Tomorrow is this blog's first birthday. Thought it might be worth mentioning this minor landmark. Part of my ambitions for this page have still to be realised but it has been successful in many other unexpected ways. One of my ambitions is to have a few figures produced somehow - not to make money - but just as I feel it is a useful 'Real World' achievement. Trouble is deciding what scale. My ideal range would cover 1670s with Dutch, Danes, Swedes and so on - any sculptors out there interested get in touch. Another ambition is to stimulate the reenactment of the Vauban era...not sure I have done that either. I am firmly in favour of the pike end of this age which I think is against the current trend but I think as the SK have proved it's not a huge step for a mid 17thc group with reasonable numbers to make a Restoration/Louis XIV era unit that looks impressive and is capable of not making silly wigwams with their pikes. If more across the 30 years war and ECW spectrum invested in new coats and hats we might be able to stage some colourful international events and sieges.
But enough of my fantasies. Think about what we do have. That is daily visits of 170 or so people from all around the world - excellent contributions from Sir William of Tejas and Corporal Trim... highly erudite comments from people who know what they're talking about and give us a tremendous amount of depth. What more could a blogger wish for?
A very happy birthday to you for publishing one of the most prolific and interesting blogs.
ReplyDelete-- Jeff
Happy birthday and thanks for a superb blog!!
ReplyDeletebest wishes
Alan
Happy birthday!!
ReplyDeleteThis is one of my favorite sites on the web.
ReplyDeleteKeep up the outstanding work!!
Happy Birthday Ralphus! It has indeed been an honor and a privilege to have been invited to participate. And, like you, as hard as we look for subject material to post, I am gratified that it is often our readers that point us in the desired directions and provide us with the source of inspiration.
ReplyDeleteBill
Ralphus,
ReplyDeleteAs far as the figure range goes, well, you know I'd like to see it in 15mm. However, Clibinarium is currently working on a new 25mm range for an as yet undisclosed maker. You can see a test green and read about his progress here:
http://www.leagueofaugsburg.com/fightingtalk/viewtopic.php?t=1752
And he's already announced that he will be doing a new super-detailed range in 10mm for Pendraken, similar to his AWI range for them.
Don't know if you're familiar with Frank Hammond or not. He commissioned Richard Ansell to do his "ideal" range of SYW figures, all primary nations, in exact 1/56th scale. This makes the figures anatomically correct and about 31mkm tall. They blend perfectly with the RSM figures (ex Steve Hezzlewood Pax Britannica) and the older Stadden and Willie 30's. He had Richard do the greens, then sends them off to Griffin Moulds for the master and for the production molds and casting. They are truly wonderful castings and have been very well received. He sells enough to cover his costs and accumulate his own army, so there's your business model. Check out Frank's Minden Miniatures blog if you haven't already:
http://mindenminis.blogspot.com/
Given the number of ranges already available in 10mm, 15mm and 25mm (even though some could stand re-doing or updating), I would probably go with 40mm. There is less competition, the figures would be large enough for most to paint, could be collected, used for dioramas or skirmish gaming by many, and even used in large games by some. You know Corporal Trim and I would buy several!
Bill