Toy News Articles Odds End Whatever we l will look some articles from the internet. We will follow it up with some photos I have not posted. Whatever is looking at some non toy related items.
Toy News Articles Odds End Whatever Toy Articles
I have found several interesting articles about toys. The first one is from Metal Floss. It about the Aurora monster scenes. As you will see in the article the toy lead to a major call back. One interesting side story years ago I got several of the Vampirella models kits in United Kingdom. The kits had been sent over by Warren Publishing to Hammer Films. They were to be used to promote the proposed Vampirella movie. Sadly the movie did not happen. The kits were without their boxes.
The next article is about the Star Wars at Disneyland. There will some exclusive figures sold at the Parks including two inch character figures. These figures will be sold in blind bags.
The final article is on Peter Jackson. He is big enthusiast of World War One airplanes. He has been working with a company called Wingnut Wings. This company makes highly detail model kits. Weta workshop will now be handling the distribution of these kits.
Toy News Articles Odds End Whatever Odds And Ends
The photo above is off some of the Thomas Toys Doll House Figures.
The Timmee Covered Wagon I picked up at a flea market late winter. The market had only few dealers. I found a box of items including the wagon. Sometimes the best market is a small one. A friend of mine in Europe did a flea market with only 10 tables. He found a box of Jescan figures under a table.
Here we have a lot of Premier spaceships. I think how much we have change in our perception of space and spaceships over the last fifty years.
Finally for this section we have a preview of some figures from Japan. I bought these last year because I found them so hilarious. They were made in Japan What are they you will have to wait until next month for the article. Erwin do not help them.
Toy News Articles Odds End Whatever The Rest
This summer I got to go see some of the big blockbuster movies. I had passed on going in the past due to time and cost. Since there was several movies I wanted to see I decided to go. I found out that the local AMC theater has a early show that you can do for under $6.00. With AMC you can make reservations on your seat for a convenience fee. I pass on that as I found if you went the Monday after the opening you can get a seat.
The experience to the movie theater was an eye opener. First they had upgrade the seats to lounge type chairs. A couple of time the leg part went up without me doing it. I found later that there was a button on the side of the chair I had pushed.
My other surprise was the price on the food at the snack bar. They wanted $4.89 for a hot dog! I could get about four at our local hot dog stand at that price. Popcorn and soda were high too. I could see a family of four taking out a small loan to pay for them. The theater had a bar. I wonder who buys the drinks. guys stuck going to a romantic movie?
Toy News Articles Odds End Whatever Movies I Saw
Now as to the movies I saw this summer. I saw Batman vs. Superman. It was what I expected because of the director Zack Snyder. He has not impress me. I can not sit through 300, it so historically inaccurate.
Next up was Captain America Civil War I did not enjoy it. I still enjoy the first Captain America and Avengers movie. One part I did was enjoy the bits with Spiderman. The next movie I went to was Independence Day as I saw the original. I wanted to it on the big screen.(This is a inside joke a friend said could not watch Jurassic Park unless it was on the big screen.) The movie was a waste. It did not capture the feeling of the original.
Suicide Squad I did enjoy. It was much better than Batman vs. Superman. Margot Robbie is going to turn into major star. Laurie and I went and saw Secret Life of Pets. It is a cute movie and was fun. Laurie hated the chairs.
There other movies I passed on I am not into the Star Trek movie. Ghostbusters I passed not on the female version, but the trailer did not impress me. Tarzan I may get on DVD.
Toy News Articles Odds End Whatever Finally
I will not be posting until after September 6. Need to taking a little break, over the last month we have been doing much writing. There are some other projects that need my attention. I will be watching the comments and will make comment as needed.
The Mars Vietnam GI figures have surfaced over in UK. We have not hear on the Marx Free Foreign Legion remake or their North Koreans. TSSD has their Vietnam War figures in.
Laurie and I wish everyone a safe Holiday
I almost bid on some of those fat guys on E-bay once. I too find them funny.
Interesting in the complete tim mee wagon.I do not have it.
Not see often .I like the harness and style.
I agree in movies.
I pass in BH too.
Won’t said any about funny Gi’s…
Not a word…:-) 🙂 🙂
The MARS new set are already distributed in other hobby lit stores in Europe as well .I see then listed…
Aperantly they went x those buying big bulk amount first…
I have some comic type Napoleonics done by a fairly famous sculptor that does mostly fantasy type figures, most of his stuff is like 25mm but he did the Naps in 54mm, they are really well done, great detail. Can’t remember his name though.
Interesting.never see them.
Will love see it!
One of these days I’ll get a picture.
I carry 1/72 scale figures and have worked with Mars since he started. He decided to make some 1/32 sets and being based in the Ukraine decided to make the two Afghan War sets for his local market. He asked for my opinion and I told him Vietnam war figures would sell well and there was a need for Viet Cong as none had ever been made. I don’t deal in a lot of the new 1/32 figures as it seems there are as many sellers as buyers and several manufacturers sell direct to the customers. The Mars Viet Cong have become my best selling new 1/32 set ever and his US Marines should be here soon to be followed by Green Berets and NVA Regular Infantry sets. He has now asked what else should he make and I am stumped. Maybe FFL & Arabs as popular as the recent Marx Arab copies have been. To me it seems like AWI, Alamo, ACW, wild west and WWII have been pretty well covered. If you think something would sell please post it.
WW2-1939 Polish,1940 Dutch,Winter War Finns,Resistance Western-Eastern Europeans,Warsaw Uprising,Late War 44-45 Axis&Allies.Modern Day-Israeli,Iranian,Middle East types guerillas,British,French,US.Angola-Cubans,South Africans(One can dream eh)
PS WW2 Japanese Naval Infantry in “Sailor Suits” Battle of Shanghai.
I would love to see some Mexican Revolution figures; Villistas, Federales, Zapatistas and Pershing’s troops along with some American mercenaries. Right now I am using Weston and Reisler banditos with AIP WW1 Japanese for Federales.
As for modern era, how about some rugged looking Blackwater Contractors?
The contractors could also double in Science Fiction scenarios as zombie hunters or Apocalypse survivors.
Mark I would love to see Mexican Rev figures too.
If this person asked me the above question, it would be tempting to suggest MY personal favorite genre, or try and think of something that hasn’t been done yet. But that’s not exactly what he’s asking (even though we have debated about whether or not our personal preferences might sell). I would simply tell him to stick with success. It’s obvious that MARS and TSSD (and ‘almost’ Mr. Stengal) have hit a vein of gold with the Vietnam range. So I would tell him if your upcoming Vietnam sets continue to sell, stay with it. Add a “series 2” set of Marines or VC or accessories, or specialty poses. If people are buying them, they obviously have an interest in the subject matter, so keep them coming.
I agree and well thought.
If I were then I will do what is moving hot.
Vitnam is a hot thematic.
Exploit it would be a sale
New modern conflict too.
I vote for FFL and Arabs.
Don are you ok with a minor size difference ,the MARS seen to be more 1.32-54mm scale, just a thought!!
Yes, I am, for the reason that you yourself offered awhile back: I have armies in 60mm, and I have different armies in 54mm. Sometimes I combine them, but often I just set them up and enjoy them separately.
I do this with Romans, WWII, Civil War, 7th Cavalry, cowboys, Indians, Alamo, knights, Robin Hood, American Revolution, and Napoleonics. I have them all in both 54mm and 60mm, and I would welcome new FFL and Arabs, which in fact already exist in both 60mm (Marx & Oliver), as well as 54mm (AIP, Conte, Crescent, and Cherilea), in either size.
Great Don.I’m glad u do.
Just thought mentioned …
Great u do have the same view and attidut towards scales…
Kent ;well -good answer you did as Viet Nam as you said had not been touched x taboo or else.
So are welcome and glad they heard you …
I too agree in the 1.32 every body carry, So not point carry what most carry in small hobby/business.
Now about FFL and Arabs I think is limited as is more influenced to few movies in generally ;incredible I talk to Europeans blog in France and others and not too drill about the FFL and Arabs from Marx Copied even though are in the tall scale that match more their figures and like.
Germans as Spaniards are in the other hand interested when they come out …
AWI,AWI and always WW2 are the most sellers here in US ,Alamo is popular but limited to one war and circle plus those adding to nostalgic Marx playset.
WW2 had been covered but from 1943 till war end only pretty much, not early war era 1939-1942 had well cover w few exception.
Partisan and guerrilla had not been cover except by Old vintage Blue Box and new Engineer Batsebich Expensive sets .So I bet are popular if released new ones..
So all winter sets as so many battles were fought in winter, in fact the largest and bloody were and few set are made in true winter uniform.
I’m talking about British, Us infantry ,Italian,Germans, Rumanians,Russian ,Scandinavian, French and others in winter.
Artillery sets had been poorly represent except x BUN-ex former Pech hermanos few done and CTS/TSSD sets.
OWN set I carry 4 sets did the Japanese and Chinese in complete winter uniform but will not be done soon .
So I guess Japanese in winter x Alaskan camping and others could well be done.
Again my though are base in world reference sales and blog I read plus research in dealers sellers others…
My thoughts..
I vote for Alamo figures, becuse I always I always vote for Alamo figures.
If not Cavalry and Indians always sell well. Now swords for the Cavalry, dismounted is my choice.
Kent.
And talking about Mars.
I know few hobby stores carry the new sets already.
Are u bringing the new soon.?
I should have the marines in a week or two.
Great…!!
Thanks 🙂 🙂
Kent ,you mind update us, I got several people interested and will pass info to then as soon you got it.
they barely read here…
I agree that inexpensive 1/32 WWII figures that reflected winter fighting and other under-covered aspects of the war in that size would sell very well.
I’d personally love to see Foreign Legion and Arab figures, but worry that the absence of recent movies and other cultural references might limit the market.
I think a line of medieval figures would do well. I’d go earlier medieval – pick a century, 11th, 12th, 13th – and run with it. As with WWII, go for original touches – maybe Templars, or Varangians etc. I don’t think you can go wrong with men in armor!
I also suspect that an inexpensive line of ancients, Greeks, Romans, barbarians, etc. would sell – especially sensible poses allowing buyers to rank up figures in attractive formations.
Maybe Sunni or Shi’a militias from Iraq. Afghan Taliban have already been done.
Maybe a WW II or modern medical or MASH unit.
Combat correspondents and cameramen.
Biological warfare soldiers.
Modern Chinese or North Korean soldiers.
Maybe WW II civilian resistance figures. WW II tank crews, and commanders for the cupolas. WW II tank riders – US, German, Russian.
Imperial Roman cavalry, and enemies of Rome cavalry (like many of the Hat 1/72 sets).
Roman artillery sets with crews.
Battering ram and accompanying soldiers.
US cavalry in winter gear ( like Wounded Knee)
Comanches on horse and foot.
Mounted and dismounted posses.
Dragoons to fight the Commanches
Texas Rangers
My option before were base exclusively in not done or very poor represented sets/eras.
Base in what had been done from 1990 till now.
Again this is counting a long run production in more accessible economic production style …but not all. And only x the collectors hobby world, not “gamers” whom from late 90’s have increased interest in only new mass produced figures in the 1.32 scale such AIP and Hat, now defunct in production x some time. So in won’t talk x gamers.
that have interested in our like but with different views.
All do I love and welcome all coming in the ever decreasing pipe line of our hobby. Included FFL and colonial wars I believe in US where about 70% of collectors are, the amount buying that war or colonial wars are not much x profit or large sales ,even after the AIP colonial war push fury. It was European the main buyers x these sets as per AIP owner opinion mention to me several time.
Medieval are more in to European collectors too .
However in US because more fiction-non historical Hollywood movies and now fantasy it had been keep up with good welcome in the states collector world.
But as Daniel said ,much repeated medieval wars/set such over done 100 years war by Accurate, Britain, EXF,PLUBIUS , Airfix and others. I think is enough x that war.
Will be great to cover later west and east Roman empires from 500 till 900s European armies/Bizantines and Middle east/North Africa such Bulgar ,Sasanian , Mongolians, tartars, Khazars ,EARLY -Saracens, Arabs and others that were well involved in great wars and not done in any new production on scales from 1.32 up.This period had barely been cover in new production by Viking only but with not enemies x them as incorrectly we had used before the posterior medieval era sets x this thanks to wrong Hollywood and fiction books depiction and lack of sets.
IN medieval full armor sets, it had well been over cover as generic by those making the 100 years and plus general reissues of former old companies such Marx ,Dulcop,Britain, Tim mee-(from Chile source),Cherliea,Charben ,BARABELI and others plus generic later Chinese many knights all over ,most in heavy armor.
Crusades had been well cover(Italeri,Britain),plus many easy vintage to get; but more should be welcome I guess.
Crusades period era Mongols,Saracen/Turks and Arabs in actual 1.32 ,(not taller) in new production, only ITALERI set in addition to old reissues Dulcop and Britain had been done, so there is need x the 1.32 scale definitely.
In large scale(60-75mm) only the new Sunjade sets Chinese made plus former vintage from Spain such reamsa,jecsan and only reissues 4 poses of Pech Hermanos 12 poses set under BUN company now discontinued had been done.
So here EXF big series figures could made advantage off.
Ancient had increased in interest all over the world. But Hat and EXF plus now LAD and TSSD with CTS and Conte did plenty x then so far, not like poorly represented I think with those mentioned!! Still not doubt a good sale.
Same will go x Napoleonic that is a good sale ,but not poorly represented thanks to HAT,ITALERI,AIP,ACTA,AIRFIX reissues ,DSD from Argentina ,WATERLOO,Black Hat and in SUNJADE Chinese made nice 12 poses new sets come out in 2012/13 that come more in 1.32 than the sets they did x others before.
Another period that was first massive cover was early Indian European wars in northern American continent, repercussion of European larger war in process at same time. Reason I said this ,is because Barzso,CTS and AIP cover the sets ,but BARZSO were limted run produced and not economic. Most are not longer done.
CTS only did the Mohawks and AIP was only did using one army a generic army color sets x several countries plus the Indians and it was then the one European bought more.
This war cover many larger wars in Europe from 1700 till 1766 and making these figures x armies such England, France Russia, Austrians , Spain ,Prussian ,German states, Turks and others may bring interest x European market as well US in general with total world interest.
I know I miss some ,but try cover most new done from late 90’s till now and only Britain as was well in to 90′ with reissues and stock in many sets and Airfix most reissues all over as well.
I would vote for several sets of WW2 winter G.I.’s, not enough of them. Some weapons teams to go with them would be nice as well. Some sets of Chindits would be cool along with some Japanese weapons teams. Some sets of Combat assault engineers using satchelcharges, pole charges, flamethrowers, bangalores ect. for all sides would be cool too. Looking forward to their other Vietnam figures.
BOBBYGMOORE
Sorry I forgot add as conclusion.
For large mass producer run mold maker such MARS. Sets with world interest wars will be top sale, not limited countries war or battles that are of poor interest in the most part of the world collectors. Those limited sale/like should be covered by short run producer that can cover it with less expending (the only future of this hobby) in my view.
I’d like to see some Vietnam Era US Army Infantry (GIs); Now, I know for the most part the gear and uniforms in the bush were identical (unless you paint them) – but being an old dogface I like to see the home team represented (and more poses is always a good thing IMHO).
I think that the biggest seller would be a set of Old West Pinkertons/Bounty Hunters/Scalphunters.
Old West is universal. Almost every collector has some. With Austin and TSSD having cool cowboys and gunfighters these would be a natural addition to any Old West collection.
Remember, it has to be worth the investment to proceed. I think that these would have the best chance of crossover appeal.
I’m with you on cowboys, Bill. Would like to see some imaginative poses like the old Marx Towns 60 mm 2 guys fighting or sheriff arresting bad guy with hands up and Auburn guitar player, chuck wagon cook ringing bell, and bulldogging steer & branding steer figures. Try to make creative conversions, but most figures I’m willing to cut up are basic shooting guns guys which don’t allow too much opportunity for unusual figures.
Agree, Cow punchers and other working cowboys and citizens to fill out a Western scene. Blacksmith, wheelwright, barber, merchants, grocer, teamsters, muleskinners, miners and just people going about their business. All the 99 percent of other Western people who were not shooting at each other. Though perhaps a Bank robbery in progress, or other similar group scenarios would sell better.
Train robbers are great, too and could stand in for bad guys in other scenarios.
We have to talk Larry Patterson late of P&P Products to re-open shop. I have so many that you mentioned from him. Don’t need any more shooters, but can always use towns people!!
The Replicants Pinkertons and Bounty Hunters are, by far, their best figures.
Something to match that style.
Love those guys.
Mounted cowboys, riding or posse chasing, WWII Finnish, Hungarians, Rumanians, then as I always vote for WWI.
Western,were popular abroad during the polular western hollywood era.Today few any outside collector I know have any interst.
Plus I read plenty blogs…there is some interst because nostalgic as their children toy,buy not at all x mass produced.I also take these from lack of buyers outside on the few new western sets done by SW and Austin till now versus any others.
Beside any one producing western set have to think in sets that sale reapeated per.
How many cowboys in same pose collectors will buy?
Wile Napoleonic ,AWI ,ACW,and any war that required massive battle formation need several same set to feel ranks or scenes.If medieval ,ancient,others,same.
Even WW one you can use many in same pose and WW 2 least 4 of same in many cases.
So by example,a cowboys set has 16 figures in 8 poses.
One set will be enough to do any scene,other way much.
So maker will sale about one set per buyer wile in.most other battle sets will sale 3 to 4 least per buyer.
I do.not see western neither profit or good massive sale choice.Is like to do gangster set.
My thoughts.
When you go into any store that carries bagged figures, what do you see? Copies of Airfix Cowboys and Indians and TimMee copied generic WW 2 green army men.
That’s what sells in America.
That is what lots of Americans buy. Not just the few toy collectors, but the great unwashed masses of kids picking up a toy. Never have I seen Naps or anything else mentioned here on sale at the 7-11.
Not that these figures would ever be for sale at 7-11, but that it where casual interest lies. You can’t make money just on toy collectors. There’s just not enough of them.
So, you need an old standby.
Just my opinion.
I will start this with this first.
I love western and like then, my view and following is not a matter of denied popularity not disrespect others view but clear my point .
Neither I want it start as any argument as is my point base in numbers and view please.
When you go to those stores ;that most are dollar stores or small retailer change as not even (Walmart ,Target,BL K MART, others that do not sale many now, every year less)
You do not See any of what our hobby new producers does., Neither in any big suppliers.
BMC try many years ago and fail.
BMC try with non western and very US historical popular sets, they did not sale well ,nothing sale any more like old time, those times are gone in today children toy mentality.
Children do not buy historical toys and barely cowboys. I worked and still does x retail, I bought bulk as supplier x Dollar general ,Wal mart ,Kmart ,TRU ,Family dollar, Yankee dollar,MCQ , and many others. The sale inventory in those mention was seen by me in monthly report I have to review analyze and take back to meeting to either look x else or pass to other vendor/buyers agency.
Pure trash percent SALES ,barely sale ,not profit with a lot losses(mean OLMD) PACKS
Kids today buy all BUT typical toy soldiers of our like.
Western films today are almost nothing and poor advertise done, games are barely of western and many x all other historical and not historical wars.
Europeans firms such MARS as well -ACURATE,HAT,AIP,ITALERI,ACTA,ESCI,WATERLLO,PEGASUS Are targeting first the kit/collectible stores hobby that carry kits and else line, then hobby “toy soldier” stores business that many had united and marge carry also kits and HO lines.
Those are the store that carry then and those stores barely carry and sale western .Those before mentioned had never produce any western and sale a lot ,their HO sets line are of almost non western.
Neither KITS maker made western, not the 30-40 mm gamers line.
US firm IMEX,AIP cheap line never went western and sold x over many years in US as well abroad.
CTS,BARZSO,CONTE never went western/cowboys-wonder why? IF US bases how come knowing western should sale so good never did one set??..But only generic Indians for regular war sets.
Airfix did one set out how many!?
Matchbox none.
EXF will not even touched it x sure. They know what to sale more because are not targeting children ,neither old generation nostalgic or collectors, they want money fast with things that had sold in past 25-30 years fast and good.
VIet Nam is a not touched war, will be a good heat x sure as not done in 1.32 a lot or barely .Plus was a long war that ironical brought down the era of war toy soldiers and war playset.
Korea is less known and much short, still bloody but not done in 1.32 either.
Afghanistan soviet conflict is only Russian ,but MARS is from Ukraine, former part of soviet and all afghans warriors could well be sold for any US else conflict ,so their sets are very welcome and actual.
Again the three conflicts above are wars.
Western is not a war thematic , was an era of wilder guns, SHOOT OUT and chase/fights with many legends and folklore that is part of US history but do not need a lot of figures to represent one scene, so amount of sets sales could be reduced easy. And great conversion as that of Andy could be done to resolve the lack of many needs.
Many of above western sets I see described by some are literally passive poses or civilians, a company making toy soldiers and historical figures would not waste a penny on it.I do not see it.
School todays are literally forbidden TO put any cowboys and Indian scene in any school project to avoid any problems. This may had prompt to lack of interest in kids a lot.
Today parent buy these cheap Chinese wasted copies x kids to play one day and discard after, they buy as party feelers to give away many times too.
I can take any children today walk in to stores show the cowboys pack and show action figures star wars pack , ask what they want and I bet 99% will said(Action figures) Because is the fury ,is today market, advertised toy and painted) is what they crave x.
I do not get me wrong I collect western a lot and my collection cover from al over the world as well, but trust me, one pose exact, not more.
I been realist and the examples before plus said a lot.
TSSD.AUSTIN and SW had done sets, yes ,not the most sellers ;still are been bought but not in large quantities per set. SW Mexican sold more than cowboys, strange enough the reason is Mexican could well be used x Pancho Villa and US action, Mexican revolution and some x Alamo else plus of course western.(again Wars-battles scenes) that required a lot repeated figures and Mexican are great x that.
Again my point is base in HOW MANY sets you will sale PER buyer in scenario way need/want of a collector.
Are you going to put 4 cowboys all fighting in exact same pose in one scene?-NOT
Can you use 12-20 firing line soldier in any XVI-XIX scene battle? -YES.
Which set will be sale more per?
Conclusion- more set of one generic army set sale more than one set of cowboys.
and lets not forget. Western need a lot building (because WESTERN TOWN ARE A PLUS x western collectors)-that still are hard to come x cheap price around.
You need wagons, stagecoach least too, not many cheap around to get.
I got plenty of all that but after years hunting then, most vintage =$$$
But you can do any battle in any field with out any building around easy, not even trees or carriages, just soldiers in foot and few mounted in many repeated same poses.. More easy.
Still many producer such ITALERI and IMEX had done carriages, limber and cannons x armies.
Do they had done any stagecoach recently!?Wonder way!?
Simple .
How many limber caisson-cannon you need x one battle?
How many stacoacth you need in one scene?
That is why they did not do stagecoach because will sale less per item/set.
When Marx went reissues I wonder why so few western set were reissued and what reissues sets had sold more. Don’t tell me is western because are not.
I had talk many dealers and MARX western few reissues did not sale any where close as others with much more demand PER set.
Few dealers had brought on years the Russian reissues Marx 60 mm western cowboys, Indians and pirates sales. I Spoke to two that told me they sale the pirates and Indian more that cowboys, same w a Russian dealer I know.
Most Buyers buy one western reissue Marx set, but then could buy 6 to 10 reissues Mexican sets as they need build armies.
Again that was my point…
My thoughts.
best regards.
Are you going to put 4 cowboys all fighting in exact same pose in one scene?-NOT
Can you use 12-20 firing line soldier in any XVI-XIX scene battle? -YES.
Which set will be sale more per?
You can say this about any Toy soldier line. Name one that’s not?
You managed to leave out Heralds, Britains, Lone Star, Atlantic, Comansi and a hundred other cowboy makers from Europe.
In the US Ideal, Marx, TimMee, Auburn and dozens of others.
As for new Western figures, what about New Ray, Austin, TSSD and SW.
Take a poll here and see what wins.
Bill, if is a Not a matter of win or not , is matter of facts ,
Mention how many NEW producers had done western sets versus not western sets since 1990.?,I can count the sets with fingers in 26+ years
If you do a poll here I’m sure you can have 20 -50? answer, is that all collectors!?
Please!!!Take things easy …is a point from a person …50 or 100 in a poll do not represent few thousand, neither a fraction of US collectors hobby .
MARS is European and as most European will target then too a lot.
But also I guess you did NOT read well. I’m NOT talking about vintage ,so not point mention all vintage that like I said were produced before(read above other posting) because the popular western era from late 40 till late 60’s of era long gone.
In 70’s western start to shade off from Hollywood and barely few plus many cheap spaghettis made to cinema.
Viet Nam war sunk the war toy eras and then all become most non war x new generation coming till today. Since then western had been neglected to all children,stores,school and even universities with a complete different view complete negative towards cowboys and positive x others…(PLEASE I’M NOT SIDING WITH ANY HERE)
Again do not go off topic if mention or referring of what I said as that is changing my words .
I do refer base in new producers only and MARX REISSUES plus post 70 ‘ few as Airfix.I’m not was talking about vintage or the past -BUT PRESENT ONLY.
My point is base in any making NEW production as MARS from Russia will do if ever continued as far we know ever body start and then back off very quick…
Like I said my observation is not to bring a win or loose argument discussion.
As you just suggest. Sorry I’m not competing with you neither 20 or 40 here .
I’m posting my views with my facts-period.
Now DID you read well above?; The part I mention TSSD,AUSTIN AND SW=Steve Weston from UK ,only European making western from 1990 in long run production as Replican short run had done so too and I’m not talking short run producer here.
I did mention those and sets they had done !?.
So why you said I did not mention then!?
I do not mention Chinese as that are different matters and NR did one set split in 3 plus MODERN rodeos,ww2 and modern Gi’S PLUS FARMERS AND hunters, so is not like they did a lot either.
Because if we go x Chinese new makers then I can mention SUNJADE distributed by supreme that had done 34 different very well done 10 to 12 poses historical sets,NONE ARE COWBOYS SETS, or Hing fat, or many new Chinese made non western and new BLUE BOX modern ,pirates sets and space troopers in Walmart new sets with out any single western new set produced, and SF today sale way more x children I can guarantee and every body knows that.
Again I’M NOT saying they do not sale in our hobby,they do and I had mentioned-READ again my posting.
I’m saying they won’t sale PER- SET -TO- DO- MASS- SALE- X mass producer to approval the need of been done in a fast-recovery business.!!!!!
Western TODAY is not more popular than WW2,MODERN wars, Napoleonic , ACW,AWI, knights or ancients here and in Europe/else
Sorry is not ,others wise from 1990 any from all new companies would had done plenty x sale.
How many new sets had been done in 26 years!!??
AIP along produced with out counting color variation 94 different sets
HAT-63+
ITALERI-18
waterloo-13
I can go on,barzso,cts,bmc.conte,ACTA,IMEX,
how many were western on those above companies???
CONTE did many MOVIES base playset and plan many.Where was Veracruz, stagecoach film, Major Dunde,the 7 …and so on base in so popular movies playset he did or plan???-NONE ever done…
Facts and what has been done speak regardless of your and many love x western.
And again I think you are interpreting me as against, I’m not and I do collect plenty western ,not to bluff and I hate said this but I probably have figures you had never see or will …Again is not my like to mention this way but just to express how much I like western that I had got rare figures to complete my personal likes in the western arena.
Not profit to make one set you will sale one per buyers versus one you could sale 2 to 6 easy per buyers.
I will love to see rail workers,prisoners ,painters, people scare running x WW2 and other eras scenes. Also pilots, mechanics , wounded , taking wash,going to do pee and so on…
Do you think any company in long rung will do it. Not.
That is x short run makers-again the future of this hobby.
They(long run cheap production) have to be realistic about what will sale good fast as they mass produce and that cost.
About your question
You can say this about any Toy soldier line. Name one that’s not?
I do not understand quite your question line.
But if is regarding poses any body could use 40 firing pose x any war line pre WW2 scene versus no more than 2 shooting back cowboys in one diorama.
So if a set has 16 figures cowboys in 8 poses-2 each ,one set is more than enough I bet x most.
Wile x a AWI set with 8 action battle poses 16 figures in 8 poses, you need many cases to do a company of men firing.=More sets sold per set
Point bee -no many sets of cowboys would be sold versus other non western in most cases.
So of course non one would do opposite unless like extra poses x conversion else.
Hope that was your question base off..
See what mars is doing they are heating to new modern wars.
MARS HO set had not done western I think …
So I’m guessing they may probably come with modern US/NATO-UNO FORCES and insurgency with Delta forces, rangers else x actions such Somalia ,Bosnia,iraq wars, Afghanistan else. That will sale as hot dog because gamers love then too.
\
With all respect and in a friendly way…
best regards…
Bill.It is a Not a matter of win or not , is matter of facts .
Mention how many NEW producers had done western sets versus not western sets since 1990.?I can count the sets with fingers in 26+ years
If you do a poll here I’m sure you can have 20 -50? answer, is that all collectors!?
Please!!!Take things easy …is a point from a person …50 or 100 in a poll do not represent few thousand, neither a fraction of US collectors hobby .
MARS is European and as most European will target then too a lot.
But also I guess you did NOT read well. I’m NOT talking about vintage ,so not point mention all vintage that like I said were produced before(read above other posting please) because the popular western era from late 40 till late 60’s of era long gone.
In 70’s western start to shade off from Hollywood and barely few plus many cheap spaghettis made to cinema.
Viet Nam war sunk the war toy era and then all become most non war x new generation coming till today. Since then western had been neglected to all children,stores,school and even universities with a complete different view complete negative towards cowboys and positive x others…(PLEASE I’M NOT SIDING WITH ANY HERE)
Again do not go off topic if mention or referring of what I said as that is changing my words .
I do refer base in new producers only and MARX REISSUES plus post 70 ‘ few as Airfix.I’m not was talking about vintage or the past -BUT PRESENT ONLY.
My point is base in any making NEW production as MARS from Russia will do if ever continued as far we know ever body start and then back off very quick…
Like I said my observation is not to bring a win or loose argument discussion.
As you just suggest. Sorry I’m not competing with you neither 20 or 40 here .
I’m posting my views with my facts-period.
Now DID you read well above?; The part I mention TSSD,AUSTIN AND SW=Steve Weston from UK ,only European making western from 1990 in long run production as Replican short run had done so too !!??.But I’m not talking short run producer here.
I did mention those and sets they had done !?.
So why you said I did not mention then!?
Yes they had done western but as least sets, not a plus, neither the top seler,not will bring much from Europe buyers now.
Neither Gamers.
MARS from Russian target hobby/gamers retailers supplier stores, mars been doing HO x years and that line is very well bough by gamers. MARS as well hat,italeri,waterloo,accurate,arifx,esci made to supply those stores before think in our hobby collector small buyer world.
I do not mention Chinese as that are different matters and NR did one set split in 3 plus MODERN rodeos,ww2 and modern Gi’S PLUS FARMERS AND hunters, so is not like they did a lot eitherwestern along with out doing else.
Because if we go x Chinese new makers then I can mention SUNJADE distributed by supreme that had done 34 different very well done 10 to 12 poses historical sets,NONE ARE COWBOYS SETS, or Hing fat, or many new Chinese made non western and new BLUE BOX modern ,pirates sets and space troopers in Walmart new sets with out any single western new set produced, and SF today sale way more x children I can guarantee and every body knows that.
Again I’M NOT saying they do not sale in our hobby,they do and I had mentioned-READ again my posting please …
I’m saying they won’t sale PER- SET -TO- DO- MASS- SALE- X mass producer to approval the need of been done in a fast-recovery business.!!!!!
Western TODAY is not more popular than WW2,MODERN wars, Napoleonic , ACW,AWI, knights or ancients here and in Europe/else
Sorry is not ,others wise from 1990 any from all new companies would had done plenty x sale.
How many western new sets had been done in 26 years by all companies producing since!!??
AIP along produced with out counting color variation 94 different sets
HAT-63+
ITALERI-18
waterloo-13
I can go on,barzso,cts,bmc.conte,ACTA,IMEX,
how many were western on those above companies???-NONE!!
CONTE did many MOVIES base playset and plan many.Where was Veracruz, stagecoach film, Major Dunde,the 7 …and so on base in so popular movies playset he did or plan???-NONE ever done…
Facts and what has been done speak regardless of your and many love x western.
And again I think you are interpreting me as against, I’m not and I do collect plenty western ,not to bluff and I hate said this but I probably have figures you had never see or will …Again is not my like to mention this way but just to express how much I like western that I had got rare figures to complete my personal likes in the western arena because I know will never bee done again .(talking about non action westen poses as those done by old companies)
Not profit to make one set you will sale one per buyers versus one you could sale 2 to 6 easy per buyers.
I will love to see rail workers,prisoners ,painters, people scare running x WW2 and other eras scenes. Also pilots, mechanics , wounded , taking wash,going to do pee and so on…
Do you think any company in long rung will do it. Not.
That is x short run makers-again the future of this hobby.
They(long run cheap production) have to be realistic about what will sale good fast as they mass produce and that cost.
About your question
You can say this about any Toy soldier line. Name one that’s not?
I do not understand quite your question line.
But if is regarding poses any body could use 40 firing pose x any war line pre WW2 scene versus no more than 2 shooting back cowboys in one diorama.
So if a set has 16 figures cowboys in 8 poses-2 each ,one set is more than enough I bet x most.
Wile x a AWI set with 8 action battle poses 16 figures in 8 poses, you need many cases to do a company of men firing.=More sets will be sold per set of poses designed.
Point be -no many sets of cowboys would be sold versus other non western in most cases.
So of course non one would do opposite unless like extra poses x conversion else.
Hope that was your question base off..
By seen what mars is doing they are heating to new modern wars.
MARS HO set had not done western I think …
So I’m guessing they may probably come with modern US/NATO-UNO FORCES and insurgency with Delta forces, rangers else x actions such Somalia ,Bosnia,iraq wars, Afghanistan else. That will sale as hot dog because gamers love then too and because these wars are actuality and happening now and many from 20s till 50s if collect will be interested as part of their live .
plus cinema w movies as snipers ,BHD ,lone survivors, hyena road ,war , J head 3 parts and so on are popular now and could be exploited….
With all respect and in a friendly way…
best regards…
Bill, I want more Old West or ACW. I have NO INTEREST in Viet Nam, WWII, or any foreign conflicts. I have bought the Italeria Napoleonics supply wagon and converted the soldiers to ACW.
Erwin It’s cool. It’s not a contest. It would be an informalpoll just to see what a small sample of collectors would like. That’s all.
I’m not familiar with MARS. When you said small runs, I thought you were talking runs like Replicants does. To me that’s a small run. A few hundreds sets and that’s it.
Maybe Austin or TSSD will come out with a new western set. No one has ever really done accurate Texas Rangers. Barszo’s look more like Mountain Men to me than Rangers. Both foot and mounted would be fine.
Did Austin and TSSD cowboys sell enough to make money?
On action poses western set I see more logic.Mounted cowboys in shooting poses had not been done much by few who did in new products.
Vintages british line such Britain and Timpo did plenty mounted,so Spanish brands(jecsan along 14 mounted ,reamsa 8.COMANSI 12,PH 8,wile Marx did much less.
I do know why??
Western was in horse as today we are in cars.
So if ever done,mounted should be done as rangers ,texas rangers and bandits.
Tssd so far sold westerns good but should be up to then to said how good and fast they did compare to others.I do not know the deetails.I do not think other themself should know better.
I notice both TSSD and Austin western sets on discounts deal prices by many dealers wile rest of their set,included Cavalry are in regular price on same dealers.
So most be a reason there.!?
Yes short run are as Replicant and and EB ,PL from Russians.
Does are the makers that could go x specific sets and test market better.But they are using non 3D system
Once 3D come I see another problem too.
The plagarism and copies will become a norm and it will create a lot of claims,demands else.Is going to be dirty.
Again .these are my thoughts….
We will have to see…
Best….
I think just about everyone likes Cowboy and Indians. Just look at the number of different companes that have made them over the years or copied figures of other manufacturers. The trouble with Cowboys is they don’t lend themselves to large dioramas. When you think of Cowboy battles you think of OK corral or the Great Northfield Raid, and these scenes didn’t have thousands or even hundreds of combatants. So, while you may like Cowboys and western town scenes or gun battles, you don’t need the same number you would for say Gettysburg or the Alamo. This will hold down their sales.
Ed.Prety much that was my point from begenning …
Yeah I know, I was just being a bit more direct.
ED, indeed
I guess I need your way to write..
some times I write too much. LOL!!
As a 65 year old, my interest in playsets started 60 years ago through Marx playsets which were modeled after popular TV shows which were largely Western themes such as Roy Rogers, Gunsmoke, Rifleman, Wagon Train, Johnny Ringo, etc..
My collecting betrays my nostalgia for these “good old days” and is largely focused around Westerns & ACW. Had it not been for Marx playsets, I doubt I would have ever had a current interest in toy soldiers, which I view as more of a European interest. I wonder how long the current toy soldier renaissance will last as we Baby Boomers fade away?? I don’t really see any modern cultural influence that would inspire modern kids to pursue playset and toy soldier collecting. The playsets that fascinated me as a child seem to have given way to electronic games for todays kids.
I’m seeing “the hobby” as something reserved to our generation & with fleeting longevity. So, companies interested in profits, will probably not dive in to large scale toy soldier production as a business plan. Small runs of figures for a very limited market would possibly be the wise norm. Have never gone to OTSN, and probably never will, but I picture the age of average attendee as 50 plus. Would be interested if someone had an accurate figure on this. Probably not many posters on this site are under 50?? I enjoy my collecting, converting, and displaying immensely; my kids in their 30s are amused by my eccentricities & think it all a bit odd, but harmless!! 🙂
Andy…
There is a generation after you and many of you.
We are following…
There are still plenty as me and we will try it alive…
But I see it as a transition w other in the long way…
Not the millions needed to make the hobby flourishing & profitable. At best, it’s a labor of love for the few remaining manufacturers who will never make much money.
I’m 200% a playset & toy soldier nut, but realistically it’s a small and shrinking niche market. I get the impression that companies who manufacture high quality plastic toy soldiers struggle to break even.
In the 45 to 70 mm scale range There only few thousand in US and Europe.
Stadistic are taken from 6 main forums and dealers.
Main making barrely made after 5 years producin,to survive the become sellers of many pthers brands to.help w investment.Other ask x collectors help.
Most who start are gone or stop soon…..
Most european makers target kit hobby stores following Airfix tradition,not the toy soldier specific hobby and stores.
Most stores toy soldiers brick stores have to carry many non toy soldier related to survive.
Example.Hobby Bunker and Michigan THAT carry kits,book,militaria,paint,cars,trains,train building and accessory plus much more..
Gamers had increased as buyers.I had spoken to many and be at gamers convention/shows.
They buy as lot AIP,HAT and few cheap sets line.
But consider TSSD,AUSTIN,LAD and others too expensive to build the large armies they need.
I often get contacted by then to buy bulk quantities of OWN chinese brand I carry at deal price because they like but not at regular price.
Gamers could help to maintain the coollector hobby as they become houl collectors of least new production.
and I agree as I mentioned before
Short run shuld be best option.
It has been proved that take longer to sale sets from a long run production.
Long run shots ussualy required initial batch of 2000 to 3000 sets.Even after 7 to 10 main larger toy soldiers dealers stores buying bulk x resale from maker in most cases take extremely long to recover crom first batch cost.
It force most makers to become sellers of their own production to regular collectors and gamers buyers.
Example of this are AIP , EXFO,TSSD and Austin.
It clearly show that barrely out of all us here and abroad less than 3000 buy that one single set in years of produced.
Even after we know there way more collectors than that.
Of course many things afftect,such personal like x thematic,budget,time,like of figures and actual knowledge of collectors of what is been done.
I’m surprise many do not even.read these forum and know about any magazines.I often get contacted in ebay about figures of new production that I.had sale and I generally direct then to these forums
The toy soldier “market” is frustrating. There are the older collectors reliving the joys of their youth – for many in the US the halcyon days of Marx playsets. There are the wargamers. Then there are the kids – probably fewer than in past decades – but the mass market stuff that does appear in stores does seem to sell. I think the problem today is that we don’t have a good “feeder” system providing kids with high quality toy soldiers that may lead them back to collecting as they age. Way back in the day you had William Britains, then Marx, etc. Today most of the mass market stuff is real junk (thinking of you Dollar Tree!). There are some exceptions and in recent years we have seen pretty decent figures from ToysRUs, Blue Box and Corps Elite. It seems that the “playsets” of the 21st century boy are buckets from these makers, mixing figures with an array of vehicles and accessories. Another problem is the limited range of places to buy toy soldiers. When I was a kid you could get high end imported figures in department stores, Marx etc. in Sears, Wards, J.C.Penney, and then MPC and all kinds of other stuff at places like Woolworths, Kresges and the mom and pops. Now the only places to buy toys in stores are ToysRUs and the big box chains, with bagged junk showing up in the Dollar Trees and Dollar Generals which have wiped out the mom and pop independent stores. You can find a range of stuff at Amazon and online – but that is not where kids shop. I wish there was a way for a sort of “middlebrow” maker like MPC or TimMee/Processed Plastic to crack into the market with decent stuff, maybe opening up selling space for better figures. Blue Box and Elite Corps could be a start, but I’m not sure there is any sticking power there. Blue Box just came and went.
Kids do not play w toy soldiers.
Simple.
Not their toy .not what they crave.
Modern computer game is to animated x unpainted figures.
They like things that move and can be swapped,CHANGE weapons else
This is happen since 80s.
I do not know how any will think children will ever come back to play w toy soldiers.
U give any kid a marx/tssd super nice figure in one hand and other a star war articulated nice new action figure , they discard the marx figure like gum keep other x hours.
Star wars command not painted set were well done.
They did not sold well to kids wile other same time line w action figures kept running all time in stores.
I got reports in my desk.
They got big losses.They end line and been sold clerance.They move an increase the action figures and full painted articulated line plus HO painted micro machine line. Both are the top sale line of SW
Now u can still find and second hand retailers such BL that bought from the clerance sale to resale it.
Most Who bough it were adult collectors and few parents x their kids.
Once kid is giving choice, is full articulated,animated,painted action figure their choice.
The lack of history x 30 years plus had also deminished their interest in it.
BMC try-fail
Forces of valor too expensive
21 century-fail million in losses.
New ray-fail
BB Bring soldrers and pirates,fail
WM space sets..not selling -will be done soon
Few big stores carry small selectiom as impulse only.
Nothing more.
Walmart ,target,TRU all said not to carry Sunjade/supreme line,hing fat and all others coming to Amazon and hobby stores.
Why?
They know base in before experince won’t sale fast .
Today retailers expect as new toy to sale very fast .
If an item has two faces 8 deep in shelve,by end of two weeks it should had been almost sold amd replenished.
Once it do not happen in a 6 month period a plan to change x other and eliminate is immediately implemented by program from telexon(smart replineshed system)
It will inmediatelly create new space x new item.
A pipe line of buyers are waiting to feel those spaces…
99% have all but toy soldiers as sugested product x retail business at corporal level where all is desided.
It will not happen.
I had tireless mention it here before…
We are lucky the space is given to few new as impulse once a wile.
Toy soldiers are x collectors and gamers ,been like that x years since late 70’s
I agree. The kind of figures we liked are not what kids like these days. I like to imagine I would be different, but I probably would not. Part of it is that our toy soldiers required us to use our imaginations to set them up, set up the ground with blocks, sand, whatever. Nowadays most kids are not willing to do that when toys that realistically play for themselves with the push of some buttons are available. Schleich still carries on with their 90 MM -plus size figures, but only with fantasy lines. They are 6-8$ each so that is quite steep.
I am afraid that , just as most of us were not interested in the paper or card figures of the 1920s to 40s, kids these days are unlikely to play with plastic (especially unpainted) figures.
One thing that does make a difference is if they get some help in knowing how to play with plastic figures. Several kids in my neighborhood come over a few times / month to have battles that we set up with castles, forts, tanks, wagons, etc. They love it because they have learned to have the figures talk, negotiate, double cross, etc. before the final battles. The whole event: set up to last guys dead, takes about 2.5 hours and they are engaged the whole time.
But most kids never get that sort of support at the beginning. We just figured it out when we were kids with no TV or tech games. Maybe they should not need it, but they do. I am sure when they go home, it is back to the tech games. However, all have asked for actual toy soldiers/cowboys/knights/whatever from me, and get them in one form or another.
It will never be the same as when we were kids.
Danier, Apologies,
my typing went complete screw off.
it cut several words and spelling wrong plus a part that said other. as come off phone and made errors.
No mean contrary and I agree in your points many of then.
But…
I just do not see toy soldiers ever come to children after being so much bombarded with else x 30 plus years and modern IPD, games, tablets else.
Children today by statistic expend 20-30% least playing in screen games, not with actual toys.
Unless u feel stores with toy soldiers and erase all rest from shelves, given then buy or nothing you won’t push it back.
Few before fail and children look x what TV,media,tablets video advertise to then every two minutes, x the movies of the moments ,none historical.
If are x fantasy and sf movies of today ,they will look for animated action figures and electronic noise/voices toys.
Even MacDonald give way meals kids toys are action painted full animated toys.Not old style toys x last 35/40 years;that is what they see and get just too since day one born.
Is a lost war ..
This is our hobby and will be till is gone.
That is why is call toy soldiers collector hobby-as x collectors only…
children do not collect or barely.
Many of us loss the toys we got as children (not my case) and because of that become attractive to recollect all that back plus any else new, as we grow we become more historical accurate and want recreated what as children we wish but we could as not enough…
I guess most children of today will collect tablets and smart phone when become 50s and 60s in the way they go unfortunately.
My thoughts.
with respect..
best regards..
I don’t deal with metal collectors much because they are the evil empire, however at OTSN I have noticed they have many more younger followers than the plastic faction. The have old guys too, in fact their older guys seem older than us plastic guys. I do drink beers with the metal guys at OTSN after hours, last year one of the owners of First Legion came out and joined us for beers, he couldn’t have been any older than his mid 30’s, he was very much into it too. There are some younger plastic guys, not a huge amount, but there are some.
I had notice it to, from late 20s till 40’s in around here..
May be because metal line are painted and in many cases more detailed.?
They see them as more statues-décor than toy soldier may be!!??
I have some metal. What attracts me is the variety & detail. Honestly have enough of shooting poses and firing lines. Getting ready to buy a Black Hawk chuck wagon and maybe some figures from their cowboy series. Would prefer plastic, but it’s not there.
I admire the detail and paint of most new produced metal,pewter ,lead figures.
But still x my personal flavor I do not like then at all ,once are in my hand ,they give me a bad sensation.
I’m so just to plastic that will never buy those.
But I recon their quality and value.
I only have my old childhood few lead flats, the BB mix plastic lead 65 mm figures and few in fantasy line…
Those are collectible.
I collect x rarity and also for play battles
two separated different lines in my choices when getting figures.
I had depleted and neglected the last productions in western because focused in old vintage finding around world and I know those new will last x long around.
Also because I collect all Eras my budget restrain per month a lot. Is not easy been so insane like me. I wish I do not like all, but I guess I’m addicted now.LOL!!
Western because I have so many old vintage from Europe mounted is not lack x me in firing poses mounted, but x those who had not many of those rare vintage from abroad and only US made plus few European old reissues such DULCOP,ATLANTIC,BRITAIN and few others
I think mounted firing poses will help increase the western line.
Now I notice too a lack of western buildings.
Wonder if foam makers could use it to do western buildings!?
I know wood are made and thin litho image copy in wood too.
But what about plastic or foam 3D image full building.
For those w new option,either playmobil expensives or resent mentioned by me Chinese mad are only see around.
Rest are the vintages with exception of COMANSI a brought here in 90’s x resale and took me almost 10 years sale all by the way. Of course I blame in internet not available back then plus my lack time and connection with shows…
I still got the way to bring those and Jecsan 9 buildings back as reissued, but will not as require long run batch production and I know is not fast profit…
so may be in future or who knows.
I own a large amount of former DDR east Germany western building and are very well done, one day I will post it if chance and admin permit…
best…
Just to throw in my two cents worth on both metal and boys playing with soldiers, here goes.
First, metal, I collect both metal and plastic. I try to stick with a few themes, but then I see something else new or neat or different, and I buy it. Most of the plastic figures I acquire with the intention of painting (yeah, right, one of these days). Anyhow, one theme that I’ve been pretty faithful to is marching bands or musicians. Not a lot in plastic, so I’ve got a lot of metal bands. Also, I cast a lot of metal figures (when time allows); as long as I have a source of lead or pot metal, I can cast a lot cheaper than I can buy metal or most plastic figures. So, what’s the big deal, we collect the kind we like. Some of the metal vs plastic arguments I’ve heard remind me of the split between bait fishermen and fly fishermen. Heck, you are both catching fish, respect each others’ methods and stop the silly complaints. (If any of you are serious fishermen, you know that argument will never end.)
As to boys playing or not playing with soldiers, yup, there are a lot fewer nowadays. I know I’ve done my part. My son played with quite a few, metal and plastic, as a child. I also took a page out of Ron Ruddell’s playbook. Ron once told me he used to give tours of his store to Cub Scouts and every boy left with a soldier. I’ve painted up both metal and plastic figures as gifts for my son, my son’s friends, family members, and others. I can’t say that any one of them became a voracious toy soldier kid, but, like Ron, I hope I planted a seed in a few young minds.
Things are different today, as everyone notes above. The toy soldier selections in the dollar stores are disappointing to say the least when compared to what the five and dimes and department stores carried in the days of our youth. And, toy soldiers don’t move, but video games do (or at least are animated). Will we see a return of the multiple manufacturers of days gone by? No more than we’ll see Woolworth’s, McCrory’s, and the other five and dimes that stocked those figures. Best we can hope for is that the remaining quality manufacturers stay in business and the old heads like us strike the spark in a few little boys. Am I dreaming? Maybe, but my son, now 27 and not yet a dad, has told me that he’s keeping his soldiers for his little boy — whenever he may come along. I suspect that some day, some of my collection may end up in the hands of grandchildren (just please, not the expensive metal musicians).
Oh, and by the way, when my daughter was young, she also requested some painted figures (metal and plastic), a few of which she still has.
So, there was my two cents. Hope I didn’t insult or bore anyone.
Erwin, Austin Miniatures offers quite a few impressive formtec-type foam Western town buildings. TSSD offers not only several Western buildings in the same material, but also an entire Western town streetfront.
Both websites have nice photos up. Both companies introduced their Western buildings at OTSN over the past 2 – 3 years, and still offer them, quite often in both painted and unpainted versions.
Thank You so much x update Don, not aware at all of it!!??
So I take back my inquired before as seen are being made…
Now after thanks you I look at TSSD and…
I notice they are quite expensive too ,and lack windows door detail more like most have not windows at all, so very not appropriated for a real western town unless abandon and burn down and many are not wood typical but stone/brick more like the European or large cities developed buildings.
The street front with out windows look very odd to me !!
So in price and depiction are way not appropriated x western realism x me.
Unless TSSD had done others I do no see in their site.
Now Austin site show their lane that are very well done and true western building with better window detail else. But their prices are scary.
small single house x $80.00!?
I can get least two Britain x that easy, or two Timpo,or two Jecsan vintage as well included shipping right now .
If want build a 10 building small section town it will be $800.00!????
I can get 4 Marx western town front tin litho for much less than that too.
I think foam is too expensive x those working on it, I had never inquired but prices on it looks very off to me.
Now that may me think to bring back COMANSI and JECSAN as prices would be much less than those definitely , back in the day I sold the single x 12.00 or 10.00 each and tall doubles x 15.00 or 20.00 ,carriage and stagecoach x $20.00 ;of course that was 1995-2001 and few last later in 2003.
Any how I appreciate the info as I was not aware they were making those out.
I never but foam products ,no even old terrain as prices and most could be done easy. So I miss these in my look definitely.
May be is only me?
My thoughts…
Best…
I thought I would like to give my opinion, (and perhaps an English perspective), of why many of our generation are enamoured with toy soldiers and future generations are not.
1. TV and Film. Our family TV in the early 50’s had only one channel. When I was 6 or 7 this doubled to 2 and stayed that way throughout my childhood. If you were watching TV there was very little choice and we were fed a diet of countless TV Westerns, Robin Hood, William Tell, Ivanhoe, Richard the Lionheart, Long John Silver, The Buccaneers etc, etc, I could go on and on. Local cinemas showed one feature film a week (backed up with a B movie), and one of them would often be an action movie. What great movies they were for us kids. Zulu, El Cid, Spartacus, Ben Hur and The Vikings to name a but a few. Some of the B movies were Westerns or other action movies (I particularly remember Siege of the Saxons). All of this exposure gave me a love of history and a desire to recreate what I had seen and felt. What better way than Toy Soldiers. Modern kids have hundreds of TV channels to choose from along with Multiplex cinemas showing countless movies every week. When my grandchildren visit me, if they watch TV it is a diet of weird cartoons and Disney channel series full of shouting kids. If I try to show my 10 year old grandson any of my favourite action films, he shows no interest at all. Most of the time my grandkids are on their tablets, computers or mobile phones.
2. Education. Linked to the lack of exposure to historically based TV and Films is the poor historical knowledge of most modern kids. When I was 50 I had to make a career change. I went to university and took a degree in History with a view to becoming a teacher. I was really disappointed in the lack of military history courses on offer at my University. When I did my dissertation, in my final year, I wanted to do something on The Battle of Waterloo but was told I could not do it as they could not find one tutor with sufficient knowledge to be my mentor. Luckily someone was found at the last minute who was doing some research in another department. It seems that warfare and conquest is not PC anymore and we must not upset anyone by talking about past conflicts. I did do one short course, (10 weeks), on the American West. The whole focus of the course was on the ‘New Western Historians’, who basically believe that the whole of the history of the American West is a myth invented by ‘Dime Comics’ and Hollywood. All the tutor kept banging on about was what a bad deal Women, Mexicans, Native Americans and Black Americans had in the telling of this part of history.
I graduated and for the last 11 years of my working life I taught History to 11-16 year olds in a local school. (I retired 1 year ago). I was shocked at the lack of basic historical knowledge of most of the kids. Most had no concept of chronological order. I remember one student asking if the Romans came before the First World War!! I taught one topic comparing the differences between various Native American tribes. Not one student, (12-13 year olds), could give the name of a tribe. When teaching WW1 nobody knew what a trench was. When I went to school much of the History I was taught was about the past glories of our nation and how little Britain carved out a massive empire. What I was teaching was the opposite, and we were apologising for our past mistakes. I am not saying which is right, but just pointing out how this may affect a child’s interest in wanting to recreate the past with toy soldiers. Many children today if they saw a toy soldier Cowboy, Indian, Roman or Knight would not even know what they were.
3. The times we lived in. I was born in 1951, six years after the end of WW2. My Dad was in the army from 1939 to 1945. Most of my friends fathers were ex servicemen and were our heroes. We wanted to recreate their achievements. My Dad was in the Eighth army during the North Africa campaign. When Timpo brought out their fantastic Eighth Army range I can remember my Mum buying them for me, a few at a time, until I had the complete set. (Including Monty my Dad’s hero).
Life seemed so much simpler then. Whether it was TV, Film or our family it was goodies V baddies and against all the odds the goodies won. We wanted to be part of these stories and luckily there were plenty of toy soldier manufacturers to pander to our needs.
And all you said is true and is happening here x long as I mention before.
Apologist had added to ignorance and anti history views as well.
Even at university advertising career today when you go try find one in history they Look to your face and tell you.
Why you want to be historian?.Who read and talk about that today.?
They offer instead a new way of teach revised wrong history under social and cultural that are a mix of politics with geography and light touched general had story.
Pure trash.
That is today new humanity.new generation.
Zombies computers tech students….
Erwin, as a history major myself, I can assure you that the history taught “today” is not “wrong history”, nor is it “pure trash”.
Rather, it is a more inclusive history which examines the lives of not just the dominating elements of society, but also examines the lives of everyone else, i.e., women, the poor, people of color, slaves, immigrants, native Americans, religious minorities, etc.
The stories of all these disparate elements of society constitutes “history” just as surely as does the traditional emphasis upon a political narrative of wars and conquests.
And most actual historians today would agree that a more comprehensive examination of ALL the elements of society is a truer, more correct reading of history than the somewhat shallow, superficial “history” which simply dealt with wars and high-level political machinations of kings, emperors, popes, etc.
While someone may not like the political implications of this, it actually is a better reflection of what society used to really be like, in actual unvarnished fact, rather than the sanitized version depicted in 1950s television shows.
Don, for me is pure trash in all .Sorry
I have a bachelor too in history as well ,but not arguing in it, neither discussing it here as not my like ,neither the forum for…
Is my opinion and my observation in what I read in those trash book given to children at entry level what deform the true mean of history. Very biased and political indulged,directed to one side and not impartial. Full of false miss information with a misleading message and distorting the true wile trying change history every 10 years with new twisted ideas named as”” discovered””. No only here in USA.
Around the world in most places is as well.
Is my opinion base in what I read, see and had study x years.
No 10 teachers, professor will tell me I’m wrong and they are correct.
Because is matter of what you believe what is told as is told or do your own research and find how much lies and discrepancies are in what is told.
However I respect your opinion and observation and I’m glad you believe the contrary to me plus wish you good luck.
Me the opposite.
My thoughts..
Best regards..
Another history major chiming in here. Too many people judge the past from the perspective of the present and, bingo, we get revisionist history. Is it wrong to overlook that Andy Jackson sent blankets contaminated with small pox to the Indians or Thomas Jefferson owned slaves? Of course it is, but to somehow belittle the work of great people in the past because they did something or believed in something that is frowned upon today is just plain wrong. My greatest concern with revisionist history is that it is partisan to a large extent. Demonize the founding fathers for owning slaves, but overlook the methods the native Americans (or American Indians for those of us born before the Age of Aquarius) used to hunt buffalo on the plains before the horse. Ever read about how they would set the prairie on fire and drive entire herds, sometimes thousands of buffalo, over a cliff. The result was the death of way more buffalo than the tribe could use. Sure, generations later professional hunters nearly wiped out the buffalo taking only hides and tongues, but was there really a difference?
There are many other examples I could cite, but I don’t want to take up too much space or bore anyone to tears (especially since I’m really getting away from our primary interest; toy soldiers). I just have to agree with those who have expressed their discontent with the way history is currently being taught. However, I support everyone’s right to their own opinion.
http://news.nationalpost.com/full-comment/barbara-kay-how-progressives-perverted-the-study-of-history
Don, as a historian, (or anyone else who might know) I’m hoping you’ll know – wasn’t there a famous ACW general who rode a mule?? Or am I thinking of the wrong war?
Regretfully, Andy, I have never heard of such, either in the ACW or any other war. Which doesn’t mean, of course, that it didn’t occur somewhere, sometime, someplace.
But I’ve read so many ACW books, that I’m sure I would have encountered such an usual Civil War fact, but I never have.
However, having just googled “general who rode a mule”, Wiki indicates that during his post-Civil War campaign against Geronomo, General George Crook (who was also in the Civil War) rode a mule he named “Apache” on some of his desert Apache-hunting expeditions.
That’s him!!!!! Thanks. It wouldn’t come up for me because I was looking for “CIVIL WAR”. This finally dissipates any vestige of doubt that you are a GENIUS! (or at least proves you found George Crook! :)..
http://www.art.com/products/p9784692579-sa-i5564983/american-photographer-general-george-crook-on-a-mule-with-two-apache-in-arizona-1882.htm
History much like the daily news can be pretty much portrayed based on someone else’s view or agenda. History is obviously a vast subject and someone picks and chooses what is taught to others and from their perspective usually. While much of it is fact based, it can be twisted to someone’s agenda when they are lecturing or writing about the event. It is up to the person being taught or lectured to go on a fact finding mission if they are interested in another perspective. Of course many people are not really motivated to do so and accept what is portrayed to them as the true facts. While certain aspects are true facts and can’t be disputed how a fact is presented can be spun to support someone’s opinion. I find that most people won’t do their own research and often just rely on what is told to them or what they have read. LIke they often say history is written by the winners, but I’m sure the losers also have a perspective of that very same history and what they teach if they choose to teach it at all can be very different.
Read the book GUNS, GERMS & STEEL by Jared Diamond explains how and why civilizations arose and perished.
Just my two cents. Getting back to the original thread Kent started about Mars, Kent can you pass this along?, I would love to see them or somebody else do a “Camerron” set of figures: 1862 FFLin Mexico vs. Mexican Regulars and irregulars, one of the most famous Last Stands in history that nobody else has done in plastic ( I believe some metal figures came out about 15 years ago?)
Mike K
Mexican figures made in Mexico are made for this war/battle action.
in two version set 10 and 13 poses,but in 90 mm scale unfortunately.
I sale then -brand AMEX.
one lot set option is here.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/FRENCH-AND-MEXICAN-SOLDIERS-SET-PLASTIC-LOOK-NEW-/322241125347?ssPageName=STRK:MESE:IT
Battle of Cameron was a small but bloody battle of French intervention war in Mexico.
a Venerated example of valor and courage by early units of FFL .
It could be easy google in internet.
I guess x now in 1.32 is use Suavos from ACW and some union ACW with French kepi x FFL as they had the old uniforms.
For Mexican the best are the 8 poses 60 mm Mexican Marx and any civilian Mexica from western ,barzso,alamo set as well SW Mexican too.
Just some thoughts.
Till some do the units that will probably best if made for Franco Prussian war as I do not think this war in Mexico matter too much x profit in those making figures.
Even Mexico celebrate the date and offer salutes to the remain of FFL soldiers monument dedicated by governments of Mexico and France made years later after battle.
My thoughts.
best…
How do they make a guy in plastic with a wooden hand?
Next I suppose you’ll want a set for the Battle of Kief’s Reef.
Ed.
You will do the conversion I bet…
They will problaby make one with swivel swapped hand!?
Yeah I do not see that specific set done.
But they can do some generics french x the war
May be one day..who knows!
The officer remaing me of starshiptroopers officer w robotic hand.
Yeah I could carve one out of a Popsicle stick. Make it a plug in hand.
Kief’s Reef is a bar restaurant about a mile from Mikes house, he may get the connection. The again, maybe not.
I added a picture of your Lone Star Robin Hood & Norman siege crew to my Lone Star page. thanks kent
I lost at the Battle of Kief’s reef, too many Dews. But hey, as long as we’re on the subject, how about someone making Seminole War figures. Some of the tribes were never beaten by the US Army, Nobody has ever done this particular Indian Wars period.
You ever think why?
The three Seminoles war ended in complete defeat and reduction of Indian/free blacks lands and displacement,most Indian died of hunger and massacres, else than in action.The wars last from 1816-1856 and cover a mix period of other non Seminoles action of other tribes and free black slaves rebellion from former Spanish Florida colony to new US gob.
Seminoles never archive any important large victory ageist any US regular army force and 90% of action were fought by regular mix militia formed in part by other states,indiands allied ,meztisos,free slaves of former Florida Spaniard colony and Spanish /American settlers. Most action were very small and casualties recorded for three wars from 1816 -1858 do not account to more than 200 us militia and soldiers death in only three (“main battles”) ,plus 2000 wounded and sick x all 3 wars.
It was very like Pontiac rebellion wars with minor action and guerrillas action with burning of houses, farms and tribes small settlements in both sides.
They never were unbeaten but rather (some OF Indian and black Seminoles small bands war party-were never captured and neutralized as hiding and running all time every time the US gob send any punitive force. That is not been unbeaten that is been not captured as any bandits would be.
I’m not calling Indian bandits please!!.
Most of their leaders were killed or died and others surrender and forced to resettle three times to end in the tip of Florida today in everglades alligator infested water.
I think the war is interesting as well could be any minor Indian wars early in the mid/north coast from late XVII century to early 1770s .
Barzso cover parts of tribes of the era with limited run sets/mold figures-resin. Again x long run mold shots is not a main interest war ,neither too important x many collectors in my opinion. Makers would not do any profit of it either.
The war of Creek War was more short with 3 main battles and more casualties in much short time. Still as the war of 1812-1815 that was much more important I think there not a lot collectors interested in it.
My thoughts.
Best regards..
Erwin
For lack of a better place to post this:
1. TSSD’s website is up with a photo of the first building of it’s new Vietnam War Playset. It’s a pretty neat piece, completely capturing the flavor of old Saigon or the ancient city of Hue.
2. The Chicago Toy Soldier Show website is up with it’s current dealers for the 2016 Show this month. It’s an impressive list.
Hey I’m listed this year,
Glad to hear that TSSD has a photo it is always fun looking for it.
Note that other room mentioned on TSSD’s site is our room, so, visit often spend much.
And if you go to Tree Frog Treasures’ forum under “General Plastics”, and then to the Barzso subcategory, Jim Clouse has posted photos of Ron’s amazing new medieval tower (“Duke’s Stronghold”), which Ron will unveil in Chicago. It’s a piece worthy of Conte’s “Warlord Tower” in scale, but even more artistic in its design.
The advent of all this Formtec stuff — the castles, forts, trench systems, and other field fortifications and defensive positions — has given us today what we could only dream about when we were playing with our toy soldiers in the 50s and 60s.
Talking about Formtec. Does any one here is interested in entire WW1 trench long complete piece?
I have it as I do not like and Formtec I had sold most of few I got and giveaway one.
Will post it x sale on eBay soon..
The Mars Gi’s are been x sale already in Russia direct from two eBay dealers not ebayers dealers as well.