If Space toys were the bread of my Sixties childhood then Airfix soldiers were one of my favourite fillings. These little green plastic fighting men were everywhere and I can still see their various proud poses and the beautiful box art in my head.
British, American, German, Japanese. They were all on manoevres on my carpet ready to go over the salient of a few annuals and gather in massed ranks by the feet of the wardrobe.
Even though I was obsessed with ranks in the Armed Forces I never bothered with ranks for my Airfix troops. They were all equals on my floor. As long as they could be blown to smithereens by a Dinky SHADOMobile, FAB 1, SPV or Angel Interceptor I was happy. Even my Airfix DUKW's and Personnel Carriers got pounded!
I think my favourite soldier was the stick-grenade throwing German stormtrooper.
A classic toy, these little green warriors have never gone away as far as I can tell. I think they even sell cheapo toy soldiers in our local Co-op up the road. I wonder if the Airfix moulds are still in use?
Which was or is your fave Airfix soldier readers?
German Para Commander...always 'last man standing'
ReplyDeleteThe sinister-looking German infantry officer firing his Walther. Until I got him, all the officer figures I'd had of any nationality were just standing around, maybe carrying binoculars. He was my first really dangerous villain. The katana-wielding Japanese commander was a close second.
ReplyDeleteThe ancient Britons, esp the one with the big shield waving a sword
ReplyDeleteThe Airfix figures are still around. Not as many sets as there used to be though. http://www.airfix.com/shop/figures/ Prices have gone up too. I think it used to be 15p a box! Don't forget the Airfix astronauts set too with the flying sofa or whatever it was supposed to be!
ReplyDeleteHad many of the 1/76 (HO? and 1./32nd scale ones plus
Hi - Before the Astronauts set came out my absolute favourite was the H-00 scale Tarzan set - would love to see a reissue (they did the Robin Hood set the other day, so it's not all just millitary) as Ebay prices are pretty steep for the original. Best wishes - John Swan
ReplyDeleteJohn - The Tarzan Set was re-issued by HaT a few years ago, should be able to find one on evilBay or an online trader if you look...
ReplyDeletehttp://airfixfigs.blogspot.co.uk/search/label/Tarzan%20Figures
Hi Maverick - Thanks for the tip, but sadly for me I think the HaT set has different box art (indeed no mention of Tarzan) and the original Airfix box art was a big part of me wanting this. I have seen someone on EBay offering prints of the box art so maybe I'll have to bag one of them and then the HaT set if I can't find an affordable original Airfix set. Thanks again for the help - best wishes - John Swan
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