Rtas' main collection

I didn't knew that the older Schleich kudu was bigger than the newer one! I always tought both are the same size!

RtasVadumee wrote:

May I see your repainted bongo ?

Of course! Here is it, but the forum system don't allow to link a single post within a thread, so you must go directly to the end of the thread and from it slightly upwards. The repaint is not perfect, but at least now the white markings are correctly shaped and positioned. Also the photos are a bit bad in illumination and sharpness, maybe I should have been used the flash, but they're enough for give an idea.
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V Mammals

M) Even-toed ungulates

4) Bovids

c) Bovines

2. Bisons

Species : American bison, wisent
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Figures on this picture (from left to right) :
- Schleich 14350 American Bison Calf (2005-2010)
- Schleich 14714 American Bison (2014-2020)
- Schleich 14251 European Bison (2003-2005)

Fun facts :
- The wisent is one of the rare species for which Bullyland's rendition is the best. I never found it in local shops however and I'm not willing to order it online so it is very likely that the old Schleich model, which is good enough but somewhat dwarf, will remain the only wisent in my collection.
- I did not know the American bison calf existed before I found it in a shop during one of my figure hunts. I was pretty sure it was a bison calf but still asked the seller to scan the bar code to tell me what it was and the answer was a "buffalo calf". I already had the African buffalo calf so I guessed it was a mistake as it happens so often (my worlverine was tagged as a grizzly cub for example...). The Schleich tag was missing so I did not know whether it was Schleich or Papo and discovered it only at home, on TAI.
- I had the opportunity to get the previous Schleich American bison from another collector of my region but did not take it because it was too similar to the new one and now, I somewhat regret it as it would have widen my herd.
- The last American bison from Schleich was one of the figures that appealed me the most when I started collecting again. It was one of those models, along with the gemsbok, spotted hyena and moose, that made me realise how much Schleich figures had evolved. I think it's one of their latest masterpieces but for an unknown reason, it is also one of the species Schleich has always dwarfed, like the hippo, especially when you compare it with their yak or African buffalo. I mean, most of the bisons I have seen in zoos were dwarves like the Schleich model but I know that one ton specimens exist in the wild and I definitely needed a more impressive individual. So, I bought the Papo model which scales better with my collection and am now using the Schleich figure as a young male :

- Papo 50119 American Bison (2010-still in production)
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- I bought both American bisons in two different local shops, found the calf with my mother during one of my figure hunts and have the wisent from my childhood.
- I have seen both bison species in zoos.

Yes it's difficult to explain the little size of Schleich buffaloes and wisents to compare with their other bovids. It's easier with Bully wisent because they have a big range of forest dwellers and Pleistocen pieces at the same scale and my 3 wisents (from both brands) fit very well with their wooly rhino, megaloceros, red deers, reindeers, etc..

The Bully wisent is more detailed but I prefer the Schleich one more because of its better proportions, shape and attitude. I add I use to visit wisents since my far chilhood in the zoo of Montpellier and for twenty years in the reserve of Ste Eulalie not too far from the village I am originated from..


Fortunatly, we have the Papo Buffalo which fit well with other big bovids of the main brands (african buffalo, yak, gaur,..) even if its "spectacular" attitude (head up) is not the current buffalo one.

Lovely models again, so many gems in your collection!

Oh now I see the Papo figure, I really want it now! And I've found it so I'll order it tonight.

I currently don't have any wisent but if I remember rightly, Susanne will be giving me the Bullyland figure

Yes Rtas, is a very extended and common error (but not less desperating) to see the bison being called wrongly as "buffalo" everywhere, even among people with animal knowlegde!! I definitely think that Schleich rendition is the best American buffalo ever, but sadly is not available now, and from the ones currently in production none convince me. We have the Papo that you show, the best one sizewise, but I dislike a lot its horns, and also I find the position somewhat weird. The position of the Schleich one is perfect, as are its horns. But the tails by the contrary seems odd in the Schleich model, of you mind that detail.

Thank you for your discussion about the antelopes and their relatives!
This part of my collection evolved the most since the modern companies (CollectA) started to release such beautiful hoofed animals.
I had some smaller figurines, mostly older vintage companies. Getting more and more CollectA, it seemed even for me, who doesn´t care su much on size, to have smaller ones next do big ones. So I started to replace some of my old models with modern companies.

But I´m still not sure about the Bongo. I only have an odd K&M one, nothing to care about. But at the time, I remember the hunt and that it was the only representation of an well-known animal. The CollectA Bongo has something on it, that I really don´t like - but I can´t even say what it is. So, I still was hoping that other brands would release a bongo, too, as it´s common in zoos and very beautiful (the same for the Sitatunga).

And yes, the Kudu. I´m following this dicussion already a long time. I never got the Schleich, as I had a model from T.M. in the time it didn´t care as much with size. Then, I saw the Papo Kudu and I immediatly thought - boah, it´s to big for me and my taste.
Now, I´m very into buying the Safari Lesser Kudu. I think it´s an unique species and I´m convinced, that the brands would rather release a new Kudu than a new lesser kudu...
So, I think for now on, I will wait for the Kudu, already knowing that this could be a dumb choice and that the Papo would be a good choice, that will become more and more rare.

Why is collecting so complicated

And yes, thanks for the bisons, too. An species that I still have to replace, as I´m still stick to my old NewRay bison. Yes, with NewRay, I´m very nostalgic ^^

Isidro, this is because of "Buffalo Bill"

V Mammals

M) Even-toed ungulates

4) Bovids

c) Bovines

3. Yaks

Species :Yak
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Figures on this picture (from left to right) :
- Schleich 14616 Yak (2010-2013)
- Papo 50127 Yak (2011-2017)

Fun facts :
- My first choice was the Schleich model, even though it is white and I don't find it very typical of this species... As usual, I find Schleich's paintjob of better quality than Papo's, especially the horns. I am lucky to own a Papo figure with very light marks on the horns but most samples show much more visible stripes on them and I don't really like it. To be honest, the Papo model has always been available to me (that shop close to my job seems to have unlimited stocks of retired Papo figures !) but I did not buy it because I was waiting to find the Schleich rendition during my figure hunts. It would have been a true "spoils of war" being so rare, but not impossible to find as I had already found the Malayan tapir which was as ancient, as rare and as expensive on the net than this yak. Unfortunately I never found it and my mother had to order it online for me at quite a high price. I remember she was very happy to give it to me as a gift, as she really liked the model and loves bovine figures in general.
- The Papo model, despite its unpleasant marks on the horns and "glossier" painting I am not fond of, is almost equally good though. And it presents the advantage of being brownish, which looks much more familiar to me. Furthermore, is there any other Schleich and Papo figures that fit so well with each other than these two ? I don't think so. I had to buy the Papo yak to keep its Schleich fellow company and had no difficulty to find it. However, we still miss the regular, typical black-haired yak.
- I have received a considerable number of PM asking me to send Papo yaks throughout Europe and even sent one to Adam in exchange for his Mojo Thomson's gazelle.
- I don't really understand the size of both these models, as all yaks I have ever seen in zoos were tiny (I mean, much smaller than a buffalo, a bison or a watusi). But I read that the wild yaks could be much larger and weigh up to one ton. However, the Schleich model has to be a domestic individual since I don't think there is any white yak in the wild
- I have seen domestic yaks in zoos.

Schleich yak is surely domesticated. So, it is the oversized one in your picture. i have both Schleich and Papo and I really love both models. I still have the Lineol that is roughly at the same scale. That’s a species I’d never feel tired of seeing released by all companies. It is an impressive creature.

I recently got a Schleich yak (this week actually) and hurried up to correct their thick horns. This photo is is not faithfull of the result, with which I'm quite happy.

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Wonderful models once again!

Well the light stripes on Papo one horns are easy to correct and nothing empeach you to repaint the Schleich one with blackish shades!.. :)

Pepi, so do you still need a Papo ?

Alain, I would never dare to repaint my figures ! I would rather send them to you than try myself even for such a minor correction !

V Mammals

M) Even-toed ungulates

4) Bovids

c) Bovines

4. Zebus

Breed : Zebu
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Figures on this picture (from left to right) :
- CollectA 88600 Red Brahman Cow (2013-still in production)
- CollectA 88579 Brahman Bull (2012-still in production)
- CollectA 88601 Red Brahman Calf (2013-still in production)
- CollectA 88581 Brahman Calf (2012-still in production)
- CollectA 88580 Brahman Cow (2012-still in production)
- CollectA 88599 Red Brahman Bull (2013-still in production)

Fun facts :
- I usually do no collect domestic animals. But I make a few exceptions for exotic breeds very common in zoos such as the domestic camelids and a few bovines like the zebu or the watusi, as well as some pets which are domestic forms of species which do not exist as animal figures like the ferret, the hamster, the guinea pig...
- I really did not need a second brahman family once I got the white one but my mother, who is fond of bovine figures, insisted that we order the red family too so that I have a full herd.
- The white brahman bull exists with horns and actually, the promo pic from my Ebay seller showed a horned zebu but I ended up receiving a hornless one and was much disappointed about it. I would have enjoyed one of my bulls to have horns...
- All of them have been ordered from my usual seller on Ebay.
- I have seen zebus in zoos.

Hi Ben, no, for the moment I will pass without the yak. Sorry I forgot to mention it. And, of course, many thanks for your attention

V Mammals

M) Even-toed ungulates

4) Bovids

c) Bovines

5. Ankole-watusis

Breed : Ankole-watusi
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Figures on this picture (from left to right) :
- CollectA 88649 Ankole Watusi Cow (2014-still in production)
- CollectA 88650 Ankole Watusi Calf (2014-still in production)
- CollectA 88648 Ankole Watusi Bull (2014-still in production)

Fun facts :
- Another domestic breed I could not avoid. Watusis are extremely common in zoos because they are both impressive and easy to keep due to their domestic nature and you do not need a licence to own them. I have seen watusis in zoos during all my childhood that's why I needed the CollectA family in my collection.
- CollectA antelopes are great but I think these watusis may show even more significantly how CollectA is over most other compagnies as far as sculpts, textures and details are concerned. The skin folds of the male are just amazing and the picture does not do them justice.
- My bull has one leg shorter than the others and do not stand perfectly right. I have been considering sending it back to the seller but it's finally not so bothering.
- These are gifts from my mother too, as almost every bovine figure I own ! She ordered them on Ebay from my regular seller. I remember receiving them while I had hit rock bottom (I mean, even more than as usual) and it gave me comfort.
- I would love to find a Masai figure to keep my watusis in my African diorama. Unfortunately the Schleich "African warrior" is too large [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

RtasVadumee wrote:

- I would love to find a Masai figure to keep my watusis in my African diorama. Unfortunately the Schleich "African warrior" is too large [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

This is a very nice figure. Do you have it? Are you sure it's too big? I thought it's about 1:18 to 1:20 scale and I  think the bovines are close to that. Masai are about 1.90 cm tall or even taller. OK, this figure is not a Masai, but still you can pretend it to be..

Mmmm are you sure ? If so, I should hurry up as I think there is only one left at the shop close to my job...

From what I read, its height is 10.5 cm, so do the math. I guess someone that has a new heroes figure can confirm that.

Anyway, it's 5€ or so, I'll get it and see after, as soon as the shops open again.

spacelab wrote:

From what I read, its height is 10.5 cm, so do the math.  I guess someone that has a new heroes figure can confirm that.

I confirm ! It is exactly 10.5 cm