A Return to The Pacific? (2 Viewers)

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marksable

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We all know that Andy has said that he has no plans to revisit The Pacific.

But...we also know that Andy has been known to change his mind and surprise us:)

That's not new, but I thought a few developments might lead to a return to the Pacific for K&C.

The first is the 70th anniversary of Pearl Harbor a year from now. Nobody expected polystone Warbirds, but with the 70th anniversary of The Battle of Britain that changed in a major way.

Which brings me to the 2nd development - the list of next year's warbirds. It seemed to me there were a few planes that were only/mostly used in the Pacific Theater. I'm no aviation expert, but the Lightning, Corsair, and of course the Zero come to mind.

I'd be surprised if we didn't see some U.S. Navy airmen and/or Japanese crew to go with them.

Finally, there's the collector's club figures. Two Burma figures, and now Doolittle? I'd have to imagine Andy's at least testing the market.

Some might argue this past year would have been time, with the success of The Pacific on HBO. But now that it's on DVD and Blu-Ray, I think it will reach an even wider audience (although I don't think it will have the same impact of the double-punch of Saving Private Ryan and Band of Brothers).

Still, maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part.
 
Well why not? I think your right about japanese and US navy aircrew to accompany the aircraft and the other figures you note. It may not be a full range just say, accessories to the releases some guards protecting the aircraft a few machine gun crews also adding firepower and a guard tower and before you know it you have a range in everything but name. We have had two Russian Tiger 1's and these can't really be used in the west so, why not some stuff that would set the Tanks in the right environment??

The Iwo Jima range was some of the best sculpts etc that K&C had done IMO so why not??
Mitch
 
Be careful as if Stryker sees this, he's liable to have a stroke and go face down into his cornflakes...........
 
I don't know who Stryker is have I said something wrong here??
Mitch
 
Currahee Chris said:
No, no one has, he just gets rather animated regarding the Pacific theater.
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"Animated" is rather mild. He's very gung ho about having manufacturers make Pacific figures and is rather upset that they don't. Although he gets carried away occasionally you have to feel for him as nobody wants to make Pacific figures (other than Figarti).
 
The US is the worlds biggest market for toy soldiers we are told so, knowing how patriotic the vast are I am puzzled why the PTO is not more popular and why the gaze of so many US collectors focuses on the ETO.

Anyone have any firm ideas why this is the case??
Mitch
 
Maybe the fact that the Horrors of what the Marines went through on Iwo, Okinawa etc is too close to home, maybe the fact that the European war was further away and variation of battles, armour etc all contribute to it being more popular. With Bulge,North Africa, Normandy etc there is a wide choice for collectors.

Rob
 
I probably shouldn't say this but the Germans were the most interesting of the two for a lot of people because of their military equipment,the uniforms and soforth.Myself I've always favored the Pacific.
Mark
 
I think the media plays a huge role in what America is exposed to. Most of the History Channel shows focus on the ETO. Also, in school, I remember history classes being way more focused on the European side. Personally, I think the Pacific is viewed as more of a "Vietnam" type war with no clear cut good versus evil scenario, its hard for people to understand and get behind. The European war is America's "Great Crusade" where they go save the world, the lines are clearly drawn, and Germany becomes the greatest villain of all time.
 
amhuff1 said:
Thanks George that was worth a good laugh after a tough day at work.
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Thanks, I aim to please; when someone throws you a 62 mph fastball, you just have to take a swing.............
 
Rightly or wrongly, Americans have been more European-centric than Asia-centric. As Asia assumes more of an important role in our lives, our interests may change.
 
Mitch said:
The US is the worlds biggest market for toy soldiers we are told so, knowing how patriotic the vast are I am puzzled why the PTO is not more popular and why the gaze of so many US collectors focuses on the ETO.

Anyone have any firm ideas why this is the case??
Mitch
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For the most part I agree with the reasons others have stated. I'd add:

I think part of it has to do with the fact most Americans are of European origin. This is a country found primarily by white Europeans and large scale immigration from Asia is a relatively recent phenomenon (I'm not counting Native Americans, who of course crossed that land bridge eons ago).

And since the industrial revolution, the West has basically dominated the globe.

As Brad sad, as the balance of power ****s East, interests may change. Not to mention that Asian countries like India and China will become more important markets.

I also think that The Pacific is mostly thought of us a naval and air war. I think if you ask most people about The Pacific, they'll cite Pearl Harbor, Midway and even the dropping of the bomb before Iwo Jima or Guadalcanal. If K&C made (more) naval and air pieces it might be a different story.

There's definitely more pop culture - films, books etc - on the European War. That gets into a chicken and egg thing, about whether that's because there's no demand or because those movies etc. created the demand.

And let's not foregt America has a better record against Europe (2-0) than Asia (1-1-1). (Joke...and I know I'm leaving out a lot of conflicts).

I don't know if somebody said this already, but I think there's even more reluctance among Pacific veterans to talk about the conflict...maybe because of the heavy losses and because they weren't greeted as liberators.

I love 6th Wisconson's idea about a Navy Crew and carrier deck base. Not sure K&C would make the latter, but certainly JG or Build-A-Rama could produce a mat or board with carrier marking for dio display. That would be nice.
 
maybe now that people have complained so much about the "new" German figures - SA types drunk and prowling the streets of Berlin 1938, looking for somebody to beat up or string up, that they would show their disgust for the continuance of creating these non-military figures and not buy them. the SA were more or less a Police force. Try something different, early war Pacific-Burma theater..Aussies on the Kokoda trail, Marines at Guadlacanal or Bouganville, Gloucester, and more Japs. They sound alot more interesting than more Germans. Stryker would be proud of me..
 
marksable said:
......as the balance of power ****s East, interests may change. Not to mention that Asian countries like India and China will become more important markets.
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that would require one heck of a toilet seat!! :D:p:D Hope I'm downwind of that one!! :eek:
 
marco55 said:
I probably shouldn't say this but the Germans were the most interesting of the two for a lot of people because of their military equipment,the uniforms and soforth.Myself I've always favored the Pacific.
Mark
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I believe that to be the case as well. WW1 was ugly as all get out and it really isn't very popular either.

Good bar or indifferent, people just don't like grunts. Grunts with pretty tanks and arty, different story. WW1 and the Pacific were as basic and utilitarian as they come- therefore, nothing really snazzy to look at.

I do agree with some of the other posts as well- given the Naval aspect of it, that has made it difficult to collect and display.
 
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