Toys
Articles
Little Big (Action) Man Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: I guess we are all familiar with GI Joe and his British counterpart Action Man, but how many of us have seen this cool 1:35 scale GI Joe produced by Japanes firm Takara?
Last updated: Monday 28 June 2010 20:36:49Mystery Items No 1 Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: In a new series, Mystery Items, we invite Collectingfriends members to help us solve some collecting conundrums. The following items have stumped our experts. Perhaps you can prove you know more than our illustrious panel. Email your answers to arthur@collectingfriends.net
Last updated: Saturday 05 June 2010 22:34:28Here come the girls Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: We mustn't forget that the idea of Action Man initially met resistance because few thought that boys would play with dolls. Surely they were only for girls. Well, this article considers some of those 12" action figures, sorry - dolls, such as Barbie, Sindy and Tressy that were definitely intended for the fairer sex.
Last updated: Thursday 22 April 2010 13:29:01Tommy Gunn - The Forgotten Soldier? Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: In 1964 the success of GI-Joe encouraged two British companies, Palitoy and Pedigree, to bid for the British manufacturing and sales license. Palitoy won and in 1966 Action Man was the result. However, the same year Pedigree decided to go it alone and produce their own Action Figure. Tommy Gunn was the result. However he survived only until 1968 and is now considered very collectable. This is his story.
Last updated: Wednesday 21 April 2010 13:05:40How to glue different materials Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: What should I use to glue together dissimilar materials? There is not one pat answer to this.
Last updated: Saturday 20 February 2010 14:19:24How to apply decals Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Nine simple steps to achieve perfectly applied decals.
Last updated: Friday 19 February 2010 12:00:57Sussex by the Sea Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Kitbasher had three things to do on the first day of the school Summer holidays. Two involved Collecting Friends matters in Sussex (a collectors' phone-in on Southern Counties Radio and a vist to Brighton's Modelzone to see early editions ofThe Boys' Book of Airfix) the third and arguably most important involved entertaining his daughters, Ellie and Alice.
Last updated: Tuesday 08 September 2009 20:46:41Buy, Buy Donnington! Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: April 5th 2009 witnessed the final Toy Fair at Castle Donnington in Leicestershire. Collecting Friends was there. Here's the story.
Last updated: Monday 13 April 2009 21:35:06The Toy Job Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Barry Potter's name is familiar to everyone involved in toy collecting. The Toy Job - A Lifetime of Toys and Trains is his fascinating and candid autobiography.
Last updated: Monday 30 March 2009 19:40:20Donington Park Toy Collectors Fair Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Collecting Friends kicks off its 2009 toy fair season with an appearance at Barry Potter Fairs' Donington Park Toy Collectors Fair on Sunday April 5th.
Last updated: Thursday 12 March 2009 15:20:12Insurer launches search for unusual stars Author: Robin Nicholl
Synopsis: Norwich Union is set to get curtains twitching by throwing open the doors to some of the UK’s most weird and wonderful collections as it launches a search for closet collectors to come forwards and star in a new film.
Last updated: Wednesday 04 March 2009 19:27:52Toytime Memories Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Blackmiddens' reveals some of his childhood memories and speaks of his favourite toys.
Last updated: Wednesday 04 March 2009 19:25:41Toytime Memories II Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Collecting Friends member Mick Ackrill has sent in two super pictures and some recollections of a bygone childhood to add to our growing archive of Baby-Boomer tales.
Last updated: Wednesday 04 March 2009 19:24:46The Boys' Book of Airfix Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Summary of Arthur ward's new book about Airfix to be published in 2009 by Ebury, a division of Random House.
Last updated: Wednesday 04 March 2009 19:22:33August's Barry Potter Toy Fair at Sandown Par… Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Unusually for this summer, August 2nd dawned bright and sunny and mostly stayed that way. Well it did for the Collecting Friends team who spent the day at the fantastic Barry Potter Toy Fair at Surrey’s Sandown Park Racecourse.
Last updated: Thursday 14 August 2008 10:14:50Eclectic Airfix Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: The wide variety of product marketed by Airfix makes life interesting for collectors. This article takes another look at Airfix’s diversity and there’s not a polystyrene construction kit in sight!
Last updated: Sunday 27 July 2008 11:44:17An Airfix Assortment Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Although Airfix is most famous for plastic construction kits, since its earliest days the company has produced a range of toys and games. In fact Airfix began life making everything but plastic kits. This article looks at an assortment of some of the Airfix toys and games that were an important part of the firm's output in the 1940s,50s and '60s.
Last updated: Saturday 12 July 2008 19:43:13Classic Toys - Two's Company Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Classic Toys, the sequel to Arthur Ward's TV Toys and Ephemera is due to be published in June. Focusing on famous brands like Action Man, Corgi, Barbie, Spirograph, Hornby Dublo, Britains and Dinky, this new book considers many of the famous names so-called 'Baby Boomers' grew up with. The forward is by Frank Martin, MD of Hornby, the new owners of Airfix.
Last updated: Wednesday 09 July 2008 11:59:39Iconic Toy Classics II Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: The second in a series of articles looking at some famous toy brands, many of which are still as popular today as they were when they first appeared over half-a-century ago.
Last updated: Saturday 24 May 2008 09:59:37Hornby buys Corgi Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Hornby announces acquisition of that other iconic British toy brand, Corgi.
Last updated: Friday 02 May 2008 16:17:50Iconic toy classics Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: In an attempt to kick start a reader's poll, Arthur Ward has selected a variety of great toys from the 1960s and 1970s, to which he has conferred iconic status. Collecting Friends' members are encourage to suggest their own favourites.
Last updated: Tuesday 04 March 2008 22:18:42Action Man Old and New Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Original Action Man items are extremely hard to come by. Authentic, mint rarities fetch high prices. This article looks at some vintage stuff and one or two fine commemorative items.
Last updated: Tuesday 26 February 2008 09:06:10Astra-Pharos collectables Author: Peter Hawkins
Synopsis: Collecting Friends member Peter Hawkins is a General Practitioner in a small town near (ish) to Sydney, Australia. He is also an avid fan of what he calls 'firing' toy artillery (Britains, Marklin, Johilco, Hausser, etc). His favourites are the Astra Pom Pom and 3/7" AA gun. He's keen to receive news about any, preferably mint or near mint Astra items.
Last updated: Friday 25 January 2008 18:45:29The 1930s aerial peril Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: From gas masks to toy aeroplanes children had a part to play in WWII
Last updated: Wednesday 09 January 2008 18:06:48ARP Collectables Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Fear of 'death from the air' was a key part of the zeitgeist of the 1930s. Civilians assumed poison gas would be dropped from fleets of new monoplane bombers. An awful lot of ARP equipment was produced for government, military, civil defence and civilian use. Much of it is now very collectable....
Last updated: Wednesday 09 January 2008 12:57:46Remember These? Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Classic Toys from the 1960s and 1970s - gone but not forgotten. This short article includes details of their designers and origination and may at least prove useful when you are next playing Trivial Pursuit and asked: 'Name the inventor of the Space Hopper'.
Last updated: Sunday 19 August 2007 15:52:48War & Peace Show 2007 - Wow! Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: This year the KM War & Peace Show at The Hop Farm in Beltring, Kent was a massive 25th anniversary event. Tanks, armoured fighting vehicles, re-enactors and militaria galore it was a spectacle to behold.
Last updated: Sunday 22 July 2007 19:57:50Reverse the Polarity! The Monsters and Toys o… Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Reverse the Polarity! The Monsters and Toys of Science Fiction is a new temporary exhibition at Horsham Museum in West Sussex. Full of exciting exhibits of special interest to fans of Science-Fiction, the exhibition opens on July 10th.
Last updated: Friday 06 July 2007 19:33:34Festival Of Speed 2007 Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: The annual Festival Of Speed at Goodwood near Chichester has grown into being the largest motoring event of its kind. This brief review with photos taken on the sunniest of the three June days, recaptures some of the fun.
Last updated: Sunday 24 June 2007 11:16:54Ground Control to Major Mason Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Mattel's Major Matt Mason toy was released in time for Christmas 1967 and only lasted until 1970. Wearing a space suit and equipped with accesories based on authentic NASA designs, this popular toy now commands the highest prices amongst collectors.
Last updated: Thursday 31 May 2007 19:27:56Crowood embraces the collectors' lot Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Wiltshire's The Crowood Press has recently started a series of book aimed at collectors. The first of these Buying and Selling Wartime Collectables is co-authored by Collecting Friends' Arthur Ward and Richard Ingram.
Last updated: Saturday 28 April 2007 05:30:16A great London icon makes it’s return… in min… Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: It might be just over a year since the iconic red Routemaster bus was finally taken out of general service, but for all those commuters still waiting for the number 8, Corgi has come up with something very special…
Last updated: Friday 23 February 2007 14:52:17Take a drive through time with Corgi’s new ra… Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: A new ‘master brand’ is being launched by Corgi. Drive Time will cover a wide selection of limited edition vehicles from British motoring legends to racing roadsters – there’ll be something in the Corgi ‘garage’ to get any collector revved up!
Last updated: Friday 23 February 2007 12:51:14Corgi to auction archive Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Log onto Corgi’s official ebay website to bag yourself a piece of model history. On 9 February the company launched a series of auctions that will run throughout 2007 and will feature specially selected items from the Corgi Archive.
Last updated: Friday 23 February 2007 12:50:48Star Wars Action Figures – out of this world … Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Star Wars 3' Action Figures are amongst the most valued Film & TV collectables around. Kitbasher looks at those from 1983’s ‘Return of the Jedi’.
Last updated: Monday 19 February 2007 20:40:01The FAB World of Gerry Anderson (Part 2) Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Continues with the story of Gerry Anderson's career as a master story teller and producer of some of the best science-fiction programmes ever created. From Joe 90 to date.
Last updated: Tuesday 30 January 2007 12:31:43Gallifrey’s most famous son Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: The Guinness Book of Records lists the BBC's Doctor Who as the longest running science fiction TV series in the world. In recent years there has been a resurgence of interest in the Time Lord's activities and new toy merchandise is selling fast. This article looks at some vintage Dr Who toys from the 1960s and 1970s.
Last updated: Wednesday 03 January 2007 21:54:59Hornby Saves The Day! Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: As all patriotic British modellers know, Airfix has been rescued from receivership – the second time in its almost 70-year history (Nicholas Kove founded the firm in 1939) that Airfix has been saved from the brink of disaster. CollectingFriends was granted an exclusive interview with Hornby's MD Frank Martin…
Last updated: Wednesday 29 November 2006 15:48:27A Dinky and Corgi Miscellany Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: The names Dinky Toys and Corgi are synonymous with the best of British die-cast toys and collectables ever made. This article considers their history and development and is illustrated with a variety of classic toys.
Last updated: Friday 24 November 2006 19:03:34“Phasers To Stun!” Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Star Trek rivals Doctor Who for the most loved Science Fiction TV series. Like its British counterpart, Star Trek has spawned dozens of die-cast toys, action figures, annuals and board games. This short feature takes a look at some of the best.
Last updated: Tuesday 14 November 2006 11:40:19Capturing the moment. Photography for enthusi… Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Today, with so many collectables being sold, exchanged or at least exhibited via the internet, even the most reluctant snappers amongst us need to be familiar with some basic photographic techniques. This short article attempts to explain some of the cardinal rules of photography so that collectors, sellers and re-enactors can make the most of their endeavours.
Last updated: Wednesday 01 November 2006 18:53:00The FAB World of Gerry Anderson (Part 1) Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: In a TV and film career spanning more than half a century, Gerry Anderson has been responsible for some of the most successful productions ever screened. Aimed at children, programmes like Thunderbirds and Captain Scarlet appealed to adults as well. Today, these and the many other Anderson programmes have a loyal fan base. This two-part feature considers the programmes and some of the exciting merchandise they spawned.
Last updated: Wednesday 25 October 2006 21:08:55Tony Teiger – The First Screen Blofeld! Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: In a career spanning more than 40 years Tony Teiger has established an enviable reputation as the doyen of Property Masters. His association with 007 dates back to his work as a Stand By Propman on 1967’s You Only Live Twice.
Last updated: Saturday 30 September 2006 20:13:32Action Man: an icon at just 40 Author: Lisa Bessinger
Synopsis: Forty years ago, in January 1966, ‘Operation Action Man’ began when he first reported for duty at the 13th British Toy Fair in Brighton. His invasion was carefully co-ordinated by Palitoy, a Leicestershire based company, and his mission was simply to infiltrate and conquer the UK toy market.
Last updated: Monday 25 September 2006 13:57:01It's happened to my favorite brand again! Author: Arthur Ward
Synopsis: Blow me down. Twice in my admittedly not so young life Airfix has hit the rails. What's happening with my favourite brand - the kit manufacturer whose products fill me with warm nostalgia when ever I see them?
Last updated: Monday 18 September 2006 22:17:44
