A mate is looking for......

[BaronVonWreckedoften]

.....28mm* early war (WW2) German infantry to convert into dinghy crews for a 1940 campaign, involving crossing canals, rivers, large septic tanks, etc. I've pointed him towards the Too Fat Lardies "build your own" version, done by Richard Clarke, but he reckons that is too much like hard work. So has anyone seen either:
1) actual paddling figures that would be suitable with, say, a head swap? Or
2) something like a set of tank riders that could possibly be repositioned?

I have looked for both on t'interweb thingummy, but with no joy.

Any answers gratefully received.

[*Ideally 1/56, but he will accept 1/48 at a pinch.]

[Paul]

Warlords British Commando set or Black Trees British Commandos with canoe?

[BaronVonWreckedoften]

Neither are any good, I'm afraid, due to the uniforms (I think the Warlord canoe rowers are only half-figures anyway). However, you did put me on the right track, as Black Tree make these:-

https://eoeorbisuk.com/collections/worl ... 4539455683

Not the nicest looking figures (which is probably why neither of us looked there to start with, if I'm honest), but something to work with/add to at least. They're also in BTD's weekly sale - 4 dinghies, each with four crewmen, for £44.

I also found a set of tank riders and a set of kneeling scouts, all in early war kit, on the Rubicon site, who could also be used at a pinch.

[levied troop]

BTD do not have a good reputation on delivery - hopefully your mate doesn’t need them quickly.

[BaronVonWreckedoften]

Thanks - I knew there were two reasons we hadn't considered them; just couldn't recall what the other one was!

I may suggest he goes with Rubicon and these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/wargames-Rub ... SwWrxcP4Vm

[Paul]

BTD used to be very dodgy but changed hands/got new partners and got back to a near perfect service. Have they gone downhill again recently?

[Buff Orpington]

They had a bit of a health related hiccup a little while back.

[levied troop]

There have been a number of threads re BTD on several forums, this one is fairly comprehensive and still suggests problems late last year:
https://leadadventureforum.com/index.ph ... msg1518568

It’s a shame, I like their medievals but it seems too much hassle to order from them.

[Jeremy]

I ordered some stuff for my AZW and after a month I resorted to emails questioning where my order was. Still nothing, not even a response. I then lodged a Paypal claim and all of a sudden he started answering my emails. Eventually got the stuff after about two months. He apologized and offered me free packs which I turned down as I had no need for anything.