"12" (1/6 scale?) figures - where to start?" Topic

I was never into G.I. Joe as a kid, I tended to see him as "Barbie for boys". And even though I had three sisters, none of them were into Barbie, either, so I didn't even have any of that rub off on me either!

But I now have a 4-year-old, and he has a Barbie (she is a ship's captain in his world – the boy is crazy about all things nautical). Said 4-year-old is also fascinated by Hussars ever since seeing the Nutcracker, so I'm hoping to steer his interests a bit. I have seen that the ubiquitous GI Joe of my youth is pretty much gone but that some hobby shops carry a variety of extremely detailed 12" figures, mostly equipped for 20th-century battlefields. I get the sense that these are to be kept carefully behind warps in their original packaging (what's the point of that, really?).

Can anyone direct me to a primer or introductory information about these toys? I'd kind of like to get a male counterpart for Barbie, and make sure that he has a Hussar's uniform to wear. But the emphasis is that this will be a toy to be played with! Would I be committing some sacrilegious action by treating one of these figures this way, and more importantly would I be wasting far too much money on a overpriced collectible if it is to be simply sued a a toy?

Thanks in advance!

Most of the 12" figures are very expensive and highly detailed. Small parts, sharp points and choking hazards abound. I really wouldn't give one to even the sanest and most stable 4 year olds.

In the UK at least there are plenty of 12" toy figures available relatively cheaply. I'd make do with a Star Wars or modern figure. At a push you might get a pirate or a modern sailor by shopping around. UK ebay has lots of old action man (UK GI Joe) out of box and used which at least would be safe and designed for play use. Might be the way to go in the US?

Toy 12" figures turn up fairly regularly in charity shops in the UK, so worth keeping an eye on the equivalent in Canada.

I've never seen a hussar – what are your sewing skills like?

My suggestion is that you get him something like this:

link

If you don't paint, have it professionally painted.

Action Man had a modern hussar uniform and you can find them on ebay but they are not cheap.

You can find plenty of old WW2 1/6th scale figures by Dragon. The newest releases are pretty pricey, but the figures released around 2000 are a good buy. Ebay seems to have a lot.

You can find lots of various uniforms for them as well. Check the website one sixth scale. These guys do a lot of research and custom work.

I ripped mine out of the boxes and tossed the cardboard into the recycle bin. Play with them is my motto.

Matthew

See if cotswold collectibles is still around, that's what your looking for

onesixthwarriors.com/forum

Lots of good discussion and background in the forums here.

Thanks for all the comments. Dale, I'd already been thinking about the Skull and Crown wooden figures!

As for the 1/6 ones, they look to be a whole new hobby in themselves. Getting exactly what I want is not going to be cheap or easy, so I will focus on things that are (and will remain!) much more important: my two boys, my full time job and my 28mm toys!

Although I may have opened a can of worms since I've shown the Mrs. a page with regency Barbie dresses…

Lots of 12 inch Joes and Kens (starwars too) on ebay at reasonable prices. If someone you know sews, you can get small amounts of fabric and have them make a Hussars uniform.

In the late 90's early 2000's a line called Soldiers of the World were available in big box stores. They were fairly inexpensive and the quality of the uniforms varied but they produced a fairly wide range of historical eras. I do not specifically recall a hussar but its very possible they produced one. They can be found on ebay most of the time.

Is this the sort of thing you were thinking of?
YouTube link
link

Hi, Bridget, that one would be ideal. Now to see if I can find one at a reasonable price!

It never hurts to start with a Wiki Page:
link

There will be discussion groups:
Here is one taking about a 1/6th scale Hussar.
link

Here is a vendor who sell all types of 12" figures:
gijoeelite.com/f_home.asp

A fully dressed figure run about $50 USD
A nude figure for $18 USD or as low as $13 USD
link

Hussars are not a very hot topic for these makers, but I did find one fully kitted-out for $180 USD
link
Detailed review:
link

But this jacket is just $8 USD
link

And you could start to build from that point.

Wow, Dyehard, that is fantastic! Great bunch of resources for me to check out. Thanks very much!