A milita figure based on the zookeeper model. He is equipped with steel helmet, rifle and Molotov cocktail in the form of a wine bottle. Notice the quick factory paint job. These were hastily produced to cash in on the victory celebrations.
The above Royal Marine figures depict the Marines who fought in a mix of ceremonial and combat uniforms. Again hurriedly manufactured for the victory celebrations. Factory paint job is marginally better. Below are the final figures representing the Grenadier Guards who went into battle wearing their bearskins ( who can forget the famous picture of them in action on the streets of London on the cover of the Daily Express) due to necessity. Hasty factory conversions again with head swops and paint job.
If anyone finds any more of these rarities please let me know.
The chaps with bearskins are excellent!
ReplyDeleteExcellent toy soldiers indeed.
DeleteCuriously they forgot to put these into Peter Cole's Herald / Britain's history Suspended Animation. Maybe in the next reprint ...
ReplyDeleteSuch factory oddities also exist for WW1 era hollowcast with normally khaki figures painted in ceremonial Redcoats and normally ceremonial redcoated kilted highlanders in khaki bonnets for Highlanders by Johilco for one example https://manoftinblog.wordpress.com/2016/06/30/reverse-colours-khaki-redcoats-1/
I have a khaki hollowcast with bearskin (repaired) that I will have to dig out and photographed
Most interesting, not like Peter Cole to miss a trick. I look forward to seeing your photo.
DeleteCan you provide a link to the newspaper photo and the story behind these figures? I don't know what events you are referring too. Thanks
ReplyDeleteStephen
Nice figures by the way
Thanks. I will see what I can do re newspaper photos.
DeleteTrue collectors items!
ReplyDeleteRarities one and all!
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