Conte plastic GI's - first impression (1 Viewer)

[binder001]

Well, everyone here knows I'm crazy for the US Army in the ETO, so it was frustrating that my job prevented me from getting to OTSN to see the new Conte GI figures in plastic. Fortunately my buddy Gary, aka GK5717 on this board, picked up a batch for me and they just came in today's mail. First thought - "where were you guys when I was about 10 or 12?" These are fine figures, light years ahead of the Marx stuff I grew up with (and THOSE were considered top-of-the-line figures to me and my friends. The use of multipart figures may be a little controversial, but the ones I got seem pretty durable. The use of seperate arms and some accessories allows for realistic appearance. Weapons are generally good (I'm picky - I have yet to see a "great" M1 rifle in this scale). The figures look OK when next to TSSD troops (the TSSD are a little "heftier"). Their size allows use with Conte paratroops and Germans, but they look so much nicer that the eye is drawn to them first. The figures mostly represent the M1938 wool shirt/pants uniforms, but a couple figures look to be wearing HBT fatigues. A number have the "Parsons" field jacket (M1941 field jacket). Field gear looks appropriate. As a person who enjoys conversion and customizing these figures are wonderful as arms and packs can be pried off and changed.

I readily admit that I was among those who complained loudly about the delays in getting the new troops to market, but they ARE certainly worth the wait.

Minor point - these are sold as DDay troops, but there isn't anybody with a lifebelt, gas mask, gas brassard, or "Ranger" assault vest. That doesn't take away from the quality of the figures, and besides, the troops threw away all that stuff shortly after landing anyway!

I can't speak to the playsets, but the GIs push plastic toy soldiers into a new generation.

Gary B

 

[Wraith]

Gary,

I'm glad to hear that they meet with you're approval. I've been waiting for them for a long time and have got a full set winging their way across the Atlantic to me. Probably paid well over the odds for them on ebay, but since the figures cost double in the UK (app $40 / box of 16 or $34 per card), and since I'm getting all 27 poses rather than getting cards full of duplicates of some and singles of others, I'm happy.

I got the prototype sets when they came out, but they seemed a bit rough around the edges (perhaps not surprisingly), so I'm looking forward to getting the real things.

Simon

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Hi There! You know that the bulk of these poses are ONWTC figures that were licenced to Conte for use as plastic figures as we will never do plastic. These sculpts were designed to be used for the fighting and breakout from Normandy and were never intended to be D-Day assault troops. All of these are availible from ONWTC as painted white metal figures and some of them as unpainted metal kits.
With that stated the production value of these plastic figures are first rate, and like you I wish I would have had these instead of my MARX GIs when I was a kid. It would have been nice to sculpt the assualt gas mask bags, M26 life belts and a few assault vests for the landing, but with the high cost of tooling plastic figures, I think this was a good choice. Ken Osen

 

[Wraith]

It would have been nice to sculpt the assualt gas mask bags, M26 life belts and a few assault vests for the landing, but with the high cost of tooling plastic figures, I think this was a good choice. Ken Osen

Ken,

I agree with you. Whilst if you are wanting to go for pure realism, the life belts etc would be needed for the landings, this would limit the use of these figures to the d-day landings only, which can only have limited appeal.

By scuplting and equipping them as more 'generic' GIs, they can be used for many different settings. And bearing inmind how few quality plastic figures are being produced (understandably given the cost and limited market), I prefer them as is.

Great work!

Simon

 

[Wraith]

Just got the GIs delivered yesterday.

I agree with Gary, these are (IMO) the best plastic sets yet. Sculpting detail and poses are fantastic. And there's far less of the 'shoot round corners' rifles, presumably due to the switch in the type of plastic.

Got to get more....more.....MORE, I say....

Simon

 

[binder001]

I agree with Ken's approach to "generic" GIs. These are much more adaptable. The uniforms and gear allow the troops to represent GIs from North Africa, Sicily and Italy as well as France. Someday, when i get time and talent I want to use them in a scene to represent an assault against a defended hedgerow in Normandy. Ken must have had this in mind as the poses really lend themselves to it.