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show reportPlastic Pilgrimage  Len Cooksey joins the toy figure fans who flocked to London for the 2012 Plastic Warrior ShowRText: Len Cooksey    Photos: Peter Evans the same views when it comes to toy soldiers. Ron informed me that after the show, ichmond Adult Community When it comes to new figures, there he was off to Wales to look at some of its College’s Queen Charlotte Hall awesome castles. Ron took the opportu- filled up rapidly with toy figure was little to look at. There was news from nity to bring over a suitcase full of figures.fans making the trip to South London for across the pond from our former colonies I know because I inherited the suitcase! the 27th Annual Plastic Warrior Show that Toy Soldiers of San Diego had releasedSaturday, May 5, 2012.  some new figures to in-fill some sets. but Another American maker, Anthony C. unfortunately none reached the show. Ciccarello of Armies in Plastic, was also at Despite having to get up at 4:30 a.m. the show. He is a very popular person, par-at home in Yorkshire, my enthusiasm for   ticularly with the U.K. Funny Little Warsattending this English show hasn’t di- CULLODEN BY COLE  Group, whose members stage wargamesminished. Some four hours and 190 miles Fortunately, Peter Cole of Replicants largely with AIP’s 1:32-scale figures. Brit-later, we arrived at the venue in Parkshot, didn’t let the side down. The U.K. maker ish Army Padre Paul Wright, author of theSurrey, Richmond. headed straight to the top of the food “Funny Little Wars” book and a leading chain by producing two new character personality of the group, presented Tony This year my wife Wendy attended. She figures for his Battle of Culloden range. with a FLW T-shirt. ncarried six boxes of my Ivanhoe Figures At center stage were Bonnie Princegoods in, bought me and a fellow vendor Charlie, the stuff of a thousand legends; above: Vendor Colin Penn mans his well-cups of coffee, and then vanished to savour and the Duke of Cumberland.  stocked stall.the delights of Brixton Market.  Both 1:32-scale figures ride newly below: Toy soldier expert, author and auction The setup period between 8:30 a.m. designed horses. To be fair, the Young Pre- consultant James Opie (left) explores the show.and the public first being let in at 10 a.m. tender’s horse looks more like a skittish andis always fun. Much joking and teas- small pony. In contrast, the Duke is moldeding takes place between traders, along in red and sits on a rather larger horse. with some deadly serious horse trad-ing. Enough money to refloat the Greek Cumberland serenely waves his troopseconomy seemed to be circulating.  forward, pointing out the right way with his telescope. The Bonnie Prince Charlie Most traders are usually ready for ac- figure seems to have more of a man of thetion about 20 minutes before the public people attitude as he waves his tricorn atgains entrance. This is a time when stories his Highlanders, many of whom wouldabout collections bought or collections probably be dead an hour later on somemissed are recounted by traders. As usual, godforsaken moor. a very large pinch of salt is required whenlistening to some of these very tall tales. Both of these new Replicants figures are available from Steve Weston, Britain’s   most amicable toy soldier dealer. They costMORE THAN A SHOW a mere £4 each, plus postage.Some minor breakdown on the railwaysystem delayed a few people from arriving  on time. The hall, however, quickly filled BARZSO & AIP up with eager customers.  It was nice to see Ron Barzso and designer Jim Clouse of U.S.-based Barzso Playsets Plastic Warrior has turned this event at the show. Ron seems to be spendinginto much more than an annual show. It is a lot of time in Britain and he alwaysalmost a pilgrimage, certainly a reunion and receives a warm welcome. definitely a place to meet people who shareabove: Jim Clouse and Ron Barzso (from left) about the writerof Barzso Playsets. Len Cooksey is a keen collector of old andright: Painted example of the new Duke of new 54-mm toy soldiers. Operating asCumberland figure by Replicants. Ivanhoe Figures, he runs a stall at toy soldier fairs in England, selling his own products and items by various manufacturers. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 51

1/6TH ARMY n Scott J. Dummitt covers the latestSHOWCASE action figure- related items.Reviews of the Latest Action Figure-Related ITEMS If it’s new in the hobby, you’ll find it here first!WORLD WAR II GERMAN AFRIKA KORPS NCO, LIBYA 1941BY DRAGON IN DREAM CORP.Reviewed by: Scott J. Dummitt admiration. Your 7th Support Group of the 7th Armoured Division in February   Royal Artillery too had made the fighting 1941. Unfortunately, about three weeks very hard for us and I remember all the many later Campbell was killed in a jeep accident“Luca,” a newly released figure from irons that flew near the aerodrome around before receiving von Ravenstein’s letter.Dragon in Dream Corp. (DiD), portrays our ears. The German comrades congratulatea World War II German Afrika Korps you with warm heart for your award of the  NCO armed with cameras and serving in Victoria Cross.Libya in 1941. MUTUAL RESPECT During the war your enemy,   but with high respect, The Western Desert combat between the British 8th Army and the German AfrikaMILITARY CHIVALRY Von Ravenstein Korps had little of the controversy that other   WWII fronts were mired in. It was a fightThe North African Campaign was perhaps The letter writer was German Maj. between two professional enemies, much likethe last display of chivalry displayed Gen. Johann von Ravenstein, who two heavyweight boxers in the ring.between opposing forces. The following commanded the 21st Panzer Division ofletter, dated Feb. 10, 1942, is a prime the “Deutsches Afrikakorps” (DAK) from Due to the way the campaign wasexample of what I mean: May 20, 1941, until the following Nov. 28, fought, both sides had a mutual respect for when he was captured by New Zealanders. each other. In fact, leaders such as Rommel   At the time he was “Desert Fox” Erwin came to be a bit of a legend on the BritishDear Major-General Campbell, Rommel’s second in command. side. Rommel’s notoriety was of so much On Nov. 21, Von Ravenstein’s armoured I have read in the paper that you have division and another Axis division hadbeen my brave adversary in the tank battle of attacked an airfield at Sidi-Rezegh, southSidi-Rezegh on 21-22 November 1941. It of Tobruk, defended by the British 7thwas my 21st Panzer Division which fought Support Group and the 7th Armouredin those hot days with the 7th Armoured Brigade. His letter was addressed to VCDivision, for whom I have the greatest recipient John “Jock” Campbell, acting brigadier of the 7th Support Group. Despite repeated attacks and sustaining heavy losses, Campbell’s small force of tanks prevented the Germans from capturing the airfield. Wherever the fighting was the fiercest, the Scotsman was spotted on foot, in his open armoured car or on a tank leading and encouraging his men. It was reported that “Campbell won the VC half a dozen times that day.” Von Ravenstein was a prisoner of war when he sought and was granted permission to write a congratulatory letter to Campbell. Regarded as one of the 8th Army’s foremost officers, the Scotsman was promoted to major general and given command of LEFT: DiD has created a lifelike facial sculpture for the German soldier. RIGHT: The Afrika Korps NCO comes equipped as a combat cameraman.52 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

left: “Luca” is posed kneeling while wearing his field cap. BELOW: DiD’s new combat cameraman shoots footage of Rommel as portrayed by 3R. BOTTOM: The figure comes with a steel helmet, desert goggles and MP40.concern to the Allied high command tropical trousers ( Jodhpur type), M40 two sets of hands. One set is molded tothat Gen. Sir Claude Auchinleck, British tropical service cap, shirt, scarf, and high- hold accessories. The second set providescommander in chief in the Middle East, laced tropical service boots. There is also a poseable hands.was compelled to publish a special order metal helmet painted in desert yellow withencouraging his officers to desist from a faux leather interior and chin strap. “Luca” is prime example of a DAKreferring to the German forces in the NCO when this superb fighting unit firstpersona of “Rommel” and refer to them Equipment included consists of a web arrived in Africa. As time went by, thejust plainly as “the Germans,” “the Axis belt with a plastic buckle, a metal blade German soldiers themselves modified theirforces” or “the enemy.” entrenching tool with a canvas carrying uniforms to combat both sides’ enemy: the case, a water bottle, a DAK bread bag, scorching heat of North Africa. Nonetheless, the Afrika Korps was a a bayonet with a scabbard, a metal gasformidable adversary, doing more with less mask canister, a metal and wood stick DiD’s “Luca” retails for about $95 U.S. nmen, equipment and supplies. grenade, two cloth MP40 ammo pouches, a web “Y” harness, and a set of desert about the reviewer DAK units began arriving in Tripoli, goggles. He is armed with a die-castLibya, between Feb. 14 and 20, 1941. The MP40 submachine gun with a removable Scott J. Dummitt retired from the Royalfirst unit to arrive was the 5th “Leichte” magazine and a web sling. Canadian Navy after 25 years of service. He(Light) Division. It was followed by 15th is an avid collector of action figures and toyPanzer Division in early April. On Oct. There are three die-cast metal awards: soldiers. He is also the proprietor of Scott1, 1941, the 5th Leichte Division was Iron Cross, Wound Badge and Infantry J. Dummitt Presents, which sells 1/6th-redesignated as the 21st Panzer Division. Badge, which can be pinned to the tunic. scale action figures and accessories. In The DAK cuff title is also supplied. addition, he produces 54-mm toy soldiers While there were other German units representing Canadian units.serving in North Africa, the 21st Panzer and My favorite accessories in this set are15th Panzer Divisions were the only ones a movie camera with a battery case and ato be actually considered as Afrika Korps. 35-mm camera made of resin. Using theseGerman and Italian forces continued in accessories gives “Luca” a whole new lookaction against the Allies in North Africa besides being a combat soldier. Think aboutuntil surrendering May, 13, 1943. all the wartime movie clips and photos that we have seen and who must have shot   them. These accessories make for many display possibilities, especially if a hobbyistCOMBAT CAMERAMAN wants to combine this combat cameraman with some other figure like 3R’s Rommel.Following up on the recent release of aRommel figure by its companion company Lastly, once again DiD has done a great3R (see TS&MF issue 169), DiD has job on the facial sculpture. The eyes areissued a DAK infantryman dubbed “Luca.” slightly shifted to one side as if to give theThis latest soldier comes with some great appearance that his attention has suddenlyaccessories and makes a great companion been drawn to something else.piece to the Rommel figure. Also included with the figure are The NCO comes dressed in a DAKM40 tropical service tunic and M40 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 53

KIT n The most KORNER excellent Bill Ebensperger THE LATEST MODEL FIGURE KITS AND MORE offers engaging reviews ofPAYING TRIBUTE TO RAY LAMB OF POSTE MILITAIRE eclectic and exciting figures.Hi readers. I hope everyone had a great Risley Miniatures (who doesn’t love those samurai kits. At its peak, Poste Militare wasmonth and is ready for some hobby talk. I multiple American Revolutionary War an eclectic line covering all sorts of subjectshaven’t been painting much – there’s too and Civil War poses). So this month I’ve from ancients to samurai, the Napoleonicmuch going on outside with the onset of decided to visit another old friend, and Wars and the Franco-Prussian War.springtime. then at the end of this column I have a bonus little treat as a change of pace. There were even figures of Dracula and As a result, I’ve decided to go into the Macbeth. Also included in the assortmentmemory bank this month. Every once in ECLECTIC METAL KITS  was a series of North American Indiana while I take a look back at some of the busts that were absolutely fantastic.model figure kit manufacturers whose The old friend I want to remember is oneproducts I think set the standard for their of the truly outstanding manufacturers Basically, a hobbyist could buy any Postetime, have become classics and remain from the recent past: Poste Militaire. Militaire figure and be sure of purchasingsought after today. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to an accurate and quality product. meet Ray Lamb, the creative man behind For instance, in the past I’ve written the brand. But I consider him to be an old I own many of the Poste Militaire kits,about Historex (love those kits), Series 77 friend for all the enjoyment he’s given me many still unpainted. I pull them out(love the Birds and their kits) and Imrie- through the years with his wonderful kits. periodically to admire the quality of the workmanship put into the sculpting andbelow left: The 90-mm Napoleonic French To many people, Ray is known for his production of the kits.chasseur designed by Ray Lamb and painted by Historex conversions or his sculpting ofGraham Bickerton. “Taisho,” a 150-mm Japanese samurai for There has always been the question of Calder Craft, a Division of Hinchcliffe whether miniature figure painting is an artbelow right: Lounging trumpeters of the French Models Ltd. or a hobby. To me that question remains1st Dragoons (left) and Empress’s Dragoons sculpted in the eye of the beholder. However, Iby Ray Lamb in 90-mm scale and painted by Graham Lamb launched Poste Militaire in 1975 will say this: Ray Lamb was definitely anBickerton. after spending a couple of years designing artist who put his heart into every kit he 75-mm figures. Poste Militaire started out produced and painted. with a series of 90-mm metal figure kits that immediately set the standard. H OLY GRAIL KIT Ray’s first focus was on Napoleonic I’m sure each one of us has a kit that is our figures. From there he produced some great “Holy Grail” -- the one we wished we had purchased when it was available, but due54 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

to various reasons were not able to add to Ray to create the sculpture. top left: Poste Militaire 90-mm Northernour collections. Someday I will own a copy of that Cheyenne wolf scout designed by Julian Hullis and painted by Rob Hendon. For me that kit is Poste Militaire’s 90-mm figure. I may never paint it, but I need toNapoleonic French mounted “Chasseur à have it in my collection to feel complete. A top middle: A 90-mm Orleans CavalryCheval de la Garde Impériale” (ref. MCC/1). little obsessive, huh? I know, but when you trumpeter designed by Ray Lamb and painted byThat kit represents everything I love about love something, you go after it! Graham Bickerton.our hobby. It is a quality and accuraterepresentation of a colorful and legendary   top right: A 1/10th-scale Pawnee warrior bustlight cavalry regiment. made of resin and metal designed by Julian Lamb for MEMORY LIVES ON  Poste Militaire and painted by Graham Bickerton. It is substantial in size, regal in its poseand exudes the personality of both the Sadly, Poste Militaire closed up shop in below left: A 90-mm Dutch Red Lancer fromman and the horse. Looking at an example 2004. But hopefully Ray’s figures will live the 2nd Light Horse Lancers of Napoleon I’s Imperialof this figure, I almost believe there was on. Guard designed by Ray Lamb and painted by Davean actual chasseur from the early 19th- Youngquist.century regiment who somehow posed for The master molds have changed hands a few times. Some of the other sculptors’ kits below: Ray Lamb’s 90-mm Japanese samurai from Poste Militaire have shown up with Gen. Kato Kiyomasa as painted by Graham Bickerton. Elite and other manufacturers. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 55

I still see some of the original Poste The sculpting and production are above: Poste Militaire collection of 90-mm samuraiMilitaire kits offered on eBay and at well done. I didn’t find any mold armor and weaponry designed by Julian Lamb andshows. My advice would be to buy any that lines, just a couple of mold plugs on painted by Graham Bickerton.you see -- they are worth it. Just please the bottom ofthe boots.leave the Chasseur for me. Maybe your club could do the same with As with all resin figures, wash his figures. At this point, I have learned that the kit parts to remove any moldEnglish military models specialist release agent. Also please be careful to The Mini-Men pioneer retails forBonapartes has many of the molds of protect your breathing when you sand around $40 U.S. Due out in July is a figureRay’s 90-mm kits and is bringing them the mold plugs off the bottoms of the of Emperor Napoleon on the shoulder ofto market. I hope that Bonapartes keeps boots. one of the Old Guard Grenadiers.doing this because everyone should have atleast one of Ray Lamb’s kits painted and The figure is sold in a solid cardboard Well, that’s it for this month. It’s backin their collection. box with a black and white picture of to the bench with a Mini-Men kit for me. the kit on the front. Inside the kit parts Until next month, always remember to I would recommend any Poste Militaire are protected by foam. Also inside is a paint or die! nkit to anyone, regardless of price. They are picture of the back of the kit.that good. The assembly is simple and quick.M ILITARY CARICATURES This figure is just a joy to paint.Now for that “little treat” I mentioned at I would recommend this kit tothe beginning of this column. everyone as a change of pace because a hobbyist can have some fun painting I was wandering around the Internet the figure any way they like. It is a greatand came across U.K.-based sculptor piece to use as a club figure, with everyoneKen Farrar’s resin Mil-Mart Miniatures. painting the same kit in their own way.As I was looking at his line, I burst out Stuff the regulations! laughing when I saw his Mini-Mencollection. I belong to the Michigan Historical Miniatures Club, which used a caricature I contacted Ken and said that I just had figure from another company as the clubto review one of those guys. He was kind figure one year. It was a British lightenough to send me the “French Imperial infantryman of the Napoleonic WarsGuard Pioneer” (ref. MMM-05). This is a firing his rifle. The members came up75-mm resin kit of eight pieces, including with all sorts of personalized versions.a base. The Napoleonic soldier stands He was painted in World War II Germanabout 3 inches high. camouflage, with an iPod, as a clown and many other versions. It was fun! This is no ordinary kit of an ImperialGuard sappeur. Instead it’s a wonderful I think I’ll put Ken’s Mini-Men up for acaricature. vote for selection as this year’s club figure. far left top: “French Imperial Guard Pioneer” from the Mini-Men collection. far left bottom: Back view of the Mini-Men French pioneer. left: Mini-Men depiction of Napoleon being shouldered by an Imperial Guard grenadier. below: Examples of caricatures from Ken Farrar’s Mini-Men series. about the reviewer Bill Ebensperger is a Michigan Historical Miniatures Club member and has been a figure painter for more than 30 years. He lives in Rochester Hills, Mich., USA, with his wife and three daughters.56 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

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toy figure collectingSci-Fi Figures  Paul Wood launches into a countdown of some of the science-fiction figures that have rocketedout of toy makers’ workshops and into the outer space of children’s imaginationsText and Photos: Paul Wood these serials from the 1930s and 1940s were top left: Plastic robot. The Johillco and still popular and were still being shown. Cherilea versions were similar. Shown withSettling down in the darkened a spaceman made by Premier Products Co. cinema, the audience of eager kids Other science-fiction films and top right: Charbens alien warrior waited with a chatter of excitement. radio programs such as “Journey Into made in the 1950s.As the theater lights dimmed further, the Space,” “Things to Come” and numerous bottom left: Crescent Professorrustle of candy wrappers subsided and the Hollywood B movies created a demand Peabody figures (Photo Courtesy offirst reel of the Saturday morning matinee for something tangible with which to re- Vectis Auctions Ltd.).began. create these fantastic worlds. bottom right: A 1950s Johillco figure (left) and a hollow-cast alien similar A cheer would inevitably erupt as the When children arrived home, they to an Archer Plastics model.black and white adventures of Flash Gordon wanted to re-enact the space battles theyflickered onto the silver screen. Crude had witnessed on the silver screen. Britishspaceships suspended on wires wobbled toy manufacturers, as ever, were eager totheir way across the galaxy, smoke and sparks capitalize on this demand.trailing in their wake. Even in the 1960s,58 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

toy figure collectingJOHILLCO SPACEMEN in metallic colors. They included an alien above: First series Stargards and AliensJohillco introduced its first metal sci-fi warrior and three spacemen wearing the by Britains.figures in 1953. rigid spacesuits so typical of the 1950s below: Crescent Dan Dare set (Photo imagination. Courtesy of Vectis Auctions Ltd.). They were sculpted by the prolific bottom: Comic books provided theWilfred Cherrington, who seems to Only available for a short period, the inspiration behind many toy figures.have modeled figures for most of the Charbens figures are consequently quitesmaller makers. They included a large rare now. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 59square robot, seven spacemen in variousposes and a robot with raised arms. The Johillco figures were painted in asuitably futuristic metallic paint scheme ofsilver, gold, purple and green. None of these figures had thetraditional square base. Insteadthey were supported by pod-like feet. Ipresume these were intended to makethem look more futuristic. However,the unintended effect was to make themrather unstable and difficult to stand up.JOURNEY INTO SPACEThe Johillco range was later sold toCherilea, which continued to produce thespacemen throughout the 1950s. In 1954, these figures were repackagedin a 16-piece “Journey Into Space” setbased on the very popular BBC radioprogram of the time. The set containedspacemen, out-of-scale miniature rocketsand launchers, and alien lizard creatures,which were the archetypal aliens of theperiod. Later on other animal-based “out ofthis world” creatures were added to therange, including a centipede-like creatureand an ant man. The latter figure is nowone of the rarest of this series.CHARBENSCharbens had a small range of fourspace warriors and aliens designedby Cherrington in 1958. Once again the figures were painted

toy figure collectingTHE EAGLE HAS LANDED egg-headed Mekon and his hordes pad -- finished off the set.A landmark in British comics was launched of Treen aliens. These characters have Disappointingly, Dan’s archenemyby the Rev. Marcus Morris in 1950. passed into legend for people raised in the 1950s and 1960s. Mekon was not included in the set. His A vicar from Southport, he was an inclusion would surely have made the setunlikely comic originator whose aim was DAN DARE even more popular.to produce an educational and morally Surprisingly, Crescent was the only firm tosound children’s comic. His genius was capitalize on this huge popularity, launch- ANDERSON BLASTS OFFto disguise his message within crackingly ing its hollow-cast Dan Dare set in 1953. These same character types: hero, boffingood stories. and beautiful female vs. the baddie were Dan Dare was depicted in two common sci-fi themes of the time. “The Eagle” quickly established itself as guises: his green Space Command uniformthe must-have comic of the time, selling and in a spacesuit firing a ray gun. They were reflected in Gerry Anderson’smore than 1 million copies in its first week. very popular “Thunderbirds” puppet series To accompany Dan on his daring of the 1960s. However, I am not aware of The main reason for its success was the missions, there was Professor Peabody, alsohugely popular sci-fi story featuring “Dan in a spacesuit; Digby saluting in a space above: Airfix lizard warrior, evil baddieDare, Pilot of the Future,” a strip drawn by command uniform, and a Treen alien and goodie hero.the very talented Frank Hampson. with a ray gun who provided the solitary opposition. bottom left: First series Stargard Alien. The adventures of Dan, his portly boffinsidekick Digby, and the glamorous female A miniature rocket with a detachable below: Stargard Aliens by Britains.Professor Peabody of Space Command nose cone -- complete with its launchthrilled millions as they fought the evil60 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

toy figure collectingany 54-mm figures that were produced to They have been known to sell for the above left: The plasticaccompany the series. Space vehicles were extraordinary price of £100 each. This is Space Warriors produced by Airfix.the dominant “Thunderbirds” toy spin-off. partly due to their wide appeal not just to above right: Close-up of Britains’ toy soldier collectors, but also to the huge weird Alien. Next to emerge from Anderson’s collectors’ market for all things sci-fi.imagination was “Captain Scarlet and theMysterons.” FEEL THE FORCE STARGARDS In 1977, a new phenomenon blazed across In a desperate attempt to cash in on this This TV series pitted the indestructible the world’s movie screens: “Star Wars.” new growth area, Britains developed itsCaptain Scarlet and his Spectrum own world of space warriors -- obviouslyorganization against alien foes called the It introduced a whole new generation not wishing to pay for the “Star Wars”Mysterons. to sci-fi and its related merchandise. license. Children who might once have bought toy This time Timpo produced a limited soldiers now clamored for “Star Wars” toys. The trouble with this idea was thatrange of figures to accompany the 1960s Britains didn’t have the money nor theseries, issuing Captain Scarlet, Colonel Many traditional figure makers were clout to promote the idea sufficiently atWhite and Lieutenant Green. The same taken by surprise by this development a time when children were increasinglybasic figure was molded in the appropriate and were left behind as young collectors wanting products tied into big blockbusterplastic using Timpo’s overmolding were lured by huge marketing operations films.technique. into parting with their pocket money to collect “Star Wars” action figures and all of First introduced in 1981, the Stargards These mustn’t have been produced in the associated paraphernalia. and Aliens were Britains’ own attempt tolarge quantities though because they arevery rare nowadays.below: Britains’ 1981 launch right: Britains retailleaflet for Stargards. and trade catalogs  heralding its Stargards. left: Britains made much of the Stargards’ play value. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 61

toy figure collectingenter the space race. The manufacturer produced a series of above left: Johillco spaceman and Using a futuristic, high-tech-looking weird mutants in silver plastic complete Cherilea lizard from the 1950s. with tentacles and big heads. A setmetal base in the Deetail tradition, of Cyborg robots with hose-like arms, above: Airfix’s Flash Gordon-style hero.the plastic figures’ feet could be slotted into claw hands and Space Age weaponsplace. They could even be linked together made for some potentially interesting below: Second version of the Stargardswith other figures, something which encounters. and Aliens.Britains made great play of. However,perhaps it wasn’t as revolutionary a concept For some reason around 1985 the a variety of odd alien creatures in plastic.as the maker liked to think. colors of the Stargards and Aliens Britains produced a hollow-cast Buck were changed to white and orange, Rogers set in 1937 for the American Both goodies and baddies utilized respectively. By 1987, the series had run market that is extremely rare.the same armored and muscled spacesuit its course and it was deleted from thebodies, but with different heads. The catalog. Britains’ final journey into space I’m sure there are many others, but IStargards were molded in yellow with had ended. hope I have at least given readers a taste ofclear helmets while the Aliens were in a PLANET AIRFIX what is available.suitably sinister black with red helmets. Airfix also felt it needed to get in on the craze for all things sci-fi. Unfortunately, prices can be high for Weapons included a variety of ray guns early hollow-cast figures because toyand laser rifles. Various shiny stickers In 1981, Airfix added a box of soldier hobbyists are in competition withcompleted their outfits. futuristic figures to its unpainted the wider sci-fi collectors’ market, which 1:32-scale series. This set, No. 51577 -- has grown enormously over the last few Six figures in assorted firing poses Space Warriors, featured plastic figures years. For example, a Crescent Dan Darewere supplied for each side. They were that were quite retro in style. They could set has sold for £1,100 at Vectis Auctionscomplemented by a whole range of space quite easily have inhabited a planet Ltd.vehicles, including rovers, two-man imagined by Edgar Rice Burroughs.spaceships, laser cannons that actually There is hope though. The Britainsfired, robotic space grabs, launching pads These Flash Gordon types wore Stargards are still inexpensive and can beand futuristic accessories so children could breastplates and capes to battle alien bought for modest sums, usually about £2build their own space stations. lizard warriors and their evil leader. He to £3 each. wore a “Star Wars” Darth Vader-type Later, having realized that the more helmet and cape, of course. So with that encouragement, set yourweird and wonderful the figures were the ray gun to stun, aim your rocket ship atbetter they would sell, Britains added Like the Britains though, these planet Zarg and blast off on a journey ofmore to give even greater variety. were original generic figures that were intergalactic exploration of sci-fi figures. n not tied into any book or film. This perhaps explains why they only remained about the writer in the Airfix catalog until 1984. As a result, they are relatively scarce today. Toy soldier collector and expert Paul Wood hails from Lancashire, CONCLUSION England. He produces his own In the United States, Archer Plastics range of 54-mm, painted metal and Premier Products Co. seem to figures under the Ensign Historical have been the main producers of sci-fi Miniatures banner. figures, reflecting many of the same types available in Britain. Louis Marx and Co. manufactured62 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

Celebrating of 150th Anniversary of the Civil WarMarch Through Times History In MiniatureBattle of the Little Round TopUnion – 20th Maine Volunteer Regiment Confederate – 15th Alabama Regiment20thME – 01, Captain Spear & Sergeant Rundlett...............................................$58 15thAL-01 – Colonel William C. Oates with NCO...............................................$5820thME – 02, Two Infantrymen, firing andloading................................................$58 15thAL-02 – 2 Infantrymen firing and loading set 1..............................................$5820thME – 03, Color Sergeant, Andrew J. Tozier....................................................$55 15th AL-03 – Alabamian & 20th Maine combat set 1...........................................$5820thME – 04, 1st Lt. Thomas Chamberlain, Infantryman......................................$65 15ThAL-04 – 15th Alabama Regiment Flagbearer................................................$5520thME – 05, 2 Union, standing firing & loading set #1......................................$65 15thAL-05 – 2 Infantrymen advancing set #1........................................................$6520thME-06 – Captain Clark and Infantryman firing.............................................$65 15thAL-06 – Alabamian & 20th Maine, combat set #2.........................................$65 AMH-01, “Code Talkers” Native American, Code Talker with NCO Body Guard WWII – US Marines at Iwo Jima 2 piece set $79.50 1/30 scale and made of pewter, sculptured by Chris Munro and limited to 300 sets. American Heroes New Series by March Through Times This new series consist of individuals or a group of individuals who have honored our country by fighting and dying for America. This line will range from Revolutionary War to present. It is my honor to present my first set of this series. “Code Talkers” The Code Talkers, also known as “Windtalkers”, were Native Americans who used their native language to talk and transmit information on tactics, troop movements, orders and other vital battlefield information by telegraphs or radios during combat. The Code Talkers were principally used in World War II in the Pacific theater. “The Marines may have never taken Iwo Jima if it wasn’t for the code talkers” it has been said.Web: www.marchthroughtimes.com • Email: [email protected] • Phone: (775) 323-4070 Larry Simons • 1530 Pass Drive, Reno, NV 89509

re-creating history in miniature300 Spartans ABOVE: The Spartans’ shields gleam in the sunlight as they prepare to face odds of 1,000 to 1.   below: A Spartan grimly awaits the next PersianDean M. Dizikes’ Greek heritage and his interest in toy soldiers inspired onslaught in an illustration byhim to model the heroic hoplites of the last stand at Thermopylae João Paulo Vieira.Text: Dean M. Dizikes Photos: Bill BeermanMy interest in ancient Greece in of Thermopylae in 480 B.C. My eldest the story of Thermopylae, it seemed natural general, and Sparta in particular, brother was, in fact, named Leonidas. to combine my interest in casting and began at home as a child. painting toy soldiers with my continued My own middle name, Miltiades, came interest in ancient warfare and the Spartans.My father, who had emigrated to the from the Athenian victor at Marathon. The final catalyst came when I read Steven Pressfield’s gripping 1998 novel,United States from Sparta as a young man, “Gates of Fire.” about three years ago. I decided to reproduce in toy soldier formregaled our family with tales of the near- BATTLEFIELD INSPIRATION King Leonidas and his men asmythic Spartans. Like so many of my contemporaries, IMost dramatic of these stories was that began my toy soldier collecting with boxesof the epic last stand of King Leonidas of Britains at birthdays and Christmas.and his 300-man bodyguard at the pass But as I “matured,” I spent less time with my toy soldiers. Eventually I obtained a university degree in history. After two years of service in the Army, I entered the U.S. Foreign Service, where I was to spend the next 30 years all over the world. My second overseas assignment, fortunately, took me to the American Embassy in Athens, capital of Greece. Among many trips to ancient sites I visited both Sparta and the pass at Thermopylae, where today a large statueSpartan officers remain impassive and of Leonidas stands on the hillock wheregrimly determined after three days of the 300 Spartans were finally overwhelmed.Persian attacks. Thus, some 50 years after my first hearing64 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

re-creating history in miniaturethe Spartans stood in the narrow pass would have been quite impossible for me ABOVE: The 300 Spartans arrive andfacing King Xerxes and his 200,000 and would have aborted the entire project. assume their position in the narrowest partsoldiers gathered from throughout the Fortunately, a solution presented itself. of the pass.Persian Empire. below: Leonidas has taken his place I developed a system that worked well of honor -- the most exposed spot atMOLDING HOPLITES for me. After reproducing the images on the extreme right front of the phalanxFirst I settled on the basic hoplite figure, copy paper in black and white, I colored facing the Persians. Reacting to Xerxes’which I wanted standing with his spear them using various color combinations. demand for the surrender of the Spartans’upright. Then I made silicone molds. weapons, Leonidas retorts, “Molon Labe!”The major issue was how to reproduce as Then I copied these colored images It means, “Come and get them!”accurately as possible the correct uniforms onto blank sheets of decal paper. Afterand shields. painting the entire shield, I cut out and applied each decal. I touched up each In fact, the Spartans, alone among the one and added details while trying toGreek city-states of the fifth century B.C., make every combination of decal andhad standardized the dress of their hoplites. shield unique.Their famous red cloaks and red plumes,combined with constant training and RED CLOAKS OF COURAGElegendary discipline, were responsible for the I should point out that, strictly speaking,fear that Spartans instilled in their enemies. all 300 figures should be wearing red cloaks. I felt strongly, however, that I Paradoxically, at about the time of wanted to see the project completed whileThermopylae the Spartans ceased using I was still capable of abstract thought,the letter “lambda” (for Lacadaemon, the so I compromised.geographic area encompassing Sparta proper)on all their shields. Individual hoplites I decided that every other figure inbegan emblazoning their shields with the front rank -- those with the transversebulls, birds, scorpions and mythical beasts, plumes reserved for senior knightssuch as the Gorgon and the Minotaur. commanding a unit of 16 men -- would get a cloak. This was a blessing for my purposesbecause 300 identical gold shields with red The cloaks themselves were created by“lambdas” would have been visually boring.Not to mention the real possibility of mentalderangement for the modeler somewherebetween shield numbers 60 and 90!EMBLAZONING SHIELDSThankfully, the specific images whichappeared on the shields are recoverable.Archaeologists digging in the ruins of theTemple of Artemis in Sparta have foundliterally thousands of lead figurines withshield devices clearly visible. The question then became how toreproduce these images on the shields ofmy little metal Spartans. Painting a fewsuch emblems free-hand might have beenachievable, even with my modest skills. However, painting 300 shield designsright: A Spartan is said to haveremarked, “If the Persian arrows are sonumerous that they blot out the sun,then we shall have our fight in the shade.” TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 65

re-creating history in miniatureABOVE: Though surrounded because The single most exposed position was at above: “Go tell the Spartans, thou whoof treachery, the 300 prepare to fight to the extreme right of the first rank. This was passeth by, that here, obedient to herthe end. the position of honor reserved for the King laws, we lie.” (how times have changed in 2,500 years!). below: The rear ranks of the 300 closebelow: The Spartans stand nonchlantly at up to await the next Persian assault.ease. Soon their spears will snap to the ready HISTORY IN MINIATURE“like a beast baring its teeth to its prey.” The completed scene required more than suggested reading three years of steady work.cutting metal foil to the proper size and For anyone interested in reading morecovering it with Ace bandage tape. This My sense of accomplishment is about the Spartans and Thermopylae,allowed me to shape the cloak and gave it tempered only by my difficulty in displaying hobbyist Dean M. Dizikes enthusiasticallythe appearance of fabric when painted. the scene because it is 5 feet across. I am recommends “The Spartans” by Paul considering tempting offers to part with it, Cartledge. Though it touches only in I discovered that the best metal foil for though when I view it as the light shines passing on Thermopylae, Dean alsomy purposes was that found around the into my South Carolina home, reflecting off recommends “Salamis” by Barry Strausscork of a bottle of champagne, so there the helmets and shields, I am transported -- especially for its evocation of thewere times when I was tempted to do back to that August day in 480 B.C. atmosphere of the year 480 B.C.300 cloaks after all! There they stood in the narrowest part about the illustratorFORMING THE PHALANX of the pass, a stone wall on one side andA few words about the phalanx itself the sea on the other. Facing them were The historic illustration accompanying thismight be useful at this point. overwhelming numbers of Persians. article was created by João Paulo Vieira, an artist who accepts commissions. At the time of the Persian invasion, the Xerxes offered the Spartans a chance He can be contacted via e-mail atSpartan phalanx was 12 hoplites across to survive by turning in their weapons and [email protected] or by writingand eight ranks deep. Three such groups of joining the Persian army. to João Paulo Vieira, Av Calouste96 each had four rear-rankers to maintain Gulbenkian, 1019 R/Chão Esq. Frente,forward movement, and comprised the Leonidas replied, “Molon labe!” It 4460-268 Sr da Hora, Portugal.King’s bodyguard. means, “Come and get them!” In an infantry battle the most exposed The Spartans repelled repeated Persianposition was at the extreme right of each assaults for three days. But when a Greekline.That’s because each hoplite held his traitor revealed a trail outflanking theshield on his left arm, exposing his right side. Spartans’ position, the Persians surrounded the 300 foot soldiers and killed them all. By taking advantage of the overlappingshield of the man to his right, every man was Buried at the site, they lie beneath theable to offer some protection to his right side, famous epitaph:except for the men on the extreme right. Go tell the Spartans, thou who passeth by, That here, obedient to her laws, we lie. n about the writer Dean M. Dizikes is a retired U.S. diplomat who casts and paints figures in South Carolina. He was born in Utah and spent his youth in California. His wife is an artist and he has two beautiful, married daughters.66 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE



RBEoVoIEkWS n Reviews of READ ALL ABOUT IT... books about the ancient world for history buffs as well as toy soldier and model figure enthusiasts.THE BATTLE FOR TINIANAuthor: Nathan N. Prefer In the early 1940s, the Marianas of the operation has caused it to bePublished by: Casemate Publishers became an Allied target for a variety overshadowed by more storied battles inISBN: 978-1-61200-094-7 of strategic reasons. The capture of the the Pacific Theater. It has been dismissedPrice: £20 U.K./$32.95 U.S. islands would provide flank protection as a rout conducted by a superiorReviewed by: Sally J. Needle to American Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s American force against a small garrison drive toward the Philippines. Since the of demoralized Japanese troops, who had   island chain was considered to be Japan’s already been bombed into submission.“The Battle for Tinian: Vital Stepping “final defensive line,” it also represented anStone in America’s War Against Japan” opportunity for the U.S. Navy to draw out Prefer gives the battle its due,delves into a key chapter of World War II the Imperial Japanese Navy in a decisive beginning with the planning stage andin the Pacific. battle for supremacy in the Pacific Ocean. concluding with mass suicides carried out by enemy troops and civilians. The Author Nathan N. Prefer focuses on In addition, the Marianas became an author rescues Tinian from being a mereU.S. Marines’ quick and decisive victory objective due to the U.S. Army Air Forces’ footnote to WWII history.over the Japanese defenders of Tinian in development of a Very Long Rangethe Mariana Islands in 1944. Prefer praises the thoroughness Bomber (the B-29), of the pre-invasion intelligence which could strike gathering and assault planning as being the Japanese Home exemplary. He applauds the planning Islands from a much officers’ decision to land on the island’s greater distances than northernmost beaches, while rehashing before. Importantly, heated arguments that broke out over Tinian’s terrain was the feasibility of assaulting such narrow highly conducive beaches.  to the building of airfields for the new “So successful was the plan that it B-29 program. After should have become required reading Tinian was seized, for all operations officers from that time the Americans forward,” Prefer writes.  transformed the island into an airbase The book goes provides a blow- by building two B-29 by-blow description of everything airfields. One of them that happened July 24, 1944, the was used to launch day of the attack, when stouthearted the bombers that Marines executed an assault landing on carried the atomic Tinian with resolution and skill. The bombs dropped author describes in detail the Japanese on Hiroshima and counterattack, during which American Nagasaki, ending the troops experienced heavy combat, and the war in 1945. advancement of the Marine battalions as they moved south.  According to Prefer, Tinian has Commending the professionalism received relatively of the Marines, Prefer writes, “They scant attention from accomplished all tasks as ordered, historians. Deemed enduring heat, humidity, insects, bad one of the most food and bad water, difficult weather and successful amphibious enemy action to complete the operation.” assault landings in U.S. military Additionally, he quotes historian and history, the swiftness USMCR Maj. Frank O. Hough, who has and perceived ease observed that “any eight-day operation in the tropics against a stubborn, fanatical enemy, is tough by any ordinary standards of human endurance.” n68 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

LOST IN SHANGRI-LA ordeal for three The rescue mission was spearheaded passengers whose by heroic Filipino-American paratroopersAuthor: Mitchell Zuckoff survival can only from the U.S. Army’s 1st ReconnaissancePublished by: Harper be described as Battalion (Special) led by Capt. C. EarlISBN: 978-0-06-198834-9 miraculous. They Walter Jr. They volunteered to risk theirPrice: £16.99 U.K./$26.99 U.S. included vivacious own lives to parachute into the jungle toReviewed by: Stuart A. Hessney Cpl. Margaret provide medical care and security for the Hastings, who was survivors until a cowboy colonel’s untestedMost books reviewed in TS&MF are severely burned, extrication plan could be executed.brought to my attention by publicists barefoot and forced Additionally Canadian Alexander Cann, aor from leafing through publishers’ to wear her dead former screen actor and failed jewel thief,pre-release catalogs. Others might best friend’s shoes. dropped in to film a documentary.be spotted while perusing bookstore Stoic Sgt. Kennethshelves or by reading reviews published Decker suffered a The narrative’s pace and tension relentelsewhere. This compelling, nonfiction gaping head wound after it becomes apparent the survivors willbook is a very special case because I first and was also badly be safe and a rescue will happen somehowheard of it while going out to dinner burned (in an ironic sooner or later. Still as Zuckoff ’s dramaticwith a group of collector friends from twist, he had just real-life adventure tale shifts gears fromOhio during the autumn weekend of the recently asked the being terrifying to fascinating, touching2011 OTSN Inc. Chicago Toy Soldier spunky Margaret and at points even funny, this book isShow. for a date but was eminently readable, enthralling and turned down). Lt. entertaining. n One of the new acquaintances I made John McCollumduring that pleasant evening was Gus was relativelyGardner. I learned that his father, U.S. unscathed, however,Army Air Forces Maj. George Gardner, he was tragicallysupervised supply runs airdropped to left to mournsurvivors of a plane crash in Dutch his twin brotherNew Guinea. At the time, their ordeal Robert, who waswas front-page news. Mostly forgotten among the dead.since, now it’s the subject of MitchellZuckoff ’s book “Lost in Shangri-La: A CaughtTrue Story of Survival, Adventure, and between enemythe Most Incredible Rescue Mission of Japanese troopsWorld War II.” and headhunters, the trio realized The author is an award-winning, they would beex-reporter for the Boston Globe and goners unless theya professor at Boston University. He left the crash site in the densely tangledtrekked into the jungle to rediscover the jungle (“a botanist’s dream and a crashcrash site in the Baliem Valley and talk survivor’s nightmare”), found sustenance,to natives about tribal remembrances and somehow could make search planesof the day decades ago when strange from their base aware that they were stillcreatures dropped from the sky and alive. McCollum tenaciously cared for thechanged their Stone Age world forever. others and kept them going as they madeZuckoff also draws from interviews, a perilous hike down a mountainside anddiaries, Army records, personal photos into another world. They encounteredand mementos, film footage, and superstitious natives who had never seenradio transcripts to paint a vivid word white people before, but warily opted topicture of the plot’s colorful characters, help them through bizarre cross-culturalbeautiful but rugged tropical terrain exchanges.and harrowing historical events. Hisgripping account reads like a movie Once contact was established withthat Hollywood hasn’t gotten around to the outside world, the survivors’ five-making, yet. week plight became sensational news until being overshadowed by other On May 13, 1945, 24 U.S. developments as the war wound down.servicemen and WACs boarded a C-47 Journalists were even carried aboardtransport plane dubbed the Gremlin supply planes.Special for a recreational sightseeingflight over “Shangri-La,” a mysterious Write A Book Review!and otherwise inaccessible valley ringedby mountains. The place name came Do you have a non-fiction book of interest that you’d like to review infrom James Hilton’s bestselling novel TS&MF? Then please get in touch with Editor Stuart A. Hessney“Lost Horizon.” But instead of peaceful about requirements via e-mail at [email protected] monks, this Shangri-La wasinhabited by isolated primitive groups TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 69living in a constant state of warfare andreputed to be cannibalistic. When the military aircraftaccidentally crashed into a mountain,the joyride turned into a horrendous

EPXREIRZCEISE n March Through TS&MF MONTHLY COMPETITION Times and TS&MF team up to offer readers a chance to win Gettysburg combatants.WIN CIVIL WAR SOLDIERSThis month TS&MF readers have a happened, the battle and perhaps the war youngest brother and acting adjutant.chance to win two different American could be lost for the North. In the other prize offering, aCivil War sets thanks to the generosityof American Larry Simons from March The men from Maine got there first and Confederate from the 15th AlabamaThrough Times in Reno, Nev. took up defensive positions along a rocky seems to have the upper hand as he ledge overlooking a small valley between advances to bayonet a downed Yankee These items come from his History Big Round Top and Little Round Top. (ref. AL-06). Authentic detailingin Miniature range of 1:30-scale, matt- Chamberlain’s Company B was detailed combined with nicely varied poses andfinished figures (see issue 167). They are to go into woods just east of the main characterizations are hallmarks of all thesesculpted by Chris Munro, cast from pewter position to guard the flank.  figures.and hand-painted to a high standard inChina. Soon they came under attack by waves These sets are valued at $65 apiece, of determined Southerners from the 15th but they will be given away to two Production is limited to 400 of each set Alabama. Despite taking heavy casualties, lucky TS&MF readers. To have aand they are all based on the pivotal ACW the 20th Maine doggedly repelled two chance of winning these toy soldiersclash over Larry’s favorite spot to visit in ferocious charges by equally determined commemorating the ACW’s 150thGettysburg, Pa.: Little Round Top. Confederates.  anniversary, simply send in the correct answer to the following question: On July 2, 1863, the second day of Though their ammunition was runningthe Battle of Gettysburg, 34-year-old short and his command had been depleted,  Col. Joshua L. Chamberlain and his 20th retreat was not an option for Chamberlain. After Gettysburg, Joshua L.Maine Volunteer Infantry Regiment were As the 15th Alabama launched its third Chamberlain went on to reach the rankordered to beat the Rebels to undefended assault, the Yankee colonel ordered a of brigadier general and won electionLittle Round Top and hold it all costs. desperate bayonet charge. The Maine as governor of Maine. In addition, the men drove away the stunned Rebels and professor became president of which of the The high and wooded hill was secured the left flank, helping to pave the following institutions of higher educationstrategically located on the Union battle way for the Union victory at Gettysburg. in Maine?:line’s extreme left flank. If Confederate Chamberlain and Color Sgt. Andrew J.  Gen. Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Tozier were awarded the Congressional A) Andover College Virginia seized Little Round Top, they Medal of Honor.  could be in a position to fracture the B) Bowdoin CollegeUnion Army of the Potomac’s line. If that One of the competition prizes is a set   made up of kneeling figures of a Northern C) Colby Collegetop right: Bayonet duel between infantryman posed reloading and 1st Lt.  men of the 15th Alabama and 20th Maine.  Thomas Chamberlain firing his pistol (ref. D) University of Maine 20thME-03). The latter was the colonel’sbelow: 20th Maine 1st Lt. ThomasChamberlain and a soldier reloading.Scenery is not included.70 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

PREVIOUS WINNER ANNOUNCEDCongratulations to the very lucky winner uniform, arrived in the nick of time to save become an iconic figure of the war. Theof TS&MF issue 167’s Prize Exercise the day with fresh troops from his Virginia winner of this great set is American readerfeaturing the American Civil War “Baptism brigade. They immediately proceeded to Lon Blick of Millstadt, Ill., who correctlyat Manassas” set courtesy of W. Britain. form a steadfast line. answered that Jackson’s real first name was Thomas.  Valued at £279.99 U.K./$350 U.S., this Their appearance prompted Southern10-piece “Baptism at Manassas” set (ref. Brig. Gen. Barnard E. Bee to exclaim to his Kudos to the issue 167 Prize Exercise31139) is a re-creation of a painting by retreating men, “There stands Jackson like a winner, and many thanks to all of theKeith Rocco. This limited edition of 500 stone wall. Rally behind the Virginians!” other readers who entered.sets of Confederates is part of the “Artof War” series based on the American Thus was born the nickname of Please keep on trying because you’vemilitary artist’s work. “Stonewall” Jackson, who would go on to got to be in it to win it! This particular 1:32-scale set wasinspired by the story behind how“Stonewall” Jackson got his nickname atthe First Battle of Manassas (Bull Run)in Virginia July 21, 1861. It was the war’sfirst major land battle for the unseasonedtroops on both sides. Pressed by Union soldiers, the Rebelline on Buck Hill broke around noonthat day and scampered back to nearbyHenry Hill. W. Britain’s dramatic setof two mounted and six foot figuresillustrates how Confederate Brig. Gen.Jackson, still in his blue U.S. Armyright: Stonewall Jackson leads the“Baptism at Manassas” set made byW. Britain. PPRREIVZIEEWNEXT TIME WINNext month in TS&MF issue 172readers will have a chance to win aWorld War I British colonial militaryband of the King’s African Riflesmade by Beau Geste of Argentina.HOW TO WIN!All entries must be submitted in writing with your complete contact details, including an e-mail address if available.Entries can be sent via fax to 01903 885514 or mail to Issue 171 Prize Exercise, TS&MF, Ashdown Ltd., Unit 5E,Park Farm, Chichester Road, Arundel, West Sussex, England, U.K. BN18 9EY. Entries can also be sent via fax to(507) 634-7691 or mail to Issue 171 Prize Exercise, TS&MF, Ashdown Inc., 68132 250th Ave., Kasson, MN, USA 55944.All entries must be received by Aug. 31, 2012. TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE 71

Call the US Toll Free: 1 866 606 6587wCwwr.aolidgtoMysoldciCerhlaomine’.csom23 years service Phone: (760) 758-5481The only authorized distributors for the Americas US and UK Distributor of Russian connoisseur figures. www.lepetitsoldat.com We stock the book and everything in it! www.crowntoysoldiers.com St. Louis, Mo, USA Toll Free US Tel:866 862 3311 USA: 603-552-5069The Treasure Bunker Militaria Shop http://wmhocker.com 21 King Street, Glasgow G1 5QZ, Scotland, UK. Tel.0141 552 8164King and Country | Collectors Showcase | First Legion | W.Britain w w w. t r e a s u r e b u n k e r. c o mALEXANDERS TOY SOLDIERS Everything Hobby All The Time Tel/Fax: 020-8867-2664 • E-mail: [email protected] www.ats-uk.netAdvertisers index CTHFPHOAIELRNOTNRTVERCSLC fly.tvAEROART INTERNATIONAL....................12 MEMPHIS TOY SOLDIER........................72 www.hobbyworld.tvAG FARM TOYS.......................................47 MINUTEMEN TOY SOLDIERS.................26ALEXANDERS TOY SOLDIERS................72 NORMAN JOPLIN’S OLD TOY SOLDIER &ARTIST PRESERVATION GROUP INC......26 FIGURE SHOW........................................67BACKDROP JUNCTION...........................72 OLD TOY SOLDIER HOME......................72COLLECTORS SHOWCASE (THE).............3 PETER NATHAN TOY SOLDIERS.............13COTSWOLD COLLECTABLES.................19 SCOTT DUMMITT PRESENTS.................19CROWN MILITARY MINIATURES............72 SCOTT DUMMITT PRESENTS.................72DUTKINS COLLECTABLES............... 47, 72 SIERRA TOY SOLDIER COMPANY... 13, 47FIGARTI MANUFACTURER......................27 TARRANT’S TOY SOLDIERS....................72FIRST LEGION LTD..................................11 TEDTOY MINIATURES.............................27GREEN’S COLLECTABLES......................47 THE HISTORY STORE..............................47HOBBY BUNKER........................................2 THE TOY SOLDIER MUSEUM.................33IVANHOE FIGURES..................................72 THE TOYMAKER OF WILLIAMSBURG...47JOSEPH SAINE........................................27 THE TREASURE BUNKER........................72KING & COUNTRY-HK..............................76 THOMAS GUNN MINIATURES................33LE PETIT SOLDAT....................................72 TOY SOLDIER SHOPPE...........................26LEAD ARMY.............................................19 TOY SOLDIER SHOPPE...........................47MAITLAND TOY SOLDIER TREEFROG TREASURES.........................75SHOPPE (THE).........................................47 TROOPS OF TIME....................................19MARCH THROUGH TIMES......................63 WILLIAM HOCKER..................................72Backdrop Junction Tarrant’s Toy ‘Scott J. Dummitt Soldiers presents’Your Stop for Model Railroadand Diorama Backdrops The following are available: Canada’s largest selection Rank & File of military action figuresServices Offered are Custom Sized Also available from Seaview Curiosand Designed backdrops for dioramas and Collectables, Seaton. Featuring:The site features a large variety of Latest Rank & File set is Joe Smith’s War. Vintage GIJOE, Vintage Action Man,scenes from the USA and the UK 16 Oxbarton, Stoke Gifford, Adventure Team, DRAGON, IGNITE, Bristol BS34 8RP bbi, Elite Brigade, Ultimate Soldier,www.backdropjunction.com Tel: 01454 777278 DID, 54mm Canadian Toy Soldiers,[email protected] Email: [email protected] William Britain Ltd., Armies in Plastic,Toll Free: 1.800.615.3423 Del Prado and more! ‘Scott J. Dummitt presents’ 1754 Carmel Line, Bailieboro Ontario, Canada K0L 1B0 Phone: (705) 939-1028 Fax: (705) 939-6893 Business email: [email protected] Friday through Monday 10am to 5pm72 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE

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shows and clubs Event organizers are invited to submit information for inclusion in the Toy Soldier Calendar.Toy Soldier CalendarJuly to September 2012JULY show will also feature vendors, displays and an open at 7:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. competition. Admission to the hobby event is free Information: Peter Sturgeon, tel: 0117 9732067.Sat. and Sun., July 7-8, Figure World 2012 sponsored with paid entry to the fort: $8 adult; $4 senior orby The Basement at Oundle School, Oundle, Near youth. Contact: Chairman Norman White, tel: (416) British Model Soldier Society (Ealing Branch),Peterborough, Northamptonshire, England, U.K. 285-5600 or e-mail: [email protected]; Northfields Community Centre, 71a NorthcroftShow with vendors and displays 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 Website: www.omss.ca. Road, Ealing, England. Meets on the secondp.m. Saturday. Paint-a-thon 9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Friday every month. Information: Bruce Harron, tel:Sunday. Visit the Website at www.tbfigureworld.co.uk Sat., Sept. 8, Norman Joplin’s Old Toy Soldier and 07847 855 850.or e-mail to [email protected] for further Figure Show, Holiday Inn Bloomsbury, Coram Street,information. London. Nearest Tube: Russell Square. 10:30 a.m. to 4 British Model Soldier Society (Essex Branch), Two p.m. Admission £3; early admission £15 starting at 6:30 Brewers, Springfield Road, Chelmsford, England.Thurs. to Sun., July 19-22, Historicon, Fredericksburg a.m. Contact: Norman Joplin, tel: 001 (262) 692-3913 Meets at 8 p.m. on the second Wednesday of everyExpo & Conference Center, 2371 Carl D. Silver or e-mail: [email protected]; Adrian Little, tel: month. Information: Les Bickmore, tel: 01621 744234.Parkway, Fredericksburg, Va., USA. The Historical 011 1635 30535 or e-mail: [email protected];Miniature Gaming Society-sponsored event features Website: www.normanjoplin.com. British Model Soldier Society (Northants Branch),tournaments, seminars, figure painting classes, contests Wellingborough Bowls Club, Hatton Park Road,and vendor sales. This year’s convention theme is Sat., Sept. 8, British Model Soldier Society Inter- Wellingborough, Northants, England. Meets at 7:30“Empires at War: Colonial Warfare, Imperialism and Branch Competitions, Masonic Lodge, Knowle, p.m. on the first Tuesday of every month. Information:Diplomacy, 1836-1937.” Visit the Website at www. Solihull, Warwickshire, England, U.K. Contact: Terry O’Neill, tel: 01933 681536.historicon.org for information on the convention Michael Creese, tel: 01728 602746; Website: www.fees and schedule. Contact: convention Director model.soldiers.btinternet.co.uk. British Model Soldier Society (Northern Branch)Bob Giglio, e-mail: [email protected]; or and the Manchester Association of Militarye-mail: [email protected]. Sat., Sept. 8, 51st Annual Washington Show Modelling Societies meet jointly from 1 to 5 p.m. on sponsored by the National Capital Model Soldier the third Saturday of every month at the Sale MoorSat. and Sun., July 21-22, Toy Soldier Extravaganza, Society, Richard J. Ernst Community Cultural Center Methodist Church Hall, Northenden Road, SaleHoliday Inn, I-275 and 6 Mile Road, Livonia, Mich., Gymnasium, Northern Virginia Community College, Moor, England. Adults £1 (children free). Information:USA. Presented by Joseph Saine Toy Soldiers. Auction 8333 Little River Turnpike, Annandale, Va. 9 a.m. Tom Cunningham, tel: 01614 992803.with 300-plus lots starts at 1 p.m. Saturday. Show to 5 p.m. Admission $7 adults, ages 13-17 $3 andwith dealers begins at 10 a.m. Sunday. Room trading children under 12 free. Contact: Chairman Steve Page, Irish Model Soldier Society, Garda Club, Harringtonon the preceding Friday and the Saturday. Contact: tel: (571) 203-0945; vendors contact: Jack Stresing, Street, Dublin 8, Ireland. Meets on the first ThursdayJoseph Saine, tel: (419) 662-8697 or e-mail: tel: (443) 223-6867 or e-mail: gonzo_miniatures@ of every month. Information: Tony Foley, tel: 00 [email protected]. comcast.net; Website: www.ncmss.org. 1 4932248.AUGUST Sun., Sept. 9, Dublin Toy and Train Fair, Clontarf Letchworth Scale Model Club, host of the British Castle Hotel, Castle Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin 3, Model Soldier Society North Herts Branch. MeetsFri. to Sun., Aug. 3-5, Artist Preservation Group’s Ireland. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact: Terry McNally, on the third Wednesday of every month from 7:30 toMilitary Miniature and Model Show, Fredericksburg tel: 00 353 1 2849199; or Brian Kelly, tel: 00 353 10 p.m. at the Four Emblems Club, 2 Station Road,Hospitality House, Fredericksburg, Va., USA. The 1 2803008 or e-mail: [email protected]; Letchworth Garden City, Hertfordshire, England,event will feature vendors, seminars, awards, an auction Website: www.dublintoyandtrainfair.com. U.K. All welcome. Guests must pay a £1 club guestand tours. The show raises funds for the non-profit membership fee to comply with the social club venue’sgroup’s ongoing efforts to preserve and restore historic Sun., Sept. 23, 32nd Annual OTSN Inc. Chicago bylaws. Information: Rod Johnson, club secretary andsites and artifacts. Contact: Chairman David Oswalt, Toy Soldier Show, Hyatt Regency Woodfield, 1800 BMSS area representative, tel: 01438 814225; Website:e-mail: [email protected]; Vendor Chairman East Golf Road, Schaumburg, Ill., USA. 10 a.m. www.letchworthsmc.yolasite.com.John Jeffries, e-mail: [email protected]; to 3:30 p.m. Admission $8; children under 12 free;Website: www.artistpreservationgroup.com. early admission $30 starting at 7 a.m. Contact: Don Manchester Toy Soldier Society. Meets on the last Pielin, tel: (630) 497-1239 or e-mail: dimestores@ Saturday of every month between 1 and 4 p.m. at theSat., Aug. 11, 21st Anniversary Southeastern Toy aol.com; Steve Sommers, (708) 383-6525; Website: Sir Ralph Abercrombey, Bootle Street (off DeansgateSoldier Show sponsored by the South Carolina toysoldiershow.com. behind the model shop), Manchester, England, U.K.Military Miniature Society, State Museum, 300 Information: Phil Jones, tel: 01612 889021.Gervais St., Columbia, S.C., USA. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. and Sun., Sept. 22-23, 27th Annual EuroContact: Dennis Fontana, tel: (803) 419-6747 or Militaire, Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone, Kent, England, Ontario Model Soldier Society. Usually meets one-mail: [email protected]. U.K. Hours 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. the second Sunday of each month (except July and to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission £10 one day or £14 two August) at Branch 210 of the Royal Canadian Legion,Sun., Aug. 19, Letchworth Scale Model Club days for adults, £26.50 or £37 for a family, £6.50 or £9 110 Jutland Road, Toronto, Ont., Canada. DoorsAnnual Showcase, Broadway Hotel, Letchworth, for concessions and children. Contact: Dave Holden, open at noon and the formal meeting begins at 1:30Hertfordshire, England, U.K. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. tel: +44 (0) 1993 709545 or e-mail: davidholden@ p.m. Information: Gary Lenius, tel: (416) 261-6494Features open competitions, displays by visiting myhobbystore.com; Website: www.euromilitaire.co.uk. or e-mail: [email protected]; Website: www.clubs, demonstrations, participation wargames and omss.ca.traders. Admission £2; seniors and children under Sat., Sept. 29, The New Yorker Toy Soldier &15 £1. Contact: Bob Parker, tel: 01480 891710; Military Miniature Show & Sale, Adria Hotel & South Carolina Military Miniature Society.Website: www.letchworthsmc.yolasite.com. Conference Center, 221-17 Northern Blvd. (off Cross Meetings are held at members’ homes in two U.S. Island Parkway), Bayside, Queens, New York City, cities: the second Thursday night of every month inSun., Aug. 26, 31st Annual New Jersey Historical USA. 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Admission $6; children under Columbia and on Sunday afternoons every six weeksMiniatures Associates Expo, Police Athletic League 12 free. Contact: John Stengel of The Marx-Man, tel: in Charleston. For meeting details, contact: Society(PAL) Hall, 1 PAL Drive, Wayne, N.J., USA. 10 a.m. to (718) 418-9439. President Dennis Fontana, tel: (803) 419-67472:30 p.m. Admission $6; children under 10 free. Exhibits, (Columbia); or Lance Leader, tel: (843) 795-8720competitions and vendors with toy soldiers, model figures Society Meetings (Charleston). For membership and club information,and scale models. Contact: NJHMA Secretary Al Green, contact: Geoff Walker, tel: (803) 356-2674 ortel: (973) 627-4961 or e-mail: [email protected]; British Model Soldier Society (National), Napier e-mail: [email protected].  Website: www.njhma.org/expo. Hall, Hide Place, Vincent Square, London, SW1. Usually meets from 5 to 7 p.m. on the third Friday of Southern California Toy Soldier Collectors Society.SEPTEMBER every month. Upcoming meeting themes and dates: Meets on the last Saturday of every other month Militaria July 20, Bring and Buy/Competition for Best at members’ homes. New members are welcome.Sat., Sept. 8, Ontario Model Soldier Society’s Model Aug. 17, and Indian Army Competition Sept. Contact: Mike Tarantino, tel: (909) 861-4252 or50th Anniversary On Parade, Old Fort York, 100 21. Information: Arthur Smith, tel: 02088 560064; or e-mail: [email protected] Road, Toronto, Ont., Canada. 10 a.m. Michael Creese, tel: 01728 602746; Website: www.to 3:30 p.m. The annual event will have a War of model.soldiers.btinternet.co.uk. Sydney Model Soldier Society. New members needed1812 theme to mark the 200th anniversary of the and welcome! Meets every second Wednesday in everyconflict and its importance in Canada’s history. The British Model Soldier Society (Bristol Area Branch), second month at Earlwood-Bardwell Park Bowling British Aerospace Welfare Association Club, 589 Club. Send all inquiries concerning membership and Southmead Road, Filton, Bristol, England. Meets meetings to the secretary: Tom Thorpe, 29 Chaleyer St., Willoughby 2068, Sydney, NSW, Australia. Tel: (612) 94172162.74 TOY SOLDIER & MODEL FIGURE