As a wargamer, the greatest HO-1/72 set EVER made by ANY manufacturer is the Airfix Robin Hood set...nothing else is even close. Why? Doing basic figure conversions you can make figures from Ancient Assyria to Medievals all the way up to Modern day(think PLO boys with slings). Slingers, archers, military engineers, catapult crew, naval crews for oared ships etc etc. Absolutely the most useful and versatile set ever made. All you need is a good hobby knife, glue, spare figures from other sets for their useful parts, and a creative mind...or an actual need as a wargamer. I estimate that I have purchased around 30-40 Robin Hood sets...virtually all destined for conversion.
I was never a fan of the 1:76 scale, but some argued that you got more figures in a box so were better value and they were better for dioramas, you could have more going on in a smaller space. They were definitely more compatible with matchbox sized vehicles, which was a bonus, as you could integrate your car and soldier collections.
I had those 2 sets, the Arabs and french foreign legion. The Arabs were yellow and the French, understandably, were blue. An unusual and nice addition in the toy soldiers landscape at the time. I seem to recall Airfix also made a fort for the French, classic siege situation. Don't rush to complete your collection... you'll be forced to start another one later. The cherry effect :D
From George. I once painted a whole box of ho.o scale or 1/72 scale German paratroopers. It took forever to do. I'm talking about a decade ago. Those box loads you have are amazing. I make up on model kits of all kinds. But my love is Aircraft from WWI to present. But earlier Aircraft. From 1945 and on we're the most attractive Jet Aircraft of the time. Too many to name.👍🇭🇲🦘🐨✌️
What a fantastic collection you have Jerry, it's amazing, I love it and your knowledge and enthusiasm. Looking forward to your FB site. Stay safe my friend, all the very best from the UK.
Happy to hear they did Romans as I was sitting here curious as to why there weren't any ancients- perhaps Airfix felt Atlantic had that coveed but it sounds like you need the Romans so at least they were represented.
I had lot of the se sets but the all has been solten from me. Also in my hand was the 1/32 Gebirgsjaegers in the target box "Deutsche Versi on" ...and many others. I cannot live without my boxed sets ,I'm shoked.
First time seeing this 15 JULY 2024……. I like AIRFIX figure kits… I like using them in MINIATURE 1/72 1/76 dioramas They are usually good for a few figures in a box to incorporate them into a Scene / Dioramas…. The AIRFIX AMERICAN CIVIL WAR FIGURES can make a great battlefield diorama…… I use the AIRFIX ( various ) Pilot and Ground crew sets for different aircraft kits… Good Channel, you have my like 👍….. AIRFIX ON ……… CHRIS 🇺🇸
There was a popular TV series made by ITC 'Robin Hood' that was made from 1955 to 1959, that was repeated several times in the 60s. Its popularity may have been an influence on Airfix making the Robin Hood, and The Sherriff of Nottingham set. The same with the US TV show 'Wagon Train' 1957 - 1965 which was likely behind the Wagon Train set. UK ebay has the US WW1 Infantry out in 45 mins!
I just checked it and I want a bit nicer box and some figures were broken. Thanks for the heads up. Great info on those tv-shows. It was never shown in Sweden so that´s probably why I never heard of them. I´ll try to find the Robin Hood online.
It is an essential book for collectors of Airfix Soldiers. Since 1982, I have had to glean information from multiple sources, just to get the basic information I needed. This left gaps in my knowledge and gave me a limited perspective on what there would be out there. I have never considered myself to be an expert, for I know that there were things that I did not know. Thank you for this lovely vid. Much appreciated. Cheers.
Hi Jerry. I came off face book few years back but will rejoin to talk about Airfix. You must visit UK and our toy fairs. Soldiers not easy to find but always on offer and loads of airfix toys. Plus other toys from 70's. Have to say ancient Britain's very cool set. Got those to fight Romans😊 Keep filming. Chat on face book soon.
Great video Jerry! I love seeing those old boxes! My era was 1980s Airfix and ESCI/ERTL in the states. Mostly HO scale and 1/72, I had a few Matchbox 1/32 but they were a rare find where I lived. Anyway cheers buddy, I always enjoy your videos!
There is also a Zoo playset for the zoo animals to go in, by the way. That is probably as rare as rocking horse droppings. I have only ever seen one, and that was when I was a small child. The daughter of my neighbours had one, and we played with it all the time. Never seen one since. The 'Infantry Combat Group' depicts cold war era British troops - the newer style helmets are the give away. My favourite set has to be the Civilians - you have a Policeman, a Postman, and a bloke on a motor scooter. They are just fun figures. Dated terribly, now, but fun. And that's what it's all about, surely? 👍👍👍
Guess what my next video is on? Hint it´s a play set rare as "rocking horse droppings" as someone put it. I´m of on vacation and some military work so it´s gonna be two or three weeks.
Hang on. The infantry combat group were part of a gun emplacement set I had and they were vs German infantry. They have got to be world war 2 . Unless airfix were going to bring in a time machine. A Dr Who set would have been good thinking about it. They did have the High Chaparal I remember .
Might be time to shift my collector focus from 54mm scale metal painted toy soldiers to back to plastics. Metal toy soldiers are getting too expensive anymore.
Saw the box of romans in my local toy shop and must have,used to get two shillings and sixpence for milk teeth coming out so pulled one and got my figures.....no pain no gain.
Hey Jerry, if you’re looking for The Romans, don’t forget the Ancient Britons. Very good set. I painter both as a kid in the seventies. Can you help me get a copy of the Airfix book by Peter Williams. I remember most of these sets! Cheers! Adrian
AIRFIX ALSO MADE GAUL TROOPS TO FIGHT THE ROMANS AND THE FIRST FRENCH LEGIONNAIRES WERE OO SCALE WHERE THE LATER ONES WERE 1/72..I HAVE THOUSANDS OF AIRFIX FIGURES,WISH I KEPT THE BOXES. TAKE CARE
Good morning Jerry I hope you’re reading this eBay French foreign Legion box set pretty good condition not expensive. The set you after in French for Legion you’ll see it. I was going to bid on it but I’ve got two. I hope you get this one eight out of 10 good luck.
Yes I saw one come up on Ebay. I didn`t get it as it was in the UK and I want try and find one in Europe. The tax and customs fees from the UK kills a lot of deals.
Oh I see I was going to say I thought you would leave it so I bought it. I am looking out for you if I get a spare box. I’ll let you know. I have a secret source well a friend of mine who gets them quite often I’ll be looking out for you, friends rates I’m not an extortionate man I don’t rip people off if a spare one comes up I’ll let you know ☺️🇫🇷💥🐫
Hi Jerry Wow if you’ve collected that many hoo figures in six months that’s impressive. I got lucky with the two boxes of French foreign Legion unfortunately I don’t want to let them go but I’m bidding on a box of vintage toys and a secret location. If I get any more I’ll let you know you can have them sensible money. The type you have just shown on your video I think I’ve got about nine but I’m not really collecting them. They’ve just popped up along the journey. I’m still a 132 scale person. Enjoyed the video is interesting to see how many different ones there since 1959 keep the videos coming they’re very interesting.
Seriously, I miss the quality of the plastic of that time. My dad had all of these, and I had many more. Do you have the Tarzan and High Chaparral set.
Well I think we´re all amateurs no matter how big of a collection one might have. The Tarzan set was released in 1968 so in the next type box. I have it and it´s a great set with a great box.
@@toysoldiernostalgia I’m near to a completing of all the HO sets, vehicles, soldiers, assault sets and play sets. The funny thing is, when a parcel arrives, my wife rolls her eyes and says “what sh1t have you bought now”🤣 it’s an addiction!
If you want the figures and aren't bothered about the original boxes - some folks aren't - in Airfix' 'wilderness years', just before Hornby bought them, and got them back where they should be, the model soldier manufacturer HäT re released a whole load of old Airfix HO/OO scale figures, including the Tarzan set, which they put out as 'Jungle Adventure'. It was as cool and charming a set as I remembered from my childhood, and it was just like meeting old friends again. HäT paid homage to Airfix, by releasing a large set of Assyrian figures as 'The Assyrian Army', in a 1960's style red stripe window box. It's very cool.
Im recently widowed and i want to start collecting airfix 1/32 like i had in the 70s i love your vids very informative i would love to see a vid showing 1 box of every different year some off the boxes don't state what year also iv been looking everywhere for that airfix book would you have an idea where i could get one thanks
Thanks for those kind words. The book is very hard to find unfortunatly. I`m going to make a video on it and talk more about it in some Facebook groups for toy soldiers. Then if there`s enough interest I will talk to the author to see about the possiblity for a reprint. I will make videos on both the ho-oo and 1/32 scale boxes year by year. Just need to get the last few added to the collection.
As I mentioned before just sold my timpo at auction and airfix and other stuff next, I'll look to see what I might have that you need and let you know. Put an email address in bio and I'll send some pics as have playsets as well.
Great video and theres quite a few I have never seen before, great collection. Just a question though do you think in this modern age (I use the term modern loosely) that these amazing artwork boxes let alone the figures would be made. I can see even some of the names on the boxes causing problem for some people.
I think it`s a mix. Todays parents got tought that playing war was something bad (which it`s not. It`s acting out conflict and problem solving and when played with friends there`s no rules so you have to make your own and agree on them). And I also I don`t toy companies wouöd tkae a punt on ”war toys” like these in case that they get the woke mafia on their tail. But Airfix makes some toy soldier sets today but they are sold as scale model figures.
@@toysoldiernostalgia I love the term 'woke mafia' You are right, has children our toys used our imagination and we put thought into it and made us what we are. I doubt generations today have that and the only thought is for everyone to agree on their causes and to cancel out fun, ideas and everything they deem wrong ............ Right I am off to play with soldiers and use my imagination, today its the Arabs and Red Indians verse the woke community, should be good.
Not sure if you mentioned it already and I missed it, but how many sets total are there and how many are you missing? I believe the five you listed were just from the first decade, correct? Also, have you done videos with the WWI figures? I’d like to see it if you have a link …
Do you mean how many types of boxes that were ever produced? Or just this type boxes? I haven`t done any videos on the ho-oo scale figures yet. Gonna start that in the fall.
@@toysoldiernostalgia either way, whichever shows the total possible items to collect and how close you are to completing the collection, if that’s your goal. Looking forward to the upcoming videos!
