Final Report from the West Coaster (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Well, that's another show over for another year...and what a show! This has to be one of the most enjoyable and exciting toy soldier events K&C has ever attended. We were fortunate to have our old mate Chris Munro of The Soldier Gallery in Cambria California as our table partner. Chris was displaying his fantastic "San Pablo" Gunboat complete with US Navy sailors and Marines on the K&C stand. The response from collectors was immediate and very satisfying...the prototype boat is already sailing off to down under and Chris received firm orders (and deposits) for 5 more! Congratulations on a superb job. Well Done!

Patrick, Helen and yours truly were kept busy from 5:30 am this morning up until 6:00 pm this evening meeting, talking and enjoying the company and conversation of literally hundreds of K&C collectors. We met many old friends and made quite a few new ones on this memorable visit. The last five days have been lots of hard work in the most enjoyable circumstances (despite the mixed weather). Today the sun shone in true Californian fashion...clear blue skies...gentle breezes and...lots of fun. Toy soldiers, military miniatures or whatever you like to call them is a great way to enjoy life!

Tomorrow we are all up at the crack of dawn (again) to head off to LAX and a flight to Boston and more fun 'n' games with more dealers and collectors. I would like to take this opportunity to thank several important people who have made this visit so enjoyable and rewarding...first of all Craig & Woody of the Old Toy Soldier Home in Vista CA who run and organize this great show...
Mike & Myzska of Sierra Toy Soldiers in Los Gatos for hosting their annual K&C "talk-in" with yours truly and 45 terrific K&C collectors.

We must also thank many, many, many of the collectors we met and talked with in person over the five days of the show. I would like to mention them all by name however that would be impossible. However as worthy representatives of the collectors I must personally thank another great mate from Australia, Howard Woods...our resident legal eagle, Jason Englund who ferried us around many restaurants in Irvine...Mark (Beaufighter of Treefrog fame)...and many others. You guys are the best.

Finally, a big thank you to many of you who have been so complimentary about our dioramas, displays and up and coming products. K&C believes maximum efforts gets maximum results...we don't just aim for a big splash once or twice a year. We do our level best to provide you with the best we can offer every single month throughout the year...what you have seen over the last few days is relatively speaking just the tip of the iceberg...look out for more!

Best wishes and happy collecting!
Andy C., Helen and Patrick in Los Angeles...over and out!

P.S. Another vitally important and very big thank you and congratulations to Gordon in Hong Kong and Joseph in California.

 

[Rob]

Thanks for posting Andy,glad it was a great show.Next we have Chicago and then London!

Rob

 

[marksable]

Thank YOU Andy. This was my 2nd time attending the show, but last time I was restricted to the show floor. This time I was able to attend an event or visit rooms.

The presentation was great (thanks to Mike and Myska for not only organizing it but making it such a great value with a voucher). Andy didn't need a slide show or a shock and awe product on display (although Gordon's D-Day-1/Dock diorama was magnificent).

Andy's shock and awe himself, a born raconteur with an infectious enthusiasm for the hobby. Yes, that enthusiasm shows in the work...but if you haven't had the opportunity to meet Andy in person, I heartily suggest you do.

The highlight of the show for me, though, was getting some one on one time with Andy. He sat and patiently endured a barrage of my "well, what about this range" questions.

Did I get every answer I wanted - no (no new Russian Cavalry on the horizon for my Thin Red Line, sadly. And it sounds like a polystone Stormavik is not practical right now). But - and I can't believe no one's posted this - we're finally getting someone for the U.S. Navy to fire at. Two words: Chinese Pirates. Three more words - Chinese Pirate Junk.

Another tidbit to tide people over for the few hours until the dispatches are released - the first German plane we'll see this year (not including Rommel's desert taxi) is a Fokker 190. (I assume it's okay to post this because they were announced in front of 45 or so people).

But I got the sense Andy wants to do just about every line that's every been requested here...his limitation isn't lack of interest, but rather finding the time to get it all done. Considering the amount, frequency and quality of new product K&C puts out...he gets quite a bit done, if you ask me. Assuming good health, I think we'll all get to see most of our wishes sooner or later.

While I think K&C's products speak for themselves, it's still great to have an ambassador like Andy for the company and the hobby.

Have a safe trip back Andy, and thanks again.

 

[wayne556517]

Thanks for posting Andy,glad it was a great show.Next we have Chicago and then London!

Rob

No a trip to OZ first mate we will have our own show here...........

 

[Rob]

No a trip to OZ first mate we will have our own show here...........

Sorry Wayne,I meant the Toy Soldiers shows,I wasn't including Andy's visits.

Rob

 

[Jagdpanther]

Thanks for posting Andy!