After seven years selling the most sophisticated model kits in the world, Hong Kong designer Robert Cheung's dream has come true - his own toy soldier is in production.
It took two years from birth of the idea for the first 54mm painted figure, an American infantryman of the second world war, to reach the shelves of Toymaxco in Tsim Sha Tsui. With development estimated at $50,000, the figure costs just $99.
'There is no way we can compete with the big figure producers in Hong Kong - such as King & Country and East of India Company - but it is pleasing to create your own model after selling other people's for so long.''
Produced under the Patriot label, two metal soldiers are in production and a third on the way. They will be joined by German enemy figures later.
'It took so long because first I had to sketch the figure, then find a mould maker and then a manufacturer and painting line in China. It takes time and money to find the right one,'' said Mr Cheung, 45, who runs the business with his brother, Jerry.
Film stars Brad Pitt and Russell Crowe add backbone to the model selection. Unpainted kits of Pitt as Achilles, the Greek warrior in the film Troy, and Crowe as the naval hero in Master and Commander have just arrived from an Italian manufacturer. They join celebrities Mel Gibson (Braveheart) and Sean Connery (The Name of the Rose). An earlier Crowe figure sees him as Maximus in Gladiator.