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.
Yes, eventually I solved the Airfix problem with the careful application of the soldering gun but as a kid I was not allowed to play with hot electrical tools!
I have eyed the Strelets US Cavalry set as a possible basis for WWI or even WWII US Army Cavalry. Perhaps some new heads with Montana Peak Hats from the old Airfix / HaT American Infantry or even helmets from the new HaT WWI US Army set.