Part Three Observations Plastic Warrior Show, I continue my thoughts on my trip to the UK and the Plastic Warrior Show. I want to relate how traveling around London has changed for me.
Part Three Observations Plastic Warrior London Transportation
these were soldiers I picked up in Belgium. They are 70mm.
I have been going to London off and on since 1970. While the London transportation system has remained somewhat the same. I have seen changes in how I use it. Back when I first started I thought nothing of hopping on buses or the underground. Now, I have to plan how I am going to get around due to my health issues. For example, I hired a party to take me to and from Heathrow Airport. This saved me from using the underground to get to my hotel. Most of the time I had someone with me or they would see I got on the right bus for my hotel. There were only two times I traveled alone. One was to go to Forbidden Planet the largest comic book shop in London. To get there you get off at Convent Garden Tube Stop.
The first thing I found out is that you can use your credit card if it has the tap feature. It is cheaper than buying a travel card. The next thing you must know most of the underground is not handicap accessible. You will have to use steps to get in and out. The steps were not bad at Convent Garden and there is an elevator.
From the Convent Garden tube stop, I went to Forbidden Planet. The store is on two floors. The main floor has all the different superheroes and action figures. I wanted the basement as I was hoping to get some magazines. Sadly, the downstairs had been turned into selling graphic novels and books. I did get lucky and got the latest book by one of my favorite authors L.E. Modedesit JR. It is From the Forest. Why this was a good find it is a first edition and has a signed plate on the inside. Before COVID, Forbidden Planet would have signings and would get the authors to sign a few more.
After Forbidden Planet
After Forbidden Planet, I walked taking short breaks looking for a tube stop. I finally ended up at Piccadilly Circus. I took the Picadilly line to Hammersmith which is handicap-accessible. Also, a pub close by has a hard cider with rhubarb in it. So after my drink, I took the bus back to my hotel.
I like the GI’s in the above photo Stad. Interesting all-one-piece copies of some of Ideal’s Battle Action series. There is a Greek maker who also did something similar, although the Greek figures are a little smaller, maybe 54mm to 60mm scale and their molding and detail I don’t think is quite as good as these ‘Belgian’ GI’s.
I thought I recognized the poses, but couldn’t figure out where I’d seen them (or figures like them).
They are made in HK .
In the first half of the 90s I got a bag of GIs like those above in a Stuckeys – I have the first two poses – and they are marked made in Hong Kong.
Nice update on the Forbidden Planet, you awesome traveler. I’ve wanted to go there for ages.