2009 News (2 Viewers)

R

RWFigarti

Specialist
Joined
Sep 25, 2005
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392
Hi Guys,

Its been a while since I have posted on the Forum, but I wanted to assure you that your comments and feedback are noted and appreciated. We have been working hard to produce all of the wonderful items which we showcased at the Chicago Show. I know there has been some frustration, but Figarti have been taking time trying to lower the selling price of its products to help collectors in the current economy.

With the current launch of the Desert Storch and the V-2 Refueling Truck with the M31 coming, we are largely there with products shown at Chicago, so where do we go from here? As those of you who attended the West Coaster will know, we previewed some non-military figurines (Chinese Opera & Last Supper) inspired by my father. We were very pleased with the reaction and feedback, and will explore offering the products outside of its intended domestic market.

But in the Toy Soldier World, you'll be pleased to know that we will be expanding the Wake Island theme with sets that touch on important aspects of that gallant battle. We also have numerous products in the works which will add armour, planes and figurine sets to WWII themes that have not been addressed. What are they? Well, we don't like to "reveal" too soon, but everyone will be pleased since they will be done the "Figarti Way." Chicago will again be fun this year as we plan to unveil project "MP3," a project that opens possibilities as to where our industry can develop and innovate.

What will the Figarti Shock and Awe piece be this year? Well, not an U-Boat ... yet ... but the display tables at last year's Lunch with Figarti will not be big enough.

Please keep the comments coming, and I'll post as and when I can.

Happy Collecting and thank you for your support!

Rick
RWFigarti
 
So what could be bigger than the rail gun, B-17, and the E-boat...big enough not to fit in last year table, and is code named MP3? Hmmm let me take a shot...it's not a U-boat as Rick said. The key word is Wake Island. And what were the vehicles, seacrafts, and aircrafts in that island?

Seacrafts: Destroyers (Fletcher Class), Mine Sweepers, Cruisers, PT Boats
Aircrafts: PBY Catalina, OSU Kingfisher, Dauntless Dive Bombers
Land Vehicles: M3 Halftracks, GMC Trucks, Jeeps

The only biggest item in 1/30 scale will be a DD Destroyer. Such model can be in both ETO and PTO.

a Bismark will be way to big. The biggest seacraft model (static) that I know of was produced by Fine Art Models...a Sub Chaser in 1/35 scale ...see link
http://www.fineartmodels.com/pages/product.asp?content_area=3&sub_area=11&product_area=78
What's everyone's guess?

Noli-Poli
 
Instead of worrying about shock and awe and trying to wow the collector with something that is bigger, better and different than what has been done before, why not build on what you've already done, such as maybe adding something that will complement the E Boat or the rail gun or existing ranges.

Unveilling pieces that are not then built upon like the Bismarck gun just doesn't make any sense and gives the impression that Figarti is a dabbler without a long range plan.

Another project would be improving on shipping because sometimes things do not always arrive in one piece.

I'm sorry if this seems very critical but this is what I take from what Figarti has done.
 
As someone who cannot afford these shock and awe pieces i am very pleased to read that Figarti will be continuing there WW2 Armour/figures etc.For me its these items that are bread and butter sets for them.Tanks like the Grant and winter MkIV are superb vehicles and grace any collection,yes the rail gun is a fantastic looking set but i never give these things serious consideration to be honest as they are so expensive.What i would like to see from Figarti in 2009 is some more regular updates,that is always a great help for planning purchases.

Rob
 
jazzeum said:
Instead of worrying about shock and awe and trying to wow the collector with something that is bigger, better and different than what has been done before, why not build on what you've already done, such as maybe adding something that will complement the E Boat or the rail gun or existing ranges.

Unveilling pieces that are not then built upon like the Bismarck gun just doesn't make any sense and gives the impression that Figarti is a dabbler without a long range plan.

Another project would be improving on shipping because sometimes things do not always arrive in one piece.

I'm sorry if this seems very critical but this is what I take from what Figarti has done.
Click to expand...
I agree with Brad's criticism that Figarti does not seem to have a long range plan, with products released in a piecemeal fashion. Wake Island was launched with one set, with another on a ship from China.:( Rick has mentioned on several occasions that Figarti is still a relatively young company, but that explanation will not be applicable one day. Figarti can produce vehicles with an amazing amount of detail, and they have their own recognizable painting style. They now need to make products on a consistent, regular basis that adds to their existing product lines, though they seem to be doing a somewhat good job with the V-1 and V-2 line.

However, I wonder if collectors should just view the "Shock and Awe" pieces for what they are ... a stand-alone piece that gets the attention of collectors, and not as part of a line. While I hope that Figarti will produce more railway items like an engine and other freight cars to go with the K-5, I do not believe there is a logical extension of the E-Boat unless Figarti does a PT Boat or a dock scene, and K&C will be doing airfield vehicles and figures that would work with the B-17.

Finally, I always personally find that the speculation and buzz surrounding Figarti's Shock and Awe adds to the excitement of the Chicago Show. It's really lots of fun, and I now smile when I think about how Gordon figured out the B-17 when Figarti accidently printed it on the shipping boxes, but not knowing there was a bigger "shock and awe" E-Boat; and last year's misdirection compaign where Andy was firmly convinced it was an U-Boat. I truly believe only Figarti is crazy enough to try to do "bigger, better and different" each year, and that's what makes this hobby fun. A new theme that has not been done (and I was "wowed" by K&C's China gunboat), or additions to existing lines is great, but there just would not be the same fun and excitement if Figarti simply introduced vehicles and figures -- though I do want to see regular releases. One day, I want to see a 1/30 scale Bismarck (its only 27.45 feet in length) that actually floats and moves with all the guns remote controlled.:cool::eek::D
 
Steven Chong said:
While I hope that Figarti will produce more railway items like an engine and other freight cars to go with the K-5...
Click to expand...

I second this! The toysoldier railway theme is really under developped.

- compaigne car
- troop transport
- flatbed wagons with anti-aircraft firepower
- flatbed wagons with supplies
- flatbed wagons with options to transport a tank

And then I don't want to mention the armoured trains yet...

JPB
 
I agree with Steven on this "shock & awe".
Those pieces were not made for everybody, something that over time one could save up, sell off some items, then make a special purchase.
That,s what I did.
I tend to disagree somewhat of Figarti always going off in a different direction.
They have consistantly added to their VietNam and Iraq line, as wsell as all there 1-30th WW2 lines.
I do think when Figarti made the decision to go 1-30th with their WW2 was the best decision they made.
As for the Wake Island sets, the way I understand it this is a Hobby Bunker exclusive, the same as the Nevelles did with The Charge of the Light Brigade.
Gary
 
Shock and Awe was very fun in my opinion, I had a blast with it last year in Chicago.

I also think they make nice stuff, maybe not for the monthly collector, but I appreciate their work and enjoy it.

Tom
 
tdubel said:
Shock and Awe was very fun in my opinion, I had a blast with it last year in Chicago.

I also think they make nice stuff, maybe not for the monthly collector, but I appreciate their work and enjoy it.

Tom
Click to expand...

i agree,shock and awe is the most exciting release in the calender, as regards brad's suggestion of figarti commiting to lines, i don't see their need to do so, when other mfg already have product for the lines figarti are 'dabbling' in. e.g i enjoyed their winter sets which complement k&c and their V lines which go nicely with k&c luftwaffe and polystone planes etc not a desert collector but they have a strong release line with that theatre..i prefer to see variety rather then duplication of existing offerings:)
 
I agree, with Steven:

The Shock and Awe is fun and I look forward to it each year.

Yeah, Figarti could continue with existing themes like all of the other manufacturers do and as a collector, I see the wisdom of that. Perhaps Figarti may do that yet but doesn’t the unpredictability of Figarti bring on little bit of anticipation and wonder that many of us had with Christmas morning as kids?

I like that personally, besides most of there release complement themes done by other WWII manufactures.

All it takes is a little imagination. You the kind, the kind of imagination we had as children. To me collecting intelligently to keep your collection valuable is only part of the enjoyment; the other part is that it's fun.

Carlos
 
I disagree with Brad, I think Figarti is a success regardless of the way they choose to do business. It's pretty obvious that this venture does not sink or swim on it's own as I believe the Figarti owners have other businesses that give them the freedom to do as they choose and not rely strictly on there Figarti sales to make a living. We should all be so lucky to produce what we like and be free creatively to please ourselves and others. Artist have starved for all the history of mankind to stick to there guns regardless of the what others thought of there art or the way they produced it.:D

What's probably as impressive is they have this freedom in a Communist State!:eek:
Ray
 
I am a big fan of Figarti's products, and a person who counts Rick Wang as a friend and was honored to have James Wang as a guest in my home at the 2007 Symposium. I am very impressed by the development of Figarti's products over the short 5-6 years of their existence, and consider their vehicles the best in the industry and the best of their figures to be among the finest available in the hobby. I love the "shock and awe" pieces, and when the economy recovers, hope to purchase the Leopold Gun.

That being said, I agree with Brad that Figarti suffers from a lack of direction. When they do choose to run with a theme, like the "Vengence Weapon" V1 and V2 series, or the LRDG/SAS series, they do it well and have developed a following which permits them to sell out the series.

However, all too often, they release one really cool item, like the "Shock and Awe" Tiger, and fail to follow it up with the related releases that will generate a K&C type following and K&C type sales. Imagine if when the Tigers were released, they were accompanied by, or followed shortly by, all of the other vehicles one would expect to find with a Heavy Panzer group, like Hanomags, Kubelwagons, Prime Mover Halftracks, 88mm Guns, Krupp trucks, etc., at usual Figarti quality and prices? Those people who could afford a Tiger would have bought the rest, and the people who could not afford a Tiger would have bought some of the other, more affordable vehicles.

Rick has told me that he sees K&C as the "Mercedes Benz" (i.e. overall luxury product leader) of the Toy Soldier industry, and wants Figarti to be more like a "Maserati" (i.e. a more unique, handcrafted, exclusive and very limited production approach). This is all fine and good, but making disjointed, unrelated products that leave collectors wanting, but never getting, more, just doesn't make sense.

I think their U.S. and European Distributors would prefer a more uniform and regular approach, because they have created market share for themselves, and have not yet fully exploited it. That's the way I see it.
 
Why can't they put more effort into improving their figures? I was excited when I saw the news about Wake Island. But after seeing the initial photos, I don't think I'll get them.
 
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