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Japanese Airfix soldiers
Japanese infantry soldiers are remarkably hard to find in the world of military models. They are literally the forgotten army and with such a chronic shortage of Japanese infantry models, any collections that do appear on the second hand market are immediately snapped up by eager collectors. Thankfully, the Japanese Airfix soldiers kits helps to fill the gap in the market for those who enjoy war gaming and collecting military models.
The set was first released in 1970 and has since been re-packaged many times. Although the set originally contained 12 figures, this number has since been reduced to 6. The Japanese Airfix soldiers infantry set is made in 1-32 scale. All of the figures are very malleable and easy to pose. Weapons, equipment, and all body parts have been molded separately by Airfix to allow for extra options by the modeler. Each figure can easily be trimmed, reshaped, and carved. Collectors can also
add extra bits to the figures using modeling compounds.
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The Airfix Japanese Soldiers 1/32 kit comes with detailed instructions as to how to pose each soldier authentically. The kit is labeled as “Mulitpose” and six possible poses are detailed, although there are plenty of other variables available to resourceful modelers and war-gamers. War-gamers can manipulate their soldiers into a crouch, prone, standing, and kneeling positions. There is also a charging soldier and a sword wielding officer pose detailed in the comprehensive instructions.
The Airfix Japanese soldier kit contains six sets of legs including feet, six torsos, twelve arms including hands, and six heads. An Airfix Japanese infantry 1:32 review describes the level of modeling detail very acceptable despite the length of time since the kits were first offered for sale. The review goes on to state that torsos are well molded with a great deal of attention paid to clothing detail such as belts, collars, pockets, buttons, and folds within the clothing. The legs in the kits are very detailed, although some of the folds are a bit over the top. Molding lacing's on the legs look very blobby and out of place, but the leather style boots are well done.
The kit also contains a painting guide using enamel paints and also includes six display bases for the serious modeler to stand their figures on while painting them.
There are a great variety of weapons included with the Japanese Airfix soldiers kit and quality of the detailing on each weapon is excellent considering the age of the kit. War-gamers can choose from an Officer’s swords, a pistol, three Ariska rifles, and SMG, and an LMG. There is also a strip of Plastic card included in the kit to enable modelers to create extra parts for weapons and equipment.
The kit contains loads of extra equipment so that entirely authentic battle scenes can be recreated with attention to detail.
Helmets and caps fit on to heads nicely and there are plenty of ammunition pouches, field packs, respirator bags, tools, water bottles, bayonets, and many other small additions. There is also a list of decals included in the kit to enable gamers to achieve truly authentic figures for their battle scenes.
Posted in Airfix 1 32, Toy Soldiers 1 72
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Airfix soldiers WW2 sets
Airfix soldiers WW2 sets offer a fairly comprehensive selection of most of the main forces that fought during the Second World War and many of the iconic 1:32 scale original sets were re-released in 2009. These brand new sets of World War II soldiers used the same moulds, but a different type of K-Resin plastic to ensure that the figures were easier to paint compared to the original sets. The new sets even featured the original artwork on the boxes, albeit with some digitally enhanced backgrounds.
One of the earliest sets of World War II soldiers produced by Airfix was the Infantry Combat Group. Produced in the early 1960’s, the set was a generic box of Allied infantry soldiers, although many of the designs aspects strongly resembled British Infantry. Airfix British Paratroopers were released in 1965 and featured a varied selection of poses, some of which can only be described as “interesting”. The 8th Army were another wonderful set of World War II British soldiers. The figures are very detailed and realized with great skill. The uniforms are not 100% historically accurate, but they are beautifully sculpted and very well presented.
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Fighting for the other side, the Airfix German Infantry set was one of the first to be produced by Airfix. This early set was quickly redesigned and a type 2 set was created.
The figures were well designed and very realistic. Most of the figures were historically accurate and even today the set remains a popular one for collectors. The Airfix Afrika Korps are widely considered to be one of the best Airfix Soldiers WW2 sets ever produced. The figures are remarkable for their excellent sculpting and superb attention to detail. There are a good number of poses for each of the soldiers, all of which
are very natural looking with great animation.
The German Paratroopers set was released in 1976 and was a typical Airfix set from the era. The detail is good and the uniforms and weapons are reasonably accurate, although the figures are rather small for elite 20th century troops. Released the following year, German Mountain Troops was another very good quality set featuring some well thought out poses along with some creditable sculpting of the figures. Luftwaffa Personnel were released at the same time and were similar in quality.
Examples of Airfix US troops included US Marines, US Paratroopers, and USAF Soldiers. They were generally good quality figures with plenty of life in the poses. The US Marines are not considered to be terrible accurate and there are a few odd poses in there, but overall, the US troops are a welcome addition to any World War set of figures.
The Italian Infantry Airfix set were not released until 1980 and were one of the last sets Airfix created from that era. They are considered to be a very fine set of figures and although they lack enough poses to suit the true aficionados, they are still very popular.
Other Airfix soldiers WW2 sets include Russian Infantry, Japanese Infantry, Australian Infantry, and Gurkhas.
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Airfix Model Soldiers 2010
Airfix re-released new versions of their iconic World War II 1:32 soldiers back in 2009 and today, Airfix model soldiers 2010 are still highly collectible boxes of model soldiers.
Whilst the new sets were based on the original molds, they featured a new type of plastic that was designed to be easier to paint by comparison to the original box sets. The new boxes have even retained the original artwork, although the background artwork behind the figures has been digitally revamped.
As a result of the re-released boxes of Airfix model soldiers, all those people who enjoyed playing with the original sets of Airfix soldiers as a child can now enjoy the new collections of revamped boxed sets of soldiers. Adults who grew up with small plastic soldiers fighting make believe battles on their bedroom floor can now introduce their children and grandchildren to the enjoyment of Airfix model soldiers.
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 Airfix Supermarine Spitfire VB Model 1 48 kit 04100  US $31.00
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 Airfix Vickers Armstrong Wellington BIII model 04001 US $35.00
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 Airfix Yak 9 Vintage Model Airplane 1 72 Kit 4 46 US $25.00
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The new sets feature unpainted figures ready for displaying in various poses, just like the original boxes of Airfix soldiers. Paints are extra and can be added at the point of purchase and Airfix helpfully provides a list of default Decal paints and accessories with each set. Any serious collector can have hours of fun painstakingly painting the small toy soldiers. The paints are available in all the authentic colors, so it is possible to accurately depict the uniforms down to each tiny button.
Modern boxes of World War II Airfix model soldiers 2010 that are available to buy in the 1:32 scale range include British Infantry, British Infantry Support Set, German Infantry, US Infantry, British Commandos, British 8th Army, Afrika Korps, US Paratroopers. German Paratroopers, and British Paratroopers.
The most recent Airfix model soldiers 2010 releases include RAF Personnel, USAAF Personnel, Luftwaffe Personnel, WWII British Infantry Northern Europe, Russian Infantry, Australian Infantry, British Infantry Support Set, German Mountain Troops, plus a selection of buildings to add to the fun.
In the 1:72 scale range there are many other Airfix toy soldiers to choose from. These include a Waterloo Battle set complete with Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, WWI German Infantry, WWI French Infantry, WWI British Infantry, WWI US Infantry, WWI Royal Horse Artillery, Romans, and Ancient Britains.
Brand new boxes of Airfix model soldiers can be bought direct from the Airfix website. They are also available from quality toy and modelling retailers across the world. Paints and accessories can also be bought from the same outlets.
In fact, there are so many fabulous sets of Airfix toy soldiers to choose from, you could even devise a huge battle scene and have Napoleon Bonaparte strategising his troops against the German Infantry, Ancient Romans, and any number of other soldiers!
When it comes to Airfix soldiers, the only limit is your imagination. You can recreate famous battles from the annals of history, or devise your own conflicts, all which can take place on your bedroom floor. With a little effort, you cab create dioramas and add landscape to them. You can even get together with your friends and enjoy some war gaming action!
Posted in Toy Soldiers 1 72
Tagged airfix 2010, airfix 2010 soldiers, Airfix Model Soldiers 2010
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Airfix Australian soldiers
Airfix Australian soldiers were a popular kit first released in 1976. Australian and New Zealand troops served mainly in North Africa and the Mediterranean and played a significant role during World War II. After the bombing of Pearl Harbour, most of the Australian troops were shifted back to South East Asia for various operations, including homeland defence. As a result of the Australian army’s key part in the Second World War, many modelling manufacturers chose to include them as
part of their toy soldier sets, including Airfix.
Each box of Airfix Australian infantry contained 48 figures that were 20mm high, or 1/72 scale. This means that the model soldiers are slightly on the diminutive side. Each soldier has a solid base upon which it is mounted, but the men are still very short, even compared to other sets from the period.
However, despite the soldiers’ stature, they are exceptionally well sculpted and, as a result, they are still much sought after in the world of modeling and war-gaming enthusiasts.
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 Plastic Toy Soldiers Airfix 1 32 Scale WWII Australian Infantry 14 Figures US $11.98 |
 Airfix WWII Australian Infantry MIB 1 72 US $16.95
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 Airfix WWII Australian Troops US $10.62
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One of the key characteristics of the sets of Airfix Australian soldiers is the distinctive slouch, or ‘wide awake’ hat typically worn by all Australian soldiers during World War II. Even though Australian soldiers serving in Europe and Africa wore uniforms that were almost identical to those of their British compatriots, the Airfix set of Australian soldiers are dressed for service in Asia and the South Pacific. Airfix have given the men long gaiters that would have been supplied by the US, as well as British webbing.
The set features many generic poses seen in other sets of World War II Airfix soldiers, but they are very well done and a few interesting men stand out from the crowd. One of the soldiers is depicted carrying a box on his shoulders, probably to represent the long marches many soldiers endured as part of daily service. Another soldier is depicted as a casualty sitting on the floor with his leg in a splint. One soldier is swinging his gun around like a club, but he is not holding it in the right position to actually achieve any real effect. The figure of the officer has a machete and a revolver, plus he is correctly dressed. There is a prone man depicted as firing a Bren gun. Because he has been molded from the sides, the gun supports are very solid, although he has rather hunched shoulders in order to allow his hat to touch his back, thus avoiding excess plastic.
Each of the figures in the Airfix set is very well crafted and extremely realistic. The soldiers are lifelike and most of them can be posed in three or four different positions—the officer figure being the exception with only one pose. There is only a small amount of flash on the figures and the detail on the figures is as good as many of the later sets produced by Airfix. Once they have been painted, these Airfix Australian soldiers would make a valuable addition to any realistic diorama and war game reconstruction.
Airfix 1 32 Vintage Soldiers
There were many different kits of Airfix 1/32 vintage soldiers manufactured in the heyday of Airfix toys. During the 1960’s and 1970’s, kit modeling became enormously successful and the Airfix range expanded to include cars, trains, military vehicles, warships, engines, rockets, spaceships, and of course, toy soldiers.
Airfix vintage soldiers sold in kit form became enormously popular as an affordable toy and millions of people began to collect them. Early Airfix subjects included soldiers from World War I, World War II and Modern Infantry, Waterloo, Arab Tribesmen, plus many others.
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Sets of 1:32 scale military soldiers had approximately 14 to 30 figures per box. They were manufactured from polythene, which was a soft and durable plastic that could easily be moulded, shaped, and cut to suit the pose. Larger play sets of vintage soldiers also included vehicles of simple casting and occasionally buildings. A good example of a large Airfix playset is the Coastal Defence Assault Set, which included infantry and tanks for each side, plus a large fort complex constructed from polystyrene.
The Multipose range of military figures was a small set of World War II Airfix 1/32 vintage soldiers that came in sectional pieces. These could be assembled in various poses and remodelled to suit the scene. They were ideal for diorama and war gaming enthusiasts.
One of the features that makes Airfix 1/32 vintage soldiers so popular with war gamers and modellers is the attention to detail. Many of the vintage soldier sets produced by Airfix during the height of its popularity were very realistic in their moulded clothing and accessories. The sculpting of the figures was fairly accurate and although there were some discrepancies in historical detail, for the most part, Airfix got it right.
Flash was usually present on the figures to some degree, but this could easily be trimmed. The multipose figure sets offered a great deal of versatility and pieces of figures could easily be interchanged to suit the scene. Modelling materials could also be used to create extra pieces such as straps for weapons.
Kits of vintage Airfix soldiers could easily be modelled and posed, which was one of the strengths of the ranges. Each kit offered a good selection of poses as well as detailed instructions of how to achieve the various poses. Mix and match accessories could also be added to the soldiers to complete the scene. Airfix sets of vintage soldiers also included bases for each soldier so that keen modellers could carefully paint and adjust each individual figure.
Compared to today’s plastic figures, the quality is sometimes not as good, but in their day, the sets were excellent value for money. Some sets are still considered valuable to war gamers as there are no comparable modern versions being manufactured.
Vintage soldiers manufactured by Airfix are still plentiful on the second hand market.
Many sets appear regularly on auction sites such as Ebay. War gaming and modelling enthusiasts should be able to find the more popular World War II sets for a reasonable price, although some of the rarer sets will be harder to source.
Posted in Airfix 1 32
Tagged Airfix 1 32 Vintage Soldiers, airfix vintage soldiers, vintage airfix
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Italian WWII Infantry Figure Set 1-72 by Airfix
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1-72 Scale. Highly detailed kit by Airfix complete with decals and instructions.
Skill level 2.
