Strelets Forum
Welcome to the Strelets Forum.
Please feel free to discuss any aspect of 1/72 scale plastic figures, not simply Strelets.
If you have any questions about our products then we will answer them here.
1. Mounted Polish cavalry for 1939 - First to Fight is coming out with dismounted ones, but this is a major missing piece for that campaign (even if that charge against panzers is a myth).
2. Polish pilots and ground crew for 1939.
3. Polish 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade for 1939. They had a unique uniform of long black leather coats and WWI-pattern stahlhelms, and would be a great match for 1939 Polish armor and artillery.
4. Slovak infantry, for 1939, the Eastern Front and the 1944 Uprising.
5. Polish partisans, especially for 1944 Warsaw Uprising. Their look is not really covered by Strelets Russian partisan sets or the older Caesar resistance sets.
5. French cavalry for 1940 - combination mounted and dismounted, could include Spahis in cloaks.
6. French chasseurs alpins for 1940 (Norway and Alps) - they had a different cut of uniform from the line infantry and could include ski troops.
7. Norwegians for 1940. Can't believe no one has done them, and the Winter War Finns are not an adequate substitute at all.
8. Danes for 1940. A long-shot, given that the fighting was over in less than 24 hours, but they had unique helmets and uniforms plus those amazing Madsen machine guns on motorcycles.
9. Dutch for 1940. Again, can't believe they have never been done.
10. Belgians for 1940. Superficially similar to the 1940 French, but the uniform had some differences in detail, offices wore British-style service dress and weapons were different. Maybe combine them in a set with the Dutch, as Caesar once claimed to do?
11. French colonial infantry in shorts and sun helmets. The Free French in North Africa have some guys who fit the bill, but this would be a dedicated set that could cover campaigns in Syria in 1941, Indochina in 1940 and 1945 and the various fighting in sub-Saharan Africa in 1940-41.
12. French African infantry. Just a set of soldiers with African facial features would be great, whether for 1940-43 or 1944-45.
13. French Goumiers.
14. French Marine Commandos in the pom-pom hat. The one guy in the old ESCI set doesn't cut it.
15. French Milice for anti-partisan fighting.
16. Italian colonial infantry. Two sets would be most appropriate, one for the Eritrean Askari and the other for Libyans, but perhaps these can be combined into a single set.
17. King's African Rifles, for the East Africa Campaign and maybe Burma.
18. Belgian Force Publique, also for the East Africa Campaign.
19. Hungarian infantry in summer uniforms. Ideally two sets, one for early war up to 1943 and one for the later war in Hungary and Transylvania - but a combination set would work OK, as long as it has the unique Hungarian camo capes, leather jerkin and sub-machine guns.
20. Greek infantry for 1940-41.
21. Yugoslav infantry for 1941. True, they crumbled on contact but could always fight harder in a wargame!
22. Chetniks. Can't believe there are no sets of them.
23. Yugoslav Partisans. Ditto - for the most successful partisan army out there, surprisingly no figures are around - though their Italian, German and Bosnian opponents are well-represented.
24. Bulgarian army - probably more appropriate for the 1944-45 campaign as part of the Allies than earlier anti-partisan duty as part of the Axis, but still. Also unique helmets.
25. Romanian and Bulgarian pilots and ground crew. Important for the raid on Ploesti.
26. Baltic troops. Each army doesn't deserve its own set, but a combined set would represent mend of the ex-Baltic armies in their former national uniforms in which they served in the Red Army in 1941 and in anti-partisan fighting over the next couple years (before they were re-supplied with German uniforms).
27. Finnish pilots and ground crew.
28. KNIL. Enough said.
29. Chinese People's Liberation Army. Could also be used for Korean War scenarios, except these guys should mostly be armed with ex-Japanese weapons.
30. Chinese KMT infantry for post-1941 period, perhaps with US and/or British weapons and equipment.
31. British infantry for Far East, 1944-45. New uniforms were based on the Australian and Chindit uniform, but a bit more tailored and still not represented in the hobby.
32. Japanese SNLF. We have the paratroopers who were deployed in combat twice, but not the actual marines who fought in dozens of actions all over the Pacific.
33. Arab Legion. Served in Iraq and Syria, and could then be adapted for the Israeli War of Independence in 1948-49 in which they were the new IDF's most formidable opponent.
34. Iraqi Army/Iranian Army for 1941. OK, this is pretty much fantasy since hardly anyone is even aware of those campaigns, but I'm just going to throw it out there.
35. Swiss Army. For "what-if" scenarios only, of course!
Anything else that is missing from the list?
For all theaters,also supply troops combat medical teams,British paratroopers ,American,German,Italian paratroopers,special combat teams such as taranto bridge ,ss anti Tito operation,brandenburgers in Europe and north Africa,lrdg,skorzeny Mussolini rescue,local militia units,Arab units,Spanish blue division,Hitler youth,marines, pack animals donkeys with interchangeable loads,maps from allied and axis armies,a multi pack of command units ie radio men,binoculars, couriers NGO's
I am sure the list is endless lol
And everyone's suggestions are great
1. Mounted Polish cavalry for 1939 - First to Fight is coming out with dismounted ones, but this is a major missing piece for that campaign (even if that charge against panzers is a myth).
2. Polish pilots and ground crew for 1939.
3. Polish 10th Motorized Cavalry Brigade for 1939. They had a unique uniform of long black leather coats and WWI-pattern stahlhelms, and would be a great match for 1939 Polish armor and artillery.
4. Slovak infantry, for 1939, the Eastern Front and the 1944 Uprising.
5. Polish partisans, especially for 1944 Warsaw Uprising. Their look is not really covered by Strelets Russian partisan sets or the older Caesar resistance sets.
5. French cavalry for 1940 - combination mounted and dismounted, could include Spahis in cloaks.
6. French chasseurs alpins for 1940 (Norway and Alps) - they had a different cut of uniform from the line infantry and could include ski troops.
7. Norwegians for 1940. Can\'t believe no one has done them, and the Winter War Finns are not an adequate substitute at all.
8. Danes for 1940. A long-shot, given that the fighting was over in less than 24 hours, but they had unique helmets and uniforms plus those amazing Madsen machine guns on motorcycles.
9. Dutch for 1940. Again, can\'t believe they have never been done.
10. Belgians for 1940. Superficially similar to the 1940 French, but the uniform had some differences in detail, offices wore British-style service dress and weapons were different. Maybe combine them in a set with the Dutch, as Caesar once claimed to do?
11. French colonial infantry in shorts and sun helmets. The Free French in North Africa have some guys who fit the bill, but this would be a dedicated set that could cover campaigns in Syria in 1941, Indochina in 1940 and 1945 and the various fighting in sub-Saharan Africa in 1940-41.
12. French African infantry. Just a set of soldiers with African facial features would be great, whether for 1940-43 or 1944-45.
13. French Goumiers.
14. French Marine Commandos in the pom-pom hat. The one guy in the old ESCI set doesn\'t cut it.
15. French Milice for anti-partisan fighting.
16. Italian colonial infantry. Two sets would be most appropriate, one for the Eritrean Askari and the other for Libyans, but perhaps these can be combined into a single set.
17. King\'s African Rifles, for the East Africa Campaign and maybe Burma.
18. Belgian Force Publique, also for the East Africa Campaign.
19. Hungarian infantry in summer uniforms. Ideally two sets, one for early war up to 1943 and one for the later war in Hungary and Transylvania - but a combination set would work OK, as long as it has the unique Hungarian camo capes, leather jerkin and sub-machine guns.
20. Greek infantry for 1940-41.
21. Yugoslav infantry for 1941. True, they crumbled on contact but could always fight harder in a wargame!
22. Chetniks. Can\'t believe there are no sets of them.
23. Yugoslav Partisans. Ditto - for the most successful partisan army out there, surprisingly no figures are around - though their Italian, German and Bosnian opponents are well-represented.
24. Bulgarian army - probably more appropriate for the 1944-45 campaign as part of the Allies than earlier anti-partisan duty as part of the Axis, but still. Also unique helmets.
25. Romanian and Bulgarian pilots and ground crew. Important for the raid on Ploesti.
26. Baltic troops. Each army doesn\'t deserve its own set, but a combined set would represent mend of the ex-Baltic armies in their former national uniforms in which they served in the Red Army in 1941 and in anti-partisan fighting over the next couple years (before they were re-supplied with German uniforms).
27. Finnish pilots and ground crew.
28. KNIL. Enough said.
29. Chinese People\'s Liberation Army. Could also be used for Korean War scenarios, except these guys should mostly be armed with ex-Japanese weapons.
30. Chinese KMT infantry for post-1941 period, perhaps with US and/or British weapons and equipment.
31. British infantry for Far East, 1944-45. New uniforms were based on the Australian and Chindit uniform, but a bit more tailored and still not represented in the hobby.
32. Japanese SNLF. We have the paratroopers who were deployed in combat twice, but not the actual marines who fought in dozens of actions all over the Pacific.
33. Arab Legion. Served in Iraq and Syria, and could then be adapted for the Israeli War of Independence in 1948-49 in which they were the new IDF\'s most formidable opponent.
34. Iraqi Army/Iranian Army for 1941. OK, this is pretty much fantasy since hardly anyone is even aware of those campaigns, but I\'m just going to throw it out there.
35. Swiss Army. For \"what-if\" scenarios only, of course!
Anything else that is missing from the list?
For all theaters,also supply troops combat medical teams,British paratroopers ,American,German,Italian paratroopers,special combat teams such as taranto bridge ,ss anti Tito operation,brandenburgers in Europe and north Africa,lrdg,skorzeny Mussolini rescue,local militia units,Arab units,Spanish blue division,Hitler youth,marines, pack animals donkeys with interchangeable loads,maps from allied and axis armies,a multi pack of command units ie radio men,binoculars, couriers NGO's
I am sure the list is endless lol
And everyone's suggestions are great
But mps
Late war German Infantry without helmets, with M43 caps, short boots and gaiters NO ONE HAS MADE THEM !
Just want to pass along an amen for all those already listed. I would like to add (Mr Strelets you know what I am about to put) A second set for the FFL in North Africa (either Heavy weapons or a companion to the first with more riflemen and grenade poses in the Kepi Blanc); A set of American Artillerymen with either 105's or 155's, considering what uniform one uses these could work for WWII, Korea, French Indo China, and our own war in Vietnam. I guess tropical uniforms for those. But there are very few models for American artillery available (and I have searched, believe me)nor any crews that I have found for any theater. I think they would sell good.
Best Regards from the Old North State, Ben.
I'd like to see US Marines heavy weapons and artillery. Chinese civilians for Nanking
or Shanghi.
I agree with a couple other requests here: I need US Artillery crews (Marine, Army in summer and winter uniforms). A 75mm pak gun, easy to assemble like the Japanese guns, is also fine.
And US Marine heavy weapons (mortar and heavy MG and crews, and radiomen and such).
Some good supply moving soldiers/sailors/Marines. And/or WWII civilians or WAVES and WACS or stretcher bearers/medics would be nice too.
1. Early war BEF British - gas masks etc for early part of WW2 , for battle of France, Norwegian campaign, Sealion, homeguard etc. promised but have not materialized as a full set.
2. Scots early war with various head gear.
3. Royal Navy with side arms and rifles (cutlass for Altmark incident?)
4. French Vichy including Milice.
5. Far East mules transport.
Well there are some very interesting suggestions here though I suspect some of them might be a bit niche to attract much in the way of sales - you might be better badgering metal or resin manufacturers for some of that? Would I be right in thinking that people are requesting figures for diorama rather than wargaming? That said, things like Polish cavalry, Italian colonial troops and Norwegians would be handy (as would artillery crews and staff groups but they are available in metal and you are unlikely to need enough to justify a full set...).
I support the call for
6. French chasseurs alpins for 1940 (Norway and Alps) - they had a different cut of uniform from the line infantry and could include ski troops.
9. Dutch for 1940. Again, can't believe they have never been done.
10. Belgians for 1940. Superficially similar to the 1940 French, but the uniform had some differences in detail, offices wore British-style service dress and weapons were different.
12. French African infantry for 1940-43
13. French Goumiers.
19. Hungarian infantry in summer uniforms.
20. Greek infantry for 1940-41.
23. Yugoslav Partisans.
30. Chinese KMT infantry, but in domestic and not in US equipment
32. Japanese SNLF... the actual marines who fought in dozens of actions all over the Pacific.
plus
BEF 1940 full set
French Vichy forces
US and British artillery crews - if cleverly done, can serve in European and Pacific theaters.
German artillery crews in caps and ankle boots - if cleverly done, can serve as DAK, Gebirgsjäger, and 1943-45 standard troops
Another unfeasible list from the always hungry plastic-figure crowd.
1939:
- Polish infantry, heavy weapons & cavalry 1939 (sorry to say, FtF sets are not enough)
- Finnish infantry & heavy weapons Winter War 1939/40 (new & expanded version)
1940:
- Dutch infantry & heavy weapons 1940
- French infantry & heavy weapons 1940
- French 1940 light/medium artillery, AA & AT crews
- French 1940 cavalry & motorised Dragoons
- French Chasseurs Alpins, Alps & Norway 1940
- Norwegian infantry & heavy weapons 1940
- Belgian infantry & Chasseurs Ardennais 1940
1941:
- Greek infantry, heavy weapons & Mountain Troops 1941
- Yugoslavian regular infantry 1941 (could serve as early partisans as well)
- Yugoslavian partisans with mules 1941-45 (worn & mixed uniforms, but distinctively yugoslavian)
- Finnish infantry & heavy weapons 1941-45 summer & winter
North Africa/Mediterranean:
- Afrika Korps heavy weapons
- Afrika Korps artillery crews (light field gun + AT & AA)
- Commonwealth artillery crews in warm climate, 8th but also 14th army
- Commonwealth AA & AT crews in warm climate
- Italian light/medium field gun with crew
- Italian AT & AA pieces with crews
Pacific/Far East:
- Dutch KNIL infantry
- Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces
- Chinese infantry & heavy weapons in summer & winter gear (different factions & uniforms)
- Japanese, Chinese & Commonwealth supply/mule trains in different climates
- Japanese & Chinese cavalry/mounted infantry summer & winter
- Commonwealth infantry & heavy weapons (more distinctively looking Indian troops e.g.)
General:
- Fallschirmjäger heavy weapons
- Gebirgsjäger heavy weapons & artillery crew (considering different climatic & topographical aspects)
- Soviet infantry 1940-45 (different uniforms, weapons & climates) A major subject, still nowhere near completion.
- Bersaglieri heavy weapons
- Alpini heavy weapons & light artillery crew (considering different climatic & topographical aspects)
- Romanian infantry, heavy weapons & cavalry 1941-45 (summer/winter)
- Hungarian infantry, heavy weapons & cavalry 1941-45 (summer/winter)
- Slovak infantry & heavy weapons 1939-44
- US artillery crew summer/winter (Pacific/Mediterranean 1941-45 and NW Europe 1944/45)
- US tank crew summer/winter (Pacific/Mediterranean 1941-45 and NW Europe 1944/45)
- Commonwealth tank crew summer (North Africa/Mediterranean 1940-45)
- Marching troops for major combatants and prominent campaigns & battles (worn and fresh grunts loosely marching, no rank and file).
- Civilians!!! Covering different european populations, China, SE-Asia and North Africa.
... :sweat_smile:
I am a bit surprised that nobody yet asked for romanian mountain troops. An elite that fought from 41 to 45, over 5 divisions worth of troops, always in the front line. Well regarded by both germans and soviets.
Would love to see a set of Yugoslavian (Tito's) Partisans, so that I could finally recreate Operation Rösselsprung (1944).
I'm a bit surprised that nobody made them (except for those 2 or 3 figures included in the Caesars 'Partisans in Europe' set), regarding that by the end of the war they numbered around 800,000 soldiers and are considered Europe's most effective anti-Axis resistance movement.
Wow I love the suggestions even stuff i havent thought of before!!!
Strelets have certainly reenergised the toy soldier game ,love the new stuff great to paint and play with,
Dearly would love even half of these suggestions!!!!
Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces landed on many islands and had a distinctive uniform.
Kriegsmarine Landing Party, they landed in North America, USA, Canada, and Newfoundland, to drop off spies, and to monitor the weather.
Dutch Colonial KNIL fought off the Japanese along with the US Army on Java.
World War Two
US Navy UDT Frogmen Divers
Swimming trunks, with flippers, mask, snorkel, demolition charges, knife, small assault team with Thompson submachine guns, Colt .45 and M1 Carbines, Hard hat divers with hammer, wrench, knife, cutting torch, support crew with air pump, and talker.
US Navy Landing or Raiding Party and Amphibious Landing Control
Helmets, and Sailor hats, Thompson submachine guns, Colt .45, Springfield rifles, demolitions charges, signal flags, ship to shore radio, Aldis lamp, Officers with maps and binoculars.
Adventures
Spies, secret police, espionage people
Fedora hats, trench coats, cameras, pistols, submachine guns, male and female, German, British, American, and Soviet.
Oilfield and Construction Workers
Hard hats, jump suits, shovels, picks, axes, transits and surveyors, big hammers and wrenches and jackhammers and toolboxes, wheelbarrows.
Scientists and Archeologists and Paleontologists and Hunters
Pith helmets, fedora hats, bare headed male and female, kneeling with brushes, dental picks, working with test tubes and chemical glasses, microscopes, cameras, guns.
Arctic and Antarctic Adventurers and Explorers
Dog sleds, bolt action rifles, Eskimos, Artic tents, igloo, snow shoes, ice axes, mittens, Anoraks, jackets with fur around face.
Mike Bunkermeister Creek
Like a lot of the suggestions. For me the most wanted would be
1. BEF British 1940.
2. Dutch 1940.
3. Free French colonial troops.
4. Italian colonial troops.
5. Italians for N Africa, could have different heads for bersaglieri.
6. Communist Chinese.
7. Nationalist Chinese.
8. French motorised troops 1940.
9. FFL for Norwegian campaign.
10. Chasseurs Ardennais.
Kradschutzen! A set of easy assembly motorcycle sidecar units with mounted and dismounted crews. A similar set for Italian Bersaglieri in North Africa, with some combat engineers to support them, and any US set that isn't all Thompsons, Grease guns and carbines.
More U.S. Navy figures, especially dressed as Landing Party Sailors like from the movie "Sand Pebbles."
And then other nationalities' Navies.
Pegasus Russian fighting sailors are done.
Revell's German Sailors lack action figures.
Very impressive lists and some great ideas.
My favourites are :
1) Tito`s Partisans which could really be two sets: Partisans with motley assortment of military & civilian clothing for the early period and the more regular look towards the end of the war.
2) Romanian Mountain Troops.
3) Hungarians - several sets -perhaps Strelets might consider covering them in the same way they`ve done the Japanese with Infantry Heavy Weapons set, artillery and various types of uniform. Certainly a set for the Battle of Budapest would be very much appreciated.
4) Greek Mountain Troops and Greek Mountain Artillery. The upcoming M1906 65mm Mountain gun
could be done with a set of Greek mountain gunners.
5) Italian Askari both Eritean & Libyan
To add to the list
Ethiopian Patriot Army / Resistance fighters