What is your favorite Britains Set or series (1 Viewer)

[Gideon]

My interest in Britains is mainly in the older Deetail and Swoppit series - focused on the vehicles.

In the 1960's, Britains made the most amazing Land Rover LWB (Long Wheel Base) models. I have the military one but I really want the farm and safari ones as well. They were complicated models made in the mid/late '60's - sporting steerable wheels via the spare tire, excellent (and accurate) suspension and mostly made of metal. They are just so totally untouchable in really great condition. I have to consider myself lucky with the few examples I've gotten hold of.

The Deetail stuff I have is all around mid 1970's and boxed, but I only have two. I want the rest of the vehicles and motorcycles.

Here are some pics of my little stash...

 

[Gideon]

ALSO, one of things I really like about the very old and early Britians in my collection (I'm talking about pre-1910) is the fact that they covered "current affairs". From the Boer war to the Russo-Japanese war. All of those topics were covered with sets of little lead guys.

 

[REVWARBUFF]

Gideon,

Those are awesome pictures of some pretty neat stuff. It made me think about something. As great as K&C is, I realized that Britians has a great deal of prominence as well. With such a rich history and tradition, one can only hope that Richard Walker and friends will succeed in driving Britains to newer heights. The release of their new catalog today shows that they are already on the road to distinguishing themselves as one of the top toy soldier companies.

I think evidenced by the pictures of some of your collection that all Britians collectors of all periods and from all eras will find the Britians items very rewarding. I, for one, can appreciate the history of those pieces and can only be reminded that I collect these toy soldiers because of my love of history. The historical aspect of the Britians company in and of itself only adds to my hobby interest. In that sense I think we Britians collectors have something that collectors of other lines cannot experience.

Thanks for sharing those photos.

 

[Gideon]

Britains is certainly unique, but, as far as history of produciotn goes, you must also look at Heyde, Mignot, the German composition makers like Elastolin and Lineol.

There is a lot of stuff out there, equally amazing.

Those two Deetail series vehicles held up to tough play from kids as young as 4 - 5 years old. There is nothing on the market like this any more - nothing.

When Richard Walker began at Britains/Ertl,he stopped into my shop. We had a great conversation about these diecast vehicles. He had mentioned that some of the tooling was lost during the transfer.

Wouldn't it be incredible to have something like those again for the new generation? Forces of Valor makes great models but they are not for children. You cannot "play" with them like you could with the old Deetail series.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

I have to say we beat the you know what out of those trucks when I was a kid and my brother who is nearly 8 years younger than me did the same to my hand me downs. I wish I had the land rover still but alas it went the way of a lot of those toys did and was given to a neighbor kid when it wasnt being used anymore. They were tough.

Dave

 

[OzDigger]

Gideon, thanks for the pics, I've been a fan of Britains deetail vehicles, artilery and figures for many years. My favourite vehicles being the Afrika Korps kubelwagen and the 8th Army 'Dingo' scoutcar. But the prize piece for me is their early 155mm Long Tom that was all diecast and can fire actual shells. Yes, I've fired mine, and it could take an eye out at close range.

Britains have a excellent history, and I'm pleased they've reintroduced some of the old Deetail stuff for the kids (big and little).

Guys, if you want your children to appreciate 'your' metal soldiers more, I suggest you get them some of the new plastic Deetail soldiers to fire up their interest.

 

[sage742]

When I was a kid my deetail pieces were my prized possessions . When I finally started collecting when I was older one of the first things I did was complete my Britain's deetail lines. It got me into collecting metal figures. At first the Britain's revolutionary war stuff . Which led to toy soldier shows and eventually K&C stuff . Even now though my French foreign legion and my Africa korp motorcycle sidecar are still some of my all time favorites.

 

[sceic2]

But the prize piece for me is their early 155mm Long Tom that was all diecast and can fire actual shells. Yes, I've fired mine, and it could take an eye out at close range.

Britains have a excellent history, and I'm pleased they've reintroduced some of the old Deetail stuff for the kids (big and little).

Guys, if you want your children to appreciate 'your' metal soldiers more, I suggest you get them some of the new plastic Deetail soldiers to fire up their interest.

Can you imagine the Consumer Protection Agency not recalling a modern version of the Long Tom. My grandson is a big Star Wars fan. He is seven and loves the large space ships and ground vehicles. Some do shoot a small harpoon like weapon, but the velocity and distance are really pathetic. Remember the Marx cannons? We have become a society of no personal responsibility for your own actions.

 

[Gideon]

Gideon, thanks for the pics, I've been a fan of Britains deetail vehicles, artilery and figures for many years. My favourite vehicles being the Afrika Korps kubelwagen and the 8th Army 'Dingo' scoutcar. But the prize piece for me is their early 155mm Long Tom that was all diecast and can fire actual shells. Yes, I've fired mine, and it could take an eye out at close range.

I know exactly which one that is. We had one at the store years back which was old store stock.

Man, when I think of the stuff that's passed through my hands.

You should try to find the really big James Opie coffee table book. It is the most detailed and thourough Britain book ever. THe later sections have great color pics of all the deetail stuff.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Gideon,

There is a Farm Land Rover on Ebay right now from the early 80's. I stumbled across it in search for some other things in the Toy Soldier section.

Dave

 

[OzDigger]

I know exactly which one that is. We had one at the store years back which was old store stock.

Man, when I think of the stuff that's passed through my hands.

You should try to find the really big James Opie coffee table book. It is the most detailed and thourough Britain book ever. THe later sections have great color pics of all the deetail stuff.

I did have a copy of the limited edition of The Great Book of Britains, and you are correct, it's a beautiful book. But as I'm not into the early Britains figures I thought it was selfish of me to keep it for the sake of the limited Deetail coverage. In anycase, by then I had sold most of my Deetail figures - after I managed to obtain just about the complete range. However I still have all the WWII based six figure sets, plus mortars etc.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi guys,

I wish I had that book. I keep looking for it but its too pricey right now I suspose I will find it some day but it would be nice to have because of all the detail in it.

I saw a set on ebay the other day that is never as complete as this one. The Musical Sets with the Mounted Life Guards and what I think are the Blues and Royals with Lances trooping in a circle while their mounted musicians in state dress play a tune. It was in very good shape and had all of the figures. Would be fun to have but I bet it goes pretty high.

Anyone else seen anything fun out there?

Dave

 

[Leadmen]

Can anyone post a picture of the battle of Concord diorama? Would love to see it.

Fred

Fred: On Britains new website there is a picture of Concord Bridge. Just click on 2003 pictures-Rev War. John http://www.wbritain.com/

 

[boot51]

Fred: On Britains new website there is a picture of Concord Bridge. Just click on 2003 pictures-Rev War. John http://www.wbritain.com/

Thanks for the link, John. That's a pretty neat set, Concord and
Lexington are only a few miles from me, I guess I should be more interested in the Rev War. Haven't started collecting Britains YET, but if those new WWII sets are as nice as they look........well here we go again, hey it's only money.

Fred