YANKS Miniatures
continues to operate under Paul Wilkie in Perth, Scotland, after beginning in
the United States in the 1990s with orignal owner Dave Bighia. The initial product
line included
a couple dozen sets of GI figures and a handful of Russians. YM was noted during
this time for its innovative subjects. They came out with a nice interior for
the M8 Howitzer Motor Carriage, predating Verlindens 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.
Theyre 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 servicemans caps that Patton so detested.
By 1999, owner Dave Bighia closed up YANKS Miniatures and sold its molds
to Scotia Models in Scotland. Owner Paul Wilkie continued the original product
line and is adding new products, but at this time does not have a website. He
may be contacted at yanksminiatures@hotmail.com.
In 2002,
Bighia announced the start of a new YANKS but the company was beset with various
problems. 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, but Speck's
new company, Mustang Productions,
released products including some figures produced by YANKS and YANKS Miniatures.
But Mustang too soon went out of business. It
is still possible to find some of the older figures under their original label
in hobby stores or through "buy-and-sell" discussion groups. Where
possible, I have cross-referenced YANKS Miniatures, YANKS, and Mustang Productions
(MP). YANKS
Miniatures 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 Corps dog handler with Doberman | YANKS |