PlaymoFriends

General => News => Topic started by: Martin Milner on February 02, 2008, 08:50:28

Title: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Martin Milner on February 02, 2008, 08:50:28
(http://i221.photobucket.com/albums/dd97/Martin_Milner/RomanAirgamboys-1.jpg)

Found these on eBay, now where do you suppose the company got the idea?

Airgamboys are made in Spain. I'm tempted to get these for my "Museum of Not-Playmobil" but am currently shuddering at the price.
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Sylvia on February 02, 2008, 11:27:42

Airgamboys have been around for almost as many years as Playmobil, according to this page...

http://www.airgamboys.net/ (http://www.airgamboys.net/)

Quite a few of the Spanish playmo fans collect these sets too. There are a lot of similarities between the toys and I think certain accessories can be swapped between the two. (Not absolutely sure if this is true because the scale is probably different.)

The real question here is who copied who. ;)

Maybe the Airgamboys set came before the Playmobil romans. ;D

I guess we'd have to know production dates...
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Customizer on February 02, 2008, 12:54:15
Hi,

thx Sylvia for the link i dont know about it !  :wow:

But have some collected pics there no listed !  ;D

ENJOY the pics !

world greets

Andi
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Customizer on February 02, 2008, 13:00:36
more.............
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Customizer on February 02, 2008, 13:02:58
and dont forget the ship........  ;D
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Richard on February 02, 2008, 13:53:32
Hello, Martin ...

According to the opinions of the Spanish collectors over at Yoyei's Playclicks forum (http://www.playclicks.com/playforos/) ... Save your money!
They say that the best place for Airgamboys is in the bonfire.

Now having said that ... you might want to take a look at Tricornejock's gallery ... HERE (http://www.tricornejock.com/ancien/html/airgamboys.html)!

I have attached a couple of interesting photos from the Playclicks forum (http://www.playclicks.com/playforos/) that sort of shows the size difference. The figure is Playmobil and the Roman shield is from Airgam (c1970s). It would appear that Airgamboys are indeed larger than Playmobil. Perhaps about the size of Playbig.

Interesting subject.

Thanks for the pictures, Andi!
Maybe we could start a museum of photos rather than having to actually buy these Playmobil wanabe's ... :)

All the best,
Richard
see attachments

Edit:
Ooops ... Forgot to give credit to Garciclick over at Playclicks, for his beautiful custom Playmobil "Pretoriano" ...  :wow:
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Richard on February 02, 2008, 13:57:51


Here's a photo of the same shield with an Airgam figure ... (for size comparison)
see attachment
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Customizer on February 02, 2008, 15:52:07
Hi Richard,

great Custom !! thx for sharing ! The shield looks with the playmobil roman nice but with the airgam a little micro ???

Thanks for the links !

world greets

Andi

Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Martin Milner on February 02, 2008, 17:08:44
Wow, I had no idea the Airgam Roman range was so extensive! Seeing all this, it looks more like Playmo copies Airgam's idea.

Of course it's possible the two developed in isolation, sparked perhaps by the Gladiator film, but look at how sets seem to mirror each other...

Playmobil still seems neater to the eye, though. The Airgam stuff is sparklier in places, but the figures proportions and faces don't look quite right, they just don't have the same charisma.

So, any Airgam Egyptians out yet?  ;)

Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Justindo on February 02, 2008, 17:33:07
I also didn't know the Airgamboys range was so extensive.  I don't, however, think Playmobil has anything to worry about if the pictures are any indication of the quality of the sets.  That said, I wouldn't mind if Playmobil made a variety of standards like the Airgamboys range has.  I really wish Playmobil would come out with at least an aquilla.
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: playmofire on February 02, 2008, 17:43:10
This link gives a fuller picture of the Airgamboys range:

http://www.coleccionae.com/index.php

Click on Airgamboys down the left hand side.

Try also www.airgamboys.net

Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Jimbo on February 02, 2008, 18:23:47
The Roman ship is interesting.
The noses on the figures caught my attention, but don't know if I
like them or not. :hmm:
It looks like the Playmobil klickeys are much better made. :yup:
Thanks for posting.
Jimbo
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: gloobey on February 03, 2008, 04:27:11
I was interesetd in Airgam boys several years ago when I read that Playmobil (according to their own website) would never be doing a roman theme. I think the Airgam Boys roman sets have been around for some time. I did get one figure (an astronaut, actually) and can concur with the general consensus on quality. They are pretty cheaply made, but do come with some nifty accessories. I like to think of them as dime store Playmobil.
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Richard on February 03, 2008, 13:36:14

... when I read that Playmobil (according to their own website) would never be doing a roman theme.

Hello, Steve ...

Playmobil has made several such announcements over the years ... :lol:

They also said that they would never made aliens, dinosaurs, submarines, etc.

Perhaps some our German speaking members can tell us if the word "nie" means something other than "never" in the town of Zirndorf ... ;)

Hmmm ... I do remember a young lady once who use to say "nie" but really meant "maybe" ... ;)

I wonder if she was from Zirndorf ... ???

All the best,
Richard




Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: gloobey on February 04, 2008, 00:21:10
Hi Richard,
I remember reading about the dinosaur thing too! I was disappointed, and then really surprised when the sets were announced. Perhaps we are missing something in the translation, or perhaps they change their minds like everybody else? I almost think they did it on purpose as a marketing tool to sell more toys (dash our hopes and then sell them a few years later to an eager audience). That's probably a bit too pessimistic to be true, though.

I always thought they were crazy not to do dinosaurs anyways. Kids LOVE 'em. My son is now hoping for cave people and prehistoric beasts like Mammoths and sabre tooth tigers.
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Martin Milner on February 04, 2008, 08:45:59
My son is now hoping for cave people and prehistoric beasts like Mammoths and sabre tooth tigers.

There was the 4592 Caveman a few years ago.
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Indianna on February 04, 2008, 14:33:24
Wow, I had no idea that there were so many Airgamboys sets.  As several folks have said, the quality seems inferior to Playmobil. 

Looking at the range of Airgamboy figures makes me long for Playmobil versions of Davy Crockett, Julius Caesar, Zorro :love:, the Lone Ranger, even Superman (though I suppose that he is actually a licensed figure - the Lone Ranger, too.)   And I love those French gendarme hats - since Playmobil is so popular in France I am surprised they do not already do some slightly vintage French police.

- Anne
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Richard on February 04, 2008, 21:45:29


Hello, Anne ...

... makes me long for Playmobil versions of Davy Crockett, Julius Caesar, Zorro :love: ...

Your wish is my command ... ;)

please see attachments
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Groove on February 05, 2008, 07:37:06
Exactly. This toys was in spain at the same time that the Famobil. In fact exist a little rivalry betwen  airgamboys and playmobil. It´s like a Real madrid and Barcelona. I prefer playmobil obviously :love:. The plastic of airgamboys it´s not  very good, it´s difficult to "put in foot" (?), and can´t catch the objets with his hands correctly. Finally they are bigger than playmobil. His girlfriend named miss airgam :love: and there are a lot too. when we are child I love miss airgam because whe she "stoops" (?) you can see her Panties :-[ :lol:!!!
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Customizer on February 05, 2008, 10:31:15
Hi,

ok here comes a direkt comparison !

Enjoy the pic !

world greets

Andi
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Richard on February 05, 2008, 12:54:38
Hi,

ok here comes a direkt comparison !

Enjoy the pic !

world greets

Andi

Thank you very, very much for that direct comparison, Andi!

I think that was what most of us wanted to see!

I can also see that I am very, very happy that I chose Playmobil to collect ... :)9

Thanks again, my friend!

All the best,
Richard

Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Richard on February 05, 2008, 12:58:17
Hello, Groove ...

His girlfriend named miss airgam :love: and there are a lot too. when we are child I love miss airgam because whe she "stoops" (?) you can see her Panties :-[ :lol:!!!

How many of us here at Playmofriends are now curious ... ??? ... ;) ... :lol:

All the best,
Richard

Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Indianna on February 05, 2008, 18:58:51

Hello, Anne ...

Your wish is my command ... ;)


 :clap:  Well done, Richard!  Though, to be picky about it, that might be Davy in his "golden years" trapping varmints down at the Senior Center and I think Julius Caesar wouldn't be caught dead in pink (now, Caligula on the other hand . . . )  But I am swept away by the gallant Zorro (he is your own creation, perhaps?)   8-)

- Anne

Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Groove on February 05, 2008, 20:41:06
Hello, Groove ...

How many of us here at Playmofriends are now curious ... ??? ... ;) ... :lol:

If you want I can show an indecent photo >:D :-[ :lol:
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Richard on February 06, 2008, 03:10:28

Hello, Anne ...

... But I am swept away by the gallant Zorro (he is your own creation, perhaps?)   8-)

He is indeed ... but, that was many years ago. Click HERE (http://gardenwargaming.com/armies/Zorro/Z01.html) for a crazy inspiration from the movie, "The Mask of Zorro" ... ;)

All the best,
Richard

Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Richard on February 06, 2008, 03:14:39

Hello, Paco ...

If you want I can show an indecent photo >:D :-[ :lol:

I am certain that most of the Plamofriends would be shocked and scandalized to even think about a Playmobil girl posing for an "indecent" photo ... ;)

However, not many of us probably know very much about those Airgam girls ... :lol:

All the best,
Richard


Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Timotheos on February 06, 2008, 13:25:37
The equipment for the Airgam gladiators looked (conceptually) nicer than the Playmobil.  But it's hard to miss how even from the pictures the plastic looks flimsy and faces and bodies are strangely mis-contorted.

But with Playmobil playing so fast-and-loose with the kitsch for the medievals, Romans, and the threat* of Fu Manchu-ed ninja families, it would be great to see a little competition.

Maybe Korea will come to the rescue with a high-quality fake** Playmobil line, like it does with lego.


* I say "threat" but many of my PM brothers and sisters appear to equate this with paradise.
** If the purported Japanese theme turns out to be more like a "Super Ninja Theme", I'm not afraid to go guerrilla.  Who knows, maybe North Korea will even rise to the challenge.  Kim Jeong-il seems like the sort of dictator who would have his own Playmobil collection that he makes his generals visit and admire.
Title: Re: Roman Airgamboys
Post by: Richard on February 06, 2008, 15:50:05

Hello, Timmy ...

it would be great to see a little competition.

What I'd like to see is a company that would make add-ons (like a third party). There are many hats and other accessories that could enhance existing Playmobil figures!

That's my two cents worth ... :2c:

All the best,
Richard