My hyper focus over the past few days is tracing the origins of my cheap Deathzap army men of choice or Penny Dreadfuls as the Man of Tin calls them. I’ve given them code names for ease of identification if you want to help me out in the comments.
A somewhat simple example is below:
This figure looking down his rifle is (although the pose is generic) I believe is either a copy of this other larger cheap figure common in bags of army men, which is a copy of an Airfix 1:32 British Paratrooper, or is a copy of a Matchbox US Infantryman (possibly both), as the water bottle and pistol holster match the Paratrooper better, but the ammo pouches across the front of his belt match the US Infantryman.
Another somewhat simple example, is this other figure advancing with a rifle, which is also a copy of a Paratrooper from the same Airfix 1:32 set. I say somewhat simple, as the figure on the right seems to be a copy, looking at the position of the arms, but only from the waist up. He’s still advancing but his left foot is forwards rather than his right. Any thoughts on other options for the guy on the right, or do you think I’m right?
A more difficult figure to figure out is this one kneeling, again due to the very generic pose, but I suspect he’s the kneeling Matchbox US Infantryman.
Initially this figure reminded me of an Airfix German (the one in the bottom left):
But the larger blue figure is wearing what looks like more modern gear, so I suspect is a copy of a modern US Soldier. I have yet to figure out from where.
I think these are all Matchbox and Airfix. Eric is the Airfix German Officer. I think Frank is the Airfix 8th Army Officer and George is the Matchbox US Infantry grenade thrower (slightly reposed):
Harry is a copy of this other cheap figure on the left:
He’s modern in origin (American Infantry?), but that’s all I’ve got. I’ve put this larger figure in with the other figures he came with in case that jogs someone’s memory.
Ian is an officer I simply can’t identify, maybe based on this Airfix US officer:
Jeremy the machine gunner, looks Vietnam-ish to me especially with the open shirt, but that’s the best I can do. He’s also common in other cheap sets with slightly more detail.
Kyle and Max to me look like more WW2 US Infantry Matchbox copies. Lee looks more modern and draws a blank from me.
From a little digging Neil and Quentin appear to be Chinese copies of Chinese originals. Stad’s Stuff has a post on these:
https://www.stadsstuff.com/?p=7403
Oscar is another Matchbox copy (the guy with the Grease Gun).
Pete is a strange one, any ideas?
My favourite Rob ‘the wobbly stick man’, is another strange one. The smaller figure here even is carrying a big knife/ sword on his belt which seems like an odd detail to invent. If you could identify him for me I’d be very grateful. So to recap:
Alan = Airfix British Paratrooper/ Matchbox US Infantry
Bill = Airfix British Paratrooper (possibly Billy too?)
Craig = Matchbox US Infantry
Dan = ???
Eric = Airfix German Officer
Frank = Airfix 8th Army Officer
George = Matchbox US Infantry
Harry = ???
Ian = Airfix US Infantry Officer?
Jeremy = ???
Kyle = Matchbox US Infantry
Lee = ???
Max = Matchbox US Infantry
Neil = Boley Chinese
Oscar = Matchbox US Infantry
Pete = ???
Quentin = Boley Chinese
Rob = ???
Hopefully you lovely folks out there can help me on my quest.
Deathzap 