Timpo GI Soldiers of WW2 (3 Viewers)

[johnnybach]

As many of the Forum members will know, Timpo Toys was a British Toy Company created in 1938. TIMPO was shorthand for Toy Importers Company - and they manufactured many toys from a variety of materials. They began producing hollowcast metal Toy Soldiers around 1949 - up to 1954, when they changed production of these to plastic. They ceased trading altogether in 1978.

As well as their Toy Soldier range - they famously produced what some consider the most animated Cowboys and Indians of those produced at the time, with their Wild West series. As many will already know, I'm very fond of those - but they are not figures that I will be interested in for this thread - as Timpo also produced a series of WW2 American GI figures through the early 1950's. The hollowcast TS figures were designed by Roy Selwyn Smith - and his modelling skills still show through today.

Now, these figures in metal have become a tad difficult to find nowadays, so I was intrigued to find a few re-casts of these old figures being painted up at the Dorset Soldiers Shop, on my last visit. On enquiring about them, Giles told me that a couple of his regular collectors had got together their respective incomplete collections - and realised that between them, they had a fair number of the 33 figures that had eventually been made - and asked Giles if he would produce some recasts of their respective "wanted" items - from each others collections. Pretty soon, other friends of these collectors got to hear of it - and added in some more of the "missing" pieces and figures. These were sometimes complete - and sometimes just parts - but eventually - most (but not all - YET) of the complete set had been found - and recast to the order of several delighted collectors.

To date - some 24 figures have been recreated from the original 33 ( though some of these are sailors - which haven't appeared as yet). One Army figure (Flag Bearer carrying the Stars and Stripes - had already been converted at some past time - to wear an American Steel helmet - instead of the original side-cap). This was retained (by popular demand) as the figure seems to fit in better with the rest of the Army range.

Needless to say - I left with my 24 figures ( some are in sets - so actually 27 figures) produced thus far - and I have just begun painting mine up too.

Timpo produced a catalogue around 1950, showing their ranges - complete with original numbering system - and pages 38/39 showed them all ( including the sailors). I found the pages on the Internet - which are reproduced below. This forms a useful check-list - until the complete range has been found ( with a bit of luck) and assembled once again. Below that = are a few more pics that I've found - to give an idea of how they originally looked, for those not familiar with them.

I'll show how I'm getting on with some of them from time-to-time as well - and hope you like them as much as me. I'm beginning with the Stretcher Bearer party ( 3 figures which count as one number - set 9024) - and the motorcycle despatch rider(set 9007). Johnnybach


TIMPO Catalogue - page 38 - Circa 1950.



TIMPO Catalogue - page 39



Some pics of originals found on the web - below






Some sets were boxed - as those below in Combat Poses.

 

[GICOP]

Excellent idea for a thread jb :salute::

I had a few of the plastic versions back in the day:wink2: the only one I still have is the MP, the original GICOP ^&grin

Can't wait to see how these progress :salute::

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

I have the MP - now in metal. I'll paint him up soon - so if you like GI COP - you know where to go for one!^&grin

I'm having to assemble the motorcycle - and fabricated footpegs and handlebars from metal wire. Giles has asked me to let him know how they go - but all pretty straightforward - so far. I will also be putting some of the pieces on stands - as I think some will stand up better that way - but I'll treat each one as I find them. The bike is coming along nicely - and is also on a small stand. So are the three figures with the stretcher bearers (including the poor old casualty!). I'm putting all three on a long stand too.

I'm painting them a bit differently to some of the ones I've seen for sale - though it's a bit tricky to guess at original paintwork - as most I have seen are rather obvious repaints - and most are plastic too. I'm basing the colours on an Osprey Illustration - with Khaki tousers and lighter blouses. Helmets will mostly be a mix of dark green and khaki - which looks about right. The cop will have a white helmet, of course.

Should be fun - and a nice little group that I've been after for some time - at the finish. jb

 

[Go for Broke]

Here's mine. Very battle worn.

 

[johnnybach]

Hi - Go for Broke - A nice collection you have there. Yes - a bit playworn - but what else can you expect from a collection of pieces that have been well used for over 60 years?

I notice that you don't seem to have the mortar tube - and second man (it's a two man piece with tube). Have a look at mine - when it's finished. Then - if you like what you see - then Dorset Soldiers is the place to get hold of any missing parts as castings. Giles sells any of his castings individually - so you can order any parts from there as single pieces.

I notice that some bayonets are also missing. If you want to repair any - I'm sure he could fix you up with rifle ends with bayonets fixed. Any competent local repairer could fix your broken pieces and then re-paint - though you may want to keep them as originals, of course.

My paint scheme won't be EXACTLY the same as yours though - I'm going more for this kind of look: jb




Or to be more exact - this is the look - with the guy on the right being my model.

 

[Hazebrouck]

Another great project John.

I think your figures will look good choosing more authentic looking colours than the originals. The dark green trousers on the originals doesn't look right.

Are they also reproducing the British army figures?

Scott

 

[johnnybach]

Another great project John.

I think your figures will look good choosing more authentic looking colours than the originals. The dark green trousers on the originals doesn't look right.

Are they also reproducing the British army figures?

Scott

Hi Scott - That's what I thought ( re colours) - but that's the beauty of painting your own - you have the choice.

I didn't ask Giles about the British Army Figures ( which were also made by Timpo, for those that didn't know) - though as he didn't mention them - I somehow doubt it. The production of these GI figures, was driven by a couple of customer requests, who also supplied the master figures - as I mentioned earlier - and I only became aware of them because I saw some on his desk - in the process of being painted. I knew what they were immediately, because I had wanted these particular figures for quite a few years - and they are getting very scarce in metal now,(last produced in 1954).

You can imagine how pleased I was, when he had a rummage around in the back store room - and eventually came up with a set for me, from extra castings he had made. As yet, the set is still incomplete - as a few are still missing. The 9003 "Mine Detector" has yet to be found, for example.

Giles tells me that he is also working on a jeep and occupants - that will "fit in" with these figures - and will be coming soon - all as castings, or painted of course. They will be original castings - but made to look very similar to these figures, as heads and arms will be cast from "spares" he has made up for repairs to the Timpo GI's. So..............if anyone does have any broken ones - Dorset is the place to go for spare parts for at least some of them. I Have already ordered my jeep and occupants - which will be ready to collect on my next visit there - so will post it once I have it - and then paint it up. Probably a next Spring project, that one. I'll ask him if he has added to this set with any more, of course, - and will also ask about the British Army set - if you like.

I'm not far off completing my first two figures,(Stretcher party - and the Despatch Rider on Motor-bike), from this set - so may post them later. jb

 

[Go for Broke]

JB & GICOP, thanks for the "likes". I recently saw that Dorsets had the castings for the Timpo soldiers in a toy soldier magazine. Then I saw a pic of the Timpo soldiers for sale at the San Antonio show in another mag. Now I see JB's thread, so I had to bring out my old soldiers. For some reason, I really like their grayish helmets and the variety of non-action poses. I may contact Giles to round out my collection.

 

[johnnybach]

JB & GICOP, thanks for the "likes". I recently saw that Dorsets had the castings for the Timpo soldiers in a toy soldier magazine. Then I saw a pic of the Timpo soldiers for sale at the San Antonio show in another mag. Now I see JB's thread, so I had to bring out my old soldiers. For some reason, I really like their grayish helmets and the variety of non-action poses. I may contact Giles to round out my collection.

Thanks for bringing them "out to play" buddy, they look a treat! I particularly like the squad of them - with rifle slung, pack on the back - and valise in left hand. So rare to see so many in one place - and lovely to see "en masse".

Giles (Brown) is a very nice guy - and you can drop him an e-mail to chat about what figures he has. He may have more than when I last saw him, by now.

Here's the e-mail address - whenever you want. jb

sales@dorsetsoldiers.com

 

[johnnybach]

Here's my first Timpo (recast) figure from Dorset Soldiers - now completed. Timpo Number 9007 - he's not finished EXACTLY as the originals - but just how I like them. I've made him a corporal - as he is my first - and just because I can!^&grin

Note that I've put him on a stand of my own fabrication - and pinned up through the bottom of the bike - for stability. I have also painted on his shoulder flash - to represent a member of "The Big Red One". This is a reminder to me of those brave men who landed on Utah Beach, Normandy - on D-Day. I visited there and saw the memorial to those lads in one of the preserved German bunkers overlooking the beach - and then stood on the beach and looked up towards the bunker. Those lads certainly had some guts - and I've never forgotten it. Sends chills down your back just thinking about it. Anyone who has seen the opening scenes of "Saving Private Ryan" will get the feel of what I'm on about.

Anyway - here's my first GI - on his motor-bike - delivering some despatches. I remember it well - as I was a Don-R (as we used to call them) for a very short time when I joined the British Royal Sigs. As a youth of 18yrs - the bike weighed more than me! (BSA - M20) - so I didn't last long - as if it fell over - I needed a hand to pick it up!!! I used an Austin Champ four wheeler thereafter.{sm2}

This figure comes as a kit - with separate rider, wheels and rest of the bike. I needed to fabricate footpegs ( to extend the small cast in stubs slightly), and handlebars - which were made from copper wire, which is easy to bend and glues into the forks and hands. The rider and bike was painted before assembly - then fixed in the saddle. After all was set - the handlebars were cut to fit the rider - then touched in with paint.

Hope you like him - some pics below. Stretcher Party will follow soon - as just a few more details to finish the lads off. jb

 

[GICOP]

Here's my first Timpo (recast) figure from Dorset Soldiers - now completed. Timpo Number 9007 - he's not finished EXACTLY as the originals - but just how I like them. I've made him a corporal - as he is my first - and just because I can!^&grin

Note that I've put him on a stand of my own fabrication - and pinned up through the bottom of the bike - for stability. I have also painted on his shoulder flash - to represent a member of "The Big Red One". This is a reminder to me of those brave men who landed on Utah Beach, Normandy - on D-Day. I visited there and saw the memorial to those lads in one of the preserved German bunkers overlooking the beach - and then stood on the beach and looked up towards the bunker. Those lads certainly had some guts - and I've never forgotten it. Sends chills down your back just thinking about it. Anyone who has seen the opening scenes of "Saving Private Ryan" will get the feel of what I'm on about.

Anyway - here's my first GI - on his motor-bike - delivering some despatches. I remember it well - as I was a Don-R (as we used to call them) for a very short time when I joined the British Royal Sigs. As a youth of 18yrs - the bike weighed more than me! (BSA - M20) - so I didn't last long - as if it fell over - I needed a hand to pick it up!!! I used an Austin Champ four wheeler thereafter.{sm2}

This figure comes as a kit - with separate rider, wheels and rest of the bike. I needed to fabricate footpegs ( to extend the small cast in stubs slightly), and handlebars - which were made from copper wire, which is easy to bend and glues into the forks and hands. The rider and bike was painted before assembly - then fixed in the saddle. After all was set - the handlebars were cut to fit the rider - then touched in with paint.

Hope you like him - some pics below. Stretcher Party will follow soon - as just a few more details to finish the lads off. jb

Wonderful job jb :salute::......shame the kit didn't come with a Harley WLA though :tongue:

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

Wonderful job jb :salute::......shame the kit didn't come with a Harley WLA though :tongue:

Cheers

Martyn

Maybe Roy couldn't sculpt a Harley?? Agreed - would have been a nice touch. Thanks for the info on shoulder flash - I'll modify DR and make sure they only appear on LEFT shoulder, hereafter. jb:salute::

 

[johnnybach]

Here's my second figure - Timpo Number 9024 - Stretcher bearers with casualty - which is actually a three figure set. Again, I haven't painted mine in the same way as the original version. I have also mounted the three separate figures on one stand - as I wouldn't ever split them up again - I prefer them to stay as one unit.

Hope he gets better soon! {sm2}jb

 

[johnnybach]

Here are a few more "under development". I thought that I'd show you how a few figures are found to stand a bit better with a small stand made for them.



Bottom left are the three figures and mortar tube - which make up the mortar team. I thought originally, that I might put all three parts on one base - but on reflection, felt that there might be more playtime fun in being able to vary their positions slightly - so I gave the two GI's a small separate base each.

To their right - is a very shiny casting of the GI with bazooka (though Timpo spell it Bazuka!) - who was quite wobbly without the small base that I have just made for him ( from thin metal alloy sheet - that I buy as off-cuts from a local engineering firm - usually for a pound or so for a square foot - depending on guage). He now stands beautifully - so can't miss! I think that the Radio-man will be the next candidate for a new base - as he's a little unstable without one too.

Note that a very limited palate for these figures, will mean that these will paint up quite quickly - and would actually suit a beginner painter very well. jb

 

[GICOP]

Here are a few more "under development". I thought that I'd show you how a few figures are found to stand a bit better with a small stand made for them.



Bottom left are the three figures and mortar tube - which make up the mortar team. I thought originally, that I might put all three parts on one base - but on reflection, felt that there might be more playtime fun in being able to vary their positions slightly - so I gave the two GI's a small separate base each.

To their right - is a very shiny casting of the GI with bazooka (though Timpo spell it Bazuka!) - who was quite wobbly without the small base that I have just made for him ( from thin metal alloy sheet - that I buy as off-cuts from a local engineering firm - usually for a pound or so for a square foot - depending on guage). He now stands beautifully - so can't miss! I think that the Radio-man will be the next candidate for a new base - as he's a little unstable without one too.

Note that a very limited palate for these figures, will mean that these will paint up quite quickly - and would actually suit a beginner painter very well. jb

Nice to see another GI COP in the picture jb ^&grin :salute::

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

Nice to see another GI COP in the picture jb ^&grin :salute::

Cheers

Martyn

Ha-ha! Thought you might spot him M! He's a bit of a chunky monkey that one - but not in need of any extra anchorage.

I think the reason that some of these figures are a touch unstable - may be due to their extra weight. As re-casts of what were originally hollowcasts - they weigh in a lot heavier than the originals - so long tubes for the bazooka - and solid radio on the back of the other figure - mean that they are less balanced than the originals. I have had similar small balance problems when repairing hold hollowcast Britains figures - especially mounted figures.

Easy enough to fix though - just make a new and slightly bigger stand. jb

 

[johnnybach]

I have surrounded my new GI COP with a few more GI's from this small Timpo recast collection. Another wounded GI limps painfully alongside the stretcher party (ouch!) - whilst to the front - the now completed mortar team ( two GI's plus mortar tube - are "giving them some"). My last figure, for now, is an Officer - complete with empty shoulder holster and drawn automatic pistol - either waving the rest of the guys forward - or, as I believe you Yanks say - "giving someone the finger"

I must say - these are highly enjoyable castings to paint up - as they are so lively - and seem to develop so quickly. jb

 

[GICOP]

I have surrounded my new GI COP with a few more GI's from this small Timpo recast collection. Another wounded GI limps painfully alongside the stretcher party (ouch!) - whilst to the front - the now completed mortar team ( two GI's plus mortar tube - are "giving them some"). My last figure, for now, is an Officer - complete with empty shoulder holster and drawn automatic pistol - either waving the rest of the guys forward - or, as I believe you Yanks say - "giving someone the finger"

I must say - these are highly enjoyable castings to paint up - as they are so lively - and seem to develop so quickly. jb

Excellent jb :salute:::salute:::salute::

GI COP looks very smart.........he always did........... either on a Harley or in a Jeep ^&grin

Cheers

Martyn

 

[johnnybach]

Excellent jb :salute:::salute:::salute::

GI COP looks very smart.........he always did........... either on a Harley or in a Jeep ^&grin

Cheers

Martyn

Glad you like him, old buddy - but a few too many doughnuts have NOT passed him by - methinks?{sm2}{sm3}{sm4}

 

[GICOP]

Glad you like him, old buddy - but a few too many doughnuts have NOT passed him by - methinks?{sm2}{sm3}{sm4}

Could be to much duty at the Stage Door Canteen jb ^&grin :salute::

Cheers

Martyn