1/32 Scale Jaguar SS-100

As you can see from the condition of the box (it is yellowing) this is an old Matchbox 1/32 scale model. It is partially built (the engine block) and is complete. It is the last Matchbox model I have. At one time I owned several Matchbox scale models, but through my trading and selling, this is the last of the lot.

I don’t see too many Matchbox models being offered any longer and there aren’t too many models being produced in 1/32 scale anymore. At one time Matchbox (Lesney Products) had a full line of plastic models in various scales. There does seem to be pretty many old Matchbox models still available and at premium prices.

The Jaguar has always been one of favorite makes. When I was a young lad I remember wanting to own a Jaguar someday. The model itself looks like it will produce a relatively realistic model.

Replicants Town Crier

Replicants 25th Anniversary 1/32 Plastic Figure

I purchased this figure some time ago and presented this figure along with the rest of my purchase at the time. Although I have thought of purchasing a few more 1/32 pieces, especially now that Replicants has some fine sales, I haven’t made any purchases of this size of miniature since

Mithril’s 1/32 Lord of the Rings Miniatures

Mithril’s Lord of the Rings Miniatures is a source of limited run 1/32 figures depicting the characters found in the Lord of the Rings and the Hobbit; two of the three stories of the trilogy created by J.R.R. Tolkien. Mithril Miniatures produces a limited run of 2500 pieces of each character that will not be produced again.

The Serving Wench-I am Enamored by Plastic

From the first time I saw the wench, I knew that I would have to add her to my collection. The “Serving Wench” is one of Replicants 1/32 plastic miniatures and was accompanied by the Tavern Keeper. These two miniatures are part of my period pieces collection.
These two miniatures were my first attempts at painting miniatures. The wench seems to have her eyes closed so I didn’t get to paint her eyes.

The Plastic Toy Soldier Pictures Blog

Although the blog has not been updated for a while, the Plastic Toy Soldier Pictures Blog features an assortment of images of Marx, Toy Soldiers of San Diego, and Conte toy soldiers. The author has taken quite a few photos of toy soldiers, which includes all sorts of “toy soldiers”, not just GI types.
You might remember playing with Marx toys when you were young. The one thing I don’t remember, at least not vividly, is the amount of detail these toy soldiers had. Their faces, at least contain, a surprising amount of detail while the rest of the casting is slight on detail. Many of these old Marx toys are now collectors’ items and some are being recast by other companies (Pirates of the Caribbean, by Glencoe).
Conte is a purveyor of collectible figures. These are not your run of the mill, mass-produced kids toys. Conte figures are full of detail. Toy Soldiers of San Diego offers some nicely detailed pieces as well, which like Conte are geared toward the collector.
It is simply amazing what some are willing to pay for a box full of plastic.

U-Boat Type VIIC

The model a U-Boat Type VIIC, in 1/32 scale, depicts a U-boat from the 9th U-flotilla Brest in the year of 1942. The model is modeled by Marcello d'Andrea. The site features a small gallery of images of this highly detailed submarine and some of its crew.

The model and diorama depicts only part of the submarine. The real submarine would have been somewhere around two hundred feet long. The Type VII was not the best in its class, but did form the backbone of Germany’s WWII, U-boat force.

Armies in Plastics New 1-32 Military Figures

Armies on Plastic is offering a few new sets of historically-accurate 1/32 scale figures. The new sets include:

• Spanish American War, #5611, 1898 – Cuban Insurrectos
• Spanish American War, #5612, 1898 – Spanish Regular Infantry
• Russo-Japanese War, # 5613, 1904-1905 Japanese Army, Summer Dress
• Boxer Rebellion, #5614, China – 1900 – Japanese Army Winter Dress
• World War I, #5615, Japanese Army Khaki Dress
• American War of 1812, #5616, American Army
• American War of 1812, #5617, British Army Waterloo 1815
• American War of 1812, #5618, Battle of Chippawa American Army

Collecting Replicants Miniatures

Replicants is a manufacture of limited run polythene 1/32 (54mm) figures and produces figures in many unique poses. They produce a varied line of figures that include medieval, American Civil War, American Wild West, Napoleonic soldiers, and other period pieces.

The figures come in a verity of colors; colors used I presume, are what they have on hand on the day the production. Polythene is a hard plastic and produces figures with sharp details. There are a few pieces on the site that are out of production. There might be a few of these figures lying about. Just contact the manufacturer and ask for availability.

I have painted five figures from my collection so far. This is my first experience with this sized figure, and I must say that working with a larger figure definitely makes painting and detailing them easier on the eyes.

My Miniatures by Size (an update)

I recently came across two Phoenix Miniatures in an unpacked box of model railroad stuff I had in storage and have added them to my miniature inventory.

QTY	Size	Manufacturer(s)
10	54mm (1/32)	Replicants
1	40mm	HistoriFigs
4	30mm	HistoriFigs
7	28mm	HistoriFigs Foundry Artizan Designs
16	25mm	Reaper Miniatures HistoriFigs
2	1/43	Phoenix Miniatures

My First Thoughts on Replicants Figures-Cleaning then Up-Painting

Replicants offers many uniquely posed 1/32 (54mm) figures. My first order included ten figures and consisted of several period pieces and a set of Apache Scouts or are they Renegades. The figures care cast in polythene. This is a relatively hard plastic and this is where I believe the problem with the clean-up of these castings lies.

Most of the castings are pretty clean of flash, but some of the figures do require clean-up of flash and parting lines. I have tried using a file to rid the casting of their flash, but this leaves more flash and stubble behind.

I found that using a blade of sharp and sturdy pocket knife to scrape the flash works well, but this is a tedious job, and only works to a point. I find it very hard to scrape away every bit of the flash. After a good scrape you are still be stuck with some stubble.

What seems to work exceptionally well, after the initial scraping, is to take a lit match or two and melt the flash stubble from the figure. I simply make a quick pass over the affected area and then rub my finger over the area to smooth the plastic down. Be careful here, you don’t want to melt the figure and you don’t want to inhale the smoke from this operation.

Once I was happy with the overall process, I scrubbed the pieces with soap and an old tooth brush. Once the pieces were dry I gave them a primer coat of grey spray paint. The grey paint will cover even the darkest of colors used on some of the castings. White did the job on lighter colored pieces, but it does take a couple coats of white on the darker castings. I was a bit worried here, that the second coat of paint might obscure some of the details on the casting.

Some say that you should start with the light colors than move to the darker. This makes good sense in that you can usually can give the brush a quick wipe and go for a darker color without having to wash the brush.

My Miniatures by Size

QYY	Size	Manufacturer(s)
10	54mm (1/32)	Replicants
1	40mm	HistoriFigs
4	30mm	HistoriFigs
7	28mm	HistoriFigs Foundry Artizan Designs
16	25mm	Reaper Miniatures HistoriFigs