OMG !!

Would it kill the figure manufacturers (Dragon/ Miniart/ Trumpeter, etc..) to do one decent set of 1/35th Israeli tankers in Nomex coveralls and bonedome helmets?? I can't believe (just for example) that Dragon produces a set of German soldiers for every time one of them took a crap in WW-2 but still no decent Israeli figures for the 67-73 era. Can they possibly recoup their tooling investment and earn a profit on a set soldiers from some little heard of campaign against Greek partisans? Or Masterbox producing a set of British and American paras boxing with each other, for crying out loud??

So what's out there for us guys that want something other than another set of Germans smoking pipes or eating sausages....Well, the now VERY old Verlinden tank commander was "spot on" accurate, but now unavailable for the most part. The new Tamiya "Tiran-5" has made a very good attempt with 2 half figures included with the kit. CMK have made their attempt at IDF figures but I think they are oversized for 35th scale. Academy....Hmm, they tried an 80s infantry set but unfortunately employed a figure sculptor who must never have seen an actual Jew (or an Israeli for that matter) before except in maybe a German anti-Semitic propaganda poster. The faces were ridiculous caricatures of human beings which made them unusable OOB.

Seriously, My point is this: Do any of the manufacturers listen to what's being discussed on these websites?? We've just had a few modern Israeli infantry produced by "BlackDog Models" so very nice and well sculpted BUT with that stupid looking "Mitznefet" helmet cover...Even if I wanted to build a diorama of a recent Lebanon war scenario, I wouldn't include these figures because they are just embarrassing to look at and I feel sorry for the guys who actually have to wear that thing in Zahal.

ATTN...BLACKDOG MODELS: ( I suggest this gently really) Simple figures of Israeli tankers in plain Nomex with a US Army type bonedome helmet (maybe with a spare bare head and an Uzi smg). You'll sell a lot of them. Guaranteed.
IMHO
Ed Okun

Maybe you could use the Black Dog figs and replace the heads with Hornet. Hornet has a set of '80-'90's armored crew heads and a set of infantry heads .

Hi Biggles,

You make a good point. Figures can (and should) be changed up with different heads and gear to make them different or better than "run of the mill". I guess my challenge to producers of figures for the modeling market is this: With all the Israeli armor subjects currently being released, hasn't anyone noticed the complete lack of plastic figures OOB that would be suitable? Probably Dragon's IDF paras (now at least 30 years old)or the abysmal Academy IDF figures are basically all that's out there for this subject. Sabingamartin has just released a few figures to populate mostly early IDF tanks. I couldn't believe the appreciative clamor a couple of simple figures in shirt sleeves with US WW-2 tank helmets could produce! Honestly, I have a lot of fun and satisfaction scratching my own figures, but that takes a lot of valuable time away from my life. I have a "bucket list" of models stashed away, so I don't get into those year long model building projects anymore....
ED

Calm down man. You can easily use almost any of the myriad sets of US tankers in modern(ish) NOMEX suits and swap the heads for the aforementioned Hornet or Verlinden "Bonedome" heads. With the vast numbers of figures and head sets available, almost any uniform/helmet combination can be made. Its not that hard.

SabingaMartin Publications has started producing some resin Israeli tankers (they publish the Israeli Way Books) that cover different time periods. I only have there 50's tanker with the Russian style helmet but it is very nicely done.

Hey Gino,
This wasn't about me or my modeling skill or lack thereof...So please don't tell me calm down. If that's what you have to offer than fine, you just stated the obvious. I am just bringing to light a deficiency that is apparent to me as this particular subject is what I am rather experienced in. I spend quite a lot of time kitbashing figures for my armor. The photo below shows some scratched figures I did last year for an IDF 1/2-track.

You see, it's not that I am despairing for entirely selfish reasons, I just would like see to a small (to me, glaring)gap filled that's all. Certainly if I built only German WW2, we wouldn't be having this exchange at all.
Ed Okun

("SabingaMartin Publications has started producing some resin Israeli tankers (they publish the Israeli Way Books) that cover different time periods. I only have there 50's tanker with the Russian style helmet but it is very nicely done.")

Hi Cam,
Yes, I mentioned them (SabingaMartin) in my first post. A very good effort by Dr. Robert Manasherob and hoping that he will continue to produce more quality IDF armor figures.
ED Okun

I have to agree, not a lot of IDF figures in plastic. Figures of that era would be welcome!

Hi Ed,
Yes, it is true that there is a lack of Israeli figures.

Manufacturers can be strange in their ways.

Japan, a major player in WWII....find me more than 4-5 pieces
of armor and maybe a dozen figures on that subject....
where are they?

I guess your best bet is to write the manufacturers and put
forward the subject....who knows maybe they will listen.

Cheers,
Joe

Hi Joe,

I'll tell you, if I paid people to conduct research for interesting model subjects to manufacture, I would tell them to look (and listen) here on this website and a couple others that we all know. The market research is being done right here.
Ed Okun

Great figures Ed. Where did the guy with the porn star mustache and the sideburns come from?

There are two Figure sets from Hobby Fan with IDF tankers included. These sets are for the six-day war but should fit for you. Otherwise, like always said, you can take any Figure with nomex suite and add an nice hornet head.

Here are the links to he Hobby Fan Figures:
IDF SHOT Kal 1973 CREW

IDF CENTURION MK.5 (SIX DAY WAR) CREW

There is enough space at the market for more IDF Figures.For example Infantry for the six-day war to today.I had the hope some time ago that Dougles Lee from Doug´s Originals would bring out his great IDF Figures from his super diorama but that will never happend i think. The only actual modern Figures i know are from BlackDog and Masterclub. For earlier periods i know the old Dragon Figure set, Hobby Fan, SabingaMartin, Mig Productions and the old Academy one which is waste of money. Only Problem could be that the Interest in this kind of Figures only fit a small group of Modellers compared to other modern stuff. For many years all Vietnam War interested Modellers had the same Problem long before a manufacture like Bravo-6 fill the gab. It cost the manufacture a lot of money until the first Figures hit the market and then you have to sell enough to make some money.
So you have to see it also from the manufactures site. Why take money and manpower in an Project that doesn´t reach high sell rates. First thing is to make money with your business and with modern US stuff and all kind of WW2 german and US stuff you have the winners.

PS: great work on your Figures and the paintjob.

bye, bye

Stefan

I wasn't insulting your skills or abilities. I just don't see the point in belly-aching about it when it can be easily remedied. I don't rely on unreliable manufacturers to provide me what I need or want.

Your figures look great and I would keep converting them if I were you. I doubt any manufacturer will come up with any that look as good as yours. Great job.

Hi Robert,

That guy was a scratch of mine. I was in the IDF during 1970s and the YKW. A lot of the drivers were reserve guys and the hairstyles back then were generally longer with burns and staches....
Ed Okun

Hi Gino,
No sweat. Musta been on the rag yesterday...I'm usually not so confrontational on the threads I like best. You and I have been around doing this a long time so you know how it is with pet peeves about modeling. I don't lady so much about kit quality because I like to always make improvements anyway. Figures though are another story that takes a lot of work above and beyond the call..
Thanks by the way for the compliment on my figs.
Much appreciated.
ED

I know they are not plastic and can be hard to find but Verlinden used to do a nice set of 70s IDF tank crew. Iam surprised no one has sold copies.