One of the enduring memories of mine from the Queen's sad State Funeral in September were the Life Guards.
I mean how resplendent they are and I don't often use the word resplendent.
What a combination of uniform, steel and gold trim, not to mention the jet black horses.
It brought back treasured memories of my Action Man in the Sixties and his perfectly produced Life Guard uniform by Palitoy. I adored it and it was my favourite uniform for my little fighting man.
Yes, others came close, like the German Stormtrooper and the Grenadier Guard, but the blue version of the Life Guard was tops. The breastplate, the belt, the fabulous helmet and the slightly curved sword and scabbard were just the pinnacle of toy design and manufacture for me and I played with them for hours and hours. The horse was the icing on the cake and God I wish I still had my old set now, but life has a way of not guarding what we had and out it went sometime in the early Seventies when I wasn't looking.
Out of sheer curiosity I looked up Palitoy Life Guard on Ebay and saw the above image, which I've borrowed from a seller. Its a dear do getting an original Life Guard. Even the 40th Anniversary sets command high prices. I recall seeing the 40th Breastplate and Sword carded sets in specialist shops at the time and should have got one of those at least.
Ah well, we can't get back everything we once owned but I can enjoy remembering the glory days of my Palitoy Life Guard whenever I want.
Did you have one readers? Do you have one?
I had the airfix kit and several of the little Britains figures.
ReplyDeleteAn Airfix kit! Wow! A new one on me that Kev.
ReplyDeleteI had the Blues and Royals and the 17/21 Lancer, plus the horse from the ceremonial range as a lad, Woodsy. Amazing quality and attention to detail. As a collector, I've bought and sold a few of these stunning 1/6 scale figures over the years. Quite a few years ago I was lucky enough to pick up a few bits of actual Horse Guards uniforms which I still enjoy as colourful display pieces with a nostalgic link to those childhood treasures.
ReplyDeleteAmazing. You have parts of the real thing Tone. Must be fabulous to look at on display!
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