BIG UPLOAD, Lots of New Toys! (April 8)

                                                                SANSON TOY PLANE

Decided to augment my modest airforce with a worthy restoration project. 

Picked up this bi-plane in an auction for £8.50 delivered. It is a Rico S.A. (Sanson) toy, made in Spain during the 1970s? Rico concentrated on pressed steel and plastic combinations. I don't think historical accuracy played heavily on their minds, but their products are colourful and a pleasure to handle. This toy claims to be a French WW1 Breguet, which was a fighter-bomber in WW1. Actually, the company manufactured several very different aircraft using the same fuselage, and merely altered the wing layout, number of engines, and slight extras. Because of this, the scale varies, this model looks fine with 54mm.

I wish I could report that this 'universal' method of design protected them from cheap far-eastern imports, but it didn't. The company ceased trading in 1986, after seventy years of toy production. It appears to me, collectors of Sansom are mainly found in Spain and France. My intention is to link this aircraft with my c.1900 French army, comprising mainly old lead toy soldiers.

My toy is missing a tail fin, rear wheel, a heavy machine gun, six bombs, and some propeller blades...... this will be fun! Worked on the project yesterday........ just got the HMG to complete.

Plasticard sorted the missing tail fin.

                                                                         SANDBAGS

I normally leave my terrain items with a matt finish but I spotted a photo of sandbags given the gloss treatment. I liked it, and decided to do the same with a darker wash.

the inspiration

MONOGRAM TOY SOLDIERS 

Regular visitors will be aware that I recently acquired 104 WW2 American figures for only £12.70 delivered. With this unit sorted, only some seven remain in my spares box.

Here is the 1st Marine Raiders Battalion, also known as Edson's Raiders. For distinction, I have given this unit their 'Fall' uniform. Actually, it is the lining to their green camouflaged jacket and trousers (P42 and P44 issues). The plan was for the lining to be worn during beach landings, particularly in the Pacific. It was not popular, and rarely used as the intention was always to push beyond the landing zone as quickly as possible. But the uniform is distinctive, and will help me manage tabletop wargames. (The metal mortar was a kind gift from Paul Watson.)

And here are the three USMC infantry battalions using 1/35 scale Monogram figures. Not shown is a unit of scout-snipers, and the First Engineer Battalion (USMC).

The Fall camouflage (lining).

Here is a photo of USMC Raiders, wearing the bright green camouflage. Must acknowledge the enormous levels of courage and determination that was required to capture so many Japanese fortified islands.

A useful timeline to aid further research into the Pacific War is available at THE HISTORY PLACE

https://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/pacificwar/timeline.htm

PETROL STATION-GARAGE EXTRAS

A new project has recently arisen. Have decided to construct a petrol station/garage for my small collection of 54mm die-cast vehicles. Have seen some rather splendid tin-plate examples dating back to the 1950s, or earlier. To help me capture the early atmosphere, I picked up a few petrol pumps from the Collectables Shop. The three items cost £8. Just can't decide whether to paint-strip as they still have about 50% of the original, would welcome opinions!

RAILWAY SACK TRUCK

Very pleased to have purchased a sack truck for my restored Britains Railway Porter. It cost £7, which seems a lot, but they often sell for much more..... had to have it!

WW2 MOTOR TORPEDO BOAT

Clearing an off-cut of mahogany wood, decided to construct a WW2 small naval vessel. Although loosely inspired by American PT boats, this model must be 54mm friendly, and suitable for service with the Royal Navy, and the German Navy. Pleased to find that the shark mouth was popular with both the British and American MTBs, and I found one example of a German minesweeper adopting it too. Still to add a pair of torpedo tubes but only one is presently fabricated and I prefer to paint and fix them at the same time. 

American PT Boat

Some Royal Navy MTBs

A BAG OF TOY SOLDIERS HAS ARRIVED

This is something that arrived today. Picked it up on eBay for £9. Now I must admit, the figures are nearly all broken, and those Cowboys and Indians don't have the value other periods have acquired. However, I suspect about one third will still prove useful. And, the six 1970s Britains Fences is what really caught my eye. 

Above, interesting rider, Sheriff of Nottingham?

I must use those broken FFL figures somehow!

Above, Cowboys or Ruritanian militia?

I can always use kneeling-seated figures.

Well, not sure about these.

I am sure about these, only the Guards horse has value to me.

And here are the six Britains fences.... all in good condition.

MGB

REPLIES TO COMMENTS

Hello MJT, a lot of projects and purchases suddenly appeared, and rather than uploading each and every day, thought I better get it all up in one go before I forget something, lol. Have just sorted out 27 soldiers/horses/bits that are unlikely to serve any purpose, but the remainder are giving me some interesting restorations. Sort of reminds me of the 'Box that Keeps on Giving'. I want to see if the cowboys can be made to look more European c.1860. 

Hi Donnie, I'm tempted to agree with you. I have seen some Britains petrol pumps, the exact same as mine, and they are in a much better condition, about 80% original paint. I know some would just paint the areas that are bare metal but I fear they would just end up cratered, and a mess. The original paintwork was never great but it was bright, clean, and shiny..... what I have now has none of this. By the way, they did two others, red for Esso, and orange for National Benzole Mixture. 

Thanks Brad. I was fairly happy keeping them as they are but when I saw originals in near perfect condition, also with their hoses, I realised mine are really only 40% complete, and I am forfeiting the wonderful colour of the originals which will add so much to the potential petrol station. I will wait a while, but probably drift towards paint stripping. I am going to fabricate some hoses for certain.

Thank you, Brian. There is something slightly Spanish about him. I initially thought of Robin Hood figures or French musketeers, but your suggestion makes more sense with the modern hussar riding boots. I will probably paint him as a medieval, I don't war-game renaissance in 54mm. 

Thanks for the support, Quinn. Have started clearing the box of broken plastic. I don't like too many projects left around. Can confirm thirty-six have been used mainly for spare limbs, etc or just dumped. Another twenty eight have been successfully repaired and largely painted. Assuming the fences are worth £1 each, the new additions only cost £3 including postage, and the remaining sixteen unpainted will also find service...... my frugal values are well pleased, lol.