Andy's Talk at 2011 Chicago Show (1 Viewer)

[Steven Chong]

Before I summarize Andy's talk, I want to thank Peter and Shannon Reuss of Treefrog Treasures, Mike and Myszka Hall of Sierra Toy Soldier Company, and Tim Tyler of Troops of Time for the wonderful dinner.

Andy started by thanking the hosts for organizing the 7th annual dinner and recognizing the hard working members of K&C at the dinner, his brother Gordon Neilson, Patrick Lee and Helen Mok Sargent. He mentioned America was experiencing difficult economic times but that it was shared worldwide. Andy is very familiar with US, having come in 1969 to work as a steel worker.

Andy then asked for questions :

Question 1: Recently introduced glossy figures in the traditional style, any more? Andy honestly did not know. Have not released all these glossy figures yet. Have not seen sale figures but thinks it will be a small success. K&C created realistic matt market in 1995 and this is the current standard, so these figures are an experiment.

Question 2: K&C has USN in 1920's China theme ... any Chinese bandits or pirates? Two days ago received e-mail with photos of Chinese junk. Wooden model with real sails and rope and cannon in front. Hopeful this will work out.

Question 3: Produce figures outside China? Now, no. India, Viet Nam, Indonesia, etc. are all a long way from Hong Kong. K&C now can visit factories within 24 hours, but other places requires longer trips up to a week. China has advantage due to less travel time, factories trained to produce the products, and labor with high skills. China does want to evolve to more high tech industry and be less labor intensive. Because wife from Thailand and there is family there, Andy is checking in Thailand.

Question 4: Glossy figures? The current gloss figures are first painted in matt, then glossed.

Question 5: Eastern Front? Yes, will be visiting Eastern Front and hopes everyone will like it. The idea is different. Collectors still mostly interested in Europe after D-Day.

Question 6: Produce unpainted plastic figures? Thought about it but it simply is not profitable for a company K&C's size. There are many fine plastic soldier companies out there and he does not feel need to infringe in their niche. Don't have time to develop.

Personality figures (same questioner): Andy likes personality figures and a whole lot is coming.

Question 7: Club Figures? Pair of ceremonial figures are next, Coldstream and Royal Marines. Working on more.

Question 8: Book on Gordon's dioramas? No time, have lots of great pictures but still needs to be written. Thought it possible this book might be available next year at this dinner.

Question 9: Club figures precurser of future themes? Did Chindits and Merrills Marauders? Chindits and Merrills Marauders are a possibility. Next year is 70th anniversary of fall of Singapore and K&C is working with Singapore dealer on special set on the fall.

Question 10: More nonmilitary themes? Keep watching.

Question 11: World of Dickens? If introduce something like this, something else needs to be cut and someone will be upset.

Question 12: ACW? Some coming.

Question 13: Themes based on other novels? Like to do but have to watch out for copyright.

Question 14: Buildings successful? Very good. Buildings makes everything work together: figures, vehicles and scene. 2nd new French building coming. Helen likes products that multi-task. When it was developed for Life of Jesus, desert village was placed on conference table and found to complement WWII North Africa sets, Napoleonic, etc.

Question 15: WWI planes are great, any more? There are more ideas.

Question 16: Retired? All ARW Blue Figures retired.

Question 17: 3 Kingdoms? More coming.

Question 18: Exploring other materials besides polystone? Disadvantage of polystone is that it cannot be used to make large piece. Not a huge fan of resin since it deteriorates over time.

Question 19: French calvary (ones in gold chest plates)? No, now looking at 2 other French and 1 other British. Yes, one is Mounted French grenadiers.

Then Peter loomed over Andy and the talk ended.:smile2:

 

[Rob]

Thanks very much for posting this Steven, very interesting . Good to hear about Singapore and Eastern front.^&cool

Rob

 

[IONA]

Thanks steve
Hopefully this means more Russians:wink2:
Scott

 

[The Military Workshop]

Thanks for that Steve.

I think Jules will be interested in Q 2{sm4}.

Thanks to all who have posted about the show. Much appreciated.

Regards
Brett

 

[jules118]

Thanks for that Steve.

I think Jules will be interested in Q 2{sm4}.

Thanks to all who have posted about the show. Much appreciated.

Regards
Brett

You'd better believe it, Brett. If the 'Junk' goes ahead there's one sale guaranteed. Hopefully all the issues will be sorted and it becomes a viable proposition this time round. Would love to see those pix... even just from a 'concept development' POV.

And yeah, thanks to all those who take the time to post pics. I may not be buying much atm as I am waiting for something to really push my buttons (and believe me that Junk will) but I still enjoy looking at what's out there from all periods, so thanks guys.

jules

 

[arnhem44mad]

No one ask about arnhem?

 

[Warbuff26]

.....here is Andy.

 

[Warbuff26]

....and the show figure......16th Lancers.

 

[MarkeytMaker]

Steven,

Thank you again for your detailed overview on Andy's talk.

Regarding question 1...

My thoughts on the recent release of glossy. These figures "Son's of the Empire" are undoubtedly beautiful and well sculpted. For me they didn't go over too well because they are just "gloss coated". The bases should be plain to give them the that classic nostalgic look. The paint should be actual gloss paint, so I don't feel the soldiers are nothing more than candy coated. I also think the scuplting should take into consideration how they use to be scuplted. This way when released people would see there was an actual "effort" into the remaking of these classics...not just sugar coated. I recently discovered/realized (included pictures) that the US Navy, Marines & the HK137-139 figures are near perfect candidates for gloss. There bases are that of the older classics. For me to buy into a new gloss I really want to see an "effort" at attempting to bring them back as they were. I think a good example of people buying back into what people liked from the past is the new Ford Mustangs, Chevy Camaro's and Dodge Challengers...the manufactures made an "effort" to re-create a classic...and it worked! Again I emphasize on "effort" to re-create. I love Andy for attempting to satisfy gloss fans and still say thank you regardless of my feelings of the new sugar coated glossy's.

Regarding question 2...

I would love to see Pirates...though Navy Seals and New York Fire Fighters would be preffered over Pirates...all three would be o.k too!^&grin

Regarding question 6...

Plastics...YUCK! Sorry plastic lovers!

Regarding question 7...

Ceremonial, Coldstream and Royal Marine figures...Hell yah!!!

Regarding question 14...

K&C buildings are the best...o.k Hudson & Allen too!


So, as I was browsing through all the threads of Chicago coverage last night I had a thought about Steven & Lawrence. I visualized them at a table conversing. Then there conversation went to me...So Lawrence, Steven says, how are we going to deal with this Markey fellow...he is buying up all our glossy's on eBay and paying beyond top dollar...Oh yah Ed (ecuriel) he is standing in on the convesration too. Now my mind is spinning and I can't help but to wonder what sort of plans they came up with to oust me? Then again maybe they never spoke of me at all...LOL! Regardless of how I might be looked upon I love you guys...I even love that Louis dude too, he's pretty cool!

Thanks again for the great coverage!

 

[lancer]

....and the show figure......16th Lancers.

I wonder if this show figure will be followed with more figures from the same regiment. I would doubt it as most show figures are "one ofs". This figure looks to be a repaint of the CF 21 Madras Lancer Officer figure. The sculpt is identical. -- Al

 

[PanzerAce1944]

Great to hear about the eastern front releases !

 

[Rob]

Great to hear about the eastern front releases !

Yep there is going to be some Happy Collectors around here in a few months time. I look forward to seeing K&C's return to this part of the conflict:salute::

Rob

 

[notascoldasbastogne]

HELL YEAH !!!! Eastern Front, Now were getting Hardcore can't wait. Also nice to know that some
ACW are in the works. :wink2:

 

[MapleLeaf]

Markey ur right about glossies
nothing but candy coated not really glossies
Din't do nothing for me din't buy any bought the matte ones
As far as plastic figures Andy had the right answer leave it to Dragon and Tamya
Buildinds are always great for dio. The KC dio has some awsome buildings
hope they will make some
Happy collecting
Maple Leaf

 

[Rob]

Markey ur right about glossies
nothing but candy coated not really glossies
Din't do nothing for me din't buy any bought the matte ones
As far as plastic figures Andy had the right answer leave it to Dragon and Tamya
Buildinds are always great for dio. The KC dio has some awsome buildings
hope they will make some
Happy collecting
Maple Leaf

Very much agree, I have no interest in plastic Tamiya type kits, I collected those type of things years ago when I didn't know better .

Rob

 

[Sentaapua]

Thanks for sharing this important meeting with Andy here! Particularly to me, the best news of all is EASTERN FRONT is coming!!! {sm4}

 

[OldDragon]

Before I summarize Andy's talk, I want to thank Peter and Shannon Reuss of Treefrog Treasures, Mike and Myszka Hall of Sierra Toy Soldier Company, and Tim Tyler of Troops of Time ....

Andy then asked for questions :

Questions ....

Question 12: ACW? Some coming.

Question 17: 3 Kingdoms? More coming.

Question 19: French calvary (ones in gold chest plates)? No, now looking at 2 other French and 1 other British. Yes, one is Mounted French grenadiers.

Then Peter loomed over Andy and the talk ended.:smile2:

Thank you, Steven & Andy for sharing these ...

Now, I will just speculate & dream about the new Nap cavalry.

... Peter, please don't interrupt the man when he's talking about cavalry.

Best wishes
OD

 

[HAWKEYE]

steven,

thank you again for your detailed overview on andy's talk.

Regarding question 1...

My thoughts on the recent release of glossy. These figures "son's of the empire" are undoubtedly beautiful and well sculpted. For me they didn't go over too well because they are just "gloss coated". The bases should be plain to give them the that classic nostalgic look. The paint should be actual gloss paint, so i don't feel the soldiers are nothing more than candy coated. I also think the scuplting should take into consideration how they use to be scuplted. This way when released people would see there was an actual "effort" into the remaking of these classics...not just sugar coated. I recently discovered/realized (included pictures) that the us navy, marines & the hk137-139 figures are near perfect candidates for gloss. There bases are that of the older classics. For me to buy into a new gloss i really want to see an "effort" at attempting to bring them back as they were. I think a good example of people buying back into what people liked from the past is the new ford mustangs, chevy camaro's and dodge challengers...the manufactures made an "effort" to re-create a classic...and it worked! Again i emphasize on "effort" to re-create. I love andy for attempting to satisfy gloss fans and still say thank you regardless of my feelings of the new sugar coated glossy's.

Regarding question 2...

I would love to see pirates...though navy seals and new york fire fighters would be preffered over pirates...all three would be o.k too!^&grin

regarding question 6...

Plastics...yuck! Sorry plastic lovers!

Regarding question 7...

Ceremonial, coldstream and royal marine figures...hell yah!!!

Regarding question 14...

K&c buildings are the best...o.k hudson & allen too!


So, as i was browsing through all the threads of chicago coverage last night i had a thought about steven & lawrence. I visualized them at a table conversing. Then there conversation went to me...so lawrence, steven says, how are we going to deal with this markey fellow...he is buying up all our glossy's on ebay and paying beyond top dollar...oh yah ed (ecuriel) he is standing in on the convesration too. Now my mind is spinning and i can't help but to wonder what sort of plans they came up with to oust me? Then again maybe they never spoke of me at all...lol! Regardless of how i might be looked upon i love you guys...i even love that louis dude too, he's pretty cool!

Thanks again for the great coverage!

just thought i would let you know i asked andy about painting in gloss and his reply was that the drying time was too long and eventually things happen to the figures. I would love to see andy do gloss myself. I am still looking for a replacement for trophy. I think keeping the sculpting the same for both matte or gloss is okay. But the current figures are nice except they look like the frontline napoleonics i glossed over.

 

[HAWKEYE]

By the way, the treefrog dinner was great, the bahama breeze was a nice place with great food. I just wished it lasted longer because there are one hell of alot of nice folks in this hobby and its too bad that we get such a short time to visit with each other. The folks at treefog, sierra and troops of time put on a fantastic event. Thanks to all for a great time . Take care greg

 

[Panzer Meyer]

Thanks for the post Steven