Saturday, December 1, 2012

SYW - Prussian Army - Flats 30mm

Manufacturers:  Scholtz, Grünewald
Scale:  30mm, flats


Hi,

before changing to wargaming figures about 15 years ago I used to paint 30mm flats.
These figures had been very popular in Germany for decades in former times and used to be toys for kids in the first half of the 20th century.
As the boys of these ages turned into men and their income increased it turned to a hobby there a lot of enthusiasts collected the figures they gamed with during their days of childhood.
From the 60´s to the 80´s there was a hype and the variety and also the quality of the figures on the market developed very fast.
A lot of manufacturers did very good jobs and maybe you´ve already heard about the "Internationale Zinnfigurenbörse" in Kulmbach.
This is the Mecca for all hobbyists concerning not only flat figures, but also 54mm figures, books, and so on.
This fair is every two years and will be again on the second weekend of August in 2013.

I´ve found this video on youtube:

But Kulmbach is also worth a trip because of its castle "Plassenburg" there the "Deutsches Zinnfigurenmuseum" is integrated.


You can also have a look at this video on youtube:

As Kulmbach is in Franconia, the northern part of Bavaria, it also offers a lot of  culinary delights like the next photo shows. 

Oh Lord, I belong to the Franks - Thanks !


But back to the origin of this post.
The flats still have their fans and I must say that they also inspire me every time I look at them though I was born in 1970.
The only thing I´m missing is that flats are good for display or dioramas but they are not 3D.
You can only look at them from two sides.

Today I thought of the figures I painted about 15 years ago and went up to our attic to have a look at them.
Here are a few photos of some of my figures.
Maybe you like them. :)











Cheers
Mike


8 comments:

  1. My word, they look fantastic, what a shame they are stored away in the attic.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks. :)
      I'll need a new showcase for them to get them down from the attic.

      Delete
  2. It's always good to see what people do with their flats and I like yours, Fritz. Thanks for showing them.

    Regards,
    Steve

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Steve,
      Thank you.
      I've just visited your own blog (http://www.castlesoftin.blogspot.de) and I'm very impressed by your excellent paintjobs. I like the shadows and the highlights very much.

      Delete
  3. I know it's hard to believe folks, but they look even better in person! Fantastic Mike!

    Christopher

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  4. Thank you for posting the images. I have war gamed for years with round figures and over the past few years have stopped completely. My interest has been rekindled recently and after years of collecting flats, it is with flats that I will now game with; your figures have reinforced my desire to go the 'flats way'.

    Best regards,

    Simon

    ReplyDelete
  5. I just found this looking for "flats". I have some I bought in Augsburg years ago. This
    September I'll be in Pfronten, and Biberbach/Augsburg, so may be able to get to Kuhlbach to
    the museum. Needless to say, wherever, I'll be drinking my favorite beer...Kuhlbacher
    Dunkle ! Prost !....and I like your flats. I have molds for a lot also.

    ReplyDelete