Anymore Civil War? (1 Viewer)

[victory]

Unlike the popular WWII and even American Rev. figures, the Civil War sets reached a finite number. This is one era I do wish was retouched upon by K&C particularly with the sharper sculpting we are now seeing. Anyone have any inside info as to why this entire era had been retired or if there is any potential for its re-emergence.

 

[bsager]

I spoke to Andy about this a couple months ago and he had not intended on redoing this area at this time. Some of the other manufacturers were coming out with Civil war sets and Andy felt like waiting awhile. I think you might see this revisited at a later date.

I really like this series and would like to see it done with the new sculpting and painting. I think there is a lot more to offer here.

Bill

 

[Dragoon]

I too would also enjoy seeing this era with new sculpting and painting. There are a number of makers doing the American Civil War at this time, but none of them achieve the quality of what K&C is currently doing. Just look at the beautiful horses that come with the Napoleonic dragoons. It's really fine work. By the way, I'm still hoping we'll see a new version of the Little Big Horn next year.

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Little Big Horn is a go

It is official—K&C is still planning a Custer’s Last Stand line, but they have moved the release date to 2006 which will coincide with the 130th anniversary of the battle.

 

[jazzeum]

Although I have no room, I would be interested in a civil war line again. It was my understanding that Front Line sort of had the franchise here according to what a couple of people told me.

 

[Shannon Reuss]

I would love to see King & Country come out with a re-release of a Civil War line. There are a lot of great sets out there by other makers but I would be interested to see a full line in the King & Country scale. King & Country does such a good job of offering complete lines where the possibilities for dioramas are endless and sets stand alone or work in harmony with each other to make dioramas on a grander scale. I feel like the original K&C Civil War line was retired before it had really reached its full potential. I realize that the K&C production schedule is booked solid right now but I would hope this is an idea the production team revisits in the future.

 

[bsager]

I agree with you 100% Shannon. The Civil War series was a good one but was never followed through. It has some serious potential. I would like to know what some of the collectors would like to see added to in this range. Maybe a covered wagon or ammunition carrier?

Bill

 

[CannonFodder1971]

On a similar theme, was there not some great inventory analysis undertaken by K&C a while back, in which a small number of ACW sets turned up? I can see Andy's need to allow some distance between the series, and face it, the difference between any new sets and the earlier ones woudl be similar if not greater than the early and later RA sets, or indeed the BBA and the YA sets.

Personally I'd have the nagging doubt that Frontline, Britains and so forth have produced such a volume it'd be hard to break in again to that crowded market. Perhaps there's a similar feeling too regarding modern era warfare re the huge FOV range of Bradleys, Abrams etc, or indeed regarding the warbirds and the huge range of wood and metal out there. However, I'd equally understand why Andy would hate to find himself boxed in to a WWII treadmill.

Despite my doubts, I feel that an ACW range would be welcome, and it'd be great if Osprey or some other publisher were to perhaps provide some sort of tie-in (a voucher with the book rather than a figure? a token with each book towards membership of the K&C club?) to draw in the huge numbers of American history enthusiasts who do not currently have an interest in toy soldiers and military miniatures.

 

[Gideon]

My take on the ACW stuff is that it is an incredibly saturated market. Every maker and their grandparents produce ACW stuff - it's a bit much.

It used to be a hot topic but seems to have fizzled out considerably.

Seeing as how K&C sculpting has advanced as far as it has, I would really love to see a Greek Hoplite series - something ancient besides Rome and Eqypt. I think Andy is well poised to start going after the St Pete's market. Especially since the "St Petersburg" companies/studios are raising their prices by 30%, and they still require a $200 per box charge to bribe the customs agents.

Andy could really clean up on this type of stuff. What do Ya'll think???

 

[victory]

I had stubbled upon K&C just about the time the ACW line was being retired. In the typical frantic decision of a K&C newbie, I had to decide whether to purchase the figures before they became scarce or to just past. After much thought, I past. Those early sets are not as sharply scultped as those presently being produced in other eras. The quantity of sets were limited with no info of future sets in the works. I agree with Shannon, the line never reached its potential. I had considered collecting Britians or Conte's Civil War lines instead but the sculpting quality for me is not the standard set by K&C. If K&C were to re-visit this era now, I'd certainly purchase them.

Thanks Shannon for the info on Custer's Last Stand. I'll take that while I wait on more ACW.

 

[shark0636]

I am all for a new ACW line, I almost purchased the Conte sets, but I held off in hopes of K&C producing a new series with the better sculpting. I am even more excited about the Custer's Last Stand. I can see alot of mounted soldiers and Indians in this set, so it could get expensive, 2006 is good for me on this line, hopefully by then I will be caught up on all the other sets.

 

[Cool_Guy]

Well, I guess there's no point in trying to collect the original TW** series now.
By re-visiting Custer's Last Stand, Andy has de-valued the original product line.

 

[bsager]

I don't think the line has been de-valued. What product lines have you seen lately sell for less than retail that have been retired? I would just consider it a new line.

Bill

 

[Cool_Guy]

Yes, The Retired West series set can be bought at original retail, but the new series will be a superior product. And The Battle of Little Bighorn was a one day event on June 25, 1876. How many figures do we need from K&C of George Custer and Crazy Horse? Even most WWII collectors would think it overkill for K&C to offer more than two sets of George Patton.
With the improved standards and quality of painting and sculpting, I don't think that the old figures of mounted indians and troopers will display well with the new figures.
I am glad to hear that Andy is releasing new product next year, but at least one consumer (me!) will not buy the previous version.

 

[victory]

I completey understand where your coming from Cool_guy. I actually didn't know the Little Bighorn sets had already been done. It doesn't bother me that they are re-visiting this era since I don't have any of the earlier versions. Along the same line, I am also fortunate that I didn't purchase the WWII Raising of the Flag original set. On the positive side its nice to see the ability to improve on the scultping of a set but on the negative, I hate the thought of just spending a chunck of money on a set to know a couple years later the exact same set was be re-issued with better sculpting.

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Re: Custer's Last Stand

I hadn't heard the figures would be resculpts. There are plenty of ways to do Custer besides him shooting while holding a flag (TW28). Does anyone know for sure if they will new poses or resculpts?

 

[bsager]

If this follows suit with the Iwo Jima series they will be new sculptures.

Bill

 

[Louis Badolato]

Andy never uses the same old molds over again (or at least hasn't since about 1997). The new figures may be in similar poses as the originals, but the sculpting will be new, and the figures superior. If you are a fan of the development of the company, like I am, it will be interesting to compare the figures and see how Andy chose to improve them. Plus, if the series becomes a big success, having the old ones will be a must for collectors. Lets face it, the new WWII sets are head and shoulders better than WS01-WS10, but would any of you pass on those sets? I hesitate to even compare the Iwo Sherman to the new 105 Sherman, but the Iwo Shermans sell on ebay for a fortune when you can find one. So buy the old west figures if you are into that period of history. The new ones will only make the old ones more enjoyable. Besides, there were 600 cavalry and several thousand indians in the greasy grass at Little Bighorn. I'm sure you can find a place for them all in your dioramas or displays.