Dear interested Friends,
the best place to start this thread is by laying out some of the topics requiring decisions. I have learned a huge amount in the 19 months of Warfare Miniatures. Much of that was about how not to do things.
Sensible planning maximises the options, speed of production and minimises cost.
Clearly we have to start somewhere. The main protagonists and core troop types will give people comfort that the endeavour has legs. The more obscure types can follow on later.
Clearly the Swedes are at the core of the conflict and must be a priority. The Russians are equally a priority. The most famous part of the war is probably the 1703-1709 period and so creating troops to fit that frame would be an obvious place to start.
SWEDES
My initial thoughts are to go along the lines of the approach taken with Warfare so far ie themed packs.
For the Swedish Infantry I am thinking perhaps 3 head types per each code:
Tricorne
Karpus
Barehead
Initial thoughts on codes are:
1. Firing line
2. Marching/advancing
3. Attacking/charging
4. Casualties
5. Officers/command formal poses
6. Officers/command dramatic poses
7. Pikes standing
8. Pikes Marching/advancing
9. Pikes attacking/charging
10. Grenadiers (perhaps 2 pack variants)
With 5 poses per pack this would mean a total of 165 head variants. To put that in perspective the cuirassiers had 66 head variants.
Swedish Cavalry
Initial thoughts on codes
1. Formal equipment
2. Informal equipment
3. Command formal equipment
4. Command informal equipment
5. Casualties
6. Drabants
All of the above with the same 3 styles of headgear mentioned for the infantry.
OK so this IS a complete WISH LIST and I have quickly calculated a cost of the above just to condition expectation and set us on the right course. I don't want to frighten anyone as we can pare back on this but reckon this is about
£12,500.00 to do the lot. Including mould mastering and production moulds. The Russians would be similar. Per figure production costs are not included.
RUSSIANS
For the Russian Infantry I am thinking perhaps 3 head types per each code:
Tricorne
Pokalem
Barehead
Initial thoughts on codes are:
1. Firing line
2. Marching/advancing
3. Casualties
5. Officers/command formal poses
6. Officers/command dramatic poses
7. Pikes standing
8. Pikes Marching/advancing
9. Pikes attacking/charging
10. Grenadiers (perhaps 2 pack variants)
Russian Cavalry
Initial thoughts on codes
1. Dragoons
2. Grenadiers
3. Command
4. Casualties
Artillery crews and personalities for both sides. Also personalities for nations already covered by existing Warfare models such as the Saxons.
I can work up a reasonably accurate price to do the above and also a timetable of sculpting/production and release.
Investors would be able to buy castings at cost. I would also have special sculpts made for the investor group which will never be publicly released. I think we could manage to make this 'private range' quite substantial and not limited to 3-4 pieces. I am thinking more in the region 10-12.
Depending on response to this post and the possible investor group size I will decide whether we need to go to KICKSTARTER or whether we can manage it here alone. If it was a full bells and whistles job then it is indeed a meaty investment but it is easy to start with the end in mind and modify expectations.
Well, enough food for thought here. Remember the investment structure could be worked out and made proportionate. If there were 20 investors for the Swedes you are looking at about £600 per pop for the above. £1200 if the Russians are included. If you get 60 investors it is coming down to about £400 each. There could also be 'levels' of investment allowing different contributions to access different levels of return.
I will not of course conduct financial discussions on this thread and once we can see where we are going, such discussions will switch to a private email group. If anyone has currently an idea of how much they might want to buy in for let me know via
[email protected].
I know the period is not mainstream but loads to think about here.. My head hurts now.. off for Tea!