Customer Reviews

12 Inch Action Figures: World War Two (Action Figures and Toys)

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I reluctantly gave this book 4 stars because of the English translation. Want to turn your GI Joe into a museum piece? The Fort Lewis (Washington state) Military Museum has many 12-inch figures on display to represent soldiers of different eras. "Second World War And 12-Inch Action Figures" is a how-to guide on turning 1:6th-scale action figures from Dragon, 21st Century, and Blue Box Toys into museum minatures. I have a minor complaint about the American soldier shown on pages 64 and 65--the sling on his M1903 Springfield rifle is attached to the stacking swivel instead of the forward sling swivel. I can't gripe much--the original GI Joe made the same mistake with the M1 rifle! Another minor glich is calling a 75mm recoiless rifle (page 4) a 57mm recoiless rifle. Even so, the advice on modelling tools and techniques and the photos and descriptions of the finished figures made for an entertaining read. I may even be able to use some of these techniques.

Speaking as the creator of a 1/6 scale figure reference I can apreciate the effort that went in to this. As someone with little interest in accurate historial figures I can see this book being aimed at a niche market who would be happy to have it.

This book is great for getting a good look at what figures or even real people would need for their WW2 re-inactments. The photos are clear and the text details the clothing and equipment, which figures to find them with, and even how to repaint and distress them to give them an authentic battle field look. With all the trouble I went through to get my Misha the Russian Sniper I'm not about to stain and distress his uniform, a Power Team Elite or GI Joe is another story.

On the doll/figure side this book does have a fairly complete list and quite a few photos of the Dragon/DiD/DML, BBI, Sideshow, and 21st Century/Ultimate Soldier WW2 lines up to the press time of 2004.(This may be the date for the English translation)Also there are photos of uniform and accessory sets, especially those from 21st Century which no longer makes 12" figures. This was quite helpful to me as I was able to assemble the pieces of a British Commando set from a grab bag purchase. A brief history of the companies is given along with comparisons of hands and wrist units.

This is a great book for someone with an interest in WW2 uniforms and equipment or 1/6 scale- 12" figures. A GI Joe collector might find some interest, so might anyone with military figures. The dollfie crowd might be more inclined to pass.

You know I didn't even know that they had a book on World War II collectable figures. They do and it's one excellent book. It's not huge, but it's compact, loaded with information and has excellent pictures. Maybe not the first book on 12 inch military figures, but should be on your shelf.