Plastic Platoon Next Offering German Paratroopers Crete Miklan has started posting photos on Facebook
The set has six figures
- advancing with Luger
- Standing firing Schmeiser
- Kneeling with Schmeiser reaching for a box.
- Advancing with automatice weapon
- Standing firing Lugar both hands on the pistols
- Throwing Grenade rifle in left hand
We will have more details soon.
These are excellent figures and WWII is my chief interest but I really was hoping Plastic Platoon wouldn’t make WWII figures because I am now on the hook to get ahold of these and I’m not so sure the finances are there for that. Plus I’m trying to set some money aside for John Stengel Jr’s Action Castings German Fallschirmjager.
you seem unsure about your purchase on 10 dollar figures as you should be
If they are doing Crete, then I hope we get some Greeks and some Anzacs. Anzacs are relatively under represented in the WWII toy soldier world. It seems everybody just wants to make Germany, and the U.S.
I think many of the fellow WWII collectors would agree there are major gaps that need to be filled in, particularly for covering the first few years of the war. When my brother and I recreate those early battles, we have to really stretch to find 1/32 scale combatants for certain nations and we end up using figures that are questionable to say the least ( like Armies in Plastic WWI French in Khaki as Belgians)
i disagree with you we need more poses and less armies
In my opinion..
Super perfect Well done intersting figure set as usual from PP
Agree in Greeks and of COURSE any early WW2 other countey armies.Even early british uniform soldier had barely done. Gurkas only one.
Indian army almost none.
I think any British soldier will fit as Anzac x Crete battle as they had that uniform rather than tropical or africa type. Anyways of course they will be welcome by me.
I had used the CTS italiams as Greeks but not accurate enough ..
Price x this maker is a luxury x collectors.
But is what it is x all and those willing.
Germans will be always popular till end x WW 2 collectors and makers know will be a guarantee sale profit
But is true we got too many as well Americans.
STENGELS production are a myth and ghost more than reality.
Either u are lucky or don’t expect any.
My thoughts.
Best.
Why knock Stengel Jr.? Better to say nothing at all.
My thoughts on the Stengel situation: Erwin is right that there really is no guarantee that the Fallschirmjager will ever see the light of day. That said, my brother and I see John several times a year at the various shows and were able to get pretty much everything from his Vietnam and Civil War production (minus the mounted Pickett figure). I do sincerely believe we will see him produce something else, even if it is not the German Paras. Also, he is a very cool dude and a fun guy to talk to. He, like we do, is trying to keep the hobby going for younger collectors. I myself have been taking my oldest son Liam (he’s 6 years old) to some of the shows and he really enjoys it. I think that is the biggest issue with the hobby as a whole. Most collectors are my Dad’s age and older and there is very little new blood coming into the hobby. My brother and I are ‘young’ for toy soldier collectors at ages 40 and 32 respectively and that is a real shame. We, as collectors, need to stop blaming video games or computers for the disinterest of youths and start introducing the younger generation to the joys of setting up a battle on tabletop (or the kitchen floor for that matter). Whether some one does war gaming, painting, conversions, or just collects for the hell of it, keeping the hobby going is what is most important. Just my thoughts
I agree with you Alex John JR has tried to help the hobby. He has great ideas for figures but has been frustrated with his production. I have talk to him on it and know he has been trying. That said I know it has been frustrating for collectors that promised items have not come out. We will see if he will have anything at Hackensack.
On our hobby it is sad that no new blood has come in. I have talked about this before problems is the younger generation is geared to the action figures. Laurie and I had a lunch with a friend this week. He told us a friend is selling lots of 80’s and 90’s toys to collectors in their 40’s. They are collecting what they had as children as we did.
Not personal, just reality, not much see from his production, many or most want TO get his figures or sets took very long to get then or never got any at all. He even went to say so as very extremely limited done as by his own words.
Simply a matter of reality. Wherever reason could be, is a fact. We must be realistic about what few could be done, what had been promise and not done and what can be possible done.
Regardless his intention ,his production are way too slow/small as he has other priority over else to accommodate even a fraction of collectors in this small hobby .Not criticizing or saying any about him or his way to be .Just that the fact his figures are like a ghost to find(no internet site to show see or buy then and barely few shows where to get then ) Stengel juniors is also hard to contact even by phone .All this made then (his sets ) looks more like a myth than reality .
So those buying his figures are very ,extremely lucky to have then and I’m happy x those as they will have one of rare ones for life .
Sad but true.
In the other hand about all his services and way to deal at show I had found him as most you say, I had done business with him as well selling and buying at show level.
We are entitled to our opinion about all figures production and criticism services. Silence is for lambs.
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VERY POOR taste to disparage young Stengel. Not constructive at all.
I was just looking at a metal casting of a German Paratrooper that I was going to paint, lol. These new figures look really nice. I have to get a set when they are available.
I see John about once or twice a year. He is really busy and I understand where he comes from. The last time I had talked to him he told me he had like 7 other responsibilities that take up much of his time. It has got to be hard to run around the country selling toys and then trying to get toys produced in your spare time. The figures that he makes are purely a passion for this hobby of ours. If I am able to get any of his new figures I just grateful that he found time to make them.
MAJOR GAPS :
*Romanian Inf. * Indian Inf. * French Inf. * Polish Inf. * Siberian Winter Assault Troops in White Camo. * German Infantry in Winter White Camo. * Waffen SS * Volkstrum *
Soviet Assault Engineers in Body Armor * French Resistance Fighters just to name a few!!!
Yes sir Christian. We need those badly. I’d also like to see somebody take the time to do Canadian infantry. I know they have a similar look to the British but simply coloring British green and calling them Canadians is a bit of a cop out in my opinion. and yes, despite this, I bought the Victory Buy ones.
I’d like to see Alamo Scouts, Polish Infantry/Airborne.
Somebody needs to make Volksgrenadiers or Volksturm. I wish I could pull it off but I have neither the finances nor the know-how to produce my own figures and I willingly admit it.
Oh YES, Canadian Infantry in Mk III Helmets (Juno Beach) I knew I was forgetting a major one!
Agree Christian
Nice list and these Plastic Platoon figures are top notch. For WW2 I would also like to see Naval figures. With the exception of Russian Naval troops there is nothing of quality out there. German Naval troops would be ideal opponents of Brit Commandos. Allied Naval troops to man Landing crafts, boarding parties, PT crews, defend Wake Island….Also Chindits, Phillipino Partisans, and Aussies. We may see some of these if Ex Force comes through with their Pacific theater figures.
As with most Plastic Platoon figures, these are beautifully sculpted and nicely posed. Each one clearly conveys “action”. Various eras of German paratroopers are way underrepresented in plastic (and that’s from a guy who doesn’t collect much German stuff). Maybe in the future they could do some “Normandy era” German paras? By that time most guys were no longer jump qualified, but the Fallschirmjager regiments usually proved tough opponents for US troops.
I’m glad to see PP going into WW2, although there is still a bunch of stuff I would like them to see in the VietNam range. In WW2 plastic we could sure use some some US paratroopers in the late war uniform (Market-Garden until the end of the war) – NOBODY has done those in plastic. We also need many more US Army poses in winter gear – again an area that has been lacking for “Battle of the Bulge” scenes.
With Dragon can do Fallschirmjager-Panzer-Division 1-HG set 5 poses
Dcd – regular Fallschirmjager sets (5 poses total),
Pegasus 12 poses set
Airfix 14 poses,
Warhansa new set 6 poses
Mars from Russia crude made new set of 8 poses their plenty paratrooper for German side so far plus this super well done now of PP.
So far 56 poses approx
US paratroopers in modern production so far are plenty done I think too.
ESCI-1/32 (7 poses), Airfix (1/35 approx.)-14 poses US paratroopers of 1944/45 late period uniform and weapons and very well done.
CONTE did a set of 15 US paratroopers poses as well.
Forces of valor did another 8 poses set x the 82 division.
The MARX US two paratroopers with parachute are unique nice poses too and recast if not mistaken.
About 46 poses so far ….
British have their own plenty forces.
Revel 10 poses
Conte -16 poses
ESCI -7 poses
Airfix -7 Poses
Century 21 -6 poses
Total-46 poses
Vintage-There quite some good ones made in the US paratroopers and British on European brands and some may pass, even some are post WW2 such Britain detail 12 nice poses; their poses and resemblance can be used as WW2 in some poses.
Again, more well-done nice paratroopers are a plus addition but not quite few done I think for such small unit forces used compared to regular army/marines corps.
I will take more of course, not complain.
Yet in my personal like/opinion I’m more inclined for non-made sets of WW2 or not those covered over the done already.
best
Erwin, first I don’t count Dragon because they are models and nowhere near 1/32nd- 1/30th “toy soldier” scales. All the other US WW2 paratroopers done in plastic so far are in the M1942 jump uniforms, so they are good for North Africa, Italy, and Normandy. For Market-Garden there was a MAJOR change in the US airborne uniform, then being based on the M1943 combat uniform. The color, cut and many details changed. Revell DID do some late war paratroopers in 1/72nd scale, but that doesn’t help anyone in the “common” collecting scales. So I still stand by my statement that there aren’t any 1/32nd late war US airborne troops in plastic.
Garry.
Dragon Cando pocket army sets are not models, they did entire assembled figures series made of painted soldiers in window cases same style making as 21 century series. Yes, they are about 1/35-32 scale same as Airfix US paras are too, yet considered 1/32 .
In fact, their last series were the US paras not painted in 5 poses. I have them.
here is one sample.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/DRAGON-MODELS-CAN-DO-POCKET-ARMY-1-35-US-Airborne-Unpainted-Figure/273500498838?hash=item3fade66b96:g:bSIAAOSwLAhbg1LJ:rk:2:pf:0
But if you don’t like is your choice of course.
I was not saying AT ALL- (sorry using capitals as you) that late US paras were ever done.
I say their “plenty” US paras been done in general. I was adding the amount as a general count of sets recently made since 70s. Most engage of US paras versus German paras were before Market Garden by the way and barely happen.
Also, there, plenty US infantry sets figures that can be used as late war paras as not much difference in uniform minus few gear/backpacks else, but weapons pretty much same thing. Like I add at the end of previews post of mine. I can take more if done and I bet PP can do the specialty of such specific unit for their price unfortunately.
So let hope and see what is coming next …
Best
Personally, I prefer the Conte US paratroopers – they are nicely done and the equipment is correct and well rendered. ESCI 1/32 US paratrooper are better than no paratroopers at all. Airfix US paras are (IMHO) the WORST set they ever did in 1/32 scale. Small figures, poor equipment, poor weapons, wierd poses. It’s like Airfix gave that project to the “student sculptor”. Yes, SOME US infantry can be used for airborne troops. Before Market-Garden the glider infantry regiments were uniformed and equipped just like regular infantrymen. For Market-Garden and after the glider troops were hard to distinguish from the paratroopers. As far as using “regular” infantry as paratroopers – not many plastic figures come with M1943 jackets, the paratroopers still used the M1C helmet with distinctive chin strap with cup, the paratroopers kept using the famous Corcoran “jump boot”, the glider guys and some new guys got the M1943 “double buckle” boots. BARs were not official issue to paratroopers until Market-Garden era. The late war was used during Opn Market-Garden (US 82nd and 101st Divisions), during the Ardennes (82nd and 101st Div), for Operation Varsity (17th Airborne Div) and during the drive into Germany (all airborne units), so they weren’t exactly rare.
WOW ! Amazing lifelike action poses !
As usual, PP produces some amazing sculpts. But again sadly, I’ll have to let it pass as being beyond my budget though I am happy for those who can afford them.
My only complaint about Stengel Jr is I haven’t been able to get to any of the shows to buy some of his figures. l agree with the majority that Stengel’s efforts to produce figures should be applauded and encouraged. Anyone on the production side of the hobby can attest to what a challenge and hassle it is to produce figures in today’s climate; the fact he can get any figures out at all should be a testimony. My own take on figure sets that are “promised” but don’t appear is – “[stuff] happens.” I don’t get really excited about promised new sets until I hold them in my hot sweaty little hand.
It saves my angst for really important stuff – like who’s going to be the next Spiderman or Superman.
Plastic Platoon makes excellent figures, no doubt about that. However, they are very expensive and they are usually limited short runs. By the time you pay shipping you’re tlaking almost $10.00 per figure, they are worth it, but also limited in quanity. Also not the easiest figures to obtain. John told me at the ChicagoShow, this new figures would be available in the very near future or so that is his plan. John’s a busy guy and he has a lot on his plate besides travling great distances to the shows, besides he’s a one man operation, he sculpts them, molds them, glues them together and packages them. I think he deserves a break and doesn’t deserve to be trashed. He’s a good dude, I count him as a friend.
its a shame these figures always show up broken no thanks i will pass on figures from russia
Mr. Paas, how many sets of Plastic Platoon or Engineer Bassevitch have you purchased that showed up broken? I’m slightly skeptical about your assertion that Russian-made sets “always show up broken”.
I remember you stated once you had a Publius figure or figures which arrived broken, and I believe Publius acknowledged they had a problem, and changed their plastic composition. But it seems unfair to target all Russian makers with that problem.
I’ve purchased eight Eng. Bassevitch sets, four of the “No-Name” sets, five of the MARS sets, two of the Publius sets, and all of the Chintoy sets. NONE of them ever “showed up broken”.
Granted, I haven’t purchased any of the Plastic Platoon sets. But I held some of their figures in my hand, and they didn’t seem to be made of a material which would be prone to breakage. Nor have I ever encountered any buyer of Plastic Platoon figures who complained that they “always show up broken”.
I did encounter a Conte figure years ago which “showed up broken”, but Conte immediately replaced it for me, without requiring that I send the broken figure back to him, so I ended up happy.
I have to agree with Don on this one. My brother and I have managed to get ahold two of each of the sets of Vietnam Americans (the 4 sets that we’ve run across) and three each of the VC and NVA and have not had issues with breakage on any of these. Now if you want to complain about the price point, then that is a fair argument but they really are not nearly as fragile as you made them seem. Basevich figures are even more sturdy. Now Publius had an issue for a while and you certainly have to store them with care but from what I have seen of their more recent sets, like the WWI sets, they are made of a quality plastic
Only sets that were made fragile were early FIRST EB sets of revolution and the PUBLIUS from samurai back to all early.
Then they change to super flexible and very hard to breake and still you can ben weapons at lot w out issues.
If u are getting then still broke n .some most be playing football w then during shipping.
Best
you are all wrong i’ve had a figure in a set of vikings and ww2 Russians show up broken at 10 dollars a piece i am giving my humble input on why i would not buy these figures i never said plastic platoon figures were going to show up broken i don’t have to answer to any body on this post about whether i am lying or not when you all spread misinformation in the first place
strange you didn’t manage to quite comprehend anything i said listen once more publius is making figures out of the same material as these figures if these figures ship from Russia i guarantee you will suffer a breakage like i have in the past but go ahead don’t listen this isn’t for you this is to inform people that this product is faulty possibly based on my own experiences never did i once say plastic platoon figures are going to arrive broken quit putting words in my mouth i never spoke if anything these would be better if you bought from a domestic retailer so you can at least return them if at all possible avoid buying these directly from the manufacture and perhaps rely on 3rd party distributors
Only sets that were made fragile were early FIRST EB sets of revolution and the PUBLIUS from samurai back to all early.
Then they change to super flexible and very hard to breake and still you can ben weapons at lot w out issues.
If u are getting then still broke n .some most be playing football w then during shipping.
Best
I agree I have bought all the Vietnam Plastic Platoon sets and not one figure arrived broken. Just don’t get that complaint. As for expense, come on for the quality of figure pay a little extra. The days of .50 cent figures are long gone. If you can’t afford these sets that come out about 5 times a year maybe you need to collect match book covers!
Gary, .50 cent figures are long gone? Hey, I would be content if we could go back to the day of $1.00 figures — ha ha ha! It didn’t seem like it was all that long ago.
MAJOR GAPS : More Complete List.
*Romanian Inf. * Indian Inf. * French Inf. * Polish Inf.
* Siberian Winter Assault Troops in White Camo.
* German Infantry in Winter White Camo. * Waffen SS * Volkstrum
*Soviet Assault Engineers in Body Armor * French Resistance Fighters
* Canadian Infantry (in Mk III Helmets) Juno Beach * US Navy Sailors in Action
Just to name a few!!!
I can understand the desire for sets that haven’t been done yet; at the same time I realize a maker has to weigh the probable demand for a set produced. I began demanding “Pommeranian Piccolo Players” as a gentle jab at those constantly demanding arcane sets no one else really wanted. At the same time I realize there ARE a great many units that have not been produced for which there might be a great demand – and I hesitate to name one lest someone mention a company produced that set back in 1948 and therefore the void has been filled. All because a set has been produced sometime in the past doesn’t mean there isn’t a “need” for it to be produced again. I think the key here is availability.
To be sure, Airfix sets seem to have achieved a certain immortality – if only through Hong Kong knockoffs. I don’t count them though as they are typically so poor in quality I think they are (again) typically just a waste of plastic to me. JMO.
If I remember correctly, Atlantic did their Indian Infantry in 1/32 or 60mm – I don’t think that means there’s no room for someone to produce a newer set.
As far as price is concerned, I may not start collecting matchbook covers; but if the prices continue to rise I might as well find myself venturing into metals – it would save me a load of time painting.
I understand does not willing pay such high price .
I’m honest and is insane , but those able and want do it ,is their money ,there plenty choices out there x figures.I had not see 50 cents figures in over decade ,there from 1 to 3.00 now unless a deal off table or a seller wanting sale off all.
My thoughts.
The amount of sets produced is relatively small and WWII is a big market, small, but important gaps will take care of themselves. And what better thing to spend your money on but the hobby you love!? Wine& Dinner or Plastic? The plastic stays forever!