BMC Toys Update

Posted on February 26, 2016 by admin

Our very good Friend Brian Johnson spotted this on BMC Toys. As you may know BMC Toys has  been by Victory Buy Inc. The link below will give the status of their present product and the possibility of new product. Bill McMaster was one of the good guys.

BMC Toys Update

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50 Responses to BMC Toys Update

  1. erwin says:
    February 26, 2016 at 11:32 PM

    Interesting. Hope they go ahead with the future and thoughts plans and not fall sleep selling the old stock x years to come.
    Which the old dream of Bill to resale then back at big box store could return too.

    Reply
  2. Jon Burk says:
    February 27, 2016 at 10:51 PM

    I look forward to the restocking of old favorites. I hope they do carry forward with the new products that Bill had in the pipeline. it’s always good to have low cost mass produced toy soldiers available. getting BMC sets for my son got me interested in this Hobby. If they can get the sets back in Toys R Us or other major retailers, there is a chance to introduce many more younger people to the hobby. I like that Victory Buy will continue the products under the BMC name to honor bill McMasters’ legacy and continue the name recognition!

    Reply
  3. Greg Liska says:
    February 28, 2016 at 11:58 AM

    Hope we see the figures cast in better colors and good plastic.

    Reply
  4. Don says:
    February 28, 2016 at 2:40 PM

    I would enjoy seeing the BMC in different colors as well.

    Aside from BMC’s playset box art, which was exceptional, I always had mixed feelings about each of the BMC playsets:

    1) In the Alamo Playset, I thought the Mexican figures were very good, but the Alamo defender figures were crappy;

    2) In the Gettysburg Playset, I thought nearly everything —- figures, buildings,and fences — were just great;

    3) In the D-Day Playset, I didn’t think the figures were very good, but thought the landing craft and barbwire beach sections were exceptional;

    4) In the San Juan Hill Playset, I also thought the figures weren’t very good, but that the Hacienda centerpiece was truly a great work of art;

    5) In the Iwo Jima Playset, the figures were all very good, especially those Japanese, which were extremely well done;

    6) In the Little Big Horn Playset, I once again wasn’t impressed with the figures, but those BMC teepees were the best ever made, easily surpassing the teepees by Marx.

    I once had a discussion with Glenn Smith, and seemed to share my thoughts on all this stuff.

    But despite the uneveness of the quality, I always appreciated what Bill McMasters was trying to do in terms of once again mass-marketing complete, boxed, stand-alone, affordable playsets.

    And when I ran into Mr. McMasters at OTSN for several years running, he was always a pleasant, nice person to speak to.

    Reply
  5. ed borris says:
    February 28, 2016 at 3:12 PM

    I never cared much for the BMC figures at all, although the Iwo figures were pretty good. Copying King and Country was a good idea. I could live with the figures if they weren’t such a hard plastic, almost need a saw to convert them. The anatomical proportions were often poor and the weapons were bad. Somehow though, no matter how bad the set was they always seemed to have a couple decent figures, even the D-day which was by far the worst offering had the dead German which wasn’t a bad figure, the prone German machine gunner was passable too. I have to keep reminding myself that they weren’t collectible figures, bur rather toys. As a kid I would have loved them, well some of them anyway, even as a kid I could recognize a good figure from a bad one.

    Reply
  6. erwin says:
    February 28, 2016 at 5:29 PM

    BMC in my opinion .The more important is they were toy of course and the great push idea to bring back the lost era of toy soldiers playset.
    Many figures were far crude than many done now by cheap Chinese firm,.
    Sample DGN civil war are more nice in poses and anatomic versus deformed bodies of civil war BMC first sets and even later set too.
    Prisoner camp was nice palisade but I think the set was not well received.
    Spanish American ,Alamo, Revolution and Custer have a mix of pro and cont ,figures in most not far crude versus others. Still the variety of poses was far better than most collectibles new sets done today. So in variety of poses they were the best till now!!!
    .
    WW2 German are deformed. Not only ugly, they got one leg/arm much short other, extra large head and so on, the British and Americans are less bad.
    Iwo Jima Marines and Japanese as taken from K&C were the best ,still the helmet not correct and K&C style bulky weapons made it looks very short and not correct(specially in Japanese)-not to blame BMC in this, but of course much netter than many others.
    Still many bought and keep then as not death end and feel gaps as well increase collection, not the best, not middle yet not the worst.
    Plastic was very stiff and hard x conversion.
    Box design and accessories were the best the playset had, cannon, trenches ,cannon , building, armor and even the horses are well done.
    Above all as I mention before, the great effort done is what really impress me more as were intended primary x the children in the focus of teaching history with some good toys and correct depiction of it.
    In the 80’s the only cheap HK playset available around by RADO,DFC and others have nothing.Such ANZIO beach head with cloned of Airfix same figures facing each other with few under scale copies cheap modern tank inside. Then BMC come after in the 90’s with much better and never done before era/war sets .
    Too bad TRU and others did not care and focus versus money ending it soon.

    Reply
  7. Tom Black says:
    February 28, 2016 at 6:01 PM

    If I was Victory Buy I would destroy the figure molds and re-use them for new better sculpted figures. Maybe updates on their Timmee Vietnam figures or enemies for them. The buildings and accessories I would keep and add to their Timmee vehicles and such for many different style playsets.

    Reply
    • admin says:
      February 28, 2016 at 7:41 PM

      Tom
      It is doubtful will do that as they have to recapture their investment. What will be more interest is the projects Bill McMasters had plan is where they can make sure the figures are of a higher quality.

      Reply
    • erwin says:
      February 28, 2016 at 8:17 PM

      In my opinion.I don’t know how you can destroy the mold figure part and re-use later!?You mean use the block mold holder plate!?
      But I will not like x that as it is still interesting toy figures x kids and many non kids too.
      Beside eliminate too much profit that could be done with then if proper sold to museums, school supply stores and else.
      No right/correct thing to do I guess!!

      Reply
  8. ed borris says:
    February 28, 2016 at 8:54 PM

    Well,, if the problem was with the molds for the D-Day figures, they should rework those for sure. However, it looks to me like there was an issue on how the figures came out of the mold, like too early or too late and they only ran them the one time. Quality control must have been out to lunch when they were produced.The English seemed to come out okay, but the Americans and Germans look like hideous freaks for the most part.

    Reply
  9. ed borris says:
    February 28, 2016 at 8:57 PM

    That’s my next adventure, try our hand at making some molds for the production of some resin figures. I guess we’ll find out first hand what the troubles are. I think it will be an experience anyway.

    Reply
    • admin says:
      February 28, 2016 at 10:42 PM

      Ed
      Resin is tricky. The biggest problem is air bubbles. I tried 30 years ago and could not make it work as I did not have the right equipment.

      Reply
    • Les White says:
      February 29, 2016 at 8:42 AM

      Ed,
      Making a mould to produce a resin figure is not difficult, it is not steel, so you can do it at home, in a well ventilated area.
      The issue with the bubbles is solved by vibrating the mould while you pour the resin, just gently. This causes the bubbles to eventually rise to the top and not appear in the product.
      Some experimentation will be required ,of course, in the type of resin used and how pourable it is and how fast it sets.
      Good luck with it and remember to follow ALL safety advise as most resins are flammable.

      Reply
  10. Tom Black says:
    February 28, 2016 at 9:55 PM

    I shouldn’t have said ” destroy the mold” because I know next to nothing about them but I did hear the main expense of making them was the metal. So if there is a way Victory Buy can save money in producing new figures they should fix the molds or rework them. With the exception of the Iwo Jima figures they are junk imho. If BMC produced those figures in the late 50’s and 60’s heyday they would never sell. As kids we could notice the difference in quality in Marx, MPC and Timmee and myself and the majority of kids liked and wanted Marx.

    Reply
    • erwin says:
      February 28, 2016 at 10:17 PM

      Depending where is made. In china the steel mold is not a problem or more value. It is the making of it what take time because required the finish process that take from 16-72 hours least on steel metal mold. Reworking steel mold would be as costly as doing a new,specially in so much bad problem with art sculpt of these figures.
      Would be best do it again in my opinion.
      Only could be saved from mold may be the case=block. But not much saving either.
      So best bet is do new ones using a better artist .

      ed,the issue was the plastic used ,it cool off too fast , not good for it.

      Reply
    • admin says:
      February 28, 2016 at 10:39 PM

      Tom
      I agree the figures are bad, I do not see them doing any changes. Marx was the best but I played with the other figures as well.

      Reply
  11. erwin says:
    February 28, 2016 at 11:16 PM

    On BMC civil war the later small bag(may be done by Americana as they run their figures too) so I don’t know there..
    It come with 12 figures in 6 poses(6 grey and 6 blue ),most are artillerymen) plus the new/later 10 pound cannon ,much better detailed than early 12 pound done in early sets.
    The parrot cannon has great detail as well the figures were very well done. With nice faces and uniform and anatomical correct. It come out in 2007/08 I guess.
    Now I’m wonder if was by Americana or BMC as it is so confusing because Americana packing BMC sets with others.

    Reply
  12. Bill Nevins says:
    February 28, 2016 at 11:21 PM

    I have no use for BMC as it’s not my cup of tea. But, if the new people can make higher quality figures then I am all or it.
    If they are just going to run the same inferior quality stuff in different colors, then they can keep them.

    Reply
    • admin says:
      February 29, 2016 at 7:40 AM

      Bill
      The thing is with the BMC figures, they are mostly not our cup of tea because of quality. They will be fine for someone who want to give a child some figures to play with.

      Reply
  13. ed borris says:
    February 29, 2016 at 9:17 AM

    Sounds like a I need a Hazmat mask and an electonic football game. Sounds almost scary.

    Reply
    • Les White says:
      February 29, 2016 at 11:07 AM

      Yes, you will.
      It is scary stuff. A firefighter once told me what happens to resin when it catches fire and I was impressed enough with his description to get rid of all my Barszo figures. So I will stick with plastic :))
      I find plastic is easier to convert anyway and much less odorous 🙂

      Reply
  14. Andy Keliar says:
    February 29, 2016 at 9:46 AM

    Speaking of affordable playset revivals, what’s up with Barzso lately? I think his accessories may be the best in playset history.

    Reply
    • admin says:
      February 29, 2016 at 10:46 AM

      Andy
      It has been mention on Hobby Bunker’s forum that Ron will not be doing any new playsets. He may make some figures and/or accessories. Nothing definite, perhaps Ed will see him at the Indy show and get some updates.

      Reply
      • Andy Keliar says:
        February 29, 2016 at 1:46 PM

        Thanks for info, Stad & Ed. It would be too bad to not see more new products from him. His Civil War Camp accessories set is second to none. Wish I bought extra sets when they were still $100 range. They’re great for any Old American West display. Prices have gotten pretty high on secondary market & going nowhere but up. Guess it’s just too expensive & stressful to put out this quality of collectible to a shrinking hobby market….. Glad guys like Dan at Austin Miniatures are still moving along with great new figures. While I’m thinking about new items, any news on Stengel’s progress with Viet Nam figures??

        Reply
        • admin says:
          February 29, 2016 at 4:24 PM

          Andy
          There is a half page ad in Playset Magazine for Stengel’s figures. He is touting his Vietnam figures and Civil War figures. I know people have not received their figures yet and I advise you to contact him if you have not gotten your figures. I am sure people will be talking to him at his Gettysburg show on April 24. I will not be there as it is a hassle to drive to Gettysburg and I have other plans for that day.

          Reply
  15. ed borris says:
    February 29, 2016 at 11:15 AM

    I will see him, but I doubt he will tell me much. He’s pretty close to the vest. I will ask, but don’t expect to learn any of his secrets.

    Reply
  16. ed borris says:
    February 29, 2016 at 11:18 AM

    This resin bit is beginning to scare me. I may re-think this, make me wonder how Plastic Underground does it.

    Reply
  17. ed borris says:
    February 29, 2016 at 2:24 PM

    I know Larry, I also know Jason form Plastic Underground. I can get the scoop on the process, I think.

    Reply
  18. ed borris says:
    February 29, 2016 at 3:43 PM

    Jason has made some custom figures for me, quite a few actually including one of Mike Kutnick. Some of his more violent figures were made based on my orders. I have a number of Larry’s figures too, including a Travis and Bowie. I prefer Plastic Undeground over Larry’s figures, but that’s just my personal preference. I know many people like Larry’s western figures, I bought some of his Custer figures, but found them so, so.

    Reply
  19. ed borris says:
    February 29, 2016 at 5:35 PM

    You ever see his figure called brain salad? That was my idea. He has a cannonball guy on his site, that wasn’t my idea, but I had him painted as an Alamo Mexican and he has picture of him up on his site as well as the Mike Kutnick figure.

    Reply
    • Andy Keliar says:
      February 29, 2016 at 6:02 PM

      Brain Salad does ring a bell. Can’t find it on his site now, but I do recall it.
      Funny what floats around in my brain – can’t remember math or science, but Brain Salad – no problem!! LOL!

      Reply
  20. ed borris says:
    February 29, 2016 at 6:22 PM

    It’s in one of the pictures taken by some guy in England mixed with metal figures Bob Jones I think. He made some special figures for him through me. He also bought the brain salad figure from me and some of the other guys in the photos. You have to look close that’s not a plume coming out the top of his shako.

    Reply
    • Andy Keliar says:
      February 29, 2016 at 7:17 PM

      OK, very ugly!! Nice work… Just heard from Larry. Told him you might be picking his brain for resin casting techniques soon. He’s a good, good guy!!

      Reply
  21. ed borris says:
    February 29, 2016 at 7:52 PM

    It was also my idea for the tomahawk in the back of the head and the knife through the throat , also the wounded Mexican officer waving his guys on with the sword, actually sent him a sketch for that one.Too bad I can’t sculpt. Can’t really draw either and no I couldn’t color between the lines either.

    Reply
    • erwin says:
      March 1, 2016 at 1:15 AM

      No but you can give a hell of great ideas ,the best in the action moment ed!!
      the motion done by your imagination is super realistic.

      Reply
  22. ed borris says:
    March 1, 2016 at 4:25 AM

    Well thank you Erwin.

    Reply
  23. TDBarnecut says:
    March 1, 2016 at 11:41 AM

    Stupid Fun Facts to know about your polyethylene soft plastic figures; Polyethylene is made up of mostly carbon so the larger your toy soldier collection the more carbon you are sequestering to protect the environment. Polyethylene is used as shielding in nuclear facilities because it absorbs radiation. In event of a nuclear attack, run to your toy room and your collection of soft plastic figures will protect you by absorbing radiation. The down side is all your figures will become radioactive. The up side is you can play with them in the dark.

    Reply

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