Engineer Bassevitch Russian Slavs Now Available if you remember we had a preview of these figures. Now these figures are available for sale. Andrey has sent us some more photos including comparsion with other figures. As I said before these figureswill have many uses.
Engineer Bassevitch Russian Slavs Now Available Photos
Just to recap from before you have 12 different figures. Ten of the figures are males. Two are female. The figures are well detail and ten are in action poses.
This figure is a pagan preist know as a volkhv. I can see him being used as in many different scenarios.
Engineer Bassevitch Russian Slavs Now Available Poses
I have decided to recap the poses. We have female, Slav with sword overhead with round shield and leader.
This photo shows Slav Throwing spear while hold spears in left hand. also we have Slave with long axe over head and Slav with sword back and round shield.
This photo has three great poses. They are Slav with two swords, Slav with knife with bow and Slav standing with hand axe and knife. Slav with knife and bow is wearing animal skin.
The final photo shows a female Slav advancing with sword and round shield, Slave firing bow and Slav hand axe and round shield.
Engineer Bassevitch Russian Slavs Now Available Comparison
One thing I like that Andrey does is show the Engineer Bassevitch figures with other companies figures. Here we have an Brazso Collectibles now Lod Enterprises Robin Hood figure on of Engineer Basevitch Slav.
Andrey put Jescan 60mm Viking Reissue with the Engineer Slav sword an round shield.
The final comparsion is with Conte Collectibles Norman bowman with Engineer Bassevith Slav man. I am sure people will want to add these figures to their ancient army
Engineer Bassevitch Russian Slavs Now Available Final Information
Andrey has the figures up on Ebay. Here is the link.
Engineer Bassevitch Russian Slavs Now Available Update
Andret has given us an update on the figures.
Female on first picture is Olga of Kiev https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olga_of_Kiev
Chief with plumed helmet is Knyaz Sviatoslav the Brave https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sviatoslav_I_of_Kiev
And third character figure is pagan priest (volkhv) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkhv
As I told, “Slav advancing with sword and round shield” is female too. 🙂 She has long braided hair.
I have no use for these but they are excellent sculpts.
I see Gandalf the Wizard in that poses.
As ive said before I really like this company and ive brought the Ancient Jews and Assyrians from them before, And I will be buying these figures also. What I really like about this company is that almost all the figures are in exciting action poses which is what I like so I dont have to do any or hardly any converting which I do if im not completely happy with new figures that I buy. Also these figures come in at about 56mm to 60mm which for me anyway are definately not to small and not to big either for my collection. I look forward to seeing what other Ancient figures this company comes out with in the future. Egyptian, Inca, Mongols would be great.
Female on first picture is Olga of Kiev https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olga_of_Kiev
Chief with plumed helmet is Knyaz Sviatoslav the Brave https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sviatoslav_I_of_Kiev
And third character figure is pagan priest (volkhv) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Volkhv
As I told, “Slav advancing with sword and round shield” is female too. 🙂 She has long braided hair.
Thanks for the up date and correction. I will correct the article
The fact that nobody expresses amazement anymore at their $4.00+ per figure price shows that we have all gotton over our initial shock at this price level for new plastic figures, and have adjusted our expectations, just like we did when Conte’s Spartans came out at $3.25 per figure. The prices start to seem plausible, and then, quite normal.
I try to remember that back in the 50s, the seemingly low prices for new Marx Playsets may not have seemed so ridiculously low to working class parents. Which is probably why I didn’t get at least half of the Marx playsets I was begging my parents for back then.
Which brings me to the upcoming Midwest Toy Soldier Show in Indiana, scheduled for April 10 at the West Lafeyette, Indiana Marriot Hotel and Convention Center. Steve Connell informs me it is completely sold out. The tables are 8-feet long and they have used every bit of available space, extending out into the hallways, like they have had to do at OTSN. The show dealers now include all the big ones starting in New York and Pennsylvania and throughout the Midwest: Rick Eber, John Stengel Jr., Alan Ford, Toymeister, Ron Barzso, Eric Koopenmeiner, Rich Kagan, Larry Lovely, Ed Borris & partner, Todd Nace, Joseph Saine, and many others, including, of course, Rick Keller as one of the show organizers. My only regret is that Bill Murphy of Hobby Bunker doesn’t come out here to join us.
Since my wife and I just retired to our new home in Indiana, we’re just 1 hour and 45 minutes away, and look forward to attending.
I forgot to mention Jim Clouse, Mike Kutnick, Mike Handley, and Francis Turner will also all have tables at the show.
Give us a report on the show.
In 1971 in England £5 had the same buying power as £60 today
Now that most plastic figures are low runs aimed at adult collectors that is now reflected in the price.
There is one thing I do not like too much about ENGINEER BASSEVITCH .
All poses are in 2D poses. Meaning if you facing and fighting with shield ,it suppose to be covering your front body all time. It was done too in other ancient sets. While in modern fire arms figures is not much important in sword and blade weapons is.
I think mold maker and artist should consider this next time ,so far all EB set are like that and other Expensive Russian brand is much better in this observation pose detail than theirs.
These figures sets are way too expensive to be so cheap in mold 2D image pose design by today standar,they can do better I think if they ask so much for them.
My thoughts.
Best…
Eventually the improvement of 3D will bring better short run mold makers and figures to our ever shrinking hobby world.
While the long runs are kept only x those with more money and relayed more in Gamer hobby more abundant customers.
Long run mold sets in shots of 2-3000 sets per production had take way too long in past 10 years to sale off and is what had brought to halt much makers such AIP,Hat ,Italeri and others to reduce and sparse releasing time per set in years like CTS,TSSD,AUSTIN.
While short run may look expensive as far they make good sculpt and action poses plus cover not often made sets/era will sale better and give chance to release more sooner.
Yet EXF doing long run had come above CONTE in actual price per figure and selling fast plus producing many .May be because enough money to hold in reserve and keep making or few out there competing plus eras covering too.
My thoughts.
best..
Espeditionary Force is geared toward the war gaming market which has a bigger following than us.
Do I’m with you. I like the sculpts, but I wouldn’t pay 4 bucks a figure for them. My limit is around 1.50 for figures that come in bag sets and 2.50-3.00 for limited editions, like Replicants.
I did pay more for P&P western figures, but those were one of a kind. And each one was cast and finished by hand.
It is up to the indiviual collector to decide what they will pay. Gripping or telling how much you will pay does not change the picture. These companies have sent their prices for various reasons. If you want the figures you pay the piper. If you do not want to pay then move on. Maybe you will get luck to find them at a cheaper price at a show or Ebay. This is a debate has been going on for years.
I’m never going to buy unpainted figures at $4.00 a piece unless it is one or two very old items I just HAVE to have for my collection.
I thought long and hard about getting the Pvblivs Sioux as they are really amazing figures, especially after finding out they are made in a flexible plastic, but it’s just not something I feel comfortable doing.
Maybe if I saw them in a store display counter and could buy one or two at a time the way I used to do at the hobby shop with Britains Deetail and Timpo, but $50.00 + at one shot for 6 to 12 unpainted plastic soldiers is not palatable for me. I just spent $40 for 50 Airfix western recasts and even that seemed a little excessive to me. Whenever I spend more than $25.00 in one shot on soldiers I get a guilty conscience, and I am not poor or in debt, either.
It’s actually kind of obscene when you think about it. I remember my mother scraping together ten bucks to buy me a playset for Christmas or my birthday in the early 70s, and while I know the value of currency has changed, it just seems wrong to spend that much for toy soldiers.
Do you recall Steve Martin’s comment about the price of his show’s admission tickets rising as he became more famous; eventually he could charge 1 million dollars per ticket and that would make things easier because he’d only have to sell one ticket.
So it goes with plastic figures, perhaps.
I think the limited run and short run mold figures will be in the $4.00 to $6.00 soon and they will sale well.
Last time I check with Russian sellers these figures sale fast and well. Half of buyers are European and I heard not complain from maker ,neither their production release amount per set show any lack of sales but contrary.
It is up to individual to spend in it or not .
If I want I will .If I can not afford I will not .
I know of many who spend from 5 to 10.00 per vintage repeated poses out nostalgic, I will not ,yet I understand their desire and respect it all time.
Not a single comment of 10 to 100 here saying is too expensive will ever affect the maker in changing his -price mind set or not.
The last time I check the long run mold figures more cheaper (AIP,CHINESE-made and others) are the one stopping production and not selling any more.)
Like or not is the way this hobby is.Collectibles are for collectors and is their money and desire what make choice.
Numbers of sets made and sold out by EB and PLV from Russia say more than words and numbers.
My thoughts
Best..
What might work is a US based company similar to EBthay has an excellent sculpted on staff and produces short run plastic figures. The figure price might be a little cheaper and we would have more American themed or Western European themed era’s covered. Nothing against Russian history but USA and U.K. Buyers may shy away from all these Russo-centric figures at that high price. If a short run USA company existed they could take a chance on topics such as Civil War Naval, Mountain Men, Mounted ARW, WW1 and between War Marines… the list goes on….
As far I know Stengels Junior figures (ACTION CASTING?) were target x US history era conflict and price was about same than Russians short run EB.
I did not recall hearing too much abour price too costly in forums from collectors.And their sculptures are not near EB in detail and poses.
Yet it seems did not work out much as barrely few done…
My thoughts. ..
Nick of Toy Soldiers of San Diego (TSSD) has been saying for several years that he thinks the future of new plastic toy soldier production is short runs of 4 – 6 figures.
I know is not right post …but I want wish Happy Birthday to Ed Borris today!!!
Things are worth what someone else is willing to pay for it.
I agree that short run figures are the future.
But that doesn’t mean that I’ll be buying them.
To my way of thinking, plastic collectors figures are a dying business.
The interest is just not there.
Just look at those who have tried.
Cunnyngham….great ACW figures, which should have had widespread appeal.
Stuck with a warehouse full.
Austin…Best Cowboys…. ever……..Selling them on Ebay now
Steve Weston………Great figures, popular cult movie following.
Selling bags sets 2 for one, now.
Barzso……..Tried Robin Hood & AWI in plastic.
Sold the molds and rights.
And there are others, like the guy who made the Butternut and Blue playset.
TSSD seems to survive and Paragon appears to be OK , so far. But, Paragon just did a big sell off recently.
I just don’t see where there’s money to be made. The production costs are too high and the market is limited.
My hat (HAT. another company that quit the 54 mm market) is off to anyone who tries.
The business model for making and selling new plastic toy soldiers is a challenging one and not necessarily a successful one. The small companies named above were created out of nostalgia by folks who love the hobby and if they break even financially they are doing great!
I can make limited runs of small plastic items with a bench top injection molder, but there is no plastic figure I can produce which is going to make money. As Bill mentioned the market is very limited, and many collectors are specialized in their wants. I try to focus on items that I would like to see produced in plastic, and if I manage to create something interesting I can offer it to other collectors, etc. but profit is not the motive. If I’m lucky I may earn enough to pay for the electricity needed to run the machine.
Out of interest what figures would you like to see produced in plastic? And do you have any plans on producing any New figures?
I myself collect Ancient, Medieval and Fantasy figures.
The plastic injector I have been using is nominally “1/3 oz”, but it’s capacity in soft plastic is closer to 1/4 oz. I think the 1/3 oz refers to polystyrene which is a denser material.
The small capacity has really limited the type of projects I have attempted, but I’ve just obtained a larger 1 oz machine via the magic of Ebay, so I am eager to try some new projects.
The real challenge is creating a workable mold. There are some good ideas on Youtube and I will be working on molding some figures in the near future. But you can imagine the amount of work involved in creating 6 or 8 new figures from scratch, building molds of them, and then producing the figures in plastic. No wonder they want $4 each for them!
I wish you luck. Start with just a four figure set at most. You always do a set one then set two. Also think on plug in arms as well
Yeah I can imagine its a headache to produce new figures from scratch as you say but its guys like you that keep our hobby going so good luck with whatever projects you are thinking of doing. Let us know what you have planned and how its going if you want. I for one will be very interested if you do produce any plastic 1/32 Ancient Medieval or Fantasy figures, But whatever era you produce im sure you will get alot of interest.