what manufaturer do you like most? (1 Viewer)

[sammy719]

Hi All, I have had some plastic sets from alot of different companies and seen my share at shows and I always find myself still enjoying the older Marx sets, maybe because it's what I grew up with, I do enjoy the newer TSSD whole line as well, and if I had to pick a favorite of any it would be my Conte plastics WWII guys, followed by my older Marx WWII battlefield, and as much as I love my First Legion metal WWII guys, I do miss the price point of plastics that's for sure...Sammy

 

[Go for Broke]

I love Marx stuff and was especially reminded by Playset Addict's recent Civil War display. But I think Airfix had the best plastics for older plastic soldiers. Newer plastics would be Conte and TSSD.

 

[Carnahan]

When I was younger I loved Esci, but I have to admit that as great as the sculpting was the poses left something to be desired. I always thought the Napoleonic soldier thrusting downward with the bayonet looked like he was trying to kill a spider that had wandered into camp. I also think it was strange that so many of the older (historically) sets featured soldiers firing from prone positions (something you wouldn't do much of with a musket), while few of the more modern sets lacked these. Airfix is hard to beat for sculpting, but TSSD really is great for detail as well as poses.

 

[Denver]

My two favorites are TSSD and Conte,
since converting is my hobby activity.
Their component parts are usually interchangable.
Both are well sculpted.
It is too bad that Conte does not make
plastic figures anymore.

 

[Angusprune]

HERALD, TIMPO Solids, JIM Napoleonics, COFALU Gladiators, JECSAN Muskateers, CHERILEA Vikings

 

[Currahee Chris]

Just love the Atlantic products. I had the old redbox romans and egyptians and had splendid missions and battles with them as a boy. Really miss those days.

 

[binder001]

So many manufacturers, so many good features;

For their age you can't beat Marx for creative poses and the finest sculpting from the 60's.

TSSD has consistent quality and keeps bringing out new sets from several eras. Nick is about the hardest working plastic supplier we have right now!

Conte's GIs are the best US infantry yet made, but, except for some very innovative Spartans he hasn't shown any interest in continuing with the plastic market.

Armies in Plastic has done some really neat stuff, but some of the detail is "soft". The only guy to try do the modern US figures from OIF & OEF.

For truly easy converting I still like the old Airfix "Multipose" series. Too bad those didn't catch on and the line ended with a half-dozen sets.

CTS has come out of left field with some good efforts at WW2 subjects in the last couple years. They have prevented a total drought in the WW2 plastic figures. Each set gets a little better.

Barzo has some innovative stuff, but at releases are few and far between (and no WW2 yet!)

So, if I had to pick just one of the above it would have to be TSSD. Those are figures I go back to for my conversion projects, the combine well with others and are readily available.

Gary B.

 

[playsetaddict]

I think the Conte plastic figures tend to be the best sculpted but I have a huge sentimental attachment to Marx. I Love the Accurate and Imex Civil War which work so well with the Marx. I like Beau's Confederates and the new CTS ACW. I don't have much use for AIP. The Airfix 7th Cavalry and their Sioux Indians are tough to beat. I like Nick's passion for plastic figures and I think I've bought some of all his sets, but I've never been able to get too attached to any of his figures. Barzso does full playsets better than anyone. I'm quite excited about the new Rev War figures he has coming out.

 

[Ragnar]

Timpo swoppets 7th Cav and Mexcan bandits loved them back in the 70's even today i se them on ebay and they put a smile on my face!
Airfix WW2 set the benchmark for me though and had many great battles in the late 70's early 80's.
When i got back into the hobby in 2003 it was Conte Vikings that realy grabbed me and his best work in my humble opinion!
A different scale but i think Perry are doing some amazing stuff in 28mm with clean crisp detailed work plus they have produced 15 plastics set in just 4 years.
With lots more to come so im a happy camper!

 

[sammy719]

So many manufacturers, so many good features;

For their age you can't beat Marx for creative poses and the finest sculpting from the 60's.

TSSD has consistent quality and keeps bringing out new sets from several eras. Nick is about the hardest working plastic supplier we have right now!

Conte's GIs are the best US infantry yet made, but, except for some very innovative Spartans he hasn't shown any interest in continuing with the plastic market.

Armies in Plastic has done some really neat stuff, but some of the detail is "soft". The only guy to try do the modern US figures from OIF & OEF.

For truly easy converting I still like the old Airfix "Multipose" series. Too bad those didn't catch on and the line ended with a half-dozen sets.

CTS has come out of left field with some good efforts at WW2 subjects in the last couple years. They have prevented a total drought in the WW2 plastic figures. Each set gets a little better.

Barzo has some innovative stuff, but at releases are few and far between (and no WW2 yet!)

So, if I had to pick just one of the above it would have to be TSSD. Those are figures I go back to for my conversion projects, the combine well with others and are readily available.

Gary B.

Hi Gary, I never understood why Conte gave up on WWII plastics?? if they were still making them I would still be buying plastic, oh well, maybe one day he will return to WWII, if he does I'll be back...Sammy

 

[sammy719]

Just love the Atlantic products. I had the old redbox romans and egyptians and had splendid missions and battles with them as a boy. Really miss those days.

Yea Chris those were the days, no scale issues, who cared if they were blue/grey/yellow colored, and if you went out a found enough Coke bottles to turn in for some coin you could buy a bag or two...Sammy

 

[OzDigger]

I had a decent plastic collection about 15 years back, my 1/32 scale favs were Airfix, Britains Deetail and Timpo.

 

[larso]

Thoughts of my Timpo swoppet Vikings got me back into toy soldiers about 12 - 13 years ago. I taught myself to use the internet to find the full set. Their other swoppets, like the Apaches and other late Western figures are also very good. How I wish Timpo had gone on for ever. A set of Celts would be the set I'd have loved most to see. I'd also have loved some archers and men-at-arms for the War of the Roses and other knights.

Today, TSSD is the clear stand-out. My favourite - probably the long coat Germans. Conte were even slightly better, especially in terms of the number of poses and the movement encapsulated in them. As for past winners - Airfix of course, especially the excellent WW2 sets. I've also liked Accurate and a Call to Arms. Some of the Matchbox sets are nice too. Some of the Napoleonic cavalry produced by Italeri and others are always welcomed.

 

[Jay]

First, Marx, then it's a tie between Airfix and Barzso. The difference, of course, it that Airfix hasn't made any new figures in about 35 years or so, and Barzso makes new stuff every year. Then TSSD, which is very creative, Matchbox,(almost all WWII) Paragon, Timpo, then a few others like Conte and Weston. The Conte figures certainly have/potential, but I doubt we'll ever see any new plastic ones. There are a number of other plastic companies out there, some old, some new. Mostly European, though the Auburn western figures were great. Sadly, they never fit with anything.

 

[Beau]

Fun thread, I'll play!

My favorite manufacturer is a toss up between Barzso and TSSD. TSSD, for the simple wealth of new figures being added all the time. He's got new Romans, Barbarians, WWII, Cowboys, and Civil War all coming out soon. It's crazy!!

Barzso is still tops for the playset aspect. There is nothing like opening a new Barzso playset. I remember when I opened up that Tripoli playset, and was amazed at all the figures, detailed pieces, buildings, and character pieces. Nothing like a Barzso set, and I plan to bring the new one home from Chicago in September.

My favorite sets of all time have to be the TimMee Vietnam figures (my childhood was spent with those Tan and Green soldiers) and the Conte Spartans. Even if they never get an opponent, they are little plastic wonders!

Beau

 

[larso]

Yes Beau, those Conte Spartans are a marvel! I'd have liked a few Persians but the three colours allows a set-up from one of the many inter-city wars that took place. With the moveability of the figures, every piece looks like an individual.

I had saved up to get the promised Romans but it seems there's no chance of that now. What a shame, they would've been the best of all I think. Oh the playsets that could've stemmed from those!

 

[sammy719]

I had a decent plastic collection about 15 years back, my 1/32 scale favs were Airfix, Britains Deetail and Timpo.

I had (as in past tense) a nice collection of plastic Marx battleground playsets (3 total complete sets) awhile back as well, as I grew older and left them in a storage locker my Aunt (bless her soul) decided I must not want these since I had grown up and she tossed the whole lot in the dumpster needless to say after girls/beer/parties etc...I returned to the glory of toy soldiers and asked "where's my toy soldiers Aunt Marian"? I about cried when I heard the reply, oh well, time to collect metal ...Sammy

 

[OzDigger]

I had (as in past tense) a nice collection of plastic Marx battleground playsets (3 total complete sets) awhile back as well, as I grew older and left them in a storage locker my Aunt (bless her soul) decided I must not want these since I had grown up and she tossed the whole lot in the dumpster needless to say after girls/beer/parties etc...I returned to the glory of toy soldiers and asked "where's my toy soldiers Aunt Marian"? I about cried when I heard the reply, oh well, time to collect metal ...Sammy

Hi Sammy, sorry to hear about that mate, but I understand that is pretty common based on similar stories I have heard from other collectors {sm2}

 

[END TIMES]

Well I would have to break this up into my favorites when I grew up and now as a collector. Airfix is top on my list as a kid, followed by Marx & Britains. I started collecting around the time Barzso first came out, and they are on top of my list now. Followed by Conte & TSSD. Paragon is catching my eye at the moment too.

 

[Anth]

I like HaT ancient and Napoleonic ranges. Contes Spartans are also special.