Showing posts with label Miltra. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Miltra. Show all posts

Wednesday, 16 September 2009

Correction - Miltra

Jack Alexander has let me know that there were two others involved involved in the design of the Miltra range as well as Bish and himself, Barry Warby of MMS and the late Lyn Heywood.

Thursday, 30 April 2009

Miltra

Bish Iwaszko was a leading light of the London Wargames Section, and a military modeller of similar standing to John Sandars.In 1979 he made a range of metal figures available through his firm Miltra - Military Training Aids. The company is still in existence, providing among other things replica ordnance and 1/12 scale bridging equipment for military training, although the figure range has changed hands a number of times. The figures were originally designed for museum use, by Jack Alexander of Jacklex fame. The figures were unusual in a number of ways; they tended to be in casual (standing around) poses rather than combat ones - this reflected their original purpose as museum diorama accessories; they often had separate weapons; and represented some subjects which at the time were impossible to obtain elsewhere, like Polish 1939 and French and Belgian 1940 troops.

They differed from their contemporaries in another way, being 1/72nd scale. There were some exotic figures, including Polish cavalry, and some even more exotic equipment, such as a TKS tankette and more gloriously a Cavalry Taczanka with 3 horses, 3 crew, and a Browning MG.

BW Models took on the range from Miltra, and later they passed on to Trux. I am not sure whether these figures are currently available and if so from where - any information on this would be gratefully received. The listings I have used have been taken from a Trux catalogue, I think from the 90s.

The review from Wargamer's Newsletter of the original release (British Airborne Forces) is reproduced below. I am also posting a series of articles by Bish Iwasko from Miniature Warfare, called Invasion WW11, over on Vintage Wargaming. These are profusely illustrated with photos of interesting models.

Miltra: British Infantry WW11


Miltra: French Infantry 1940 and Belgian Infantry 1940


Miltra: F2 French officer standing, kepi and binoculars


Miltra: F3 French officer standing, helmet and binoculars


Miltra: F4 French officer advancing, helmet and pistol


Miltra: F5 French infantryman standing, helmet


Miltra: F8 French infantryman walking, helmet, rifle at the ready


Miltra: F8 French infantryman standing - beret


Miltra: F11 French Hotchkiss MG with 2 crew and officer


Miltra: F12 French 81mm mortar with 2 crew and officer

Picture of mortar to follow when assembled

Miltra: F14 French 75mm gun with pneumatic tyres

Miltra: F16 French four man crew for 75mm gun

Miltra: German Infantry WW11


Miltra: G1 BMW R75 with rider


Miltra: Polish 1939


Miltra: US Army WW11 list