Over on his
Glorious Little Soldiers blog, Andy Copestake has posted some pictures of his recently completed Miniature Figurines 30mm range Chasseurs a Cheval of the French Imperial Guard. From the various comments it is clear not too many people know Minifigs ever made these, and Andy himself says he has never seen any horses (his chasseurs are on Stadden or Willie mounts) or a listing anywhere for this range.
Always willing to help, here is the list, from the 1972/3 catalogue:
No horses here but there is a picture of one in an earlier post (from 2010)
here, on which I see Andy had actually left two comments. This is the John Cross review of Miniature Figurines S Range and 30mm figure ranges from Military Modelling Magazine in August 1970. Some at least of the figures had separate arms.
10 comments:
I loved the pictures in that catalogue. I ordered a sample, General with map and a dismounted Hussar for an ADC. Alas I got swept up in 25mm ancients and then it is too late.
I think at one point Dave Ryan at Caliver was wondering about re-releasing some of the 30mm figures, which would mean the moulds are not long lost as the S Range ones were/are. But I could be wrong.
You know I thought I knew a lot about Mini Figs and then you pull this one out of the hat. It looked a cracking range, but would have been well out of my budget range back in 1970.I can understand why they didnt pursue it though.
Now I see it I remember!
Thanks- this list will be exceedingly useful identifying those few other figures I have.
I remember this range well. My local wargaming group was into Column, Line, and Square, and used the Hinchcliffe 30mm Napolonic line. They looked great in large battalions (36 or so French infantry, I believe). I bought some in the middle 1970's or so but my painting was not up to the task. I recall when Wally Simon bought the range and sold it from his basement. Great line!
Hal I assume you mean Miniature Figurines rather than Hinchliffe. There were a few Hinchliffe 30mm sets, including the Napoleonic Spanish Camp Fire set, but these were diorama pieces rather than wargame figures
>>Hal I assume you mean Miniature Figurines rather than Hinchliffe
Or possibly the 25mm Hinchcliffe figures? Still buyable today :)
The Minifig 30mm range of master figures was purchased by three wargamers, including Wally Simon, in the Washington DC area back in the 1980s. The line was renamed Fusilier, and the surviving partner is willing to cast a few figures for those with a desire to fill out existing units or just want a few figures of the past. The line consists of Napoleonic British and French figures, personalities, horses, and guns. He is also willing to sell the line, including all rights and master figures, to a good home. Contact Robert Wiltrout at wiltrout06@gmail.com.
Dear Sir,
I have just run across your blog and was very surprised to find all of the people inquiring about the Minifig 30mm range which Minifig produced in the 1970s. I can answer all of the questions anyone has concerning the range because I bought it from Steve Carpenter (US manufacturer for Minifig) and Nevile Dickerson in the late 1970s. My wife and I drove up to Piney Pains, NY and picked up all of the masters and the molds that Steve Carpenter had on site. Anonymous was incorrect as to who purchased the line and how it came about. After I purchased the line, I took in four additional partners. Unfortunately only one is still presently alive (Bob Wiltrout). We changed the name of the line to Fusilier and marketed the line under that name for about 30 years. For the first 10 years I produced the figures here at my company Triangle Miniatures. After that Bob and Wally Simon, one of the investor partners, produced the figures in Silver Springs, Md. We have not advertised the line for about 15 years but still occasionally fill orders for customers who would like to add to their collection. Any questions concerning the line should be directed to Buddy at triangleminiatures@gmail.com Buddytrimin
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