CTS Remade Arabs and Foreign Legion Comparison, we have had a number people comment on the size of these two figures. The people were concerned that the Foreign Legion were smaller than the Arabs. Jim McGough of CTS sent us two photos to show the two different figures side by side.
CTS Remade Arabs and Foreign Legion Comparison The Figures
Jim seeing the concerns replied. I guess pictures can be deceptive, the Legionnaire is actually slightly taller than the Arab. They are both I’d say 57mm.As for sales, they continue to be brisk. The figures have sold out in various colors on the Arabs, restocked them and sold out again. We have more restock on the way.
We thank Jim for this update. Jim also mention they have some other new figure projects in this format coming soon. Jim will lets you know once they are a done deal.
Let us know what your reaction Here is part of Don Perkin’s comment.
As someone who has ordered and received a total of 8 sets of Arabs, as well as 4 sets of Legionnaires. I don’t find myself agreeing with some of the comments.
The new remake Legionnaires are the absolute equivalents of the earlier remake Arabs. Both of them being slightly less than one quarter inch shorter than the original Marx figures. The figures are in the same plastic, and having the same level of detail.
Regardless of what some may see from the photos, the buttons and facial features on these new FFL remakes are readily visible on the actual figures. In approximately 99% in the same detail as the Marx originals. Maybe just slightly less distinct, but really only to the same extent as details of the Marx Heritage waxy figures appear to be slightly less crisp than the details of flat-finish originals.
Thank you admin and CTS for pass update.
Ok one figure pic ,just give me one pose,(was expecting a full set pose compere ), but I see now that level camera and not eye view as previews photo show more accuracy in scale with Arab least in that standing pose.So so far the scales are match with Arabs recast. So good for those in same series…
About detail, sorry that clear over mold in leg and blurry image is off detail-again.
I will not talk more base in a picture but will base in Arabs.
I brought the Arabs and sold then x good but I admit when first post here with my pictures and I clear mentioned they are close in about 85/90%,not 99% unless you do not see it.
I know what it is the difference and few versus detail I observed right away , the rifle mold end short versus vintage , the aim and bolt in rifles is gone in Arabs, the ammo pouches had not buttons. Some figures have a big in hole in belly defective from mold/cast, the foot are over mold with excess, the fingers line are gone and in some the face are barely detailed at all versus original. It is easy to see with out magnifying.
I understand the great luck to have this figures but is better be honest that too enthusiastic and give to each their own.
My thoughts.
best…
Erwin, you’re generally fair and broad-minded in your evaluations, but I think here you are being way too critical.
The Arab remakes which came out were just great — in detail, scale, color-choice, and type of plastic. They filled a real need, since the original Marx had become prohibitively expensive, if you wanted to actually set up a battle scene with multiple figures.
I think when you actually get your hands on the new FFL, made by the same manufacturer as the Arabs, you will see that the Legionnaires are equally as good in all the same categories — detail, scale, choice of colors, and type of plastic.
Both sets are really identical in quality, and nobody who orders them is going to be disappointed.
Im sure those or most as I do like speak x all are happt with the products received.
It nothing as to be too critical.
When been critical you have to be partial and honest.
Is matter of saying the true.True should not hurt but
Give opurtunity to be best or better.
The plastic used should had be better if different.
The sculpting andcoping detail may had increase w it.
Because I decide not carry same as others I was not interstedin imply it.However I offer the idea to producer and it was taken in consideration with the possibility of increasing products cost.
Would they continue w CTS on others copies as I was informed,hope they do it.
My thoughts.
Best…
I should add that when I hold an actual FFL figure received from CTS up to the computer screen, it’s apparent that the sheen on the blue plastic in the photo combined with the lighting from the camera really do have the effect of obscuring a great deal of the figure’s detail.
When you examine one of the actual figures, every button, every fold in the uniform and the havelock, every line in the faces from the originals —- all that stuff is present in the the new CTS remakes.
I just don’t find anything to criticize about them.
And to hark back to Andy’s comment about the initial “frenzy” over these figures somewhat subsiding: I personally really was in a frenzy when these figures first started being rumored. Now that they have actually appeared, and I’ve been able to order them, and they have arrived — and I’ve got 12 sets of them in my possession — my “frenzy” has subsided somewhat, and I’m now much calmer.
With the countdown to my arrival in OTSN now just 9 days away, I expect to remain calm until about the time I pull into the Hyatt-Regency parking lot, and become slightly “frenzied” again as I make my way from the parking lot up to 4th and 5th floors.
If the manufacturer knew they would be readily available, I question the eBay tactic of “rationing” them & driving bidding up to $100 a set. Kind of mercenary & abusive toward collectors upon whom they depend to support them in the long run. Has greed advanced or harmed the hobby in general?
Andy,they made few as a test first.
Then after US Dealers offer big lot purchases they were redone.
The first seller was not maker.He just happen to pick up few x sale and listed…he may be surprised too how high they went.
Andy
The figures pop up in an auction. People went wild on bidding. I realized if there was one there would be more sets done.
I wonder what other figures are in the works between CTS & the (I assume) Mexican manufacturer? Should prove to be interesting. Also wonder, has the influx of recast FFL Arabs lowered the cost of original Marx Arabs at all yet? Or will it?
Andy.
The new recast in my opinion had lowered the price in vintages.
I had noticed several sales in ebay and see arabs in good to great condition go from 10 to 15 max in ebay,,,least in few ebay sales I follow.
At shows may be different ….
Andy
Here are to ends sales bid ,not buy now correct listed under vintage toys with correct titles.
FFL vintage big lot end extremely low in my opinion.
Wile Arabs went x a low price of $109.28 plus $6.00 approx. on 7 figures that made around 16.00 per figures ; in my opinion is far lower that usually sale price .
Right now there several individual listed single arabs poses in great condition as buy now from 20.00 to 25.00 each and two for $10.00.FFL are actually listed lower too.
So far and I have search more before at eBay the price had been lowered and I believe amount of vintage sale increased given more choices to buyers to bid x a limit and not much high, so this and the new recast in both sets in my opinion on eBay least had lowered the price. Again are few samples but if continued as that may be affecting the prices generally too.
I s just my observation and research .
http://www.ebay.com/itm/322236169578?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT
http://www.ebay.com/itm/322254876121
Curious regarding missing poses of FFL and Arabs. Is the mold unavailable or damaged or were the poses just not run. Also, can we see a comparison picture of the FFL and mounted arabs with Conte’s FFL and arabs . How does these recast/reissue/remade mounted Arabs compare to the ones previously redone a few years ago.
The molds were last seen in Hong Kong. Since then nothing has pop out as the company is very hard to deal with. The reissue Arab is a different pose. It was found by Nick Argento of Glencoe Models. It was purchased from American Plastics. It a reject pose for some reason.
Eddie.
Are yo referring to the apparently rare revised mounted pose with rifle!? .
If is that pose it was reissued in 90’s but no one knows for certain is was revised or part of stared Marx new mold reworked Or else.
Who found and how was reissued is up to Stads to explain as not my detail in this part-sorry.
Marx Arabs and FFL original mold had never been reissued, the molds either went to HK-RADO Marx factory and from there gone or went in other direction.
The Mexican made are a complete new mold downscaled base in same 7 original poses of Arabs and now 8 only out of original 11 FFL original poses .
I will do as many pictures with all possible match(included CONTE) and will summit to admin if he can post it x all to see or if not will send direct to you later tonight or by tomorrow end of day if is ok with you.
I wouldn’t think the price of vintage would go down. People that are going to buy the vintage are going to buy them to round out a vintage set or add to their vintage set. I don’t think those people would buy the remades for that purpose, I see the people that would buy the remades more along the lines of people that don’t want to pay the vintage prices but want Marx FFL and Arabs regardless if they are remades or not. I don’t think the price of the play set will go down at all because of the remades, Of course, I ‘ve been wrong before, but I could be mistaken.
Oh no not on playset. I agree Playset value will stay same, least x now ,I was mentioning base in few sales on eBay only I been follow and noticed price low per figures(Arabs) .I can post or pass links of actuals or finished sales I saved .
At shows is a complete different view and because shows are exclusive it is hard to determine. As Don mention before he got a deal out of a lot of them, But individual poses will most probably state the same. I do not go to shows as many of you guys go. So I will not speak x it.
It is in eBay only I’m taking my observation. I had follow eBay sales and yes they were very low. But again is my observation only and had noticed that vintage figures in eBay individual sale x less than shows in many cases with decreasing price per year.
I could wrong in general but least on those I had sold, follow or bid/buy.
Best..
What’s the texture of the plastic? Soft and flexible or hard and brittle? Judging from the bend in the Arab’s rifle, they look soft, but it’s hard to tell because those glossy figures have a tendency to be brittle in my experience. Is it the same kind of plastic for both Arabs and Legionnaires?
Arabs are hard plastic but not brittle.I post some pictures were show it could be bended ,not too much when first released. .
Plastic is very alike the same used in cherilea ,lone star afgans and charben reissues in 90s.
The Arabs and Legion are both made of the same type of plastic — what I would call “stiff semi-soft”.
But the figures are definitely not brittle. I find them nearly indestructible. You could put them all in a bag, shake them up violently, and you would not have a single broken sword, knife, or rifle tip. The are actually less breakable than the original Marx Cpt. Gallant were, which sometimes seemed to have weak connecting points on the Arab’s knife, the mounted FFL’s sword, and the tip of the rifle barrel on the FFL standing firing. Also, on the original Marx figures, the bills on the Legionnaire hats would sometimes become mashed flat, or at least partially flattened. You will find none of these types of problems on the CTS versions.
One thing I have noticed about Marx figures which CTS reworks and then re-releases: CTS always makes improvements on their Marx reworks: the Civil War caisson/limber with horse harnesses, the Marx covered wagons, and the Marx galloping cavalry horse were all released in an improved version that eliminated some weakness in the original design.
Jim McGough, the co-founder of CTS, was always acknowledged within the hobby as one of the foremost authorities on Marx Playsets, and I think this was his doing to always release things in a high quality plastic, with whatever other improvements could be made. You really won’t find CTS releasing anything that’s shoddy or inferior.
I think they are a worthwhile purchase. I wish all the poses were redone, but this is sure a nice start. I don’t really do FFL Vs. Arabs, but FFL for use in WWII North Africa fighting is something I recently put together. OK, on average they appear to be 57mm. I can live with that. I need to measure the Timpo guys I got and see how they stack up. I seem to think they are a bit under 54mm. Can anybody verify? It’ll bother me until I get home this weekend. I’m holding off on buying to ensure they will work together decently. Another thing – seems AIP does not do FFL in tan or brown? I only looked at 2 vendors and they only had them in blue.
Looked on the CTS site – AIP in Khaki. Now I’m extra tempted.
The great thing about what CTS has been doing by bringing out copies or new versions (whichever one prefers) of old Marx poses and accessories is not only are they improving inherent weaknesses in the old designs (as previously noted – I for one like the fact the Confederate standing firing pose is actually aiming at something other than the ground and that maybe the officer’s sword and flagpole on the flag bearer might make it farther longer than the originals) but also making it possible to do things such as convert and paint “Marx” figures to go with their more recent companions. I don’t know about you all but I have a real problem painting one of my forty or fifty year old figures – much less cutting one up. Not so many reservations with the new issues. Thank you CTS.
What, you mean you hesitate to cut up those Johnny Ringo’s? Not me, I think I’ll have Rusty film me converting a mint Johnny Ringo this year at OTSN. Heck, it’s only money.
LOL Ed – but I wouldn’t put it past you if you got REALLY inspired for a super pose…
Yep, then sell it for $5.00. I majored in Economics.
At least you’d sell them. I’d be like one of the guys in the old Yellow Pages TV commercials who owned a toy store but refused to sell anything because they were HIS toys!