I’d like to start by wishing everyone a Happy New Year as we move into 2018, and with some fantastic plans for the year ahead I’m hoping for another great year for Tommy’s War.

With this being the 100 year anniversary of the end of the First World War it’s a time for reflection, and as usual with Tommy’s War I will attempt to show the diversity of the armed forces at the time.

I thought it would be good to provide a summary of what you can expect;

Existing stock

You’ll possibly be aware that some products are showing online as ‘out of stock’ which is frustrating for me and I appreciate frustrating for customers. It’s an issue which I’m working on currently, and my aim will be to have more product lines showing in stock at any time.

Of course, there will always be points where one or two figures might be out of stock, but aim will be to limit those points.

On specific products

TW32S03 – Gassed

This has been long out of stock and I know a lot of customers are eagerly awaiting it’s return. There is an issue with the base that originally came with this set, so my work-around will be that I’ll have the figures only later this month. The good news is that this reduces the price of the set to £96.00.

Figure releases

Where there are figures showing as out of stock (TW32W02, TW32003, TW32014 and TW32017) I’ll have those back in stock in April. The same will apply for TW32S01 The Action at Nery.

Why April? My financial year ends 31^st March, it’s prudent for me to reduce my stock-holding at the point of the year-end, so I’ll have substantial restocks in the new financial year.

Diorama bases

I’ll be reviewing the bases through this month with a view to bringing those back into stock where possible.

Vehicles and artillery

The Clyno motorcycle, 13 pounder limber and Crossley will all return to stock sometime between April and September and will remain as stock items.

At this point I have no plans to bring back the Thornycroft vehicles and the old Douglas motorcycle is out of production and will not be restocked. I have no plans to release any new motorcycle kits as I am aware of at least one other manufacturer planning their own 1/32 motorcycles.

New releases

I’m constantly working on new releases, so there is a healthy schedule of new figures coming. I’m pleased to say that the first releases of 2018 are currently at the caster and we’re making moulds. I’m hoping to have these available at the end of January, but as always with new releases and production it could well slip into February.

The release will be four figures sculpted by Nino Pizzichemi based around late-war British infantry. While the general theme will be around the 3^rd Battle of Ypres (Passchendaele) the subjects are suitable for any Western Front scene from 1917 through to the end of the war. I will focus on one specific regiment for these figures, but as before, the uniforms really will be suitable for any British, Irish or Empire regiment as all the uniforms were very similar.

The figures are an Officer and three Other Ranks (OR’s) in an advancing pose, I’m really happy with the figures, and the officer in particular is a really lovely piece of work. I’m pleased to say that Nino and I have worked to re-master both the Brodie helmet and SMLE rifle, so both are new sculpts on these figures.

Following these releases I’m working closely with Nino, Benoit Cauchies and Gianpiero Russo and on top of the 4 above I’m looking at releasing 5 or 6 further individual figures and one mounted figure which I’m planning will be Australian Light Horse. That’s fewer than 2017 (but please bear in mind that I was able to buy a number of masters from other sources last year).

However, there is a possibility that I might be able to buy some more Great War Germans, that’s something I’ve been working on for some time, and is still in negotiation. Details to follow!

2018 show schedule

I’ll blog the details at a later date, but I’m planning to attend the BMSS Annual Show on the 28^th April and the East Midlands Model Show in Hinckley on the 20^th May.

The in the Autumn I’ll be at Euro Miniature Expo (formerly Euro Militaire) in Folkestone in September. Then a return to Eindhoven for Scale Model Challenge in October and finally Scale Model World in Telford during November.

Collectors Club

The Tommy’s War Collectors Club continues to go from strength to strength, and I’m currently researching options for the membership figure for 2019.

I’m also currently writing Edition 8 of the membership newsletter, so members should expect that in early February.

This year I’m going to release one catalogue, but I’m going to make this a 1918-2018 special edition, so look out for that from September.

2019 and beyond!

I’m already looking at projects and subjects for future years, so if you’re not seeing figures you want at the moment there is no reason that they may not still appear in the future.

One of the areas I am strongly considering is US forces, although I would express caution that you won’t see them until at least 2019.

So overall the future looks bright for Tommy’s War and as we enter this significant year we’ll be remembering all of those who didn’t return from that awful war and reflecting on their sacrifice.