Ehmke vs Esci / Italeri, Napoleonic Cavalry

The photo above compares two metal Prussian cavalry figures from Ehmke-Art (A,C) with a similar number of plastic figures from Esci / Italeri (B,D). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturers’ Designation and Number of Poses:

Currently all Ehmke-Art figures are from the Napoleonic period. These particular models have been identified as Prussian Dragoons, but I do not have a catalogue number for them. I am also not aware of any other Prussian releases by this company.

Figure Characteristics:

Rider Height above ground (measured from ground to rider eyes): 30mm.
Rider Body Height (measured from foot, to knee, to hip, to eyes): 21mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

Although some Ehmke figures can be ordered from CW Toys, these particular types are not included. The best way to obtain Ehmke figures is to contact Uwe Ehmke using the contact information on the Ehmke-Art website.

Notes on the Samples:

These figures were donated to the Plastic Pelisse by Conrad Kinch.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Figure Characteristics:

The plastic figures were originally released by Esci as set 218: "Napoleonic Wars Waterloo 1815, 'Polish Lancers' French Cavalry.” The box included 12 riders in 4 poses, and 12 horses in 3 poses.
The set has been reissued by Italeri as box 6039: "Dutch-Polish Lancers, Red Lancers, 1805-1815.”

Figure Characteristics:

Rider Height above ground (measured from ground to rider eyes): 32mm.
Rider Body Height (measured from foot, to knee, to hip, to eyes): 22mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

Italeri continues to produce these figures, so they are easily obtained. For instance, Hannants has the set retailing for £6.50.

Ehmke vs Airfix, Napoleonic Cavalry

The photo above compares two metal cavalry figures from Emhke (A,D) with a pair of plastic figures from Airfix / Accurate (B,C). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturers’ Designation and Number of Poses:

Currently all Ehmke-Art figures are from the Napoleonic period. These particular models have been identified as Prussian Dragoons, but I do not have a catalogue number for them. I am also not aware of any other Prussian releases by this company.

Figure Characteristics:

Rider Height above ground (measured from ground to rider eyes): 30mm.
Rider Body Height (measured from foot, to knee, to hip, to eyes): 21mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

Although some Ehmke figures can be ordered from CW Toys, these particular types are not included. The best way to obtain Ehmke figures is to contact Uwe Ehmke using the contact information on the Ehmke-Art website.

Notes on the Samples:

These figures were donated to the Plastic Pelisse by Conrad Kinch.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturers’ Designation and Number of Poses:

The Airfix figures come from box 01736 “Waterloo French Cavalry (Cuirassiers).” They were also reissued by Accurate as box 7212 “Waterloo French Cavalry.” The set includes 9 riders in 6 poses, mounted on 9 horses in two poses. There are also two vignettes: the man holding his horse, and a crouching trooper beside an injured horse.

Figure Characteristics:

Rider Height above ground (measured from ground to rider eyes): 29mm.
Rider Body Height (measured from foot, to knee, to hip, to eyes): 21mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

Although these figures are not currently in production, they can easily be obtained from dealers.

Ehmke vs Revell, Napoleonic Cavalry

The photo above compares metal Prussian Dragoons from Ehmke-Art with plastic French Mounted Chasseurs from Revell, as follows:

A: Ehmke horse and rider;
B: Revell horse and rider;
C: Ehmke rider on Revell horse.

Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer's Designation and Number of Poses:

Currently all Ehmke-Art figures are from the Napoleonic period. These particular models have been identified as Prussian Dragoons, but I do not have a catalogue number for them. I am also not aware of any other Prussian releases by this company.

Figure Characteristics:

Rider Height above ground (measured from ground to rider eyes): 30mm.
Rider Body Height (measured from foot, to knee, to hip, to eyes): 21mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

Although some Ehmke figures can be ordered from CW Toys, these particular types are not included. The best way to obtain Ehmke figures is to contact Uwe Ehmke using the contact information on the Ehmke-Art website.

Notes on the Samples:

These figures were donated to the Plastic Pelisse by Conrad Kinch.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer's designation and Number of Poses:

The Revell figures come from box 02576, “French Mounted Guard Chasseurs, Napoleonic Wars." The box contains 17 riders in 8 poses, 17 horses in 6 poses, and one dismounted figure.

Figure Characteristics:

Rider Height above ground (measured from ground to rider eyes): 29mm.
Rider Body Height (measured from foot, to knee, to hip, to eyes): 21mm.
Body Build: Average.

Availability and Cost:

Revell is not currently producing this set, and it is getting hard to find at hobby shops and second hand dealers. At present, most of the comprehensive online figure retailers list the product as out of stock, although Ye Olde Toy Solders is offering a box on eBay for $12.99 US.

General Notes:

See the side panel lists for websites of the manufacturers, distributors and retailers mentioned above. To convert cost figures to your currency, use a site such as xe.com, also listed in the side panel. More detail on the plastic figures can be found at the Plastic Soldier Review.

Ehmke vs HaT, Napoleonic Cavalry

The photo above compares two metal cavalry figures from Ehmke-Art (A,C) with two plastic figures from HaT (B,D). Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturers’ Designation and Number of Poses:

Currently all Ehmke-Art figures are from the Napoleonic period. These particular models have been identified as Prussian Dragoons, but I do not have a catalogue number for them. I am also not aware of any other Prussian releases by this company.

Figure Characteristics:

Rider Height above ground (measured from ground to rider eyes): 30mm.
Rider Body Height (measured from foot, to knee, to hip, to eyes): 21mm.
Body Build (from 5 categories): C (Average).

Availability and Cost:

Although some Ehmke figures can be ordered from CW Toys, these particular types are not included. The best way to obtain Ehmke figures is to contact Uwe Ehmke using the contact information on the Ehmke-Art website.

Notes on the Samples:

These figures were donated to the Plastic Pelisse by Conrad Kinch.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturers’ Designation and Number of Poses:

The HaT figures come from two sets:

B. 8016 “Russian Cuirassiers”
D. 8014 “KGL Light Dragoons”

Each set includes 12 riders in 4 poses, and 12 horses in 2 poses.

Figure Characteristics:

8014 Rider Height above ground (measured from ground to rider eyes): 30mm.
8014 Rider Body Height (measured from foot, to knee, to hip, to eyes): 22mm.

8016 Rider Height above ground (measured from ground to rider eyes): 30mm.

Body Build (from 5 categories): C (Average).

Availability and Cost:

These boxes are currently available from HaT, and can be found at hobby shops and online retailers. For instance, Drum and Flag has box 8016 for sale at £4.25

Notes on the Samples:

These figures were obtained in a trade with Will McNally.

General Notes:

See the side panel lists for websites of the manufacturers, distributors and retailers mentioned above. To convert cost figures to your currency, use a site such as xe.com, also listed in the side panel.

Ehmke vs Italeri/Revell, Napoleonic Prussian Cavalry

The photo above compares early war Prussian Cuirassiers in plastic from Italeri/Revell with late war Prussian Dragoons in metal from Ehmke-Art. The identification is as follows:

A: Ehmke-Art
B: Italeri
C: Ehmke rider on Italeri horse
D: Italeri rider on Ehmke horse

Click on the image for a larger version.

THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturers’ Designation and Number of Poses:

Currently all Ehmke-Art figures are from the Napoleonic period. These particular models have been identified as Prussian Dragoons, but I do not have a catalogue number for them. I am also not aware of any other Prussian releases by this company.

Figure Characteristics:

Rider Height above ground (measured from ground to rider eyes): 30mm.
Rider Body Height (measured from foot, to knee, to hip, to eyes): 21mm.
Body Build (from 5 categories): C (Average).

Availability and Cost:

Although some Ehmke figures can be ordered from CW Toys, these particular types are not included. The best way to obtain Ehmke figures is to contact Uwe Ehmke using the contact information on the Ehmke-Art website.

Notes on the Samples:

These figures were donated to the Plastic Pelisse by Conrad Kinch.

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturers’ designation and Number of Poses:

The Italeri figures come from box 6007, “Prussian Cuirassiers, Garde du Corps, Napoleonic Wars 1806/7". The box contains 17 figures in 9 poses.

The set has also been released by Revell as box 02589 “Prussian Curassiers, Mounted Regiment K2.”

Figure Characteristics:

Rider Height above ground (measured from ground to rider eyes): 32mm.
Rider Body Height (measured from foot, to knee, to hip, to eyes): 21mm.
Body Build (from 5 categories): C (Average).

Availability and Cost:

Italeri is currently producing this set, which can be found through various plastic model distributors, and at hobby shops. For instance, Udisco is currently selling the box for $8.40 (Canadian).

Notes on the Samples:

The sample figures were donated by Mike Epting.

General Notes:

See the side panel lists for websites of the manufacturers, distributors and retailers mentioned above. To convert cost figures to your currency, use a site such as xe.com, also listed in the side panel.

Ehmke-Art Napoleonic Figures

Ehmke-Art is a manufacturer of 20mm troops for the Napoleonic Wars. Based in Germany, the business is a one-man operation. The owner, Uwe Ehmke, has produced figures for several different forces over the years, including some interesting and obscure subjects.

He continues to introduce new figures, and also retires older models when the moulds are worn or damaged. Unfortunately, these changes mean that it is very difficult to put together a complete list of available poses. The following list has been assembled from several sources, and probably includes models that are no longer available:

Ehmke-Art Napoleonic Range
(note, there are multiple poses in some codes)

Wurttemberg
-Mounted (9 codes)
-Foot (7 codes)
Austria
-Mounted (4 codes)
-Foot (4 codes)
-Artillery (4 codes)
French
-2 mounted codes
Russia
-2 mounted codes
Prussia
-2 mounted codes
Bohemia
-2 infantry codes

Some of Ehmke’s figures are currently distributed by CW Toys. However, the best way to get access to the full catalogue is to send an email directly to Uwe here: ehmke-art@web.de . Uwe recently delivered a very large number of figures to the Aspern Project, which meant that more moulds had to be retired. This means that several of his codes can no longer be filled completely, though partial sets may be provided. He is also willing to provide discounts if a customer wants to order lower quality models from the older moulds.

Cost through CW Toys is €9.00 for a set of 8 figures in four poses.

In the weeks to come, I will be posting comparisons of Ehmke’s mounted figures with various plastic ranges.

About the pictures:

The first image shows three samples from a set donated to the Plastic Pelisse by Conrad Kinch. They have been identified as Prussian Hussars, and obviously come from an older mould.

The second image is taken from an older sales list which can be found archived here. It is an Austrian Hussar.

The third image was recently posted at Benno’s Figure Forum by Uwe Ehmke, and shows his latest release, Austrian Jagers. See the full thread for more information.