my learning curve

[Wealdmaster]

Okay, I am now learning some more stuff.  It seems like i'm going to have to try to cast some pith helmets or service helmets for British Infantry in Home Service Dress of the 1870's and 80's and 90's for my England Invaded by Prussia post Franco Prussian War Campaign.  I also have found on Ebay a set with teh picklehaub in it.  Also, I'm going to buy the vintage castle buildings.  I already have from when I was 6 yrs old.  The tailor.  Those were such great buildings.  Why are they all discontinued?  I think these buldings can work with any theme up to the outset of WW1.  I think some mods could be made to the field gun if I can find it to make it look a little more later 18th c.  Also, I'm imagining how to make French in Kepis from the Franco Prussian War.  Some variation on Civil war kepis, obviously, but they need to be red.  Also the long coats, packs.  

Where can one get the bolt action rifles?

Im sure many of the veterans out there think I'm sounding very newbyish, but I'm quite serious.

I have a golf green in my garden/backyard just for this kind of thing, it would look great with hundreds of soldiers on it.  

Anyone have an idea where to mass buy the Victorian Guard set?  The bearskin troops could be used for grenadiers and also regular infantry.  

I'm thinking on ways to make Prussian jaegers, green klicky's with some type of tall kepi.  Havn't seen any hats like that.

Thanks

J

[Richard]

Hello, Jude ...

When you are ready to begin, let us know.

We are all very happy to help you.

All the best,
Richard

[Stéphane]

Great légionnaire
What do you thing about this young guys ready to fight "la fleur au fusil" (flower in the gun)

Stéphane

[de Warrens]

I must buy that book!  

 Beautifully made picture!

David

[Wealdmaster]

Love that scene by the train.  what klickies were used to make those soldiers?

[GaiusIulius]

u r not newbish, every1 started as a n00b   Take ur time and just try yo ull make it. If you got your first figure done, the fever will take you.  

[EsDoc]

Okay, I am now learning some more stuff.  It seems like i'm going to have to try to cast some pith helmets or service helmets for British Infantry in Home Service Dress of the 1870's and 80's and 90's for my England Invaded by Prussia post Franco Prussian War Campaign.  I also have found on Ebay a set with teh picklehaub in it.

Anyone have an idea where to mass buy the Victorian Guard set?  The bearskin troops could be used for grenadiers and also regular infantry.  

Hi,

unfortunaltely you won't be able to get any of the bearskin headgear  from the direct service any more. This part is not available any more for about two years now. I know because a friend of mine ordered the last 300 pieces for his grenadiers à pied of the old guard :wink:

The Pickelhaube is a rather rare part too. As far as I know, it isn't available as well. So I made a mould for it in order to cast it in any needed amount (although it is not really MY period of interest).

Please show us your troops when you have deploeyed them in your garden. We're all eager to see them

And just as Richard said above we are happy to help if you need some advice :wink:

EsDoc

[Wealdmaster]

I am getting rather frustrated in terms of what kind of effort it's going to take to get some figures and buildings together to have a game.  I have got some basic stuff that is being manufactured now, and that is very reasonably priced.  The good stuff, such as cannon, the older buildings, discontinued figures, etc.  Is very expensive.  Much more than I thought.  I am prepared to sink some serious money into this because I love it.  I think, however, that I'm going to have to rethink my strategy.  This ebay phenomenon is crazy.  people are paying insane prices for stuff there.  If I have to get this stuff on ebay, I'm going to spend thousands and thousands.  Perhaps as people are telling me, I should go to the German Conventions and get the needed bits.  This will cost money, but perhaps save a lot in the long run, if stuff can be had there cheaper.  Just thinking out loud.

Jude

[Richard]

I am getting rather frustrated ...  The good stuff, such as cannon, the older buildings, discontinued figures, etc.  Is very expensive.

Hello, Jude ...

Here are some suggestions:

1. Buy (or borrow) one each of the unavailable discontinued pieces that you want and make some moulds and cast your own.
2. If you want "Playmobil" buildingg for wargaming, there are many different ways to make your own. You can use wood, cardboard or even cast your own from hydrostone. (For outside buildings you can make RTV moulds of the Playmobil building parts and then cast your house and castle parts from plaster casting materials such as Hydrostone or Thompson's Water Putty.)
3. Of all the cannon ever made, many of us think that the "Big Bertha" mortar is the best one ever produced by Playmobil for wargaming with Playmobil. And, it's still available!

4. Don't get discouraged. Most of us have been where you are now ...

All the best,
Richard

[Dan]

I'm just getting started too Jude so we're two newbies together!

[Wealdmaster]

Dan, what periods or themes are you into?

Jude

[Wealdmaster]

I have been doing some thinking, and it seems that in order to build this Victorian Army, I need the German gendarme from 5504 for any Prussian army basic infantryman.  I also need the Victorian Royal Guard figure as in 4577 and 5581, all of these are discontinued.  Those dark blue legs are critical and available nowhere else.  I can make picklehaubs but those bearskins look tough.

I might give up on this idea for now and switch to something that I can make with what is available.  

I mean Napoleonics!!!  I started my love of military miniatures with this when I was about 13, and by the time I was seriously into  this in college I realized that this crowd of people is probably the most stereotypical realization of what we all hate in the serious military history gaming community.  Rules lawyers and anal nerds galore.  Get these people on some know it all power trip and you can see why I never looked at Napoleionics for almost 9 years now.  

I do like Napoleonic stuff though.

I imagine a countryside filled with Castle theme houses and lots and lots of troops.  

I only see one roadblock here and that is again, the bearskin, but I think it is needed in small enough numbers here to render it a possible roadblock to get around.  Also I will need the old style bicorne and can mold it from one I already have.

Yes, this may be what initiates me into playmobil until I get more resources to track down those elusive discontinued Victorian pieces.

Jude

[Dan]

I'm into anything from AD800 to 1914 but at the moment I'm concentrating on napoleonics.

I'm alos looking for the Guardsman's bearsking because I have 4 Guardsmen but only 3 bearskins!