Anyone know what happened to FPW Cooley minis

[DanimalKingdom]

I saw these designs ages ago: https://cooleyminiatures.wordpress.com/2012/06/21/franco-prussian-war-28mm-sculpts/

Does anyone know what happened to them? They looked great, did they just die a death? Or did someone ever actually start producing them?

[Oldboy]

I think they died a death. I believe the sculptor has made several ranges for various companies. There was much conversation when the greens were first posted but his website has not been updated for years. A great shame. But many people dip their toes into FPW and get second thoughts. Black Hussar have discontinued their range and Footsore never got beyond about three packs of French. Its all a bit bizarre as I am sure there is a market for a comprehensive range.
Hopefully the Perrys will read this, I know they did the WF range there must be a glimmer of interest there!
Frank

[waterproof]

I can only agree, it is a question of the design and scope of the offered range. Especially the FPW has many interesting aspects. So what is the deterrent ? In some forums I have read that the German unification wars are better played in 15mm or smaller because you can display the troops and tactics better. Ok, for WW1 I let that be valid. But not for the wars from 1864 to 1871. Interestingly enough, the players have no problems with ACW. Tactics, armament and troop size go in a similar direction. Is it perhaps because of the extensive offer of 28mm miniatures ? Cavalry, Artillery and Infantry are available in the ACW from different manufacturers, even partly in plastic.
I think there is a lack of media support, movies etc. and of courageous manufacturers. After all, every conflict, no matter how small, in the colonies can be found on the playing field. Unfortunately the Italian and German unification wars occupy a hidden niche there.
Maybe Mr. Hicks will have mercy for a small project, I would be very happy. 

[Oldboy]

I do not really know how it works and I am not computer savvy enough to set it up, but perhaps someone could institute a poll to establish interest and then armed with a positive result approach a bigger manufacturer to set up a kickstarter campaign. It would have to be someone big enough to give the range ongoing support. After all Footsore have been very successful with two kickstarters for the Barons war. I had not even heard of the war (1 or 2) until the kickstarter. Beautiful figures. I am waiting on a small order of those too.
F

[Johnp4000]

There does seem to be the feel of doomed to the graveyard to any FPW range, was IT' EAGLES OF EMPIRE' started a range that also now looks abandoned?Steve Barber also started a range with Saxons and some Prussian Infantry but there have been no recent additions.I don't understand the view that it is better gamed in 15mm (although in that scale there seem to be a lot of full ranges) as you could say that about any conflict from Napoleonic onwards. North Star have ranges for 1864, 1866, I think they might be the only company willing to take risk to develop a range if they thought there was enough interest?
Footsore Barons war range are apart from the character figures are just generic 13th century troops, I don't see anything unique about them and they can be used in a variety of conflicts. I have a feeling from most posts most gamers associate the term with the Simon de montford campaigns of Lewes and Evesham.

[waterproof]

in fact, I bought the French infantry from Eagles of Empire. And I was also very happy that a manufacturer was found there. But why did I not buy more ? I was disappointed that the Chassepot rifles are all without bayonet.  The figures are designed for a Skirmish game. Unfortunately there is no possibility to enlarge the units with smaller packs ( six infantry models in blister ). You always buy 16 miniatures in a box. I was also annoyed that the miniatures series is bound to a set of rules.
And finally I find the Prussian/Bavarian Infantry creepy ( everybody has their mouth open and screams something ) and the Dreyse rifle has no bayonet again.
Compared to Foundry or Northstar the series just didn't appeal to me anymore.
Unfortunately !

[Alan Mercer]

I was looking at the choices in this period a few weeks ago. Eagles of Empire seems to be a slow burner and looks specific to a rule set. The figures are great, but they seem more skirmish based rather than to fill out big units. I suppose what may scare manufacturers off is that this is yet another Big army period with plenty of variety of troop types. The Foundry range is still great, but some of the poses look a bit stiff and tired now.

I can't see why generic sets of plastic French Infantry and Prussian Infantry couldn't work though. I thought I saw some 3 ups for FP War plastics a few years ago, but can't remember whose they were. I could be imagining it!

[Emir of Askaristan]

I was keen on these, and the Footsore and the EOE ranges and others.

Although the Perry sculpted Foundry range is old, it's very comprehensive and if not complete then it's much more so than any other. Both sides can be done from the range. And a few of the allies can be represented too. So I'm probably just going to stick with it.

The trick would be to create a range that matches it, rather than build another and fill in the blanks that way. Compliment rather than compete?

[Oldboy]

Maybe the Perrys would consider filling in some of the gaps in their old range. The German cavalry are mostly without trumpeters etc. I believe they did something similar with the AWI range, filling in gaps. Looking at their site now the AWI range is fairly comprehensive.
I suppose that some of the lesser states made only very minor contributions. According to the book I am reading now on 1866, Hanover signed a peace treaty after only a minor skirmish and Saxony was effectively evacuated by their troops (they may play more of a significant role later, I haven't got that far)
I have a few boxes of E of E figures and they are painted, but I find them to be not quite my style for painting. Not sure why. But they are the most comprehensive current/new range. I think the owner needs sales to bring out new figures. On his blog he says the figures were designed to fit in with the North star ones. They are about right just a slightly different style.

[vtsaogames]

Not what you asked, but I believe the sculptor did the 15mm figures sold under the Old Glory 15s brand. I have a bunch of French and Prussians. The French in particular look like Detaille paintings. My Bavarians are from Lancashire.

[italwars]

My opinion on that is very basic:
A) there are plenty of figures covering every unit you can need offered by the various above mentioned ranges in 28mm and everything could be compatible
B) the period has a certain appeal but not as Napoleonics, Ancient or WW2
B) There is a crisis people is saving money

[Ray Rivers]

This is one of the few wars I have not painted armies for. I do have some of the Foundry FPW miniatures and they still are excellent (especially the price point). Wouldn't hesitate to recommend them if you want to go with 28mm.

Dunno what caused it, but I started looking around for minis for the FPW a couple weeks ago and I eventually settled on Pendraken 10mm. Got them in the mail and am painting up the first half dozen. The detail in those tiny minis is amazing. They have ears sculpted on them... 

Personally if I was going to do a big battle set-up I would go with 10mm. Easy to paint, easy to store, easy on your wallet and lots of room on the table for maneuver. But then again, I've always been a 15mm big battle guy going way back.

[fantasticlegions]

Although there are many FPW ranges out there, most of them are a little long in the tooth and not up to today's sculpting standards.  I think the period could use a comprehensive 28mm and 18mm range.  Imagine a FPW range sculpted to the standards of Perry Miniatures or Paul Hicks?  Or even comparable to Tony Barton's AB Miniatures line....

[Gribb]

I think it boils down to conflicts which does not involve UK or US, who have the biggest communities of gamers, don't get much interest and thus turnover. The FPW have plenty of colorful units, weaponry and possibilities for gaming, but the interest just isn't big enough for companies to invest in them. And probably why range after range is discontinued at early stages. In contrast the Zulu War has seen much more investment and followings. Paul Hicks did some wonderful sculpts.

The Perrys despite being FPW enthusiasts unfortunately won't sculpt a new range. I made an enquiry a while ago about it.

[waterproof]

Thanks, Gribb, that's my thought, too.
 The absence of British and US forces in the Franco Prussian War is affecting interest in the English speaking player community.

I am sad to read that the Perry twins are not even thinking about doing a project there.

The whole discussion got me dusting my Frenchmen and painting them.