The first time I saw Marx Desert Fox Playset was in a Sears Catalog at my Aunt Anna’s and Uncle Elias’ home. We were there for a Christmas Party for the family and while we were waiting for dinner. I decided to look at the Sears Christmas Catalog mostly to look at the playsets. I stopped at the color pages of the Desert Fox Playset and looked at its contents. Unlike other Marx military playsets this set came with several sets of the German vehicles. I could see me doing stories of tank battles. Sadly I knew my parents would not buy it as they had a quirk against Sears due a bad experience on an appliance. So I forgot about those dreams.
I final picked up a partial Desert Fox Playset recently. It was a partial set missing most of the Americans and only have three U.S. tanks. It did have six German tanks. The vehicles are light gray, but the Germans are dark gray including the passenger for the motorcycle. Did the set come with dark gray Germans?
I do not know the contents of playsets as I always was more interested in the figures for my stories. When I started my business, stayed with figures and parts as I was not getting enough pieces to put playsets together, so I left that to other people. Still it is always interesting to see what went into a playset.
If I was doing a playset today similar to the Desert Fox, I would use Airfix Afrika Corp figures for the Germans.
I can’t speak for the Desert Fox set but I do know the “Desert Patrol” set – from what I gather a bit smaller version of the “Desert Fox” had dark grey figures but the motorcycle (as the German tanks and truck (not really a half-track, was it?) was done in a light gray, almost white plastic. From what I’ve seen of pix of Desert Fox playsets both sets contained about the same items, just the Desert Fox set had more tanks for each side and figures, too. ‘Hope this helps.
Even back in the day I considered those German 351 tanks absolute crap,why Marx couldn’t have put out a decent Tiger/Panther to counter the US 51 tank I don’t know.
I received the Desert Fox set for Christmas in 1972. My folks also had trouble with Sears because they had been turned down for a credit card in the 1960s (and still can’t get one). So the set came from Penney’s via Santa Claus. The Germans were the standard Marx darker gray, and all of the German vehicles were the near-white gray. So the items pictured above matched my set. The Americans came in a tanish-red, and the vehicles were a dark tan. Many hours were spent with my first “real” playset.
I agree with Brian. Probably due to the generic clunkiness of the Marx 351 “panzers” it was always easy for my big US 51 tank to take out all 8 with ease.
I agree Brain. Maybe one of the reason in CTS close scale match with Marx doing their real WW2 armor in the late 90′ till now.
I think back them history and accuracy was the less important. Most Hollywood film either because poor budget, lack of resource ,laziness in research and many done in US did same using post WW2 generic armor for every side. So Marx took that as a example to do the sets with out care of historical relevance. Even the ones coproduction filmed abroad use most same post era armor.
I doubt back them many child know the detail as well parents. Historic photo books with technical data were not that much sold yet as mid late 70’s when most start appearing with the fury of hobby/kit armor stores increasing.
Funny part the m41 and m51 resemble very close and M26 pershing used at the end (last weeks) of the war in very few encounters. The artist working on German Marx tank definitely had a panther as a sample to follow, yet he did not copy it at all. The turret resemble that of panther, yet they this the most cheap mold body chassis.
In the motorcycle-sidecar was another killer. Why if choosing a 1.32 rider them did it under scale and hollow the side car so companion figure looks like pushing with leg !?
The truck(never half track) in my opinion very like Remco WW1 armor truck, just open. It also a (what is that?).
Now all this with collectors eyes of today. I bet back them it was a wonder for those who enjoy it and still is as wonderful memory!!
The color mix (of different greys/tan/brown shade in one set)may be with idea to give child to be use in different war theater or may be give a more (COLORED) impression as grey, white and tan/brown are not very colorful toy attractive I guess!!Just a thought!!
My Desert Fox (exact Christmas I got it, I cannot recall) had dark grey Germans and the near-white vehicles (8 tanks, 4 trucks, 4 combis). The US vehicles were a mustard tan and my GI’s were fairly fleshy in color. The one my neighbor got had more pinkish GIs.
The German vehicles are just sort of generic ‘Germanesque’ type vehicles. The tank turret looks like a Panther (which did not go to North Africa) but the suspension looked like a Pzkw II. The main gun is absurdly oversized. The truck is just generic, but it must have been inspired by the Krupp Protze (for motorized troops as opposed to Panzergrenadiers), the production of which ceased in early 1943.
I DO like my Marx vehicles to this day. I’ve got them in dark grey and a nice yellow-tan that Excalibur had cast them in. Those tanks, via my imagination, serve as Pzkw III’s, Pzkw IV’s or Panthers depending on the scenario.
I was never quite sure what to do with the 51 tank, back when I got it. Now – it’s an IS-2 or KV-1 facing off against my Durham Tiger II.
I was 10 years old in 1974, for my Birthday I got to choose my present , my personal choices were between the Marx Iwo Jima ( never had Marx WW2 Japanese at that time ) the other choice was the Marx Desert Fox, I couldn’t resist all those armored vehicles plus the German side cars, so I chose the Desert Fox set,some contents were, light grey germans ( almost white, WHY ?) tan ( yellow/brown mustard tan ) Americans, light grey German vehicles and Mustard tan American vehicles, WHAT A BLAST THAT SET WAS !!!
Somewhere around that time all the Germans were getting cast in that ‘ghost grey’. I never saw them until I began collecting as an adult. Even my Navarone set had dark grey Germans, despite many collectors telling me that never happened. I’ve also seen that ‘Quaker Oats green’ the GI’s were cast in. Oddly enough, they match the Glencoe recast Marx Marines perfectly!
That pea green color also I have seen in the mego battlegrounds? I am looking for vehicles and any GIs in this color if anyone has some for sale. Every Navarone set I have seen, (2 I had were open for inspection only) contained dark gray germans. First year of issue had 64 Germans and 64 GIs.
I got a Battleground playset in the summer of 1975 in Canada, and the Germans were dark grey. I too, never saw any light grey Germans until I saw them as an adult on the internet.
My friend got a Navarone set for Christmas of 1976 and his Germans were dark grey too.
Navarone arrived two years later. Super exciting and tough to wait all the way to Christmas. My Germans were still dark gray, just the same as the Desert Fox soldiers. The GIs did come in the semi-glossy green, as did the US vehicle set. The only odd-colored accessories (at least to me) were the yellow cannons and ladders in the cliffs, as well as all of the furniture and accessories inside the mountain. So, as a primary source with most of the set intact, I can back you up, Greg.
From what I have learned the initial desert fox playset came out in 1967 the Marx number is 4177 and Sears number 59222 (sears allstate box) I think I will have to double check. This one had the flat vehicles: 4 German vehicle sets in flat light gray with 3 flat tan/Khaki US vehicle sets and large 51 tank. 48 dark gray Germans with 8 seated dark gray Germans, gun cover, 88, howitzer, shell firing machine gun, concertina wire, and barb wire, tent set in tan. US soldiers were light tan, I think a set of 32 and a set of 16 series I with 8 seated. 1/2 set of palm and ferns, and one weapons accessory sprue. Later the 4178 MO (from Penneys, orange and white litho box, sometimes with the print on the lid being upside down) came out with 4 German vehicles sets in waxier light gray and 3 waxy tan/khaki US vehicles with large 51 tank, 48 Germans still dark gray plus 8 seated, US figures turned to 32 waxy OD/olive green with 16 in waxy light tan. NO gun cover. 88, howitzer and machine gun non firing version with playmat included. At some point light gray Germans could have been substituted for the dark gray. Then the holy grail desert fox is the chocolate mousse set. This is one of the last versions from Penney’s. It had 32 GIs and 8 seated GIs and 3 US vehicle sets large 51 tank all in chocolate mousse color. It had the 16 first series GIs in a waxy khaki color (unique to this set only) with the standing firing guy missing his bayonet from the mold, it was short shot. The Germans and German vehicles are almost if not actually a white color. Again no gun cover. The desert patrol was a 4174 (picture box) also from 1967 with gun cover, firing 88, no howitzer, 2 german vehicle sets in flat light gray, 1 us vehicle set in flat khaki, 1/2 palm fern set, 32 dark gray germans and 32 light tan GIs, 3 concertina wire in a gray and rose splash color too. No US or German Flags in any of these desert sets. Anyone wanting pictures or exact detail ask and I will look at mine and get back to you. This is all from memory at the computer.
Eddie
Thanks for your information on the Desert Fox Playset. The one I got was marked 4719. It had seven German tanks one was missing turret but only four German trucks. It did have the three American tanks and three halftracks in tan.
I have also gotten a set with 32 peach/flesh color GIs. Paul never heard or seen a 4719. Do you have the box or picture of the box? That is definitely a new variation for me. Interesting to see it.
Eddie w
I will try to get photo tomorrow and double check the number.
All the sets with exception of the desert patrol came with accessory sprue of weapons, usually in silver. I have seen some with olive green but can’t confirm original to set.
Good morning Eddie,
I have what I believe to be a complete Desert Patrol set. I was a bit concerned I might not have a complete set, as I do not have a weapons sprue, but your info set me at ease. Apparently the Desert Patrol did not have the sprue.
Do you know if this set was supposed to have a playmat? I purchased the set from a very reputable seller, but did want to make sure because mine did not have it.
I received the Desert Patrol set for Christmas in 1967; Eddie’s description pretty much fits my memory. My Germans were the dark gray and the GI’s light tan; I still have several of the GIs from the set. I had the tanks, too; but sadly they were in the box that was stolen from my apartment along with other accessories (like three plastic Fort Apaches) when I was in college.
I have a question as I do not know any about playset from Marx in the way they come, never had one plus total ignorant of the play set Marx collection other that their loose figures -accse.
Does different stores distribute/sort them different as per request with Marx!? or all were send the same to all stores from Marx warehouse/factory?
Erwin
Marx first did playsets that were available to all stores. Then Marx did special orders for their big clients such Sears. Sometimes the set would be different such as in Sears Civil War sets the 54mm special set such stretcher party were done in opposite color to the what I call the National TV set. Marx did unique sets for Sears an example of this is the Sear Store. Sears also did cheaper playsets for store such as the Five and Dime Stores. These playsets were sold at lower price so they would have less items.
Thank you admin for the explanation, It help me understand more the diversity now and knowledge ;Still I have a long way to go to learn about all them of course.
Erwin
I am always learning new things in our hobby. Marx can be learn by getting Playset magazine.
Supposedly all Marx sets, those not made for others of the same set number should have had the same accessories and number of figures. However, every year at OTSN they open a sealed set and most every year we get a surprise regarding what’s in the set. I specifically remember the Blue and Gray they opened had an extra bag of Union infantry. My understanding and my experience with helping Ron Barzso collate sets one year by hand, mistakes can and do happen. If I remember correctly the Zorro horse was just thrown in the box, not even in a bag. This year I was surprised to see 54mm cavalry horses in a Rin Tin Tin set and the horse was defective coming out of the mold, short legs and a missing stirrup. My set back in 1956 or 1957 had the 60mm horses that you had to equip with saddle and reins.
ed; interesting. I heard of many sealed set pupping up and their finds at shows and comments before.I do not doubt your finds at all neither what you saw, but wonder if in some cases could/may had been resealed back or else?
Another thing is very interesting in the defective item .I never though Marx would do it a playset. Like you say, mistake happen..
Erwin
If the playset had been opened when Marx was in business. If the person wrote to them, they would have gotten replacements. I know one person who got replacements and extra figures.
Ed B
The women who worked at Marx were on an assembly line and if they did not have an item they throw something to keep things going. You will find mistakes. I got as Gunsmoke character that had two Chester figures but no Miss Kittie.
I often wonder is someone is re-sealing them somehow, but I can’t prove or disprove it. I know the staples are still in the box and there are no obvious signs of them being opened before, but yet I wonder where people find all these sets unopened almost 60 years after they were made.
I imagine the people that worked at the Marx factory weren’t well paid and I can see someone on an assembly line being a little lax in their duties, must be boring as hell. to stand there all day and stuff figures or whatever into a box. I know I’d have to space out to do that all day.
I agree Ed,I have the same question after so many years these mint appear, but some time too often. I bet the ones at shows are real mint as one u saw, but when see some listed online I’m wondering was going on. The assembling lax is of course a normal issue, now more than ever. No wonder some mix up surprises.
I got this for Christmas in December 1976. I still have most of the soldiers and vehicles, but lost the map and a few smaller items over the years.
that is what to many of our playsets pieces got lost or misplaced.
….if the Marx German “351” tanks were modeled after the Panther, what were the US “41” and “51” tanks modeled after? Maybe an M46 Patton?
I think the Marx tanks in the Combat and Battleground playsets were modeled after the M26 Pershings, which arrived late in WWII, but became more plentiful in the Korean War.
It’s the one I’m hoping CTS will release as part of it’s Korean War series.
Correct,MARX made 4 scale versions.
With numbers on it.
#1 for HO sets,#41 and #51 x battleground playset and larger scale also done by IDEAL ,but MARX verssion has the # 81 on it and was made with a shooting cannon.
All are very accurate close to M26 Pershing or later M46 call PATTON that was a very slight variation of same M26 w different cannon and better engine.So they could be use ither or.
The MARX german tank is a very distant relative of the Panthers by most.They went off a lot ,same in odd armored carrier that do not resemble any ever used by any army.
I used to think the Marx WWII German tank was a work of pure fantasy, not modeled on any actual German tank. But when someone says it was based on the Panther, I can see that.
It’s the gun that throws you off – that looks like a 10 – 16″ gun on those things. I’d hate to be in the tank when it’s fired. I never figured the logic in making it that way.
Wayne W: …..yes, even the big “51” tank looked a little out-gunned by the cannon on the German “351”….:)….
Yes Agree and ironically the M26 had a longer and biger cannon than Panter 75mm.
All M26 made by Marx were done with too short cannon minus the large 81 that was made as IDEAL as to fire shells
I have a couple of the “81” tanks I got on ebay. Also, made a play table for my Desert Fox Playset; can I post a pic of it here? If so, how do I do it?
Clarence, to post photos here, you must email them to Paul Standinger (Admin) at “pestad@gmail.com”. Include your description and comments about what you’re sending, and normally Paul is quite happy to put up both your photos and comments.
Go ahead and do it. Everyone here likes seeing those kinds of photos.
Okay, Don..will do…thanks a million….:)…
..Pics on the way…:)….
Yes I got one each x compere only in my collection.
Funny the one cost me more is #51.
The big 81 I got at a garage sale.
Later to discover was Marx verssion.
Mine is dark olive or OD.
The mexican recast together w SPG 53 used in Korea war too I got and sold out are base in Ideal mold not Marx of same armor.
Easy wast to recognise is by number of return wheels between both track models.
Reliable from Canada made a copy of both ,theM26/46 and M53 SPG.But add an extra hatch I think.
Reliable versions are mark Reliable ..
I got those too.Will have compere and see.
Is hard to figure out in the big scale who did it first.
If Ideal or Marx,maybe Reliable.
Ideal was sold in the Anzio invader,also loose and in odd silver and orange colors too as far I had see…
Reliable in silver and DG.
Marx only see in one color OD.
🙂 🙂
…..good info Erwin: I will check my “81” tanks to see if I can identify which version they are….
TSSD or CTS ought to do a new set of Afrika Korps. My personal favorites are the Matchbox set, with Airfix and Deetail running a close second. Revell was also very good. Atlantic had some nice heroic poses, but the separate headgear was a pain and the field caps didn’t look quite right on their heads.
If TSSD or CTS did Afrika Korps, they could release a Kasserine Pass set using their already available American Infantry.
New Afrika Corps and British 8th Army are always welcome, and Mark correctly identifies the most likely new makers as TSSD and CTS.
But TSSD is in the middle of it’s Vietnam releases, and CTS is just now releasing its second Korean War set.
As Rusty Kern’s Playset Magazine keeps preaching, the best way to encourage new production is to be supportive of a manufacturer’s current production efforts. Good sales on what’s now being offered will inevitably lead to new investments, and new sets being offered. And nothing else under the sun will do that.
I agree with Don.With new production take so long ago time and vietnam era in the hot spot.I do not think changing could be a good tactic.
Otherwise may well lead to cut short one era like just to happen to Conte changing from one thematic to other w out finish onle.Leaving many non complete.
EXF annunce new africa WW theater sets with Axis and allied soon.As they clearly indicate a lot future release in historical period and none VN and Korea wars I will think is the best bet wait x then.Any how they release faster than none.
Any ways I agree w Mark mention THE only few resent done as of course some easy vintage and not that easy AK out there.
The KASSERINE pass and few other battles least could be done with and definettely a great game.Is true it had not well been cover and resently more Italians had been done than AK.
I like add to tha german paratrooper s were part of new German army forces in west Africa and engage both british and American plus French in last action .They were same LWFJ uniforms.So the airfix and italeri could also be used too.
My best …
And ready to enter show …
Later…:-) 🙂 🙂
Airfix’s Afrika Korps are still great figures – I just hope they’ve become victim of the innumerable Hong Kong rip-offs and therefore now seem kind of generic as far as their poses go (though Airfix originals are still great); I like Matchbox’s set as well; agree with the critique on Atlantic (but have never really been fond of them anyway); Revell’s set was okay – except for the scale problem. Yes, I think a new set is due because we are looking at – something like 20 years since Revell’s set? I think there would be a market, too.
I personal like the Atlantic AK because the dynamism in poses ,gestures and close combat unique poses.The hats,summer hats and helmet variety was great idea and only made in this Atlantic set .I understand the head fase issues,still I acepted not every body like them as typical of italian brands that emphasis in human expression.Their scale in 60 mm too or taller.
Any how Matchbox AK are taller than Airfix AK and their weapon bigger ,so not quite in scale,same than happen with 1:35 scale Revell and some Airfix weapons are undercale plus MP 40 wrong done.Matchbox MG 34 done in 2D odd style…So nothing is perfect I guess…
For me scales in same scenes is not issues in WW2 as not need be next each other as in old eras formation.
Airfix multipose kit AK is perfect match with originals and out three set I manage get 14 new poses perfect glue as only head and torsos are need be glue plus and in same idea as Atlantic you can either choose three types hats and helmets.
So not hard do find ,kits are as around at shows as never reissued-this set.Today I saw one now at show and I had see at eBay but ussualy x more and Europe most time.
I agree more could be done of course but with all those 4 and Britain,plus Lone Star and few other vintage I got enough armies x me to make me happy for long..
Is not like nothing done or few.I mean among Matchbox,Airfix,Atlantic,Revell and Britain I can count over 56 different poses as far I can remember ,not counting mulipose sets.
But is just my prefferences…..
Best….:-) 🙂
Yes, the Airfix Afrika Korps were excellent figures, fully as outstanding as the other WWII lines released by Airfix.
And while TSSD has released new WWII sets of Russians, Japanese, U.S. Marines, U.S. Infantry, and multiple sets of Germans, it hasn’t come up with new sets of British 8th Army or Afrika Korps, even though I voted for both last year when TSSD solicited opinions on what it should produce next.
And CTS also released new WWII sets, including U.S. Army, Japanese, Germans, and Italians. Similarly, CTS also hasn’t gone the 8th Army/Afrika Korps route either. If they ever do, I will cheerfully support it, as I have all their products.
But I continue to believe, like Rusty Kern, that it is self-defeating for hobbyists to fail to support CTS and TSSD current offerings, often for one trivial reason after another, and then simultaneously expect either company to nevertheless lay out such substantial investments on new projects.
The toy soldier fraternity isn’t quite large enough to indulge itself like that anymore.
Both CTS and TSSD early on invested heavily in multiple WWII lines, only to find they needed to expand to other historical eras to maintain or increase sales.
I myself have a fairly long personal list of new eras I’d like to see new toy soldiers made for. It includes Afrika Korps, British 8th Army, Conquistadors, Civil War Zouaves, French Foreign Legion, TSSD Viet Cong (to go along with their new NVA Regulars), North American Woodland Indians, and additional Trojans and Greeks from LOD.
Since I’m in my retirement years, I don’t expect to see everything I want. But the CTS Chinese Communists and North Korean sets came unexpectedly out of nowhere, as did TSSD’s new Vietnam sets. So I continue to be hopeful for more surprises. So far, I’ve liked everything both companies have released.
I will support about everything coming out within my budget; I’ve never been one to hold out for a particular item – it’s kind of self-defeating when you think of it. I am just tickled at a lot of the stuff that IS being produced to stomp my feet over some esoteric set that would be nice to have.
Wayne, I understand completely what you are saying.
I myself had to draw the line for Expeditionary Force products, which are a little too expensive for me, especially considering how many sets they tend to release. Besides, they are a little too much in “kit” form to suit me, and I don’t enjoying all the glueing that’s required. But I’ve nevertheless bought several of their sets, and they are very nice.
I also had to draw the line at Engineer Bassavitch and Pvblivs. I bought a few of their initial sets, but then had to stop because of the high cost.
But TSSD, CTS, Paragon, Austin Miniatures, LOD, and now ChinToys are all reasonably priced, high-quality injection-molded plastic, with good selection of historical subject, made by people I regard as serious-minded toy soldier collectors who try very hard to make a real contribution to the hobby. When they come out with a new product, I find it distasteful to start nitpicking them.
I feel the same way about Replicants, Weston, Barzso, and Bill Stengle’s Action Castings.
I can’t afford to buy large quantities of everything they make, or even single issues of everything they put out, but I try within the limits of my toy soldier budget to be supportive.
I forgot to mention AIP, one of my old favorites.
Roger to all of that, Don.
I’m a baby-boomer who is running breathlessly trying to catch up with my childhood. Over the last few years I’ve been selectively acquiring some of the favored toys from my childhood; last summer I found a Johnny Eagle Lieutenant .45 and M14 in excellent condition for a very fair price.
Along those lines…in 1964 or ’65 my parents got me the Marx Battleground set (Blue and Gray was for my tenth birthday in 1962 which coincided with a trip from Michigan to Gettysburg.
Over the winter I’ve been buying Battleground components as well as an original (though somewhat tattered) box. The plan is not to recreate the set that I had, but a set with a lot of extras and redundancies. Right now I’m deciding whether to keep the accessories (blockhouses, dragon’s teeth, etc) in their original marbled plastic color or to paint them.
Soldier on!
Mannie
I always build the playset the way you want it.