How We Used to Play ? (1 Viewer)

[Leadmen]

I remember my dad bringing home 3 cases of balsa wood models a shipper gave him. I built planes and boats but my favorite was using the wood and popsicle sticks to build gunboats for my guys. Some were pretty creative for my age and had Marx hard plastic accessories and machine guns. They did sucumb to various fireworks but some lasted through many battles. I still would like to find a 1/32 kit of a Nile gunboat or China gunboat. Wish the hobby companies would make something different. Leadmen

 

[woodenwarriors]

Did they have a name to distinguish them from all the Marx 54mm figures (i.e. jumbo, etc). That would help in tracking some down.

Or if someone has some of these larger figures, I'd love to get some and play out in the empty lot with my son...

Pete

Play with your son great Idea he will remember those moments forever. I played war with my sons and they still talk about how much fun it was for them. Now my grandson sets men up with me. Get Them in the dirt youll be glad you did.
Charlie

 

[woodenwarriors]

I remember my dad bringing home 3 cases of balsa wood models a shipper gave him. I built planes and boats but my favorite was using the wood and popsicle sticks to build gunboats for my guys. Some were pretty creative for my age and had Marx hard plastic accessories and machine guns. They did sucumb to various fireworks but some lasted through many battles. I still would like to find a 1/32 kit of a Nile gunboat or China gunboat. Wish the hobby companies would make something different. Leadmen

I would love to see a gunboat kit or even a foam one. This one is about 2 feet long made from wood. My brother built this one. I never used firecrackers or BB Guns because they broke my soldiers . I loved my soldiers and protected them dearly. After I graduated and got drafted into the army I carefully boxed them up and stored them in my moms house. When I got home I was looking for them my mom gave them away. Bummer
Have Fun everyone this is a great thread.
Charlie

 

[maddadicus]

I remember my dad bringing home 3 cases of balsa wood models a shipper gave him. I built planes and boats but my favorite was using the wood and popsicle sticks to build gunboats for my guys. Some were pretty creative for my age and had Marx hard plastic accessories and machine guns. They did sucumb to various fireworks but some lasted through many battles. I still would like to find a 1/32 kit of a Nile gunboat or China gunboat. Wish the hobby companies would make something different. Leadmen

This is not a kit....but it mighy be fun to duplicate...Michael

 

[Leadmen]

Nice creative gunboats guys. I hope to try making one when I recover a little more. I think it would be fun. I see Hamilton books got a Gunboat book on sale for $3.95. I have a friend who made an outstanding steamboat that works. Maybe he could get me started. He is a retired teacher but a master model maker. He not only makes the molds for our figures but can make just about anything. You should see his sport cars he made.He is on Treefrog but never posts. In fact he sent me 10 Boxer riflemen he made from parts and a mold. Expertly painted and Chinese hats and clothes. Now he is making kneeling Boxers.Thanks for pics. Leadmen

 

[Louis Badolato]

This is not a kit....but it mighy be fun to duplicate...Michael

That is an amazing gunboat! Every bit as nice as the excellent Trophy boats in my collection. The best gunboat I have ever seen was built of tin and cast metal with a Frontline crew at the St. James Armory Toy Soldier Shop in London.

 

[eborris]

Snow forts, ring hands and a bb gun, ever see a frozen ring hand shatter?

 

[modwalls]

Great gunboats, now that is something else I'm going to have to try and make. I think I'm booked solid this summer on painting buildings building tanks and boats. Oh yea, and the rebuilding of my deck and screened porch. Tanks alot, Mike

 

[maddadicus]

Great gunboats, now that is something else I'm going to have to try and make. I think I'm booked solid this summer on painting buildings building tanks and boats. Oh yea, and the rebuilding of my deck and screened porch. Tanks alot, Mike

I intend to build one this summer. My problem is trying to pick which style and what era...I am looking at a nile river type, as that would be more suited for the Zulu War figures I collect now. Since I have some ACW ship building skills, monitors were very popular, but as easy as they are to build, total overkill in putting down a native population. I am probably going to make a stern or side wheeler. Dorset make gatlings, and deck guns ,with crews to arm my ships.........Michael