Modern Russian Plastics – Part 2

Another look at this post-Soviet era setup featuring Oritet / Biplant Special Forces (late 90s–early 2000s) and Biplant Mountain Infantry (2010s). The Mountain Infantry advancing under cover of the Nordplast “Scorpion” 3-wheel armored car, while the Special Forces regroup around the Chinese-made “Fierce Horse” Humvee-type vehicle. It’s hard not to notice the similarities between the Biplant Mountain Infantry (2010s) and the classic Airfix SAS set from the 1970s. Several poses — particularly the kneeling rifleman and advancing figures — clearly echo the composition and stance of the original Airfix sculpts.

Modern Russian Plastics – 1990s to 2010s

A nice mix of post-Soviet era figures in this setup. The Special Forces (1/32) set by Oritet / Biplant (late 1990s–early 2000s) and the Mountain Infantry (1/32) by Biplant (2010s). Vehicles include the Chinese-made plywood “Fierce Horse” Humvee-type model and the distinctive 3-wheel “Scorpion” fantasy armored car by Nordplast (St. Petersburg, Russia).

1930s Elastolin Ordnungspolizei – 7.5 cm Composition Figures 👮👮‍♀️👮‍♂️🚓

These 7.5 cm police figures were produced in 1930s Germany by Elastolin. The figures portray members of the Ordnungspolizei (Orpo), equipped with the characteristic tall leather Tschako (shako) — a striking piece of headgear that gives these models a distinctive silhouette within any display. The strong sculpting, natural poses and detailed paintwork are typical of Elastolin’s 1930s output. For toy soldier collectors, these police figures add variety to Third Reich-era layouts, complementing Wehrmacht, civilian and street scenes.

“Unsere Zukunft” (“Our Future”)

“Unsere Zukunft” (“Our Future”) – WW1-era German postcard.The caption says it all — “Our Future” — reflecting how military themes were part of everyday life and childhood culture during the First World War era. Signed by Austrian artist Josef Süss (1892–1961).

Krieg im Kinderzimmer (“War in the Nursery”)

WW1-era German postcard (1914–1918): “Krieg im Kinderzimmer” (“War in the Nursery”). Published by Albert Fink, Berlin (No. 908). A child’s bedroom becomes a miniature battlefield — a vivid example of how militarism shaped everyday life and even children’s play during the Great War.

🪖🚙 Classic plastic soldiers on patrol! 🚙🪖

A small battlefield scene featuring Peterkin Classics plastic infantry figures, originally produced by Newray (USA), alongside a cool plywood military Jeep made in China, complete with camouflage paint and netting.

ESCI 1/35 Modern U.S. Paratroopers (Italy, 1980s) 🇺🇸🪖

One of my favourite things about collecting vintage 1/35 plastic figures is rediscovering the classics — and ESCI was one of the kings of the genre in the 1980s. These Modern U.S. Paratroopers capture that unmistakable Cold War / early modern infantry look: sharp poses, great proportions, and loads of character. The sculpting style is pure ESCI — not overloaded with detail, but clean and realistic enough to still look excellent today.

Peterkin Classics Plastic Soldiers with Britains No. 9724 105mm pack howitzer gun 🇬🇧🇺🇸

Modern Peterkin Classics plastic infantry figures in black plastic, originally produced by Newray (USA) and later released under the Peterkin Classics range. Shown here operating the classic Britains No. 9724 105mm pack howitzer gun, the figures’ robust, play-oriented design pairs well with Britains’ iconic artillery piece.

Peterkin Classics – “Soldier World” Plastic Soldiers 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇬🇧

These modern plastic infantry figures (1/32 scale) are part of the Peterkin Classics (the UK) / Soldier World range. Cast in durable plastic, they depict modern soldiers in a variety of dynamic poses—advancing, firing, kneeling, and handling heavier weapons such as rocket launchers. The soldiers were originally produced by NewRay.

Deutsches Jungvolk composition figures by Kienel (Germany), 1930s 🏴🏴🏴

These painted composition figures depict members of the Deutsches Jungvolk, the junior section of the Hitler Youth for boys aged 10–14. Produced in Germany during the 1930s by Kienel, they show typical Jungvolk imagery: marching youth and a drummer, dressed in brown shirts, black shorts, knee socks, and side caps. Such figures were part of the broader visual culture of the period, reflecting how youth organizations were idealised and normalized through toys and collectibles.

DDR Armoured Vehicles – Pneumant (VEB Plastaform Gräfenthal), 1980s

These 1:50 scale plastic models were produced in the GDR by Pneumant (VEB Plastaform Gräfenthal) during the 1980s. Shown here are the PT-76 amphibious light tank, the T-54 main battle tank, and the ZSU-57-2 self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. All three are Soviet-designed vehicles widely operated by the NVA of the DDR and other Warsaw Pact armies, including Poland, Czechoslovakia, and Hungary. Each model is fitted with a friction motor, combining simple play value with authentic Cold War military subjects.

German Leyla Composition Cavalrymen, 1930s 🏇🏇🏇

These mounted composition figures were produced by Leyla in Germany during the 1930s. The dynamic cavalrymen are enhanced with tinplate flags and pennants, combining composition bodies with metal accessories. Beyond their craftsmanship, the prominently displayed standards reflect the visual language of German propaganda of the period, making these figures both toy soldiers and historical artefacts.

GAMA Tank Model 57-1 (1930s) 🚜

The GAMA Model 57-1 is a pre-war tinplate clockwork tank produced in the 1930s, measuring 10 cm in length. It is a fine example of GAMA’s robust mechanical design and attention to detail. Unlike many other pre-war GAMA toys, the tank series product line shows no clear limits. An extraordinary number of finishes and construction variations exist, making these models especially appealing to collectors. Four GAMA tank sizes are known: 7.5 cm, 10 cm, 14 cm, and 19 cm.

Durso Composition Soldiers – Luftwaffe Ground Scene ✈️💨🛩️🌬️☁️🌪️

This small display features classic Durso (Belgium) composition soldiers depicting German Wehrmacht personnel, including officers and armed guards posed around a propeller aircraft. Typical of Durso’s post-war production, the figures show expressive sculpting, painted uniforms, and simple but effective stances that bring an airfield inspection or maintenance scene to life.