Copyright 2004 T. Sheil & A. Sheil All Rights Reserved
Beton was among the first companies to produce plastic figures. The original plastic figures were made prior to World War II, and they included a variety of flat-helmeted soldiers, Western figures and others. After the War, the figures were updated to reflect the "modern" uniforms with the round M1 helmet and modern boots. Beton and Bergen issued these for years. Ajax made some test runs of the same figures, probably licences from Beton.
Pictured below is an assortment of the postwar Beton / Bergen figures. They stand the regular toy soldier size. Many a boy had these figures, which were produced well into the 1960s by the original makers and firms who licensed the right to copy them. Flat-helmeted versions were also made by a Canadian firm.
Most figures were updates of earlier poses or adaptations, such as the bazooka man. The paratrooper was an entirely new figures and he shows much more accurate detail and sculpting.
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Rear view shows the older cut of jackets on marching figures and the ammo carrier. Radioman's pack radio is visible. Note the well-modeled parachute on the paratrooper. |
These hard plastic figures show the usual dark olive drab and brown colors. |
Note some of the color variations in Beton / Bergen figures: medium green, blue. brown, white, darker brown, applre green, dark olive drab. |
Shooting rifleman |
Submachine gunner |
Charging rifleman |
Grenade thrower |
Advancing rifleman |
Marching with flag |
Marching with bazooka. An adapted figure. |
Marching with pack radio |
Marching with rifle |
Paratrooper - an entirely new figure added to the line after the War. |
Carrying ammo cans |
Drummer |
Bugler (missing end of bugle) White figures were supposed to be in Winter camouflage. |
Kneeling machine gunner. The weapon is formidably large. |
Older brown plastic grenade thrower |
Hard plastic marching man |
Semaphore Signalman |
Marching and saluting, front and back. |