Plastic Plunder & Lead Loot, My Plastic Warrior Acquisitions!

I never know what I am going to bring back to the barracks here at Apperley Towers. I go to the Plastic Warrior show with things in mind and invariably return with something else! You just never know what you will find and that's a big part of the joy of the show! This year was no exception and I came home with a load of unexpected treasure.

A very nice seller from Wales sold me these two metal copies of the Britains armoured car and an original Britains tracked army lorry. At £30 for all three I was delighted to bring these back to reinforce my vehicle pool. I have wanted an armoured car for quite some time but the price of an original is not cheap! Similarly, I have been looking for another army lorry or two but again the prices being asked have made me hesitate. A great buy from a very nice seller. Thankyou!

A nice job lot of Starlux medieval figures, some with replacement weapons but not easy to find in the UK and will go nicely with the other 80 or so I already have. The figure far left is not Starlux but I suspect still of French origin. £21 paid in total.

Two gifts from my good friend Brian Carrick. In the first photo are two hollowcast  pieces which I shall renovate to make a costermonger pushing his barrow of wares. The second photo is a delightful soft plastic figure of a gamekeeper or hunter. A fun characterful figure that I shall enjoy painting for my civilian collection.

Professor Peabody from the Dan Dare range by Kentoys. Sold to me at a very favourable price by Eric Critchlow. I shall be stripping and repainting this model to join the other four characters already finished. I just need Dan Dare himself now to complete the set of six characters. Thankyou Eric!

All of the figures above were sold to me by Dennis and Gareth. All originally from the collection of the supremely talented Eric Kemp who is known for his skilful conversions and super paintwork. 

The first photo is of six Replicants Norman crossbowmen to join my Sherriff of Nottingham forces. Crossbowmen are elusive figures for medieval armies and converted and ready painted ones even more so. 

The medieval bombard and crew are all but one metal figures and I needed one for my siege train. Again a very nice paint job by Eric. 

Finally we have a very late medieval/early Renaissance metal female figure that I just couldn't resist. £35 paid in total.

Its mainly plastic figures at the show but not always as these beauties attest. I bought these from Adrian Little who was selling them for a friend. A lot are repainted, slightly damaged etc but they will all be stripped, repaired if necessary and repainted before serving again here at Apperley Towers. £39 paid and just the sort of figures I am always on the lookout for. Thanks Adrian! Officer with Binoculars anyone? Zouaves did you say Michael? A great buy!

Saving the best for last! Shown above are painted examples of the eight (!) new English Civil War cavalry released by Peter Cole of Replicants for the show. I was, as is my wont , the first punter at Peters table as I know from past experience you need to get in early if you want a chance to buy the latest figures. This was no exception as Peter sold out of all the new figures by mid day, even though he bought along a healthy number of sets.

I couldn't have been more pleased by this release for two reasons. Firstly, Peters English Civil War range is my favourite (or at least on a par with his medieval range) and secondly because I am on a massive ECW kick at the moment! The timing couldn't have been better! So what are the figures like?

Set one comprises two troopers, one looking down from a stationary horse and the second firing his flintlock pistol from a galloping horse. One slight issue was my galloping horses refusal to stand up for the photos but as I put all of mine on bases anyway that's not a concern. The sense of movement in the latter is superb and typifies Peters better work as a sculptor. As with all of these figures they could be for King or Parliament! 

Set two comprises a dashing swordsman and a trooper aiming a short barreled carbine from a stationary horse. Again the movement in the first figure is wonderful but I love the fact the second trooper is almost standing in his saddle to aim and fire! Again two cracking figures.

Set three comprises a trooper with a trumpet and a mounted Dragoon urging his fellows forward. The latter is a beautiful figure and I can't wait to paint it!

Set four is two action packed troopers, one firing a pistol on the gallop and the other galloping with sword outstretched. He also has a separate carbine which attaches on his back. A figure that could easily be used as a Dragoon. I love them both!

I suppose I should pick a favourite but its impossible to choose! Just buy them all as soon as you can! I will be adding a few more to my collection when they are restocked.

Finally, Peter had made a Plastic Warrior 40th anniversary figure for the show. A unique figure of a merchant seaman operating a radio set. A versatile addition to any collection, especially liable to see use as a resistance fighter I suspect!

That's it apart from a few unpainted accurate AWI figures for conversions, but what a haul! I am extremely pleased with all of my finds, many of which were bargains. I hope everyone else who attended, went home as pleased as me!

Tara a bit!