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YANKS Miniatures
lasted only half a dozen years or so in the 1990s, producing a couple dozen sets
of GI figures, including a handful of Russians. They also came out with a nice
interior for the M8 Howitzer Motor Carriage, predating Verlinden’s version,
as well as some cargo loads and other diorama materials. Particularly of note
were two pairs of surrendering GIs suitable for an Ardennes setting. This was
a first for American figures, as was a solitary dead infantryman; there was also
a lifeless figure beneath a blanket that could be a combatant or civilian. YM
also produced the first set of GI tank riders, and a crew abandoning its tank.
The
quality of the older YANKS Miniatures figures varies a bit from sculptor to sculptor.
They’re not as crisply detailed as Warriors, Verlinden or Jaguar. Faces
vary from smoothly detailed to rough. Helmet sizes tend to be larger, along the
lines of Warriors and Verlinden. YM made several packages of replacement heads,
including a fine set in the wool knit serviceman’s caps that Patton so detested.
By
1999, owner Dave Bighia closed up YANKS Miniatures and sold its molds to Scotia
Models in Scotland, but Scotia ceased operating without ever re-releasing any
YM products.
In
any event, Bighia announced the start of a new YANKS in May, 2002.
But the company was beset with various problems and had difficulties
with customer service (as I know from personal experience). In August,
2004 I was informed by Bill Speck, who had taken over the company
from Bighia, that YANKS was no longer effectively in business. For
a short period f time, his new company, Mustang
Productions, released products including some figures produced
by YANKS and YANKS Miniatures, but Mustang too went our of business.
Late in 2006, it was announced that the line was being resuscitated
by Paul Wilkie in the UK; the new website
was not functional initially but may now be up.
it is still possible to find some of the figures under their original label in
hobby stores or through "buy-and-sell" discussion groups. Where
possible, I have cross-referenced products with Mustang Productions (MP). YANKSYANKS
Miniatures (out of production)
| 9601 | U.S.
tankers refueling (2
figures) | | 9602 | U.S.
Recon group, 1943-45
(3 figures) | | 9603 | GI
POWs walking, Battle of the Bulge |
| 9604 | GI
walking with BAR | | 9605 | GI
walking with radio and carbine |
| 9606 | GI
walking with M1 rifle, 1943-45 |
| 9608 | GI
POWs standing, Battle of the Bulge |
| 9609 | U.S.
Medic treating wounded GI |
| 9610 | Deceased
GI, 1943-45 | | 9611 | U.S.
tankers re-arming (2
figures) | | 9612 | U.S.
tankers bailing out (2
figures) | | 9614 | U.S.
paratrooper standing (in
overcoat) | | 9616 | "5
card stud" (5
figures) [this kit was listed but may not have been produced] |
| 9617 | U.S.
tank crew (multi-pose,
4 3/4 figures) | | 9618 | U.S.
heads with netted helmets (6) |
| 9619 | U.S.
tanker heads (6) | | 9620 | U.S.
heads with plain helmets (6) |
| 9622 | U.S.
Jeep driver | | 9623 | U.S.
paratrooper in overcoat (hands
in pockets) | | 9624 | U.S.
tanker (sitting
and drinking from canteen) |
| 9628 | U.S.
heads (6,
each with knit caps) | | 9630 | Civilian
casualty (covered
with tarp) | | 9631 | U.S.
Dodge ambulance driver (seated
w/leg extended out of cab, includes driver's seat) |
| 9632 | Red
Ball Express black drivers |
| 9702 | U.S.
Tank Riders #1
(5 figures) | | 9705 | M18
"Hellcat" crew (3
full and 2 partial figures) |
| 9708 | U.S.
75mm halftrack gun crew (3
figures) | | 9712 | U.S.
tanker heads #2 (6) | | 9718 | U.S.
GIs in ponchos eating(3
Korean War figures) | | 9725 | U.S.
Medic/MP (MP35006) | | 9733 | U.S.
Wading Merrill's Marauders (2 half figures in jungle stream) |
| 9745 | U.S.
GIs / Overcoats Warming by Fire | | 9746 | U.S.
Marine Corsp dog handler with Doberman | |
