Plastic Figure Showcase March 2017 is back with a number of interesting figures. We have figures from around the world. I also have an two swoppet hybrids.
Plastic Figure Showcase March 2017 Figures
The first photo we have two western figures. The figure on the left is a Merten. the first time I saw Merten was as a child. I got two cowboys at Teeppe Town at the New York Port Authority. Sadly both figures got damaged and were thrown away. I later got replacements when I got active in the hobby. The figure on the right I have not idea who made him. He got purchased because of the pose. He sort reminds me of Lash Larue.
I thought this was a conversion by Peter Evans. I found it was something more interesting. Here is what Peter said.
The 1815 French soldier in greatcoat is not a conversion:
The story behind this figure is as follows:
After I designed the “Battle Master” knight range for TOYWAY, they wanted to look into having certain ranges produced as painted figures. as they knew that the licence to distribute the Britains Deetail range was going to lapse.
The range considered to be the most saleable was the Waterloo series, as several years before the Highlanders had been sold in a simplified paint scheme.
It was also mooted about having a second set of French soldiers, line infantry, produced to balance out the forces.
One way of keeping painting costs down was for the figures to be in greatcoats, rather than full uniforms.
I sculpted one figure, the idea also to use the Timpo swords and rifles with them.The figure was cast in resin and some painted up as examples of what they would look like.
This is one of those samples
Plastic Figure Showcase March 2017 More Figures
Elastolin not only did swoppet style figures in 54mm they did them in 70mm. The figures come on metal bases. I know they did cowboys, Indians and knights of the top of my head. I am not sure what else they did. it will be interesting hear from Germany if there is a demand for these figures.
Here is another figure that was in my Germany box. I believe the figure is the Pied Pipper of Hamelin. The figure is at least 70mm tall.
In the treasure section, I showed the Speedwell armored car on fire. Here we have two of the accessories Speedwell made. The accessory on the left has part of a wall, wagon wheel and sign post. The one on the right is a rock. It is only done on one side. Interestly I got these items in the states at a flea market 20 miles from the house.
Plastic Figure Showcase March 2017 Swoppet Hybrids
I call these hybrids as I do not know if the legs and the bodies are correct or not. I pretty sure on the cavalry figure. The lower torso are in two parts: brown boots and blue pants. The Mexican I am not sure. The face on the Mexican is well detail and includes a mustasche. Let me know your thoughts.
The cavalryman looks like a Transogram or HK copy of a Timpo. Real Timpo figures have the brown boots overmolded. The copies are molded seperately and plugged in. That’s why the feet point in crazy directions.
The same for the Mexican. The legs look like HK. What’s under the hat? I’ve seen some Mexican copies with pointed heads that accept the sombrero.
The torso look like a chap rubber copy that someone put a bandoleer on.
Just my guess.
I never see the Pipper of Hamelin.
Interesting figures.
Both swoopet last figures are conversion mix of different figures.
The union figure or cavaly is a mix os ALME from italy w Hong Kong Welo brand.I have both type and will show then.
The Mexican is a simple HK Welo cowboy w Welo HK chaleco and bandolero mounted/forces over cowboy torsos.
Timpo hat in soldiers were made in other colors too….
Best….
They were parts that were laying around that I put together for the fun of i. Characters for stories I may do.
Some interesting pics – one of the great things about this site is you never know what eye candy you’re going to see when you stop by.
As I said my collecting goes toward interesting pieces than collecting a particular line. I once bought at London toy show for 10 Pence ($.14) a hard plastic British kneeling with Thompson machine gun. The figure was kneeling and wearing a officer’s hat. I found it different.
Hi Paul
The 1815 French soldier in greatcoat is not a conversion:
The story behind this figure is as follows:
After I designed the “Battle Master” knight range for TOYWAY, they wanted to look into having certain ranges produced as painted figures, as they knew that the licence to distribute the Britains Deetail range was going to lapse.
The range considered to be the most saleable was the Waterloo series, as several years before the Highlanders had been sold in a simplified paint scheme.
It was also mooted about having a second set of French soldiers, line infantry, produced to balance out the forces.
One way of keeping painting costs down was for the figures to be in greatcoats, rather than full uniforms.
I sculpted one figure, the idea also to use the Timpo swords and rifles with them.
The figure was cast in resin and some painted up as examples of what they would look like.
This is one of those samples
Best wishes
Peter
Peter thank you for the correction. I have enjoyed your work. It is a shame they did not follow through.
I have corrected the article.
The cowboy to the right of first picture was done by Richard Hopf /VEB Spielzeugland of Eastern Germany.
Production no. 068/546.
According to the guide on these figure its named Doc Tombstone. Not sure if the name was authorized by the state controlled management of the company.
Then very likely I picked this on one of our Germanytrips. I like that name. I have already decide to use with my two swoppet hybrids in story only if I get time and some room to lay a town out.
Nice ! Especially like the pied Piper ,not something I see everyday !