“… And another thing!” (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Thought I’d put together a multi answer to several threads and save your time…

1. “Direction the hobby is moving in…”
There is no single or even double direction this great hobby of our is moving in… It’s much too broad and inclusive for such a statement… THIS ENTIRE HOBBY is moving forward at such a great pace of knots and that is fantastic for collectors, dealers and manufacturers alike. That’s why sales continue to grow… new collectors arrive on the scene and… new companies continue to appear.

2. “Prussians”
All of us (me included) have to make choices about what we buy… collect… and manufacture.
For whatever reasons I’m just not that into Prussians.
Fortunately for you and me there’s lots and lots of other great Napoleonics I do like so if you love Prussians by all means follow Gebhard’s advice.

3. “Glossy Figures”
My good friend Louis has indeed “bent my ear” on more than one occasion about all-new glossy versions of some of K&C’s earliest figures… I’ve always said no up till now but occasionally, just occasionally, I have been known to change my mind… Thanks Sgt. Rock for bringing the topic up again.

4. “Panzer Aces and Saluting”
Sorry mate, if our saluting figures get you down and your request for more “field poses and less marching etc” seems neglected… it’s not!
Over the years K&C has done (quite literally) a ton of different “action” figures doing all kinds of nasty things to the opposition. I’m happy to say we’ll be doing lots more too however… Marching, Saluting, Standing at Attention are also an important part of a soldier’s life.
Having served in the Royal Marines and Royal Hong Kong Regiment for over 20 years. I spent a Fair amount of time performing these duties… As a Marine I was constantly saluting officers, standing at attention on guard duty or marching on parade.
As the last Regimental Adjutant of the RHKR I had the pleasure of being saluted by junior ranks in and around barracks as well as occasionally “in the field”. So, just because you don’t like something does not indicate that others might not… Also where does it say SS personnel did less saluting than other German units? Also… most important… collectors have a habit of buying more than one of certain figures… especially at attention and marching.

5. “K&C Founded in 1745”Living proof that I’m a lot older than I look!!!

Best wishes and adios for now!
Andy C.

 

[Obee]

Andy,

thanks for clearing up the query about the date over your door..... and for your other comments.

Its one of the great aspects of this forum, that collectors, like me, can converse direct with the makers, like you, and the sellers, like Brett, in open Forum and get your thoughts, "Straight from the Horse's Mouth" as they say, and know whats going on in our hobby.

You comments on glossy are 'encouraging' as I do love the finish on glossy figures, but , when the scuplture is well detailed, like K&C well thats 'Double Happy'

Keep up the great work,

John

 

[Rob]

Thanks for posting Andy,always good to get your view of things and an insight into how K&C works etc.Having just seen the latest Dispatches its clear that K&C continue to release a wide range of superb products month after month,year after year.Keep up the good work!

Rob

 

[Gebhard]

Mr Andy,
I must say you do look good for your age
Just my two cents , But by focusing on making Prussians from the 20th Century only, you are neglecting a big part of the Battle of Waterloo and many others that the Prussian state was involved in during the Napoleonic era . Who knows as you say , you "have been know to change your mind". I'm sure until then some will just hold out and ignore that phase of the Battle God knows most people have been doing just that for almost 200 years now All the Best Gebhard & continued success

 

[Vezzolf]

Thank you Andy, As usual your responses are concise and informative.....I especially agree with statement #1....Statement#4...I personnally think that K/C makes the "best marching soldiers" in the industry..... no doubt....LAH...(except the Berghof, I don't like it)..,Fields of Battle, Churchill Car with 8th army band.....IMO a real strength in your product...Statements#3 and 4 not interested in either one..Statement#5...Best regards and continued success....Vezzolf

 

[jazzeum]

I do have to say Andy that your statement about glossies is very encouraging. Perhaps you could do a "commemorative" figure now and then just to test the waters. Anything you could make would be most appreciated.

 

[cantinetozzo]

Mister Andy..Columbo i presume!as always said in what other hobby (or other field)a customer can exchange points of views and opinions with the producer?It's marvelous to be a Toy Soldier Collector!Thanks again Andy..

 

[lancer]

Well, he didn't say there would never be any glossies.... -- Al

 

[wayne556517]

Great news Andy less NAPS means more WW2 well done matey well done...................

 

[aujj65]

I do have to say Andy that your statement about glossies is very encouraging. Perhaps you could do a "commemorative" figure now and then just to test the waters. Anything you could make would be most appreciated.

I agree Brad, currently I don't collect gloss figures - but if the Highlanders or/and Camel Corps were made again I would have to start.

Jeff

 

[Iron Brigade]

Hi Guys,

Thought I’d put together a multi answer to several threads and save your time…

1. “Direction the hobby is moving in…”
There is no single or even double direction this great hobby of our is moving in… It’s much too broad and inclusive for such a statement… THIS ENTIRE HOBBY is moving forward at such a great pace of knots and that is fantastic for collectors, dealers and manufacturers alike. That’s why sales continue to grow… new collectors arrive on the scene and… new companies continue to appear.

2. “Prussians”
All of us (me included) have to make choices about what we buy… collect… and manufacture.
For whatever reasons I’m just not that into Prussians.
Fortunately for you and me there’s lots and lots of other great Napoleonics I do like so if you love Prussians by all means follow Gebhard’s advice.

3. “Glossy Figures”
My good friend Louis has indeed “bent my ear” on more than one occasion about all-new glossy versions of some of K&C’s earliest figures… I’ve always said no up till now but occasionally, just occasionally, I have been known to change my mind… Thanks Sgt. Rock for bringing the topic up again.

4. “Panzer Aces and Saluting”
Sorry mate, if our saluting figures get you down and your request for more “field poses and less marching etc” seems neglected… it’s not!
Over the years K&C has done (quite literally) a ton of different “action” figures doing all kinds of nasty things to the opposition. I’m happy to say we’ll be doing lots more too however… Marching, Saluting, Standing at Attention are also an important part of a soldier’s life.
Having served in the Royal Marines and Royal Hong Kong Regiment for over 20 years. I spent a Fair amount of time performing these duties… As a Marine I was constantly saluting officers, standing at attention on guard duty or marching on parade.
As the last Regimental Adjutant of the RHKR I had the pleasure of being saluted by junior ranks in and around barracks as well as occasionally “in the field”. So, just because you don’t like something does not indicate that others might not… Also where does it say SS personnel did less saluting than other German units? Also… most important… collectors have a habit of buying more than one of certain figures… especially at attention and marching.

5. “K&C Founded in 1745”Living proof that I’m a lot older than I look!!!

Best wishes and adios for now!
Andy C.

Dear Andy:
Thanks for your detailed update on assorted subjects concerning K&C past & future productions. I will look forward for more K&C action D-Day figures to be used in my D-Day diorama of Omaha Beach sometime in 2011. Keep up the splendid work!
Gary M. / "Iron Brigade" 4/30/2010

 

[ecuriel]

Count me in for more glossies! Big box sets!

 

[panzeraces]

Andy,

Fully aware of the reasons why you produce marching, presenting etc as a business for collectors to buy multiples which, I have no problem with and, have a huge collection of your true LAH figures both in summer dress and winter. My point was also not about that saluting etc does not happen as I have also served my time in the coldstream guards so, know more than most about ceremony etc, it was that sometimes for me, a figure set is spoilt by a saluting officer, take for example your recent WSS tankers as I have stated on here an excellent tank 'ace' and, then your personality officer saluting which, would have been better had he not been and, would therefore have linked better with the aformentioned.

As for the SS being less prone to rank and saluting etc in the field I am sure that you have access to the references on the SS units, bibliographies etc which, all state the fact that emphasis was not placed upon these facets of military doctrine as say, UK or US forces did, which allowed greater integration in the units. I appreciate that you have to choose what will sell well etc but, I felt it right to raise what I feel is a 'negative' in the current releases.

 

[Spanish soldier]

Mr Andy, in a future release new Uhlans German WWI, U.S. West Real dismounted dragoons more ACW cavalry of the Union, I will be very happy if you return to the series "The West" with new figures of the 7th cavalry


Best regards from Spain


Francisco

 

[wayne556517]

Andy,

Fully aware of the reasons why you produce marching, presenting etc as a business for collectors to buy multiples which, I have no problem with and, have a huge collection of your true LAH figures both in summer dress and winter. My point was also not about that saluting etc does not happen as I have also served my time in the coldstream guards so, know more than most about ceremony etc, it was that sometimes for me, a figure set is spoilt by a saluting officer, take for example your recent WSS tankers as I have stated on here an excellent tank 'ace' and, then your personality officer saluting which, would have been better had he not been and, would therefore have linked better with the aformentioned.

As for the SS being less prone to rank and saluting etc in the field I am sure that you have access to the references on the SS units, bibliographies etc which, all state the fact that emphasis was not placed upon these facets of military doctrine as say, UK or US forces did, which allowed greater integration in the units. I appreciate that you have to choose what will sell well etc but, I felt it right to raise what I feel is a 'negative' in the current releases.

Totally off the beaten track but we where always taught in the Australian army never salute a officer in the field incase of snipers,unless you didnt like him................

 

[panzeraces]

As a former officer I was fine in the field and in combat with my troops verbally calling me sir and not physically saluting especially, for the reasons you correctly identify.