Starlux Castle with 40mm Figures is from Mike Purchase. Mike is a fan of 40mm figures. Elastolin, Merten and Starlux medieval figures are in the scene. The figures are either repaired, converted or repainted.
Starlux Castle with 40mm Figures
The Starlux castle shown here is the largest they did for 40mm figures. They did two others a small and medium castles. These castles were available in 1980’s by various dealers. It was a hit or miss situation in finding a dealer for Starlux. I was able to acquire Starlux back then through a party who would order from Starlux. Others could buy from Toy Soldier Company. Mike who lives in Canada got his castle before this time period, but did not say how.
The Starlux Castle with 40mm Figures is a nice set up. In the field you have various makers with 40mm Elastolin siege weapons such as a catapult and an arrow shield. Elastolin made its siege equipment in 40mm and 70mm. I wonder if the 40mm Elastolin siege tower would work in this set up.
I like how Mike has his mounted knights charging out of the castle to disrupt the attack. Over on the left side Mike has the attackers using siege ladders to breach the castle.
The castle itself is made of fiber board and plastic. The walls are fiber board while the castle top and gate are plastic. Mike has not given us the dimensions of the castle which we hope to get in the near future.
Starlux Castle with 40mm Figures Final Thoughts
In conclusion, I like what Mike has done with this set up, first the design and then how he has painted and converted the figures. I am a little jealous as I owe a 60mm Starlux castle, but it has sat in the box since I bought it as I have no where to put it.
If you have any photos you want to share email us at pestad@gmail.com.
The castle works ok with 1/32 figures too.
http://s1295.photobucket.com/user/BillyHillRN/media/Medieval%20Castles%20and%20Siege%20Engines/Starlux%20castle%201_zpssrbfjqqz.jpg.html?sort=9&o=116
Very nice.
How did you determine the castle was Starlux? Is there a marking somewhere?
Hi Brian
There no marking on the castle at all. However my father, who bought it for me, told me that it was made by Starlux & it was the biggest castle that they made at that time. (1963) It was a Christmas present. The height of the tallest tower is 13 inches & it 18 inches at is longest side. (it is not square) .
Yes it does work well with 54mm & I have even used it with 30mm figures with some minor modifications.
The castle is castle number # 7-069 by Claibois.Not Starlux.According to Mausse Du Jauet ,BXL and (Toys and Fort CASTLES) book By ALLEN HICKLING w N J .
It is very hard to distinguish many French made castles specially if out box and instruction .However generally Starlux castles differ more from rest in texture.
The knights sets and scale are awesome looking.
I think is way more appropriated for 40/45 mm scale figures,54 mm look to big and tall on walls ramparts with half body showing up.
My thoughts.
Best..
Yes, thank you. I have 5 Starlux castles and they seem different than this one. I have that great book as well and see the castle to which you are referring. Since it came with Starlux figures, perhaps it is usually thought of as Starlux. I have the 7-068 and 7-073 versions on the same page. They are a bit smaller scale than 54 mm but are quite attractive. Neat stuff. Thanks again..
Brian
I think all castles from Claibois were x 45 mm intended, they run small.Problaby Starlux sold their figures with it too!!?
The JEM brand (one in same page )I think 7-068 was reissue by LUDOREV in 1990’s ,they were three version ,one with robin hood figures poses set,one with knights and one -the (larger)with knights too and a Viking ship ,but not Vikings as the 12 poses mounted and foot 54 mm knights were reissue from original Jem brand too .
They were sold x few here in some stores ,I got them .They are nice ALL plastic castle I think.
I have several Luderov/Norev castles as well. One may have been a display model as is still has 6-7 knights mounted on it through holes in their bases. It is quite large and on a large rock outcropping. nice painting, a little bit brittle for rough play, and quite neat really. Unlike Starlux castles, they are quite light.
Erwin, do you have a large collection of toy castles?
Brian
I agree in light quality plastic of walls, almost Vacuformed type material in LUDOREV castles.
the 3er model whoever with black conical roofing and Big center circular tower is heavier plastic,it also has tournament and tent else plus a tall catapult-trebuchet type.
I do have a considerable collection of plastics (minus one ) toy castles. My collection was larger but I had reduced considered, still own a good quantity.
So far top of my head I can remember.
10 SIMBA in 7 different styles
1-IMEX(full largest)
2-Playmobil,one is the huge largest. Other is smaller
1-BIG-JEAN HOEFLER typical castle
2-(STAR TOY -HK) used as well with other roman (crescent copies HK roman knights figures I post here before base in Jean hoefler but with different texture rock walls
1-(MARX tin standard knights 54 mm all tin litho with red plastic parts) ,but no box -box got destroyed with time.(My only MARX PLAYSET)
1- Supreme
1- TM-Toy major early playset, not the newest.
3 LUDEOREV
1- TIBIDABO version (they are 5 different version of this castle with walls and tower variation),one Italian, one made in Germany,one made by Cherilea(smaller version -not Kleewater please ) and two by COMANSI and/or Jecsan
1-SOMA
1-Halsall International(this castle was sold in UK and Canada as far I know, never saw in US or sold by any body here as far I know) I got mine from Canada.
It come with 8-10 knights varied poses base Italeri French and English knights sets poses.
Castle is call robin hood but not robin hood figure come with it.
I did have one Starlux once and sold out , same in MPC ,the Ideal(former CHERLEA Then TIMPO TOYWAY sold.
I had a TIMPO too.
Both Timpo and Cherilea sold out because the half tower type is not my like at all.I had idea to buy few and attach two towers together to made real towers ,but as not time x conversion else I give up away.
I also have several Barzso castle parts and from others too,but not recall now.
I have 4 of (men of 76) castles (Vauban style) not quite but close.
I try to buy the Ticoderga castle by Barzso and when saw one in a show decided not too. Been a new Yorker and part of reenactment association x the 3 battles of Ticonderoga area I notice this is the only large playset Barzso mess with scale, the walls and barracks are x 45 mm not more, so the doors size and else. Even do the detail and replica is almost exact to the point.
I had intended buy other Starlux in else but because of extreme shipping cost, fragility else I had decide not too.
Sorry…for now I run out of water, pardon words…
I may forgot something of course…
If will like see small part of my collection playset castle build with large playmobil and converted/over painted Britain,Dulcop,starlux else knights/others.
at my web site bottom title page name (CASTLE BATTLE COLLECTIONS )
http://selltoyco.com/?page_id=637
Thanks
best…
Here is an interesting link -in French about making castles and artist way to do wall textures.
http://miniatures.chavanon.free.fr/chateau2.htm
Wow, very ambitious. Looks good though!
Hi Erwin
No the Starlux castle did not come with any figures. I did however receive a couple of sets of guys climbing ladders. (pictured on the wall of the castle). Prior to receiving the castle I bought some 40mm Starlux mounted knights for myself. This was the start of my 40mm collection. These figures were very hard to find in Canada.
http://assets.amuniversal.com/f73a341012d201346be6005056a9545d
Michael thank you and grate nice display.
Generally speaking and base in two books plus forums I red from France.
All Claibois brand castles I had seen were x the 40/45 mm scale by size and wall entrances made. Most in plastic or half as yours. Yours is depicted in a book and also in a different forum with pictures, I sent pictures to admin and could forward to you else.
However and with respect to your father words.
It could had well been sold under Starlux as Starlus by self did not made castles, but they hire and use one factories(PLASTICOBIS) that worked for then making castles, buildings(most farms) and few army barracks HQ ,but they used generally the flat base with much less plastic(usually roof only and few minor frame parts). The texture was different from that Claibois.
Now is also true Starlux may had bought from Claibois and sale their castles as wells.
I do recall most Starlux castles come with few knights generally as sold as playset.
Wile Claibois cases as seen in pictures are along in boxes.
Also because Starlux is the best French toy brand know abroad it may had well sold as it even was not original designed by it.
I love your collection and trust me which I could go and get those castles plus figures, but my scales go from 50mm to 100 max so far ,still I had own few odd smaller and bigger most x rarity interest.
Nothing against 40 mm scale is I got so much as I’m complete x any history period that I become a trash soldier collector, so much I got deep in barrels myself.
Your castles is beautiful and very rare in the US indeed. I had never see this brand-type in any show ,eBay else.
Starlux knights are also very rare see here in US in that scale least. I had see more MERTEN 40 mm
There is famous Toy castle collector in US (JOSEP w SVEC III) He wrote a more simple books with castles from late 60’s till now and cover a wide variety with descent pictures and simple information, not deep.He did not cover much Starlux(only 3) ,he did cover JEM(now LUDOREV)
I found it interesting whoever pictures/papers quality is not the best and some information is not accurate 100%.
Still a good resource. The book is on sale online from him or at amazon as well.
I have it and can ship to you if you paid me shipping and then send back once read or do copies of as very light book and USPS media mail is cheap in US or you can buy it if like.
here is Amazon link.
https://www.amazon.com/Toy-Castles-Knights-Guide-Around/dp/0741473232/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1466876461&sr=1-3&keywords=a+guide+toy+castles+and+knights+book
Best Regards..
Hi Erwin
Thank you for your kind words & complements. You are a font of knowledge, thank you for sharing this gift with us.
My focus has been figures rather than buildings. I am a 3rd generation toy soldier collector. I have inherited my grandfather’s & later my father’s collections. However most of these figures have been repainted & converted to suite our needs & requirements for large formations.
The knights that are pictured in the castle scene are part of my battle of Crecy which is probably close to 900 figures so it was easy to set a few out with the castle to be pictured. (I have been collecting figures for this encounter since I was 8.)
I think I have passed along the joy that comes with toy soldier collecting to my 2 sons & I hope they will continue the family tradition of collecting & painting these little marvels that we all seek & hold in such high regard.