Rogerpgvg's Britains collection: field horses

Britains were always the best candidats to be repainted. They're often magnificently sculpted and porly painted. Their only problem is their sizes and Alain really made a few miracles here. Look how these figures are better than Japanese models now.

Stunning repaints especially the Leopard.

Yes, that leopard is just stunning, I admire paint control at such a small scale on all the models here, but his glowing golden colour just makes him stand out as the most beautiful of the whole batch.

Alain is the master of the spots. Apart from lacking the artistic skills, it's physically impossible for me to control a brush with so much precision.

These repaints are marvelous! They really help to show off just how good the original sculpts were. I'm also really impressed that they're somehow realistic at the same time as looking consistent with the 'character' of the old Britains paint jobs. Great additions - thanks for showing us!

Let's see whether I can keep up with what I am collecting in this topic. I don't collect so many Britains these days, so it may be possible ...

A little while ago, I bought an early-version Indian elephant in a box. It was still in its original wrapping paper:


This elephant was made between 1961 and 1971, being replaced by a new Indian elephant in 1972. Initially, the elephant was made in polythene. Mine is PVC, so we can date it between 1968 and 1971.


The box is a bit mouldy, and the elephant was too, but it is in perfect condition after a bath. It's rare to see this elephant without any paint loss on the tusks. And it has well-painted nails too.


It's beautifully sculpted, especially if you compare it with other elephants from the same period.


Has a better Asian elephant ever been made in this size? I may be biased, but I say no.


It's the only Britains elephant that I didn't have as a child. When I started collecting as an adult, I was very pleased to discover that Britains made another elephant and even more pleased when I managed to get hold of one! (This one isn't my first, but it's the best.)

Wow, It is really awesome, nice figure in a good condition.

Big congratulations.

Lovely, a pristine treasure. The elephant itself is a really nice figure, then the added interest of seeing the original packaging is fascinating for anyone with an appreciation of vintage toys, and the fact you never got to own it as a child makes it even more satisfying to have now, I'm sure!

Roger, an extremely fine example of the Britains Indian Elephant.

Really like the first image where the elephant is emerging from its haven wrapped in a blanket of original tissue paper.

One of the best examples I have seen.

A truly wonderful Britains model.I have only a rather poor example of this model and have seen many copies of it.

Roger, I'm intrigued how you tell the difference between PVC and polythene- how can one tell please?

This is a great elephant and your models is really mint, thats' incredible.
I like it better than the second one. Unfortunately I stiupidely trade mine 10 years ago and now it costs one arm to get a complete one 

ros wrote:

Roger, I'm intrigued how you tell the difference between PVC and polythene- how can one tell please?

Date, weight and feel.

Date model was produced: Britains started to replace polythene with PVC from around 1964 for some series and for Farm and Zoo around 1968.

Weight: PVC is heavier than polythene.

Feel: If you have the model in both polythene and PVC you will be able to feel the difference. Also the earlier PVC Britains used was shiny whereas the polythene was matt.

Hope this helps.

Incredible treasure in perfect condition with the bonus of being a exceptionally good sculpt. I really love that model and Britains sculptor was really competent.

Roger wrote:

Incredible treasure in perfect condition with the bonus of being a exceptionally good sculpt. I really love that model and Britains sculptor was really competent.

Hi Rogério

Given the date this model was first issued the sculptor was likely to be George Ford. He also was the sculptor for the female and baby African elephants released in the 1960's.

Thank you Chris, really useful to know :)

Thanks, everybody, glad you like this elephant too.

Christophe: I prefer this model to the later one too; it's more realistic.

Ros: Chris described the differences between the plastics well. One other difference is that the polythene often degrades over time, whereas the PVC doesn't (or at least not yet). As a result, the polythene can become fragile and the paint starts to flake off. The paint holds much better to PVC. The same is true for dirt: it doesn't stick as well to polythene as to PVC. When it starts degrading, the polythene gives off a kind of musty smell.

Chris Sweetman wrote:

Roger wrote:

Incredible treasure in perfect condition with the bonus of being a exceptionally good sculpt. I really love that model and Britains sculptor was really competent.

Hi Rogério

Given the date this model was first issued the sculptor was likely to be George Ford. He also was the sculptor for the female and baby African elephants released in the 1960's.

Thanks, I remember reading on forum about the African elephants but it is great to know that George Ford may be the sculptor of this wonderful model.

What a beautieful elephant figure

Let’s show the Britains lead fox that I got a few weeks ago. I collect very few metal figures, mainly because they are difficult to find in a good condition and, well, I can’t collect everything. But when I saw this fox, I didn’t hesitate to buy it, because it is in a great condition and I love the running pose:


According to TAW, this fox was made from 1928 to 1941, and was then reissued after the war between 1946 and 1959. I guess this one is post-war, but the sculpt is very old. It has a hollow nose. Well, we all have.


Here he is with (as far as I am aware) the only other fox that Britains made:


It’s part of the Animal Tree that Britains made in 1972. It wasn’t sold well, so they stopped production after only one year.


Not the most detailed figures Britains ever made, but because it was produced for such a short time, it is a sought-after rarity. It also has the only Britains squirrel, owl and pigeons, as well as the only plastic swan (I believe Britains did make a lead swan).

A close-up of the fox in the tree:

The tree is wonderful!!I have the swan and the Runner ducks and its great to see where they came from!Sadly I must have lost the other models!

I know those models are not easy to find and you got all of them in such a fantastic condition. I love the Britains lead fox, I hope some day to have it in my collection even if it is a sample without painting.
It looks like the sister of the Blancherie Frères but I am sure Britains is smaller what is good for you. I love the picture where the lead fox is very interested about the other tree animals.

Nice additions, i especially like the owl

never seen that tree before!

rogerpgvg wrote:

It’s part of the Animal Tree that Britains made in 1972. It wasn’t sold well, so they stopped production after only one year.

ha ha look how interested the fox is what a funny photo

that's a very good condition tree you have Roger, well done!