Another Unique Guy - Atlantic Japanese Infantry

As I was selecting the figures to use for the Banzai Charge post, I came across this guy which I find pretty unique, in a weird kind of way. He is part of the Atlantic Japanese Infantry set, and he is supposed to be wearing twigs as cammouflage. While it is a nice idea to make such a figure, I think that the execution came out short of its potential. Let's look at it in a bit more detail.

There are a couple of things that don't look right to me when I look at this figure. Some of the branches around him look more like antlers. In fact, take a look at this fantasy figure from Schleich and see if it does not remind you of him. Also, if the guy is wearing cammouflage, wouldn't it have been better to pose him in a crouching/crawling position, rather than standing upright? Standing like this he just looks out of place in the jungle. Certainly not Banzai material.

Here is the reverse side. Another thing that does not look right is how all the foliage is on the same vertical plane. I am sure it was designed this way because it is easier to release such a figure from the mold when it is manufactured, and of course, that has to be considered when designing a figure, but it should not come at the expense of giving the figure a pose that is still compelling and realistic.

Having said all this, I do have to give Atlantic credit for the idea of making a guy wearing foliage as cammouflage -so far it is the only one that I am aware of. Anyhow, Atlantic was in production back in the 80's and the toy solider industry has improved substantially since those days. Now, if some current manufacturer took that idea and ran with it, producing a whole set of foliage wearing guys in different realistic poses that might be a business opportunity waiting to be tapped.

Here is a picture of Apricum, Schleich guy that I was referring to.

Click here to see some pictures of Japanese Infantry in action.

A special guy - Atlantic British Infantry

Today I want to shine the spotlight on this figure from the Atlantic British Infantry set. While sometimes the sculpting from this manufacturer comes across as a little stiff, and certainly some of the other figures in this set feel that way, I think that this figure turned out quite nicely. However it is not because of the sculpting that I like it, but because of what it represents. This guy won't be very useful in a war game, but he is certainly worth the time you spend looking at him and pondering the virtues that he -literally- stands for. He reminds of the main character in the movie Passchendaele. I know that's a WWI film, but the self-sacrifice, devotion & determination that he displays, transcend that conflict and have been part of many warriors' ethos in the course of history. Let's hope that he makes it back to friendly lines unhurt and that he manages to save his mate.

Click here to see some pictures of British Infantry in action against the Waffen SS.

Click here to see a description of more British Infantry figures.

Maxim Machine Gun - Atlantic Russian Infantry

This is a nice machine gun that I picked up with the Atlantic Soviet Infantry set. The gun is a bit oversized and the pose of the figure firing it could be better, but it is still a good find. It is the only one of its kind among all the Soviet Infantry sets that I am aware of. If you watched Enemy at the Gates, you might remember that this MG is used by the NKVD troops to fire on the retreating conscripts after they are sent on a suicidal frontal assault against the German lines. This picture from the movie shows its actual size. Even though in reality it was not as large as the one in the Atlantic set, from what I have read in a Soviet soldier's memoir, it was still a very heavy weapon to carry or drag around. Unfortunately in the heat of the battle they had to change positions often to avoid the inevitable return fire once their firing position was spotted, and apparently the only way to do it without getting hit was to attach a rope to it and crawl on the ground pulling it behind. I bet that's when they were glad it had wheels!

Below is a side view showing a bit more detail.

Click here to see pictures of Soviet Infantry in Action.

Click here to see pictures of a Soviet Anti-Tank Gun.

Those special guys - A Conte GI

Whether we grew up playing with soldiers, started collecting them later in life, or whatever the case might be, there are always a few guys in our army that hold a special place. Maybe they were the ones that would always make it through the battles, or maybe they just represent a great action pose, or perhaps superior sculpting. I have several of them but for this initial post I have selected one that I find pretty cool along several dimensions. The figure itself is very well made. Nice sculpting with lots of detail. For me however its most striking feature is that exudes amazing courage and confidence. Perhaps a bit unreal if you care about survival, but hey, these guys belong in a world of make-believe. This guy is a Conte Collectibles GI. I like to call him Sgt. Guts. In addition to the Tommy Gun and the German submachine gun, he has also liberated a German Luger tucked under his belt. The only thing keeping this guy from being 'armed to the teeth' is the cigar in his mouth. 

Very well then. If you have a favorite guy in your collection or in your memories, it would be great to hear about it.

Click here to see pictures of some more painted GIs.

Click here to see pictures of another special guy.

Click here to see a post of another interesting guy in a different kind of way.