Welcome to the Strelets Forum.
Please feel free to discuss any aspect of 1/72 scale plastic figures, not simply Strelets.
If you have any questions about our products then we will answer them here.
Hi RCD,
I appreciate your input. For the record, over the years, I have complimented Alan Buckingham's painting skills. Ever since his first Zulu War Brits in glossy colours and with conversions, beginning when he so humbly asked for support on the other forum. That hasn't stopped him from criticizing my preferences for soft plastic, authentic colours, and telling me where to go and what to do in my free time. At this point, we have an understanding to agree to disagree. PDA (whoever he is) doesn't like me commenting in his thread. Too bad. I gave examples of my position, and even agreed with his suggestion, still he wants to confront me. Again, I gave proof in my replys. This is a Forum. He's very clever with hurling his insults. But we are clear with each other also. I'm here to remind him his isn't the only position on plastics and colours.
Anyway, you've been more than kind and helpful when I've asked for assistance with questions about my hobby needs in the distant past and I've appreciated it. Thank you. I'm afraid retirement and enough free time is a long way off for me yet. Durn!
Happy Collecting and Happy Holidays - Dave
PDa,
DaveHennen
Gone Ice Fishing for the Holidays!
Please leave note thumb-tacked to door.
Merry Christmas & Happy New 2013 :-)
Happy Collecting Your Way!
Dear Dave,
we also like soft plastic, but it has limits of its own, for example when it chills out (once taken out of the mold) it distorts in the process. It's OK when we are talking about figures, because these distortions are relatively small and one can't always notice them but when we are are talking about bigger models, that require assembly, these distortions become crucial as the pegs may not fit the holes, etc. Also soft plastic isn't particularly good for glueing, that's why we decided to go for hard plastic at the end.
The catapults will be made in hard plastic as well and they should shoot. To be able to do so they also have to be quite precise, hence the hard plastic.
Best regards,
Strelets
My choice would be the Canon de 155 L Modèle 1877 with an early or late war crew...
http://www.landships.info/landships/artillery_articles.html?load=/landships/artillery_articles/Canon_155_L_M1877.html
Cheers
The old 120 looks cool, but it isn't going to be much use for late war. My vote would be for the 155mm howitzer, either 1915 or 1917 version.
Do Both, but both are old designs 1870s, did the French use more modern artillery ? sorry if thats a daft question WW1 French artillery is not a strong subject for me.
CG in 1914 the french relied heavily on the 75 which worked well enough in the open but proved ineffective in trench warfare... many older heavy guns filled the gap untill replaced by more modern designs but many saw service to the end of the great war and beyond.... much like the 6inch MKVII already done by strelets if you like this is the french equivalent...
Cheers
Your choice would certainly be different and unique. It is worth serious consideration.
However I would still go for
Canon de 155 GPF and the Canon de 155 C modèle 1917 Schneider as there is the potential to use them with different countries gunners.
Please stick to the hard plastic as soft plastic is pain in the neck!. The amount of trouble I have had with the soft HaT WW1 artillery pieces - any suggest of a glue that ensures a quick permanant fix?
Thanks Ironsides, did a quick bit of research myself once I posted the question. RCD these guns have to be hard plastic, the soft stuff just would not take glue so well and its prone to bending etc,if done in soft plastic they would have to have less parts and a solid barrel,the result is they would look like cheep hong kong toys,not models.
PDA-I believe the bottom pic is the 1917 model. Can't seem to locate the Canon de 155 C modèle 1915 but there are pics of a Finnish 152mm varient.
Please make these in hard plastic:
Canon de 155 GPF, with American crew.
Canon de 155 C modèle 1917 Schneider with American crew.
Those two pictured are the ones I want, with American crews and a choice of wooden and rubber tires for the Schneider so it can be used for both World Wars.
Both of these guns were used by at least three countries including France, the USA and Germany as well as others. I am sure they would sell well.
Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Bunker Talk blog
The 1917 would be fine with me. My initial thinking was that 1915 might be better for early war, but I suspect that for the true "early war" fan that means only 1914. I guess the 120 would be a necessity for you after all. As I understand it the main difference between the 1915 and 1917 models was that the former fired a brass cartridge shell so there are minor breach differences.
Oh and I agree with RCD-we must have a French crew.
Does anyone know a good website for the organization of French artillery in the late war period? French language ok
http://basart.artillerie.asso.fr/rubrique.php3?id_rubrique=131
A french site only about artillery. The link above directs you to the 1st World War chapter. A very good site for research
Mathias