Modern Army Figures by Chinese Toy Companies is look at modern army and police figures done in China. These are not the umpteenth copy of Airfix completely new figures. These are newly designed figures worth while to add to your collection. Who better tell us about these figures but by our very good friend Erwin Sell.
Modern Army Figures by Chinese Toy Companies Introduction
From 1990’s till recently there have been several different modern military sets made in China. These sets were originally designed in China instead of being copies of other figures. These figures were sold in the US at various locations notable dollar stores. The sets sold quickly and are now hard to get. I consider many figures very well done. These inexpensive figures have detail, poses and dynamism not expected. These figures show there is a wrong perception that all toys from China are bad.
I like these figures because they represent modern conflicts instead of WWII. I like these figures as they add to the forces for this era in my collection. The figures range from 52 to 65mm. Many of these figures have been copied into various scales with less detail.
With exception of those brands marked below I based the name from the name on the packaging. Many same figures are sold by different companies. This is a popular practice of taking an unknown maker and then sold abroad by recognized international Chinese distributor. A dark olive figure of exact 63 mm made by New Ray has been used to compare size -scale in all sets.
Modern Army Figures by Chinese Toy Companies Boley
Boley-Ackerman modern soldier sets. This set appeared in the 90’s and was sold first under Boley. Later it appeared in another painted version pack under a company called Ackerman. Ackerman is not a maker but only an international distributor/seller. I categorize it under Boley as that is a maker and distributor and had done figures before and after with stamp brand below.
https://www.ackermaninternational.co.uk/
They were also sold under the trade firm name London Ltd.
The Set consist so far of 6 soldiers in 6 poses. It was sold in a bag or pack case with a motorcycle rider, other smaller vehicles and few accessories as well were sometimes added. Several painted factory version were made as well not painted. The figures appear to have US uniforms and Kevlar helmets. Scale is 60-65 mm approx.
Modern Army Figures by Chinese Toy Companies U.S.A Toy Company
Army desert set. This set was sold by USA toys some years after first gulf war and consist of 10 soldiers in 10 nicely done poses. The figures are factory painted in 54 mm soft plastic. I like the fact the company took time making a diversity ethnic set .Figures come without bases. They carry the older type helmet. I think these figures to better used for (SANG-Saudi Arabian National Guard) for first gulf war 1991.
USA toy had sold two more modern army sets after this one. One still now for sale is an odd set with modern poses soldiers in rare WW2 German helmet type.
Their line figures are intended as party supply give away toys. Still nice to the hobby I think.They have sold a variety of many other new figures in span of 20 years included Vikings, pirates, cowboys, Romans. etc.
Modern Army Figures by Chinese Toy Companies Fishel
FISHEL (Fishel Toys Ltd) Started in 1978 HK; Register in 2001.(Not to be confused with Fishel Mattel incorporated NY please.)
Modern generic army set .Figures are stamped with official Fishel brand logo on the bottom. Made in 2002 by FISHEL Toys LTD
Set come with 10 figures in 10 poses(only show 9 here) in a bag of 20 + figures plus a Hummer, Abraham tank and a small cannon AA(Mix of WW2 British AT 2 pounder with AA modern bofors) plus few accessories. Figures are quite 54 mm and armor a bit smaller(tank in 1.48 approx.) while Hummer is 1.35 scale with one nice additional pose figure crew managing the roof MG in 50 mm approx.
Figures were sold in army green and desert tan colors. The rare interesting parts are the gear and weapons. Half the rifles looks as the Russian AK variants series as they did US M-16s. Some could be used for Viet Nam navy seal Special Forces era and most for post actions.
Modern Army Figures by Chinese Toy Companies Toy Major Company
Toy Major Co. http://www.toymajor.net/ Figures stamped with TM logo below.Same company that made nice 58/60 mm knights 12 poses sets + Dragon playset and others figures.
This is one of nicer Special Forces /SWAT set I had seen.
Figures made in 1996 factory painted and about 60 mm scale or near. There are 16 different poses so far all alphabetic letters stamped on the underside. I only show 13of the 16 poses. They come in a playset large case window set.
They are based on Dragon kits Police/army Special Forces of Hong Kong and China. The figures represent Chinese Special Forces during transition force changeover.1995/1996.
New redesigned forces HK-Chinese force wear a mix of British SA style gear with German weapons and US/Chinese gear/weapons else too.
The sets were sold here but I saw them in China as well with other vehicles for souvenirs in stores.
The large set version come with a helicopter, police SWAT van in died cast 1.35 scale, motorcycle, all wheel terrain vehicle, snowmobile and patrol car. The set also contains sign streets and barricades got. The vehicles are very well done as replicas of those used in 90’s..
Figures and accessories match perfect with the New Ray same series done in late 90’s.
Fascinating – all these seem to have passed me by! Did they ever get to the UK?
Mike,
The ‘Boley’ figures were available here in Poundstretcher stores and the local corner shops packaged with a pull back and go US Jeep, about the same scale as the figures, 6 figures in 6 poses plus jeep in bubble pack ,around 1997.
At £ 2.99 a set they weren’t expensive.
They had a Police range too with 6 SWAT and 6 Criminals/gangsters packaged with 3 cops and 3 bad guys and a Police 4 wheel drive vehicle. 2 different packs, so you had to buy both to get all six poses of each .
The ‘Toy Major’ figures were available under the brand name PLAYMAKERS, toy distributor, packed as ‘POLICE SQUAD’, 4 figures on a blister cards, 3 types requiring you to buy at least two cards to get all 6 poses. Clearly marketed as US Police. and apparently wearing NYPD body armour. The special forces figures were packaged as ‘S.W.A.T.’ and there was a third range ‘FIREFIGHTERS’ 6 poses of 54mm US Firemen in action poses. This was back in 1999, don’t think they are still available. £ 1.99 per blister card.
I haven’t seen the other figures offered over here but they may have been as it depended on which part of the country you were in as to what was available.
Most of the Toy Distributors were in and around Blackpool, so the north of England got most new items first.
Best regards,
Les
Yes Les your right.I remember the cops and gangster.I have those too.However will not be included in next sets to be listed here soon
On TM other poses not showing here are part of third series.
All poses are marked TM with year and intersting alfabetic letter order ,not seen this often in chinese figures.
I consider then very well done.
Les I forgot I seen the Fishel been sold from UK .
But I do not know where they got then,just ebay salers and listed as
Fishel of course because figures are mark bellow as that.
I do not know if help fact that the seller was from Liverpool.!?.
All I can find.
Mike.Quick answer as this is only part one of longer posting.
I will said yes.
Sample.Ankerman is a UK TOY distributer of chinese toys.
So I will said most did.But to what extended and wich ones I do not know.
More sets will follow after.
Best
I will be working on the next part.
The Fishel figures were sold in tubs at ToysRUs for a couple of years. They were really nice sets that included all the vehicles and accessories mentioned above. I was surprised that they disappeared as fast as they did, while other Chinese-made brands stay on for years. Fishel also produced nice tubs of western figures – interesting variations on Airfix clones – as well as police and firefighters.
I bought the TRUS sets buckets but to.my surprise they were cloned downscalled and not stamp bellow.Just china.The armor were some same others differet .I can set figures x compere picture.The deetail is less too.
The indians are in Amazon still.
Yes they are mix foot poses and mounted of airfic,same in cowboys.They came much after in 2000s with firefighters and police,rescue.Still in Amazon on bags but only card marked outside.Not stamped Fishel.
TRUs knights sets are downscalled to 52mm aprox of original 10 poses 58/60 mm TOY MAJOR 90s brand.
TM still do distribute then in blister pack in the website as bulk sale.
Same reason I had mentioned before appy to.lack buyers keep w these lines unfortunately.
And every year they kept bringing worst.
Making the kids less enhusiastic w crude copies.
China is full of nice toy figures set.I do not see here .I can not understand as they are extremely cheap and much better than those,recycling cheap copies of main brands or even bad smaller copies of chinese good designed sets as those above.
The problem is the buyer’s perception of what will sell. One example was the BMC Custer set in toy R Us set did not have the dead horse so as not to upset people.
I did not know it.
That is hilarious.
And the soldiers with arrows do not upset them?
The buyers in my experince are very lazy.When they go x impusle item(cheap) no.may brand license they go x first thing they see and many buy from same supplier.
Chinese show rooms are change and feel monthly,they barrely go to one or two to spend rest trip in turism.I had see it.
Some companies to save do no send abroad buyers and have then check ports imports warehouses to buy bulk there.
Is sad…
Yes it was hilarious in a way as the figures with arrows were left in. It is why we did so good with the sets as normally we could not compete with Toys R Us. Yes the buyer have no imagination. Hess Department store use to send its buyers aboard and they were only one store. It is a shame.
I had use some above repeated to convert x Viet Nam war era soldiers, it work pretty good.
I will soon share pics…other sets not posted yet same.
Is there a way to get the Fishel toys army men in the u.s
The Fishel sets are not hard find in Ebay. Still some full playset in case and bag are sold.Thry were sold st stores x least 10 years.
As typical chinese production once gone is gone.
Best
I like add that only Fishel original dedigned soldiers and firefighters were made original by Fishel and mark bellow with it brand name plus each figure has a numerical # pose adjudicated.
Under Fishel several Airfix genetic copies WW2 snd western Indian cowboys were sold as well in same type plastic box playset as the original made.
So it may bring some confusion when looking x real one.
Best