Crude, Spanish-made 1/72 soldiers from the 1970s/80s?

[Sid Guttridge]

Hi Guys,

When I was on a language course in Valencia in 1985, I came across some quite crude 1/72 scale soldiers that I believe were made in Spain.

My impression was that they were modified knock-offs of some other (possibly Airfix?) figures, often with only their head gear changed.

One series I do recall was an Arab Legion set, in which Arab head dresses replaced helmets.

Unfortunately I did not buy any at the time.

Does anyone have any further information on them?

Many thanks,

A nostalgic Sid

[Susofrick]

Hmm, somewhere in my mind I think I remember that Mars used to make some quite crude copies of other brands' figures. Maybe some of our Spanish friends here knows more.

[Kostis Ornerakis]

Perhaps you'd find handy here: http://bum-german.blogspot.com/

[carlosfaro]

Hi Guys,

When I was on a language course in Valencia in 1985, I came across some quite crude 1/72 scale soldiers that I believe were made in Spain.

My impression was that they were modified knock-offs of some other (possibly Airfix?) figures, often with only their head gear changed.

One series I do recall was an Arab Legion set, in which Arab head dresses replaced helmets.

Unfortunately I did not buy any at the time.

Does anyone have any further information on them?

Many thanks,

A nostalgic Sid

I know that figures, They and other sets were manfucatured by company EKO in Spain, along with plastic vehicles, during the 50.s and 60,s
My father had many of them. Several figures were indeed oroginal designs, even that Arab legion!! I played much with those figures 25 y. ago or even more recently

Here you have the whole range:

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/Sho ... .aspx?id=1

[Félix]

I think the brand you're referring to is MONTAPLEX. For many years they were my only figures. The vast majority were copy of airfix figures.
Today still sell loose figures, sprues and envelopes still unopened on ebay

[Santi Pérez]

Hello, Sid.

Due to the adjective "crude" that you apply to those figures I agree with Félix: you must refer to MONTAPLEX brand.

They were the first model figures that I could obtain in my childhood. They date back to the sixties and, despite their poor manufacturing, they were very popular among children 50 and 40 years ago because of their low cost. I still have a good amount of them in my collection.

All of you interested on the subject can find a very comprehensive information about those figures in this webiste (sorry, only in Spanish ):

http://www.sobresmontaplex.es/

I hope I could satisfy your curiosity.

Santi.