Vintage Green Army Men. Tim Mee Toys Vietnam Era. скачать в хорошем качестве

Vintage Green Army Men. Tim Mee Toys Vietnam Era.

Tim Mee Toys produced their most famous plastic army men, which depict U.S. infantry troops with Vietnam War-era equipment, around 1968. These figures were significant because they were among the first widely available toy soldiers to represent contemporary American military personnel, moving away from the more traditional World War II-era designs. Their modern look, featuring M-16 rifles and other period-specific gear, made them an instant classic and solidified their place in the history of plastic toys. The iconic green army men, a ubiquitous staple of childhood toy chests, owe much of their enduring legacy to a specific company: Tim Mee Toys. While plastic army men have been around since the 1930s, Tim Mee's figures are the ones most people recognize from popular culture, including the Pixar film Toy Story. The History of Tim Mee Army Men Early Days: Tim Mee Toys began as a division of Anchor Brush Company in the late 1940s. Its primary focus was on plastic toy figures, and it quickly became known for its affordable and popular "dime store" toys. The company's name itself is said to have come from the nephew of an employee, a boy named Timmy, who was enthusiastic about the first figures. The 1960s Revolution: In the mid-1960s, Tim Mee was acquired by Processed Plastic Co. This is when the company's famous green army men really took off. While many earlier army men were based on World War II-era soldiers, Tim Mee's most famous set, released around 1968, was among the first to depict U.S. infantry troops with contemporary equipment, including M-16 rifles. This Vietnam-era design became the standard for the classic toy soldier. A Simple but Effective Design: The Tim Mee figures were known for their distinct poses and durable, slightly flexible plastic. The sets often included a variety of figures, such as the kneeling rifleman, the grenade thrower, the prone machine gunner, and the officer with binoculars. Their simple, unpainted design and bulk packaging in plastic bags made them incredibly affordable and accessible, perfect for grand-scale battles in backyards and sandboxes. Enduring Legacy: Although Tim Mee Toys faced challenges from overseas competition and ceased operations in 2005, the brand was later resurrected by a new owner, VictoryBuy Inc., which now reissues the classic figures using the original molds. This has ensured that the "Tim Mee" style of green army men continues to inspire new generations of children, cementing their place as a classic American toy. While the entire set of Tim Mee's green army men is iconic, there are a few poses that stand out as the most recognizable and essential to the classic army man experience. If you were to pick just one, it would likely be the kneeling rifleman. The Kneeling Rifleman: This figure, with his M-16 rifle aimed forward, is perhaps the quintessential pose. It perfectly balances a sense of action with stability, making it ideal for setting up formations and holding a "defensive" line. It's the "foot soldier" of the plastic army, a universal symbol of the green army man. Other highly iconic poses from the Tim Mee lineup include: The Grenade Thrower: This dynamic pose, with one arm pulled back ready to toss a grenade, is a classic. It suggests an immediate, explosive action and is perfect for leading an assault. The Prone Machine Gunner: Lying on his belly with a machine gun at the ready, this figure is a staple for creating ambush scenes or providing cover fire for his comrades. The Officer with Binoculars: Standing tall and scanning the horizon, this figure is the commander of the plastic platoon. He represents strategy and leadership, and his presence is crucial for any large-scale battle. These figures, in their simple, unpainted plastic, have become cultural touchstones, defining what a toy soldier looks like for generations of children and cementing Tim Mee's legacy.