Andy's Talk at 5th Chicago K&C Dinner (1 Viewer)

[Rob]

I like many others have been looking at all the releases announced at Chicago.
Some forum members have commented in this thread upon the lack of black WWII soldiers / airmen by K&C and indicated they would collect such figures if available. It seems odd to me that none of these same members have commented upon the Bofors Gun and crew by Figarti and expressed their support (and hopefully placed their orders).
So one manufcaturer who has not done something gets commented upon but another who has actually done it gets no comment.
Makes no sense to me.
Regards
Brett

Brett,part of that could be forum etiquette,its not really the done thing to big up one producers stuff on another producers thread,but I get the point you are making.

Rob

 

[The Military Workshop]

Rob,
I am certainly aware of the etiquette (and I think it is obvious I am a big K&C fan). However since there is something that K&C has not done (and may not do) I see no harm in pointing out that something that fits in with what they say they want is actually available and was for sale at Chicago.
My point is they have not commented in the Figarti forum where the images are posted.
Regards
Brett

 

[Rob]

Rob,
I am certainly aware of the etiquette (and I think it is obvious I am a big K&C fan). However since there is something that K&C has not done (and may not do) I see no harm in pointing out that something that fits in with what they say they want is actually available and was for sale at Chicago.
My point is they have not commented in the Figarti forum where the images are posted.
Regards
Brett

Brett,

I most certainly did not mean to imply you were unaware of the etiquette in any way,I only meant that it could be a reason why it has not been discussed in this thread.

Rob

 

[kilted vampire]

I noticed that the figarti piece remained on our table as well. Goes to show you talk is cheap. If Andy does the 442 personality figures I will back it up with my wallet.

 

[The Military Workshop]

Rob,
I have my own interpretation but probably have said enough on this point.
Has been great fun seeing all the Chicago news and dioramas from everybody.
Gotta go to bed now as got to work tomorrow and start working out where I am going to display my Charge of the Light Brigade and Thin Red Line that are flying my way from K&C UK.

Regards
Brett

 

[Combat]

My understanding is that the U.S. armed forces were still segregated during WWII. In addition, black soldiers were largely restricted from participating in combat roles. So there may have been limited situations in which black soldiers could be depicted in combat alongside white soldiers during WWII. Again, I'm not an expert that is just my understanding. Another era like Vietnam would have been a different story.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

My understanding is that the U.S. armed forces were still segregated during WWII. In addition, black soldiers were largely restricted from participating in combat roles. So there may have been limited situations in which black soldiers could be depicted in combat alongside white soldiers during WWII. Again, I'm not an expert that is just my understanding. Another era like Vietnam would have been a different story.

That pretty much sums it up. The Red Ball Express was a truck convoy system created by the Americans. "Red Ball" is a railroad term for express. It ran from the Normandy breakout, about August 25 until the port facilities at Antwerp were opened about November 16, 1944. The northern route was used to move supplies and the southern route was for returning trucks. Both roads were closed to civilian traffic and protected by AA batteries. 75 % of Red Ball drivers were African Americans.

The K&C DD039 truck is driven by a black driver (the other 2 figures are white). The Figarti 40mm Bofors is manned by a black crew and called "Protecting the Red Ball Express" No coincidence there. Now I have to mix a K&C and Figarti set - and they go well together too!

Terry

 

[PolarBear]

I like many others have been looking at all the releases announced at Chicago.
Some forum members have commented in this thread upon the lack of black WWII soldiers / airmen by K&C and indicated they would collect such figures if available. It seems odd to me that none of these same members have commented upon the Bofors Gun and crew by Figarti and expressed their support (and hopefully placed their orders).
So one manufcaturer who has not done something gets commented upon but another who has actually done it gets no comment.
Makes no sense to me.
Regards
Brett

Figarti has also done African American WWII Marines and African American soldiers in Iraq and they are to be complemented for that.

 

[kingtoot]

While in this PC mode, how about some Black Confederate soldiers? They existed, why now put them in? I'd buy them...was there any word on any other ACW Confederate personalities and Generals coming out?

 

[cantinetozzo]

While in this PC mode, how about some Black Confederate soldiers? They existed, why now put them in? I'd buy them...was there any word on any other ACW Confederate personalities and Generals coming out?

I Agree..but talking of ACW maybe the famous 54th Massacussets of the movie "Glory" or some cavalry from the south (i remember havin' seen a plate of Don Troiani on one of this unit)..the latter place is already taken from the last releases ( southern cavalry), but the 54th could be a great idea..i think it's a question of which war portray..it's normal that in WWII the image of the G.I. is commonly a white G.I., but for other wars (Vietnam,Indian Wars,Cuban,Civ.War,Modern,Sailors) i think i'd give a chance(well more than one)to black figures.

 

[PolarBear]

African-American members of Battery A, 4520 AA stand by and check their 40mm Bofors and 2 1/2 ton truck while the convoy takes a break, 9 November 1944 shown with the new Figarti set