As I am not able to figure out, how to make a collage on Photobucket, you can go to
http://s1120.photobucket.com/albums/l484/ths3/shumin%20sept%20figures/and see the figures from different angles.
Personally I have for a long period been interested in Poland 1918-1921, and as no commercial company seemed to be interested in making figures for that scenario, then I personally had to get the figures sculpted. So the figures being made, are some I want personally. If anybody else are interested in the figures, it is fine with me. If not, so be it.
To get the figures as authentic as possible, I have turned to sculptors in Russia and Ukraine, I have not been able to find Polish sculptors ready to make 28mm for the period. Not that there is anything wrong with the mainly English sculptors, but why not try some of the many fine Eastern sculptors, and get perhaps an extra Eastern ”feel” to the figures?
The figures are all meant for Poland 1918-1921, but of course many of them can be used for RCW generally.
For the moment Shumin is working on about 30 civilian types and some Ukrainian infantry – with shlyks. All with loose heads and extra heads.
Here is a short introduction to what the civilian series eventually will have. It is only a catalogue of ideas, as Shumin has a free hand, as long as the main focus is kept. He has been asked to make the figures, like humans, in different sizes and builds as he sees fit. Shumin has promised to come on this forum to explain further details.
Assault on the Manor – Ukraine-Russia 1917-1921It is not a big manor, but still a manor. Perhaps getting assaulted just before or during dinner.
The figures can be slightly caricatured and with humour, something like a bad B-film, with dresses and uniforms all historical correct.
All figures in action, all somehow taking part in the defence, as best they can.
You can perhaps personify them with some Ukrainian/Russian personal names.
If you have other and better ideas, on what local types could/would be taking part, let us discuss it.
Take faces from contemporary photos, or if you want to poke fun of our now a day society, you can perhaps use some known faces.
When making the weapons, please take care they can be re-used for the military figures and for converting other figures, as I like to do convertions.
Figures are to be sized to work with the Copplestones series of Back of Beyond and like series.
The figures are to be simple and clean, easy to paint, not overloaded with a heap of details difficult to paint.
Defenders the Manor1. The count/owner. Either very fat or long and thin. Perhaps bare headed in an old outdated Russian uniform, maybe the white summer army uniform jacket.
2. The countess. Big fat, with a heavy bosom and behind, a very commanding personage.
3. The eldest daughter, about 18-20 years. Very beautiful, well-shaped, buxom and in under-wear, just out of bed or surprised while dressing – perhaps something like the miniature of Mrs. Orr from Shadowforge. Picture enclosed.
4. Her younger brother, about 12-14 years, perhaps helping little sister firing – or he is maybe throwing a grenade. In school or cadet uniform. If cadet firing a Maxim or Schwartlose machine-gun or perhaps a Lewis? (Machine-gun can then also be used with the Ukrainian military series.)
5. His little sister, about 10-12 years, cute little one with a satanic grin when firing/aiming – perhaps firing a big, big revolver or something else.
4. and 5. could also man an Austrian Scwartzlose or Maxim, the girl firing and the brother directing/feeding the ammunition. If a cadet, he should be able to to master a machine-gun. In that way the people on the manor get a machine-gun.
6. The fiancée of the eldest daughter, a young dandy and officer, perhaps bare headed in full Russian? hussar dress, eventually a Cossack-type with the special Ukrainian national hair-cut.
Could have his batman with him, in that way at least two of the defenders are military. Everything helps in such situation. If so, one of the other figures have to go out, perhaps the cook, as he most possible is a Red!
7. The solid matron, housekeeper, middle-aged, first of all mostly upset with the rable trying to get into the house with their dirty footwear, but still armed somehow.
8. The trusty old servant/major domus, a very old fellow, nearly half-dead, stumbling around with an old gun.
9. Serving girl (or nanny), an well shaped Ukrainian beauty with her blonde hair wound up, as I have seen the girls in Ukraine often have it. A determined character, ready for everything – Reds or Whites. I am sure, she would be a highly skilful and fast moving sniper or fighter.
10. The gardener or another household fellow.
11. The cook with a cleaver.
12. The stable-boy, (or local smith) a big, burly fellow, a strongman.
13. The local orthodox priest, not very holy nor peaceful.
14. The librarian or children's teacher, a frightened, spectacled, intellectual type with glasses.
15. Someone for the household. Female perhaps, as we have enough men.
The highly revolting RevolutionariesAll armed and very upset.
Both farmers and industrial workers shall be, so they also can be used as partisans, Machno-men, Polish-Ukrainian rebels, with just an eventual change of head.
1. The local foreman
2. The red agitator
3. Angry farmer/local with torch. I do not know, if farmers then still wore a special local dress, with a long loose coat, boots and wide trousers. At least I remember having seem contemporary Ruthenians and Russian farmers in such dresses.
Red students
Angry revolutionaries carrying banner, made so they either can be two carrying a banner or singly carrying flags. Angry proletarian workers
Angry farm women
Deserters
Other sculptors works in progress have already been mentioned: Poles, Russian staff group for Budionnys Cavalry Army and some Russians for an officers company.
Any comments and suggestions are very welcome.
When will the figures be ready for sale?
It depends, how fast the sculptors finish their work and enough sculpts are made to fill a mould.
To get miniatures produced is really a slow procedure, I have found out.
The figures will be sold to interested through Sibirian Miniatures, as it is no more difficult to buy and pay via Moneybookers than with PayPal for Europeans. Maybe it is necessary to let the figures also being produced by some American company, if there are any interest over there for the figures, as Moneybookers is not allowed to work in USA.
June 06, 2012, 02:07:40 PM