“Listening to the Many… Listening to the Few” (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

In a recent thread about possible future World War One releases our friend from Sevenoaks, “Isandlwana” wonders whether “we will be canvassed about what we want or just have to accept what we are given.” He further hopes that the will of the few will not sink the wishes of the many!

Both interesting points I agree. Now, who decides who should be canvassed and how… Furthermore who are the few and who are the many?

Speaking personally I am fortunate to get to travel on K&C’s behalf to the U.S., Europe, Australia and Asia throughout the year and get to meet many hundreds of K&C collectors. At these shows, gatherings, meet ‘n’ greets I get a broad and often incisive feel for what collectors like, want and “must-have”. I also get to talk indepth with dealers and national distributors in all of these different countries and markets and hear their views… from a commercial stand point.

I also read and answer anywhere from a few to a few dozen emails every day from collectors all over the world on every aspect of what K&C has produced… is producing… or might produce in the future. And, finally I read this Forum at least twice a day to get an appreciation of what is being talked about here.

All of the above is collated, discussed, argued about before we make our decisions on what K&C might produce. I would say our K&C method is probably the most inclusive of any manufacturer out there today… So if that’s not talking to the many I don’t know what is.

Best wishes and happy collecting,

Andy​

 

[Mitch]

Well, are you listening? I will say this only once..... STURMTIGER!!!!
Mitch

 

[waynepoo]

Am I one of the few or one of the many? don't know and don't care. Having meet Andy at the Brissy dinner and one or two emails I can vouch that he takes on board what his customers are thinking, weather we always get what we are after should and must come down to what sells or doesn't, K&C is a business after all. All we can do is keep giving feedback in a constructive manner and not engage in the tall poppy syndrome that some sections of the hobby do. But as the broken record that I am...please more Great War A.I.F, vehicles and artillery.
Happy new year.
Wayne.

 

[Isandlwana]

Andy

When I suggest something I try not do it with entirely selfish reasoning. I'm aware that this is a business and therefore the perceived popularity must be considered.

I was really disappointed by the amount of people that responded to a Great War pole I did not so long ago and I'm beginning to think that there are few people out there in TS world that share my passion for the subject. Don't get me wrong, I know the likes of waynepoo and Rob feel the same but it's not as many as I hoped.

I've tried to establish a significant consensus but I don't have the clout that you command on here and I have therefore failed in my quest. I'm simply trying to ascertain how people would like the Great War represented over the next five years and there is no politiking on my part in regard to anything else.

Aside from the few ONTC pieces there are no French figures in horizon blue and Verdun 1916 certainly deserves to be portrayed but not sure how well this would sell.

Gallipoli just isn't going to happen, I'm resigned to this. So my personal choice would be a large Tommy range to commemorate our darkest day but again, I just don't know if this would sell globally.

You need to put your feelers out there.

Regards

Michael

 

[Doughboy]

The Great War is the dominant (but not exclusive) series I collect and I am a huge fan of all of K&C's Great War releases, as well as the John Jenkins aircraft. The 1914 French have been my particular favorite so far. As far as what I would like to see made, the list includes 1918 Americans, 1914 French Zouaves, winter Germans in greatcoats, winter Allies in greatcoats, sheepskins, and balaclavas. 1916 horizon blue French would be cool as well. Russians, Austrians, and Italians would be welcome, but I realize there is little possibility of these being made. I was hoping for a French 75mm gun, but am starting to think this is probably not going to happen. But that's OK, I'm still going to keep enjoying everything Great War-related that K&C has made, is making, and will hopefully continue to make!

 

[Northgate Woods]

Michael mate,
I did not vote in your WW1 poll because I could not make up my mind as what I wanted. I too have a passion for the Great War, mainly of course in the areas and battles that Aussies fought in, but would still collect any others released. Having been a K&C collector now for over six years I have developed a very patience attitude towards wants and releases. I total agree with Andy's post about him asking questions of collectors.
If my memory serves me correctly, it was on a very early morning walk in Chicago 2011 that Andy possed the question to me. "Which EA Tank would you prefer to see released, a Desert Sherman or a Desert Valentine"?? My mind raced thinking that I would love to see them both, hoping they would be in next months dispatches, but I replied to him "With my collectors hat on I would prefer the Valentine but with a business hat on I would think the Sherman would be a better seller." Andy obviously took these answers into his memory banks and eighteen months later we have a fantastic EA Valentine. So a quiet talk or suggestion which you may think goes over his head and thru to the Keeper (cricket term for my US mates) are noted.
Now while we are on the subject on the Great War, Andy mate, General Sir John Monash and some Aussies from the Battle of Hamel and Amiens would be very nice 2013 Christmas present.^&grin^&grin
Just my thoughts. Passion and enthusiasm tempered with patience are great virtues in TS collecting.
2013 is going to be a fantastic year for TS collecting. :smile2:
Cheers Howard

 

[waynepoo]

Michael mate,
I did not vote in your WW1 poll because I could not make up my mind as what I wanted. I too have a passion for the Great War, mainly of course in the areas and battles that Aussies fought in, but would still collect any others released. Having been a K&C collector now for over six years I have developed a very patience attitude towards wants and releases. I total agree with Andy's post about him asking questions of collectors.
If my memory serves me correctly, it was on a very early morning walk in Chicago 2011 that Andy possed the question to me. "Which EA Tank would you prefer to see released, a Desert Sherman or a Desert Valentine"?? My mind raced thinking that I would love to see them both, hoping they would be in next months dispatches, but I replied to him "With my collectors hat on I would prefer the Valentine but with a business hat on I would think the Sherman would be a better seller." Andy obviously took these answers into his memory banks and eighteen months later we have a fantastic EA Valentine. So a quiet talk or suggestion which you may think goes over his head and thru to the Keeper (cricket term for my US mates) are noted.
Now while we are on the subject on the Great War, Andy mate, General Sir John Monash and some Aussies from the Battle of Hamel and Amiens would be very nice 2013 Christmas present.^&grinJust my thoughts. Passion and enthusiasm tempered with patience are great virtues in TS collecting.
2013 is going to be a fantastic year for TS collecting. :smile2:
Cheers Howard

Ditto from me Howard.
Wayne.

 

[Desertkiwi]

For what it's worth, I'm not a collector of the WW1 era, but love the history of it. I do however really like the Light-Horse range, with all the wonderful Aussi and Turk figures, plus all the great horses. The resent production of the WW1 Bi-planes is also of great interest.

Personally speaking, I think Andy and the K&C team have a real knack at surprising us fellow collectors time and time again.....which of course is one of the reasons why the hobbie is so much fun......I mean we all like surprises don't we??

Having been collecting for a wee while now, I've found that over time K&C and other TS producers often come up with the goods, be it a couple of years down the track.

I can't speak for everyone, but as a TS collector I think we're largely spoiled for choice and living in an amazing time to collect TS.....when I look back 10 or 15 years ago.....phew how things have grown and taken off{sm4}

The point I'm making...........is that I share other collectors frustration at times, but in time it's amazing how some many different TS figures and ranges appear overtime.

Cheers Toddy and Happy New Year Guys!!

 

[Jack]

I cannot believe that there will be a shortage of options for WW1 collectors over the course of the centenary commemorations. It is still a year and a half before we enter a four year cycle. The commemorations in 1914 alone will be huge. There is money to be made. The TS manufacturers will be there!

 

[Poppo]

Gallipoli just isn't going to happen, I'm resigned to this. So my personal choice would be a large Tommy range to commemorate our darkest day but again, I just don't know if this would sell globally.

You need to put your feelers out there.

Regards

Michael[/QUOTE]




Hello Michael, sorry for my eventual ignorance, but what do you mean with "Gallipoli isn t going to happen?" There are already ww1 british,french, australians and turkish, german officiers too......What do you need more to make a Gallipoli dio? I think just the hills I guess {sm4}

 

[Jack]

Hello Michael, sorry for my eventual ignorance, but what do you mean with "Gallipoli isn t going to happen?" There are already ww1 british,french, australians and turkish, german officiers too......What do you need more to make a Gallipoli dio? I think just the hills I guess {sm4}

For the Australians you would need poses suitable for trench warfare or a beach landing. Although the ALH served there after the landing, the uniforms and poses would not really suit and any figures with helmets would not be appropriate (nor would the horses!). I suspect that there might also need to be a decent selection of diorama pieces.

 

[villagehorse]

Watch it Andy, taking on so many requests and ideas will result in overload and brain freeze. You may have to consider cloning yourself or going into hiding to escape those you cannot satisfy, cheers, Robin.

 

[waynepoo]

Gallipoli just isn't going to happen, I'm resigned to this. So my personal choice would be a large Tommy range to commemorate our darkest day but again, I just don't know if this would sell globally.

You need to put your feelers out there.

Regards

Michael

Hello Michael, sorry for my eventual ignorance, but what do you mean with "Gallipoli isn t going to happen?" There are already ww1 british,french, australians and turkish, german officiers too......What do you need more to make a Gallipoli dio? I think just the hills I guess {sm4}[/QUOTE]Poppo.


Poppo.
There are at the moment no suitable figures to portray Gallipoli....none....:rolleyes2:
Wayne

 

[Jack]

Watch it Andy, taking on so many requests and ideas will result in overload and brain freeze. You may have to consider cloning yourself or going into hiding to escape those you cannot satisfy, cheers, Robin.

Collectors who cannot be satisfied - surely that would be a rare breed?{sm4}{sm4}

 

[MarkeytMaker]

Just thought I would sneak this in even though not WWI. The Bin laden capture kill is worthy of some Navy Seals...for their sake and mine!

 

[Isandlwana]

Ah, Howard. That's kind of what I am on about. When you speak, Andy does have to listen and looking at your 'Man Lair' (let's face it, it's gone way beyond a simple 'cave'{sm4}) I can quite see why.

Therefore your view on what comes next is probably worth more to Andy than say mine or Poppo's combined (just using you as an example Poppo).

I'm just trying to ensure that when it comes to the Great War an Orwellian situation is avoided i.e. we are all listened to, but some are listened to more than others. I'm not saying that will definitely happen but that's why I'm keen on establishing a consensus.

I think things do need to be considered now because come the time it's going to be a case of, 'Oh, it's the anniversary of Lone Pine next month' then, 'Oh, it's the anniversary of Loos the month after' then 'Verdun's coming up soon'. It is too vast to dip in and out of.

The subject deserves something very grand indeed and I am truly willing to spend thousands if it's done right.

 

[TomNT]

Watch it Andy, taking on so many requests and ideas will result in overload and brain freeze. You may have to consider cloning yourself or going into hiding to escape those you cannot satisfy, cheers, Robin.

If Andy goes into hiding Robin he certainly will have plenty of Toy Soldiers to hide under in his office!{eek3}{sm4}

Tom

 

[Jack]

Ah, Howard. That's kind of what I am on about. When you speak, Andy does have to listen and looking at your 'Man Lair' (let's face it, it's gone way beyond a simple 'cave'{sm4}) I can quite see why.

Therefore your view on what comes next is probably worth more to Andy than say mine or Poppo's combined (just using you as an example Poppo).

I'm just trying to ensure that when it comes to the Great War an Orwellian situation is avoided i.e. we are all listened to, but some are listened to more than others. I'm not saying that will definitely happen but that's why I'm keen on establishing a consensus.

I think things do need to be considered now because come the time it's going to be a case of, 'Oh, it's the anniversary of Lone Pine next month' then, 'Oh, it's the anniversary of Loos the month after' then 'Verdun's coming up soon'. It is too vast to dip in and out of.

The subject deserves something very grand indeed and I am truly willing to spend thousands if it's done right.

I love this place - a reference to Orwell to make a point about toy soldiers. Excellent!

Happiness can exist only in acceptance - George Orwell

 

[Isandlwana]

I love this place - a reference to Orwell to make a point about toy soldiers. Excellent!

Happiness can exist only in acceptance - George Orwell

Extremely pretentious I know but I couldn't find an appropriate quote from the book I'm currently reading although Obelix does make me laugh! {sm2}

 

[Mitch]

I think that's kind of what was being said by Michael that some see happiness as just taking what comes at any price and at any design stage whilst others won't accept or demand higher quality for the price.

With all this be happy and the strange tall poppy syndrome regurgitated it does seem a few want everyone to just take what is offered. The Orwell quote Jack uses whether its what he meant or not seems to me to suggest just get in line say everything in the garden is always rosy, every set is brilliant and bang on accurate or, your not happy!!!

Happiness and enjoying the hobby whilst wanting value, quality and accuracy have nothing whatsoever to do with each other.

So, seeing Orwell mentioned in a Toy soldier site for me, is less strange than actually discussing toy soldiers in all their good and bad points
Mitch

I love this place - a reference to Orwell to make a point about toy soldiers. Excellent!

Happiness can exist only in acceptance - George Orwell