larger than a 1/56 one by my reckoning and certainly you would be hard pushed to spot the difference between 1/50 and 1/48 at a glance. I get PDE's point about pedal cars, you only have to look around what's already available for proof.
Certainly I don't think the sky will fall because Empress went for 1/50 and if you really don't like them, there are both 1/48 and (supposedly) 1/56 alternatives, as mentioned. At least wait for photos of the finished item before lighting the torches and picking up the pitchforks?
;)
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Granted, the difference between 1/56 and 1/50 won't be too drastic but I'm somewhat picky about such stuff. As long as I know it's not 'in scale' with my other stuff it'll keep buggering me. And if I like the Empress one more I'll probably end up painting a whole new jeep armada ;D
... thinking about it, this might be the evil plan after all lol
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Awesome news, both the Hicks sculpted miniatures and the choice of 1/50 scale vehicles. It would be fantastic if not only jeeps and such were released but also the mainstay armored vehicles like a Sherman and maybe a StuG or PzIV for the Germans. But failing that - and I can see why you'd initially hesitate with that - a 1/50 scale M8 Greyhound would be an excellent addition to the jeeps.
/Mattias
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These are fantastic, as of all of Mr. Hicks sculptures that I have laid eyes on to date.
Can not wait to put a brush to the WWII range and look forward to see future releases.
I can only imagine what your talents in ACW 28mm would look like and yes I know there are a ton of ACW on the market, but not of this caliber. :o
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Down with the pedal cars. 1/50 all the way. I would dump all my stuff for 1/50 afv. 1/56 is ok, it seems I do not have much choice anyway. I am behind empress on all this all the way.