Frontiersman Quick Review

Popular TV shows and movies have been driving the production and sales of toys for generations. The TimMee Frontiersman figures are a good historic example of these merchandising tie-ins that became an industry goldmine. 
Introduced back in 1954, the 70mm Frontiersman figures (a.k.a. Pioneers) were initially marketed as Daniel Boone figures in sets such as #158 Dan'l Boone Trailblazers. However, in early 1955, the popularity of the Davy Crockett miniseries prompted TimMee Toys to capitalize on its success and market the Frontiersmen as Davy Crockett figures. As the popularity of Daniel Boone began to cool off, the figures were then marketed simply as Frontiersman and included in subsequent sets and even the #165 Calvary & Apache set. After the Processed Plastic takeover in '65, the new Daniel Boone TV series was off to a rousing start in the ratings and once again the company took advantage and released the figures as Daniel Boone figures in several sets.

The original set was comprised of six 'foot' pioneer figures. Additional Frontiersman figures were introduced in 1956 with three 'mounted' pioneers that could be placed on a 70mm horse from the same era. Original figure colors included green, reddish-brown, yellow, butterscotch-tan, gray and waxy brown.

These are the oldest TimMee figures brought back to life by the Reissues Series.  The molds have obviously stood the test of time as the details rival the originals. Flash is minimal. While most of the reissue figures are cast in a stiff plastic, the Frontiersman are cast in a slightly softer plastic, much like the originals. That alone puts these figures at the top of this blogger's Reissue list. The set includes 24 'Davey Crockett & Daniel Boone' Pioneers.

Foot Pioneers

Walking with rifle

Standing shooting rifle

Overhead with rifle

Scouting with rifle

Kneeling shooting rifle

Kneeling shooting pistol

Mounted Pioneers

Riding with powder horn and rifle

Riding shooting Rifle

Riding shooting pistol (with knife)

Quick Facts

• Manufacturer: J. Lloyd International, Inc.

• Production: 2014-present
• Item number: 6127
• Scale: 70mm

• Colors: waxy brown

Available at Amazon

Desert Division Review

Back in early 2013, J. Lloyd gave the very popular TimMee Patton tank a new lease on life courtesy of the company's new production runs of TimMee Toy classic figures and vehicles. While the tank was only released in army green, it's good 'ole  desert tan counterpart would surely see the light of day if the reissue sales went well. And they did just that.

The tan Patton tank was introduced back in 1991 as part of the Desert Command Series. Fortunately, it went into production just prior to the Patton tank's 3rd and final mold change that eliminated the clip-on wheels and a small run made it out of the factory. All subsequent production runs would yield the more familiar "skid" version. Star and registration number stickers were applied to the desert Patton tanks until they were phased out in the late 90s.

The Reissue

The Original

The color of the plastic between the reissued tank and the classic is virtually indistinguishable aside from the reissue being just a tad lighter... although it's barely noticeable. The details and lines are still crisp after all these years and there's very little (if any) in the way of flashing. Unlike the first reissue of the Patton tank, this version includes a sticker sheet that includes white stars, registration numbers and TimMee logo. See the Combat Patrol Review for details regarding the sticker sheet.

Now you can beef up your desert command division with brand spankin' new tanks! But wait...what's a desert division without Jeeps and cannons??? Ya gotta have Jeep and cannons! Ya can't get a war off the ground without Jeeps and cannons! Hey JL...are ya listening?

Semper Fi!

Available at Amazon now

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Related Pages:
[M48 Patton Tank]
[Artillery]

TimMee Air Force

Check out the newest edition to the TimMee Army Blog below:

TimMee Air Force 

Combat Patrol Review

Back in February Jeff Imel got TimMee fans all wound up about the news of another reissue on the battlefield horizon. Well, the wait is over. You can finally get your grubby little mitts on the new Combat Patrol set from TimMee Toys. And we think you'll agree that it was worth the wait.  

Willys M38 Jeep

New registration number sticker

Anti-tank gun

While the Jeep and cannon chassis come from the same molds that were last retooled in the 80s, the wheels and axles have received a slight redesign. A screw-in type axle is used instead of the press-in flared type axle. The mold was modified to accomplish this and the results are a definite improvement. The Jeep and cannon roll very smoothly and look better without the metal axle protruding through the plastic hub. Plus you can unscrew a wheel (or two) for some realistic-looking (and more importantly, reversible!) battle damage... if that's your thing.

New wheel/axle tooling

Screw-in type axles

And what's this? Stickers? Yes! So nice to have these little gems back. They've been a TimMee/Processed Plastic trademark for decades and have always added character to their military vehicles. And the icing on this cake is that the digits on the registration number stickers aren't just random ones, no no no... they're actually references to important dates in the company's long history. A built in timeline, if you will:

• 19480201 - Approximate date Tim Mee company was founded.

• 01011965 - Legal date Processed Plastic acquired Tim Mee Toys.

• 20110928 - First pack of reissued Tim Mee M16 Soldiers shipped.

But it doesn't stop there. They've also created 2 new stickers. One is a very cool Tim Mee' signature logo. Jeff refers to it as an "Easter Egg"... just not a hidden one. Funny guy.  The other is a white mini-star, which is ideal for all those tight little spaces. Note: Applying the stickers with a hobby knife is the best method, IMHO. Just slide the knife behind the sticker and remove it from the sheet. Then guide the sticker to the position on the vehicle where you want it placed (holding it just above the surface) and press down on one corner of the sticker while pulling the knife away.

Classic (and new) TimMee stickers

Applying the stickers with hobby knife

Rounding out this reissue is a retro-style header card. The front was designed by some dude who owns an Army blog or whatever and apparently has WAY too much time on his hands.  Not to be outdone, Imel turned things up a notch on the back with complete illustrated instructions for sticker placement. He's such a show-off.

The plastic used to cast this set is the same great olive green used for the Patton tank reissue. And the stickers are as close to a perfect match as you can get. Flashing, as with the other reissued vehicles, is at a bare minimum.

What's even more exciting about this release is what it will (hopefully) bring us in the not-so-distant future. Just as the reissue of the Rescue 'Copter brought us a brand new color (desert tan), the Combat Patrol could likely be released in the same color. Yet another first. And those are always a real treat.

So there you have it. A big salute to Jeff Imel and company for putting together one fine reissue.

Semper Fi!

Available at Amazon now

We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming already in progress...

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Related Pages:
[Willys Jeep]
[Artillery]