"Dollar Store Airfix Figures" Topic

I have finally decided to post a review of two German infantry dollar store figure packs.

The first time I heard the rumour of dollar-store figures was on TMP during a cursory glance at TMP link . I first started thought of making the review two weeks ago. I spotted a couple packs of Airfix figures under the name Major Combat! at the local Buck or Two. I decided to purchase a couple packs at $1.50 USD each. The only other figures were U.S. and British Infantry. The two packs I picked up were German Infantry and Australian Infantry (each set has a flag). The Germans are from the Airfix Afika Korps set. The Aussies are actually from the Airfix German Infantry set. Each pack comes with about 50 figures in 7 or 8 poses. I WILL POST PICS TOMORROW :)

GERMAN INFANTRY REVIEW:
Looking at the review from link , the poses included in this set are (L-R):
Row 1 – Poses 1, 2, and 5.
Row 2 – Poses 1 and 3.
Row 3 – Poses 4 and 5.
All of them are marred by flash, and many figures have been molded so half the figure is higher than the other. They all have injection marks, more appropriately potholes (see Saskatchewan), on the backs or legs, and none of the come with sprue. Removing the flash isn't too bad, if you have the patience. I would say it's about the same as removing flash from Airfix originals.
The average height (for the standing figures) is about 24.5mm. They look OK beside Revell, Airfix, and Orion Germans from a wargaming distance. Placed next to Revell's German Artillerymen and British Infantry, they fit in nicely.

All in all, this set has the worse quality of the two sets. However, it does fit in alright from a distance. I don't recommend this set (except for casualties).

"AUSTRALIAN" INFANTRY REVIEW:
Looking at the review from link , the poses included in this set are (L-R):
Row 1 – Poses 1, 2, 3, and 5.
Row 2 – Poses 1 and 5.
Row 3 – Pose 5.
The flash on these figures is only as bad as that of the original Airfix kits. They also have the injection holes on the legs and sometimes back.
The average height is just under 26mm. They look very tall beside Airfix Germans, but if formed in seperate units, they could be passed off as 1/72. Yet again, they don't look shabby placed next to Revell's German Artillerymen and British Infantry.

This is the better of the two German sets. The good (Airfix) quality overpowers the height difference. If you are looking for spares, casualties, cheap figures for games, or just a way to interest the new generations of potential gamers, this set is a good value.

I have a bunch fo Japanese and 8th army from these sets as well. It's odd how they are a bit bigger then the original Airfix minis. Mine were also covered in Flash with a fair bit of poor molding. Though they sure are cheap!

Are these some sort of unauthorized copy of the Airfix figs or are they legit? From the sounds of the condition of these, they sound like illegal copied passed on to the dollar store from some offshore wholesaler.

I believe they are illegal made in China types…

If you look around some dollar stores even have pirates of MARX stuff. I have found re-shoots of Captain Gallant and 7th cav. stuff. All are slightly larger then 20mm. Other places to find this stuff is in the party favor/Birthday sections of grocery stores and the like.

They almost sound like factory seconds! Maybe someone got ahold of a bunch of 'em and re-packaged them 8-0

I`ve had literally 100s bought for me by the wifes family at boot fairs here in the UK and couple of hundred figures in a bag for £1.00 GBP All the old Airfix boxes are present, cheap knock off copies produced in China or Taiwan. On the whole 90% of the figures are rubbish, but they are dirt cheap and useful for cutting up as vehicle crews, casualties etc.

There is a set of WW2 British Paratroops which are copies of the much better 1/32nd Airfix figures (and not the awful HO ones) this set contains many useful figures – strangely the little Chinese copies all have berets where the Airfix originals mostly had helmets. This set is worth getting to add some variation to your Britsh Paras (and Marine Commandoes).

Hmm… I'll have to keep an eye out for the paras, got a RM Commando to raise. But are the Chinese reproductions 1/32 or HO scale?

The photos will come online in a couple hours, I have to wait for some batteries to recharge. I'm probably not going to use many of the figures (maybe some of the Afrika Korps as Ost Infantry) alongside my current forces. If any are of decent enough quality and size, I might use them. (VERY interested in the paras).

The figure were about 22-25mm standing tall, I would say 1/72nd scale.

They are quite slight (just tall) so fit in Ok with FAA, Battlefield and AB miniatures; they look a very tall next to SHQ; they look very lanky (thin and tall) next to Britannia`s stunted dwarf like figures.

I`ve used them to fill out platoons, the odd rifleman here, walking bren gunner, pointing officer, radio man and sniper, I think they look OK if used carefully.

As promised, here are the pictures (only one day late this time!).

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Richard, thanks. I'm looking forward to finding the British paras pack, and for only $1.50 USD USD it won't exactly be a waste of money. Although I could always convert some Revell and Italeri infantry for the purpose. I definately agree about using these guys carefully!

Yes Chris thats certainly the boys.