When I was in my early teens I picked up some Airfix World War II sets. I got a few of the WWII Japanese Infantry and it is still one of my favorite sets that I have. I put two videos above mainly just for the sounds of the Banzai shouts.
Ever since I picked up those Airfix WWII Japanese I have been looking for more plastic Japanese figures to go with them. The first set few sets that I got were the dark green figures. Later on I started finding the beige colored Airfix figures.
This is a project that I started many years ago. I am putting together different groups of figures to be used for a Japanese Army. I have found other brands over the years that are nice too. The Japanese figures by TSSD blend very well with the Airfix figures. I like the TSSD WWII Japanese figures too. They capture the “Banzai” attack with their set. There are action poses of running, shooting and charging with bayonets fixed on the rifles. The bayonets look really nice too. Plus the different pieces of head gear. Right now TSSD & Airfix are my favorite combinations to use.
This year BMC released recast figures using original Marx molds. These figures are really nice and seem to have not lost much accept some extra flash. I like the Marx figures too. They are a little taller and thinner than the Airfix Japanese for the most part.
Mars released a set of WWII Japanese figures this year. They match well with the Marx in scale. They are crudely made. I only like 4 of their poses. They are the running and shooting figures. I am going to try to customize a few of the figures to make them look better.
Next year Austin Miniatures is going to release a set of Japanese Infantry. From the prototypes they look really good. The Austin US Marines are really nice too. I will get a few sets when they are released. These figures should mix well with the TSSD & Airfix figures.
I will get some foam bunkers in the future to set up a nice display one day. Right now I have the BMC Iwo Jima playset and an old Playmobil piece to use. The BMC terran piece is really nice and so is the whole set. This is probably the best priced playset being produced today. You get a quality set at a great price.
The BMC Iwo Jima Japanese figures are nice too. They are a little bigger than the TSSD and Marx figures.
Most of the poses that I look for are the ones that will join my “Banzai” attack. This was the Japanese tactic they used to try to overrun their opponents. They would rush against an enemy as a suicide attack. It was used mainly as a last resort.
Loved this post. Great memories of playing with Airfix minis many years ago now!
I have the same memories. I had picked up a bunch of boxes when I was in Ireland as a kid many years ago.
Banzai! Thanks Mike, a great post about the Japanese troops. Check the 21st century 1/32 Japanese painted factory troops. They are roughly the size of Airfix and have awesome poses (like the Austin M. ones). I love the officer. http://ww2pts.blogspot.com/2011/06/hand-painted-vs-factory-painted.html. I love the “Letters from Iwo Jima” film of 2006. A large and beautiful scene, you can create a strong point with the Playmobil island. What a great “man’s room” is coming! (LOL). Regards. José
I will have to pick up a set of those figures one day. I like the way they look. For this post I was trying to stay with the unpainted figures. I also like the classic W. Britain Detail figures. The only thing was the metal bases. I will pick up a set of the new W. Britain Detail figures with the new paint scheme and type of base.
That movie “Letters from Iwo Jima” and “Flags of our Fathers” are two great movies. I will have to watch them again to get some ideas for the future. Playmobil has some nice things to use. The palm trees are great. I can’t wait to expand when I retire. Hopefully in about 5 years I will find or decide what area of the country I will retire. Happy New Year Jose, thanks for the comment.