Last week's post generated quite a few interesting comments, one of which alerted me to the fact that I had completely forgotten to mention the splendid Matchbox range of figures! Here then, is my effort to make amends.
Possibly the best of the MB 1/76 sets. The Afrika Korps figures still stack up today. I only recently shipped my '70s veterans off to Paul in NZ.
Along with the DAK were their old enemies the 8th Army. Miles better than the original Airfix set and including both a 'Monty' figure and a piper!
There was also a small 1/32 range. Of these I only ever had the Brits. Indeed I recently picked up a set in a more recent Revell box.
We've had 'planes, tanks and figures but there was also an interesting range of cars. The only one I ever built was the Tyrrell P34.
This bizarre F1 car raced during the 1976 and 1977 seasons, claiming it's only first place at the '76 Swedish Grand Prix in the hands of Jody Scheckter.
And finally....I recently bought an old Strikemaster kit. I have no idea why...
10 comments:
I have my Airfix and Matchbox Desert guys mixed together. I much preferred the Matchbox Bren gunner (despite the crossed shins). Matchbox also had a useful hard plastic figure that came with one of the tank kits - the Honey, possibly. I made one into a Boys anti-tank rifleman. I found the first generation Airfix Bren gunner also made a handy prone anti-tank rifleman. simply shaved off the barrel and magazine, and shoved in a pin. Added a cardboard magazine and a crosspiece beneath the monopod, and there it was.
The strike master is making astarring role in our charity game at next years triples .
I remember Dad bringing me a set each of the 8th Army and Afrika Korps when I was about 7 and sick in hospital.
It is strange how these memories stay with you.
The Matchbox figures were bloomin' lovely. They're a nice scale too - not quite 15mm and not quite as big as the other 20mms. There's also a nice level of detail or stylisation which you don't get with Airfix.
I'm painting up the old US troops as Market Garden era paras. Should work out nicely.
Weren't Matchbox the first to offer Falklands modern British too? Those are some beautiful miniatures.
Archduke Piccolo
I remember seeing the ATR gunner conversion in one of the little Airfix books. Which may be the subject of a further post.
Itchy's wargames
How intriguing! Can you tell us any more?
Conrad Kinch
Just think - if these old figures hadn't made such an impression we might all have sensible hobbies!
Duc de Gobin
The old Matchbox 'NATO Paras' were Cold War era Brits. I believe these are now available from A Call To Arms in the UK.
The Strikemaster would be great for a Mirbat game. I recognise the F1 car from my Uncle old Scalextric stuff.
Cheers,
Pete.
Pete
Have a good look at the game at Triples next year....
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