Britains Deetail Explained

Britains' Deetail toy soldiers were a popular product in the 1970s and 1980s. Manufactured in England by W. Britain, the 1/32 (54mm) scale plastic figures were finished with hand painted details and came with sturdy Zamak metal bases. In the early 1990s production moved to China before eventually being phased out.

Development

In 1971, Britains began phasing out its plastic Herald Miniatures produced in Hong Kong since 1966, with Herald eventually ceasing production in 1976. New Deetail figures were produced moulded in PVC plastic rather than polythene and using plug-in type arms, which were glued to bodies resulting in poses previously unavailable.[1] Figures were moulded with a tee shaped "footlug" on the feet of each figure that allowed secure attachment to sturdy metal bases. These rectangular metal bases ensured figures stood better than rival manufacturers products and paid homage to Britains hollowcast metal figures as well as being thought by consumers to be of "better value" due to their heavier weight.[2]

The first Deetail figures produces were based upon Second World War (WW2) American and German infantry. Sculptor Rod Cameron rented uniforms from Berman's and Nathan's theatrical costumes with Cameron giving model Les Harden his air rifle to pose with.[3]

In 1978 Britains developed the Super Deetail range using an overmoulding process whereby different coloured plastics came together in one figure. The initial release were modern British paratroopers with red berets.

Range

Figures were generally produced in six different standing poses and represented various historical periods from medieval to the modern era including:

Mounted figures were also released including a horse on metal base with rider glued in place. Riders and horses were presented in various different poses and came with reins, saddle and saddle blanket, which differed dependent upon the theme. All were commercially available from retail outlets and sold either loose or from retail/trade "counter" boxes containing 48 pcs for standing (usually eight of each pose); 18 pcs for mounted figures (six of each pose); or 12 for combat weapons sets - these retail boxes also came with handy plinths to display the models, which sat across the top of each box as a promotional item. Many factory sealed boxed/play sets (ranging from 5-18 figures) were issued to retailers, along with smaller "blister" type packs containing several figures bundled together, and a "Patrol" range that included figures and a combat weapon.

In addition, Britains also produced sets which incorporated Deetail style figures that were marketed as Combat Weapons (mortar, recoilless rifle, gatling gun, etc.), Military Vehicles (scout cars, jeeps, etc.) and Motorcycles (dispatch rider, motorcycle combination). Combat Weapons sets used working, spring loaded firing mechanisms within the models, and were supplied with "ammunition" - 9 ball bearings for the Vickers and Gatling gun sets, and 12 plastic shells on a sprue for mortars and recoilless rifle.

Knights and Turks

Knights

7740 Series One (Foot)

7730 Series Two (Foot)

Turks

7750

Issued Sets

TBC

Waterloo (1815)

Like Airfix, Britains used the label Waterloo rather than Napoleonic. Figures depicting British and French armies were produced from 1974-79 in foot and mounted types.

British

French

Issued Sets

African Desert (1900s)

Figures depicting French Foreign Legion (FFL) legionnaires and Arab tribesmen were produced in foot and mounted types from 1975-78.

French Foreign Legion

Arab Tribesmen

Issued Sets

American Wild West (1870s)

Figures depicting US 7th Cavalry, cowboys, Apache, Sioux and Mexicans were produced in foot and mounted types.

US 7th Cavalry

Cowboys

Sioux

One standing figure was discontinued and a brand new pose was created because it was easier to manufacture. The older pose came with a separate spear and the new one has no additional parts but holds an axe and a pistol.

Apache

Mexicans

Issued Sets

TBC

American Civil War

Figures depicting Federal (Union) and Confederate (Rebel) forces were produced from 1972-80 in foot and mounted types.

Federal

Confederate

Figures for both types were exactly the same just molded and painted in different colours. Initial releases had longer rifles and plug-in arms, which were eventually discontinued and replaced with fully moulded figures.

Issued Sets

Military

Figures depicting WWII American, German, British and Japanese forces were produced from 1971–89, with initial production of American and German figures only on brown/tan metal bases - eventually discontinued and replaced from 1974 with the standard green type. Figures were issued in the standard series of six pose types, except American and German figures which came in two separate series of six poses (12 in total) and included helmet decals in the form of red shield with black star (American) and shields with Imperial colours of red, white and black (German). Japanese, British 8th Army and German Afrika Korps were produced in limited quantities until production ceased in 1976 and 1979 respectively. Combat weapons sets and associated military vehicles also complimented the series.

American US WW2

Issued Sets

German Army WWII

Both sets include a shouldered rifle which is attached to the riders back

Issued Sets

Afrika Korps WW2

Issued Sets

British Army WW2

Initially produced with a stained/faded paint finish, TBC

Issued Sets

Desert Rats 8th Army WW2

Issued Sets

TBC

Imperial Japanese Army

Issued Sets

TBC

Accessories

Super Deetail

Super Deetail figures initially featured as a prototype set of six modern British paratroopers at a 1978 London toy fair. The new moulds allowed finer details compared to Deetail range, however four of the six figures never made it into widescale production due to manufacturing difficulties with the new over-moulding process. A set of four were eventually released to the market in 1980 - firing rifle, firing bazooka, throwing grenade and an officer firing pistol. Rather than a particular historical context, they were modelled upon modern style British armed forces - Paratroopers (red berets, green bases), Commandos (green berets, light blue bases) and SAS (grey berets, grey bases).

Issued Sets

Guards

Task Force

The Task Force range was introduced 1995/96 using the US and British WW2 Deetail moulds, but finished with different colour schemes.

Space

The Space range was launched in 1981 and ran until 1985 including Stargard Commandos, Cyborg, Assault Squad, Aliens and Mutants along with various spacecraft and accessories.

Other

Britains most extensive range including vehicles, figures, buildings and animals.

Now

W. Britains remains the market leader in "toy soldiers" producing high quality hollowcast metal figures as well as a smaller range of hand painted plastic figures, which were reintroduced in 2006 as "Super Detail Plastics" which contain many attributes of the Deetail range first released in the 1970s https://www.wbritain.com/product-store/super-detail-plastics/. In 2016 W. Britains was sold to The Good Soldier LLC, located in Holland, Ohio, USA.

Certain figures using the original Deetail moulds (French Foreign Legion, Afrika Korps, British 8th Army, Arabs, etc.) are now manufactured in Argentina by DSG Plastic Toy Soldiers.http://www.dsgplastictoysoldiers.com

Vintage detail figures with metal bases remain highly popular with collectors and on secondary markets/internet auction sites often sell for - foot/infantry (£1-£5); mounted (£5-£20); full sets of 6 (£15-100); combat weapons (£5-40); and military vehicles (£15-100) all dependent upon condition.

Rarities

Sought after items such as ACW and FFL Gatling gun sets; British 8th Army Vickers gun; Mexican and Apache warriors; WW2 Afrika Korps; Waterloo series and most mounted figures often reach the top end of estimates. Retail counter boxes are particularly rare (£150-£250) and demand is very strong for any items with original packaging (£50-£250), particularly the larger play sets.

Collectors "Holy Grail" include the four Super Deetail paratroopers, which were discontinued due to production issues. It is rumoured only a few thousand made it to retail. First issue American Infantry released with red bases in very limited quantities are also highly prized.

References

Notes and References

  1. p.121 Cole, Peter Suspended Animation: An Unauthorised History of Herald & Britains Plastic Figures 1997 Plastic Warrior,
  2. p.123 Ibid
  3. p.124 Ibid

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