Currently produced 1/32 Sets of Toy Soldiers by AIRFIX (1 Viewer)

[Wolfgang_UK]

Hi,
I wonder if anybody can help me with this one. After a brake which lastet well over 40 years I just bought two boxes of 1/32 Airfix Toy Soldiers in order to use them for some conversion and casting projects. I purchased the German Infantry and the Afika Korps sets and was rather suprised when I opened the boxes. I found the material from which the castings where produced had changed totally over the bygone years. I was expecting a blue-grey soft plastic PVC for the Infantry and a yellow-tan soft plastic for the Afrika Korps set. Instead
I found both sets being produced in a rather stiff plastic(???).
At first I thought that these figures where now injection molded in styrene but at closer inspection I found it had to be something else since the properties of the material just did not match those of styrene. For the Infantry a rather ugly dark blue and for the Afrika Korps set a greyish tan hue are used. Furthermore I think that the bases did look different 40 years back. But most important I fear that the models have shrunk in size,- am I correct on this or is my memory playing a trick on me???
Perhaps somebody can help me with an answer.
Kind Regards
Wolfgang

 

[binder001]

You are quite correct. The original Airfix 1/32nd figures were like their 1/76-1/72 lines, a soft plastic (polyethelene?) with the figures "color coded" in rather bold colors. Somewhere in the changes of ownerships the figures were re-released in a much stiffer plastic. Not quite as workable as styrene, but much firmer than the originals. A similar change happened with the excellent Multipose figures, the plastic was a softer styrene in white, then they went to a brittle greyish styrene then to a blue gray plastic of decent quality.

Gary B.

 

[Mirof]

Yes big change
The list with first appearence jn 1/32 54mm
Scale Issued
1/32 ready made 7th Cavalry 1976
1/32 ready made Afrika Korps 1970
1/32 ready made American Infantry 1969
1/32 ready made Australian Infantry 1972
1/32 ready made British 8th Army 1971
1/32 ready made British Commandos 1970
1/32 ready made British Infantry Support Group 1972
1/32 ready made British Infantry WW1 1980
1/32 ready made British Paratroops 1968
1/32 ready made Cowboys 1975
1/32 ready made Footballers 1971
1/32 ready made Geman Infantry 1969
1/32 ready made German Mountain Troops 1976
1/32 ready made German Paratroops 1976
1/32 ready made Ghurkas 1978
1/32 ready made Indians 1975
1/32 ready made Japanese Infantry 1972
1/32 ready made Medieval Foot Soldiers 1978
1/32 ready made Modern British Infantry 1976
1/32 ready made Modern German Infantry 1977
1/32 ready made Modern Russians 1983
1/32 ready made Modern US NATO 1983
1/32 ready made Russian Infantry 1970
1/32 ready made SAS 1983
1/32 ready made Space Warriors 1981
1/32 ready made US Paratroops 1976
1/32 ready made Waterloo British Infantry 1973
1/32 ready made Waterloo French Grenadiers 1973
1/32 ready made Waterloo Highland Infantry 1974
1/32 ready made WWII British Infantry 1981
1/32 ready made WWII Italian Infantry 1981
Size or Scale ISSUED
1/32 Multi Pose Afrika Korps F 1975
1/32 Multi Pose British 8th Army F 1975
1/32 Multi Pose British Infantry F 1978
1/32 Multi Pose German Infantry F 1977
1/32 Multi Pose Japanese Infantry F 1977
1/32 Multi Pose US Infantry F 1977
1/32 Multi Pose US Marines F 1977
54mm 1815 2nd Dragoon (Royal Scots Greys) H 1972
54mm 1815 42nd Highlander (Black watch) F 1972
54mm 1815 95th Rifleman (Greenjackets) F 1975
54mm 1815 British 10th Hussar H 1971
54mm 1815 Coldstream Guard F 1971
54mm 1815 French Cuirassier H 1974
54mm 1815 French Grenadier Imperial Guard F 1973
54mm 1815 French Line Infantryman F 1975
54mm 1815 Life Guard H 1976
54mm 1815 Polish Lancer H 1973
54mm AWI American Soldier F 1974
54mm AWI British Grenadier 1776 F 1975
54mm AWI George Washington H 1974
54mm Bengal Lancer H 1976
54mm ECW Cavalier/Roundhead H 1977
54mm ECW Musketeer F 1976
54mm ECW Pikeman F 1977
54mm French Legionnaire 1908 F 1977

All the details here :
http://www.vintage-airfix.com/

 

[Plastic General]

I also bought the new reissues and was at first disappointed until I discovered that this new plastic is superior
when it came to cutting and gluing for conversions.
There is no shrinkage, the sculpts are exactly the same size as the originals.
Remember to use the MAXI-CURE type glue (thick type superglue you can purchase at hobby stores)
You can also cross pollinate your 1:32 AIRFIX with AIRFIX MULTI-POSE for great results.
Its a blessing in disguise.

Plastic General

 

[9thHussar]

Hi - I bought some of the current Airfix 1/32nd Japanese Infantry this week and found that the Officer figure's head and arms can be moved with a set of pliers into different poses altogether, but you cant do too much twisting with the other poses - they need remodelling/cutting/gluing if alternative poses are required.

I wonder if they will re-release the Waterloo sets in this new version plastic ?

Regards
Dave

 

[Plastic General]

Now that I've made this discovery about this workable plastic,
I'm buying a new box of each because there are at least 4 new poses that could be born from the original 7 poses.
Lets just hope they find the ITALIANS!
* The MODERN W. Germans can be made into Waffen SS
* The Modern British can be made into late war Canadians in MKIII helmets.
* The Napoleonic, will have endless possibilities.

But most of all, they need to start including all the lost poses.

Plastic General

 

[Jay]

The Napoleonic as well as the Western figures were all released about ten years ago by Classic Toys, so they must be around somewhere. As it is, you can usually get a good price on Ebay on original sets.

 

[Plastic General]

Yes,
but not a current issue released by AIRFIX using that really good conversion plastic.

Plastic General

 

[Wolfgang_UK]

Thank you all for your replies. Good to know that the original size did not change. I guess I found out about the material Airfix TS are made of these days. It is a resin which has to be injected into molds that can resist high pressures. Rather than cooling the molds like in injection casting Styrene, ABS and PVC these molds are heated rather than cooled dureing the production circle thus speeding up the cure of the injected resin. So what could be better than useing the old steel molds but this time injecting resin. Pitty that it is a industrial method only - nothing for the kitchen table at home as I had to learn. The resins used are quite tempting since it pocesses a lot specs that modellers might like.

As for converting I know that a lot of new nice poses can be created by simple head or torso swops. Aided with bits and pieces from the multipose range something new is rather easy to create. Experimenting with a new sculpting clay at the moment looking promiseing so far.

regards
Wolfgang

 

[Mirof]

Thank you all for your replies. Good to know that the original size did not change. I guess I found out about the material Airfix TS are made of these days. It is a resin which has to be injected into molds that can resist high pressures. Rather than cooling the molds like in injection casting Styrene, ABS and PVC these molds are heated rather than cooled dureing the production circle thus speeding up the cure of the injected resin. So what could be better than useing the old steel molds but this time injecting resin. Pitty that it is a industrial method only - nothing for the kitchen table at home as I had to learn. The resins used are quite tempting since it pocesses a lot specs that modellers might like.

As for converting I know that a lot of new nice poses can be created by simple head or torso swops. Aided with bits and pieces from the multipose range something new is rather easy to create. Experimenting with a new sculpting clay at the moment looking promiseing so far.

regards
Wolfgang

Yes, it exist; heating the mold

 

[binder001]

Nice list of 1/32nd figures. There are several I had forgotten.

As far as the lost poses and/or certain sets, unfortunately Airfix has had some molds lost or damaged over the years. They made a decent 17 pounder towed AT gun in their 1/32nd range, but reportedly these molds were damaged, which is why that kit was never re-released. They also made other 1/32nd model vehicles such as the M3 Lee, M3 Grant, Sdkfz 250, Humber staff car, etc. Each of these came with a figure (often of mixed quality).

Gary B.

 

[Plastic General]

OK, all this talk about AIRFIX got me excited so I've included photos of the:

*RARE 1:32 BRITISH 17 POUNDER (Airfix)

* RARE AIRFIX LOST DEAD POSES = *SHOT US PARA TROOPER & DEAD GURKHA *the only way for you to get these figures is to by an old box of 29 figures.

* Easy to make conversions of classic Airfix sets using the new Airfix reissues with glueable plastic.

* My new Airfix conversions of GERMAN PARATROOPERS (2) & AUSTRALIAN INFANTRY (5)

Check out the photos
http://s1291.photobucket.com/user/Christian_Aldo/library/AIRFIX CONVERSIONS and LOST GEMS

Plastic General

 

[9thHussar]

Hi - I am hoping that Airfix opts for the 7th Cavalry in 2015 - I have loads of conversion ideas for this set if released in the new plastic format

Regards
Dave

 

[Plastic General]

I just checked the AIRFIX site and the countdown clock was ticking away at 15 hours to go!
For a brief moment I felt excitement until I remembered all the disappointments from FORCES OF VALOUR'S annual unavailing.
But I'm a kid at heart and I think us 1:32 guys are going to be LUCKY this time!
The Gods of Plastic are kind! (sometimes)

Plastic General

 

[Plastic General]

Two "NEW" re-issues from AIRFIX announced!

* 1:32 CRUSADER TANK

* 1:32 British 17 Pounder AT Gun!!!!!!!
Everyone thought the mold was damaged or lost forever, till now!

I paid big bucks for mine years ago, now that its cheap I highly recommend it!

Plastic General

 

[Wolfgang_UK]

Re: My conversion trials useing Airfix 1/32

First time I tried to convert Airfix 1/32 figures. So it is a fun project just checking what I manage to do.
Next step is to cast this figure in plastic, than I will refine the model and create another mold of it. If anything works according to plan painting will be the next and final step.
rgds
Wolfgang

 

[Plastic General]

Pretty good conversion!
I wish I could zoom in on your photo.
How did you put your photos directly on the thread?

Plastic general

 

[binder001]

Once you get the hang of it, posting to the forum is easier for the sender and the reader than linking to Photo Bucket, etc. When you post a thread or reply, look further down at the "stuff" that appears below the green line. The line is labeled "Additional Options" and if you scroll down you see a black BOLD FACE that says ATTACHMENTS. Click on "Manage attachments". Basically you upload an image from your computer to the forum server and then it will open with the message. Read the directions as you go. Note that the image size is limited - too large of an image won't upload. I adjust the image using Windows then upload it.

Gary B.

 

[Wolfgang_UK]

Re: Mold for conversion is ready ...

Just finished the mold for my AIRFIX conversion by cutting it open and by takeing out the embeded figure.
Since I have only used soft oil-based clay for the conversion so far you can see in the following picture that it is almost impossible to remove the figure undamaged. Good thing about it, you can reuse the clay and the figurine for the next conversion job. If you want to find out more about moldmakeing and casting you may want to have a look into the "HOW-TO" - Casting section.
I just casted the mold and the figure should be finished soon. As soon as it is done I will put it up here.
rgds
Wolfgang

 

[Wolfgang_UK]

Re: First casting done

This is the casting as it dropped out of the mold. I am rather pleased with it at least a good foundation to start further detailing etc. I won't overdo things here but the figure needs some work to be put into.
Once that is done a new mold will be made. Once that is finished the final version of the figures can get cast. Won' t take too long.
Until than :
- Merry Chrismas - Frohe Weihnachten - to Everyone -

Regards
Wolfgang
:salute::

Sorry about the poor quality of the photos - desperatly awaiting Santa ...{sm2}