New Playsets for 2017: World War II North African Campaign Tri-Series

There was very little that anyone found romantic, idealistic, noble or even fair about the battlefields of World War II. Perhaps only in the Desert War, fought between relatively small armies, could any of those terms apply.

WW II North Africa Campaign #1 – The Desert Fox…….$139.00
(150 pieces. A $309.30 value, you save over 55% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
In this first set you can refight this campaign, using the Germans under Rommel against the British under Alexander and Montgomery.  read more/purchase on website

WW II North Africa Campaign #2 – Patton vs Rommel……….$139.00
(111 pieces. A $306.30 value, you save over 54% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
In this second set, you can refight the second stage of the campaign, after the American invaded North Africa, using the Germans under Rommel against the U.S. Forces under George Patton.  read more/purchase on website

WW II North Africa Campaign #3 – Closing the Ring…..$159.00
(100 pieces. A $269.90 value, you save over 41% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
After taking a battering from the British coming west out of Egypt and the Americans coming east and north out of Tunisia, in 1943 the Afrika Korps found itself fighting on the defensive on two fronts. In this playset you can refight the final stage of the campaign. read more/purchase on website

WW II North Africa Campaign – Master Set……..$389.00
(361 pieces. An $857.50 value, you save over 54% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
This master set combines all three of our WWII North Africa Campaign Playsets in one package. You get “The Desert Fox” ( Germans vs British), “Patton vs Rommel” (Germans vs Americans) and “Closing the Ring” (Germans vs Americans and British).
read more/purchase on website

View all of our World War II playsets – all 28 – by clicking here.

New Playsets for 2017: World War II Pacific Campaign Tri-Series

We create more playsets for World War II than for any other period; this year we are offering 28. Here’s our new range of playsets devoted to the Pacific Campaign.

WW II Pacific Campaign Playset #1 – Beach Landing………..$139.00
(120 pieces. A $233.55 value, you save over 40% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
Throughout the Second World War in the Pacific Theater, American Marines stormed Japanese-held islands in order to push back the perimeter the enemy had established across the vast Pacific. In this playset your Marines, landing in a shallow wooden landing craft with a drop-down ramp (called a Higgins Boat) and an armored amphibious tracked vehicle (called an AmTrac)  fight their way ashore against dug-in Japanese defenders.
read more/purchase on website

WW II Pacific Campaign Playset #2 – Inland Battle…………..$139.00
(100 pieces. A $276.00 value, you save over 49% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
Once the Marines have seized a foothold on the island, they are sent back to rear area for rest and recuperation while the regular Army troops comes in to clear out the Japanese defenders (28 ORIGINAL Airfix Japanese Infantry). In this playset your G.I.s, have taken up a position to reduce the main Japanese defenses – a large rock and concrete bunker bolstered by three outlying concrete pillboxes and barbed wire fences.  read more/purchase on website

WW II Pacific Campaign Playset #3 – The Raid…………………..$139.00
(140 pieces. A $302.10 value, you save over 54% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
The Japanese have placed a small airstrip far behind their lines so Zero fighter-bombers can support their regular defenses. American forces have been tasked to capture the well-protected position. This playset includes a combined U.S. Army-U.S. Navy task force which strikes deep behind enemy lines. read more/purchase on website

WW II Pacific Campaign – Master Playset………..$379.00
(346 pieces. A $751.65 value, you save over 49% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
This master set combines all three of our WWII Pacific Campaign Playsets in one package. You get the Beach Landing, The In Land Battle and The Raid. By combining all three sets the resulting collection creates a broad canvas upon which you and your kids can rewrite history! Please note that the contents of each set are almost entirely different from the others in the range.  read more/purchase on website

See all 28 of our World War II playsets by clicking here

New Playsets for 2017: The Alamo Tri-Series

The Alamo is among the most popular periods for toy soldier collectors. Many have fond memories of the original Marx Alamo playset, first issued in the 1950s. This year we are offering three related but independent sets for our new Tri-Series Alamo range.

Alamo Playset #1 – Marx Alamo……………………………..$139.00
(176 pieces. A $297.34 value, you save 53% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
This playset is as close as one can get to the original Marx tin litho Davy Crockett Alamo, including recasts of just about everything that can be found in the sets Marx made in the 1960s. read more/purchase on our website

Alamo Playset #2 – Expansion Set……………………………$149
(149 pieces. A $458.70 value, you save 67% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
For those who already own an Alamo playset, this add-on greatly enlarges and enhances the experience. When Marx originally created their Alamo, they neglected to include a palisade wall, a cattle corral, a more substantial gate, a greater array of figures and a larger battery of cannon. This set is meant to do just that. Read more/purchase on our website

Alamo Playset #3 – Mexican Army Add-on……………………..$139
(156 pieces. A $317.06 value, you save 55% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
When Santa Anna besieged The Alamo, his 5,000 man army filled the surrounding countryside. When Marx created their original playset, the toy makers had to set their sights a lot lower. But now you can field an army worth its name in this big Mexican Army Expansion set. No buildings, no Texans, just a large force of Mexican infantry, cavalry and artillery, plus a slew of additional accessories to enrich the play experience.
read more/purchase on website

Marx Recast Alamo Master Playset – Combine all 3!…………$379.00
(All three playsets: 489 pieces. A $1045.50 value, you save 63% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
This master set combines all three of our Alamo Tri-Series Playsets in one package. You get the Marx Alamo (Playset #1) plus the two expansion playsets. By combining all three sets the resulting collection creates a broad canvas upon which you and your kids can rewrite history! read more/purchase on website

New Playset for 2017: French and Indian War Tri-Series Playsets

For the 2017 holiday season we’re introducing a new Tri-Series range of French and Indian War playsets (learn more about the Tri-Series concept here).

French and Indian War Playset #1 – Defend the Fort …………….$129.00
(142 pieces. A $286.50 value, you save 55% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
It’s 1757 and the North American Continent is engaged in its first war. Fighting rages from Canada down through the “Old Northwest” and into the frontiers of the growing middle Atlantic colonies  read more
view/purchase on website

French and Indian War Playset #2 – Forest Ambush  ……………………..$139.00
(182 pieces. A $473.36 value, you save 70% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
The British were unable to hold out in their fort before reinforcements could arrive. Offered honorable terms of surrender by the French, they choose to abandon the fort and march back to their territory. But as they pass through a heavily wooded valley, they are attacked from both flanks read more
view/purchase on website

French and Indian War Playset #3 – Rangers Attack  …………….$129.00
(167 pieces. A $344.34 value, you save 62% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
As the French and Indian War progressed, the British fielded troops to counteract the tribal warriors who fought for the French. These “Rangers” performed scouting tasks, read more
view/purchase on website

French and Indian War – Master Playset  …………..$349.00
(491 pieces. A $1056.20 value, you save 67% from retail cost – with free domestic shipping)
This master set combines all three of our French and Indian War Playsets in one package. You get the French Attack on the Fort, The Forest Ambush and The Rogers Rangers Attack on the French Encampment. By combining all three sets the resulting collection creates a broad canvas upon which you and your kids can rewrite history! Please note that the contents of each set are almost entirely different from the others in the range. When combining all three sets you will save a further 10% off the cost of the trio.
view/purchase on website

Back in production: Western Accessories in 54mm plastic from New Ray

New Ray has resumed production of several popular 54mm plastic accessories, useful for Western and other setups.

NR171a Stage Coach

You can use this coach in a wide variety of historical settings, from the 17th century onward. The 2-horse coach features a driver, top luggage rack, rear luggage rack, painted horses, full (removable) harnesses, integrated axle assembly which allows the coach to turn as it is being pulled across the floor, spinning wheels, and solid, sturdy construction. The harnesses are already on the horses. All you have to do is attach them to the wagon. assembly required. Measures 10 inches long x 4 high x 3 wide. ……………………………….$14.95
View/order on website

NR130a Two-Story Wood Frame House

Sturdy and immediately usable (no assembly required) in dioramas, gaming and other displays, this excellent item features fine details such as a wrap-around porch, tilt-up roof (for putting figures inside), plenty of room at doors and windows for shootouts and 3 different shades of brown plastic to give it a realistic look. Although the building is unpainted, the dark brown color serves as a base and door and window frames, the mid-brown for roof elements and the lighter brown as the main color for the house. (2 views are shown. 54mm Airfix 7th Cavalryman is shown for scale and is not included) …..$44.00 view/order on website

View all our New Ray accessories here

W Britains Limited Edition Series: The Battle of Bushy Run – now in stock

W. Britain Toy Soldiers and Model Figures has released a new Limited Edition series of three sets based on the painting of ‘The Battle of Bushy Run’ by the historical painter Don Troiani.

The 1763 Battle of Bushy Run was the climax of Pontiac’s
Rebellion. In this engagement, troops of the 42nd (Royal Highland))
Regiment defeated a coalition of Native American Warriors
from the Delaware, Shawnee, Mingo and Huron tribes. These
limited edition sets, used along with other figures from the Clash
of Empires collection, can create a stunning display. Each box is
adorned with a representation of the original Troiani art work and
is accompanied with a certificate of authenticity. These sets are
strictly limited to a run of 350 and will not be reproduced.

The figures are also suitable for action from the French and Indian War through the American Revolution.

The three Limited Edition sets retail for $125 each and are now in stock. Click on any image to view/order on our website:

Battle of Bushy Run No. 1

BRC16039 Battle of Bushy Run No. 2 – Figure 1 of 3

BRC16040 Battle of Bushy Run No. 2 – Figure 2 of 3

BRC16040 Battle of Bushy Run No. 2 – Figure 3 of 3

BRC16041 Battle of Bushy Run No. 3 – Figure 1 of 2

BRC16041 Battle of Bushy Run No. 3 – Figure 2 of 2

These figures from the Clash of Empires series  complement the Limited Edition sets:

BRC16042 Prone Native Warriors

BRC16047 British 42nd Highlander Standing Firing #1

BRC16048 British 42nd Highlander Standing Ramming

BRC16049 British 42nd Highlander Kneeling Firing #1

BRC16050 British 42nd Highlander Grenadier Stand/Firing #1

 

 

Christmas Gift Ideas: Our 2016 Top Five Playsets

Every year, we field calls and emails from customers eager to know the best value gift for toy soldiers. Our answer is: playsets! Purchase a plastic toy soldier playset and you provide a chance for a kid or adult enthusiast to set up and/or play a battle. Both sides in an engagement are represented, often with accessories like buildings or artillery to anchor the fun. The playsets are discounted heavily, and we ship them for free! View all our 131 playset on our website.

Back in the 1950-70s, the Sears Wish Book contained a range of playsets from Marx Toys. Many remember those pages fondly – and remember the excitement of finding a playset under the Christmas tree. Marx is no longer in business, but we carry recasts of their figures as well as models from many other manufacturers. Inspired by Marx, we’ve produced a huge variety of our own playsets for over thirty years. We offer painted versions of playsets in addition to unpainted ones. They don’t cost $7.95 as they did in the 1950’s, but our playsets offer great value.

Here’s a selection of our most popular playsets for 2016:

Deluxe Painted American Revolution Playset (45 pieces)…$279 view/purchase

Battle Ready WW II D-Day Playset (109 pieces)…$119 view/purchase

Deluxe Marx Recast Alamo Playset (222 pieces)…$169  view/purchase

Deluxe Pickett’s Charge Playset (392 pieces)…$299  view/purchase

Deluxe Vietnam War Jungle Battle (191 pieces)…$279 view/purchase

View all our 131 playset on our website.

Christmas Gift Ideas: Ceremonial Metal Toy Soldiers

To many people, the phrase ‘toy soldiers’ conjures up an image of the Changing of the Guard at London’s Buckingham Palace. Clad in dress uniforms, these soldiers are viewed by millions of tourists every year. Our ceremonial toy soldiers are cast in metal and painted in authentic uniforms. In scale they are 54mm, or about 2 1/4 inches tall. W. Britains has produced these figures since their earliest days, and we offer a huge variety of their ceremonial figures.

In the spirit of the current Netflix series The Crown, we’ve created several new sets this year including the W. Britains Queen Elizabeth II figure. They are priced at $60 each:

H.M. Queen Elizabeth with Beefeaters of the Tower – view/order on website

H.M. Queen Elizabeth with Her Life Guards – view/order on website

Queen Elizabeth and Her Scots Guards – view/order on website

View all these sets as well as our entire range of W. Britains toy soldiers on our website here.

Toysoldierco Spotlight: World War II Bundles pair the cream of the our WWII figures with the best accessories

We have had enormous success with our painted and unpainted World War II playsets over the years. These collections of figures and accessories, which recreate a battle (such as Bastogne), a campaign (like the Pacific Theater) or even just a moment in time (such as the taking of a bridge behind the lines on D-Day), have been popular ever since we reintroduced the concept of playsets back in the 1980s. But while our playsets are evergreens, selling through the year, they can be expensive. So as a way of giving the customer a taste of what a playset might contain, or even better, giving a moment in time from the bigger themed sets, I created our range of World War II Bundles. Each of these sets generally includes a set of painted figures plus a first-rate accessory, heavily discounted to make them all the more attractive to those on a budget. Like our playsets, the bundles recreate a moment, a snapshot of soldiers in action.

Deetail WWII American Bundle #4 – Building Defense
This is a combination of a classic Form Tech multi-room ruined building (made of expanded foam resin) with a set of discontinued, fully-painted Britains Deetail U.S. Infantrymen, released for just one year back in 2003.
(Click on the picture to view on our website)

Deetail WWII Japanese Bundle #1 – Chi-Ha Attack
This grouping includes a fully painted CTS Japanese Chi-Ha tank in authentic camouflage, plus 12 currently-produced Britains Deetail fully-painted Japanese Infantry.
Click on the picture to view on our website.

Deetail WWII German Bundle #6 – Up-Armored PZ IV
We haven’t offered these discontinued, fully-painted Britains Deetail Germans, produced for just one year in 2003, in over a decade. But here we pair them with the CTS Panzer IV tank with side armor plates, painted in authentic camouflage as it would have been fielded in the Russian Campaign.
Click on the picture to view on our website.

If you’d like to look through all our World War II Bundles (currently numbering 31), just click here to see them all on our website: World War II Bundles.

Massive toy soldier display by director Peter Jackson commemorates WWI Battle at Gallipoli

Read the news article about director Peter Jackson and his massive toy soldier display in this news article: http://www.nzherald.co.nz/nz/news/article.cfm…

For incredible detail on the toy soldier project, check out their blog:

http://www.anzacdiorama.blogspot.co.nz/