SEARCHLIGHT ON TOY AIRCRAFT, and figure restorations

This post has a strong Aeronautic theme, and a chance for me to assess how part of my toy gaming collection has developed.

In a recent post on Tales from the Toy Room (see website links), Graham Apperley mentioned picking up a rather splendid toy aircraft. He presently believes it could be a 1983 reproduction of an old model made by CBG Mignot of France. For my part, I have on file a fair number of photos of original pre1970 aircraft and thought these might prove of interest.

This first is described as a Gescha, made in Germany during the 1950s.

I don't know who produced this second toy, but what a fun creation.

And here we have a third, described as a GBL R-38, the size is 7" x 10". 

Number four is a French-made toy, possibly a Simon & Rivollet model of a Bleriot XI. I suspect it is made of lead.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6Jft2tjm2o    

And here we have another confirmed as Simon & Rivollet, and a very archaic looking aircraft.

And also number six, another Simon & Rivollet.

This seventh is 60mm by 83mm. Again by S & R.

Number eight is a splendid Italian made 1920s INGAP-PADUA toy. WOW, I think this is my favourite.

Number nine is another fun piece.

Number ten is an American 1929 Katz toy, rather neat!

Number eleven was commissioned by the US company Marx, but I suspect it was made in Japan, that star is Japanese Army!

Some photos here of a Japanese toy. Have now seen two different colours.

Here we have number thirteen. A French toy made by MEMO. I like it!

I'm assuming this is a German made aircraft. No.14

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WORKING ON THOSE OLD PLASTIC FIGURES

(The Plastic Box, part two)

Despite a hefty load of home projects, decided to have a spell painting some toy soldiers. In my previous post I mentioned Brian Carrick had donated a fair number of mainly 1960s toy soldiers. Most of these required repairing, but the potential was high. Here are the first batch.

The Churchill figure was about 70mm tall, with badly chewed legs and base. Here it is reduced to about 56mm and with a longer dress coat. This figure will captain my toy flat iron gunboat.

Brian forwarded four more Robin Hood figures. Here they are repaired and based. One has been converted into a bombard crewman with a Tommy helmet.

I'm rather pleased with this new command base, representing Mantua, Italy. The dwarf is a converted plastic Kelloggs freebie, the medieval lady is a metal home-cast kindly sent by Graham Apperley, I added some milliput to the sleeves and skirt.

Also shown is an old Dulcop Italian-made plastic knight, the serpent engraved shield makes it perfect for my Milanese army.

In my spares box was a treasure chest. I have long thought the Guelph-Ghibelline Wars were less to do with Pope versus Emperor, and more to do with which family secured a particular city's revenue, so this addition seems quite appropriate.

And now for something completely different (as Monty Python would announce). Using some Kelloggs cornflakes freebie bandsmen of the 1970s I'm raising an American Kelloggs marching band. Decided to adopt the US Marine uniform, with some brown bearskins I had on file for a Californian militia unit of the 1870s. My plan is to increase them to twelve figures with a fun flag.

Finally, I was able to repair a civilian farm worker, and recruit a couple of armed British civilians.

SOME METAL ADDITIONS

Have also spent some time restoring a few old lead figures.

Graham Apperley generously sent me two extra Crescent naval ratings, enabling me to complete a German crew of four.

I picked up a Timpo zoo keeper which will work fine as a French gunboat captain. You may have noticed some distinction to the figure bases, I want each of my repro gunboats to have a linked

 crew of four.

And here are three more rural characters.

Visiting the Collectables Shop, Honiton

Popped over to see one of my favourite shops in Devon, and yes, I was pleased to purchase a handful of toy soldiers. Totally unknown to me were these Robin Hood Medieval men-at-arms. They were made by a company called Speedwell. Tempted though I am to repaint these figures, I might just leave them as they are, to furnish some figures for the castle battlements. I would welcome opinions on this point.

And I also picked up a couple of odds, one I remember owning in the 1970s, British soldier at attention, and have long wanted to see it again in my toy soldier collection. Will need to scratch build a crossbow for the other.

MGB

Postscript: Still too early to be playing wargames but the games room is developing.

I'm not too sure Health & Safety would approve of this international air show at the Georgetown Aerodrome. The wooden aircraft hangar was a gift from George Mills.