When Toy Magazines Announced the XTreme Detail 1:18 Scale WW2 Soldiers

I was so excited when I saw these articles. Even more excited when I saw them at Toys R Us. Still have a solid collection to this day. Several other companies (Blue Box International, and even Target Bravo Team) added to this awesome scale for this awesome genre. 

French WW2 Graphic Novels - Hardcovers

I purchased these at a comic book store in Versailles, France when I was there on business. Love the artwork. 

King and Country: 28th Division in the Huertgen Forest

Before the Battle of the Bulge, there was the brutal Battle of the Huertgen Forest. I attempted to create a mini-diorama of an autumn thick forest using real sticks and leaves. Thought it worked out pretty well. 

I put sand in a solid cookie sheet, stood the sticks up with clay, covered the floor with real crunched up dead leaves, and added some fake little pine trees. 

King and Country WW2 82nd and 101st Airborne Troops

My daughter and I went to Gettysburg a few weeks back. We, of course, stopped at the Gettysburg Miniature Soldier Shop. I managed to find some 82nd and 101st Airborne troops for some future WW2 dioramas. 

Random 1:18 Scale WW2 Airborne Troops

Finally pulled out some 1:18 scale building and troopers. 

Ultimate Soldier 1:18 WW2 German Halftrack and Extra Troops

Been wanting to get this guy for awhile. I found him at the quarterly Annandale, Virginia Toy Soldier Show. Snagged him quick for a good price. The same seller also had a ton of 1:18 carded soldiers. The cards were in bad shape, but I didn't care. Gonna open them up anyway.