I’m delighted to be able to show images of the completed box art for the latest releases in the Tommy’s War range.

All the figures are sculpted by my great friend Nino Pizzichemi in 1/32 scale and are cast in a light grey resin. Box art is by Edward Sage for the two British figures and Alex Long for the Belleau Wood group.

TW32045 – 2nd Lieutenant, 23rd Bn Middlesex Regiment, Pas de Calais 1918

Since the start of Tommy’s War I’ve been keen to talk about individuals and their bravery and sacrifice during the Great War. One story that has stayed with me has been that of Walter Tull.

Walter Tull was of mixed race with a Barbadian father and English mother who after losing both parents at an early age went on to be a professional Footballer. At the outbreak of war he joined the 23^rd Middlesex Regiment who were known as the Sportsmen’s Battalion due to the number of professional athletes within their ranks. Although joining as a Private soldier and working his way to be an NCO Tull eventually rising to Second Lieutenant before being killed in action during the Spring Offensive in 1918.

Nino has done a wonderful job of representing Walter and Edward has complimented that with his box art, but if you want to represent a different regiment or personality then a European head is also included with the figure.

You can buy the figure here

Find out more about Walter Tull here

TW32046 – Private, 9th Bn East Surrey Regiment, France 1918

The second British release this month features a grenade throwing Private soldier, described as being involved in the Spring Offensive in 1918 but actually is suitable for any Western Front action from 1917 through to the end of the war.

It’s important to note that although I do give the figures titles of particular Battalions in particular Regiments these are really to create a narrative that enables me to talk about a specific moment in time, but in truth the figures (particularly those TW32039 through to TW32046) are suitable to portray any British (but not Scottish Highland) regiments as well as troops from the Empire (again with the exception of Highland).

The Battle of Belleau Wood

Earlier this year we saw the release of the first four figures in the Belleau Wood set and I’m pleased to confirm the final four are now available, these consist of the following;

• TW32AL04 – Private (2), 2/5 US Marine Corps, Belleau Wood 1918 (Chauchat machine gunner)
• TW32AL05 – Private (3), 2/5 US Marine Corps, Belleau Wood 1918
• TW32CP16 – Private (3) 461st Infanterie Regiment, Belleau Wood 1918
• TW32CP17 – Private (4) 461st Infanterie Regiment, Belleau Wood 1918

You’ll see from this photograph by Alex Long of the completed set how my original idea has been brought to life by he and Nino, and I’m absolutely delighted with the result.

For easy reference the eight figure set is split into two groups consisting of four United States Marine Corps figures and four Germans as follows;

United States Marine Corps

• TW32AL02 – Lieutenant,  2/5 US Marine Corps, Belleau Wood 1918
• TW32AL03 – Private (1), 2/5 US Marine Corps, Belleau Wood 1918
• TW32AL04 – Private (2), 2/5 US Marine Corps, Belleau Wood 1918 (Chauchat machine gunner)
• TW32AL05 – Private (3), 2/5 US Marine Corps, Belleau Wood 1918

German 461st Infantry Regiment

• TW32CP14 – Private (1) 461st Infanterie Regiment, Belleau Wood 1918
• TW32CP15 – Private (2) 461st Infanterie Regiment, Belleau Wood 1918
• TW32CP16 – Private (3) 461st Infanterie Regiment, Belleau Wood 1918
• TW32CP17 – Private (4) 461st Infanterie Regiment, Belleau Wood 1918

I realise that’s a lot to track down and place into your shopping cart, so I’ve also added the complete set to the ‘specials’ series as TW32S05. This set is one single box with all eight figures – but note that it doesn’t include anything different to the individual figures – so if you’ve bought any of the first figures released in April you’re not missing anything!

Please read here for my earlier note on the badges that are now included on the US Marine helmets.

This will conclude the releases for 2019 and you’ll find them at the shows I’ll be attending this Autumn and Winter, you can find a list of those here.

As always, I am deeply indebted to the wonderful work of Nino Pizzichemi for the sculpting, Alex Long and Edward Sage for their box art and Gabor Fodor for his wonderful casting. Tommy’s War is truly a team effort and without these, and other contributors, I would not be able to bring these figures to you. Thank you gentlemen.

I’m currently working through my 2020 release plan, and you can find out more about that here

I really hope you like the new releases and are encouraged by the way Tommy’s War developing and look forward to bringing you new releases in the future.