SPECIAL THANKS. I would like to thank Paul Watson for his sponsorship of several lead figure collections on this blog. Having decided to clear his spare/surplus figures, he generously forwarded them on with no other requirement than they deserved to be restored. I would also like to mention George S. Mills, who kindly furnished a quantity of plastic figures which allowed me to complete another five or six military units, serving in several collections.

Monday 25 March 2024

MORE PROJECTS PAINTED and Old Corgi Toys

SPANISH Home-Made MORTAR

Decided to clear some bits and pieces by constructing an 1880-1914 type mortar-howitzer. I'm quite pleased with the result and decided to add it to my small collection of converted Spanish, the crew are Marine Artillery. 

Spanish 1885 model

✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰ PART TWO ✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰✰

More Americans are Completed

7th NAVAL BEACH BATTALION

On the D-Day landings there were units styled 'naval beach battalions'. They appear to have been formed to assist in coordinating the landing of men and supplies, They are also referred to as 'Shore Parties', 'Joint Assault Signal Companies' or Amphibious Corps Signal Battalions'. 

These units appeared in army or navy uniforms, or a mixture. Have noted some units painted a grey band round their helmets, but others just painted red unit numbers.

Here are some 1/32 figures in Coveralls, which is confirmed. Some time back I repaired a Starlux bazooka figure. As I now have a surplus of bazooka figures, decided to convert this figure into a signalman using a 'Blinker Tube'.


 'Blinker Tube'

US NAVAL CREW and CORGI DIECAST RADAR

Painted up some more of the figures in coveralls (I still don't know who made them) to complete a small crew for a modest naval gunboat, or a landing craft. Strictly, they should have two shirt breast pockets, and no patch pockets on the denims. I decided not to alter these figures, let the paintwork do the job.

The Radar is a 1957-61 Corgi toy, listed as No 353 Decca Airfield Radar. It is missing a small antenna but 'DIECAST RECOVERIES' can supply replacements! Picked up the Radar for £5 (originally £6) from the collectables shop.

121st ENGINEER COMBAT BATTALION (Normandy)

Recruited this unit from a mixture of 1/35 scale figures. Some were missing weaponry so decided to construct some extra equipment indicating they are engineers. Some plastic sprue was used to make the Bangalore Bangers.

MILITARY POLICE (AIRBORNE) and a STAFF OFFICER

Many US military units had their own police that could be identified by the armband and 'MP' on their helmet. The helmet also included a painted band usually in white, but some surviving helmets use bands in yellow or red (confused?). This odd figure (don't know the make) will be serving with my Airfix Airborne unit, its a similar size.

CORGI JEEPS ENTER SERVICE

Have completed the two Corgi 1/36 scale jeeps, constructed a M2 50cal HMG, and painted the crews..... not bad for £5 in total.


140th INFANTRY REGIMENT
These old lead figures were painted some time ago, but I have now added a figure to command, and a bazooka team. The 140th was stationed on the American West Coast during WW2. 
MGB
★★★★★★★★★★ REPLIES TO COMMENTS ★★★★★★★★★★
Hello Brad,  I had to make it a good run to clear several tabletops. It is too easy to drift...  and I am back to wall plasterwork soon. Yes, the blinker gun is a nice way to utilise a surplus figure, an easy job with miliput. The Corgi jeeps have turned out quite nicely, was a bit concerned if the 50cal HMG would be a strong model..... but it is securely drilled into the die cast using a steel rod, and my gaming does not need it to swing round. 

Hi Q, It has been a successful week, and another marine battalion got sorted on Monday. Good luck with your Australian Toy Fair..... best wishes to our brothers and sisters in the southern hemisphere.

Thank you Donnie, I don't mind admitting, had all the newly completed stuff on the table and it was a morale boost to see it all completed! Problem is, can't lay out the gaming table at the moment, but might be able to fight some skirmish games soon! 

Hello MJT, I feel the same about that Corgi Radar, I saw it in his shop for £6.... on the second visit I said yes, and I love it. I don't want to paint strip as it still has 60% original. But I will get a replacement antenna, but it will cost another £5. It deserves it!!!!

Sunday 17 March 2024

THE AMERICANS HAVE ARRIVED (Painted and Ready)

Have launched into a painting campaign to clear the 104 figures that recently arrived. Can confirm 79 painted and based in twelve days, US uniforms are rather quick to paint. Here we go!

3RD MARINE REGIMENT

These Monogram figures have been painted wearing Frog Skin camouflage uniforms. This was an early attempt to provide something more suitable for active service. It wasn't successful. In Europe the P42 camouflage jackets caused friendly fire due to the similarity to German camouflages, and was abandoned. In the Pacific the later P44 jackets were found to be too bright for the terrain and was replaced by the plain somber green uniforms, although the helmet cover did prove useful and popular. Still, no problems identifying the 3rd MR, that used it in the Pacific. It also explains the bold green used on Deetail toy soldiers, it was their compromise for the two late war uniforms used by the Americans.

SCOUT-SNIPERS
This is a copy from the previous post, but it is part of the painting campaign, so will include it here. Scout-Snipers (that was their title) were formed in the Pacific, being the best marksmen. Later on, they were often selected to initiate island landings, or even attached to intelligence gathering expeditions. For game purposes I will add a dice point for shooting, and deduct another on those firing at them. And a perfect reason to use those prone figures!

6TH NAVAL CONSTRUCTION BATTALION

Seabees were formed in 1942 as a method to recognise the military status of those employed making pontoons, harbours, and airfields. Attached to the Navy but often serving with the US Marines, they were trained to also use small arms, and found themselves occasionally assisting the infantry. Interestingly, in a largely segregated army, blacks and whites could be recruited. (Would have recognised this, but the toy figures looked very Caucasoid!)

There were 151 Seabee battalions, and a further 39 Special battalions in WW2. US military designations are very, very confusing, it appears those described as 'Special' or 'Stevedore' were able dock workers.

Here is my tabletop unit representing Seabees. Using some open-handed figures in shirts, I have given them a mixed naval/army uniform to provide easy distinction. The pale blue band round the helmet is correct. I have seen others that are wearing standard green marine uniforms in the Pacific.

This unit comprises my restored Bulldozer and a small Lone Star jeep, both having gained drivers, and four figures on foot.


US MARINE CORPS FIRST ENGINEER BATTALION (Previously called Pioneers)

Using more Monogram figures to form this unit, it comprises flame throwers, mine detectors, and a bazooka team. This unit served in the Pacific.



MAKING SUPPORT WEAPONS

The large box of figures were missing most of their support weapons, went to work constructing some of my own.


1ST MARINE REGIMENT

Here is the 1st MR wearing their late war uniform in the Pacific. My American battalions are typically eight figures with small arms, two more operating a HMG, two operating a bazooka, and two operating a mortar. It seems to look ok.

Not all are new, three old lead figures were drafted, including the officer.
Late war M43 uniform

By the way, the American armed forces are a very complex subject. Almost every commander took it upon himself to form new units, that used several titles, or even changed them, and were subsequently used in a different manner to what was intended. And titles did not infer a numerical strength. I found it very confusing! 

Concerning the USMC. There were three battalions of 'Para Marines', but never served as parachutists, they became elite landing troops (confused?) There were also 'Marine Defense Battalions' for coastal and airfield defence service but subsequently used in landings. There were four 'Marine Raider Battalions' that were reclassified as elite light infantry units, such as Edson's and Carlsons. I suspect Merrill's Marauders might also be linked to this 'Raider' designation, but they operated like real partisans...... think of Roger's Rangers! And a load more of specialist units or semi-independent sub-units.

M3 HALF-TRACK

I finally got around to raising a crew for this nice model. I also found a report that some vehicles without anti-tank weaponry were given a bazooka, which makes sense! It will be attached to a jeep and listed as the 10th Armoured Infantry Battalion, which served in Europe.

MGB
REPLIES TO COMMENTS

Thanks Donnie, with so many house projects it would have been all too easy to leave the figures in their box. I had to be resolute and use any spare moments to clear this project. Presently, there is only two jeeps to  restore, a battalion of fourteen, and a handful of odd figures. Nearly there! Yes, the model deserved to have some designated crew.... finally!

Thank you, Brad. My fear was the unpainted horde would just hang about due to other commitments, but I have cleared the bulk of them now. And to think I was only looking for a few cheap figures to drive some jeeps.etc. Today, have done the shopping, some fruit bush planting, and have started preparing the evening meal...... but I intend to complete the Naval Beach Battalion too, seven figures strong! 

Cheers MJT. Making the support weapons is a bit fiddly but buying a box of 1/35 weapons could be another £10. Also, the 1/35 scale HMG are too easy to break if you handle them in wargames, so prefer my steel rod barrels. Yes, when I saw the old broken bulldozer in the collectables shop I thought it would be a useful item for the US collection..... I am quite pleased with the Seabee battalion, it adds interest to any pacific scenarios.

Thank you, Quinn, I guess this has furnished me with an American army to operate in the Pacific..... but it was never planned. Just couldn't resist that bargain auction, all I wanted were some suitable figures to drive a few vehicles, lol.

Monday 11 March 2024

Auction, MONOGRAM TOY SOLDIERS, and more

A VERY USEFUL AUCTION!

Keen to furnish some American WW2 crews for a handful of vehicles in my collection, I spotted these on eBay. 

One hundred and four hard plastic figures with a starting bid of £8, plus £4.70 postage. I immediately did some research and discovered that most of them were from boxes of Monogram PM35-98 'Fabulous GIs', in 1/35 scale. while a dozen or so were Tamiya and Esci figures. There was also ten that were 1/32 scale, make unknown. Decided to bid, and was the only bidder!

Here they are, some of which still need to be identified. (I could use some help here!) These figures were even painted quite nicely, but the colours were somewhat off. First job was to classify and number what had arrived..... I was only seeking a handful of drivers for fun projects!!!!!!

Four bazooka teams, two loading spares.
Six more joined bazooka teams, nice figures, what make???
Monogram support figures, two spare MG loaders.
Monogram infantry and radio operators.
These are 1/32 scale, hard plastic, two not shown. But what is the make, are they artillery crew, navy???
These are mainly Tamiya and Esci, many in shirts, no jackets.
Some very useful seated figures from the Monogram personnel carrier, and a few prone.
And finally, tank drivers and mortar teams.

In the late 1960s I had a handful of toy soldiers that were marked 'Made in Hong Kong', of very soft dark green plastic. They were small, and had a fair amount of flash. I now know they were inferior copies of Monogram. 

★★★★★★★★★★★★★PART TWO★★★★★★★★★★★★★

In a previous post I had converted and repainted a broken Corgi jeep, which was officially scaled 1/36. It required some work but for £2 it was not to be mocked. Well, have just picked up another two for £5, and have decided to paint-strip my first, again, to complete a pair of American jeeps. (And the Monogram figures fit perfectly.) I'll leave the third jeep as it's in good condition, shame to alter it.


Restoration work on the figures has started, twenty-two soldiers needing some repairs. The problem with 1/35 figures is that the weaponry is two thin and fragile to survive rough handling. A tricky job, I removed many of the broken gun barrels and replaced them with steel rods. Milliput restored some bazooka rockets. I really am enjoying this project, and have begun to structure how the 104 soldiers are going to be used, lots of interesting units.
With my surplus of American bazooka teams I decided to draft one to my small collection of Starlux post-WW2 French infantry. These are the first to be painted and based. Have sought to reproduce the Starlux camouflage paintwork.

Couldn't resist painting up some more. Here is a unit of Scout-Snipers. These were formed in the Pacific War, being the best marksmen. Later on, they often were selected to initiate island landings, or even attached to intelligence gathering expeditions. For game purposes I will add a dice point for shooting, and deduct another if fired upon. And a perfect reason to use those prone figures!

MGB
COMMENTS 
As previously, will reply to any post comments here, updating this post as and when. Cheers.

Hi MJT. I was looking at getting a box of Tamiya figures and then converting them to seated drivers. But they would have cost about £7 for six figures? Spotted these and placed a bid. I think I like the fact they are cheap, and damaged, I can do my own thing with them. Have taken a break from house projects to clear these figures, and I am making some real headway! I also took care to do some real research before using the paintbrush, I want to recruit some interesting and useful units.

Cheers Donnie, I know the Monogram figures were sold during the 70s, and reproduced during the 80s, so it is possible the others have some date to them too. I'm not claiming the 1/32 figures are anything great but I would like to know their portrayal before I start working on them.

Thanks Brad. I mentioned to a family member that it was among my top five bargains picked up in auctions. Those Starlux were part of a batch that cost about £9, and included 20 French figures, that is also among the top five bargains. The postWW2 French uniform was essentially the same as the American infantry, they even used Frog Skin camouflage in the Indo-Chinese War, but it is represented here in a very strange way, lol.

Monday 4 March 2024

BRITAINS 1979 CATALOGUE and SHOP PRICES

Out of blue came this 1979 Britains catalogue, a gift from George S. Mills. He rightly thought it would have some nostalgic value for me, being a child of the 70s. And it included a shop price list, which I also found rather interesting. Thought I would upload some photos for the interest of others, one of my Britains West Point cadets gave a helping hand in securing the pages. (Thanks George, now that really was a surprise gift!)

MGB

Some farming ideas for MJT....
Didn't expect to still see the WW1 Siege Gun!
Froude and Hext Toyshop closed in 2021, after trading for ninety years. Here is a link to an article about the family business, and their first shop. https://swindonlink.com/news/model-shop-closes/ 
Shop Prices in 1979
ANY COMMENTS
Please note, as with the previous post, I will seek to reply to any comments here, by updating with my replies , I can still do that! Cheers for now. 
Thanks MJT, it was a trip down memory lane to view the figures just as W. Britains had sought to originally promote them!

Thanks Donnie, for me it is very much a time capsule. Toy shops in the seventies were dark dungeons full of proper toy soldiers, Airfix kits, and the like........ magical. And the catalogue brought it back.

Yes George, that gift hit the mark, I actually keep it with my DVD collection, a fair number of which, as you know, are also linked to earlier decades, lol. Just finished watching King Richard and the Crusaders, 1954. with George Sanders, Rex Harrison, Robert Douglas. 

Hi Tony, to be honest, the quality of toys has so declined, I wouldn't want their catalogues, it's the same with what I view, got rid of my TV license and receiver eight years ago.... but my viewing has vastly improved!
 
Hello Brad, it's the same in the UK. Supermarkets were built out of town leading to the decline of the high street, others just picked off the Christmas trade, followed by demographic changes reducing the toy market. There were other reasons too but I won't describe any of them as progress. Something that added so much to the better toy shops were the glass cabinets, showing Airfix models made up and painted. When I lived in London I used to visit the Harrow model shop......... it was a very special place, and still well remembered by many in the UK. Apparently, Stuart Asquith used to work there on weekends, and painted many of the models on show, some of which are still surviving and I can remember seeing.