Why no decent WW2 Japanese solider Bust?

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Von Bock

Von Bock

A Fixture
Joined
Dec 19, 2004
Messages
762
Location
Gambier Ohio USA
Hello,
I was watching Letters from Iwo Jima and was curious why there isn't a decent bust if any on a Japanese solider in WW2. I'm not trying to start a war here I was just curious. There are bust of just about every nation that fought in every war or are their bust and I just missed them? Thanks for any ideas. Regards Brock
 
Hi Brock,

There has always been a lack of Japanese figures on the market in all scales. I don't have any explaination for this deficit, but its a glaring omission. With respect to Vergilius and all Belgians, Japan was a major axis power during WW2, fighting in a theatre of operations twice the size of Europe and North Africa combined.

When you compare the number of German figures available to figure modellers to the number of Japanese (or Italian) the Germans are seriously over-represented and their allies seriously under-represented.

Just my two bob's worth.

Cheers
 
I suspect there just hasn't been a market for Japanese subject matter.

Yet we have many, many variations on Highlanders....
 
I agree with you guys,
you know the french army is absolutly forget too, and i don't think that France was a minor nation during WWII.

Tony you're totally right about the japs but i think we don't see the thing in Europe like you in Australia.
It's probally because the germans paraded on the Champs-Elysées and the japs attack Pearl Harbor and advanced near Australia.

In fact we are on the same way, we want more Japs, Italians and French(and why not Belgian or dutch ;) ?) but if the market says "more germans" it will be "more germans"

(hope my english isn't too bad!)

Seb.
 
Hey Seb, which French Army are you talking about? The French Army that fought against the Germans, or the French Army that fought with the Germans??;) ;)

The real issue here is why the Japanese Armed Forces of WW2 are not well represented as subjects for modellers - let's not get caught up in arguments about who won what war.:)

Considering several of the world's largest model manufacturers are Japanese companies, it does seem very strange that there are so few military model (figures, AFV's or aircraft) of Japanese WW2 subjects.

Perhaps one of our Japanese planeteers could share their thoughts with the rest of us??

Cheers
 
Tony !
I'm talking about the REAL french army (you can choose your favorite )

If you read slowly my words, i've never talk about the winners of the WWII, i want too more japs and italians :rolleyes: (fought against the Germans, or fought with the Germans :))

Totally agree with you about the manufacturers, waiting for the lighting.

Seb.
 
I want to put your attention to the fact that their are far to less Belgian Bust AND figures.
Oh we've beaten the French in 1302 as well !!!! And the romans with our hero Ambiorix !! So we've won 5 times already and still counting !!

O yes, there should be more japanese figures and busts too !!!
 
My Two bob's worth (again)

Hi Seb,

Mate, my favorite REAL French army is the Grande Armee.:cool:

I meant no offence to you or any other Frenchman, I was simply (and bluntly:eek: ) making the point that some nationalities involved in WW2 seem to be "favourites" (ie. Germans) for modellers, while others (ie. Japanese) seem to be "forgotten".

Maybe its because the Germans had very smart uniforms and very cool tanks, I don't know:confused: , but I'm very interested to hear other Planeteers thoughts on why WW2 Japanese figures are rarely made, painted or displayed?

If there is a demand for/ interest in Japanese WW2 figures, I wonder if the scratchbuilders and figure sculptors aren't making them for themselves?

It's a fair and open question!

WW2 Japan seems to be a "forgotten" nation on planetFigure and with model manufacturers. I wonder why?:confused: No other nation made such huge military and economic advances in the 20th century as Japan. Japan leapt from an insular feudalistic society into a world superpower, in less than two generations, and is now a global economic superpower.:)

I hope you all have a think about it. The same question could also be asked about the Korean War. Another "forgotten" war??:(

If you have a view, please share it. I, for one, am curious to know what other planeteers think.:D

I'll finish by showing you an old pic of the Model Masters 1/6th scale WW2 Japanese officer figure, which I painted in oils back in 2004.:eek:

Cheers
 

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Tony,
thanks for the answer :)
I prefere your jap fig than your "favorite REAL french army" ;)

Start a petition for the manufacturers to slow the production of german soldiers is our last chance !
 
Without attempting to rock the boat when most of us think of WW II Japanese we tend to think of the Rape of Nanking, the Attack on Pearl Harbor, the soul twisted cult of Bushido and countless other earned negatives. Mildly revisionist films such as Letters From Iwo Jima ignored the violent fanaticism and lack of respect for human life which was a primary facet of Japanese culture at that time, not secondary...that made the battle hell on earth.
Perhaps that's why manufacturers shy away from the subject....
 
Hi Majnun,
you are right with all of that.
Japaneses made atrocities during this conflict, but can you explain why the soldiers most see in model books or in the contests are the germans (with a lot of SS) ?
 

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