2008 predictions (3 Viewers)

[Louis Badolato]

I don't think there is any question that Andy is a marketing genius, as well as an innovator. When you think about where K&C was when I started collecting, and how far he has come in the last fifteen years its mind boggling. And when you think about his innovations, it is even more amazing. Nobody was making affordable realistic matt metal toy soldiers back then. No other toy soldier company had thought to make affordable polystone vehicles to go with them. No other toy soldier company was making custom dioramas for both display and sale to collectors. Without K&C, is there a 1:30 scale collecting market today? Are there other wonderful companies like Figarti and Honour Bound? In some areas, such as armored vehicle production, his competitors may have surpassed Andy's efforts, but he continues to consistently improve his products, while keeping the prices of his products far more affordable for the most part (both K&C and Figarti have gone a little high end with the warbirds (assuming that the price for the Figarti B17 reflects the cost of the their large warbirds in future) and Figarti's E-Boat, but that is only to be expected with items of the size and quality as these magnificent and extremely limited production works of art. I think the Wangs at Figarti have a similar genius, and expect the friendly competition between Andy and Gordon and James and Rick to keep collectors very happy (and very broke) for many, many years.

 

[jazzeum]

Your last statement is my prediction for 2008 (2009, 2010, etc.): we will continue to be broke and broker. Thanks Andy (I think)

 

[Gustavflyer]

Honour Bound announces a going out of business sale courtesy of their Tiger!! Hopefully not

 

[damian]

I am not sure if this is the appropriate place to post this and it is meant in a spirit of friendship but I really hope that the in 2008 the small but definite renaisance in the gloss colonial figures continues. I wonder if we are reaching saturation point with the Tigers. You WWII boys cannot seem to get enough of them.
Regards and Merry Christmas
Damian

 

[Panzer]

Honour Bound announces a going out of business sale courtesy of their Tiger!! Hopefully not

I'm not sure I would wish this on anyone even if you meant it as a joke.

I bet the folks at Honour Bound are not laughing.

 

[redhugh]

WHY DOESN"T ANDY DO WHAT I WANT? Well, first the quality of sculpting is harder to maintain in action figures, plus if you listen to people on this forum and the collecting public, they are not after blood and guts, they want the highest quality and most historically accurate figures, so they can create a miniture world of past history, on the fringe of all out war or getting ready for war, without the distasteful aftermath of blood and guts. , BOYER.

Great post, I think quite a few people would also like to see "blood and guts' aspect of war in the action figures, can't have all those figures taking aim and firing without someone or something on the receiving end.
Agree about the IWO Jima , have the amtrak and the figures with it are great, would like to see more in battle action figures like those for western/eastern front WWII. There have only been a couple of figures so far from K&C (The Last Stand, WS030 Casualties of War,BBA014 Mine Laying Surprise) (HJB had a panzergreandier getting shot which I have a couple off) and would like to see a lot more.

 

[Currahee Chris]

This is for the toy soldier industry in general, note for KC alone:

Hanomag

Battle of the Bulge King Tiger- I thought for sure we were in for another SL with BBG008 being the KT

Someone does up a great set of WW2 medics

Ancients- Roman and Greek diplomats and other "civilian" poses- I really love the ancient buildings JG minis puts out but alas, you cannot have heavily armed Spartans running amuck amongst the general populace- a lot of the ancient world appeal is in fact, their tremendous architecture.

Conte unleashes a Trireme with interchangeable masts to be either Persian or Athenian

Figarti, in their never ending quest to unleash the worlds biggest toy soldier diorama unveils the YAMAMOTO complete with base that displaces ten billion gallons of water.

Someone SOMEWHERE hears my pleas and does a line following the Scottish Wars for Independence- probably in September to coincide with the heroic victory at Stirling Bridge.

November- to coincide with Veteran's Day, someone issues a commerative "21 gun salute"- no coffin or nothing like that as that might be too much but a rank of USMC in Dress Blue with rifles in the air.

Lastly, someone does a limited edition Beetle Bailey with Sarge in a jeep ( I think Corgi did one a few years back).

 

[Tex]

I mentioned this on the other prediction thread, but

Based on the fact that the K&C WWI boxes have pictures of French troops on them, I would expect some red-panted French Infantry for this year.

 

[Rob]

Your last statement is my prediction for 2008 (2009, 2010, etc.): we will continue to be broke and broker. Thanks Andy (I think)

Polystone poverty beckons!!!

Rob

 

[Harrytheheid]

Polystone poverty beckons!!!

Rob

I know, oh I know (shades of Sybil Fawlty there), but what can you do? the latest releases from K&C together with the mouth-watering new direction taken by HB just can't be resisted.
Cheers
H

 

[Rob]

Must not pay three hundred for a tank,must not pay three hundred for a Tank

Rob

 

[Harrytheheid]

Must not pay three hundred for a tank,must not pay three hundred for a Tank

Rob

Oh I know, I know.
By the time you spec exactly what you want, it's 300 quid......for a lump of polystone, no less...!!??!!
Must not pay three hundred for a tank,must not pay three hundred for a Tank.......(But I just know that I will).
Cheers
H

 

[Rob]

I have been really tempted by these Tigers,but i think i will hold off for a while as i hear the rumbling of tanks coming to reinforce my 8th Army.

Rob

 

[johngambale]

I agree, with ALL of you Guys on these 2008 Predictions! Espescialy with Louis, and Rob, about a Italian M-13/40 Tank, and a SEMOVENTE 40-Self Propelled! Hopefully also, ither an Italian AS42-SAHARIANIA-( Recce Car ), or a AB41-ARMORED Car (Autobilinda)? The Italian Army, would give support to DAK ! n And can't forget the Italian BERSAGERLIA / Blackshirt Infantry Squads? And BRITISH Armor, and 'NEW' Armored Car! A MUST! ALL of these suggestions, comes with the Territory! N. AFRICA! CIAO!

 

[JPB]

According to the latest KCUK TV , KC is working 11 to 12 months ahead...
So perhaps we should start a new thread called 2009 predictions

 

[Harrytheheid]

I have been really tempted by these Tigers,but i think i will hold off for a while as i hear the rumbling of tanks coming to reinforce my 8th Army.

Rob

If I go for these HB spectaculars, and its still a big if, then it'll be 4th quarter of 2008 after I also have reinforced both my AK & EA battalions and obtained the rest of the SOHK stuff that Missus Heid wants.
Now I know that you have reservations about the movie Rob, but HB have told me that they can detail a Sherman and a Tiger to depict the showdown scene outside the bank in Kelly's Hero's (once they've released their base Sherman of course). We all have different collecting priorities, but for me at least, this would be the only way I would part with around US$600 per tank.

Cheers
H