That's a really neat set. I wish I had perused the toy aisle in Korvettes after hitting the record department back in the day. But am I the only one who thinks the guy on the box looks like he's from the Imperial Japanese Army?
I have this 4178 MO Desert Fox Play set has the J. C. Penny sticker on it but it is only on the side of the box what is left of it but the box is in good condition. Mine is complete I enjoy setting it up brings back memory of my first sears D-Day landing set set I received for Christmas 1963 when they first came out with the German figures.
Wow! Mom bought this set for me at 9 years young starting me with a life-long syndrome/fever err, I mean love for all things Marx WWII playsets. I also received the Navarone set 2 years later. And yep, I was expecting all khaki-tan GIs as per the pics in the JC Penney Xmas catalog, but alas only 1/3 showed up in tan, sheesh! Thanks for posting this fantastic video!
I got this the same year as the Iwo Jim set; about 1965. The year before I got the D-Day set. It really bothered me they used a Panther tank, and a post-Korean War American tank. WHY?!! Why not just get it right - at least for the Americans? I don't remember the Americans in tan; only green. The Germans and barbed-wire were a light gray.
I seem to remember with the set I had as a kid the cannons had a spring release that would fire a small round. You mentioned several times non-firing did they ever fire?
Yes, at one time the cannons came with firing mechanisms that would shoot small shells, due to child safety laws the cannons became non-firing versions around 1972.
As I’ve collected Battleground pieces over the past three years or so, I’ve grown to utterly despise the concertina barbed wire pieces lol. How, HOW do you prevent them from breaking?
The concertina barbed wire pieces are very prone to breakage due to composition of the plastic used and age. Usually when these are found they’ve already been assembled and stored in a pile with the other parts. If you look closely, the wire has one side with the barbs, the other side doesn’t. To assemble these “correctly” with the barb side out is a bit of a challenge, as the tabs are then on the inside. Most people didn’t notice this and just assemble them inside out because it was easier. The tabs hold very securely and are hard to disassemble without possible breakage, plus the plastic has lost its flexibility to turn the opposite way so when I get them already assembled (usually inside out) I just leave them as is so I don’t risk breaking them. People (especially amateur eBay sellers) think that since these older playset pieces are made of plastic that they won’t break, they’re usually wrong and if not packed correctly and carefully, you’ll receive broken pieces in the mail, so it pays to convey this to sellers before they pack your items. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching!
@@greatesttoysevermade3693 Ah, I understand. I had a theory that the undersides looked a bit more durable if they faced outward. All the wire I’ve purchased were recasts in good quality plastic, and came unassembled. I assembled them right-side out, and within a day or two, all had snapped. A family friend also gifted me a lot of vintage wire, most of them also snapped, but like you said, were assembled right-side out. I love how much coverage these wires provide to a battlefield, they’re truly good pieces, so hopefully I can get some assembled in the way you just described. Thanks as always for the help!
Great review. Also my first playset some where in the 72 to 75 area. Still have some of it today.
That's a really neat set. I wish I had perused the toy aisle in Korvettes after hitting the record department back in the day. But am I the only one who thinks the guy on the box looks like he's from the Imperial Japanese Army?
I have this 4178 MO Desert Fox Play set has the J. C. Penny sticker on it but it is only on the side of the box what is left of it but the box is in good condition. Mine is complete I enjoy setting it up brings back memory of my first sears D-Day landing set set I received for Christmas 1963 when they first came out with the German figures.
What a nice set. I'm glad you looked after it.
Wow! Mom bought this set for me at 9 years young starting me with a life-long syndrome/fever err, I mean love for all things Marx WWII playsets. I also received the Navarone set 2 years later. And yep, I was expecting all khaki-tan GIs as per the pics in the JC Penney Xmas catalog, but alas only 1/3 showed up in tan, sheesh! Thanks for posting this fantastic video!
Now if someone would invent a Time Machine with a 53 foot trailer attached we could go back and buy them all 😂!
I got this the same year as the Iwo Jim set; about 1965. The year before I got the D-Day set. It really bothered me they used a Panther tank, and a post-Korean War American tank. WHY?!! Why not just get it right - at least for the Americans? I don't remember the Americans in tan; only green. The Germans and barbed-wire were a light gray.
I seem to remember with the set I had as a kid the cannons had a spring release that would fire a small round. You mentioned several times non-firing did they ever fire?
Yes, at one time the cannons came with firing mechanisms that would shoot small shells, due to child safety laws the cannons became non-firing versions around 1972.
I purchased a combined navarone and Desert Fox set off of Ebay. I am convinced that Marx interspersed Waxy olive soldiers to make up the piece count.
Just subscribed. I’ve posted several on Marx just posted an Alamo review. Checking it out
Thanks for watching and subscribing. I’m already subscribed to your channel, enjoy your videos as well.
I had a version of this when I was a kid! So cool to see it on the YouToob
Was 72 the last year for the white box that is in your video?
Marx used the same box for the 1976 version as well.
@@greatesttoysevermade3693 thanks, my set must have been given to xmas of 72.
Very cool set
As I’ve collected Battleground pieces over the past three years or so, I’ve grown to utterly despise the concertina barbed wire pieces lol. How, HOW do you prevent them from breaking?
The concertina barbed wire pieces are very prone to breakage due to composition of the plastic used and age. Usually when these are found they’ve already been assembled and stored in a pile with the other parts. If you look closely, the wire has one side with the barbs, the other side doesn’t. To assemble these “correctly” with the barb side out is a bit of a challenge, as the tabs are then on the inside. Most people didn’t notice this and just assemble them inside out because it was easier. The tabs hold very securely and are hard to disassemble without possible breakage, plus the plastic has lost its flexibility to turn the opposite way so when I get them already assembled (usually inside out) I just leave them as is so I don’t risk breaking them. People (especially amateur eBay sellers) think that since these older playset pieces are made of plastic that they won’t break, they’re usually wrong and if not packed correctly and carefully, you’ll receive broken pieces in the mail, so it pays to convey this to sellers before they pack your items. Thanks for your comment and thanks for watching!
@@greatesttoysevermade3693 Ah, I understand. I had a theory that the undersides looked a bit more durable if they faced outward. All the wire I’ve purchased were recasts in good quality plastic, and came unassembled. I assembled them right-side out, and within a day or two, all had snapped. A family friend also gifted me a lot of vintage wire, most of them also snapped, but like you said, were assembled right-side out. I love how much coverage these wires provide to a battlefield, they’re truly good pieces, so hopefully I can get some assembled in the way you just described. Thanks as always for the help!
@@trippsallee You bet! Have fun!
Great set! Thank you for the video!
I had this set as a little boy in the early to mid 1970's. I spent hours setting this up and having battles. Many fond memories. 😊
Glad you enjoyed the video!
Nice to see a classic box, even if aged. I had it, and the chamberlain box from 1971.
Both DF and Chamberlain BG sets are definitely awesome! Thanks for watching!
Superb!!
I’m glad you enjoyed the video, thanks for watching!