Scope of K&C Aircraft (1 Viewer)

[Phantom Warrior]

I am agonizing over whether to get the new K&C 1/30 aircraft. I have Corgi 1/32 diecast Spitfire, Hurricane, Me109 and Mustang. These are the only 1/32 aircraft they make, other than the Mosquito which is really huge. Rumour has it they will be producing more 1/32 models, but it is a very unreliable rumour.

Hobby Master has made a 1/32 SBD-2 Dauntless dive bomber which I also have. Hobby Master may make more 1/32 models.

These planes are highly detailed models with moving propeller, engine cowlings, canopies, bomb bay doors, flaps, rudder, landing gear and wheels.

But what is the scope for K&C 1/30 models? The obvious ones are Hurricane, Spitfire, Me109, FW190, Mustang and P47 Thunderbolt. Are they likely to make Japanese aircraft or Russian? Or larger models like He111, Me110. Or will this be a limited range with only a few models, not that there is anything wrong with that?

Terry

 

[Rob]

I am agonizing over whether to get the new K&C 1/30 aircraft. I have Corgi 1/32 diecast Spitfire, Hurricane, Me109 and Mustang. These are the only 1/32 aircraft they make, other than the Mosquito which is really huge. Rumour has it they will be producing more 1/32 models, but it is a very unreliable rumour.

Hobby Master has made a 1/32 SBD-2 Dauntless dive bomber which I also have. Hobby Master may make more 1/32 models.

These planes are highly detailed models with moving propeller, engine cowlings, canopies, bomb bay doors, flaps, rudder, landing gear and wheels.

But what is the scope for K&C 1/30 models? The obvious ones are Hurricane, Spitfire, Me109, FW190, Mustang and P47 Thunderbolt. Are they likely to make Japanese aircraft or Russian? Or larger models like He111, Me110. Or will this be a limited range with only a few models, not that there is anything wrong with that?

Terry

Well heres the thing.The range is an RAF range,so i doubt Russian and Japenese planes.But if they sell (like they look like they are)then maybe Andy will make others.In the meantime just for planes like the Hurricane,Spitfire perhaps Bolton Paul Defiant it would be well worth it in my view,this range is going to be outstanding.

Rob

 

[Njja]

With King & Country anything is possible, just look at the scope of the original Wooden War Birds. To say nothing of value......should you decide at some future time to explore a different avenue with your collection. I would be willing to bet your King & Country Aircraft would be of far greater interest to other collectors then those produced by other manufacters.

Just my thoughts, since tastes tend to change. If you like the Hurricane I would grab one while its still available!

 

[Louis Badolato]

Terry,

I have no inside information on this issue, but, based on past conversations with Andy and Gordon, I suspect that K&C will focus on smaller warbirds (i.e. single engine planes), as larger polystone and metal warbirds would be very heavy and very fragile, making shipping an expensive crapshoot. As they have already made wonderful Luftwaffe pilots and groundcrew (one with a bomb on his shoulder), I would expect to see an ME109, FW190, and Stuka. For the U.S. (already 2 fighter pilot figures), I would think a Mustang and Thunderbolt. For the RAF, I would expect a Spitfire and Tiffie to join the Hurrie. Maybe a Bolton-Paul Defiant if Andy wants to do an early war bomber.

What I am really interested to see is the vehicles and diorama materials which will also inevitably be forthcoming, considering the response to the first big RAF release (the Hurricane is already sold out to the dealers). I pre-ordered the entire series, and it sounds like a lot of other folks who hadn't been able to afford the wood warbirds have also taken the leap with the affordable polystone Hurricane. The other releases, including the wonderful sportscar, and the table with the games and stuff for the pilots waiting at dispersal, indicate that K&C has really thought out a story it wants to tell. Expect a quonset hut, fuel bowser, Austin K2 Ambulance in RAF markings, RAF firetruck, anti-aircraft position, gate with RAF MP's, RAF dispatch rider, some WAF's . . .

 

[Rob]

Terry,

I have no inside information on this issue, but, based on past conversations with Andy and Gordon, I suspect that K&C will focus on smaller warbirds (i.e. single engine planes), as larger polystone and metal warbirds would be very heavy and very fragile, making shipping an expensive crapshoot. As they have already made wonderful Luftwaffe pilots and groundcrew (one with a bomb on his shoulder), I would expect to see an ME109, FW190, and Stuka. For the U.S. (already 2 fighter pilot figures), I would think a Mustang and Thunderbolt. For the RAF, I would expect a Spitfire and Tiffie to join the Hurrie. Maybe a Bolton-Paul Defiant if Andy wants to do an early war bomber.

What I am really interested to see is the vehicles and diorama materials which will also inevitably be forthcoming, considering the response to the first big RAF release (the Hurricane is already sold out to the dealers). I pre-ordered the entire series, and it sounds like a lot of other folks who hadn't been able to afford the wood warbirds have also taken the leap with the affordable polystone Hurricane. The other releases, including the wonderful sportscar, and the table with the games and stuff for the pilots waiting at dispersal, indicate that K&C has really thought out a story it wants to tell. Expect a quonset hut, fuel bowser, Austin K2 Ambulance in RAF markings, RAF firetruck, anti-aircraft position, gate with RAF MP's, RAF dispatch rider, some WAF's . . .

You paint a very good picture here Louis,the list of items at the end of your post is just what we need,please tell me you are in the know!

Also,how cool would a Hurricane,Spit and Bolton Paul Defiant look together .

Rob

 

[jazzeum]

I don't think this will be a limited range and I expect to see more RAF planes iin the near future. I think Chicago will have an airfield diorama and I'm sure that there just won't be Hawkers on it. I think a bomber is possible but nothing huge. I expect that we will see single engine planes that are well known (at least at the start), with perhaps the more obscure or lesser known ones reserved for the Connoisseur Warbirds.

As K & C is not presently making any Pacific lines, I don't know that we will see planes from that theatre although they have made in the wooden Warbirds line.

I believe that K & C was surprised by the response to this line and were probably hedging their bets by only making 400. For future Birds, I think that number will expand.

Lastly, when it comes to Warbirds, I think English planes are the equivalent of German armor; everyone gets excited by the German stuff. When it comes to planes, everyone loves the British stuff. There wasn't this kind of response to the Komet or the German pilots and groundcrew.

 

[Rob]

I don't think this will be a limited range and I expect to see more RAF planes iin the near future. I think Chicago will have an airfield diorama and I'm sure that there just won't be Hawkers on it. I think a bomber is possible but nothing huge. I expect that we will see single engine planes that are well known (at least at the start), with perhaps the more obscure or lesser known ones reserved for the Connoisseur Warbirds.

As K & C is not presently making any Pacific lines, I don't know that we will see planes from that theatre although they have made in the wooden Warbirds line.

I believe that K & C was surprised by the response to this line and were probably hedging their bets by only making 400. For future Birds, I think that number will expand.

Lastly, when it comes to Warbirds, I think English planes are the equivalent of German armor; everyone gets excited by the German stuff. When it comes to planes, everyone loves the British stuff. There wasn't this kind of response to the Komet or the German pilots and groundcrew.

Brad,i think you just got the position of official Chicago Battle Of Britain photographer

Rob

 

[Louis Badolato]

You paint a very good picture here Louis,the list of items at the end of your post is just what we need,please tell me you are in the know!

Also,how cool would a Hurricane,Spit and Bolton Paul Defiant look together .

Rob

I am not in the know. I had spoken to Gordon about my desire for an RAF firetruck, and he told me he could custom make one for me, so I know it is within his power. I noticed that several of the figures were updated resculps in the same poses as figures from the original glossy K&C RAF line, so I expect a remake of the rest of these items, including the Quonset Hut, K2 Ambulance (all K&C needs to do is repaint the Dunkirk one in RAF Blue with rondells), Fuel Bowser, RAF MP and RAF Dispatch rider. The rest is just guessing and hoping.

 

[jazzeum]

For since as long as I've been interested in the K & C planes, I was always hoping to find one of the old K & C ambulances or bowsers. No such luck However, I really think that new ones won't be long in coming and that I'll finally be able to get one of each.

This is similar to the Arnhem Jeeps. The old ones were out of my range but K & C made great new ones. I hope this happens with this line.

 

[Rob]

I am not in the know. I had spoken to Gordon about my desire for an RAF firetruck, and he told me he could custom make one for me, so I know it is within his power. I noticed that several of the figures were updated resculps in the same poses as figures from the original glossy K&C RAF line, so I expect a remake of the rest of these items, including the Quonset Hut, K2 Ambulance (all K&C needs to do is repaint the Dunkirk one in RAF Blue with rondells), Fuel Bowser, RAF MP and RAF Dispatch rider. The rest is just guessing and hoping.

Sounds good though Louis,just the sort of stuff to get our Airfields up and running.An AA gun would be the icing on the cake.

Rob

 

[Louis Badolato]

Sounds good though Louis,just the sort of stuff to get our Airfields up and running.An AA gun would be the icing on the cake.

Rob

I'm hoping for the whole AAA gun position, like he did with the original standing 88 gun - you know, have a sandbagged in dug out to house the gun and crew that you can sit on an airfield diorama. I would buy at least two if he made them.

 

[Rob]

I'm hoping for the whole AAA gun position, like he did with the original standing 88 gun - you know, have a sandbagged in dug out to house the gun and crew that you can sit on an airfield diorama. I would buy at least two if he made them.

Great idea Louis,would add so much to an airfield dio,count me in.Also like the gates idea you mentioned.We could also lobby someone like JG or Build a rama to make Air raid shelter entrances that could sit on top of our dio's.

You and Andy have lots to talk about in Chicago Louis!

Rob

 

[Louis Badolato]

Great idea Louis,would add so much to an airfield dio,count me in.Also like the gates idea you mentioned.We could also lobby someone like JG or Build a rama to make Air raid shelter entrances that could sit on top of our dio's.

You and Andy have lots to talk about in Chicago Louis!

Rob

Don't worry Rob, I'll be lobbying like crazy - but knowing Andy it will either be too late, as he will already have decided to make what we want, or pointless, as, considering my track record, he isn't likely to listen to my "brilliant" suggestions - remember, I was the one who told him polystone would never sell!

 

[Rob]

Don't worry Rob, I'll be lobbying like crazy - but knowing Andy it will either be too late, as he will already have decided to make what we want, or pointless, as, considering my track record, he isn't likely to listen to my "brilliant" suggestions - remember, I was the one who told him polystone would never sell!

Your lobbying efforts are much appreciated on this side of the pond mate,we will attempt the same in London at Christmas

Rob

 

[craig1985taylor]

For the RAF, I would expect a Spitfire and Tiffie to join the Hurrie. Maybe a Bolton-Paul Defiant if Andy wants to do an early war bomber.

The other releases, including the wonderful sportscar, and the table with the games and stuff for the pilots waiting at dispersal, indicate that K&C has really thought out a story it wants to tell. Expect a quonset hut, fuel bowser, Austin K2 Ambulance in RAF markings, RAF firetruck, anti-aircraft position, gate with RAF MP's, RAF dispatch rider, some WAF's . . .

Now this would be an awesome line up if we got all of these!!! the ambulance in RAF markings is almost a sure thing as its just a repaint of the FOB one & if they ever released a fire truck id be in heaven just love them

 

[Rob]

I am agonizing over whether to get the new K&C 1/30 aircraft. I have Corgi 1/32 diecast Spitfire, Hurricane, Me109 and Mustang. These are the only 1/32 aircraft they make, other than the Mosquito which is really huge. Rumour has it they will be producing more 1/32 models, but it is a very unreliable rumour.

Hobby Master has made a 1/32 SBD-2 Dauntless dive bomber which I also have. Hobby Master may make more 1/32 models.

These planes are highly detailed models with moving propeller, engine cowlings, canopies, bomb bay doors, flaps, rudder, landing gear and wheels.

But what is the scope for K&C 1/30 models? The obvious ones are Hurricane, Spitfire, Me109, FW190, Mustang and P47 Thunderbolt. Are they likely to make Japanese aircraft or Russian? Or larger models like He111, Me110. Or will this be a limited range with only a few models, not that there is anything wrong with that?

Terry

Thing is Terry,even if you don't go on to collect the figures this would be a great stand alone model,the first of a new line of K&C Planes,that has to make having it worthwhile in itself.

Rob

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Thing is Terry,even if you don't go on to collect the figures this would be a great stand alone model,the first of a new line of K&C Planes,that has to make having it worthwhile in itself.

Rob

Well, I've ordered the Hurricane

Terry

 

[vandilay]

I,d be suprised if its the last hurricane they make if its been such a hit,
it even notes on the dispatches "Only 400 models of this particular Hurricane are planned for production"
so maybe they will do what corgi does and release the same model in different markings ?
It will be cool to do a side by side with the corgi version .

 

[Rob]

Well, I've ordered the Hurricane

Terry

And to think two days ago you were not going to buy it,this hobby does that to you mate!

Rob

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I,d be suprised if its the last hurricane they make if its been such a hit,
it even notes on the dispatches "Only 400 models of this particular Hurricane are planned for production"
so maybe they will do what corgi does and release the same model in different markings ?
It will be cool to do a side by side with the corgi version .

They will probably be somewhat different in size, but I will do a photo comparison as i do have one of the 1/32 Corgi Hurricanes. I'll just need a space large enough to photo them side by side

Terry