Andy's best ideas (1 Viewer)

[Kurt]

What do you think were some of Andy's best or most original ideas? One that comes to my mind is the Nuremburg Review Stand. For me that was a real "I hadn't thought of that" idea. Though I had seen pictures of the real thing many times, it never occurred to me of scaling it down to the necessary size to go with K&C figures.

 

[Gideon]

Chinese Wedding Procession and the entire Silk Road concept. A truly incredible mix of traditional European toy soldier tradition and new ideas and concepts in a new land.

 

[Combat]

Heydrich assassination. I passed on it for the obvious historical errors, but it was a good idea. Looking forward to the ME-163 Komet.

 

[Boyer PFC]

One of his original ideas, not done by prior toy manufactures to my knowledge, and one of my favorites are the scenic pieces like Afghan cave, and Iwo Jima mountain. These add a dimension for making diaramas that do not cost a fortune. Too bad K&C did not do a San Juan Hill or Custer's Ridge for those early Rough Rider and The West series. If anyone has the Iwo Jima Mountain for sale, please PM me.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I always loved the old French/Dutch back lot buildings for Arnhem/Normandy . . . the 3-D buildings with different facades that could be just turned around to create a new scene. They were affordable, versatile, and looked great.

 

[Boyer PFC]

One of his original ideas, not done by prior toy manufactures to my knowledge, and one of my favorites are the scenic pieces like Afghan cave, and Iwo Jima mountain. These add a dimension for making diaramas that do not cost a fortune. Too bad K&C did not do a San Juan Hill or Custer's Ridge for those early Rough Rider and The West series. If anyone has the Iwo Jima Mountain for sale, please PM me.

Sorry Andy - Just remembered you did do a great scenic piece for the Rough Riders. Tdubel just picked one up on eBay for a great price.

 

[Njja]

I always loved the old French/Dutch back lot buildings for Arnhem/Normandy . . . the 3-D buildings with different facades that could be just turned around to create a new scene. They were affordable, versatile, and looked great.

I have to second Louis's opinion on this one. These buildings really have to
be seen to be truly appreciated. They really help bring your figures to life!

Njja

 

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

A very big thankyou to those of you who put forward your suggestions and comments on this new thread… I am always “dead chuffed” when anyone says they like and enjoy our K&C work.

It really is one of the great and simple pleasures in life when someone else says how much they’ve enjoyed the “fruits of your imagination”.

Conversely it’s also a real downer when someone else says they don’t like something or questions why you’ve done what you’ve done! But that’s life… you can’t please all of the people all of the time.

However, over the years, I’m proud and happy to say we’ve got more “bouquets than brickbats”.

So, I and all of the K&C team thankyou for your kind comments and appreciation.

Now while we’re on the subject let me share a little list of what I personally consider some of my “best” ideas… In no order of preference…

A. The original “ARNHEM’44” series of matt painted British paras and vehicles.

B. K&C’s very first Polystone model… The Iwo Jima Sherman. Look at the revolution that started…

C. “Streets of Old Hong Kong”… a series that would primarily attract female collectors… and husbands and wives.

D. Our “Papier Mache” buildings for ARNHEM… SOOHK…

E. K&C’s use of large scale dioramas to show off our figures and fighting vehicles… Thanks Gordon!

F. The entire BERLIN’38 series… totally politically incorrect… but a huge commercial success.

G. The various Normandy Villages… figures, vehicles in a “setting really come alive”.

H. The K&C move (accidentally) to 1:30 scale… now followed by several others.

I. The decision to set up our own team of sculptors in China itself.

J. The decision to hire great Hong Kong people… and pay them well to form a great team. Thankyou Miranda and Helen among many others.

And finally…

K. Listening to Laura when she said, “why don’t we start up our own toy soldier company!”

Best wishes and very happy collecting!

Andy C.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Just a couple of responses.

Cheers
H

Hi Guys,

Now while we’re on the subject let me share a little list of what I personally consider some of my “best” ideas… In no order of preference…

C. “Streets of Old Hong Kong”… a series that would primarily attract female collectors… and husbands and wives. THE very best K&C range IMO, along with the IC range. Think most regular visitors to this forum know that i originally got some of these for Missus Heid, then got "hooked" on them myself.

D. Our “Papier Mache” buildings for ARNHEM… SOOHK… Please bring them back. I missed them first time around.

E. K&C’s use of large scale dioramas to show off our figures and fighting vehicles… Thanks Gordon! Inspirational.

And finally…

K. Listening to Laura when she said, “why don’t we start up our own toy soldier company!”

Best wishes and very happy collecting!

Andy C.

 

[redhugh]

Just a couple of responses.

Cheers
H

Best decision for me was the shop in Pacific Place, otherwise I would still be thinking Airfix/Matchbox was the last word in WWII toy soldiers

 

[Capitolron]

Andy

You forgot to mention "L" the creation of the NAPOLEONIC LINE !

Ron

 

[OzDigger]

Best business idea: would be to shift away from Toy Soldier products to the Matte Military Miniature look.

Best product idea: LAH042 LAH Headquarters and LAH043 LAH Annex. The range isn't popular with some collectors but IMO these sets are attractive, effective and inexpensive. I look forward to some more backdrop style buildings from K & C as I missed out on the Normandy house and Brett won't part with his display example.

 

[Kurt]

I didn't know K&C was Laura's idea. I'll have to be sure to mention that to my wife.

 

[HAWKEYE]

what ever you do stay with the style of painting you have nowe because too much matte military look would lend to too dark of figures, less life like. collectors choice has good ideas but their figures are just to drab and dark, so andy keep up what you have been doing and maybe come up with some more buildings .and thanks for all you do.

 

[Harrytheheid]

Best decision for me was the shop in Pacific Place, otherwise I would still be thinking Airfix/Matchbox was the last word in WWII toy soldiers

Aye, we'll simply have to meet up there sometime RH.
We won't go for a beer at the Conrad though. I almost fainted when they presented me with my last bar bill....

Cheers
Nice H

 

[Currahee Chris]

Great thread Kurt- I really expected more replies. Perhaps over the weekend.....

Aside from the switch to matte style, I think the online dispatches- here lately, I end up loosing sleep running down to my basement looking online to see what is being retired and trying to place my online orders before the rest of the planet awakens.

These times at the end of the month- I put off paying my bills so I can figure out how much I need to squirrel away to pay for this months retirements.

It seems like lately that Andy is getting a day or two slower in releasing the information online- another day or two that he drags this out, I am gonna be late paying the bills for the month!!

Yeah, it's that bad here.......

 

[Saber]

Re-releasing MG for those of us who missed the boat the first time.

 

[Currahee Chris]

Re-releasing MG for those of us who missed the boat the first time.

Second that- they are really nice.

 

[damian]

I think one of his best ideas was having a bumper 25 th anniversray edition of the Collector and getting a whole lot of people to contribute to it, in the hope of creating goodwill and warm fuzzy feelings amongst the greater collecting community at large