You're right, all the info I posted is well known in the market in the U.K. and Europe but this forum is so far behind the modern info that I thought it was worth adding ,so that everyone is on the same page. This Forum is YEARS behind the Hobby with even the most common knowledge, so maybe you could share your vast knowledge with the rest of them.
I didn't say that CTS made the Mold for the Sherman, I said they MADE the Sherman from the Mold which is different. I should have been clearer and really meant that they had the production run made as Airfix previously never made this product for general sale only test shots.
I also stated that CTS made there OWN Italian Infantry, which is why I don't think Airfix still have the Molds as they would have presumably used them and saved themselves some money.
'Imex secured an agreement to produce the Airfix Cavalry, but used Imex horses, whereas CTS used Airfix horses on the sets that they secured permission from Imex to produce (Are you following this?).' With this statement are you saying that IMEX OWNS the molds for the US Cavalry?
AIRFIX didn't issue the Mounted Cowboys or Indians when they offered them in the small packets ,about 1980 maybe slightly later, but I think CTS has all the poses in the figures they offer in their Playsets. So would think Airfix still has the mold for them available.
Since you put so much store in the info in the PLASTIC WARRIOR Magazine, what do they say happened to the molds for the Airfix Mapoleonic sets ?
With your own figure range are we likely to see any Germans to fight your British in the coming year or maybe a second set of British with an officer ?
Dave M
None of the replies are aimed at individuals but should answer most of the questions that we get asked daily, and also appear on Forums:
I just checked the CTS site and also their colour catalogue, the mounted Cowboys don't seem to be included, although it is possible they were in earlier versions of their playsets.
As I understand it, the Sherman mould was damaged somehow, and CTS paid out to have it repaired, which may account for the difference, although from experience, test-shots don't always end up as the finished item as they will throw up any production problems with the moulds which will then get rectified - hence the term 'test-shot'.
There is no reason to assume that the Napoleonic moulds have disapeared - CTS have been using them for years, so I assume that all 4 sets are still in the hands of Hornby?
(It was CTS who 'found' the missing Officer pose from the Napoleonic range, but it remains a mystery as to why is disapeared in the first place.)
Imex also secured permission to produce the Cavalry, as CTS did with the remaining sets. These were also produced in France, so I assume that they have also reverted to being owned by Hornby.
As for what I will produce, we look for gaps in the market and try to fill them. There is absolutely no point in making any more Germans!! How many do you need, after all? Conte has 4 excellent sets, TSSD 2, Italeri 1 plus their Pak 40 and crew. The old Matchbox figures are a reasonable size-match, but most of these dwarf the Airfix sets which are all available: The German Infantry, Mountain Troops, Afrika Korps, Paratroops. Enough is surely enough? Then CTS have their own (albeit in 1/35th) and the Marx items can still be had.
However, if you think they will sell, we will glady produce them for you at your expense. The drawback is that you have to pay every red cent up front, have large storage facilities, be prepared to wait a very long time just to recoup your outlay - let alone make any profit, advertise and sell them yourself, and also be prepared for the inevitable "why dont you make.." and "what's next?" the same day as you release something you have just mortgaged the house to produce!
and I still love this hobby!
Happy Collecting, guys.
Steve.
