Hi all,

This is really just an informal survey for a friend...

Is there any interest amongst 1/35 scale modellers in South African Defence Force (SADF) troops, i.e. infantry, motorised/armour infantry, paratroopers. As this is SADF (as opposed to SANDF) it'll be pre-1994, Bush War/Apartheid era figures.

Please note that this would in no way be a 'glorification' of Apartheid any more than WSS figures are a glorification or endorsement of Nazi-Germany or the events of either period...

What sort campaigns/operations/periods would folks be interested in? What sort of poses? E.g. on patrol in Bush, relaxing in camp, seated in APCs, urban policing? What medium is prefered - resin or white metal?

On a similar note, is there a demand for Cuban and freedom fighters of the same period? Same questions as above apply...

All constructive comments welcomed

Rudi

I'd be interested in 1/35 sadf figures from the 80's Angola etc bush war. Regular infantrymen with R4's and plastic helmet, and some figures from fe 32 Bat.

I think any new figures of non-traditional subjects (German WWII , US WWII, etc... ) would be welcomed. Figures of freedom fighters or irregualrs would be great.

The only issue I see with the SADF figures is a lack of vehicles to pose them with.

I would prefer them in resin. To me, white metal just isn't as nice as resin, doesn't hold sharp enough detail, and is harder to work with.

All of the above!!!! Any subject period, and so forth. Mine are taking forever, and I am losing heart. Tell me where to get these if and when they become availabel, and I will buy, buy, buy!!! Tankers, and Ratel crew with infantry subjects. Swapo, and Cuban figures too. Yes please to all! To Heavyarty, there are kits, just have to know where to look. Baxmod, Aerografix, Cromwell, and the scratch build of course.

Let me restate that....

There are not many in plastic or by major model companies that are resonably priced.

How is that.

You got me there. Hows this? "There are kits out there, if you want to spend alot of money for resin kits, and put out more for the shipping, and mortage your house for AM stuff, and sell your kids to slave traders, for even more of them." Better?
I will admit the kits, are pricey, but IMHO they are well worth it. The obscurity of the subjects, is what I like. how many people to you know have a 1/35 scale SADF Buffel, ratel Olifant, or the other kits that are obtainable if you look. I love to deal with the people i do, and it also makes it all worth while. Now where are thos figures?

THanks for the comments guys. Keep 'em coming.

Hi rudi,
yes such figures have possibilites,selous scouts in the outback,South African recce commandos,koeveot would hold an interest for special forces fans just a thought
Phil

Hello,

Just to say that I won't be interested by this kind of subject



Best,

Julien

I would definitely be interested in freedom fighter figures which, with minor changes, could be used for various different conflicts around the world.

As far as the SADF, I'm with Gino in that there are no PLASTIC vehicles to use them with.. which is a shame because some of those vehicles are really interesting.

Cheers
Hisham

FWIW, rumour is one of the major plastic manufacturers has a G6 artillery piece lined up. Me'thinks they'll need a crew....

Rudi, don't suppose your friend would be interested in a 1/16 line??? I'd love to see some Recces, 32 Bat. and Parabats from the Angolan and Namibian fighting. Also, anything in 1/16 from Rhodesia of 'C' Squadron SAS, or the Selous Scouts.

David,

I'm not sure. At this point he's merely toying with the idea. He'd have to do a proper cost analysis to determine if it is actually worthwhile producing such a figure. It's not a case of marginalizing your idea, because it really is a great one, but he'd have to look at the cost-benefit of producing a range in that scale.

The main problem is time - in order to successfully launch this vensure he'd have to give up a lot of other commission work, which is his bread and butter.

As I said, he's still toying with the idea, and there are many other things to consider, like getting the right material mixes and the right people to cast the figures. Who knows.. this may not even come to fruition... on the other hand it may be the next Alpine Miniatures (figuratively - ignore the pun - speaking)...

Rudi

Hi Rudy,
As far as I'm concerned anything new that is really new and not just a new kit of an old subject would always be welcome. Personally I like to build post-WW2 vehicles and I appreciate the idea of someone producing models and figures of the South African insurgency. Vehicles? I'd most like to see the SADF Eland armored car, Buffel APC, Ratel tank hunter, and the Rhodesian-made Bullet IFV, Crocodile troop carrier, and Mowag Pig APC. Embargoed, forced into self-sufficiency, these countries produced some interesting military vehicles, and none of them have been produced in 1/35 scale.
The preferred medium would be plastic, of course. Anything else would be too expensive.
And figures? Cubans, ANC, SWAPO, SADF, Homelands DF, Selous Scouts, would all be great. The best poses I think are on patrol, sitting in APCs, and riding on top of vehicles.
Sure, South African models and figures would be a great idea.

A resounding yes to figures in 1/35!!
From both sides of the conflict in Angola ( my resin SADF kits needs both crew and troopies being transported).

I would prefer resin. However which would be the easiest for the manufacturer to work with? Anything to get them out easier/quicker.

SADF figures would be great - I'm interested




Resin would probably be better (White Metal is costly and it would drive the cost of postage and packaging up)

Regards,
Cougar

I'd definitely buy a Buffel & crew. The SL Army uses this APC and I could convert it.

So when are they coming out? I spasing out here!!!!

Well.... as I said, this is just an informal survey to determine whether there is interest... clearly there is, but the question is whether there is enough to build a sustainable business...

I think I could keep him busy for a while!

I'd be interested in field troops patroling and vehicle crews from both sides.
less so, but still interested in figures in combat poses.

Mike

Keeping this alive tell him to make them!!!!!!!!! I need them bad! Armor crews, infantry, Parabats, recce, 32 bn, you name it i need them,m and will buy them in droves!

Still waiting Rudi. Where are they? Just keeping my foot in the door.

Resin figures to go with the Olifant would be great. But what's that about the G6? That's would fill a huge gap in my artillery collection.

Sounds interesting.