February 2026 Odds Ends Updates: This time, I have several things to cover. First, I have more photos of Mars Polish Lancers. Next, I have a photo of Plastic Platoon Chinese Communists. I know the passing of Craig Dawson, a collectibles dealer in my area.
February 2026 Odds Ends Mars Polish Lancer
Mars has released images of two more of their dismounted Polish Lancers. The first one is a lancer advancing with a BAR.
The second figure is a Lancer running with a rifle pointing down. I believe they will be doing these figures in 3D. We will keep you posted.
Plastic Platoon Chinese Communists
Plastic Platoon is showing a future set of Chinese Communist Army figures. The set has seven figures in action poses.
I have two complaints. The first one I am going beat my friend Brian to. I do not like some of the bases the figures are on. My second complaint is the presence of a female sniper. As noted by Erwin in my post on Engineer Basevitch’s “Korean War 1950-53. The army of the DPRK.” the women were used in non-combat poses.
Craig Dawson Has Passed Away
Craig Dawson died from complications of back surgery. He was a dealer in mainly Japanese Anime and character toys, but he did carry various plastic figures over the years. In fact, the last time I saw him, we talked about a Marx Battleground playset he had for sale. I passed on it as I had enough of the pieces in stock. At the time we talked, Craig told me he enjoyed reading my blog.
Craig was one of the last of the first-generation toy dealers. Craig, like others help create the hobby we have now. Back when he started, there were very few, if any, toy shows. Craig did a lot and will be missed.
RE:The bases, you took the words right out of my mouth,I don’t know why they keep doing bases like that they know I don’t like them,LOL,That is NK Flag so think they are N Koreans not Chicoms.
You may be right on they are North Koreans.
I find it ironic that the 3-D computer design process can create such a wide variety of possible figures but producers like PP keep cranking out small sets of extremely dramatic poses – almost always with cookie cutter faces on them.
How about 20 or 30 different poses in the same range so that an actual army could be assembled?
Ha! Have to totally agree with Brian on the bases complaint… The big blobs really limit how someone can utilize the figures.
T.D. is correct, too. How about more non-dramatic battle poses so that a collector can build up a more realistic display with a mass of figures. Soldiers at rest…soldiers in reserve…communications personnel…yes, women , but in non-propaganda roles…
And, as I have posted before– please some 3D printer company, won’tcha scan-in some long-lost classic figures (whose copyright has expired) and print them with your logo on the bottom of the flat base so no one thinks thay are the originals… does anyone else agree? Well, one thing is for ceratin- – we ALL agree: Stad’s is still the original and best site. ’nuff sed.
Hi Gary,
The problem to do non-dramatic poses it has to be done by 3D. Companies like Conte have to do action pose due to the high cost. I like what War horse and others have done with non-action poses. What old figures are you talking Gary.
I agree on all your points. The old figures and accessories one I complained about before. I’m not a copyright expert but what about all the lost molds? The Marx Centennial figures, the U.S. WW2 “medical set”, character figures, some of the “Battlefield” accessories like the pontoon, fallen tree stump, and others, the large(I think 51) tank. For Airfix the Italians, Medieval, Cold War figure sets and all their “Ready Made’ plastic 1/32 Tanks and Vehicles? All those nicely sculpted French serial figures released in Tea in other products. There is a whole list.
Hi Tom,
Some of the figures you like to be done sell for under $5.00 each. Most 3D figures sell for around $7.00 and up. Airfix molds are still in existence and some are to be run this year. It would be better if people did figures that enhance a line new poses for the Airfix medievals.
That’s also a good idea to enhance an old line of say Airfix, Marx, Britains and others. They would have to sculpted in the same style, maybe AI can help with that🤓. Some sets that come to mind are the Britains late 70’s “modern infantry” and the extra 4 poses that were withdrawn soon after release. Since they were on the small side of 1/32 scale I would like to still see the Marx U.S Medical WW2 with 3D you can usually pick the scale 1/32 or 1/30. Same goes with the undersized Airfix Cold War era figures.
Some people are already making 3D-printed copies of several vintage figures and selling them on eBay.
I do not think there will be any legal issues at all with most, it’s just a matter of cost versus demand. 3D printing is not expensive, but high-quality scanners are still very costly, especially when it comes to capturing small details. Many collectors still prefer the old vintage versus the light type resin material used in 3D.
My thoughts.
I wonder about Airfix and their status of the molds. I don’t think the ready made vehicles and tanks have been run in decades. If they do exist, Airfix doesn’t seem interested. These would look great in the BMC catalogue! I heard this year Airfix is doing German Mountain Troops, British Support Troops and Commando’s in 1/32. Better than nothing but playing it safe again considering the large amounts of sets they have in 1/32.
Does anyone know what happened to Kent Sprecher web site
angelfire.com/biz/toysoldierhq ?
Mike,
Kent is having problems with his web host.
The PP Korean war set poses looks like extracted from a sculpture image .
The MARS Polish figures are completed now and offered on FB .
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1DevKcrLz4/