Panzer Conversion by Beano Boy

Although I am best known for my Napoleonic conversions on Benno`s Figure Forum this will be a very different conversion for me. It will be my first ever German Tank Conversion made possible by the fact that i have left over parts from another modelling kit.

I bought this excellent  kit above that gives one several options of making up three German 38t  light tanks or three of the  Marder variants contained in the box. So having bought two boxes i had lots of parts going spare for the 38t ,and parts for the two types of  Marder variants. The box includes lots of figures too,and ( i ) HIGHLY RECOMMEND this Kit.
The six spare Guns can be used  within scratch built bunkers. the six spare tank turrets will be used on my railway project.

The box above i bought,and the light tanks included are very easy to construct and look the part but having so many parts over from the PLASTIC SOLDIER boxes i decided to wield Excalibur  my craft knife and cut and convert these two light tanks.

My thoughts upon the subject of tank conversions is if the Germans could take this  Czech designed Panzer Tank and  up- gun it and convert it then so could i.The Marder  Variant shown above is the one i will construct,and all Marder types used throughout the war by the Germans were open topped.but with a canvas top providing cover for the crew and gun. They  were Assault Guns rather than Panzerjager but they could exchange shells  with enemy tanks.  So other than the front,little protection for the crew was provided,but these were tank killers mounted with captured field artillery and they could with their anti-tank shells deal quite effectivly with  the new Russian built tanks. Some would also tow extra field artillery or anti-aircraft guns too. So these captured tank conversions were a very cheap effective option for the German army that needed extra firepower quick.

My Conversion

With the turret removed,the back half of the tank top was cut away to create room for the new top section seen in the picture. It was tuff going work with the craft knife,because the plastic  is very hard. Finally it was cut away and the ruff edges tidied up.

Before all that Cut ,Slash ,and Hacking took place i did remove the wheel and tracked sides.

Once the new top was glued in place all that was required was using the plans again.

                               
                                                         Above one of the spare Guns. Below the Figures.

One figure has his right arm longer than his legs,but it can be replaced using the extra arms on the Sprue.                                                                                                                                                   

                                         The pieces cut away are seen in the pictures.

The other light tank was converted too,from the spare parts,which now provided me with an extra     two Tank Killers.               The Motto ,"Waste Not ,Want Not "comes to mind.  BB                                                                                                                

BB`s Toy Figures 5 Presented by Beano Boy

After Pondering upon it,i decided to write this journal down as indeed i first wrote it along with the accompanying photo`s too.This is part of a greater work i started on the 01 Aug 2014,with the first posting on Benno`s Figure Forum.  Great meaning Large. Not Great.
                                                                      
                                                                         5

                                                               More Toys

 

 

The Blue & the Gray 

                               All period pieces produced by Timpo 1960`s.  Sorry no Flags

 

It appears that General G G Meade has thrown in his infantry reserves, to out flank these Southern boys. The Rebs under General A P Hill are now outnumbered Four to One.

 

 

 

In my opinion the only way this old toy set looks good is on mass display,and the striking thing is all the Union troops have beards. The Southern boys are all clean shaven. 

 

The cannon are produced by A Call to Arms and are perfect toys for this time period. 

 

 

I cleaned the paint off  that had been shovelled onto them,and now they are ready to be re-painted. Each and everyone of these toy soldiers bear the Timpo Mark on top of their bases which reads in raised letter Made in England. I will leave it on because it defines the time period when these first shot off the production line and into the toy shops. 

 

 

 

 

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I remember this picture which was on the back page of the Marval Comics my Brother Ron would often buy in the early 1960`s,and like many a child I used to draw these very same pictures over and over again,and yes I had a bright dream of one day collecting toy soldiers and Wild West Style Figures. Money was tight in those far off days and there was certainly no money left over for toys,but imagination is free,all that is needed is one uses it.

                                                I Guess Dreams Can Come True

                                            Atlantic 60mm Scale Roman Figures

 

I have a few more in 1/32 scale too. 

 

_________________

 

 

 

Wild West Type Figures 

 

in used condition but not chewed 

 

          A friend on Benno`s  Figures Forum, described this figure like so. " What a lovely Shaman."

 

He is the one figure from the Fort Cheyenne series of figures. Some of which are shown below.

 

 

 

 

All These will clean up,and eventually will be repainted
 

I record the main colours before stripping the paint off.The camera is the perfect tool for this part of restoration.  

All in Farm Fresh Condition

 
 
 

 

 All the figures are marked correctly  with  made in Hong Kong  either on the front of the base or on the figure which proves them to be from this famous range of toys made by IDEAL in 1970.  Sorry I haven`t got the Box that converted into the Fort. Perhaps though one day!

 

 

 

So I have all the standing Indians,including the Chief and the brave with the rifle who can be seen below. They were both bought in another Job Lot.

 

 

 

                                      The yellow ones for riding horses had a swivel  body.
                                                               ________________
                
                                                                     The Marx Set

            MARX also did some copies within this set,but their bases were a different shape

As  can be seen above the Red Indians cleaned up  really well. A little bit play worn,but a very fine set from the Fort Cheyenne range of figures.

                                                       The Collecting is still Ongoing

                                          If you have interest please look out for Part 6
                                                                    
                                                                             BB

AIRFIX Space Warriors Presented by Beano Boy

This is a Rare Set,First Edition of One issue of AIRFIX Space Series 1/32 Scale.

Only produced for a few weeks prior to AIRFIX going into Receivership in 1981

 

 

These were until recently lost in my large Figure Collection,and so once found I was at long last able to show them here,and on Benno`s Figure Forum today. Sometimes one can look hard for ages and not find the stuff searched for,only to find it later when not looking for it. Today I opened a draw and there it was. I hope you like them. BB

Vintage Jean Hoeffler Toy Figures : Knights by Beano Boy

 

I bought these Jean Hoeffler Toy Figures recently on E Bay. W Germany on bases.

 

i Cleaned them up,and so they are ready for painting. Being rushed these days for time I wish that I was ready to paint them.

I often wonder just how many little hands have played with such as these.

 

 

 

 

 

 

    The total number seen above.Although not full Sets I am well pleased to have them in my ever expanding Toy Collection. These were made of tuff plastic,and have survived well from the rigours of time since their making back in the day. 1970`s. Soft Plastic Recasts can be bought in the USA, but the period pieces I collect get my vote every time. BB