1/30 Scale Vehicles (1 Viewer)

[IXEC]

Not at London, sorry. The figures, which are just so far beyond what anyone else is doing, will be there. If you think the figures are good (and if you see them, you WILL think they're good!), and unless you're blind and don't like the Cranberries you will like them, the vehicles we're going to do will outshine the figures Seriously, our figures are the finest in the world and the vehicles match the quality........Seriously, enough is enough. Just look at the images...........



Want to see something reallly cool. Scroll down........






First Legion ROCKS. ;-)

Ok............Now WHO makes the best WWII figures in the world?

Matt

Those guy look like they mean business.

And so does First Legion



Cheers

 

[jazzeum]

I echo Tom's comments. I didn't buy the HB tanks, as wonderful as they were, because of the price and I won't pay $350 for a tank. If it was a British tank, I'd probably have to think about it twice. As I've said before with the HB tanks, $350 is almost halfway to a War Bird, which I'd much rather have and which are true works of art.

Don't get me wrong, this looks to be a wonderful piece and very well done but not at $350.

I'd like to have the best car out there on the market, such as a Ferrari or a Maserati but I'm quite content with my Acura MDX.

 

[debrito]

I echo Tom's comments. I didn't buy the HB tanks, as wonderful as they were, because of the price and I won't pay $350 for a tank. If it was a British tank, I'd probably have to think about it twice. As I've said before with the HB tanks, $350 is almost halfway to a War Bird, which I'd much rather have and which are true works of art.

Don't get me wrong, this looks to be a wonderful piece and very well done but not at $350.

I'd like to have the best car out there on the market, such as a Ferrari or a Maserati but I'm quite content with my Acura MDX.

The Acura MDX, is a nice car Brad, but which British Tank are you talking about?

 

[Spitfrnd]

This is what happens when a certain segment of the collector base accept that $50 bucks is OK for a figure. Then we end up with $350 vehicles. In my collecting mind, these will always be toys. I choose not to pay high end prices for " toys ". No amount of eye candy or imagined extra detail is worth $350. The market has been $100 to $150 for most vehicles for a bit now. But it is not my money nor choice. The market will determine, as HB and KC ( their higher price offerings )have found out, the average joe-sixpack collector will not easily part with their hard earned money for high end offerings...Just my $100 worth...Michael

I don't follow you Michael. Your comment seems to be complaining about each person's utility function for a good, in this case collectible figures. Many factors go into setting a price and the demand for the product determines whether than price will produce a viable market for that item. Increased detail requires increased effort which requires an increased price. If you do not think the extra detail is worth the extra price then by definition the increased detail is priced above your utility function for that item. Others may differ and that is the magic of a free market.

So it is not what happens when some of us chose to buy figures at $50 which we consider well worth it and a bargain at that. Rather it is simply a function of a product of quality being priced at what it reasonably requires to make it worthwhile to produce and the choice of those in the market to pay that price or not. If you want to buy toys, there are certainly plenty to chose from. Fortunately, there are now alternatives for those who desire better detail and realism. Actually even a $30 figure is not a toy by my thinking but each to his own as they say. Interestingly, this is not the first AFV to be priced at that level but from the photos, it does appear to be the best AFV produced at that price.

All of us would prefer to pay less for what we want. Each in turn is free to decide whether or not to pay more than we would prefer. The alternative is price control in which the only variable is quality. That is not a market environment that I would want to live in.

 

[jazzeum]

The Acura MDX, is a nice car Brad, but which British Tank are you talking about?

Rod,

None in particular. I'm not particularly interested in German tanks; I just think there are too many out there but there is a scarcity in British tanks, somehwhat ameliorated by the Cromwell and the Crusader but I'd like to see (and was hoping HB would have done) a Desert Sherman, Valentine, Matilda and armored cars.

 

[Louis Badolato]

If this StuG is as good as it looks, is made of resin and photo-etched metal rather than polystone, and has the level of painting, weathering and detailing that is depicted, I do not think that $300 to $350 is an outrageous price.

The HB regular addition vehicles were about $200, the HB Gold Edition cost about $450-$650, the Figarti "shock and awe" Tiger with interior detailing was $300, the recent Figarti excellent Grant and Lee Tanks are around $240, and all of these tanks are made in large part of polystone, which is brittle and does not hold detail we well as resin.

K&C Resin and Metal tanks back in 1996-1998 cost around $380 (although they were very-very limited production, so scarsity value plays a role). Certain recent K&C Strictly Limited models are priced between $200 and $299.

It seems to me from my very limited exposure to First Legion (only photographs so far - I have never seen their products in person) that, with regard to his figures, Matt is attempting to bridge the gap in both price and quality between todays high quality toy soldiers and true "St. Petersburg" Museum Quality Military Miniatures. The photographs of his figures appear to have both the superior sculpting and the more time consuming painting-style employed by the Russian manufacturers (Figarti also employs the painting style, but has yet to attain consistent quality in sculpting). Conversely, his figures also have a price ($49 per figure) that bridges the gap between toy soldiers (around $32 per figure) and St. Petersburg ($120 per figure).

From the looks of this StuG, Matt has chosen to bridge the gap between toy armored vehicles and master-modeler's armored vehicles. Accordingly, you have to expect to pay a price that also bridges that gap. At least that's the way I see it.

 

[Spitfrnd]

.... As I've said before with the HB tanks, $350 is almost halfway to a War Bird, which I'd much rather have and which are true works of art.
....

Of course, whether one or the other is more of a work of art is rather a matter of opinion. To a real extent, it is a beauty in the eye question; something like impressionism versus realism.

 

[SteveDavid]

Louis, 10000% agreed! Very smart, unpartial and "to the point" note.

Hope that you remember at least what was said during the late phone call last night .

 

[OzDigger]

If this StuG is as good as it looks, is made of resin and photo-etched metal rather than polystone, and has the level of painting, weathering and detailing that is depicted, I do not think that $300 to $350 is an outrageous price.

The HB regular addition vehicles were about $200, the HB Gold Edition cost about $450-$650, the Figarti "shock and awe" Tiger with interior detailing was $300, the recent Figarti excellent Grant and Lee Tanks are around $240, and all of these tanks are made in large part of polystone, which is brittle and does not hold detail we well as resin.

K&C Resin and Metal tanks back in 1996-1998 cost around $380 (although they were very-very limited production, so scarsity value plays a role). Certain recent K&C Strictly Limited models are priced between $200 and $299.

It seems to me from my very limited exposure to First Legion (only photographs so far - I have never seen their products in person) that, with regard to his figures, Matt is attempting to bridge the gap in both price and quality between todays high quality toy soldiers and true "St. Petersburg" Museum Quality Military Miniatures. The photographs of his figures appear to have both the superior sculpting and the more time consuming painting-style employed by the Russian manufacturers (Figarti also employs the painting style, but has yet to attain consistent quality in sculpting). Conversely, his figures also have a price ($49 per figure) that bridges the gap between toy soldiers (around $32 per figure) and St. Petersburg ($120 per figure).

From the looks of this StuG, Matt has chosen to bridge the gap between toy armored vehicles and master-modeler's armored vehicles. Accordingly, you have to expect to pay a price that also bridges that gap. At least that's the way I see it.

Louis, good points there and as I said in an earlier post I have been known to pay $300 plus for a model I am missing from my collection, but at that price point I will make do with the Stugs I already have. Afterall there's plenty of other stuff to spend my money on - too much actually

I hope there's enough collectors to support the FL target market as I'm sure we all wouldn't like to see another quality tank range disappear like happened to HB, but of course they had the Argentina issues as well.

 

[Spitfrnd]

...It seems to me from my very limited exposure to First Legion (only photographs so far - I have never seen their products in person) that, with regard to his figures, Matt is attempting to bridge the gap in both price and quality between todays high quality toy soldiers and true "St. Petersburg" Museum Quality Military Miniatures. The photographs of his figures appear to have both the superior sculpting and the more time consuming painting-style employed by the Russian manufacturers (Figarti also employs the painting style, but has yet to attain consistent quality in sculpting). Conversely, his figures also have a price ($49 per figure) that bridges the gap between toy soldiers (around $32 per figure) and St. Petersburg ($120 per figure).

From the looks of this StuG, Matt has chosen to bridge the gap between toy armored vehicles and master-modeler's armored vehicles. Accordingly, you have to expect to pay a price that also bridges that gap. At least that's the way I see it.

I agree that Louis makes a very good point, in fact the point. Ironically, some of the price complaints here suggest that First Legion is somehow limiting access to this hobby when in fact, as Louis accurately notes, they are increasing access to a higher quality product for the hobby. In fact, I have a few $120 Russian Napoleonics and they actually do not look as good as my $40-50 FL ones. Sometimes you do get what you pay for and sometimes you actually get more.

 

[IXEC]

If this StuG is as good as it looks, is made of resin and photo-etched metal rather than polystone, and has the level of painting, weathering and detailing that is depicted, I do not think that $300 to $350 is an outrageous price.

The HB regular addition vehicles were about $200, the HB Gold Edition cost about $450-$650, the Figarti "shock and awe" Tiger with interior detailing was $300, the recent Figarti excellent Grant and Lee Tanks are around $240, and all of these tanks are made in large part of polystone, which is brittle and does not hold detail we well as resin.

K&C Resin and Metal tanks back in 1996-1998 cost around $380 (although they were very-very limited production, so scarsity value plays a role). Certain recent K&C Strictly Limited models are priced between $200 and $299.

It seems to me from my very limited exposure to First Legion (only photographs so far - I have never seen their products in person) that, with regard to his figures, Matt is attempting to bridge the gap in both price and quality between todays high quality toy soldiers and true "St. Petersburg" Museum Quality Military Miniatures. The photographs of his figures appear to have both the superior sculpting and the more time consuming painting-style employed by the Russian manufacturers (Figarti also employs the painting style, but has yet to attain consistent quality in sculpting). Conversely, his figures also have a price ($49 per figure) that bridges the gap between toy soldiers (around $32 per figure) and St. Petersburg ($120 per figure).

From the looks of this StuG, Matt has chosen to bridge the gap between toy armored vehicles and master-modeler's armored vehicles. Accordingly, you have to expect to pay a price that also bridges that gap. At least that's the way I see it.

Well said Louis....well said indeed

 

[Phantom Warrior]

If this StuG is as good as it looks, is made of resin and photo-etched metal rather than polystone, and has the level of painting, weathering and detailing that is depicted, I do not think that $300 to $350 is an outrageous price.

The HB regular addition vehicles were about $200, the HB Gold Edition cost about $450-$650, the Figarti "shock and awe" Tiger with interior detailing was $300, the recent Figarti excellent Grant and Lee Tanks are around $240, and all of these tanks are made in large part of polystone, which is brittle and does not hold detail we well as resin.

K&C Resin and Metal tanks back in 1996-1998 cost around $380 (although they were very-very limited production, so scarsity value plays a role). Certain recent K&C Strictly Limited models are priced between $200 and $299.

It seems to me from my very limited exposure to First Legion (only photographs so far - I have never seen their products in person) that, with regard to his figures, Matt is attempting to bridge the gap in both price and quality between todays high quality toy soldiers and true "St. Petersburg" Museum Quality Military Miniatures. The photographs of his figures appear to have both the superior sculpting and the more time consuming painting-style employed by the Russian manufacturers (Figarti also employs the painting style, but has yet to attain consistent quality in sculpting). Conversely, his figures also have a price ($49 per figure) that bridges the gap between toy soldiers (around $32 per figure) and St. Petersburg ($120 per figure).

From the looks of this StuG, Matt has chosen to bridge the gap between toy armored vehicles and master-modeler's armored vehicles. Accordingly, you have to expect to pay a price that also bridges that gap. At least that's the way I see it.

Very good points putting things in perspective, Louis

Terry

 

[VIRIATO]

Speaking about connoisseur figures, a collector said in this Forum that facing obvious room constraints he had decided to only collect connoisseur.
I think some people might follow this line and buy less but better and end up spending the same and realistically saving room. Haven't been there yet though...


Paulo

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Speaking about connoisseur figures, a collector said in this Forum that facing obvious room constraints he had decided to only collect connoisseur.
I think some people might follow this line and buy less but better and end up spending the same and realistically saving room. Haven't been there yet though...


Paulo

That is a good possibility. Especially as the quality continues to improve. And some of the older pieces may be rare and valuable to collectors who value those pieces so selling them could help fund the purchase of connoisseur pieces.

Terry

 

[jazzeum]

That's what I've done with pieces that don't mean that much to me to fund things I do care about, e.g. Warbirds.

 

[debrito]

If this StuG is as good as it looks, is made of resin and photo-etched metal rather than polystone, and has the level of painting, weathering and detailing that is depicted, I do not think that $300 to $350 is an outrageous price.

The HB regular addition vehicles were about $200, the HB Gold Edition cost about $450-$650, the Figarti "shock and awe" Tiger with interior detailing was $300, the recent Figarti excellent Grant and Lee Tanks are around $240, and all of these tanks are made in large part of polystone, which is brittle and does not hold detail we well as resin.

K&C Resin and Metal tanks back in 1996-1998 cost around $380 (although they were very-very limited production, so scarsity value plays a role). Certain recent K&C Strictly Limited models are priced between $200 and $299.

It seems to me from my very limited exposure to First Legion (only photographs so far - I have never seen their products in person) that, with regard to his figures, Matt is attempting to bridge the gap in both price and quality between todays high quality toy soldiers and true "St. Petersburg" Museum Quality Military Miniatures. The photographs of his figures appear to have both the superior sculpting and the more time consuming painting-style employed by the Russian manufacturers (Figarti also employs the painting style, but has yet to attain consistent quality in sculpting). Conversely, his figures also have a price ($49 per figure) that bridges the gap between toy soldiers (around $32 per figure) and St. Petersburg ($120 per figure).

From the looks of this StuG, Matt has chosen to bridge the gap between toy armored vehicles and master-modeler's armored vehicles. Accordingly, you have to expect to pay a price that also bridges that gap. At least that's the way I see it.

Louis, I can consider my self privileged because I have seen in person (the soldiers only, and even take photos of then) some new soldiers from FL. They are wonderful well made figurines, the details are unbelievable. I don’t want say that is better or smaller or accurate than others, I just want to tell you that is a fine piece of art in matter of Toy Soldiers.

Rod.

 

[binder001]

Louis does make an excellent point. There are multiple markets and levels of collectors out there. We are all free to buy K7C, FoV, or whatever. If First Legion chooses to make a higher-end collectible and can build a market for them, then more power to FL. If Matt comes out with an item I chose to add to my collection, then I am free to get it. If I can't afford it, or the item isn't something that I want badly enough, then I can get a cheaper vehicle or do without.

The StuG looks very nice in the photos. There is obviously a LOT of hand assembly required on a model like this, so it can't be cheap. I admire this approach to detail and quality and look forward to more releases. If Matt offers an M4A3E2, or some other Sherman that I want in this quality, then I may have to start a saving fund for one! There have been repeated requests on this forum for a Duplex-Drive Sherman, this is the level of construction that would be needed to make such a complex model into a reality. Some models are worth the money, others can be had at less expense. The collector gets to decide, and that's the beauty of capitalism.

Gary

 

[gk5717]

Just my quick opinion, I believe Tom D. stated it earlier. I would really want to collect this line if it was the same scale as K&C. But I have too much money invested in the 1-30th scale to venture into another scale.
That,s why I sold off all my 1-32 WW2 Britains, Conte, etc.
Gary

 

[Warrior]

No offense intended, but why is this scale issue constantly a barrier for collectors?

As Matt has stated time and time again and Rob has said, these figures are designed to stand on their own and are designed as a collection within a collection. They are suited and designed for The Battle of Stalingrad and will make a superb, off the charts display OF THAT PARTICULAR BATTLE.

They are usable in other displays I am sure, but are mainly designed for Stalingrad, hence they are marketed as such.

They are also true 1/30th scale.

They are painted totally differently than anything else out there, so even if they were the same heightwise, they would not look good displayed with other figures of the same height.

Do collectors display Aeroart figures with Britains? Do they display King and Country tanks with Forces of Valor tanks? Do they display Honour Bound figures with Figarti figures?

No, no and no.

Does any of this make sense or am I out in left field on this?

 

[jazzeum]

Scale isn't a big issue for me as when I get on it, I haven't lost that much weight.

If you're out in left field, watch out for the Green Monster and say hello to Jason Bay for us.