CTS Marine Figure Update, we noted back in June that CTS was doing marines for the Korean War. We have gotten an update from Jim McGough on what is going on and I would like to share it with you.
CTS Marine Figure Update The Information
Here is what Jim Mcgough wrote to me.
Hi Paul
Finally, I can officially announce that Classic Toy Soldier’s new Korean War Marines are about to land! It has been a long battle. We recently moved all our molds (over 100) from the manufacture we had been with for years in China to Eastcorp who already had 6 of our newer sets like The Korean War Chinese and North Koreans etc. Because of this our annual CTS restock order, which is larger than normal due to the fact that we had trouble the last couple of years with our previous plant, has taken a lot of time. All the molds to be used had to be identified and inspected then quoted on.
There are 8 poses in the Marine set. Unfortunately, due to a computer problem, I don’t have a shot of all the figures so I am sending a photo of the header card. I’d like to give a THANK YOU to Greg Liska for all his help on this set and others in the past. He has been a fountain knowledge and photos whenever I ask.
If no other snag occurs we are expecting delivery by December.
Thanks for your support and that of your internet family.
Regards
Jim Mc Gough
Dave Payne
Tim Mc Gough
Some of the Poses
The header card shows five of the eight poses. All the figures are dressed for the winter campaign.
The five poses are as follows:
- Standing firing bazooka
- Advancing with bayonet rifle
- Kneeling firing rifle
- Standing with bayonet rifle at the waist. rifle pointing down
- Kneeling looking down.
Update Here is the other poses
an officer standing firing pistol and holding carbine in the other hand
standing pulling ammo out of belt to load the rifle
standing firing rifle
YAY !!! Been waiting years for these figures. Now maybe someone will make US Cavalry Indian War troopers in Winter uniform.
These are going to be great. The Korean War line desperately needed expanding (I’d still like to see more sets in the future). I’m a little disappointed about the bazooka pose though. I’d rather see a guy with a BAR, Grease Gun, or 30 cal (any of the above). The others are all awesome though.
I am checking on the other poses.
The M3 grease gun was not that common. Especially among marines. Tankers had them. Some Army REMGs got them. There was a real disdain for the M1 carbine it didn’t get the job done at range. The bazooka pose is not a common one. Making it different but not plausible. Agreed more figures please. I am a veteran Navy Corpsman. I served 10 years in the FMF. Though much later than this time period. I knew many Korean war vets. My comments come from direct conversations with them.
I’m happy x it ,long expected ,they will with some paint and adaptation be use in some as late WW2 as well if like .
Best
These look really good, and will fill out the existing troops nicely. Other than the fellow firing the M20 Bazooka, they look usable for WW2 winter combat, too.
The header card illustration is intriguing, I wonder if those might be US-equipped Turks, or French Union troops.
AH now I don’t want to upset all you Yanks out there LOL, but I’d bet the picture on the header bag shows the TURKS in Korea or maybe GREEKS but whatever I’ll be buying them now how about the Commonwealth Division figures eh.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Turkish_Brigade Same picture but reversed.
I do not think the WW2 Army long overcoat did have front lower pockets,this was the later post WW2 model used in Korean war specifically .that is why i suggest to be paint,sand over if want use as WW2.But I could wrong as not research in it .The many photos of 1944/45 winter war i see show then without .
I like to know if others poses will come with more proper Korean war era winter clothing such M-1951 Parka.It looks like the kneeling pose has alike one .
Regardless it is a very welcome news of one of last standing US-China made producer here in our Hobby .
my thoughts
I believe LOD uses Eastcorp Toys for their sets.
These guys look fantastic. Hope there will be another set or two of the Marines as while I am thankful for them, 8 poses are not enough.
These guys look fantastic. Hope there will be another set or two of the Marines as while I am thankful for them, 8 poses are not enough. A 30cal. mg team would be great.
I’m going to use mine for Ardannes!!!! A always felt that TSSD’s 4 poses of Great-Coat Americans was a weak number of poses!
They look great will go well with ww2 as well. Will getting four sets of them when they come out as said by Rich Fisher would love to see winter cavalry with the fur hats on like in the film Cheyenne autumn. Its a shame TSSD only did winter civil war figures and not cavalry.
Looks like only minor surgery will be involved in converting some to WW2 winter GIs. As stated above, SMGs were not commonly seen in Korea but BARs and M1 rifles were plentiful. Lots of carbines in Korea, but many GIs and Marines didn’t think they had enough stopping power (the carbine was designed as a close personal defense weapon, not an infantry rifle!). Definitely would be nice to see a .30 cal air-cooled MG team in winter gear!
3 missing poses?!
Here are the other three poses
an officer standing firing pistol-holding carbine in the other hand
standing pulling ammo out of belt to load the rifle
standing firing rifle
PHOTOS of ALL 8 POSES PLEASE?
Why do we need two loading poses -standing and kneeling? Why do companies insist upon making novelty poses -the man with the blanket around his shoulder? Theirs so much wrong with these figure it’s hard to know where to start.Evan the header card is wrong.Why not stick to “standard” poses.Standing/kneeling firing,grenadier,advancing,BAR gunner prone or kneeling,nco/officer ,prone rifleman?And what are they wearing it doesn’t look like the parkas the marines wore at Chosin.All in all quit disappointing.
FWIW-These figures remind me more of the soldiers in”Fixed Bayonets” than the Parka clad Marines at Chosen. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0043540/?ref_=nm_flmg_act_103
They also remind of soldiers in the film” BattleGround” with James Whitmore very realistic.
Surprised there was not a flamethrower figure or radio man or wounded figure maybe one with a grease gun also a machine gun team or stretcher team or even a mortar team maybe these could be done in a set 2.
* PRONE FIRING
* FIRING MG FROM WAIST
* MORTOR TEAM
* FIRING 50 cal MG
* MARCHING WITH RIFLE SLUNG
I think if every company stuck with the same basic poses it would be very boring indeed. The occasional “novelty” or special pose livens up a scenario. I love the Marx Marines because of some of their great poses like the guy reloading his M-1. I know you may not want dozens of them but I don’t know a way around it.
I remember many years ago sitting on the floor with my kid brothers and their 1/32 Airfix World War 2 guys I’d sent them when I was stationed in Germany. Most Airfix sets had seven basic poses (of course there were exceptions like the German and US Paras and Ghurkas to name some). I realized I could almost have set them up in formal lines like Napoleonic troops and except for the uniforms they would have worked. Even though I still believe Airfix figures are some of the most beautifully sculpted of their time some of the glow left for me.
Again, it’s a matter of personal taste, but I like the occasional “specialty pose.” When you think of it, how many bazookas did a platoon have? LMGs? Radio operators? Just my two cents (or two bits).
I do like the fact the guys can do double-duty as Marines or GIs. I also think if you put these poses in with the TSSD figures and what else is out there the special poses won’t stand out as bad. Perhaps that was the intent?
I agree in 8 poses x today standard non typical poses are more welcome in my like.The typical had been cover too often.And as Wayne say unless large set 12 /14 poses as Airfix Gurkas,paras ,alpine it can not not be covered.
I like the poses and figures they have a great choice in my preferences.
My thoughts
these look great
cts is still chugging along with lod and expeditionary force thank goodness
I will use these awesome guys for the Ardennes. Tssd are ok not enough long coats.
I Classic toy soldiers has plans to make more tanks like a M24 Chaffee, M4A3E8 Sherman and M26 Pershing? If they do that would be awesome!
Classic Toy Soldiers I hope you make some more Tanks like M4A3E8 Sherman, M26 Pershing And the IS-2
On EBay there is a seller called 3D Printer Chick. They offer many Tanks and other vehicles sized to your scale. They may have what you are looking for.
I doubt much they will do any more after so many years making none .