Korean War Figures (1 Viewer)

[Leadmen]

I would like to see Korean War figures in a winter setting. Marines freezing at the Chosin Reservoir surrounded by Chinese armies. I think General O. Smith of the 1st Marine Div was one of the best Generals of that war. He refused to seperate his battalions which General Almond in command of all troops wanted. MacArthur and Almond did not believe Marine reports of Chinese prisoners taken by patrols.General Smith built strong points along the long mountainous road to the reservoir and set up strong bases and a airfield along the way. The division was able to fight its way back to the sea. General Smith just said he was attacking in another direction. The US newspapers at the time wrote off the Div. They came back with most wounded and dead. M-26 and M-4 A3 dozer tanks were the Marine armor along with great air support by Corsairs of the Marine and Navy airwing.This would be a neat series in the future. The command wanted to fire General Smith for moving too slow on a one road mountain pass to the Chosin Reservoir. Many Marines at the time were experienced wwll reservists and were known has the Army of Northern Va. due to the many marines from the south. Leadmen

 

[Currahee Chris]

I'm with you bro!!! Why that war is "forgotten" is beyond me-hopefully someone will tackle it someday- I have a spot in my basement waiting to build a dio!!

 

[Harrytheheid]

I'm with you bro!!! Why that war is "forgotten" is beyond me-hopefully someone will tackle it someday- I have a spot in my basement waiting to build a dio!!

Chris,
I've asked this question before so please bear with me. Is there any reason why at least some of K&C's WW2 GI's can't be used in a Korean War setting?

 

[Leadmen]

I thought about it also. The uniforms and weapons would be the same. Maybe a recoiless rifle or a few different tanks. All they would need is some winter long coats like the Bulge coats and a camo helmet.The seventh army Div. was at the other side of the reservoir so they could use army and marine figures. Almond almost sacraficed two good divisions in his race to the Yalu. Leadmen

 

[Currahee Chris]

No, there really isn't any reason- you'd be hurting a bit for black soldiers though. This was a big marine war too so the Iwo figures- I don't know if they'd cut it- but perhaps you could modify the Bulge figs to do the Frozen Chosin as well. The equipment might take some liberties as well.

I have actually spoke with a few collectors who believe the earlier Easter Front Russians could work pretty well as Chinese forces- I tend to agree (RA01-08).

There was a glossy set of DPRK figs that I saw once- it was a four man set but it was a parade set- complete with North Korean flag bearer and all.

 

[jazzeum]

I hate to burst your bubble but Andy posted this recently:

Hi Guys,

Re recent suggestions for K&C to do “Korean War”...like some of you I’m also interested in it but...I don’t think it would be all that commercial, sorry!

There’s a ton of battles and campaigns that I’m also very partial to...The Fall of Singapore...The English Civil War...Custer’s Last Stand...and on it goes. The easy part of this process is suggesting or coming up with an idea...the hard bit, that’s much more difficult, is trying to decide what will ultimately be successful. Take a couple of examples...a couple of years ago we “redid” our Iwo Jima Marines...our first series had been reasonably successful so, we thought, this second series should do even better...much improved sculpting and more realistic painting. At the same time lots of collectors, especially in the US, were saying “Yeah, US Marines in action...great!” But, sad to say it’s been a slow mover...not a total disaster...just disappointing considering the amount of time...effort and money we put into its development. If you don’t believe me look at what happened to Figarti’s US Marines...virtually all of them discounted to half price!!! Now don’t get your hopes up...K&C don’t discount...

Here’s the main problem...collectors get all enthusiastic about their own particular pet idea...And often they imagine that lots of other collectors will love it too. Alas and alack! It’s not always that simple. Here at K&C we try and look objectively at all proposals...yours...mine...ours...in order to determine how best to please and appeal to the majority of collectors...Not just in America but all over the world. Another point to ponder is that many of the ideas put forward on this Forum are purely “American” and may not always have the same appeal outside of the 50 states. I suppose that’s to be expected because most of the members are American and it is a US based forum.

But it’s a crucial point worth considering. Now having said all of this I do realize I have been known to change my mind on occasion and go back and relook at a subject that I may have neglected or rejected first time round.

To be honest Brad, I don’t recall ever saying “I would never do World War One”...But I’m sure I did say that I wasn’t ready or able to do it before because of other commitments at that time. However as far as “The Frozen Chosin” is concerned I’ll have to pass on it for the moment...

Best wishes and happy collecting!

Andy C.

P.S. Not many Americans know that British Royal Marines played a part in the retreat from the Chosin Reservoir. Back in the early 70’s, when I did my basic training at CTCRM (Commando Training Centre Royal Marines) at Lympstone in Devon we had a troop called “Chosin Troop”. It was for those Marine recruits who had been injured or “back-squadded” and needed more time to complete their commando training.

 

[Tex]

The Iwo Marines would be good for the landings at Inchon, I think. As I recall, the uniforms and equipment at Iwo and Inchon were virtually the same.

 

[binder001]

I don't know much about the Inchon campaign uniforms, but I'll bet you're right about the uniforms. Everyone associates the Pacific Theater with hot jungles, like in the Solomons. Look at photos of the troops on Iwo. It must have been a realtively cool Febr. in the Volcano Islands, because many Marines are seen wearing their sleeeves rolled down and often they are wearing light field jackets (same as, or similar to the Army's early war M1941 jacket). So many of these Leathernecks would be right at home in Korea.

The winter guys might be trickier - You need Overcoats, or at least M1943 jackets (which DO appear on a number of K&C DDay figures as well as some of the Bulge troops)

Gary

 

[Harrytheheid]

I hate to burst your bubble but Andy posted this recently:

Hi Guys,

Re recent suggestions for K&C to do “Korean War”...like some of you I’m also interested in it but...I don’t think it would be all that commercial, sorry!

Brad,
I'm aware of Andy's opinion that the Korean Conflict may not be a good comercial proposition, despite quite a few collectors professing to be more than interested in the same. That's why I asked if certain WW2 figures might be used. It sounds like some of them could indeed be suitable. Given that companies other than K&C produce vehicles that would also be suitable, if the slight difference in scale is accepted, then we might be on track for a few displays depicting the KW using what items are already available on the market. Win-win for collectors. Win-win for toy soldier manufacturers - oui?

 

[desk11desk12]

Brad,
I'm aware of Andy's opinion that the Korean Conflict may not be a good comercial proposition, despite quite a few collectors professing to be more than interested in the same. That's why I asked if certain WW2 figures might be used. It sounds like some of them could indeed be suitable. Given that companies other than K&C produce vehicles that would also be suitable, if the slight difference in scale is accepted, then we might be on track for a few displays depicting the KW using what items are already available on the market. Win-win for collectors. Win-win for toy soldier manufacturers - oui?

Very interesting discussion. I've long thought of combining Figarti Marines (recent releases) with some of the FOV vehicles (maybe customized slightly) like the M26 Pershing and maybe a Halftrack and jeep in a small diorama.

It was just a thought.

Carlos

 

[Louis Badolato]

I just got the K&C F86 Sabre I have been after, and it is amazing. Back in the early 1990's, K&C made several Korean War aircraft, including the aforementioned F86 Sabre, a MIG-15 in Chinese markings, and a Korean War U.S. Marine Corsair. I don't know about any other Korean War stuff for general production, but I bet some strictly limited Korean War Warbirds would sell out. Wouldn't it be cool if they did a MASH evac chopper with stretchers on either side?

 

[Currahee Chris]

I just got the K&C F86 Sabre I have been after, and it is amazing. Back in the early 1990's, K&C made several Korean War aircraft, including the aforementioned F86 Sabre, a MIG-15 in Chinese markings, and a Korean War U.S. Marine Corsair. I don't know about any other Korean War stuff for general production, but I bet some strictly limited Korean War Warbirds would sell out. Wouldn't it be cool if they did a MASH evac chopper with stretchers on either side?

Yeah- the MASH unit would be extraordinary!!!

I have a "Freebie" poster I picked up somewhere that has a SABRE shooting a MiG down- a big BIG part of that war was the Air component.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Yeah- the MASH unit would be extraordinary!!!.

Yeah, and as I've mentioned before;
Hotlips in the shower and the guys in their deckchairs enjoying the show.....would be a sell-out....!!!!!