Plastic 00 figures 1950-80

[BernardTPM]

Aim: to provide a useful reference for what might be found in rummage boxes!

I will try to cover the major ranges as comprehensively as I can, but also highlight some other potential sources and more obscure ranges in 'Miscellaneous'. I will update the 'chapters' when I can with photos and any further information that comes to light. In that respect I will set them out at the start, but some will be empty initially.

I will only be covering figures here, not related accessories (unless part of the figures).

Edited June 3, 2020 by BernardTPM

[BernardTPM]

Slater's Huminiatures

 

From History of Model & Miniature Railways (New English Library 1974) p.275

"Slater's Huminiatures, small scale plastic figures, have been around since the end of the War"

The earliest mention I have found so far for Slater's is the December 1950 issue of Model Railway News in an advert placed by Attenborough Model Railway of Nottingham - Further Slater's plastic Huminiatures for gauge "OO".

Originally supplied ready painted in small cardboard boxes, the figures are still available unpainted:

4A03 - Locomotive Crew

4A26 - Assorted Figures

4A27 - Seated Figures

 

Some of the figures appear to be identical to those used by Merit in sets in the number range 5056 to 5082. In turn some of these are very like Master Models diecast figures. See this post by Sarah. There's some interesting wording in a Slater's ad in Model Railway Constructor, October 1959 "Always insist on having "HUMINIATURES," refuse all copies and imitations."

Three versions of the seated figures had no equivalent in the Merit range:

 

Edited May 18, 2022 by BernardTPM

[BernardTPM]

Merit, part 1.

The first figure sets produced by J. & L. Randall Ltd. of Potter's Bar were introduced during 1958. The range was expanded during 1960 with sets up to 5122 available by the end of that year. 5124 was in production by mid- 1961, 5123 certainly by 1962. Four new sets were added in 1980. Shown in (roughly) number order.

 

5006 - Caller (sold with telephone box).

5029 - Coalmen (sold with scales).

5034 - Fogman (sold with brazier & hut).

 

5056 - Passengers, seated.

 

5057 - Passengers, standing A.

 

5058 - Passengers, standing B.

 

 

5059 - Station staff

 

 

5077 - Track maintenance party (sold with wheelbarrow)

* flag man, man with shovel, man with hammer

 

5082 - Loco crew

 

5063 - Driver of (Electric trolley & trailer)

5096 - Ticket collector (sold with box/booth to sit him in)

 

As can be seen, there's one figure I still don't currently have (coalman with sack from 5029). Photograph will be updated as/when acquired.

5082 is listed as 'Loco crew' but the catalogue illustration shows the third figure as a guard with flag and blowing whistle so perhaps should be described as 'Train crew'.

Note the platform trolley driver in 5063 clip-fits into two holes in the front of the leading trolley and is really rather small at just 16½mm high. Really he could be considered as 3mm scale, though his pose is rather wooden (plastic wood?).

 

 

Edited June 19, 2022 by BernardTPM

[BernardTPM]

Merit, part 2

 

5115 - Farm workers

 

5116 - Army personnel

 

5117 - Navy personnel

 

5118 - RAF personnel

 

5119 - Porters

 

5120 - Schoolgirls and mistress

 

5121 - Schoolboys and master

 

5122 - Hikers

 

5123 - Public services personnel

 

 

Edited May 18, 2022 by BernardTPM

[BernardTPM]

Merit, part 3.

 

5124 - Scouts (sold with trek cart)

 

There was a gap of nearly 20 years before the next four figure sets were introduced in 1980. These differ in having an integral base (round for 5125, 5126 & 5128; small & rectangular for 5127). These were apparently made in Hong Kong/China and did not become part of the Modelscene range under Peco.

 

5125 - Commuters (sold with a printed sheet of newspapers)

 

5126 - Walking people

 

5127 - People on stairs

 

5128 - Queue with ticket collector

Edited May 18, 2022 by BernardTPM

[BernardTPM]

Hornby Dublo

 

The first set of plastic figures date from 1960/'61 (advertised in January 1961 MRN & RM which would have been out about Christmas 1960). Two more sets were added around 1961-'62, set 052 available by the end of 1961 (review RM Jan. '62). and set 054 available by mid 1962 (reviews RM June'62,  MRN July '62).

 

050 - Railway staff  (12 figures supplied)

The figure on the far right has lost the head of his shovel (sorry, I don't have one with that intact).

 

The shunter's pole (2nd left) should reach the ground the figure on the far right should have a green flag (sorry, I don't have ones with those features intact).

With the exception of the policeman with hands behind his back, the first series bases have Hornby Dublo Meccanno Ltd moulded in.

That new policeman (with plain base) apparently replaced the shunter with pole later on as the pole was to easy to damage (I assume meaning damaged prior to packing).

 

052 - Railway station passengers  (10 figures* plus bench)

 

* counting seated mother and child as one

 

054 - Railway station personnel  (supplied with bicycle, trollies, luggage, etc.)

 

Edited May 18, 2022 by BernardTPM

[BernardTPM]

Tri-ang Railways

 

Tri-ang Railways introduced their first railway figure sets in 1961, the 'Rocket' crew following in 1963, though the latter were never sold separately. R281 was withdrawn in 1970, R283 & R284 in 1971. The standard steam crew set are still in production.

 

R281 - Train figures

 

R283 - Platform figures

 

R284 - Coach figures  (1 waiter plus 2 male & 2 female half figures supplied)

Initially the figures were moulded in a deep Navy blue colour, later white.

 

The figures from the above three sets were produced in unpainted pink plastic (two shades) as R360 during 1972-'73, replacing the pre-painted sets.

 

 

R481 - Loco crew

   -      - 'Rocket' crew (no 'R' no. but they might have had a spare part ref.)

 

Edited May 18, 2022 by BernardTPM

[BernardTPM]

Tri-ang Model Land

 

Introduced in 1964, though RML74 & 75 didn't arrive until 1965. Available until 1971.

 

RML70 - Pedestrian figures

 

RML71 - Workmen figures

 

RML72 - Children

Apologies, the girl with skipping rope is broken. New picture when/if i get a good replacement.

 

RML73 - Urban figures

 

RML74 - Industrial figures

 

RML75 - Road workmen figures

 

Note some catalogues got some of the set numbers and titles mixed up.

The figures in RML74 were also made in white and sold as part of the Minic Motorways range, M1709 Mechanics/Pit stop crew.

 

Edited March 31, 2023 by BernardTPM

[BernardTPM]

Subbuteo (excluding players and 'played' figures), part 1.

 

The first plastic Subbuteo figures appeared at the end of 1961. Known as the 'Continental' range, they replaced celluloid cut-out figures. Fortunately for us 1:76 scale was chosen for them and largely adhered to. I will concern myself largely with the 'off-field' range where a lot of interesting figures were produced.

 

C104 - Photographers, trainer & manager

Two versions

 

 

C113- Ambulance and policemen

Two versions

Police figures above normally came on the green bases, mine were missing those. Stretcher shown actually later type. Early ones are slightly narrower and longer and have two painted red stripes on the blanket. Stretcher bearers fall over very easily!

Ambulance men have bigger, round bases and stay upright easily, police have similar poses to C159 (but with traditional police helmets) and integral round bases.

Replaced by C159 & C184.

 

C114 - Mascot and bench set

Two versions. Came with a plastic bench.

Ken Bailey is missing his flag and green base.

Sorry, I don't have the later Ken Bailey figure yet.

 

C134 - Six ball boys

Four standing and two kneeling in the set

 

C135 - VIP presentation set

 

The plated FA cup is missing.

 

C139 - Trainers bench set

Replacement for C114, these came with a clear plastic 'dug out'.

 

Continued below:

 

Edited May 19, 2022 by BernardTPM

[BernardTPM]

Subbuteo, part 2.

 

C110 - TV tower figures

C156 - TV film unit

 

C159 - Police squad

 

C168 Unpainted spectators *

 

C184 - First aid

 

Cricket

The cricket figures were introduced between 1966 and 1969 and remained in production until 1983.

 

TC-A - Fielding side set

There were three different fielders, the others crouching to different degrees.

TC-B - Two batsmen

Two versions, one with bat up, one with bat down

TC-I - Two umpires

Both the same  pattern

TC-M - Scale bowler

 

TC-P - Two groundsmen with roller

Two identical groundsmen pulling roller

TC-Q - Spectators

Two patterns, in deckchairs, one asleep, the other sitting up.

 

Unfortunately my original reference set was lost when I moved so there I am missing two types of fielders from TC-A and both batsmen TC-B.

For those wishing to explore the everything Subbuteo take a look at Peter Upton's comprehensive website.

 

* These are slightly large for 4mm scale.

Edited March 31, 2022 by BernardTPM

[BernardTPM]

Airfix (excluding Military).

 

Figures supplied with Trackside series No.20 Scammel Scarab (1963)

 

03625-2 - Platform figures (1978)

 

 

03628-1 - Railway workmen (1980)

 

 

Both these sets were copied by Dapol, but their versions are not quite the same as the originals. The most obvious difference is the base, but when placed side by side other small differences show too. Apologies for the guy in the bowler hat; that's the Dapol version as I don't have the Airfix one yet.

 

Above link no longer shows photos, so now repeated here:

The last pair show the most change as the orientation in the mould was changed, though this results in the loss of definition in the side of the folded newspaper (I assume that's what it is) which just becomes an odd shaped projection.

 

Links to pictures of other useful Airfix figure sets:

Guards band

Guards colour party

Civilians - this set was reviewed in the Feb. '61 MRC

Wagon Train (19th Century dress)

 

 

 

Edited April 22, 2023 by BernardTPM

[BernardTPM]

Miscellaneous

 

H R Production

Two sets of farm figures and animals, made around maybe mid to late 1950s by Harry Reynolds.

Set no.1 - Farm hand and Milk maid

Set no.2 - Farmer and Farner's wife

I have just one figure from these, but there's a very good entry at Small Scale World. The farm hand is 21mm high (measured from feet), a little on the short side but stocky enough to work in 4mm scale.

 

Husky

Four sets were made but the figures in two of them (1572 Public works employees, a.k.a. road diggers, and 1573 Garage Personnel) were very much over 4mm scale (perhaps suited for S scale or even 1:55?). They were introduced in about 1967 or '68 but discontinued when Husky was rebranded Corgi Junior in 1970. The two sets with more suitably sized figures were:

 

1571 - Pedestrians

All these figures are rather 'lanky' (apart from one other not shown who was the tallest in the set, but of average build, so not very suitable for 4mm scale). Heights of the adults L to R are 26mm, 27mm, 24.5mm, 25.5mm.

 

1574 - Public officers

Ironically the police figures are shorter, though all definitely met the police height requirement of the day. I don't have the car park attendant or lollipop man though the latter is another in the 'too big' category from what I've seen.

Heights L to R are: 25mm, 24mm, 23.5mm and 23mm.

From the picture posted later in this thread, I would estimate the height of the car park attendant between 23 to 24mm.

 

Heights noted are excluding base.

 

Edited May 19, 2022 by BernardTPM

[dunwurken]

Bernard, thank you for undertaking this task.  I await you populating all the 'chapters' in due course.

(A grateful) Malcolm

[31A]

12 hours ago, BernardTPM said:

Merit, part 1.

Produced by J. & L. Randall Ltd. of Potter's Bar. All the figures up to set 5124 were in production by 1962. Four new sets were added in 1980. Shown in (roughly) number order.

 

5006 - Caller (sold with telephone box).

5029 - Coalmen (sold with scales).

5034 - Fogman (sold with brazier & hut).

 

5056 - Passengers, seated.

 

5057 - Passengers, standing A.

 

5058 - Passengers, standing B.

 

5059 - Station staff

 

5077 - Track maintenance party (sold with wheelbarrow)

 

5078 - Cable laying party

Contains one of each of the figures in 5077*, plus wheelbarrow and cable drum.

* flag man, man with shovel, man with hammer

 

5082 - Loco crew

 

5063 - Driver of (Electric trolley & trailer)

5096 - Ticket collector (sold with box/booth to sit him in)

 

As can be seen, there's a couple of figures I don't currently have. Photographs will be added as/when acquired.

5082 is listed as 'Loco crew' but the catalogue illustration shows the third figure as a guard with flag and blowing whistle so perhaps should be described as 'Train crew'. This appears to be an amalgam of the warning flag man from 5077/5078 with the guard with a lamp in 5059. The photograph of him is a cut and paste job, but further research shows a slightly different figure was made with a green flag in square format hanging towards his head rather than hanging slightly folded hanging away. The picture will be replaced when the correct figure is obtained.

 

 

 

Thanks for this - an interesting topic!

 

Were some of the Merit range originally die cast?  I've got a coal man that looks very much like your 5029 (drawing) in metal.  The man who came with the telephone box (5006) in a modern setting looks like someone on a mobile phone (well maybe an early 'brick' size mobile phone) !

 

I've long been a fan of the Hornby Dublo plastic figures; a pity these seem to have sunk without trace and from some Googling a while ago it seems they may have been made for Hornby by the people who made Subbuteo football figures?

 

[BernardTPM]

28 minutes ago, 31A said:

Were some of the Merit range originally die cast?  I've got a coal man that looks very much like your 5029 (drawing) in metal.  The man who came with the telephone box (5006) in a modern setting looks like someone on a mobile phone (well maybe an early 'brick' size mobile phone) !

 

I've long been a fan of the Hornby Dublo plastic figures; a pity these seem to have sunk without trace and from some Googling a while ago it seems they may have been made for Hornby by the people who made Subbuteo football figures?

There does seem to be some kind of connection between the Slater's Huminiatures, early Merit (5056 to 5082) and even earlier diecast figures, but I don't believe Merit ever sold metal figures. If I can find examples I will show these, probably in the Slater's Huminiatures section.

 

I believe you're right that there was a link to Waddingtons for at least the later Hornby Dublo plastic figures. Once the basic photography is done I'll explore that further in the Hornby Dublo section.

[Il Grifone]

The metal figures were Mastermodels. Some of these were (almost?) identical to Slater's and Merit. There were Dublo figures (Railway Staff) and Pasengers in metal (introduced pre-war and much later (60s IIRC) in plastic - now rare and sought after - I only have a few! The coalman was available in metal from Mastermodels with the scales (apparently of a type unsuitable for weighing coal) and a set of coal bunkers.

Trix also had several series of figures made for them by Britain's (and also sold by them as the 'Lilliput' range, which also included farm animals and road vehicles. They are really slightly underscale for 00, but who is going to measure them? (Apart from pedantic Grifone....) There is a set of "The unspeakable pursuing the uneatable", but I pretend this barbarism does not exist.

 

Going the other way there were Crescent metal farm figures and animals (1/72 - 25mm?). The Subbuteo figures were claimed to be 00, but the supporters I have (all four different mouldings) are definitely overscale.

 

Various manufactures of road vehicles produced near 00 models and sometimes these included figures. Dinky and Corgi bus crews for example.

 

Sorry to go OT into metal figures, but personally I don't care what they are made from!

[A Murphy]

i am really impressed with how good some of those merit figures actually look! 

[5050]

There is a reference to Graham Farish figures in the December 1952 Model Railway News.  I can't say I've ever seen any but something in the back of my mind suggests that P D Hancock may have used some on Craig?  I don't think I have any subsequent GF adverts for them either.

 

 

I have the Merit pointing hiker and his lovely seated map-reading companion.  They have been waiting for a train on my old 'Preesgwyn' station platform for about 45 years.  I don't anyone has told them about Dr Beeching............................

 

[Albyn]

Mr Hancock did indeed make use of Graham Farish figures.  This thread is a spin off from one on P D Hancock The Craig and Mertonford Railway.  I think one of the problems is that none of us know exactly what most of the GF figures looked like.

regards,

Albyn

[BernardTPM]

On 03/06/2020 at 16:43, Il Grifone said:

The metal figures were Mastermodels. Some of these were (almost?) identical to Slater's and Merit.

 

Sorry to go OT into metal figures, but personally I don't care what they are made from!

Yes, some of the Master Models, but not the whole range of either Merit or Master Models are identical.

 

Unfortunately I don't have a really comprehensive collection of metal figures, but I could possibly have something to contribute to such a thread if someone starts one.

 

I'd agree the Subbuteo supporter figures are a little on the large size, though I have had some sucess cutting them down. Being styrene they're quite good for this. The other possibilty is to use the well detailed head and hands (Igor! Where are you?). Most of their other figures are a more reasonable height.

Edited May 19, 2022 by BernardTPM

[Steamport Southport]

Have you seen this website?

 

Pretty good reviews of most of the plastic "soldier" ranges. It does have a section on miscellaneous figures which features sets like the old Airfix Civilians, Farm Animals, etc.

 

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/PeriodList.aspx?period=50

 

 

 

Jason

[BernardTPM]

7 minutes ago, Albyn said:

I think one of the problems is that none of us know exactly what most of the GF figures looked like.

Yes, that's the main problem, there's so little been published on them either in print or online. I've saved some pictures from ebay. Obviously can't use them, but they may be a useful reference assuming the figures were actually the ones that should have been in the boxes! The name on the box is actually West's Model Railway Accessories, not Graham Farish. The hope is that by looking at specific items known from sources such as 'Narrow Gauge Adventure' and 'likely' boxed figures it might be possible to see a family resemblance in unknown figures.

[BernardTPM]

3 minutes ago, Steamport Southport said:

Have you seen this website?

 

Pretty good reviews of most of the plastic "soldier" ranges. It does have a section on miscellaneous figures which features sets like the old Airfix Civilians, Farm Animals, etc.

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/PeriodList.aspx?period=50

 

Yes, I have and was going to add links to that for the most useful 'civilan' sets.

[BernardTPM]

4 hours ago, A Murphy said:

i am really impressed with how good some of those merit figures actually look! 

Yes. There seem to be four generations of their figures: the 'flatties'; the more full figured but a bit basic; the more naturalistic, with creased clothing; the lost generation with integral bases.

Edited June 3, 2020 by BernardTPM

[Albyn]

3 hours ago, Steamport Southport said:

Have you seen this website?

 

Pretty good reviews of most of the plastic "soldier" ranges. It does have a section on miscellaneous figures which features sets like the old Airfix Civilians, Farm Animals, etc.

 

http://www.plasticsoldierreview.com/PeriodList.aspx?period=50

 

 

 

Jason

If you look under the soldier section for American Western Frontier you will find the Airfix Wagon Train set too'

Albyn