Thursday 27 October 2016

Assorted Chinese Laundry Workers and Soiled Doves

Every Wild West game needs civilians. People to trade with, interact with, defend, manipulate or just get in the way at the most inappropriate moment. I have been building up my collection of 28mm scale Wild West civilians and I'm reviewing two particular types today - Chinese laundry workers and "soiled doves".
The three figures to the left of this photo and the one below are from the Brigade Games American West range - set BG-AWE006 Chinese Laundry, which retails for $10.00 for all three figures. I ordered these and the Brothel set below at the same time as I ordered my Wild Bunch outlaws, which I reviewed last time. At the far left is the aged owner of the laundry. Most likely he is exactly what he appears to be - an unassuming old man. But perhaps there is more to him than meets the eye. He could be a martial arts master or the leader of a gang of Tong assassins. Next in line is a young worker carrying two buckets of water for the laundry. He is using a wooden yoke to help carry them. Third line is a worker with a batch of freshly cleaned clothes.
The guy at the far right is produced by Wargames Foundry and is the Chinaman from their Old West set OW11/2 Out on the Town, which retails at £12.00 for six figures. He is only available for sale as part of the set. He carries a large bag across his back, which could contain clothes ready for delivery to either the laundry or their owners.
The three figures to the left of this photo and the one below are from the Brigade Games American West range - set BG-AWE003 The Brothel, which retails for $10.00 for all three figures. At the far left is the madame, the brothel owner. She oversees her "stable" of soiled doves and makes sure her establishment runs smoothly. Soiled dove is an archaic term for a prostitute. The woman standing next to the madame is dressed alluringly as she waits to attract a client, Third in line, this soiled dove has stripped down to her underwear, corset and pantaloons, whilst keeping her boots on.
The young lady at the far right is produced by Hasslefree Miniatures for their Fantasy Villagers range and she is HFV003 Strumpet. She sells for £3.50. Although designed for a fantasy setting, she fits in very well in a more modern setting, but especially so in the Wild West as a sexy Mexican seƱorita. She is expertly sculpted by Kevin White and yes, her flimsy top is see-through. Out of the four soiled doves I've shown here, she is definitely the one I'd go for.
All are useful figures even if they won't see much action.

25 comments:

  1. I saw "Kung Fu" on the TV last week the first time in MANY years. Great to see these a strong reminder of not only the China town civilian but also the railway workers. Thrilled to see them included

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    1. What a coincidence. Not too long ago I watched the first three series of "Kung Fu" on DVD. I am quite a fan of this series and would love to find a good 28mm scale figure of Kwai Chang Caine.

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    2. If you Find a good "Kwai Chang Caine" let me know. I would also like one.

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    3. I'll keep a look out for us both, Clint. There are plenty of figures which could double for Caine as the bald-headed Shaolin Monk but none that show him in his Wild West civilian clothes and with his long hair, which is what I'm looking for.

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  2. a nice couple of sets of miniatures Bryan. Both highly useful in a number of settings I'm sure. Kung Fu would make an excellent 7TV2 game!!

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    1. I never thought of playing "Kung Fu" with 7TV2e but it is a very good suggestion, Andy. I shall file that away for future reference.

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  3. Some very nice miniatures you've found there, Bryan. I don't know how you manage to scour the 'hobbyscape' for your finds but these are great and you've certainly brought out the detail and character in them with your paintbrush. There's definitely a "Paint Your Wagon" feel to the brothel minis.

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    1. Many thanks, Simon. Once I made the decision to "scratch my itch" and seriously consider gaming the Wild West in 28mm scale I have been scouring many websites for suitable figures and scenery. Plus, I already had a large collection of figures that I had been buying in this scale from the 1980's onwards.

      It is so long since I last watched "Paint Your Wagon" that I can barely remember anything at all about it, so I'll just take your word about the Brothel minis. I do think, however, that they are very generic.

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  4. Very nice, Bryan. As Steve pointed out, having the ancillary figures really helps flesh a game out. Are these destined for the town adventures in Shadows of Brimstone?
    Of course, you need a "Hangin' Judge" Dread now...

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    1. I would totally agree with Steve. The ancillary figures do help bring a game to life - any game, not just the Wild West.

      Hmm, a "Hangin' Judge" Dread. That's another idea to file away for the future. Cheers, Jez.

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    2. I almost forgot to answer your question, Jez. These may see some use in "Shadows of Brimstone" but its not very likely. They will, however, most certainly appear in games of "Six Gun Sound."

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    3. Absolutely right. Walk on walk off extras, ancillaries and secondary cast actually MAKE a game come alive.. Same with a full on wargame table, its the surgeons, loose horses, horse handlers holding the mounts (for the mounted infantry), nurses tending to the sick, the officer`s man-servant standing close by: the general`s wife and kids huddled together at the rear along with the servants, maps spread out on a table, etc etc THIS brings a table to life every bit as much as the terrain you play upon.

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  5. Nice figures Bryan and of course a must for any wild west frontier town is gun fodder (I mean townsfolk sorry), I had to laugh at the last line of your post though....

    "All are useful figures even if they won't see much action".

    How does the brothel stay open then?

    Cheers Roger.

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    1. That is not the kind of "action" I was referring to, as you well know, you cheeky young scallywag!

      Actually, you did make me smile, so no offence taken, Roger. :-)

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    2. Sorry Bryan, but you set them up...I just have to knock em' down.

      And Andy don't encourage me!

      Cheers Roger.

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    3. I'll happily play straight guy to your funny guy, Roger. :-)

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  6. Lovely looking civilians. I do love these kind of additions to the tabletop they bring them to life brilliantly. Fab additions to your collection.

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    1. I couldn't agree with you more, Simon. Well said!

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  7. Sorry I missed this post Bryan, I`ve been sooooo busy. We all have. Lovely post and the miniatures look stunning: specially the girls *wink*

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    1. Understood, Steve. No worries at all and I do thank you for the kind words.

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