Noticed there are 2 versions of AIP WW1 US Marines/Doughboys (1 Viewer)

[Bid_kahuna]

I've been getting interested in WW1 figures lately, with Veteran's Day/Remembrance Day coming up. I dug out my AIP US Marines at Belleau Wood that I haven't looked at in years since I bought them in 2003 and noticed that the poses are completely different from the poses I currently see online. Also, my Marines set is molded in a very flexible OD green rubber or PVC. The Stahlhelm Germans I bought at the same time as the marines are in the regular AIP plastic.

Current plastic set:


Old rubber/PVC set:
View attachment AIPmarines.bmp

Does anyone know why the set was re-done? Are there any other AIP sets that were remade? Any other AIP sets made in rubber?

 

[semperrandyfi]

I've been getting interested in WW1 figures lately, with Veteran's Day/Remembrance Day coming up. I dug out my AIP US Marines at Belleau Wood that I haven't looked at in years since I bought them in 2003 and noticed that the poses are completely different from the poses I currently see online. Also, my Marines set is molded in a very flexible OD green rubber or PVC. The Stahlhelm Germans I bought at the same time as the marines are in the regular AIP plastic.

Current plastic set:
View attachment 222085

Old rubber/PVC set:
View attachment 222084

Does anyone know why the set was re-done? Are there any other AIP sets that were remade? Any other AIP sets made in rubber?

The first set had the AEF(Marines) armed with a Lewis gun..except for maybe the 2 or 3 U.S.Divisions'loaned 'to the Brits,
most were 'loaned'the 8mm Chauchat French automatic rifle(4 per rifle platoon).Lewis guns went to the Brits and 'flyboys'.
The Browning Automatic rifles were issued late in the War ..many outfits never had 'em and kept the'old 'Chauchat,,not the new &
'improved'versions,however.A pity ..the AEF could have had the BAR MUCH sooner,but Pershing was afraid the Krauts might
'happen'upon one ..make their own version and kick our butts all over no-man's land..Mighta shortened the War & lessened KIA/WIAs to boot.
Hope this helps.

 

[semperrandyfi]

Oboy, what weapon does the figure to the right of the Chauchat gunner on the'new' set carry?
Looks like a Lewis gun to me.Now I'm puzzled as to Tony's mix.
However the treatise on the AEF auto-rifles is close to spec.
I'll have to call him.

 

[gk5717]

I kinda remember when the second set was released. At first I paid no attention as I thought it was just a reissue but later I stumbled on the fact that it was a different version. It's a shame that AIP doesn't continue with it's WW1 line. I heard this from Tony, owner of AIP and also from Steve Weston. AIP has a whole lot of scupts already done but just need to be put into production. But I don't really see that happening as Tony is getting older so why should he put up with the aggrevation that goes with producing figures. Somewhere and I believe Tony told me that he wanted to turn the operations over to his daughter but I would guess that didn't pan out.
A few years back I was able to add a few WW1 figures to my army as I got some of the resin sculpts of the metal figures ONTC did years back.
Gary

 

[semperrandyfi]

I kinda remember when the second set was released. At first I paid no attention as I thought it was just a reissue but later I stumbled on the fact that it was a different version. It's a shame that AIP doesn't continue with it's WW1 line. I heard this from Tony, owner of AIP and also from Steve Weston. AIP has a whole lot of scupts already done but just need to be put into production. But I don't really see that happening as Tony is getting older so why should he put up with the aggrevation that goes with producing figures. Somewhere and I believe Tony told me that he wanted to turn the operations over to his daughter but I would guess that didn't pan out.
A few years back I was able to add a few WW1 figures to my army as I got some of the resin sculpts of the metal figures ONTC did years back.
Gary

Gary,I chatted with Tony today and presented this 'Tale of Two Sets" on the AEF boys. He said both sets have the same poses.....but..
said he will check his stock to see what's what.Maybe it's the angle the figures were photographed but I see big differences in just about all
and added poses to boot. He has brought back all his molds from China so......... we shall see.

P.s. Leapin'lizzards!I have a box of the 2nd version AEF!!And sho'nuff'..2 Chauchat & 2 Lewis gunners included.Hush my mouth.

 

[Scott]

 

[semperrandyfi]

I guess I'm now in full spirit of"Over There". Probably 500 AEF & German grunts in tow along with 26 FT-17s,3 St.Chamonds,2 Schneider tanks,
shell holes,destroyed villages..all in 54mm. But,fer cryin' out loud..how about a new player in plastic (TSSD?,CTS..?) giving
the 100th anniversary it's due? Or maybe the new Russky companies @ $5.00/per pc.? 286,000 U.S.casualties in 5 months
of fighting.....mercy. Probably the least "glamorous' war (Korean 'police action' in that mix) we ever had the pleasure to involve
ourselves in.

 

[bromhead]

Wishing AIP weren't so flexable,,especially guns and bayonets

 

[Marxmaniac]

I think there are two sets, one for doughboys and one for marines at bellau woods. so 16 distinct poses.

 

[tws1956]

I think there are two sets, one for doughboys and one for marines at bellau woods. so 16 distinct poses.

There are 2 sets. AIP's very first set circa 1998 or so was the WWI American doughboys in 8 poses. AIP then did a 2nd set of 8 poses a few years ago. The poses in the second set are completely different save for the advancing with bayonet pose, it's a little similar to the first set but is a different figure.

 

[Marxmaniac]

I talked to Tony of AIP. He said the current AIP marines and doughboys are identical poses. The first version of doughboys done in 1997/8 were of the softer plastic. The difficulty with keeping the guns and bayonets firm caused them to switch to a different plastic for maintaining shape. When they did that they redid the poses. Hence the change.