Eichhörnchen's Armies

[Eichhörnchen]

Expanding on an album in my Profile page, this thread is for anyone interested in old or new plastic toy soldiers and figures (including animals)

Since I hit retirement I've more time to devote to my hobbies - without feelings of guilt - one of which is collecting vintage plastic figures then, if desired, stripping & repainting them. Sometimes in faithful imitation of their original finish and other times devoting much more time and care than the average piece-worker could in the 1960s

My 'Swoppet Knight' figures from that time did not require much more than a clean up, restoration of some missing parts and some silver-grey paint on the armour before they were ready to go to war again

https://i.imgur.com/hgcHK2O.jpg

[Buddahaid]

Playing with toys at your age....
https://imagizer.imageshack.com/img923/7321/ltcbcq.jpg

[mapuc]

When grown-ups play with tin soldiers or soldiers made of plastic/other material they usually put them up in certain pattern to demonstrate a famous battle.

I try to remember what I saw when I was around 3-5 years old. A friend to my father-I think he was, had his entire basement arranged with fields mini trees mini hills mini trench.

If I remember correctly he had build in some scale the last battle of sonderburg 1864.

On tv I have seen some American making a true copy of some famous civil war battle.

Edit
In Denmark it is called slaget ved dybbøl-Eng the second Schleswig war

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Schleswig_War

End edit

Markus

[Eichhörnchen]

I have a friend with the same hobby; he's created a huge diorama of Rorke's Drift (Zulu Wars) with toy soldiers - not model soldiers but toys. He was a high-flying shares dealer in the City but, like me, never lost his love for his little plastic men

[Rhodes]

Expanding on an album in my Profile page, this thread is for anyone interested in old or new plastic toy soldiers and figures (including animals)

Since I hit retirement I've more time to devote to my hobbies - without feelings of guilt - one of which is collecting vintage plastic figures then, if desired, stripping & repainting them. Sometimes in faithful imitation of their original finish and other times devoting much more time and care than the average piece-worker could in the 1960s

My 'Swoppet Knight' figures from that time did not require much more than a clean up, restoration of some missing parts and some silver-grey paint on the armour before they were ready to go to war again

https://i.imgur.com/hgcHK2O.jpg


My father and his friends destroyed entire armies of this!

But he still keep a few figures for collection. :D

[ET2SN]

Hey Eich, you know about this

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/forumdisplay.php?f=325

right? :D

C'mon in and grab a beer. :Kaleun_Cheers:

[Jimbuna]

I've a fair few 25mm Napoleonic Russian Army up in the loft but only ever got round to painting about 10%

[Commander Wallace]

Cool little army there, big E. :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

[Eichhörnchen]

Hey Eich, you know about this

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/forumdisplay.php?f=325

right? :D

C'mon in and grab a beer. :Kaleun_Cheers:

Cheers, mate... I just posted on your thread

[mapuc]

I found these interesting homepage

So far in our blog series on making the model David Marshall has given an overview of how the project took place and the Perry brothers have detailed how they produced the bespoke figures for the battlefield. Here, David will take you through how he made the terrain of Agincourt for this extremely detailed diorama.

https://royalarmouries.org/stories/behind-the-scenes/recreating-the-agincourt-battlefield/

Here is a story of making US most known battle in the civil war

When you were a young child, your imagination could run wild with a few action figures and a couple square feet of carpet in your living room. As we grow older, our boundless creativity is reigned in by demanding work schedules and busy lifestyles.

https://www.gettysburgbattlefieldtours.com/gettysburg-diorama-something-for-everyone/

Markus

[Eichhörnchen]

Thanks for those, Markus

Here are some Norman soldiers by the Spanish maker JECSAN, which I got from eBay recently. First photo shows them as they were... the seller (in Florida) didn't know who they were made by and neither did I at first. Second photo shows how much better they look after a lick of paint and in the right setting. I'd stress that these are toy soldiers, not models, so I don't always go to work on facial features

https://i.imgur.com/zgrOikO.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/hiZW6My.jpg

[Skybird]

I had a collection of maybe 20 medieval knight figurines by Britains Deetail, those with the rectangular light green metal stands , maybe ca. 7-12cm high (on foot or on horse), I do not exactly remember. Those were my pride and joy when I was a boy, because they were pretty detailed compared to figures like that made by other manufacturers, and they were not cheap either, and my pocket money was limited.

Its strange that things from that era, over 40 years ago, can appear to be just a short time ago, are vivid memories feelign very alive, while events form last week already are forgotten and seem two or three lifetimes away. Maybe I simply was happy back then. I certainly was, i really had the biggest luck of my lifetime with my family, parents, home. It was not all perfect, but nevertheless it was so absolutely alright.

[Eichhörnchen]

^ Yes our toys remind us of a carefree life - mine certainly was too


https://i.imgur.com/vh9aZRo.jpg

Some more 'before & after' photos on a similar theme but this time the figures are by ELASTOLIN of Germany

The bareheaded swordsman I've seen described both as a Norman prince and as a Saxon nobleman

https://i.imgur.com/WYNjoBg.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/D4ZqCFV.jpg

[mapuc]

Try to remember what they are called- They would pay a lot of money for old figures if they are in perfect stand.

Markus

[Onkel Neal]

Wow, great timing, I am getting ready to start painting tiny little figures for my model subs.

Sir, would you be ok if I move this worthy thread to the scale models section? We've been waiting for someone like you. :shucks:

[Eichhörnchen]

That's fine :Kaleun_Salute:

[Aktungbby]

Thanks for those, Markus

Here are some Norman soldiers by the Spanish maker JECSAN, which I got from eBay recently. First photo shows them as they were... the seller (in Florida) didn't know who they were made by and neither did I at first. Second photo shows how much better they look after a lick of paint and in the right setting. I'd stress that these are toy soldiers, not models, so I don't always go to work on facial features




https://i.imgur.com/hiZW6My.jpgNice! but make sure the crossbowman (at right front) has a body-sized pavisse so he's not picked off by some archer(bowman-quicker fire rate/greater range) whilst cranking up the reload, ever a time-consuming process...also an indispensable tool in forming defensive shield walls against cavalry counterattacks. William the Bastard's feigned withdrawal at Hastings broke the Saxon Senlac Hilltop shieldwall in 1066 and changed the course of history....:hmmm: no need for facial features; just glue a proper nasal facepiece on those 'Norman' helmets!:yep: I note that the center front chieftain-helmed swordsman is wielding a left handed sword and a righthanded shield...with a leftside scabbard..?:hmmm::nope::dead: Poor expendible bugger: he must be the right-end guy in a solid all left-shield wall!:O: Literally: "the right of the line" ie the place of honor! Love the diorama too...ie:"what castle lies hard by?":03:

[Eichhörnchen]

^ Great post, BBY. All correct and I too spotted the sword in the captain's left hand when I came to paint him. Not guilty, though, since these are all just toy soldiers from the 1960s and I'm guessing that the guy who designed them met his end in a far more prosaic manner and place

The castle? I don't know where it is - it's just a detail from an old painting downloaded from the internet, cut up and wrapped around the inside of a large box for photography. I must make up something different for my French Foreign Legion figures currently getting a makeover, so I guess I should be looking for a painting of Fort Zinderneuf next

[Onkel Neal]

What kind of paint are you using?

[Onkel Neal]

Moving this thread BACK to GT, sorry for the interruption. :oops:

[Eichhörnchen]

Hey I see Onkel Neal has put me back in GTs with this thread

https://i.imgur.com/loKpZt9.jpg


I saw this set of saloon bar cowboys on eBay a little while back but it was just too much money for me. It's by 1960s British maker CHERILEA TOYS, who produced some amazing sets like this, including one of Queen Cleopatra and her courtiers


Cherilea's figures were quite large by toy soldier standards: between 60 and 70mm instead of the more usual 54mm. They were always full of life and character

[ET2SN]

Hey I see Onkel Neal has put me back in GTs with this thread

https://i.imgur.com/loKpZt9.jpg


I saw this set of saloon bar cowboys on eBay a little while back but it was just too much money for me. It's by 1960s British maker CHERILEA TOYS, who produced some amazing sets like this, including one of Queen Cleopatra and her courtiers


Cherilea's figures were quite large by toy soldier standards: between 60 and 70mm instead of the more usual 54mm. They were always full of life and character

To me, that set embodies the intent, if not the spirit, of Whack-a-Squirrel. :salute:

[Eichhörnchen]

A few of my Robin Hood figures from different makers, all repainted. These are all toy figures from the 1960s

https://i.imgur.com/KLIaMUW.jpg

Robin Hood by CRESCENT TOYS

https://i.imgur.com/00w4Y0N.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qOVItwm.jpg

Above: more whacking with Crescent Toys

https://i.imgur.com/JvNsG23.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/Hwny8cE.jpg Left & above: by CHERILEA



https://i.imgur.com/vP5L7TP.jpg HERALD's Robin & Marian,

https://i.imgur.com/LfrQwvB.jpg

Friar Tuck, the Sheriff of Nottingham and Little John... WHACK!

[Eichhörnchen]

Three of my repainted Cherilea Saxon warriors, made to accompany their fine set of Vikings

https://i.imgur.com/cRx6263.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/gjS1yCe.jpg https://i.imgur.com/2Zzs2CH.jpg

I tidied up this smashing and rarely seen CHARBENS figure a little while back. He's standing on the poop deck of my son's pirate ship



https://i.imgur.com/6BTWRKO.jpg This figure of Sir Francis, also by Charbens, is supposed to be extremely rare

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/lu8I08B.jpg

One of Cherilea's Foreign Legionnaires in what I think is the original (and rather odd) paint scheme

[nikimcbee]

I've a fair few 25mm Napoleonic Russian Army up in the loft but only ever got round to painting about 10%


I've got some Revolutionary War figures, 54mm. Need to paint...Maybe we could have a painting party? :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

[Jimbuna]

I've got some Revolutionary War figures, 54mm. Need to paint...Maybe we could have a painting party? :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:

These days I reckon I'd use a paint spray gun :)

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/tsA40zZ.jpg

Quite small these figures and not as well moulded as some. They still fetch quite a high price on eBay though

[Eichhörnchen]

I repainted these - a famous and very common set from the 1960s. Included is a photo of my Airfix Legionnaire, who serves well to illustrate the difference between toy soldiers and model soldiers


https://i.imgur.com/ko3Xf6H.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/XmYNL3E.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/681Xwpx.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/a0uSSiS.jpg

The words "Made in Hong Kong" used to mean cheap tat when we were kids - rubbish toys knocked out for next to nothing. But this little diver I picked up recently looks like a real treasure after his makeover. I'm still trying to find out something about his background

He is less than two inches tall too, so the modelling here was very good for something from HK. There's even a little skull & crossbones moulded onto the lid of the pirates chest

https://i.imgur.com/ioUfnPr.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/u86Kz4U.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/QlzAetq.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/ZJNFG7u.jpg

[Buddahaid]

Nice! I'll delete my sarcastic first post for a -900 point penalty in the last Wacky-o-Skell game......:yep:

This Metatron dude has lot's of figures on his shelves (ooops).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jh5N4begcN0

[Buddahaid]

https://i.imgur.com/QlzAetq.jpg

What'a a jouster with a frog mouth helmet doing fighting another knight who has a sword?

[Eichhörnchen]

^ I've no idea

https://i.imgur.com/A87xp7X.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/CP0we2m.jpg

[Catfish]

Probably an early type of corona mask?

Seriously, they look good, and some fitting background for those photos! :up:

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/cLj91gW.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/GsfLOML.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/ZJaRTNc.jpg

An old fashioned single-shot knight from Cherilea Toys. As a kid, I always found this figure a bit sinister for some reason. He's quite scarce, too, since he was only available in boxed sets - so fewer were produced and sold than others in this range. Original paintwork

[Eichhörnchen]

One of my favourite 1960s figures, this was by Reamsa of Spain. I shall not want to repaint this knight as he has almost 100% of his original paint remaining. What a great pose!

https://i.imgur.com/TnOJuzO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ztybKGU.jpg

[mapuc]

Are you going to build some diorama over some famous battle from that era 11-1500 AC ?

If so-What famous battle do you have in mind ?

Markus

[Eichhörnchen]

No, Markus - I collect these soft plastic toy figures simply for their own beauty and interest. I've put a printed pictorial background into these just to show them off in a more attractive setting - I have no plans to expand into dioramas except for perhaps adding a model tree or cactus plant here and there.

I have in the past built small dioramas when model-making with plastic kits, and I do have a friend who likes to amass his toy soldiers into very large dioramas with sculpted landscape and wooden buildings he makes himself. He constructed a huge diorama one time showing the battle for Rorkes Drift, in the Zulu wars. That's how he likes to display his toy soldiers but I have to say that it holds no interest for me

https://i.imgur.com/bazAhKX.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/rYQoWMl.jpg

Here is an example of one of my military modelling dioramas - but it doesn't actually belong in this thread because these aren't toy soldiers

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/eR3NkSM.jpg

My favourite two from the small number of knights made by Lone Star in the 60s

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/KiJZzmn.jpg

Very charming "Gentleman-at-Arms" and a "Yeoman of The Guard", both seen in high profile during HM the Queen's funeral yesterday, produced by Cavendish Miniatures over many years and aimed squarely at the tourist market. Also in this series there is a London 'bobby', a guardsman and a couple of Household Cavalry troopers

[Eichhörnchen]

The one in the middle of these very old (1950s) figures looks very like the Cherilea knight in post #39 but was actually a copy - slightly smaller and with a different style of base. These 3 have been repainted by me

https://i.imgur.com/wj8EpiB.jpg

Here's the Cherilea version again, now also repainted and in company with another scarce figure - 'Prince Valiant' - scarce because these two were only available in boxed sets so fewer were produced and sold

https://i.imgur.com/jmqkog8.jpg

[Commander Wallace]

^ This is great work, Eichhörnchen. Absolutely first rate. :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up: I don't know how you have the patience to do the intricate work and painting with these figurines. I would lose my mind doing this. Then again, I suppose I would have to have a mind in the first place to lose it. :D

[Eichhörnchen]

^ I love doing it, is the answer, although the fabulous Britains 'swoppet' figures like this knight have very little paint on them

https://i.imgur.com/k8nBjg4.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/Ahv5OfR.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/D8YgIwL.jpg

Crescent's practice was often to produce around 8 figures on foot plus 1 or 2 on horseback to go with them. There were usually a couple of really good poses amongst these with the rest much weaker. These are my favourite two from this set (repainted)

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/Kn0XE8C.jpg

Two old figures by US company Marx - the one on the right has a spear in place of his original standard, which was broken (repainted by me)

[Eichhörnchen]

A figure from Reamsa, a Spanish maker from the past. I had no idea as a kid in the UK that there was a whole other plastic toy soldier industry going on over on the Continent. Some of their medievals and ancients I am now obsessively searching for!

https://i.imgur.com/7ge7zFG.jpg

[Aktungbby]

https://i.imgur.com/Kn0XE8C.jpg

Two old figures by US company Marx - the one on the right has a spear in place of his original standard, which was broken (repainted by me) Well paint over the toes too; the toy's sandals (caligae) aren't correct for a legionaire's hobnailed marching: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/1/1c/Caligae_from_side.jpg/330px-Caligae_from_side.jpg https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a1/Caligae_with_nails.jpg/330px-Caligae_with_nails.jpg:arrgh!:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caligae

[Eichhörnchen]

^ They never bothered too much about such things when they made these since they were only toys - but you're correct of course

This is my most recent purchase - apparently a Roman general by Jecsan, another Spanish maker, and he's about to get a makeover. I think I'll call him Drupus Minimus (he wasn't a great success as a general)

https://i.imgur.com/H9awhgQ.jpg

[ET2SN]

Hey Eich, have you considered playing around with metallic undercoats and pearl finishes to replicate cloth?

:D

[Eichhörnchen]

I've never heard of that - I have some pearlescent acrylic artists colour but never found a use for it. This would probably be handy for me when painting model soldiers so I'd like to know how it works - should I visit your figure-painting thread that you linked me to earlier?

[ET2SN]

Just play around with it on some scrap pieces. :up:

The idea behind a metallic undercoat is to give a slight "shimmer" effect to replicate fine cloth. This can also be handy for painting more realistic hair. :yep: Just thin down your top coat colors more than you normally would and apply light layers until you build up to the effect you want.

The "pearl" finish (over coat) kind of does the same thing. Again, play around with it and try to keep it subtle. Paint some test samples then look at them again the next day. If its too strong, try again and tone it down some more.

Imagine you want to paint a tartan shawl. Its a rough, hand woven piece of cloth. Paint the basic colors then lightly add a thinned down "pearl white" color on top. Shazam, the cloth is now older and more tattered/frazzled looking. :up:

You can search on YouTube for folks in Japan who build Gunpla characters and Bandai figures in some larger scales. They have some "out there" ideas about basic figure painting (ie, flesh tones) but there's always something new to learn and apply to your own corner of the hobby. :)

[Eichhörnchen]

That was very enlightening, thanks indeed. I always struggle when deciding on how to paint a head of hair - I usually end up adding some metallic gold to a flat or satin brown so that doesn't just look as though someone got a bowl of chocolate sauce dumped on them. Putting a translucent colour over a metallic one sounds like an amazing solution - imitating of course the classical painting technique of 'glazing'

[fireftr18]

Awesome work, buddy!
:Kaleun_Cheers:

[les green01]

you do a awesome job

[Eichhörnchen]

Thanks, guys :Kaleun_Cheers:

[Eichhörnchen]

The idea behind a metallic undercoat is to give a slight "shimmer" effect to replicate fine cloth. This can also be handy for painting more realistic hair. :yep: Just thin down your top coat colors more than you normally would and apply light layers until you build up to the effect you want

I took your advice in painting Drupus' hair during his makeover - and I must say it looks miles better than it would've had I just painted it brown. I applied a base coat of brassy enamel then painted over this with a couple of coats of acrylic raw umber, thinned slightly with acrylic gloss varnish - great tip, ET!

https://i.imgur.com/gYRFCif.jpg https://i.imgur.com/p2LUo4d.jpg

[ET2SN]

:salute::D

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/sm89Cyr.jpg

There are 3 more figures which I don't yet have in this set from the 1960s. Cherilea figures were large compared to many at 65-70mm and they had very imaginative poses with great animation - even if they weren't always very accurate. Cherilea are always fun to look at and some are very rare now (all repainted)

https://i.imgur.com/b81SJW9.jpg Found this one recently

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/oiFMoOa.jpg

I only have these two members of Lone Star's Merry Band - there are 2 more of Robin's men and a set of enemy soldiers, including the Sheriff of Nottingham who (unusually) is shown falling with an arrow in his side. And this must be the only Robin Hood set of all the many that there were not to feature Friar Tuck! Very odd that

These were not sculpted by the greatest talent but have their own charm - plus the advantage of being well known friends to us since we were kids. Come to think of it, many of the poses are reminiscent of medieval manuscript figures

https://i.imgur.com/X57Qxjk.jpghttps://i.imgur.com/D0kBPI7.jpg

This complete set above was for sale on eBay recently

The strange poses of some of the sheriff's men is owed to the fact that they were produced to man a couple of rather naff looking siege machines. These men-at-arms are pretty good compared to the merry men figures I think

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/Fnv07ka.jpg

I found this old castle 'ruin' - from a play set probably - in a charity shop today, chucked in a box with a load of other toys. Perfect backdrop for photographing my medievals. What's more they gave it me for free! :D

[ET2SN]

https://i.imgur.com/oiFMoOa.jpg

I only have these two members of Lone Star's Merry Band - there are 2 more of Robin's men and a set of enemy soldiers, including the Sheriff of Nottingham who (unusually) is shown falling with an arrow in his side. And this must be the only Robin Hood set of all the many that there were not to feature Friar Tuck! Very odd that

These were not sculpted by the greatest talent but have their own charm - plus the advantage of being well known friends to us since we were kids. Come to think of it, many of the poses are reminiscent of medieval manuscript figures



Your archers could use some bow strings. :D

Believe it or not, there are a couple of ways to do this. :yep:

The first would be sail rigging. This is very fine yet elastic string used in ship models. A pin vice with some very small bits could be useful for drilling "cheater holes" in the bow and the archer's hand.

Another way to go would be to find 30 gauge "bread board" wrapping wire.
While its a very fine wire, it has an almost ideal quality where it can hold a shape. With "wire wrap" its also easy to strip off the insulation if you need a finer diameter and much easier to paint.
Its easier to paint, much stronger, and easier to make it look like its under tension. :up:

[Eichhörnchen]

I would consider that for model figures but not these since they are toys and, my repainting aside, I like to keep them as true to original as possible

But when model-making I use fishing line for rigging biplanes, for example. Have you tried that for bowstrings yet? I haven't

[Eichhörnchen]

Here is the English archer from the Swoppet Knight range. He is so well sculpted that despite being another toy with a base to stand on, he's often used and converted by modelmakers (repainted)

https://i.imgur.com/CuUElGA.jpg https://i.imgur.com/6RUJYgs.jpg

(Looks like someone stole his sword)

[Eisenwurst]

"Looks like someone stole his sword".....Don't nobody leave the room.

That's one good looking figure Glynn. Lots of detail you can bring out with innovative detailing. At the end of my painting "career" I was undercoating the figures with matt black ( Placka I think ) and doing lots of Dry Brushing, and using Graphite and inks to produce some damn fine looking figures.

Sold them all for a lo$$ :wah:, My eyesight's pretty bad compared to what it was. A laser beam attack in '96 didn't help either.

Essex made some gorgeous 25/28 mm figures in the very early '90s, particularly their "Macedonian and Punic War" range. A bit chunky but wow...the detail. I checked out their website recently and those particular figures are discontinued. Shame, I would've liked to show you my hoplites. :03:

[Eichhörnchen]

You keep yer hoplites where they belong :haha:

[Eichhörnchen]

These knights are relatively recent and from the Italian firm of Italeri, more well known for their plastic construction kits over the years. They're classed as toy soldiers (in polythene) but as they seem to fall into an area between toys and models - realistically sculpted as they are - I've painstakingly painted them in shiny gloss and satin 'toy' colours

https://i.imgur.com/kdeiLz5.jpg https://i.imgur.com/yX5z0OF.jpg


https://i.imgur.com/Pe0zxdL.jpg https://i.imgur.com/TvJT7AC.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/dbNgCjp.jpg

Two lads mincing through the greenwood together on a lovely sunny morning - and there's nothing wrong with that is there, no sirree :D

More Robin Hood - this time from Dulcop of Italy, painted by me

[Eisenwurst]

http://i.imgur.com/hmVow8G.jpg

[ET2SN]

http://i.imgur.com/hmVow8G.jpg

Does he have a girlfriend named Olive Oyl? :Kaleun_Wink:

[Eichhörnchen]

I don't think this one has a girlfriend, mate :D

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/ZJr2aIy.jpg https://i.imgur.com/bVnx5FP.jpg

"Hey, Barry... I can see your mother-in-law down there" - "Okay... I've got it, mate"

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/se8XmuH.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/uXHS2fl.jpg

[em2nought]

Just happened to notice this, kind of expensive but knowing it exists maybe you can find a bargain copy someplace. https://www.michtoy.com/item-MPB-Poole-Swords_AND_ROSES,_COLLECTING_GUIDE_FOR_BRITAINS_SW OPPET_KNIGHTS.html

[Eichhörnchen]

^ Wow! Thanks, buddy - I had no idea about the existence of this book! These are the most sought after figures of all in the world of toy soldiers. Very grateful to you for this and I've found another link here:

https://www.swordsandrosesbook.com/

(I've also passed this on to the 'Swoppet Knight' Facebook group, since I've never seen it mentioned there either)

[Aktungbby]

Having induced the Beast to change his moniker to El Whacko once upon a time:yeah:; have you considered a name change to Sir Swöppet of the Fens?!!:arrgh!:

[Eichhörnchen]

I'd maybe do that if I didn't mind getting a repetitive strain injury

[em2nought]

Thought you might appreciate a look at these too. If nothing else you might find some of the buildings useful.

https://peterspaperboys.com/

http://www.fiddlersgreen.net/

[Eichhörnchen]

^ Well what an amazing idea! Years ago I joined the group "Papermodelers.com" but I've only visited there a few times - always vowing to go back and look more often when I see how great some of this stuff is, but it never occurred to me to use these paper kits as a backdrop for my toy soldiers - I just don't know how I didn't think of that because it suits the subject so perfectly. I guess because I've only just started to take photos of them

My next plan was to photograph some of my cowboys, so I'd begun searching for a photo backdrop for these - but now with your idea I'm going back to Papermodelers to look for a model Wild West town instead! Thanks again, friend - I'm really looking forward to this one now and I'll share the pics right here when it's done :Kaleun_Salute:

[Eichhörnchen]

Look at this little beauty - only problem is it's in 1/76 scale - and scaled up x2 loses too much definition. Never mind though, as it can instead be 'further away' using what's known to modellers as "forced perspective"

https://i.imgur.com/4rCB3v6.jpg

Some toy gunfighters posed in front of this... or maybe bank robbers and the sheriff

[em2nought]

Swoppets didn't make any saloon girls? :D

[Eichhörnchen]

The Britains figures did include ladies but they were usually either dancing or milking cows :)

[Eisenwurst]

http://i.imgur.com/FXYegDS.jpg

"Miss Scarlet - Wild West Saloon Madam"

25mm White Metal - Reaper Miniatures......with a bit of searching you could probably find some of her girls too. :)

For 25mm this has got a lot of detail:up:

[em2nought]

The guy with the paper armies has several books with those soldiers on Amazon for a cheap price. He also has a book of card model European buildings that I imagine couuld be scaled up or used in the background the way they are.
https://www.amazon.com/European-Buildings-Wargames-Paperboys-Campaign/dp/1912390930/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1SPAW85UUKGDT&keywords=peter+dennis+european+buildings&qid=1667849034&sprefix=peter+dennis+european+buildings%2Caps%2C16 0&sr=8-1

[Eichhörnchen]

^ I see that most of this stuff comes in 1:28 and believe this is the preferred scale for wargaming. I've now successfully scaled up the western town store kit to 54mm scale with no pixillation

https://i.imgur.com/oXB6ml1.jpg

Meanwhile here are some Roman legionaries by Timpo/Toyway (I'll show the whole set of 10 against a decent background later). These three were not given shields for some reason (shields are all moulded onto the others) so I found some Timpo swoppet Roman shields in the spares which fit them just nice - I knew they'd come in handy one day

I painted these figures up myself as the original factory job wasn't great, and they are so good otherwise

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/JHVaYZw.jpg

This is an Airfix cowboy on a Britains horse. Together they make a fine figure - more like a model than a toy - so I gave them a diorama setting to show them at their best

[Aktungbby]

http://i.imgur.com/FXYegDS.jpg

C'EST Le "Madam Dèclôttage" - Wild West Saloon Madam"

Where's the leather rifle scabbard?!! Essential equipment on a western saddle (or Jeep)...should be at starboard, :O:behind the cantle! Or, in front of the rider, angling back under the saddle's right stirrup leather:yep::oops: I still keep a brass-reciever'd .44 magnum Henry riflehttps://scheels.scene7.com/is/image/Scheels/61983501800?wid=500&hei=500&qlt=60 in the mancave with a tannery-brown leather scabbard, with tack-lashes for trips to the range myself...always in my ageless 50 year old Stetson sombrero! :yeah::shucks::haha:

[Catfish]

https://i.imgur.com/JHVaYZw.jpg

This is an Airfix cowboy on a Britains horse. Together they make a fine figure - more like a model than a toy - so I gave them a diorama setting to show them at their best
^ very nice :)

[Aktungbby]

Just remember to have the reins in yer teeth when firing over the nag's head 'cause fer sure, the startled beast will not stand still at the loud report!https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSAjZtUqslNQ1z1rDHcWGLYi1416Grtx NGoxQWSpnDNd46fgwTkVFLgrvxn9QjqTvdb7z4&usqp=CAU The 'Duke' got it right! https://i.ytimg.com/vi/ocj6oxn65fo/hqdefault.jpg Jeff Bridges did too! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ocj6oxn65foPSSSST note saddle rifle scabbards at 0:16 in video:yep:

[Eichhörnchen]

Just remember to have the reins in yer teeth when firing over the nag's head 'cause fer sure, the startled beast will not stand still at the loud report!

I believe T E Lawrence was charging into battle on one occasion with both hands off the wheel, when he shot his unfortunate horse dead from under him with his revolver (probably a Webley)

As for the rifle scabbard, Britains Ltd produced at least one western saddle with this featured (I have one on a model somewhere) also a pistol holster at the front was featured on some other patterns. All this poor cowpoke has on his is a water canteen, a blanket and a box for his Gene Autry CDs

https://i.imgur.com/bncyY3l.jpg

[August]

You might be interested in this Eich. Don't see too many WW2 Japanese figures.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBmj0ZHRnsY&t=229s

[Eichhörnchen]

^ Thanks, August - these look at first sight to be copies of Airfix figures, who made my cowboy. Others made by Airfix but not featured in the bucket include Russians and British in jungle dress. I'll post a few from each set shortly as I think I have all of them - they are such good sculptings they often get used in dioramas

Edit: Now that I've watched the whole thing through, it turns out to be true that some of the figures poses were copied from Airfix and others (as I'd guessed) from Matchbox - i.e. the British officer in sheepskin coat and the piper

Then there are a whole load that I've never seen before and they are very good; the Japanese are not, it seems now, copies of either Airfix or Matchbox and would be very compatible with both

I also realise having looked at the Airfix sets closely (for the first time, some of them) that I don't have them all. I'll post a few examples of some Airfix soldiers (I don't yet have any Matchbox in my army)

I love the animations he does at the end!

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/FXdlr1o.jpg Japanese Infantry WW2

https://i.imgur.com/5012Sqt.jpg Aussies WW2

https://i.imgur.com/zL2htXu.jpg US Infantry WW2

https://i.imgur.com/IUL3OTW.jpg Russians WW2

https://i.imgur.com/eCcSjA9.jpg British Paras 1

https://i.imgur.com/e4acmSH.jpg British Paras 2

https://i.imgur.com/oJX4Rre.jpg Wehrmacht

https://i.imgur.com/S4tCLCO.jpg Afrika Korps

I only have these three WW2 German figures, believe it or not - I'll have to put that right

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/q4onx3x.jpg 'Modern' British infantry

He wears the "invasion pattern" (or "turtle") helmet - I was once kitted out with this as an army cadet, along with the plain olive drab 1960 pattern combat uniform and FN FAL rifle - but this guy doesn't have a gas mask

https://i.imgur.com/dgIqkLu.jpg 'Modern' German infantry

[August]

Watch one video and now it's into my feed.



Look at this one, 3000 figures!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fqS4ljVLBOw

[Eichhörnchen]

^ I got to 17:47 then lost the will to live :yep:

[August]

:haha:

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/Nfr4Vud.jpg One of my repainted Romans (see my post #89)

He has the later chain mail protection as opposed to the more familiar "Lorica-Segmenta" plate armour - the Romans were always willing to borrow good ideas from the locals

These guys were all over my neighbourhood 1700 odd years ago and I've begun to get interested in Roman coins, many of which are fetched up from the soil around here by detectorists - I'll maybe put some pics in Col7777's thread later

[Catfish]

I got legions of Timpo toys figures, from medieval to the wild west.
I gave them all to my nephew, along time ago ..

[Eichhörnchen]

^ I gave away a lot of stuff to nephews too (such as my complete collection of Britains zoo animals) - been busy replacing it ever since :haha:

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/z2qlEMq.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/qnOhCfp.jpg Lorica-Segmenta armour

https://i.imgur.com/CyJ1yrn.jpg

A collector friend told me that these figures were intended for sale in museums and the like, so were designed with a view to accuracy

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/ZrLPsMJ.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/kKcqWE8.jpg

Beautifully sculpted toy knight from Dulcop. I love this figure to bits, yet every other one from this set of 6 looks mediocre by comparison (painted by me)

[ET2SN]

If you could get that figure molded in metal, it would look great on the hood of a car. :D

[em2nought]

These Romans and Cowboy look swell against the backdrops. :up: I couldn't resist ordering the ACW Peter Dennis paper soldiers book off Amazon for $11.


If you could get that figure molded in metal, it would look great on the hood of a car. :D


I tried making lead soldiers with equipment from the Dunken Company back in the day. https://www.dunken.com/ My lead army never even reached the platoon size. lol

[Eichhörnchen]

I did try some metal casting from scratch some years back, using RTV pouring rubber to make my own moulds. It was fun but a bit messy and expensive

And yes, he'd make a great hood mascot :yep:

[Eichhörnchen]

This is a well-known set to those of us who were boys in the 60's in the UK. I stripped & repainted these, also replaced the "pilum" (spear) with a more realistic one - otherwise this figure always looks as though he's throwing a bendy broom handle

https://i.imgur.com/KGyuywx.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KqoRC4Z.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/KN8H6uv.jpg

The last two are supposed to be gladiators so I've painted them differently

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/7fHS3q8.jpg

Crescent produced 2 or 3 mounted figures to go with their one and only set of medieval knights in the 1960s. Nowhere near as realistic as Britains' knights they were nevertheless to be found in just about every boy's toy box - (repainted by me)

[Buddahaid]

Is that Sir Lancelot?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b-pdSs1DIbk

[Eichhörnchen]

^ I stick to plain toy soldier colours with no shading or highlighting - to me that's for model soldiers (which I do also make) - but these guys often don't differentiate between toy and model soldiers

[Aktungbby]

Is that Sir Lancelot?No way! Sir Lancelot always rode a destrier, or at minimum a sturdy, fleet courser(cheaper to feed!) or his squires' palfrey when not in "full harness''...when he wasn't horsen' 'round with Guinevere(another man's wife-how unchivelrous!) or Elaine, the fair maid of Aßtolat...presumably in less-than full 'harness'?!!(ie: minus the rusty codpiece:doh:):O::shucks::haha:

[Eichhörnchen]

In the mid 1960s Britains Ltd brought out a line of plastic toy soldiers which were made up of separately moulded parts (legs, heads, weapons etc) allowing for a degree of customisation. Amongst this range were the American Civil War figures and sets. Some still find these (and the related War of Independence and ceremonial military figures) rather bland - they don't always have the same level of dynamism and imagination as some single-cast sculptings

https://i.imgur.com/B7xAjEG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/trKOtpP.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/5daYCYX.jpg (My photos)

What they did have, however, was a superb artillery piece - mine's shown here - plus there was also a gun limber and team of 4 horses to pull it in one of the 'super' sets. I don't have mine any more and they cost a small fortune to buy now. These are all 54mm toy soldier scale btw

Britains Limited had already bought up the small "Herald Models" company and continued producing their beautiful single-shot figures, which also included sets for the ACW (American Civil War) although not the AWI (American War of Independence)

https://i.imgur.com/nmhcFbH.jpg

Not my photo - Herald's ACW figures; there was an identical group moulded in gray for the Confederate forces

[em2nought]

Had that very artillery set at one time. Think I picked mine up at VMI. I don't remember having the kneeling officer though.

[Eichhörnchen]

Yes he was always part of this set - there was a Confederate team too

https://i.imgur.com/zKHeCez.jpg

And the big limber set had three joined-together crewmen on top with a couple of riders steering the horses - I remember being a bit disappointed that the chain harness was made from rubber & not real chains - that would've looked amazing

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/dAM7KLu.jpg

I just found this pic of my set of Herald Confederates - most still awaiting a repaint

The Britains Swoppet confederates (pictured below) include "Butternut Brown" infantrymen - they just have the grey torso & arms replaced with a brown one

https://i.imgur.com/gDP9ASy.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/95bkwHj.jpg 'Butternut Browns'

[August]

https://i.imgur.com/dAM7KLu.jpg

I just found this pic of my set of Herald Confederates - most still awaiting a repaint

The Britains Swoppet confederates (not pictured here yet) include "Butternut Brown" infantrymen - they just have the grey torso & arms replaced with a brown one. I'll look one out and take a photo


Looks like they just repainted the union figures in confederate colors. :hmmm:

[Jimbuna]

Looks like they just repainted the union figures in confederate colors. :hmmm:

I thought that also but couldn't say with certainty having lost my collection literally decades ago.

[Eichhörnchen]

^ See end of post #115 - they were exactly the same moulds

[Jimbuna]

Ah, right :oops:

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/efMeYSC.jpg

My Britains 'Swoppet' American War of Independence soldiers, also from the 1960's. They includedd a 'scout' in a buckskin coat - scarcer than the others because he was only ever available in boxed sets and never individually

[Ostfriese]

Very nice work. I wish I had a talent for coloring figures and small models, but all I was ever good at was drawing straight lines. With a ruler.

[Eichhörnchen]

Thanks - an uncle of mine used to look at my paintings and say all he could draw were his wages :D

[Eichhörnchen]

I've got hold of a few more figures since I took that last photo


https://i.imgur.com/Qnp60TK.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/h3jv4MO.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/IqNygAV.jpg The scout in his element

https://i.imgur.com/FVe4jRN.jpg

In the first photo you can see how I made the figure on the far left by using parts from the 2 other poses next to him - this is why they're called 'Swoppits'

[Eichhörnchen]

Britains Ltd also produced some beautiful civilian figures on sporting and country themes

https://i.imgur.com/mXHTtPV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/SCqmvKl.jpg

[em2nought]

The groundcover and painting behind are working swell for photographing the figures.

I bet a little fog machine would add a nice touch to warfare scenes.

[Eichhörnchen]

Thanks, mate, and it's really funny you should say that - I was thinking something similar yesterday but more from the point of view of adding some "mist" to the sunlit forest scene

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/PsAB50H.jpg

Issued as one of the showjumping models was this "Military Rider". I think he was one of the best figures ever produced by Britains, moulded in a PVC material and pushed onto a spigot in the white plastic horse's mane. He also has the soft vinyl saddle, reins and stirrups common to many of Britains' best quality models of this time. I think that this horse was one of the most beautiful they ever produced

The civilian figures were intended to appeal to girls, but they fitted in with many different themes that might appeal to any children, such as farming and zoological - their range of animals was second to none

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/2yTUjbg.jpg

Another figure from Italeri, so not a vintage one. I think this guy may be pursuing enemies who've fled the field

[Eichhörnchen]

From the 1960's Britains "Eyes Right" range of ceremonial swoppet style figures came Royal Marines and Guardsmen

https://i.imgur.com/fKe0v19.jpg https://i.imgur.com/QX8MBRW.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/NaIiIAc.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/e9ewjiC.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/178Xw7B.jpg


Three more 60mm Romans from US maker Marx (see post #50)

Despite being made from polyethylene these figures have become very fragile over time and are consequently very hard to find intact; all but one of mine have been repaired

[August]

Nice!:salute:

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/0p55tBe.jpg

Santa just got a makeover before he goes away for another year :)

Crescent produced this, possibly as a cake decoration in the 1960s - although there are no other figures similar to this excepting a Welsh Lady. She's not very seasonal of course and actually defies explanation

The snow in the foreground is bicarb - an old modelling trick

[Rockstar]

Think you’ll ever paint the Black Knight? He always wins.

https://i.imgur.com/W8mg703.jpg

[August]

:haha:

[Eichhörnchen]

Some British police figures I just finished repainting. The first four are all TIMPO and the first two (a Police Inspector and a WPC) could even double as RAF personnel in their old pattern uniform. I've yet to identify the jolly looking traffic signaller at bottom right - he just might be another scarce item from Cavendish Miniatures, made for the London tourist market

https://i.imgur.com/3uZPFiG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/V08oV8M.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ONsAdgS.jpg

Edit: I just found this 6th figure (a bobby walking his beat) which I'd forgotten I had - so he just got his makeover too

[Aktungbby]

shouldn't there be "two bobbies on bicycles"?:doh:

[Eichhörnchen]

Ah... not in the Metropolis. But the country Bobby on his bike is an iconic figure, it's true

[Aktungbby]

No graphic images of people murdered, blown up, dismembered, or similarly ripped up. If you must, you can use a link to the image and include the warning "Graphic image warning".Think you’ll ever paint the Black Knight? He always wins.

https://i.imgur.com/W8mg703.jpg Oh no he doesn't!:o graphic image warning!:yep: https://youtu.be/ZmInkxbvlCs

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/Cy8SUlg.jpg

I'd hoped to get the following photos ready before the coronation 2 days ago but Whac-a-Squirrel had to get priority, as you'll surely agree

For a long time I wondered about the origin of this beautiful Coldstream Guards Drum Major, then thanks to the internet community I discovered that he was made by "Cavendish Miniatures" in the 1960s as one of several figures intended for London's tourist market (see post #138 for the policeman)

I repainted him as a toy soldier, which is what he is (not a model) although I couldn't resist going to town a little on the detail

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/YfcvjT5.jpg

From L to R - Charbens, Lone Star, Britains 'Eyes Right' series, Cavendish and Cherilea - all plastic toys from the 1960s with some continuing into the 1970s. I repainted all of them except the Britains figure

https://i.imgur.com/itXwusf.jpg

Just to show what a repaint can do. Some collectors disapprove of repaints but I'd rather look at clean and tidy guardsmen than scruffy slovenly ones

[Skybird]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DzQU_cQXQAE00ZN.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/j4DPrwA.jpg

An overview of the different makers' guardsmen when I was a kid

From our left: Timpo, Britains 'Deetail' series, 60mm Crescent Toys series, Cavendish Miniatures, Britains 'Herald' range, Lone Star

https://i.imgur.com/c6TqgWn.jpg

These two were late on parade (disgraceful) - they are Britains 'Eyes Right' and the smaller (54mm) of the two series producedd by Crescent. All repainted except for 1, 2 and 7

[Eichhörnchen]

@ Sky - I've never so far come across a squirrel guardsman so please let me know if you find a pic :yep::salute:

[Skybird]

Will do. :salute:

[Rhodes]

I have this one, Britains 'Deetail' series!

[Aktungbby]

https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DzQU_cQXQAE00ZN.jpgI've been using this shot for years!:D

@ Sky - I've never so far come across a squirrel guardsman so please let me know if you find a pic http://leadlegionaries.blogspot.com/2017/10/squirrel-army-splintered-light.html :O: https://live.staticflickr.com/154/359060087_841664427f.jpg https://image.invaluable.com/housePhotos/kraft/49/692149/H4371-L238882804.jpg https://preview.redd.it/arnold-bocklin-portrait-painting-of-a-squirrel-military-v0-urwpgiy2ka0a1.png?auto=webp&45942f5d https://static.fjcdn.com/large/pictures/35/02/3502dc_781624.jpg https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ7CnDYVWJ6DlT-w4lpDBV0isPFqkNmCbUmqQ&usqp=CAU

[Eichhörnchen]

Always my favourite figures as a youngster, the Herald range was bought out by William Britains Ltd, who kept many of them in production - more about that later with a look at the earlier grenadier guardsmen designed by Zang

https://i.imgur.com/JfWX4SV.jpg https://i.imgur.com/H06bVYT.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/ME5bynI.jpg All Herald guardsmen - there were no bandsmen in the range

[Eichhörnchen]

I have this one, Britains 'Deetail' series!


https://i.imgur.com/Fa5zaqB.jpg

I only have this pair from the 'Deetail' range - produced by Britains in the 1980s and made from a PVC material with separate metal bases. These are Scots guards, recognisable by their tunic buttons arranged in threes and with no hackle on the bearskin. I've yet to give these 2 a paintjob :)

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/MmWpTes.jpg https://i.imgur.com/VFDrnHf.jpg

The only one produced by Britains-Herald, he doesn't seem as well modelled as the foot figures; a mounted Highlander officer appeared at around the same time

His horse is the same as the one Herald used for their Household Cavalry and which I'll show here later

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/G0a9TPu.jpg

Britains other very popular toy guardsmen were part of the "Eyes Right" range which also included the Royal Marines in their distinctive white helmets

There were many bandsmen in the series - their removable arms allowed these "swoppet" figures to feature a huge number of musical instruments (all cast in metal, chrome plated in both brass and silver finish) as well as weapons, standards and the Drum Major's mace, which was also a metal item. The same instruments etc were featured in the Royal Marines sets (see post #132)


https://i.imgur.com/WNfq39D.jpg <Guards Colour-Party

https://i.imgur.com/N8s1Lbv.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/giKh4TM.jpg

This was a hugely popular british maker in the 60's and although the sculpting of many of their figures was simplistic we loved them. It has to be said that you're pretty limited with poses when you're modelling guardsmen - after all, what else do you see them doing except marching? To add variety, some makers of guardsman figures presented them firing their rifles - some kneeling and some even prone. This is just plain daft since they don't wear their ceremonial uniforms on the shooting range. So I'm never likely to include those in this thread unless it's to make that point

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/VH08k3u.jpg

As far as I'm aware this and the Drum Major (post #142) were the only guardsmen produced by this company, which they made for the London tourist market. Other figures included a 'Beefeater' and a Gentleman at Arms, both of which were centre-stage over the coronation weekend (below)

https://i.imgur.com/766rFx5.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/JYjI1nk.jpg

About the most prolific maker of all kinds of toys in the 1960s, Crescent produced two different sets of guardsmen - the first in the normal 54mm scale (first photo) which included an enormous number of bandsmen, their instruments moulded on unlike the Britains ones, so each Crescent bandsman was a completely separate figure. They weren't the best sculpted toy soldiers but are hugely important in the history

https://i.imgur.com/P6RIwmD.jpg

This second series by Crescent are a little larger (60mm) and, as far as I know, never included any bandsmen. They are much better sculptings - the previous set look very thin and undernourished by comparison. Both sets do include (unfortunately) figures firing their weapons - I'd have preferred them to have been engaged upon ceremonial activities because there's no standard-bearer, for example

All of these were repainted by me

[em2nought]

https://i.imgur.com/giKh4TM.jpg

To add variety, some makers of guardsman figures presented them firing their rifles - some kneeling and some even prone. This is just plain daft since they don't wear their ceremonial uniforms on the shooting range.

They were good for defending your Lego Rorke's Drift if they were the only Brits you had. American Indians playing the roll of the Zulus. :D

[Aktungbby]

They were good for defending your Lego Rorke's Drift if they were the only Brits you had. American Indians playing the roll of the Zulus. :D...that's rôle :nope::hmph:... rolls were in the ration boxes!:O:

[em2nought]

...that's rôle :nope::hmph:... rolls were in the ration boxes!:O:

oops, usually I'll spot my flub or two. I could have meant "rows" of Zulus too. LOL

[Aktungbby]

^ I'll counter your flub with my own; I should've said Biscuit boxes: which were used along with the mealybags to create the barricade/perimeters: https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/wGMAAOSwKOJYGTML/s-l1600.jpg as depicted in nearly all the diormas: https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JB7voCen2RM/Xj8UWaVB5QI/AAAAAAAApEk/zgJIjLQvoTkT0MyXm73p0uxrYGhNR4tJQCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/DSCF9663%2B%25282%2529.JPG https://www.warlordgames.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/image_5.jpg https://i.pinimg.com/originals/aa/ab/57/aaab575ed64b7869049b4cff3c4fc017.jpg:salute:

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/O1eVAeP.jpg https://i.imgur.com/EGc4sus.jpg

Cherilea were well known for their large figures' highly animated and often flamboyant poses, so they were especially limited when it came to the rigidly organised world of The Guards. They made up for this in part by producing a set of bandsmen (see the Drum Major in post #143)

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/w1Kfciw.jpg https://i.imgur.com/RBaDhl1.jpg

Fairly crude early plastic figures using the moulds from lead/tin soldiers - bit before my time (repaints)

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/Fjm3YYg.jpg

Timpo developed figures that didn't require painting by simply moulding ALL of their parts in different-coloured plastics, a technique only used in a limited way until then by companies like Crescent and Britains

They were always very cheap to buy compared to Britains and we tended to rate them pretty low on the expendability scale during battles, as they were a bit naff looking anyway (with poses making half the army look as though it was disco-dancing)

They couldn't, however, have the guards regiments disco-dancing, so these weren't too bad - in fact that horse looks very nice by most standards

https://i.imgur.com/2Jk1VFj.jpg Saturday Night Fever, 1776

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/im6ESZk.jpg

One of the most famous designers of toy soldiers ever was Roy Selwyn-Smith, who began developing his miniature masterpieces while working for the Zang Plastics Company in the 1940's. Their range of figures, first distributed by Britains then ultimately bought out by the larger company, became known as Herald Miniatures (identifiable by the medieval trumpeter on the base). But his very earliest creations were marketed as "Zang" and had an odd geometric logo underneath - or sometimes nothing at all

Here's a Zang guardsman standing next to one of Selwyn-Smith's later Herald guardsmen - the improvement in his skill is evident. Note that the early figure shows a grenadier wearing white webbing straps over his shoulders, so is more representative of a Victorian/Edwardian guardsman - they don't wear these any more

[em2nought]

Toy soldiers have come quite the way, not sure how they get such intricate sculpts now https://micshaunscloset.com/collections/tssd-toy-soldiers-of-san-diego

[Jimbuna]

Toy soldiers have come quite the way, not sure how they get such intricate sculpts now https://micshaunscloset.com/collections/tssd-toy-soldiers-of-san-diego

Some crackin examples there :yep:

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/c4R7cOb.jpg https://i.imgur.com/oFYgxX4.jpg

65mm Lifeguard of the Household Cavalry Division. Another of the figures that Cavendish produced for the toursts. He has a plug-on right arm, allowing for other options such as a standard-bearer. A great quality figure (repainted)

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/ziHueLa.jpg

A close copy of the Cavendish Lifeguard, 68mm and probably by Charbens, another old English maker. He's pretty good but not as good - and he doesn't stand up well

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/WdRirFf.jpg Two Crescent 75mm Lifeguards (repainted)

[em2nought]

Way back when, I had some of these exact fellows https://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/KQYAAOSw1T5i0zw0/s-l1600.jpg

They were given to me by our expat neighbor whose first husband was lost in the Battle of Britain. She later remarried a Yank.

[Eichhörnchen]

^ These are guardsmen made when Britains transferred manufacturing of the Herald figures to Hong Kong around the late 1960s. They were made from a PVC type material, as were many of the later ranges such as "Deetail", which led to many having bent weapons

https://i.imgur.com/DR1zkgC.jpg

I took this photo a while back to point up the differences - most of the figures made in China seem to have had the moulds re-worked, some much more than others. In this case you can see how the officer's face is different and some detail has been added to the fur of the bearskin. Also, many of the Hong Kong soldiers, knights, etc featured a plug-on base in a green plastic. The painting was also greatly simplified

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/spFTgu8.jpg

Magnificent 75mm Household Cavalry by US maker Marx, although these here were made by them in Swansea, Wales, and can be distinguished from US made figures by the type of plastic used - I believe all those made in the US were in hard plastic, whereas those in the UK were in an 'unbreakable' polythene

https://i.imgur.com/ppYZUWY.jpg

These are by far the best looking of all and paint up really well - they're in a cream coloured plastic so can be painted either as Life Guards (red tunics, white plumes) or Blues & Royals (dark blue tunics, red plumes)

https://i.imgur.com/D8JGk45.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Ygj85a9.jpg

The photos above show two different mouldings of the marching figure, one for a trooper and the other an officer with lanyards. I hadn't realised these were two different figures until recently. There is also a figure without breastplate. I shan't go into all of the permutations of uniform but there are very many - such as which soldiers wear a breastplate and which don't; the colours of horses and their sheepskin saddlecloths; odd regimental individuals such as the Farrier, who carries an axe and has a black plume - this is a really fascinating but separate study

https://i.imgur.com/G6DMBZU.jpg Officer without breastplate

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/TXFM1SI.jpg

60mm Lone Star figure (centre) with two slightly smaller soldiers by a company known variously as GE MODELS, GEMODELS or GEM MODELS. These are very small compared to the Marx figures

Lone Star was a very widespread toy figure brand in the 60's and, like Crescent Toys, they also made a lot of diecast big-guns as well as other vehicles. This Blues & Royals trooper is very well detailed, the Gem Models less so

https://i.imgur.com/mjLPIwh.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/gJNiEre.jpg

This appears to be a Charbens 65mm plastic figure from an early lead hollowcast mould - not very accurate but it is 1940s-50s vintage. Repainted

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/SFOVEDN.jpg

Another very early (1950s) plastic from a hollowcast lead mould, so pretty basic - about 60mm

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/A02ZL5W.jpg

Blues & Royals trooper from Britains' "Eyes Right" range - the best

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/9XJiNGQ.jpg

Britains moved production of their 'Herald' range to Hong Kong in the 1960s. After that the figures were more basically moulded and painted, but still great looking toy soldiers

Britains always did make an effort to keep the uniform codes accurate too - which I was typically very fussy about as a kid

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/gtR3v8q.jpg

British maker Cherilea produced these 70mm troopers which were similar to the Marx ones although not copied (repainted)

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/TXXqIeX.jpg

John Hill & Co. produced these (unrestored) figures in the 1950s or 60s

https://i.imgur.com/v9Nk0wG.jpg

Copying was common in the world of toy soldiers back then and these show some examples: First is Hilco v Cherilea, then two more Hilco figures alongside identical poses by Marx

[Eisenwurst]

http://i.imgur.com/yq1bxaN.jpg

Couldn't get too much info on this Gem....."Tin soldier ( brand? ) 54mm Crazy Horse Dancer."

For their show they were coached ( sounds better than drilled ) by a real life Sgt Major.

[Buddahaid]

http://i.imgur.com/yq1bxaN.jpg

Couldn't get too much info on this Gem....."Tin soldier ( brand? ) 54mm Crazy Horse Dancer."

For their show they were coached ( sounds better than drilled ) by a real life Sgt Major.

Woof!

[August]

http://i.imgur.com/yq1bxaN.jpg

Couldn't get too much info on this Gem....."Tin soldier ( brand? ) 54mm Crazy Horse Dancer."

For their show they were coached ( sounds better than drilled ) by a real life Sgt Major.




That's from the Crazy Horse Strip Club in Las Vegas? Might be a collectors item now that it's burnt down.

[Eisenwurst]

Hi August. The original "Bareskins" routine was at the Paris "Headquarters" :) nightclub. The show was very successful ( like all of them ) and travelled the world bringing Culture and Civilisation to benighted heathens everywhere.

There was a documentary on Youtube about the dancers being trained for this routine by a Guards Officer flown to Paris from the UK especially for this. He really put the poor girls through the wringer till they got the drill right. A lot of them were crying but they did their duty. But for the life of me I can't find that clip anymore. :wah:

[August]

Hi August. The original "Bareskins" routine was at the Paris "Headquarters" :) nightclub. The show was very successful ( like all of them ) and travelled the world bringing Culture and Civilisation to benighted heathens everywhere.

There was a documentary on Youtube about the dancers being trained for this routine by a Guards Officer flown to Paris from the UK especially for this. He really put the poor girls through the wringer till they got the drill right. A lot of them were crying but they did their duty. But for the life of me I can't find that clip anymore. :wah:


:up:

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/BB9lSwa.jpg

I love my ancients - these were produced by European maker 'Atlantic' in the 1970s. I think there were 6 poses and - as usual in these cases - there were a couple of exceptionally strong ones, which I show here. I painted these up and was very pleased with the result. I was in my twenties when these came out, so a bit after my time as a kid - but - back up the bus - I never grew out of being a kid, did I? I would've loved these when I was 12

[August]

https://i.imgur.com/BB9lSwa.jpg

I love my ancients - these were produced by European maker 'Atlantic' in the 1970s. I think there were 6 poses and - as usual in these cases - there were a couple of exceptionally strong ones, which I show here. I painted these up and was very pleased with the result. I was in my twenties when these came out, so a bit after my time as a kid - but - back up the bus - I never grew out of being a kid, did I? I would've loved these when I was 12




As the Bard once said:


"Growing up is next to growing old which leads to dying and dying doesn't sound all that much fun to me!"

[Commander Wallace]

https://i.imgur.com/BB9lSwa.jpg

I love my ancients - these were produced by European maker 'Atlantic' in the 1970s. I think there were 6 poses and - as usual in these cases - there were a couple of exceptionally strong ones, which I show here. I painted these up and was very pleased with the result. I was in my twenties when these came out, so a bit after my time as a kid - but - back up the bus - I never grew out of being a kid, did I? I would've loved these when I was 12


As always, like your other figurines, these look great. :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:
Did you get them that way, Eichhörnchen or did you have to redo and repaint them ? Either way, they look great.

[Eichhörnchen]

As always, like your other figurines, these look great. :Kaleun_Thumbs_Up:
Did you get them that way, Eichhörnchen or did you have to redo and repaint them ? Either way, they look great.

No these were sparsely painted by the manufacturer - makers would often put a lot of good detail in the sculpting, then give them to outworkers to just chuck a bit of colour on here and there. I stripped that off and completely repainted them, sticking to a 'toy' rather than a 'model' style

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/lhRHXJL.jpg

This massive hunk of metal was one of those 'dream toys for boys' when I was a kid. The trail arms flipped open on unhitching and spades were carried to then fit under the ends. It had a spring-loaded brass shell case to receive a push-in plastic warhead, which all then loaded into the breech just like the real thing. A slight pressure on the lever and the shell was shot way across the room - further than any of your other guns could reach... ideal also for shooting pet cats and budgies. The whole was finished in 1950's British Army "bronze green"

My original Long Tom was o/s after my sister swallowed the firing pin, which is also sprung and sits inside the breech cover; this has a metal tab on it which realistically yanks out the empty shell casing after firing. We watched her for any news for a couple of days but it never reappeared

[Jimbuna]

I had a couple of them buggas as a kid.

[em2nought]

I miss my old toys. Thought the Britain's model of this one was great.
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a0/25_Pounder_Gun.JPG/800px-25_Pounder_Gun.JPG

Closest I'm going to come again is a water cannon for songkran. :D
https://pyxpa.cdn.setuix.net//resources/songkran-festival-phuket.jpg

[ET2SN]

*AHEM*

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2877267&postcount=39

I'm not looking for bonus whacking points, but I'll take them just the same. :D

[Eichhörnchen]

Very interesting, buddy - I'm especially drawn to the polished brass & bronze, plus I take your point about "cooling down" the chrome with an overpainted varnish; I had immediately thought of how the chrome can often look just too bright on a smaller model but hadn't ever thought of this varnish idea. You are still busy teaching this old dog new tricks, ya know :haha:

Atm I use "Plasti-Kote" chrome spray (spirit based) which has been the closest I've ever been able to get. However, I wonder whether you've seen these new chrome pens advertised on Face Book & eleswhere? They seem to work wonders

[ET2SN]

Those are Molotow ink pens. :yep:
The ink is alcohol based and was designed for black construction paper.
On plastics and other hard mediums they look great, for about a week. :doh:
As long as you don't touch it or look at it in a strange way. Its pretty delicate stuff. :03:

The pens also don't hold up for very long and the ink tends to "pickle" itself after several months in the pen.

They also tend to be a bit pricey, which is why I'm looking forward to trying the new stuff. :up:

[Eichhörnchen]

Thanks for that, shipmate - of course you know what they say about things that seem too good to be true... :Kaleun_Salute:

[Eichhörnchen]

Not so modern now, these may have been pocket money cannon fodder when we were kids but they are still lovely figures, especially when they're in new condition like these with all their original paint


https://i.imgur.com/FJOretE.jpg

They're supposed to be British and although they wear 1950's-60's british battledress (along with the "turtle" helmet) the only one with the correct FN-FAL self loading rifle is the guy at front left; the others seem to have Armalites or some such

[em2nought]

When did the Webley get phased out? Maybe those carrying handles just need snipped off.

[August]

Those other two almost look like paintball guns. Instead of a stock it looks like there is a co2 bottle sticking down from the bottom of it.

[Eichhörnchen]

On looking closer they're meant to be SA-80 rifles - that's the mag behind the pistol grip and the carrying handle is where they would also position a sight

I got to use the FN-FAL SLR as an army cadet - no-one used the carrying handles on them - seemed a bit strange after carting the .303 around on the shoulder. The .303 was always preferred for target shooting by anyone in the know

I don't know about the Webley

We always were issued with the turtle helmets but with NATO plain olive green tunics

[em2nought]

BMC is either upping their game or bought the rights to some nice sculpts. On Amazon and their website they have some nice Korean War figures with Americans, North Koreans, and Chinese. Much nicer than most BMC figures, and a period rarely covered especially winter wear.

https://bmctoys.com/cdn/shop/files/bmc-korean-war-winter-package_360x.jpg?v=1685915430

The old bolt action .303 is sometimes recommended as a good crap hits the fan rifle, even better an Ishapore version in 7.62 x 51

Looks like Webleys almost hung around as long as 1911s

[Eichhörnchen]

^ Very interesting - the style of sculpting of these looks highly similar to that of Conte Collectibles, who model their 60mm figures in a soft rubbery material. Conte's toy soldiers are so good as to make them very suitable for use in dioramas as models, as well as toys

https://i.imgur.com/SxgPW29.jpg https://i.imgur.com/9AXwmIQ.jpg https://i.imgur.com/Qja5utu.jpg

[Aktungbby]

/\ Aren't those Roarke's Drift mealey bags?:D

[em2nought]

Saw a rant disguised as a review complaining about some American Indian toy soldier sculpts being make exclusively in "red" plastic. :har:

[August]

/\ Aren't those Roarke's Drift mealey bags?:D


Amazingly resilient, they were still being used in WW2. :03:

[Aktungbby]

Amazingly resilient, they were still being used in WW2. :03:...no doubt when it was...'zulu time'??!:doh::timeout::shucks:

[em2nought]

Amazingly resilient, they were still being used in WW2. :03:

You should go watch the guy eat a Boer War ration in the prepping thread. :har:

[August]

...no doubt when it was...'zulu time'??!:doh::timeout::shucks:


"Where are we now Sailor, plus 6 or minus 18 Zulu?"


"Dunno Sir, it's too dark thirty to see my watch!"

[Eichhörnchen]

The real main provider of carpet cannon fodder back in the 1960s was probably british maker Crescent Toys. And for a few of their ranges they produced figures in two distinct sets and scales - 54mm and 60mm. Although on the same themes (i.e. Army, cowboys, red indian warriors) the figures are quite different and clearly by two different sculptors

https://i.imgur.com/1b3Iiir.jpg They are very different


https://i.imgur.com/WgYc0b2.jpg

This is the large sized 'Modern Army' set and, as with the Herald figures, the accurate portrayal of weapons was not over important

[Eichhörnchen]

These guys from Lone Star's 'Harvey' series were very familiar to those of us making war in our short pants in the 1960s. They came in green plastic so have always been associated with the 'Robin Hood' set which are in exactly the same colour and have identical bases. This has often seen them described as 'the Sheriff's men', although they were designed to crew Lone Star's two siege machines, so what the Sheriff of Nottingham's men would be doing playing with these I don't rightly know; the catapult in my photos is not by Lone Star - I used it just to display the figures as it looks near the right scale

See my earlier post here for more info: https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2831744&postcount=64

I love the Norman captain who seems to be directing the crew - he's a great looking figure just on his own. I resisted the temptation to give them colourful heraldic surcoats and opted instead for this overall colour of dark leather with some metallic bronze mixed in - I wanted them to look more like battle-worn veterans than men-at-arms at a tournament

https://i.imgur.com/GJhUBS2.jpg https://i.imgur.com/tloST6Y.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/4rkmDU5.jpg

[em2nought]

I think the Captain's head would make a great Genghis Khan. :up:

[Eichhörnchen]

Yes he would - I did tickle a little bit of colour into his 'tache since it's a generous one

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/9QXxCg5.jpg

Lone Star warrior king from the same 'Harvey' series. Normally this figure will have a chewed sword, so here's one that hasn't - also a link to two of the knights in armour from the series I posted already:

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2815641&postcount=43

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/40zic2e.jpg

My favourite figure from Cherilea's Elizabethan set. There's a similar group of cavaliers and roundheads from the English Civil War, all in dynamic and dramatic poses - mainly fencing

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/ikCPy2w.jpg https://i.imgur.com/A2EVKDr.jpg Repainted!

Monty - one-eyed, battle-worn and in need of a repaint. I know some folks believe you should leave original paint alone - even if there's hardly any of it left - but I don't like looking at a scruffy figure, especially when he's a general

Rommel is in my toy box too, somewhere, so I'll re post when they've beem smartened up

[Aktungbby]

https://i.imgur.com/ikCPy2w.jpg, especially when he's a general

Beg pardon sire, but wasn't he a "Field Marshal"? The Damn Yankees were ''over there, over paid! and over sexed" and had to create the 5-star 'General of the Army' rank to stay equal to the British rank in SHEAF dealings; particularly when Eisenhower picked Monty to hold the northern shoulder of the Ardennes over 4-star Omar Bradley against the German's Battle-of-the-Bulge futile thrust on Antwerp as 4-star Patton advanced from the south into the German left flank...:hmmm:

[Eichhörnchen]

^ Well he was technically a field marshal but essentially also a general - just as his opponent Rommel was a "generalfeldmarschall"

https://i.imgur.com/cHCebtB.jpg

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/ts4BdtT.jpg https://i.imgur.com/HGI4GZk.jpg


I found Rommel hiding behind a sand dune along with a couple of surrendering Afrika Korps. The one on the left ts pretty mediocre but The Desert Fox himself is worth a repaint I think

[em2nought]

I found Rommel hiding behind a sand dune along with a couple of surrendering Afrika Korps.

Looks like James Mason to me. :D

[Eichhörnchen]

Did you clock the monocle? And he does look like JM now you mention it :haha:

[Aktungbby]

https://i.imgur.com/ts4BdtT.jpg


Did you clock the monocle? And he does look like JM now you mention it :haha: ...nonsense; that's what he looked like after inbibing the cyanide capsule!??:oops::dead:...his blue Max does need touching up though!:shucks:

[em2nought]

Didn't know Rommel had a Blue Max, thought those were only for flyers for some reason.

[ET2SN]

You'll probably get a kick out of this:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-XTdUXl9Jc


:D

[em2nought]

You'll probably get a kick out of this:

:D

Never thought of Russians as being people who would be particularly interested in toy soldiers, but then I didn't think they'd be interested in making something as great as the IL-2 Sturmovik flight sim either. :hmmm:

[August]

Didn't know Rommel had a Blue Max, thought those were only for flyers for some reason.

They were easier for flyers to get because the standards (8ea, later raised to 16ea, downed enemy planes) were straight forward.

Most of the non pilot recipients of the Blue Max were Generals and staff officers. Only a handful of junior ranking ranking officers like Rommel ever received it and those were awarded for extreme badassedness. Rommels book "Infantry Attacks" (Rommel I read your book!) detail some amazing acts of bravery and initiative. The dude was one heck of a junior combat leader.

[Aktungbby]

They were easier for flyers to get because the standards (8ea, later raised to 16ea, downed enemy planes) were straight forward.
Straightforward is one word!!?:D:know: I 'boned-up' on The Blue Max watching George Peppard :down:and Ursula Andress :yeah:play wargames...the main plot of which was: Bruno Stachel wouldn't be on the A-team(still on TV!):up: unless he won the damn thing!:O:

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/ERKQjZF.jpg

I have 2 versions of this figure of James Mason - one in desert short pants and the other shown here in field grey/gray. He is now painted up and wearing his Iron Cross

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/7pM0AB7.jpg


Three of a 1960's set of six pirates from Charbens. Many of these get re-cast now since a resurgence of interest in old plastics, hence they are more expensive to buy and you need to know the difference. These I got way back when collecting hadn't become the huge thing it is now, so I got them for about 10 pence each at a toy fair from a guy who'd had them since childhood

https://i.imgur.com/Y8f5yGm.jpg

(The "sand" is coconut flour Moira gave me)

[em2nought]

Those fellows sure did a good job burying whatever is on Oak Island with that tiny shovel. :D

Just watched The Blue Max again last night. James Mason needs more of a five o'clock shadow. ;)

[Eichhörnchen]

^ He sure does :D

https://i.imgur.com/g0E17J6.jpg

Two of the old 'Charbens' FFL figures painted by me; rather clumpy in comparison to Crescent's figures shown here:
https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2813541&postcount=30

... but Charbens toy soldiers are possessed of their own charm. The next photo will show Crescent legionnaires' enemies...

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/Eia3MXV.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/bbMOKxl.jpg

Opponents to Crescent's FFL: https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2813541&postcount=30

[em2nought]

These fellows look great! I love Beau Geste! :up:

https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-R5RNWsl1yi8/VWzOHsMuDTI/AAAAAAAADU0/YVb6Y_BPV5M/s1600/milland-cooper-preston-beau-geste1.jpg

[August]

Just watched The Blue Max again last night. James Mason needs more of a five o'clock shadow. ;)


Yeah and I don't think either James Mason or old Erwin himself ever wore a monocle.

[em2nought]

Yeah and I don't think either James Mason or old Erwin himself ever wore a monocle.

i think Stewart Granger does as the king in Prisoner of Zenda 1952 causing some confusion in my brain.

[Catfish]

Perfectly put in scene and photographed with the sand and the matching background :) :up:

[Eichhörnchen]

^ The sand in the photos of the Arab warriors and FFL is brick dust :)

[Jimbuna]

No Santas or Elves then? :hmmm:

[Eichhörnchen]

No Santas or Elves then? :hmmm:

"Ho-ho-ho!"

https://www.subsim.com/radioroom/showpost.php?p=2852151&postcount=135

[Jimbuna]

:):up:

[Aktungbby]

^ The sand in the photos of the Arab warriors and FFL is brick dust :)...from Sodom or Gomorrah?:D:oops::arrgh!:

[August]

...from Sodom or Gomorrah?:D:oops::arrgh!:


Corner of Maple Street and Appian Way.

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/GDhwGGS.jpg https://i.imgur.com/nNIjILx.jpg

The sheriff is looking for a man - but the only room he plans to share with him is the jailhouse

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/tfhHdqo.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/BcgBNbG.jpg

https://i.imgur.com/pxgMwaH.jpg

1960's 60mm cowboys painted up by me. As with many of their other subjects, Crescent produced a completely different & smaller-size set in 54mm

[ET2SN]

Black leather chaps? :timeout:
Is there something you want to tell us? :O:

[em2nought]

Black leather chaps? :timeout:
Is there something you want to tell us? :O:

I really hope that's not why I'm "wanted". :har:

[August]

Black leather chaps? :timeout:
Is there something you want to tell us? :O:




They look like Assless chaps too. :yep:

[Reece]

^ always be prepared!! :D

[Eichhörnchen]

https://i.imgur.com/jE9GWRX.jpg Crescent's figures are about the easiest to find...

https://i.imgur.com/TJIWWHU.jpg whether having fun outside the bunk house...

https://i.imgur.com/QuufDOX.jpg ... or catching bank robbers

[ET2SN]

https://i.imgur.com/BcgBNbG.jpg

The guy on the right is me after Taco Bell. :doh:

[August]

Yellow shirt looks like he's trying to stab himself in the butt.

[ET2SN]

Yellow shirt looks like he's trying to stab himself in the butt.

..like I was saying.. :o