Fritz Figures now online

As mentioned here and elsewhere, Uwe Wild is a passionate collector of 1/72nd scale figures. Uwe is particularly interested in creating massive dioramas with teams of colleagues. You can read about his work and exploits on his blog:


http://historyin172.blogspot.com/

Over the years, Uwe’s desire to present some of the more obscure units in his work has led him to commission unique figures from a number of sculptors. Uwe then has the figures cast in metal, and uses them in his production. Of course, as soon as other collectors notice the new models, Uwe gets a drove of requests for additional production.

Uwe has now taken the logical next step and established a web shop where his figures can be purchased. The site, which takes the name “Fritz Figures” can be found here:

http://www.fritz-figures.de/

The current offerings include:

Musketeers, 1680s
Arauebusiers de Grassin, War of Austrian Succession (1740s)
Indian troops, Wellington in India
Polish infantry, Napoleonic War
Horsemen from the Sokoto Caliphate (West Africa), 19th century
Ottoman army (Turkish and Egyptian), Crimean War
Bengal lancers, 2nd Afghan War
Anamites, 1880-1900

Foot figures are selling for €0.80 while mounted figures are €1.60.

The picture above shows a unit of Fritz Figures Sepoys painted by Krisztian Takacs. I have borrowed it from Uwe’s blog.

Fritz Figures Turks vs Waterloo 1815 Italians

The photo above compares three metal figures from Uwe Wild (A,C,E) with a pair of plastic Bersaglieri from Waterloo 1815 (B,D). Click on the image to see a larger version.THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:The metal figures are produced by Uwe Wild. He has released 13 different Turkish infantry poses to date, as well as some artillery figures. Another five foot figures are also in the pipeline. As a new venture, the figures are not yet branded or catalogued.

Figure Characteristics:
Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 22mm with some variation.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 24mm with some variation.

Availability and Cost:
These figures are currently available from Uwe Wild. Details on pricing may change, so those interested in purchasing any should contact him through his blog:

http://historyin172.blogspot.com/

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturers’ Designation and Number of Poses:The plastic figures are from Waterloo 1815’s box AP 015 “Italian Bersaglieri, 1859.” This set includes 48 figures in 12 poses.

Figure Characteristics:
Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 22mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 24mm.

Availability and Cost:
These figures are currently in production, and can be obtained through hobby shops or online distributors.

Fritz Figures Turks vs Emhar French, Crimean War foot

The photo above compares three metal figures from Uwe Wild (A,C,E) with a pair of plastic soldiers from Emhar (B,D). Click on the image to see a larger version.THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:The metal figures are produced by Uwe Wild. He has released 13 different Turkish infantry poses to date, as well as some artillery figures. As a new venture, the figures are not yet branded or catalogued.

Figure Characteristics:
Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 22mm with some variation.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 24mm with some variation.

Availability and Cost:These figures are currently available from Uwe Wild. Details on pricing may change, so those interested in purchasing any should contact him through his blog:

http://historyin172.blogspot.com/

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:The Emhar models are from box EM 7211 “French Infantry, Crimean War 1854-56 & Franco-Prussian War 1870-71.” The box contains 50 figures in 14 poses.

Figure Characteristics:
Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 21mm.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 23mm.

Availability and Cost:
The Emhar French are a fairly recent release (from 2007) and thus can easily be found at hobby shops and online retailers.

Fritz Figures vs Strelets, Crimean Turkish infantry

The photo above compares three metal figures from Uwe Wild (A,C,E) with a pair of plastic soldiers from Strelets-R (B,D). Click on the image to see a larger version.THE METAL FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:The metal figures are produced by Uwe Wild. He has released 13 different Turkish infantry poses to date, as well as some artillery figures. As a new venture, the figures are not yet branded or catalogued.

Figure Characteristics:
Height (measured from sole of foot to eyes): 22mm with some variation.
Height (measured from sole of foot to top of head): 24mm with some variation.

Availability and Cost:
These figures are currently available from Uwe Wild. Details on pricing may change, so those interested in purchasing any should contact him through his blog:

http://historyin172.blogspot.com/

THE PLASTIC FIGURES

Manufacturer’s Designation and Number of Poses:The plastic figures come from Strelets’ large set 903 “Thin Red Line.” The set includes re-issues of 3 existing Strelets sets, as well as 49 new foot figures representing Turkish infantry and commanders.

Strelets has released a deep and comprehensive range of sets covering the Crimean conflict.

Figure Characteristics:
Height (measured from ground to eyes): 21mm.
Height (measured from ground to top of head): 23mm.

Availability and Cost:This set was released in 2009, but is often hard to find, as the number of sets released was limited and it has proved popular with wargamers and collectors.

Crimean Turks from Uwe Wild (Fritz Figures)

Pictured above are several of the new Turkish Crimean figures available from Uwe Wild. Click on an image to see a larger version.

Many of the readers of this blog will be familiar with Uwe Wild and his various contributions to the hobby. For those who don’t recognize his name, check out his blog here:

http://historyin172.blogspot.com/

One of Uwe’s recent projects has been to start manufacturing interesting subjects in 1/72 scale. His figures are metal, but for the most part are intended to fill the gaps in both plastic and metal lines. His first release includes a number of Turkish subjects for the Crimean war.

Pictured above are some of the infantry poses available, which include figures from the Anatolian elements of the Turkish army. Altogether there are 13 different infantry figures currently available, as well as some artillery. More figures for this topic are expected in 2011.

These are nice sculpts with good detail and useful poses. There has been some effort made to vary the heights of the different figures, but they average 22mm high at the eyes, and 24mm high to the top of the head. (Photo comparisons with plastic ranges will be posted later.)

Uwe is still working out the details of his range, including a brand name. For pricing and availability, it is best to contact him using the email address available on his blog.

Nostalgic Revival vs RedBox, 18th Century India, Foot

The photo above compares three metal sepoy figures from Cunningham (now 20mm Nostalgic Revival) to three Afghan fighters (in brown plastic) from RedBox. Click on the images for a larger version.
Manufacturers’ designations:

The RedBox figures are from box RB72004 “Afghan Warriors.”

The Nostalgic Revival figures are from the “Wellington in India” range. From left to right they are: SW2 Madras sepoy advancing, SW4 Bombay grenadier loading, SW3 Bombay grenadier priming.

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
RedBox – 20mm.
Nostalgic Revival – 22mm.

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
RedBox – C (average)
Nostalgic Revival – C (average)

Overall conclusions:

The Cunningham sepoys are noticeably taller than the RedBox Afghans. The sculpting styles are also a bit different (with the Cunningham sculpts being a bit more slender, and more realistic in terms of animation). However, with some attention paid to modifying the base height, it should be possible to use them on the same table.

Esci / Italeri vs Cunningham, 18th c. Indian foot

The photo above compares three metal sepoy figures from 20mm Nostalgic Revival to three Esci figures (one painted, and two in tan plastic) which could represent their local opponents. Click on the images for a larger version.

Manufacturers’ designations:

The Esci figures are from box 238 “Muslim Warriors.” They have been reissued by Italeri in box 6055 "Arab Warriors."

The Nostalgic Revival figures are from the “Wellington in India” range, from left to right they are: SW2 Madras sepoy advancing, SW4 Bombay grenadier loading, SW3 Bombay grenadier priming.

Height compatibility (measured from sole of foot to eyes):
Esci / Italeri – 21mm.
Nostalgic Revival – 22mm.

Body Build compatibility (from 5 categories):
Esci / Italeri – C (average)
Nostalgic Revival – C (average)

Overall conclusions:

The Esci / Italeri figures work very well with the NR sepoys. The height and the sculpting style are very close. There should be no concern about mixing these types on the same table. Note that the painted figure (which was purchased from C Turnitsa), is mounted on a washer, so appears a bit taller than the rest.

This comparison was suggested by Conrad Kinch in an earlier comment on the new NR figures. Check out Conrad’s blog:

http://joyandforgetfulness.blogspot.com/

Cunningham releases Sepoys for Wellington

John Cunningham has launched a new range of figures called “Wellington in India.” At present the range consists of six figures, as seen in the pictures above. (Painted by John; click on the images for larger versions).

Since John hasn’t yet finalized a name for his company, I am indexing these under “Cunningham Miniatures” but I will update that once I have his formal name.

These sepoys can serve in the fourth Anglo-Mysore War and Second Anglo-Maratha War as a start, and more generally the last years of the 18th century, and opening of the 19th century in India.

John will be selling these figures at .80 euros each. At today’s exchange that works out to $1.09 (US), 75p (UK), $1.33 (CDN) or $1.54 (AUS). To order, contact him by email at CunnJoh@aol.com