Back in February 2023 we discussed a list of suggestions for new moulds for inclusion in the SYW range. At that time we noted that PA had produced 34 moulds in 10 years. In the time since then PA have (or are about to) released the British highlanders (3), British infantry (4) and Prussian cuirassiers (4) another 11 moulds, so actually releasing moulds at a slightly faster (or less slow😊) rate.
Seven Years War in Europe
Central & Eastern Europe
When I started working with Chris Tubb and Prince August (in 2012!) the initial aim was to produce a range of figures to (allow me to) fight wargames battles in the central European theatre, so primarily the Prussian, Austrian and Russian armies. With figures for these armies, any minor German states etc could be produced from the closest moulds in the major armies.
With the inclusion of my conversions for Austrian (Karoliner) and Prussian (Rossbach) cuirassiers, I produced my Prussian and Austrian armies a few years ago. The Russians are still a future project.
Austrian (& Russian) cuirassiers
The 'missing' Prussian cuirassiers have now been released, so that just leaves the Austrians. There are already some Austrian moulds in the range, however although nice figures, they are way too big to mix with the rest of the castings in the armies, so I don't use them (even though I have some cast & painted).
For my own gaming purposes I have converted Karoliner figures (just a head swap), which do the job nicely.
However this is an important hole in the range. Assuming the new Prussian cuirassier castings come out OK, I think the best way of filling the gap would be to modify the new Prussian figures. I will keep asking for these as it is an important omission.
Artillery in Coats
I've manned all my guns with crews in shirt sleeves, and am quite happy with them - however it would be nice to add a couple of moulds for crew in coats, so I will keep suggesting.
Cossacks
A few Cossack moulds would be nice.
Western Europe
Although my personal interest is in the central theatre, comments on the blog indicated a clear desire for the French and British armies. As a result of this, the project got side tracked and PA produced the French infantry before completing the cavalry and artillery for the central theatre.
With the recent addition of the British highlanders and infantry it is now possible to produce armies for this theatre as well.
Potential future moulds for the European Theatre
So in summary, apart from the figures discussed above, I think that the range for the European theatres is almost complete. Below are listed the remaining moulds which I will continue to suggest PA produce to fill the gaps:
- Austrian cuirassiers - possibly based on the Prussians (3/4 moulds)
- Artillery in coats (2 moulds)
- Standing 'Prussian' infantry command (2 moulds)
- Cosacks (3/4 moulds?)
- Pioneers/Civilians (2 moulds?)
Seven Years War in North America
The North American theatre was as important to the British and French as what was happening in Europe. The currently available moulds for the British and French soldiers can be used for their armies regular troops,, however there was also a lot more 'irregular' fighting in that conflict. Plans are therefore underway to produce figures for some of these irregulars, current thinking is:
- British (Rogers) rangers
- French militia
- Native Americans
As always comments are welcome.
Artillery in coats would be great - in particular if they would be somewhat smaller than the existing artillery men. Native Americans would also make sense as they would allow to play wargames in the North American theatre. Cavalry moulds .... I think most of you know what I think of these.
ReplyDeleteI will keep trying or the artillery.
DeleteI think Native Americans would be great. Right now a lot of us are making do with the Viking and old Holger Erickson molds.
ReplyDeleteI think sculpting of the North American figures is ongoing - I will try and get some pictures.
DeleteGood to hear the SYW-range continues. As for the future moulds, here are my inputs:
ReplyDeleteAustrian cuirassiers:
Something we need, as the existing are absolutely beautiful but unfortunately too big. I suggest, PA modifies the pose of at least the horse of the normal trooper, so it looks also different from the horse of the Prussian. Trumpeter and Officer can be the same, as there is only one figure per unit.
Artillery crew in coats:
I will give a separate comment on that. Happy to hear you don’t give up.
Standing Prussian infantery command:
Happy to hear, you keep trying on to get these on track. Prussians are good for 2 reasons: First Prussian troops were involved in many battles and second, German-Austrian infantery has almost identical uniforms. One mould can go with the drummer and standard bearer (like usual), the second mould with a NCO and a standing soldier with his musket be at the ready. I prefer to fill this gap instead of another officer that PA has already produced with the Austrian one. This one can be used for the command figures.
Cosacks
This is an interesting proposition. Yes, I would buy, simply because it is “exotic” and if it comes with all figures needed to form a unit, I would buy. I could use these also as base for conversions to Polish lancers. But I would put them low in the priority and support stronger the pioneers/civilians and North Americans. But it depends, what markets PA wants to serve; I think those would sell good in Eastern Europe/Russia.
Pioneers/civilians
These are welcome. As these figures are not mass-figures like advancing soldiers with muskets and such figures serve more to get some details/highlights on the board, it is key, that arms/hands are interchangeable, to get a big variety. I can imagine the following: 1: walking civilian who conducts draft horses. Right arm interchangeable – one arm with a stick/rope in the hand, one arm carrying a bucket for example. As for the “second figure” I suggest a small 12 spoke wheel. This would allow to use with the Karoliner or HE limber and would allow to build wagons. If we have the personal for wagons but not the wagons, it is a problem. PA has indeed a pair of wheels (small from Karoliner limber), bigger from HE cannon, but both have 8 spoke. So I drop one figure to get a beautiful wheel.
As for the pioneers, I suggest a figure that works with a shovel and another one with a standing pose and interchangeable right arm. Different arms to carry/holding tools like axe, pole, plank, pickaxe.
I'm pretty sure that after the British standard bearer and NCO there will be a considerable period where the mould releases all relate to the North American conflict.
DeleteNorth Americans
ReplyDeleteThe North American theatre has 2 main advantages compared to the European: 1: a lot smaller armies, having a few units allows already to play “full scale operations” and 2: simpler and smaller and fewer buildings/fortress.
Natives
Happy to hear they have been decided to be produced. We must ask what for we use the natives on the board. I think not for close formation like the Eurpeans, but rather for skirmish/ambush and close combat. I would forget about the close combat as this moment often is short in time, compared to the shooting before. With the few figures we should choose poses for skirmish/ambush. Here is how I would fill the 2 moulds:
-one standing or kneeling man shooting with a musket.
-one standing man shooting with bow and arrow (pointing and bow bowed)
-one man advancing similar to a NCO-figure with a separte right hand holding a tomahawk and one hand holding a rifle, if possible one hand holding a bow.
-one man kneeling with separate right arm and one arm holding a rifle and one a tomahawk (observe or ready to jump up and attack).
-No command figures as I think native leaders looked like ordinary men and there were always French/British commanders/officers with.
Please do not produce the natives with naked torso. We often see such pictures but they are not contemporary and I doubt, that in november or april natives had no cloths on the torso.
British (Roger) rangers
This is one unit among all militian forces, but very legendary and the one uniformed and organized like European units. So I understand and support it has a place. I would not make command figures as these can be made from the European armies. Use is also for skirming/amabush and not for close formation.
One man standing shooting with musket
One man kneeling shooting with musket
One man advancing with musket (holding in both hands)
One man advancing similar to NCO-figure with a separate right hand holding a rifle or tomawalk and another leg position (like for ex PA 3112 Russians) or with running legs (like PA58 Rossbach) to give variety.
French militia
First I would open the field and just call them militia so they can be used by both armies. Again no command figures and use for all – which makes it difficult. My choice would be:
One man advancing with musket
One man standing, loading musket
One man standing and shooting musket
One man kneeling and shooting musket
I am not so familiar with the milita. If the shooting men can be made with the Austrian Jaeger (PA3129), then we should choose other poses.
The intention is that the Native Americans and 'Rangers' will be in 'skirmishing' poses.
DeleteI'd love to see figures standing at attention, or similar covering the existing 7yrs war armies. Reworks of the older HE figures or continuing this style into other periods.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a wargamer (or even interested in 7yrs war!) but I do think this range makes the nicest looking toy soldiers available anywhere. It's the best!
The intention is that all the figures in the range are useful for gaming, whilst still hopefully attractive to collectors like yourself.
DeleteAfter all these years the 'gaming' range is not yet finished, although there is now light at the end of the tunnel.