To end the year we have one more set from Bassevitch Engineer Cuban Revolution. The Cuban rebels leaded by Fidel Castro over threw the government of Eugencio Batista in 1959. Because of Castro’s association with Russia, Cuba has been off limits to Americans.
The set has ten different figures including a figure of Fidel Castro and possible Che Guevara. There is also a female figure firing a pistol.
Another nice set from Bassevitch, if you want the set you can get it from Andre Busslov of Russia.
This is really an interesting set, especially with the nice character figures of Fidel and Che. I like the posing and I like the light tan color and I like the uniqueness of the set. It even fits in well with President Obama’s recent attempt to reopen and expand relations between our two countries.
I immediately tried to locate Andre Busslov’s website. When I tried to convert to English a message comes up that says “due to cost” the English translation is no longer available as a feature. Well, maybe either Erwin or Steve Weston or MarxMan will pick them up at some point.
Hello Don,
I’m sorry. I just deleted this old text from my “english” page and replace by more actual. 🙂
Don; you have to use right click with your mouse and choose the translator system/program that operated best with your computer/system such as widow,MT.
will translate generally with “computer English” but will be able to understand most. I had done and work good all time x mettle me know if need more help. Best and HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.
.
OK.the woman should be one of these three cuban comander revolutionary officer that fought in the mountain coloums rebel and also help supply weapons ironically from US .
Vilma Espín,Celia Sánchez or Haydée Santamaría
The figures are very well portrait,inluded most main character with the weapon of choice they used during 1957-1959 period guerrilla war.With esception of CAMILO CIENFUEGOS(figure with hat) holding M1 CAR in righ hand that in reality used a TOMM sub machine gun must of the time not M1 CAR like CHE, that used also the 45 cal american pistol(represented here),generally to execute prisioners in the field as was his costume in did often.Fidel is represented with the hunting sniper rifle as he used most of the time.(He like to fight far from rear and shoot at far target)
The right color should had been dark olive green(cuban rebel used latest us uniform camo of the time uniform like the one used in the Korean war) contray to Batista’s army that used light caki color pre 1940 US uniform.Still this set is way much better in action poses and some could be used if (converted) as alliance kurds forces or taliban enemy becasue of the beard faces.I like the choice of poses
Erwin
Thank you for the update.
DAMN!!
Even I have never thought of the Cuban revolution!
Could be the BEST figures yet!
Not my period but fantastic choice, I might have to break down and get them!
The potential market for these figures extends beyond the toy soldier market!
You could be selling these to Canadian tourists at Cuban resorts and in cigar shops!
VERY NOVEL!
Better photos Please?
.There are plastic figures set done in Cuba for the Cuba revolution, also painted and painted metal too. Were made in the early 80’s ,now few places carry them, all in 54 mm.
Erwin
Interesting a friend of mine from Germany visited Cuba a few years ago and he did not find anything. He is a great hunter. He did get to see San Juan Hill.
Admin:Tell him to contact me ,I will give full address of two places.
Any photos of those?!
Please post!
Aldo ,not at this moment will in future, read my other first story if like
A short tale about Cuban toy soldier history. From 1959 til 1961 last US products were at sale/sold in Cuban stores. After; the fanaticism took over to the point that every store carrying toys from US or any product with any that say (MADE IN USA) or else were close down,fined or else,products from US stop coming. In early 60 and 70 only toys made in (SOVIET UNION) came with few from JAPAN that were brought via HONG KONG. By 80’s the( blue box)HK factory US 45 mm American soldiers start to appear in two colors,(dark green and light brown),first to represent ( rebel/Castro’s revolutionary forces) and light brown for regular Cuba’s regular gob army of Batista. Here is whet the new (and still actual) Cuban historian (EUSEBIO LEAL) Start pushing for an indigenous toy company that could produce toys related to CUBAN History for the children and new brain washed generations. COMAPNIES such as (TAINO/TOY and CUBATEX)both produced limited toy soldier in metal focus first to museums later in plastic for children(two sets were made for the 1957-1959 Cuban revolution rebels were made in 10 poses,army in 12.very good well done in plastic 1.32 scale. I was told one artist was a Spaniard ,other a Chinese.(I can not confirm it).Both company stop producing it after few years as toy market plumed in 1989/1990 when the communism(EAST BLOCK) regime supporting CUBA in Europe collapses ; all Cuban companies focus in primary product for populations. I call this in the toy history of Cuba(the empty era(1989-1996) barely no toys were seen at all any were but those brought by Cuban familiars living in-US and traveling back to see the families at CUBA.
I did own both sets,then give away and after I left because any CUBA living was considered a traitor and can only carry his personal clothing,not even jewelry back them,later I tray to get then,but could not get any back. Actually in two places are still seen painted and sold as souvenir. I do have the name of places and any one should contact me. Now be aware that not all poses may be available as are sold individual and mounted in a wood base pedestal. None of the figures represented the main character. But rather regular field soldiers included two females.
About the Cuban independence war they did few in metal and still sold together with the 1767.havana British attack battle figures.(these only in pure lead painted but well done 15 action poses)
I will continue in other if interested as now I’m getting the new year celebration with my family tonight. I wish you all well and my prayers and best wishers to the family of Bill McMaster.
Last,i forgot to mention the 70-75 mm scale comansi also did 8 poses of Cuban rebel figures and few are sold at eBay,i do own all of those poses.
Very nice! As Erwin said Batista’s army wore pre-1940 US uniforms. Are these uniforms (USA pre-1940) represented in 54-60mm plastic? Can’t think of any. Erwin, did the Batista army wear the U.S. 1942- steel helmet (M1 ?)? Also the Bazooka and Beret grenade thrower look like they could be used as French Indochina and Algeria War French soldiers. Dien Bien Phu is something I’d really like Engineer Bassevich or someone else do.
OK. The US army uniform pre 1942 more closed represented in plastic soldiers is that of BETON soldiers with post 1940 US helmet not those with British pot ww1 helmet style. In fact I used then for the Batista army as they were only left/available from may dad more close to play with.
Batista’s army was still supplied with old pre 1940 weapons and few early model Sherman(only 24) from ww2.The army used the same hat(sombrero) used by ww1 American cavalry and not field from 1901-1920,later replaced by pot British style helmet. But most used the new 1942 helmet in combat in dark green color with old style uniform in light brown color. Officer used the old style American flat hat visor hat.
Revolutionary armies used the Olive dark green later Korean field army uniform with pants with extra side pockets and gear. Bought from US with few Mexican connection and ship to Cuba from Mexico. The hat used by most high ranking officer and Fidel come from new issue French style kepi hat know in US as ridgeway cap
From the US army also used in the later Korean army and Vietnam ,also in the Mexican regular army from 1955.The beret used come as idea from Che and over 200 were original purchased from France via Africa connection, then they start doing their own. It was own by most commander and officer or messengers of rebel army. Woman also wear then most.
Yes, the beret is historical the French style because of the elongated long size style and direction of the inclination. Contrary to British style short size beret/commando style. Those figures could be used for or as French. In fact few French companies such as cane,xiroplasto,cofalu,starlux/others and Spaniard COMANSI/OLIVER did French for the 1948-1970 period wearing the same and match perfect. In fact the uniform issue to French soldiers was the same US post ww2 and Korean style uniform that these figures(EB Cubans) have. The problem is with scale as most French /Spaniards figures run larger than 54 mm. So as far you play with vision effect and scenes space or not to worry about it you can mix match all.
Last but not least if EB follow the socialist/communist war revolution series they will have to touch Indochina first war with HO-CHI MINH and hope some French as well.
Hope this help for now. Happy to answer and happy new year
Imagine the Korea War figures EB could produce and as you say Indo China figure sets.I’d like a 1956 Hungarian Revolution set for the armed civilians but probably a Russian company has amnesia about that event,LOL.
Ther is another set from Engineer Bassevitch about the Ancient Jews:
Some Pics on http://www.treefrogtreasures.com/forum/showthread.php?52374-Engineer-Bassevitch-Ancient-Jews&p=672676#post672676
Paul, feel free to pick up the photos on Soldat Plastique Forum
Happy new year from France fellows!!!
Thanks for the posting of the ancient Old Testament Jews. Another great set with excellent poses and sculpting, plus a totally unique subject matter. I still can’t manage to navigate the Russian site to place an order, but I see on Steve Westons site in England that he is promising two new Engineer Bassevitch sets in January. These Cuban guerrillas and Old Testament Jews are probably them.
Don
Here is Steve Weston’s posting on Hobby Bunker’s forum in response to Brian’s posting of the Cuban Revolution set.
“This set and the follow on set should be in stock with me around the end of January or early February as they are still at the production stage at this time.”
Super multy use figures.another great set.I can not see Andrew b.site with the new sets even after translating.may be he will on future. wondering if some else in Russia carry them or this factory has any direct link.website
The ENGINEER should double his production number and still keep his prices the same.
Just secure a North American supplier and see what happens?
GREAT story about the Cuban toy soldiers Erwin, Thank you.
Can’t wait to see pictures!