Heated Exchange!

Been a busy week so I'll just be posting a few quickies, like this shot of my shoot-out at the Dodge City corral. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Ideal Wagons in Dodge City

If you have the Ideal Dodge City set, here's a chance to see what the three different Ideal wagons look like when paired with the streetfront. These were all sized to the 40mm-45mm range and are smaller than let's say, Marx or MPC. Unfortunately Ideal only made a small number of figures in limited poses to match so you'd either have to search out other brands for 45mm figures or just say to heck with it and pull out your Marx 54mm figures and play. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Ideal Dodge City Playset Redux

While I was out on the patio playing with Fort Shambles, the Ideal Playset featured a week or so ago found itself in front of the camera as well. I like these pics more than the original ones set against the plain  white background. Enjoy! Opa Fritz

Cavalry Outpost Fort Shambles Attack

Ten days ago I posted a job lot of Western toys I got off of fleaBay. It consisted of a fort in very used condition - which I call 'Fort Shambles' - and a bunch of 60mm Cowboys and Indians by Gulliver (recasts of Atlantic figures). Back then I said that as soon as better photos were taken they'd be posted here, so I took out my scenicked board and backdrop and had a little fun the other day. The board isn't very large, so big expansive shots aren't possible, but it's still fun to mess with. In addition to the toys in the job lot, I added a Wal-Mart covered wagon, and the figures from my Ideal 'Dodge City' playset to add a bit more oomph to the affair. Hope you enjoy this little play time readers! Opa Fritz

Ideal Dodge City Playset

With all these Ideal Western wagons I've been posting it seems only appropriate to post the Ideal Dodge City playset that makes a perfect backdrop for them. Ideal had made a series of forts that came in header bags. Some of them were The Alamo. a Marine Corps base, Fort Pitt, Fort Laramie, Valley Forge, Knights and Castle, and of course this Dodge City (which technically is not a fort) and perhaps others. I have The Alamo, Knights and Castle, and this Dodge City set. 

The sets were originally issued in header bags, then later in blister packs and contained a gate, two tin-litho walls, a few accessories, and about 10-12 figures. The two walls in each set would be identical with different scenes on the front and back, and designed to connect to the plastic gate piece. They're meant to be bent in the middle so as to form an enclosure however, as this set is a town not a fort, I chose not to bend them, but rather keep them straight to resemble a streetfront. The 'gate' in this set is a combination hotel/jail and measures 6" (15.24cm) W x 5" (12.7cm) H x 1 1/4" (3.17cm) D. The walls measure 10" (25.4cm) W x 2 1/2" (6.35cm) H. The figures are 54mm and I believe my set is complete with all of the original poses and horses. The accessories are minimal: hitching post, water trough, water pump. Enjoy! Opa Fitz

Quite frankly. I'm not happy with the way these photos turned out. I'll have to pick a time that's relatively comfortable so that I can go out in The Cave and do a better setup.

Here's a few of the Ideal wagons that have been blogged recently to show how they fit in with the streetfront