I think that they are almost certainly my favourite Wargames' figures, and definitely the most used. During the mid to late 1970s many , many games were played, either solo or against school friends who also collected these charming toys, featuring the Armies of Good and Evil and often involving the siege of an Airfix Roman Fort. Most people were using the proto-fantasy rules featured in the back of WRG Ancients version 4(?) or Wizards and Warfare by Peter Irving, which I had - it cost the princely sum of 50 New Pence, which was quite a lot considering the cost of MiniFigs Infantry was about 7p each.
By modern standards they are not fantastic pieces of sculpture, but the limited amount of pocket money available meant that each purchase involved hours thinking about which figures to buy, consulting the adverts in Military Modelling and writing wish-lists, and this added to the pleasure of owning them.
That's probably enough waxing lyrical by me for one day. Do you have a favourite range of wargame figures??
Favorite range of figures is the one I'm painting at the time. I love all of my children equally...
ReplyDeleteFor me, it is really tough picking a favorite range. Each offers uniqueness and charm whether sculpted brilliantly or poorly. If pressed for answer, I would need to think about it long and hard.
It is difficult - not quite Sophie's Choice, but I think the memories that go with the figures are what makes these my favourite!
DeleteI used those rules for a Middle Earthish setting using the Minifigs mythical figures and from their Alexander Nevski range , it must be 45 years ago now , sadly I don't have any of the figures now .
ReplyDeleteI can't remember much about the rules but I know they worked for me! It is a LONG time ago!!
DeleteI too have happy memories of Mythical Earth games. I am interested in the rules you show. I have never heard of them, can you tell us more. I used rules for the period from the South East Scotland Wargames Club. I recall they were written by Jim Duncan.
ReplyDeleteI think I got my copy in 1975. Boardgamegeek shows later covers so it must have been republished... https://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/26500/wizards-warfare
ReplyDeleteGreat question Jack. Esci romans and celts as they were the first sets I ever had (you never forget your first time!). Also the local toy shop sold a few revell 1/72 sets and the celts, Saxons,Normans, native americans and conquistadors would spend years facing off on the dining table!. I will have to check out the rules you mentioned too, I'm always fascinated by old rules for some reason.
ReplyDeleteIf you can find a copy let Tradgardmastare know!
DeleteAfter these Minifigs I think Airfix Robin Hood figures would be my next favourite!
Ha!!! I was going to add The airfix Robin Hood set as my favourite.!!:-) I can´t even begin to remember How many times they ousted the Sherrif from his Castle..Happy days :-)
DeleteTBH, they are still my favourite set but don´t tell anyone :-)
DeleteYour secret's safe here Paul.
DeleteThe first metal figures I ever owned were from Minifigs 'S' range: Napoleonics. Minifigs still remain my favourite metal figures, though my Mapoleonic collection is pretty eclectic by now!
ReplyDeleteThe first figures I ever owned were Airfix ACW - and I am still fond of them. But probably my favourites in the plastic range would be my Airfix AWI Americans, which form the bulk of the line infantry in my Army of Trockenbeeren-Auslese.
Great choices Archduke. Airfix ACW and AWI are some of my favourites too - many great games with them.
DeleteI have always had a soft spot for the Airfix Ancient Britains. The purposeful slinger, the solid wheeled chariot , the Battersea shield and so on...
ReplyDeleteThat was a lovely set. I've been looking for mine and can't find them - they're here somewhere!
DeleteThere's a question. Probably Minifigs valley of the four winds. Although Bosch based figures are ten a penny now, back in the early 80s this range was really weird. I do like the ME range too and am amassing a collection of them as we speak. As Alan says, the Airfix Romans and British are rather special too.
ReplyDeleteVFW was an extraordinary range of figures - I've got a few and do like them a lot. It's a great story too. If you look at the banner on this blog you might notice a slightly borrowed illustration from a popular magazine that went with it.
DeleteI liked the ME range and used the Rohirrim lancers for my guards but I did find them chunky and switched my allegiance to Garrison. Favourite range/figures is a REALLY tough call, Battle Honours 15s are right up there but since I let them go I think the old ones I chose to keep are probably my actual favourites. My Elastolins probably take first place but my old Britain's are neck and neck.
ReplyDeleteYour Elastolins are splendid (hence my vote!) - I quite like the chunkiness of Minifigs (each to their own!) and as they were my introduction to metal figures I think I am biased!
ReplyDeleteFavourite figures? My first metal figures, the Peter Laing 15mm English Civil War range. Still have them, still use them.
ReplyDeleteHowever it is hard not to mention vintage Airfix plastic figures both OOHO and 54mm or the Britains Deetail 54mm figures. You knew all these figures as a child by hand as well as eye. Deciding between all these is very difficult, but favourite probably the scarce WW1 British infantry set? Or maybe the ACW infantry? All classics.
Great choice Mark. Airfix figures are wonderful which is why we return to them again and again!
DeleteGreat bit of nostalgia, I love the pig-face orks from Minifig that I used in all my DnD games !
ReplyDeleteMy favourite figures have to be the old (very old) Spencer Smith plastics that feautres in bothe Peter Young's "charge" and Charles Grant's "Wargames" books. Needless to say I have a very large collection of them!
Ah Spencer Smiths, wonderful. Are you planning to use them at all in the future?
DeleteI'd love to, but they are well used armies and given an opponetn I would jump at the chance to get them all out again.
DeleteThat would be splendid!
DeleteMy first metal figures were Peter Laing ECW and the Minifigs ME range. Still have a soft spot for them. Absolute desert island favourite? Airfix Robin Hood and Sheriff of Nottingham sets.
ReplyDeleteAll Classic figures Jon! Thanks for visiting
DeleteNostalgia, nostalgia...Airfix!
ReplyDeleteSo true! Airfix soldiers - Les jouets des Rois (et petits garcons)
ReplyDelete