Hi,
You recently mentioned your large scale Palitoy Action Man Life Guard figure. KevinD replied, saying he had the Airfix kit, which you were unfamiliar with. Given that, I thought you might like a quick history of the Airfix Life Guard kit.
In 1959 (or 1960 ?) Airfix introduced a new range of large scale figure kits: Soldiers of Famous Regiments. Later the series title changed to Military Figures, and then Historical Figures, as the range of subjects was broadened.
The kits were initially sold in clear plastic bags. The paper header was folded over, and stapled to the top of the bag. This contained the assembly and painting instructions. The original retail price was two shillings (10 New Pence). These large figure kits were later moved from Series 1, to Series 2, making them slightly more expensive than before.
The models were to 1/12th scale, making a standing figure around six or seven inches tall, depending on his headgear. All came with a small, square display stand, and were moulded in white plastic.
Kit number M2F in this series was a Life Guard Trumpeter, which comprised 39 parts. Like the rest of the series, he was on foot, despite being a cavalryman. He was later re-numbered M206F, then 02506-9. The banner hanging from his trumpet was printed in colour on a sheet of paper, which you cut out and applied to the model.
The Trumpeter was later sold in a box rather than a bag, which offered more protection to the kit parts. The box design changed over the years. He was last listed in the 17th Edition catalogue (1980 according to the Vintage Airfix site).
After a break of around 30 years, the figure was re-issued as part of the Airfix London Icons set, listed in the 2011 Airfix catalogue as 'New for 2011'. It came out just in time for the 2012 Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and the London Olympic Games that same year. The set was also listed in the 2012 and 2013 catalogues, and then deleted.
The London Icons set, number A50131, contained the first three figures from the 1/12th scale range - the Coldstream Guardsman (Foot Guard, in bearskin cap), the Life Guard Trumpeter, and a Yeoman of the Guard (Beefeater), along with 15 small pots of Humbrol acrylic paint, two paint brushes, and a small tube of Humbrol cement.
I do not ever recall seeing any of these Airfix 1/12th scale figures in the shops in New Zealand. If they were around, they were rare in this part of the world. So I only saw them in the Airfix catalogue. I do remember seeing the London Icons set in just one model shop around a decade ago.
Eight photographs, all from Worthpoint, in four batches.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Thanks for posting this, Paul.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness!
I had forgotten all about these!
I had quite a few of them as a child in the early 1960s -- obviously bought for me.
To my astonishment, looking at the main index of the page you linked to, I remember having almost all of the early ones - ten at least.
I also remember making a terrible job of building and painting them -- especially Henry VIII...
My father built and painted The Black Prince.
My father also built and painted the Revell Flash Gordon for me -- which was much more to my taste.
I do not remember ever showing an interest in the Airfix historical figures myself (apart from the Roman Centurion -- which I never had) and suspect they were bought for me in an attempt to educate me -- and, do you know something -- I think they succeeded in a way.
They at least made me aware of the existence of these people -- although looking at them with an informed gaze, some of the choices of subject made by the Airfix team are rather questionable...
D.C.
P.S.: Sorry. For "Roman Centurion" read "Julius Caesar".
DeleteP.P.S.: I also recall looking at the photographs of the build-up of the later, 1970s "Showjumper" kit in the AIRFIX catalogue of the time, and feeling that her countenance appeared suspiciously familiar...
Thank you. Glad you enjoyed the article. I think most of the Historical Figures required very complex painting, which would have been beyond many young modellers. In the 1970s, in a clear attempt to interest girls in modelling, Airfix released three famous women of history kits, and the Show Jumper, which is said to have been modelled on Princess Anne. There was also a 19th Century Indian cavalryman. These were the only two 1/12th scale mounted figures Airfix ever did. Henry VIII from the Historical Figures and Anne Boleyn from the Famous Women series were re-issued a few years back. Airfix also did a double kit of James Bond and Odd Job from Goldfinger. Heller of France re-issued the Joan of Arc kit at one stage.
ReplyDeleteIt would be great if Airfix were to re-issue some of these kits as part of their Vintage Classics series, then we would all have a chance to build them. Especially, those of us who never had the chance back in the 1970s, as the kits did not seem to make it to this side of the world.
Lovely post. I never knew about these kits. The Lifeguard sword was my fave bit of Action Man gear. I imagine it looked great in this kit too once painted, tho' looking at the built up I can't tell if the blade can be drawn from the scabbard. Thanks Paul.
ReplyDeleteThank you. As far as I know, the sword and scabbard were a single piece, with the guard being separate. Despite being shown in the Airfix catalogues in full colour, it does not seem these kits were well known. A lot of people seem never to have heard of them, and I certainly never saw them. I now regret not grabbing that London Icons set when I had the chance.
ReplyDelete