Last week I did the annual book sale run by our local chapter of the AAUW, and my prize find was a brown-paperbag-paper booklet published by an Eighth Army field press in northern Italy in autumn 1944 entitled, "The Two Types." I knew about these guys since reading Derek Jewell's "El Alamein and the Desert War" back in the Secenties but despaired of ever finding an anthology of the cartoons. For us Yanks, the Two Types are the British equivalent of Willie and Joe except, (1) they are officers not EM, and (2) they are much prouder of their appearence.

I paid six bucks for this, for those who are curious.

Anyway, I got to thinking that these two characters would make excellent 1/35 figures to accompany our latest Mediterranean-themed British vehicle. If a sculptor -- which I am not -- were to reduce the exaggeration of the caricature just a bit to make them more "lifelike" and yet keep the sense of them, I think he would sell a lot of them.

Somehow I see an Alpine logo behind their picture on the box.

Just a thought from somebody who is really tired grading lousy papers at the moment.

Bob Potter

Hi!

If you have the old Airfix guide on the British eight Army (based on the article series in Airfix magazine) by John sandars then there is actually a photo of two figures despicting Johns "Two Types".
Dont remember if it was John Sandars who built them himself but I do remember they were based on old Britains figures!
I myself have a friend who have two original booklets on "Two Types" ,one from North Africa and one from Italy, I have had these copied, great influence!

Erik
Sweden

I own the Airfix guide of which you speak. It may have in fact been my introduction to "Two Types" but Derek Jewell's book also mentions them. I remember those conversion; I think Sandars did do them.

Still, I think a set of resin figures of these guys would be a hit.

Bob