May 2022 – My Toy Soldiers & Me

Tony Dilley (again) II

The Wagon “service” is an interesting model concept. 54mm Conversion.

Busy days. Not so busy as to do not appreciate the work of Mr. Tony Dilley again, if there is a frontier or red line between Toy Soldiers and Military Modeling Tony walks along it nicely and without apparent effort (just love his work!).

I do not “convert” a lot (a bare minimum in my Toy Soldier collection) and never with that quality of craftsmanship. Have run out of place actually… my cabinets look like the tube in Tokio… considering to put an end to collecting in 54mm for good (see next posts in the following days). I am nowadays only tempted to add 3 or 4 figures by the talented Andrew Stevens from REPLICA if ever bridges can be restored…

Enjoy!

James Opie

The hardback copy (must get one pronto!)

Somewhere else in this collection of posts I have already mentioned his great contribution to Toy Soldier literature (specially Britain’s), and still consider his book COLLECTING TOY SOLDIERS “the” reference book. Of course he advises Auctions and has a job connected with buying and selling items… but this is not here not there. He has (still) a fantastic collection (much revised and streamlined if you know what I mean). So he deserves a Post of his own. Enjoy.

Paul Watson

It has been a long time, but finally decided to show what craftsmanship can do… Above a badly need of repair set… below the awesome concept and execution. 54mm with a vengeance!… Wish I had this level of “ability” in my fingers. Enjoy.

Howard Whitehouse Own Toy Soldiers

Howard Whitehouse author of A GENTLEMAN’S WAR wargaming rules soldiers…

That is preaching by example… lovely toy soldiers by the way…

Tony Dilley (again)

Unusual uniforms perhaps… but the same craftsmanship!

I just love his models… so here you are…

Russians… 75mm

When Russians “saved” Europe from Napoleon! (1812)… Playmobil

Click Napoleonicos España does an excellent job converting and customizing Playmobils… of course those are not commercially available… Facebook as usual.

Some fun

The real spirit of “A Gentlemen’s War” (Howard Whitehouse)… figures by John Clarke

A bit of fun today! This picture seen in Facebook made me laugh and that is a good thing… I do not indulge in much humour myself in connexion with the hobby but those are excellent archetypes of caricature. You will excuse their introduction here… now… what about some drinks in the mess?

Tony Dilley

Army Dental Corps… unusual maybe… but excellent!

No much to add. I am always impressed by his works.

Indian Mountain Gun

Some interesting minis there… as seen in Facebook MTSAM

I guess they are 54mm but not sure at all. <i particularly like both figures on the right of the picture. Enjoy

Britain’s II

A very rare set of Britain’s… (even The Pope have soldiers!)

Spring is in the air… Cole Porter’s songs go around my head (I am more of a Beatles fan you know… that was my generation)… because I love nearly ALL music… but frankly the Swiss Guard is pertinent as a line for “Let’s fall in love”… …/.. even the Pope’s do it …/… I do not mean Pope’s collect Toy Soldiers (I do not know at all THAT)… but they have probably the most archaic guards uniforms around… and I would not mess with Swiss Guards… they have proved their Swiss Contract Loyalty dying to a man in several ocasions over the centuries…(probably one of the oldest serving units around) so do not confuse REAL LIFE with HOBBY LIFE… I am at pains to keep them separate at all times… Simply enjoy!