Great Ideas And From what I have seen great items! Figures scare me, but I will e trying my hand on some soon.
Norm
Figures
Military figures of all shapes and sizes.
Military figures of all shapes and sizes.
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Masterbox: YOUR Feedback Needed
710ell
Joined: August 28, 2008
KitMaker: 10 posts
Armorama: 4 posts
Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008 - 12:25 PM UTC
NoTime
Joined: August 30, 2008
KitMaker: 23 posts
Armorama: 17 posts
Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008 - 12:52 PM UTC
I would definitely buy these. As others have noted, the price of single metal figures is out of sight, and out of my price range. I'm really impressed by the detail on the Hussar's uniform and saddle cloth - it shows quite an improvement over the Historex figures (which were plastic and I think injection-molded) that came out decades ago and are scarce now in the U.S. I'd welcome a whole line of Russian, Austrian and Prussian Napoleonics (let's throw in Bavaria, Baden, Saxony and Wurtemburg while we're at it). The sculpting of the Indian's face is really fine, too.
I would prefer 54 mm to 35 mm, though.
I would prefer 54 mm to 35 mm, though.
FirstMass
Joined: August 15, 2004
KitMaker: 252 posts
Armorama: 146 posts
Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008 - 06:52 PM UTC
I love the Plains Indian and if Masterbox ever produced it I would buy multiple sets. Do I dare dream about a Custer & the Seventh Cavalry companion set? I'm tempering my enthusiasm however, because I remember what happened with Dragon's Civil War line -- it never got past the first set of Union infantry. Let's keep our fingers crossed.
Brian
Brian
ALBOWIE
Joined: February 28, 2006
KitMaker: 1,605 posts
Armorama: 1,565 posts
Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008 - 06:58 PM UTC
Airfix did really well with their range of 54mm Historical figures with whole generations of Figure modellers cutting their teeth on them so to speak. I'd love to see a good set of British Light and Heavy Cavalry particularly Scots greys at Waterloo and some French cavalry also. Go for it I say
Al
Al
Dilips
Joined: April 01, 2008
KitMaker: 72 posts
Armorama: 40 posts
Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008 - 07:22 PM UTC
This is interesting but masterBox may lose their focus. I like the WW1 cossack and Austrian officer set, but that is still a modern set. But if they do go for historic figures one period they may like to do is the zulu war, which is now covered only by manufacturers of expensive resin and metal figures.
Kuno-Von-Dodenburg
Joined: February 20, 2007
KitMaker: 1,453 posts
Armorama: 1,319 posts
Posted: Friday, August 29, 2008 - 07:40 PM UTC
Quoted Text
I think it's an excellent idea.
Looking at the prices of a few metal 54mm figures lately, and going into sticker shock, it's good to see someone willing to venture into areas other than WW2 and modern, and attempt to bring more affordable plastic figure sets to the market for those with thinner wallets.
I have to agree with you, Dave.
My other modelling interest besides armour is historical figures - which can cost an arm and a leg.
Apart from Historex and a limited range of Airfix 1/32 scale, everything else in this branch of the hobby seems to be white metal or resin - so anything along these lines would be welcome indeed. My own preferred scale for something like these still would be 1/32 (54mm). Or even (wishful thinking now) 75mm or 90 mm. But I certainly wouldn't turn my nose up at some nice, reasonably-priced figures in 1/35.
It would also be a good way of possibly attracting youngsters to the fascinating world of historical miniatures, who would otherwise most likely be put off by the high price tags of the white metal boys.
So a big thumbs-up from me.
- Steve
Uruk-Hai
Joined: January 31, 2003
KitMaker: 795 posts
Armorama: 472 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 03:40 AM UTC
If I were starting out I would do these things.
-Go for the 54mm aka 1/32 as it more established.
-Start with three popular periods pre 1900, namely, Medievil about 1400, Napoleonic and ACW.
-I would do multipose set so at least two different poses could be obtained from every figure. Extra heads, hands and optional weapons would also be included. Same with horses and other animals.
-I would do like Shenandoah do, so you could pick your figures and create a diorama or vignette by just mixing stock figures. That would mean several sets from the same period but you cant have odds and ends if youre aiming for that market.
-I would put in extras (good to have stuff) in every box. Be it animals, plates, frames, you name it.
-My own preferences would to do some sets with vikings, saxons and normans as they are very similar and easily could be changed to each other with minimal effort.
If we look at WWII there should be a demand for 1/35 Civilian cars which also could be sold to the Model car builders if they come in quality.
Cheers
-Go for the 54mm aka 1/32 as it more established.
-Start with three popular periods pre 1900, namely, Medievil about 1400, Napoleonic and ACW.
-I would do multipose set so at least two different poses could be obtained from every figure. Extra heads, hands and optional weapons would also be included. Same with horses and other animals.
-I would do like Shenandoah do, so you could pick your figures and create a diorama or vignette by just mixing stock figures. That would mean several sets from the same period but you cant have odds and ends if youre aiming for that market.
-I would put in extras (good to have stuff) in every box. Be it animals, plates, frames, you name it.
-My own preferences would to do some sets with vikings, saxons and normans as they are very similar and easily could be changed to each other with minimal effort.
If we look at WWII there should be a demand for 1/35 Civilian cars which also could be sold to the Model car builders if they come in quality.
Cheers
anti-hero
Joined: March 20, 2005
KitMaker: 420 posts
Armorama: 307 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 05:04 AM UTC
Well, good for MB in taking a bit of a chance AND actually seeking feedback from those who build! Obviously, many people are interested, so they should give it a go if they think it will be worth it..
Personally, I would not be interested in these figures. I'm stuck in the WWII period and don't want to branch out.
EDIT: and I agree with Janne, a WWII era civilian car or two would be something I'd be VERY interested in.
Personally, I would not be interested in these figures. I'm stuck in the WWII period and don't want to branch out.
EDIT: and I agree with Janne, a WWII era civilian car or two would be something I'd be VERY interested in.
JasonD
Joined: February 11, 2008
KitMaker: 79 posts
Armorama: 56 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 06:22 AM UTC
Have to say its a brilliant idea, agree with Al Airfix did it in the 70' and 80's and their kits were responsible for a generation of figure modellers (think Bill Horan). One thing I would say though will it work in 1/35? The scale rather than the subject to me seems the brave choice as surely this scale has primarily developed to support vehicles in the same scale. 1/32 or 54mm would have seemed the more obvious choice as the subject matter is popular in this scale. No reason why off course we shouldnt model historical subjects in this scale but with no other manufacturer out there producing such figures in this scale at the moment will it take off? Anyway if they do produce them I for one will buy them by the bucket load!!
Belt_Fed
Joined: February 02, 2008
KitMaker: 1,388 posts
Armorama: 1,325 posts
Posted: Saturday, August 30, 2008 - 06:36 AM UTC
i would very much like to see some WWI doughboys.
jwdeboer
Joined: July 03, 2002
KitMaker: 30 posts
Armorama: 13 posts
Posted: Sunday, August 31, 2008 - 11:14 PM UTC
Very good idea.
But I'd go for historical figures in the esthablished 54mm/1/32 scale.
Especially for combining with other figures in diorama's or vignettes.
If they can be marketed as a single figure or set at the same prices as the 1/35 kits there's a good alternative for the white metal and resin historical figures that tend to be becoming more and more exspensive these days.
It might also enable some youngsters to enter the hobby at affordable prices.
It was tried before by Dragon with their Civil War figures, but in some kind of way they never continiued this line....
But I'd go for historical figures in the esthablished 54mm/1/32 scale.
Especially for combining with other figures in diorama's or vignettes.
If they can be marketed as a single figure or set at the same prices as the 1/35 kits there's a good alternative for the white metal and resin historical figures that tend to be becoming more and more exspensive these days.
It might also enable some youngsters to enter the hobby at affordable prices.
It was tried before by Dragon with their Civil War figures, but in some kind of way they never continiued this line....
Bravo1102
Joined: December 08, 2003
KitMaker: 2,864 posts
Armorama: 2,497 posts
Posted: Monday, September 01, 2008 - 03:49 AM UTC
A massive hearty YES! Please!
Especially Russian Napoleonic! With Historex being hard to find these days and these figures looking so much nicer please. I'd probably get a dozen Hussars to do up the all the Russian regiments and the Prussian regiments that used the same uniform.
Especially Russian Napoleonic! With Historex being hard to find these days and these figures looking so much nicer please. I'd probably get a dozen Hussars to do up the all the Russian regiments and the Prussian regiments that used the same uniform.
mag135
Joined: July 08, 2006
KitMaker: 146 posts
Armorama: 128 posts
Posted: Monday, September 01, 2008 - 04:29 AM UTC
And dead and wounded soldiers, german, russian, etc? I only know some resin, bad figures. A little crude, but war produces death.
Civilcars would be great, too, as civilian accesories as tables, chairs and other furniture, clocks, beds, kitchens, industrial machinery, houseware, toys...a new world for diorama fans.
Civilcars would be great, too, as civilian accesories as tables, chairs and other furniture, clocks, beds, kitchens, industrial machinery, houseware, toys...a new world for diorama fans.
yeahwiggie
Joined: March 24, 2006
KitMaker: 2,093 posts
Armorama: 1,359 posts
Posted: Monday, September 01, 2008 - 05:36 AM UTC
I sure do welcome these kind of novelties!
As an on-and-off- figurepainter I would surely be interested in such figures, either solo or small inbox vignettes.
Commercially I do think that the latter would be the best thing and would appeal both to newcomers and regular painters. I don't think it would have to be 1:35 specifically. 1:32 / 54mm would do too, as long as the price is right!
Personally I think that $15-$20 for a single metal- or resinfigure is toomuch, but an inboxvignette with 4 figures with gear would be much more tempting.
*daydreammode on*
ahhh a Rorke's Drift-box or an Custer's last stand, maybe even some Templarknights or a bunch of raiding Vikings....
daydreammode off*
As an on-and-off- figurepainter I would surely be interested in such figures, either solo or small inbox vignettes.
Commercially I do think that the latter would be the best thing and would appeal both to newcomers and regular painters. I don't think it would have to be 1:35 specifically. 1:32 / 54mm would do too, as long as the price is right!
Personally I think that $15-$20 for a single metal- or resinfigure is toomuch, but an inboxvignette with 4 figures with gear would be much more tempting.
*daydreammode on*
ahhh a Rorke's Drift-box or an Custer's last stand, maybe even some Templarknights or a bunch of raiding Vikings....
daydreammode off*
callmehobbes
Joined: April 17, 2005
KitMaker: 751 posts
Armorama: 740 posts
Posted: Monday, September 01, 2008 - 06:36 AM UTC
I love the plains indian and would actually buy the kit (getting me to part with money is a rare skill so well done Masterbox).
As a commercial venture, I'd be very careful as to which periods I'd cover as the markets would be far more limited than WW2.
I think Masterbox and other companies ought to ask the modellers themselves which periods are they interested in and develop their ideas/products accordingly. I'm not really into the Napoleonic stuff and would imagine that Historex has already cornered that particular market.
For me Native Americans are of particular interest, though I'm interested in whatever period I have just happened to read about.
Perhaps if there was a 'Great Battles in History' range with each box being a self contained vignette with a multipose option for those wishing to use numerous boxes for larger dios.
As a commercial venture, I'd be very careful as to which periods I'd cover as the markets would be far more limited than WW2.
I think Masterbox and other companies ought to ask the modellers themselves which periods are they interested in and develop their ideas/products accordingly. I'm not really into the Napoleonic stuff and would imagine that Historex has already cornered that particular market.
For me Native Americans are of particular interest, though I'm interested in whatever period I have just happened to read about.
Perhaps if there was a 'Great Battles in History' range with each box being a self contained vignette with a multipose option for those wishing to use numerous boxes for larger dios.
alberto
Joined: February 04, 2003
KitMaker: 3 posts
Armorama: 1 posts
Posted: Monday, September 01, 2008 - 07:11 AM UTC
YES YES YES at last no WW2 German Soldier ........
Uruk-Hai
Joined: January 31, 2003
KitMaker: 795 posts
Armorama: 472 posts
Posted: Monday, September 01, 2008 - 08:39 AM UTC
Quoted Text
I love the plains indian and would actually buy the kit (getting me to part with money is a rare skill so well done Masterbox).
As a commercial venture, I'd be very careful as to which periods I'd cover as the markets would be far more limited than WW2.
I think Masterbox and other companies ought to ask the modellers themselves which periods are they interested in and develop their ideas/products accordingly. I'm not really into the Napoleonic stuff and would imagine that Historex has already cornered that particular market.
For me Native Americans are of particular interest, though I'm interested in whatever period I have just happened to read about.
Perhaps if there was a 'Great Battles in History' range with each box being a self contained vignette with a multipose option for those wishing to use numerous boxes for larger dios.
Well, you dont see a lot of Historex figures these days, do you? They are old, static and more of collectors items so I think there would be a market for new better figures.
And for the record, I personally think Napoleonics are one of the most boring periods.
I do however like your idea with a theme of Great Battles Vignettes, one could start with smaller sets that could be added to later on if theres an interest.
A Napoleonic canon with limber and horses in 54mm would sell a lot. Miniart had one announced but dropped the idea?
Cheers
JasonD
Joined: February 11, 2008
KitMaker: 79 posts
Armorama: 56 posts
Posted: Monday, September 01, 2008 - 09:00 AM UTC
After seeing this a day or two ago and getting all excited I had a quick look at the few references I have on Russian Napoleonic uniforms and the mounted seems to be a Hussar in a post 1812 uniform. However the shako looks wrong, the shako was the peculiar Russian Kiwer shako that was slightly similar to the french shako but lower and concave in the middle, looking a bit like someone had sat on it! The shako here looks more like the french shako. The pre 1812 unform has a much taller cylindrical stove pipe shako. Does anybody else now anything about these uniforms please let me know as I me be wrong (theres no exact titile for this figure), my reference was an old arms and armour press book "Uniforms of Napoleons Russian Campaign".
Please dont take this as a criticism as I think these are potentially fantastic figures and all credit should be given to masterbox for even just considering them. I'll be buying as many as I can get my hands on!
Please dont take this as a criticism as I think these are potentially fantastic figures and all credit should be given to masterbox for even just considering them. I'll be buying as many as I can get my hands on!
ttwells
Joined: June 03, 2006
KitMaker: 316 posts
Armorama: 77 posts
Posted: Monday, September 01, 2008 - 12:04 PM UTC
Simply wonderful - finaly some Historical figures in plastic... hope to see some US Calvary as well... I love the American Plains Indian - when will he and the rest of the War Party beout?
Snowhand
Joined: January 08, 2005
KitMaker: 1,066 posts
Armorama: 345 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 - 10:10 AM UTC
Yes please.. I would like them in 1/32 too, rather than 1/35 unless you give us something in 1/35 to go with them ( like 1/35 wagons/ trains for the cowboys etc.).
Also, don't stop at history.. flex some and try some movie scenes/ personalities aswell.
After all, the Aurora monsters fetch huge sums on e-bay
Also, don't stop at history.. flex some and try some movie scenes/ personalities aswell.
After all, the Aurora monsters fetch huge sums on e-bay
jabo6
Joined: September 24, 2005
KitMaker: 276 posts
Armorama: 152 posts
Posted: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 - 10:57 AM UTC
PLEASE! world war one, western front. 1/35 or 1/32/54mm i dont care, just more of them. 
jccraemer
Joined: December 24, 2007
KitMaker: 462 posts
Armorama: 262 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 04:20 PM UTC
I would like to see American Civil War (both sides), Spanish american war, Boer war era would be nice in plastic
jimbrae
Joined: April 23, 2003
KitMaker: 12,927 posts
Armorama: 9,486 posts
Posted: Thursday, September 04, 2008 - 09:09 PM UTC
Can I take this opportunity to ask people to keep ON Topic? This was posted as MB wanted feedback from this site on the viability of producing historical figures in plastic. It wasn't any kind of request for specific subject lists which are now, in many cases getting less and less practical.
Going back to what was requested by the company:
Going back to what was requested by the company:
Quoted Text
This time though, we''ve been asked for some feedback if you think they are commercially-viable projects or not. So, in essence, what do YOU think?
gbyrnsie
Joined: July 12, 2006
KitMaker: 770 posts
Armorama: 38 posts
Posted: Friday, September 05, 2008 - 03:10 AM UTC
I would be thrilled to see historical (esp. Napoleonic) figure sets in plastic. However, I do believe they should be 1/32 - 54mm scale rather than 1/35 scale to conform with the resin/metal historical miniatures market place convention. Commercially viable? If I saw plastic Napoleonic figure sets in my LHS would snap them up.
GB
GB
exer
Joined: November 27, 2004
KitMaker: 6,048 posts
Armorama: 4,619 posts
Posted: Friday, September 05, 2008 - 03:41 AM UTC
I would buy both of the sets shown.
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