Classic Toy Soldiers (CTS) #CTS706A 54mm M3 Halftrack - HP (1998)

When I was preparing for this post, it came as a bit of a surprise that this piece has been around since 1998 as shown by the copyright date underneath the vehicle. Sold directly by Classic Toy Soldiers, it is listed as '54mm' and currently selling at a discounted rate of $11.30 (marked down from its normal $18.95) and I've had my sample for quite a few years - but not from 1990's. It measures 6.5" (16,51cm) L x 2.25" (5.71cm) W x 2.5" (6.35cm) H to top of MG mount and it is definitely not 54mm! First of all, the standing figure in the gun mount only measures 50mm. Secondly, as you can see by the comparison shots, it is definitely smaller than a true-to-scale halftrack from FOV. I would guesstimate this being closer to 1/48 scale. 

The vehicle comes with four figures, three 30cal MG's, a 50cal MG, and an ammo can. None of the doors, armor plating, hood panels, etc. are operating, all being cast-in details. The wheels rotate but the front wheels do not turn Left-to-Right. The 50cl MG can be moved around the mount ring, but the machine gunner figure is stuck in a forward position, and has gun racks on the inside of the rear deck showing a total of eight M-1 Garand rifles. There are no markings, and no stickers come with the vehicle.

Ed

CTS & FOV halftrack comparisons

Classic Toy Soldiers (CTS) Covered Wagon - Gray-Gray - Rolled Tarp

Here's the CTS covered wagon with the sides of the tarp shown rolled up. This was one of the single best improvements in toy covered wagons to have come along in years. Also, this series of photos show the driver which came with the wagon as well as the accessories. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Besides the barrel and tool chest hanging from the sides of the wagon, this comes with a 'metal' pan, bucket, and lantern

Here's a comparison shot of the CTS covered wagon and the Marx buckboard

Classic Toy Soldiers (CTS) Covered Wagon - Gray-Gray

 Hi Guys! What's up? LOL Man-oh-man, I just have NOT felt like blogging - period! I've got so much going on and the weather has turned Sin City into a veritable Hell with temps hitting 115°- 116°F (ca46°C) it saps the energy right outta you. That being said I have some free time this morning and thought I would finally follow up on the Wesern wagon theme I started. This here's truly a classic covered wagon ya'all :-) It is essentially the Marx version plussed-up with an operating tailgate and two different tops. My next post will show the other top. Classic Toy Soldiers (CTS) has been producing this wagon for years making minor improvements along the way. This particualr version is being marketed as the one with easier to attach tarps. The whole assembly (except for the axles) is made of a softer plastic and for my money is the best Old West covered wagon out there. CTS offers several different color combinations for the wagon and tarp. Accessories include a removable tool bin and water barrel as well as a separate oil lantern and 'metal' plate - staples of the original design - and a confederate driver (those will be shown in the next post). Until next time - Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Memorial Day Fun: New Diorama Project

I've been wanting to do this for about the past year now and yesterday I finally got off my butt and started. The basis is a 2' (60.96cm) x4' (121.92cm) board that was originally intended to be a small clockwork train layout (I may still do that because there's a second same-sized board in The Cave). The board had already been painted so that saved some time. Next I pulled out my Christmas decorating cobblestone  road material. It was cut down to 8 1/2" (21.59cm) W. Why that? Well, after pulling out a bunch of tanks and Jeeps and trucks I decided on a width that would more-or-less accomodate a tank and a Jeep side-by-side. The buildings are a mix of Britains Deetail, 21st Century, FOV, and TSSD; the figures are Britains, FOV, 21st Century; and the vehicles 21st Century, Britains, and Classic Toy Soldiers. 

What you see here was a quickie shoot. After pulling all these toys out I only had a few minutes to take the pics before needing to head out for groceries. This is not the finished diorama and I'm mulling over several different possibilites but for now it's okay. Enjoy! Opa Fritz