PREMIUM MINIATURES
What are premium toy soldiers?
Premium toy soldiers are crafted by the second highest quality soldier manufacturers. These collectible army men are generally more budget-friendly compared to their luxury toy soldier counterparts. Consequently, they may not exhibit the same level of intricate craftsmanship, intricate detailing, and flawlessness as the toy soldiers made by luxury companies. Nonetheless, premium toy soldier brands have earned their spot as reliable, reputable toy soldier producers, and deliver remarkable miniatures with distinctive, captivating poses, ensuring a commendable level of quality.
What are the qualities of premium plastic army men?
An obvious trait of premium toy soldiers is that they still provide satisfactory quality and detail, despite not quite reaching the luxury caliber. Premium army men are not to be easily dismissed however, as the level of craftsmanship they do have is far beyond generic toy soldiers. To a casual toy soldier enthusiast, premium figures can easily appear as outstanding miniatures. To a toy soldier collector with experience, the differences between premium toy soldiers and luxury army men will be easily seen, but that doesn’t detract from the overall quality and enjoyment of the figures.
Residual artifacts are also sometimes seen on premium toy soldiers. Plastic molding and flashing lines can occasionally be seen on the bases of these miniatures, or even on the figures themselves. These artifacts are usually insignificant in the big picture, and can easily be cleaned up through the use of a hobby knife.
Premium plastic army men also provide an adequate level of detail on each of their figures. But, they aren’t as intricate as luxury toy soldiers, as stated earlier. The details present on premium toy soldiers are interesting and bountiful. The faces on the majority of soldiers are usually satisfactory as well. However, the details of the faces and the equipment (such as ammo pouches or bandoleer straps) aren’t as prominent as they would be on luxury figures. Still, they are present and 3D enough to make you admire the toy soldier.
One major advantage of premium toy soldiers is they’re far more affordable than luxury toy soldier brands. Usually, a box of 16 premium soldiers will cost the same as 2 luxury army men! This difference in price allows you to build up a large army, filled with toy soldiers of sufficient quality, without breaking the bank.
Another significant advantage of premium toy soldiers is they come in a wide variety of scales. The vast majority of luxury toy soldier companies only produce soldiers at the 1:32 scale, or bigger. Premium toy soldier brands, however, frequently dive into the miniature scale model sizes. They offer a vast array of figures in, and around, the 1:72 scale.
Additionally, premium toy soldiers allow you to amass armies in quick fashion. They are plentiful and easily obtainable, unlike the scarce luxury toy soldier brands. Although the pose selection for the models isn’t as dynamic as luxury miniatures, they are still unique and action orientated, and almost never come with “useless poses” as is common with generic and knock-off miniature companies.
One of the most notable advantages of premium toy soldiers, when compared to luxury toy soldiers, is their strength and durability. Premium toy soldiers are the kind you can be rough with, place in dirt, or drop from a table, without worrying about damaging or scuffing the miniature. They’re just low quality enough that you won’t mind rough housing with them, but still strong enough to handle that in case you do it by accident.
Finally, although premium toy soldiers never come pre-painted (unless you purchase them from the second hand market), their packaging almost always has a painting guide featured prominently on the back of the box, which makes painting toy soldiers accessible to any army men enthusiast.
Overall, premium army men are perfect for both entry level hobbyists, and veteran toy soldier collectors alike. They are a fantastic step above generic army men because of their uniqueness and diversity. They’re also a happy medium between quality and price. They will satisfy any toy soldier collector, and serve as a spectacular addition to your plastic army.
What are examples of Premium Toy Soldier Brands?
Toy soldiers from the company called “Airfix” are the prime example of premium plastic army men, and are true titans in the world of toy soldiers. They have established themselves as a premium quality brand that epitomizes excellence and reliability. With a rich history spanning decades, Airfix has consistently delivered outstanding craftsmanship and exceptional attention to detail. They feature box sets of soldiers from a variety of time eras, in a variety of action centered poses, in the most common scales of 1:32 and 1:72.
You can always be confident that Airfix toy soldiers will give you great bang for your buck in terms of quality, quantity, and fun-factor. Their detail level always far exceeds generic army men, and the soldiers they choose to feature come from both popular and niche factions from historical conflicts.
Furthermore, Airfix maintains a reputation for innovation, continually pushing the boundaries of plastic toy soldier manufacturing.
Their figures are made from high-quality materials, ensuring durability and longevity. The brand’s dedication to accuracy and authenticity is evident in the wealth of detail present in each figure, making them highly sought-after by collectors, history buffs, and army men enthusiasts.
Another shining example of premium army men come from the company called “Mars.” They’re a relatively new brand in the toy soldier world, but they’ve been consistently producing and releasing toy soldiers from past and present conflicts. Their toy soldiers showcase superb sculpting, and capture the essence of military history with precision.
With Mars Toy Soldiers, collectors can expect nothing short of excellence and an unparalleled level of authenticity that truly brings their historical displays and dioramas to life.
Their use of high-grade, premium plastics ensures durability and longevity, a trait common among premium toy soldiers, allowing these miniature soldiers to withstand the test of time.
Toy soldiers by Mars offer a treasure trove of options for those seeking to build diverse and captivating collections, with an extensive range of figures spanning different historical periods and armies.
Whether you’re creating historical dioramas, or wargaming in your living room, Mars stands as a reliable and cherished toy soldier brand that delivers unparalleled quality and authenticity.
A third long time contributor to the toy soldier hobby is “Armies In Plastic,” a company who still proudly produces premium toy soldiers from various global conflicts. They have established themselves as a reputable and beloved brand in the realm of toy soldiers. With a strong commitment to historical accuracy and attention to detail, they have become a go-to choice for collectors and enthusiasts.
What sets Armies in Plastic apart is their dedication to quality materials and craftsmanship. The figures are made from durable, high-grade plastic, ensuring their longevity and resistance to wear and tear.
The brand’s commitment to authenticity is reflected in the accurate depiction of uniforms, equipment, and historical nuances. Each figure is carefully sculpted and painted, bringing the soldiers to life and allowing collectors to create realistic dioramas and displays.
Armies in Plastic also strives to represent different armies and soldiers from around the world, ensuring a broad range of options for collectors who seek to explore various historical conflicts.
This commitment to variety adds depth and richness to their collections, allowing enthusiasts to delve into the fascinating stories and battles of different nations and time periods.
Armies in Plastic ensures that collectors can trust in the brand’s dedication to quality, historical accuracy, and a recruit vast array of figures that inspire the imagination and celebrate the spirit of military history at an affordable price.
The full list of premium army men brands is explored on our brands page, click here to view it.