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Grenadier Models Inc.

January 01, 1970

Grenadier Models Inc. of Springfield, Pennsylvania produced lead miniature figures for wargames and role-playing games with fantasy, science fiction and heroic themes between 1975 and 1996. Grenadier Models Inc. is best known for their figures for TSR, Inc.'s Advanced Dungeons & Dragons game, collectible Dragon-of-the-Month and Giants Club figures, and their marketing of paint and miniature sets through traditional retail outlets.

Grenadier Models Inc.
IndustryWargaming
Role-playing game
Founded1975
Defunct1996
FateClosed
SuccessorMirliton S.G.
HeadquartersSpringfield, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Key people
Sculptors:
Andrew Chernak
Julie Guthrie
Bob Charrette
Sandra Garrity
Nick Lund
Robert Watts
Owners:
Andrew Chernak
Ray Rubin
Doug Cowie Managing Director Grenadier Uk Ltd
Roger Higgins part owner Grenadier Models UK Ltd
Productsminiature figures

The company began as a basement enterprise, but by 1983 they had grown to a staff of 50 people and had the third highest gross sales in the expanding gaming market.[1] Grenadier's sculptors included John Dennett, Janine Bennett, Julie Guthrie, Nick Lund, Mark Copplestone, Michael Daley, Sandra Garrity, Bob Naismith, William Watt and Ian Symonds. Grenadier closed its doors in 1996, but many of their products remain in production by companies in the UK, Italy and the United States.

History edit

The company was founded by Andrew Chernak, president and head sculptor, and Ray Rubin, vice president and head artist. Chernak and Rubin had previously partnered in Canterbury Pewter Ltd., a gift-market sculpting business which they had established in 1972. The duo were not new to historical miniatures. Chernak had previously sculpted for Superior Models and Rubin was a co-founder of Squadron-Rubin Miniatures. Grenadier Model's first product was a line of 25mm American Revolution figures released in anticipation of the 1976 United States Bicentennial. The company received its name from their first miniature, a grenadier.[2] In partnership with its European distributor, Grenadier formed Grenadier Models Ltd UK in 1984. By 1991, the British office became the center of the company's design and development.

Grenadier Models published a product catalog in 1978, 1979, 1982 and annually from 1985 to 1994. Separate European catalogs were published in 1985, 1994, and perhaps other years as well. Their products were discussed in the Grenadier Bulletin, a magazine which also contained games, comics, short-stories, and puzzles. The bulletin was published in several series. The first series contained issues #1 through #18 and were released between the fall of 1981 and late 1987. A new series of four editions was issued in late 1991 and early 1992 in the form of a full-color magazine. A third series, somewhat confusingly labeled "volume II," was produced in the summer of 1993, but appears to have been terminated after a single issue. Grenadier's British offices produced a separate "International edition" of the bulletin called the British Grenadier. There were at least thirteen issues and it appears to have been produced around 1988. The British offices also published a bi-monthly newsletter Warrior: The Newsletter for Fantasy Wargamers which supported Grenadier's Fantasy Warrior game.[3] The Warrior included thirteen issues published from December 1992 / January 1993 to April / May 1995.[4]

Historical miniatures, 1975-1980 edit

By the end of 1976, Grenadier had produced miniature soldiers from Classical Antiquity and the American Civil War, and American Old West gunfighters. Although they were primarily focused on the well-established market for historical miniatures, their early products included science fiction themed Starsoldiers (product codes #S01-19) and Space Squadrons: Stellardate 2998 (#SS01-SS19) spaceships, 25mm fantasy figures called Wizzards & Warriors (W1-60, WS1-5), a Special Sets line of furniture (#WS01-WS12), and a small selection of 15mm fantasy figures.[5][6] As the fantasy and science fiction market began to out-pace historical miniatures in 1978, Grenadier released box sets containing select portions of their fantasy, space ships, and gunslinger lines.[7][8] In 1980 these boxed sets included fantasy game oriented Dungeon Adventure (WW01) and Monsters Sets (WW02), Western Gunfighters (WW03), and Space Squadrons Set (WW04). New figures were crafted for the Gamma World Adventure (WW06), Gamma World Denizens (WW07), Woodland Adventurers (WW08), and Tomb of Spells Sets (WW09).[9] The new lines attracted the attention of TSR, Inc. who produced the Gamma World and Dungeons & Dragons role-playing games and began a short, but lucrative partnership between Grenadier and TSR, Inc..

"Your D. & D. Figure Company," 1981-1982 edit

In the fall of 1981 Grenadier Models had begun to refer to itself as "Your D. & D. Figure Company" and began a newsletter The Grenadier Bulletin to advertise its status as the official producer of Advanced Dungeons & Dragons Miniatures, and of miniatures for TSR, Inc.'s Gamma World role-playing game.[10] Its first editor Kim Eastland became an influential author of role-playing games and fiction published by TSR, Inc. The AD&D lines included blister packs of monsters (#101-116), small box sets (#2001-2013), and large box sets (#5001-5004, 5009). A collateral product was Action Art box sets (#8001-8004) which included paints and painting instructions and served to introduce customers to the hobby. The Gamma World role-playing game was supported by a series of blister packs (Gxx), a box sets of adventurers (#5005) and post-apocalyptic monsters (#5006). Grenadier also produced figures (SN1-4) for TSR's Snit's Revenge board game.[11]

In late 1982 Grenadier Models and TSR, Inc. ended their business relationship.[12][13] The point of contention was Grenadier's plans to produce figures for other game companies. Grenadier later described the separation as "a bold decision... in order to provide players of all fantasy games with a broader range of quality fantasy miniatures".[14] Since many of Chernak's sculptures predated TSR, Inc.'s artwork, Grenadier Models retained the rights to many of their sculptures and re-released choice figures in the Dragon Lords (#2001-2013, 5001-5004), Fantasy Lords (#6001-6005, 101-112), and Action Art (#8003, 8004) lines.[7] There appear to have been continued issues with the reuse of the sculpts which might have resembled images which TSR, Inc. considered trademarked. Parts of some sets (#2010-2012, 8003, 8004) were replaced with new sculpts.[15]

In 1982 and 1983 Grenadier conducted a Wizard's Gold Contest in which they placed gold-plated castings within random boxes of figures. The box also included a certificate for a drawing. The grand prize for 1982 was a one-half ounce of gold for the purchaser of the box set and the store which sold it. The 1983 certificates awarded gift certificates and were placed in 6001 - Dragons of the Emerald Idol and 6002 - Skeleton-Raiders of the Undead box sets.[15] However, collectors have reported gold-plated figures from other contemporaneous sets.

"Collect and Paint," 1983-1990 edit

As Grenadier parted ways with TSR they continued to reach out to the burgeoning adventure gaming market. In 1983 they became the official producer of miniatures for Chaosium's Call of Cthulhu (#6501, 6502), and Game Designers' Workshop's Traveller (#1001-1003). In 1983 Grenadier announced an agreement to produce miniatures for FASA's Star Trek role playing game, but the figures were produced by Ral Partha Enterprises, Inc., RAFM in 1985, and Rawcliffe Pewter from 1989 to 1999.[13] At that same time the owners of Grenadier Models spun off a subsidiary called Pinnacle Products with an orientation toward mainstream retail outlets. They produced The Dark Crystal Adventure Collection which included two boxed sets (#9001, 9002, note reuse of product code) containing paints and miniatures of the characters and furniture in the December 1982 movie The Dark Crystal. Other Pinnacle Products merchandise included the Paint and Collect Series consisting of 2201 - Dinosaurs, 2202 - Fantasy Lords, 2203 - Fantasy Monsters, and 2204 - G.I. Assault Team.[16] In early 1983 Grenadier added four Paint and Playsets (#9101-9104) to coincide with Mattel's Masters of the Universe cartoon and 1/285 scale tanks and artillery for Steve Jackson Games' Ogre (#6101, 6110-6115, 6118, 6122) and 1/180 scale vehicles Car Wars Autoduel (#6201-6210) games.[15] In October 1983 Grenadier added a line of Secret Agents (#3001, 3002).[1]

As fantasy and science fiction gaming outpaced traditional wargames and modeling, Grenadier discontinued many of their historical period figures. Lines of 54mm scale figures (#5401-5409) featuring personages like "5401- Jesus of Nazareth," and a 77mm series of figures (#9001-9003, 9006) based on the calendar art of Boris Vallejo.[11] were dropped in 1983.[16]

Between March 1984 and February 1985 Grenadier released twelve monthly installments in the popular Dragon-of-the-Month series. Each box set included a variety of fantasy dragon, a jeweled base, and a portion of a map of the mystical land the dragons inhabited. Those who collected all twelve dragons were eligible to receive an additional dragon figure. Other 1984 introductions included the Masterpiece Editions 5501 - War Mammoth of the Undead Legion, 5501 - Death Dragon, futuristic war machines called Warbots (#4501, 4502), and miniatures for Mayfair Games's Champions (#4001, 4002). Grenadier also released four gaming scenarios: The Horrible Secret of Monhegan Island by Gary Pilkington for Call of Cthulhu, Cloudland by Tony Fiorito for Tunnels and Trolls or Advanced Dungeons & Dragons, Raid on Rajallapor by Gary Pilkington for Blades' Mercenaries, Spies and Private Eyes, and Disappearance on Aramat by Gary Pilkington for Game Designers' Workshop's Traveller.[17][18][19]

Grenadier celebrated its 10th anniversary by adding 10,000 commemorative Paladin figures to boxes of 6007 - Fantasy Lords Dungeon Raiders.[19] The "Dragon-of-the-Month" products proved very popular and Grenadier released a second series of dragons in March 1985, a line of large humanoids which they called "The Giant's Club". The first installment was 3501 - Fire Giant, and the "Monster Manuscript" which included dungeon creatures organized in alphabetical order. Also in 1985 Grenadier released the official miniatures for I.C.E.'s Middle-earth in the world of J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, a line of 15mm soldiers for Game Designers' Workshop's Twilight 2000 skirmish game which takes place in a world where the Cold War was resolved with arms, superheroes for Hero Games' Champions, Pacesetter's Chill, Mayfair Games' D.C. Heroes, and West End Games' Paranoia role-playing games.[14][20][21][22]

Grenadier signed on Julie Guthrie in 1987 to sculpt their first signature line Julie Guthrie's Fantasy Personalities.[23] By 1988 Grenadier became the manufacturer of miniatures for West End Games' role-playing system, Star Wars. This miniatures series was based upon the first three George Lucas films, and included representations of the main characters, Rebel troops, droids, villains, storm troopers, and vehicles. In 1989 Grenadier released the first Shadowrun miniatures for FASA's role-playing game.[7]

Grenadier Models U.K., 1991-1994 edit

Grenadier models UK Ltd was created in 1984. Bob Watts approached Roger Higgins of Games of Liverpool, Grenadier's British distributor, to cast Grenadier's products for the European market. Higgins recruited his Import and Wholesale Manager, Doug Cowie and Mal Green to set up and run Grenadier Models UK. Casting equipment was set up above their Birkenhead offices and they learned the trade of casting by trial and error. Public grants through the Welsh Development Agency assisted a move to northern Wales. By 1991 Grenadier had begun selling Nick Lund's Fantasy Warriors: a game of fantasy battles a boxed game which included 102 plastic figures sculpted by Mark Copplestone with later additions by other sculptors. Branches of the company were established in Auckland, New Zealand and Deeside, Clwyd, Wales to support British and Australian customers, remove the costs of international shipping, and connect with Grenadier's European sculptors. The company in Wales provided a chance for Grenadier to tap into the growing market for larger scale (30 mm) miniatures in which UK designers invoked styles from European fantasy and science fiction. Grenadier's office in Wales became the center of the company's product design and British artists Mark Copplestone, Bob Naismith, and Nick Lund became the company's chief sculptors.[24]

The Pennsylvania office provided traditional themes from fantasy and history. Andy Chernak revived his 1978 Western Gunfighters boxed set (#4901) and a line of existing figures entitled Fantasy Classics, Nightmares, and The Best of Julie Guthrie boxed set (#7001). Julie Guthrie introduced the Lords of Light and Decay boxes sets (#8801, 8802), a line of Fantasy Personalities II, and added the Cyberpunk line. Janine Bennett introduced a range of Amazons (#3312) which were suitable for use with Fantasy Warriors.[25][26]

In 1992 Grenadier Models underwent a period of revitalization. The company's founders Andrew Chernak and Ray Rubin returned to their creative responsibilities.[27] Kim Eastland returned to Grenadier Models from TSR, Inc.[22][28] The return to the early structure of the company may have been prompted by the loss of their partnerships with game manufacturers. By the beginning of 1993, their licensed figures had dwindled to the point that they only produced Andrew Chernak and Sandra Garrity's sculptures for R. Talsorian Games' Cyberpunk.[27]

The resurgence of the Pennsylvania offices was short-lived, and Nick Lund's Fantasy Warriors (#5000) was the center piece of the 1993 catalog.[27] A similar space-themed game called Future Warriors (#1501-1509, 1701) was released later that same year.[28] Fantasy war gamers were targeted with the Lost Lands boxed sets of 25mm scale miniatures (#3001-3006), Fantasy Warriors artillery pieces and battlefield accessories (#9201-9203, 402-406) and a 15mm Warlords (#1801-1818) line of military units.[28] The fantasy role-playing market was addressed by Julie Guthrie's large signature series (#801-899, 701-724, 7001, 7002, 8101-8145), a Fantasy Legends line (#3101-3128) consisting of existing models and new sculpts by William Watt, Sandra Garrity, and Julie Guthrie.[27] Also in 1993 Grenadier Models released Dragon Lords the Game (#5700-5711) a 6mm scale skirmish game featuring dragon riders, and 25mm plastic space marines called Space Rangers (#87003).[28]

Grenadier Models' figures were initially cast in an alloy of lead and tin, but in 1993 New York legislators nearly passed a public health bill barring the use of lead in toys and games.[29] Despite the additional cost, numerous manufacturers anticipated parental concerns, similar legislation in other states, their own workplace safety, and they began using white metal alloys. Grenadier began converting its lines to a non-lead alloy they called Luminite in the winter of 1992.[28] The use of non-lead alloy marks a clear benchmark for dating old figures. In time, New York Governor Mario Cuomo relented to hobbyists' concerns and exempted miniatures from the state's Public Health Law.[30] However, Grenadier Models did not return to producing in lead.

The product lines for 1994 were a mix of European and American designs. Mark Copplestone and Bob Naismith introduced new sculpts for the Fantasy Warriors game, and Nick Lund and Doug Cowie authored Fantasy Warriors Companion an expansion of the rules. Mike Daley began a series of large scale Master Wizards (#4401, 4402). William Watt added a Battle Giant (#2701) to the Special Edition line, and a signature line of William Watt's Dragons (#2901, 2902).

Post Script edit

At Gen Con in August 1996 it was revealed that the molds and master sculpts of Grenadier Models Inc. had been purchased by Stratelibri, their long-time distributor in Milan, Italy. The rights have since passed to Mirliton S.G. who continues to produce many of the figures from Grenadier's last years in business. Some of Grenadier's artists retained the right to their work. In 2001 Mega Miniatures purchased the production rights to 180 of the Julie Guthrie's Grenadier Personalities. Those 180 Grenadier Personalities were sold to Center Stage Miniatures in the fall of 2012. The production of all UK designed and sculpted miniatures are currently licensed to em4miniatures of Rustington, West Sussex, England by the holder of those rights.

Since the sale of Grenadier Model's assets, Andrew Chernak has taken his sculpting to the other extreme and now creates monumental scale bronzes commemorating fallen soldiers. He is also available for lectures on military history and art.[31]

Reception edit

Ian Knight reviewed the War Mammoth of the Undead Legion, Champions Heroes, and Champions Villains boxed sets for Imagine magazine, and stated that "Considering that imported figures always work out dearer, [the price is] not too bad for the Mammoth, but as you only get a dozen Super-characters per box, they [are] expensive, even by today's standards."[32]

Mike Brunton reviewed Official Bushido 25mm Miniatures and Fantasy Lords for Imagine magazine, and stated that "Overall: Tick, VG, and recommended, for both Bushido and Fantasy Lords."[33]

Steve Jackson reviewed assorted scenery from Grenadier Miniatures for Pyramid #8 (July/August 1994), and stated that "All in all, these are nice, useful pieces, well cast and finished, quite paintable. If you like metal stuff, take a look at these packs. If not, no doubt your dim, tedious life will drag on without them."[34]

References edit

  1. ^ a b The Grenadier Bulletin, vol. 1.10, Fall 1983, Scott Slingsby, editor.
  2. ^ The Grenadier Bulletin vol. 1.4, Spring 1982, Kim Eastland, editor
  3. ^ Warrior #1, December 1992/ January 1993, Derek Mugridge, editor.
  4. ^ Warrior #13, April / May 1995, Derek Mugridge, editor.
  5. ^ Dragon Magazine #10, 1977
  6. ^ The Book of Fantasy Miniatures by Ed Konstant, Little Soldier Games, 1978
  7. ^ a b c The Fantastic Worlds of Grenadier, Terence Gunn (2003), published by the author
  8. ^ Judge's Guild Dungeoneer Compendium #1-6, 1979, page 50
  9. ^ "Light Brigade Hobbies Catalog #2, Concord, California, 1980
  10. ^ The Grenadier Bulletin vol. 1.1, Fall 1981, Kim Eastland, editor
  11. ^ a b Grenadier's Consumer Catalogue 1982
  12. ^ Sacco, Ciro Alessandro. . thekyngdoms.com. Archived from the original on 2012-02-08. Retrieved 2008-10-24.
  13. ^ a b The Grenadier Bulletin, vol. 1.6, Winter 1982, Scott Slingsby, editor.
  14. ^ a b The Grenadier Bulletin, vol. 1.16, Don Wellman, editor.
  15. ^ a b c The Grenadier Bulletin, vol. 1.8, Summer 1983, Scott Slingsby, editor
  16. ^ a b The Grenadier Bulletin, vol. 1.9, Fall 1983, Scott Slingsby, editor.
  17. ^ The Grenadier Bulletin, vol. 1.12, Spring 1984, Scott Slingsby, editor.
  18. ^ The Grenadier Bulletin, vol. 1.13, Fall 1984, Don Wellman, editor.
  19. ^ a b The Grenadier Bulletin, vol. 1.14, January 1985, Don Wellman, editor.
  20. ^ The Grenadier Bulletin, vol. 1.15, March 1985, Don Wellman, editor
  21. ^ The Grenadier Bulletin vol. 1.17, Summer 1985, Don Wellman, editor.
  22. ^ a b Grenadier Models Inc. 1987 Photographic Compendium.
  23. ^ The Grenadier Bulletin, Fall 1987, Don Wellman, editor.
  24. ^ Grenadier Models Inc. 1991 Catalogue
  25. ^ The Grenadier Bulletin, new series #3, Spring 1991, Matt Forbeck editor
  26. ^ The Grenadier Bulletin, new series #4, Summer 1992, Matt Forbeck editor
  27. ^ a b c d Grenadier Models 1993 Catalog, Grenadier Models Inc.
  28. ^ a b c d e The Grenadier Bulletin, vol. 2.1, Summer 1993, Kim Eastland, editor
  29. ^ "Through the Looking Glass" by Robert Bigalow, Dragon #192, April 1993.
  30. ^ "Through the Looking Glass" by Robert Bigalow, Dragon #205, May 1994.
  31. ^ Andrew L.Chernak Sculptures Bronze Statues, http://www.andrewchernak.com/ accessed July 4, 2012
  32. ^ Knight, Ian (November 1984). "Game Reviews". Imagine (review) (20). TSR Hobbies (UK), Ltd.: 39.
  33. ^ Brunton, Mike (September 1985). "Game Reviews". Imagine (review) (30). TSR Hobbies (UK), Ltd.: 42–43.
  34. ^ "Pyramid: Pyramid Pick: Assorted Scenery".

January 01, 1970
grenadier, models, springfield, pennsylvania, produced, lead, miniature, figures, wargames, role, playing, games, with, fantasy, science, fiction, heroic, themes, between, 1975, 1996, best, known, their, figures, advanced, dungeons, dragons, game, collectible,. Grenadier Models Inc of Springfield Pennsylvania produced lead miniature figures for wargames and role playing games with fantasy science fiction and heroic themes between 1975 and 1996 Grenadier Models Inc is best known for their figures for TSR Inc s Advanced Dungeons amp Dragons game collectible Dragon of the Month and Giants Club figures and their marketing of paint and miniature sets through traditional retail outlets Grenadier Models Inc IndustryWargamingRole playing gameFounded1975Defunct1996FateClosedSuccessorMirliton S G HeadquartersSpringfield Pennsylvania U S Key peopleSculptors Andrew ChernakJulie GuthrieBob CharretteSandra GarrityNick LundRobert WattsOwners Andrew ChernakRay RubinDoug Cowie Managing Director Grenadier Uk LtdRoger Higgins part owner Grenadier Models UK LtdProductsminiature figures The company began as a basement enterprise but by 1983 they had grown to a staff of 50 people and had the third highest gross sales in the expanding gaming market 1 Grenadier s sculptors included John Dennett Janine Bennett Julie Guthrie Nick Lund Mark Copplestone Michael Daley Sandra Garrity Bob Naismith William Watt and Ian Symonds Grenadier closed its doors in 1996 but many of their products remain in production by companies in the UK Italy and the United States Contents 1 History 1 1 Historical miniatures 1975 1980 1 2 Your D amp D Figure Company 1981 1982 1 3 Collect and Paint 1983 1990 1 4 Grenadier Models U K 1991 1994 1 5 Post Script 2 Reception 3 ReferencesHistory editThe company was founded by Andrew Chernak president and head sculptor and Ray Rubin vice president and head artist Chernak and Rubin had previously partnered in Canterbury Pewter Ltd a gift market sculpting business which they had established in 1972 The duo were not new to historical miniatures Chernak had previously sculpted for Superior Models and Rubin was a co founder of Squadron Rubin Miniatures Grenadier Model s first product was a line of 25mm American Revolution figures released in anticipation of the 1976 United States Bicentennial The company received its name from their first miniature a grenadier 2 In partnership with its European distributor Grenadier formed Grenadier Models Ltd UK in 1984 By 1991 the British office became the center of the company s design and development Grenadier Models published a product catalog in 1978 1979 1982 and annually from 1985 to 1994 Separate European catalogs were published in 1985 1994 and perhaps other years as well Their products were discussed in the Grenadier Bulletin a magazine which also contained games comics short stories and puzzles The bulletin was published in several series The first series contained issues 1 through 18 and were released between the fall of 1981 and late 1987 A new series of four editions was issued in late 1991 and early 1992 in the form of a full color magazine A third series somewhat confusingly labeled volume II was produced in the summer of 1993 but appears to have been terminated after a single issue Grenadier s British offices produced a separate International edition of the bulletin called the British Grenadier There were at least thirteen issues and it appears to have been produced around 1988 The British offices also published a bi monthly newsletter Warrior The Newsletter for Fantasy Wargamers which supported Grenadier s Fantasy Warrior game 3 The Warrior included thirteen issues published from December 1992 January 1993 to April May 1995 4 Historical miniatures 1975 1980 edit By the end of 1976 Grenadier had produced miniature soldiers from Classical Antiquity and the American Civil War and American Old West gunfighters Although they were primarily focused on the well established market for historical miniatures their early products included science fiction themed Starsoldiers product codes S01 19 and Space Squadrons Stellardate 2998 SS01 SS19 spaceships 25mm fantasy figures called Wizzards amp Warriors W1 60 WS1 5 a Special Sets line of furniture WS01 WS12 and a small selection of 15mm fantasy figures 5 6 As the fantasy and science fiction market began to out pace historical miniatures in 1978 Grenadier released box sets containing select portions of their fantasy space ships and gunslinger lines 7 8 In 1980 these boxed sets included fantasy game oriented Dungeon Adventure WW01 and Monsters Sets WW02 Western Gunfighters WW03 and Space Squadrons Set WW04 New figures were crafted for the Gamma World Adventure WW06 Gamma World Denizens WW07 Woodland Adventurers WW08 and Tomb of Spells Sets WW09 9 The new lines attracted the attention of TSR Inc who produced the Gamma World and Dungeons amp Dragons role playing games and began a short but lucrative partnership between Grenadier and TSR Inc Your D amp D Figure Company 1981 1982 edit In the fall of 1981 Grenadier Models had begun to refer to itself as Your D amp D Figure Company and began a newsletter The Grenadier Bulletin to advertise its status as the official producer of Advanced Dungeons amp Dragons Miniatures and of miniatures for TSR Inc s Gamma World role playing game 10 Its first editor Kim Eastland became an influential author of role playing games and fiction published by TSR Inc The AD amp D lines included blister packs of monsters 101 116 small box sets 2001 2013 and large box sets 5001 5004 5009 A collateral product was Action Art box sets 8001 8004 which included paints and painting instructions and served to introduce customers to the hobby The Gamma World role playing game was supported by a series of blister packs Gxx a box sets of adventurers 5005 and post apocalyptic monsters 5006 Grenadier also produced figures SN1 4 for TSR s Snit s Revenge board game 11 In late 1982 Grenadier Models and TSR Inc ended their business relationship 12 13 The point of contention was Grenadier s plans to produce figures for other game companies Grenadier later described the separation as a bold decision in order to provide players of all fantasy games with a broader range of quality fantasy miniatures 14 Since many of Chernak s sculptures predated TSR Inc s artwork Grenadier Models retained the rights to many of their sculptures and re released choice figures in the Dragon Lords 2001 2013 5001 5004 Fantasy Lords 6001 6005 101 112 and Action Art 8003 8004 lines 7 There appear to have been continued issues with the reuse of the sculpts which might have resembled images which TSR Inc considered trademarked Parts of some sets 2010 2012 8003 8004 were replaced with new sculpts 15 In 1982 and 1983 Grenadier conducted a Wizard s Gold Contest in which they placed gold plated castings within random boxes of figures The box also included a certificate for a drawing The grand prize for 1982 was a one half ounce of gold for the purchaser of the box set and the store which sold it The 1983 certificates awarded gift certificates and were placed in 6001 Dragons of the Emerald Idol and 6002 Skeleton Raiders of the Undead box sets 15 However collectors have reported gold plated figures from other contemporaneous sets Collect and Paint 1983 1990 edit As Grenadier parted ways with TSR they continued to reach out to the burgeoning adventure gaming market In 1983 they became the official producer of miniatures for Chaosium s Call of Cthulhu 6501 6502 and Game Designers Workshop s Traveller 1001 1003 In 1983 Grenadier announced an agreement to produce miniatures for FASA s Star Trek role playing game but the figures were produced by Ral Partha Enterprises Inc RAFM in 1985 and Rawcliffe Pewter from 1989 to 1999 13 At that same time the owners of Grenadier Models spun off a subsidiary called Pinnacle Products with an orientation toward mainstream retail outlets They produced The Dark Crystal Adventure Collection which included two boxed sets 9001 9002 note reuse of product code containing paints and miniatures of the characters and furniture in the December 1982 movie The Dark Crystal Other Pinnacle Products merchandise included the Paint and Collect Series consisting of 2201 Dinosaurs 2202 Fantasy Lords 2203 Fantasy Monsters and 2204 G I Assault Team 16 In early 1983 Grenadier added four Paint and Playsets 9101 9104 to coincide with Mattel s Masters of the Universe cartoon and 1 285 scale tanks and artillery for Steve Jackson Games Ogre 6101 6110 6115 6118 6122 and 1 180 scale vehicles Car Wars Autoduel 6201 6210 games 15 In October 1983 Grenadier added a line of Secret Agents 3001 3002 1 As fantasy and science fiction gaming outpaced traditional wargames and modeling Grenadier discontinued many of their historical period figures Lines of 54mm scale figures 5401 5409 featuring personages like 5401 Jesus of Nazareth and a 77mm series of figures 9001 9003 9006 based on the calendar art of Boris Vallejo 11 were dropped in 1983 16 Between March 1984 and February 1985 Grenadier released twelve monthly installments in the popular Dragon of the Month series Each box set included a variety of fantasy dragon a jeweled base and a portion of a map of the mystical land the dragons inhabited Those who collected all twelve dragons were eligible to receive an additional dragon figure Other 1984 introductions included the Masterpiece Editions 5501 War Mammoth of the Undead Legion 5501 Death Dragon futuristic war machines called Warbots 4501 4502 and miniatures for Mayfair Games s Champions 4001 4002 Grenadier also released four gaming scenarios The Horrible Secret of Monhegan Island by Gary Pilkington for Call of Cthulhu Cloudland by Tony Fiorito for Tunnels and Trolls or Advanced Dungeons amp Dragons Raid on Rajallapor by Gary Pilkington for Blades Mercenaries Spies and Private Eyes and Disappearance on Aramat by Gary Pilkington for Game Designers Workshop s Traveller 17 18 19 Grenadier celebrated its 10th anniversary by adding 10 000 commemorative Paladin figures to boxes of 6007 Fantasy Lords Dungeon Raiders 19 The Dragon of the Month products proved very popular and Grenadier released a second series of dragons in March 1985 a line of large humanoids which they called The Giant s Club The first installment was 3501 Fire Giant and the Monster Manuscript which included dungeon creatures organized in alphabetical order Also in 1985 Grenadier released the official miniatures for I C E s Middle earth in the world of J R R Tolkien s The Lord of the Rings a line of 15mm soldiers for Game Designers Workshop s Twilight 2000 skirmish game which takes place in a world where the Cold War was resolved with arms superheroes for Hero Games Champions Pacesetter s Chill Mayfair Games D C Heroes and West End Games Paranoia role playing games 14 20 21 22 Grenadier signed on Julie Guthrie in 1987 to sculpt their first signature line Julie Guthrie s Fantasy Personalities 23 By 1988 Grenadier became the manufacturer of miniatures for West End Games role playing system Star Wars This miniatures series was based upon the first three George Lucas films and included representations of the main characters Rebel troops droids villains storm troopers and vehicles In 1989 Grenadier released the first Shadowrun miniatures for FASA s role playing game 7 Grenadier Models U K 1991 1994 edit Grenadier models UK Ltd was created in 1984 Bob Watts approached Roger Higgins of Games of Liverpool Grenadier s British distributor to cast Grenadier s products for the European market Higgins recruited his Import and Wholesale Manager Doug Cowie and Mal Green to set up and run Grenadier Models UK Casting equipment was set up above their Birkenhead offices and they learned the trade of casting by trial and error Public grants through the Welsh Development Agency assisted a move to northern Wales By 1991 Grenadier had begun selling Nick Lund s Fantasy Warriors a game of fantasy battles a boxed game which included 102 plastic figures sculpted by Mark Copplestone with later additions by other sculptors Branches of the company were established in Auckland New Zealand and Deeside Clwyd Wales to support British and Australian customers remove the costs of international shipping and connect with Grenadier s European sculptors The company in Wales provided a chance for Grenadier to tap into the growing market for larger scale 30 mm miniatures in which UK designers invoked styles from European fantasy and science fiction Grenadier s office in Wales became the center of the company s product design and British artists Mark Copplestone Bob Naismith and Nick Lund became the company s chief sculptors 24 The Pennsylvania office provided traditional themes from fantasy and history Andy Chernak revived his 1978 Western Gunfighters boxed set 4901 and a line of existing figures entitled Fantasy Classics Nightmares and The Best of Julie Guthrie boxed set 7001 Julie Guthrie introduced the Lords of Light and Decay boxes sets 8801 8802 a line of Fantasy Personalities II and added the Cyberpunk line Janine Bennett introduced a range of Amazons 3312 which were suitable for use with Fantasy Warriors 25 26 In 1992 Grenadier Models underwent a period of revitalization The company s founders Andrew Chernak and Ray Rubin returned to their creative responsibilities 27 Kim Eastland returned to Grenadier Models from TSR Inc 22 28 The return to the early structure of the company may have been prompted by the loss of their partnerships with game manufacturers By the beginning of 1993 their licensed figures had dwindled to the point that they only produced Andrew Chernak and Sandra Garrity s sculptures for R Talsorian Games Cyberpunk 27 The resurgence of the Pennsylvania offices was short lived and Nick Lund s Fantasy Warriors 5000 was the center piece of the 1993 catalog 27 A similar space themed game called Future Warriors 1501 1509 1701 was released later that same year 28 Fantasy war gamers were targeted with the Lost Lands boxed sets of 25mm scale miniatures 3001 3006 Fantasy Warriors artillery pieces and battlefield accessories 9201 9203 402 406 and a 15mm Warlords 1801 1818 line of military units 28 The fantasy role playing market was addressed by Julie Guthrie s large signature series 801 899 701 724 7001 7002 8101 8145 a Fantasy Legends line 3101 3128 consisting of existing models and new sculpts by William Watt Sandra Garrity and Julie Guthrie 27 Also in 1993 Grenadier Models released Dragon Lords the Game 5700 5711 a 6mm scale skirmish game featuring dragon riders and 25mm plastic space marines called Space Rangers 87003 28 Grenadier Models figures were initially cast in an alloy of lead and tin but in 1993 New York legislators nearly passed a public health bill barring the use of lead in toys and games 29 Despite the additional cost numerous manufacturers anticipated parental concerns similar legislation in other states their own workplace safety and they began using white metal alloys Grenadier began converting its lines to a non lead alloy they called Luminite in the winter of 1992 28 The use of non lead alloy marks a clear benchmark for dating old figures In time New York Governor Mario Cuomo relented to hobbyists concerns and exempted miniatures from the state s Public Health Law 30 However Grenadier Models did not return to producing in lead The product lines for 1994 were a mix of European and American designs Mark Copplestone and Bob Naismith introduced new sculpts for the Fantasy Warriors game and Nick Lund and Doug Cowie authored Fantasy Warriors Companion an expansion of the rules Mike Daley began a series of large scale Master Wizards 4401 4402 William Watt added a Battle Giant 2701 to the Special Edition line and a signature line of William Watt s Dragons 2901 2902 Post Script edit At Gen Con in August 1996 it was revealed that the molds and master sculpts of Grenadier Models Inc had been purchased by Stratelibri their long time distributor in Milan Italy The rights have since passed to Mirliton S G who continues to produce many of the figures from Grenadier s last years in business Some of Grenadier s artists retained the right to their work In 2001 Mega Miniatures purchased the production rights to 180 of the Julie Guthrie s Grenadier Personalities Those 180 Grenadier Personalities were sold to Center Stage Miniatures in the fall of 2012 The production of all UK designed and sculpted miniatures are currently licensed to em4miniatures of Rustington West Sussex England by the holder of those rights Since the sale of Grenadier Model s assets Andrew Chernak has taken his sculpting to the other extreme and now creates monumental scale bronzes commemorating fallen soldiers He is also available for lectures on military history and art 31 Reception editIan Knight reviewed the War Mammoth of the Undead Legion Champions Heroes and Champions Villains boxed sets for Imagine magazine and stated that Considering that imported figures always work out dearer the price is not too bad for the Mammoth but as you only get a dozen Super characters per box they are expensive even by today s standards 32 Mike Brunton reviewed Official Bushido 25mm Miniatures and Fantasy Lords for Imagine magazine and stated that Overall Tick VG and recommended for both Bushido and Fantasy Lords 33 Steve Jackson reviewed assorted scenery from Grenadier Miniatures for Pyramid 8 July August 1994 and stated that All in all these are nice useful pieces well cast and finished quite paintable If you like metal stuff take a look at these packs If not no doubt your dim tedious life will drag on without them 34 References edit a b The Grenadier Bulletin vol 1 10 Fall 1983 Scott Slingsby editor The Grenadier Bulletin vol 1 4 Spring 1982 Kim Eastland editor Warrior 1 December 1992 January 1993 Derek Mugridge editor Warrior 13 April May 1995 Derek Mugridge editor Dragon Magazine 10 1977 The Book of Fantasy Miniatures by Ed Konstant Little Soldier Games 1978 a b c The Fantastic Worlds of Grenadier Terence Gunn 2003 published by the author Judge s Guild Dungeoneer Compendium 1 6 1979 page 50 Light Brigade Hobbies Catalog 2 Concord California 1980 The Grenadier Bulletin vol 1 1 Fall 1981 Kim Eastland editor a b Grenadier s Consumer Catalogue 1982 Sacco Ciro Alessandro The Ultimate Interview with Gary Gygax thekyngdoms com Archived from the original on 2012 02 08 Retrieved 2008 10 24 a b The Grenadier Bulletin vol 1 6 Winter 1982 Scott Slingsby editor a b The Grenadier Bulletin vol 1 16 Don Wellman editor a b c The Grenadier Bulletin vol 1 8 Summer 1983 Scott Slingsby editor a b The Grenadier Bulletin vol 1 9 Fall 1983 Scott Slingsby editor The Grenadier Bulletin vol 1 12 Spring 1984 Scott Slingsby editor The Grenadier Bulletin vol 1 13 Fall 1984 Don Wellman editor a b The Grenadier Bulletin vol 1 14 January 1985 Don Wellman editor The Grenadier Bulletin vol 1 15 March 1985 Don Wellman editor The Grenadier Bulletin vol 1 17 Summer 1985 Don Wellman editor a b Grenadier Models Inc 1987 Photographic Compendium The Grenadier Bulletin Fall 1987 Don Wellman editor Grenadier Models Inc 1991 Catalogue The Grenadier Bulletin new series 3 Spring 1991 Matt Forbeck editor The Grenadier Bulletin new series 4 Summer 1992 Matt Forbeck editor a b c d Grenadier Models 1993 Catalog Grenadier Models Inc a b c d e The Grenadier Bulletin vol 2 1 Summer 1993 Kim Eastland editor Through the Looking Glass by Robert Bigalow Dragon 192 April 1993 Through the Looking Glass by Robert Bigalow Dragon 205 May 1994 Andrew L Chernak Sculptures Bronze Statues http www andrewchernak com accessed July 4 2012 Knight Ian November 1984 Game Reviews Imagine review 20 TSR Hobbies UK Ltd 39 Brunton Mike September 1985 Game Reviews Imagine review 30 TSR Hobbies UK Ltd 42 43 Pyramid Pyramid Pick Assorted Scenery Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Grenadier Models Inc amp oldid 1110046681, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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