Charbens WW2 Soldiers. (2 Viewers)

[johnnybach]

Hi all - had a bit of luck lately with the purchase of some old WW2 Action figures from an old British supplier - Charbens. The figures date from around the 1950's - and are of American GI's - and are very similar indeed to the very successful Timpo figures. Indeed, because they are a bit more difficult to find than the well known Timpo figures - I think they are that little bit rarer.

I spotted a group of figures on e-bay - and with only a few days to go - saw that they had only attracted one very low bid - so put them on watch. However, when they day of the final bids came round, I had forgotten all about them - and was very lucky to remember with just minutes to go! I quickly bunged in a single figure offer - and promptly forgot all about them once again. Imagine my surprise to find out next day - I had won!...........and for a ridiculously low price! Hurrah!

They arrived in the post - and I expected them to require a bit of work - but to my delight found that only two figures will require repair to rifle ends ( broken off), a few require staightening of bits and pieces - and the kneeling pieces require some help with bases - as they are a bit wobbly - due to playwear and time.

Then - it's just a paint job for all - to match them up with my existing fairly large collection of Timpo/Charbens WW2 G.I's. Note that I mix these up together, as once painted in a uniform paint scheme that's a bit more authentic to WW2 than either company's original paintwork, it really is quite difficult to tell which are from either Timpo or Charbens ( unless you have handled lots of them!).

Anyhoo - here are my very reasonably priced new recruits - as they arrived in this morning's post. :salute:: jb

 

[johnnybach]

Here's a couple of pics which update progress on my 'dirty 11.'

After the customary bath in oven cleaner liquid - they come out ready for a rinse in clean water ( under a tap and using an old toothbrush as a scrubber). They then look like new castings once again.

I have shown the two "Charging with bayonet" types, who were without the all important ends of their rifles with bayonet attached. The one has now been repaired, whilst the other is awaiting his repair - with the donor part shown in front. This will be cut and filed to size - and then fixed in place - exactly as the other was , by drilling, glueing and pinning.

A multitude of small holes and dents are usually exposed on old hollowcast pieces such as these, and these will be dealt with when prepping for paintwork. jb

 

[johnnybach]

Now all repaired and repainted - here are 11 Charbens WW2 GI's - which are so very similar to their Timpo counterparts.