February Dispatches (1 Viewer)

[Harrytheheid]

H-
I think you may be confusing the point here. Obviously anyone can buy the AC if they like it - even if it never existed and make a fine display. The larger issue is why KC gets it so wrong to begin with? No one has suggested that it needs to be 100% accurate or even close. However, a five second internet search will turn up a lot of information and pictures of the real thing. Is that too much to expect? I don't have any problem with KC producing fantasy sets if they are marketed as such, but my understanding is that their products are intended to represent actual vehicles. I agree that we should give Andy a chance to respond if he has something to add, but absent some further evidence that this is a real AC I think we would have to conclude otherwise.

Hmmm....There's no confusion for me Combat, although I do understand the point you're making. If I like something and I think I can make a nice display that appeals to me out of it - then I'll purchase it - even if other people think its only good as an ashtray (obscure reference from several months back). But that's just me. I'm certainly not saying that you guys who demand that every release must match up to some tangible record on the internet that it existed are wrong - far from it. The improvements in scale and AFV tracks are probably down to you guys - and kudos to you for your efforts.
Maybe I'm just a bit more laid back in my collecting habits, but as I've said, we all have our own hot buttons. For example; I won't purchase a figure of an Arab displaying a decapitated head, or an American Battle of the Bulge firing squad set, simply because I find the messages these give off to be distasteful to me personally. I'm not critisizing those who like these sets - just expressing my own personal preferences as to what I like to collect.
BTW, in connection with the issue of personal preferences, I initially had a reluctance to purchase dead or dying figures, but after several discussions with some members of the forum, I changed my mind about the relevance of such figures and now I do include them in my displays because I've been persuaded that they do add a dimension that was previously missing from the said displays. So, I do think that I keep an open mind about these disputes that occasionally crop up.
May I suggest wait and see if there's a response to this latest controversy from K&C..?? Who knows, maybe the new AC is based on an actual vehicle that Andy keeps in his garage.....or more likely, he has several sources that he based it on.
Cheers
H

 

[Rob]

Harry,what message do you think the firing squad give's off that is in bad taste?.Just interested.

Rob

 

[Combat]

H-
I guess our difference here is that I don't see this as an issue of personal preference for collectors like the decision to buy LAH figures or dead soldiers. My assumption is that collectors prefer real to non-real vehicles. At the very least, that's how KC appears to market them. Some collectors may still buy the non-real version, but not because it is a matter of personal preference (ie it looks cool so I don't care). Rather they would actually prefer a real version which would look just as good, but they don't have that option. I see this as a manufacturing issue - KC not doing the proper research and/or not caring so long as it sells. Promise that's my last word on the issue.

 

[OzDigger]

The "German" armoured car is clearly based on a British design and I can't see any point in it. But based on some posts here I reckon some members would buy anything made by King & Country,even K & C Ronald McDonald Napoleonic figures. I can just see Andy describing them as the rare large footed Scottish troop.

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

I will tell you that my reference books dont show this Armored Car. When I first took a look it looked very British, which is fine since the Germans were really far behind the British in this field so they did reuse many captured vehicles. That said I would very much like to know what sources or books the folks at K&C used in researching this vehicle. So if someone would be so kind as to post the titles and ISBNs I would like to add these references to my WWI library.

I will of course not delve into the fantasy discussion until I have exhausted all the research areas.

All the best

Dave

 

[gk5717]

I try to stay out of these "nuts & bolts" issues, but if in fact there was no such armoured car, then I think K&C dropped the ball on this one.
There should be no excuses, however I do believe that this question about accuracy will be answered with a positive explanation.
K&C,s reputation is too good to just put out a vehicle with out any research.
Gary

 

[maddadicus]

It is an issue with me, because I am one of the few WW1 buffs around and I collect WW1 Armor cars...I have several from different mfg. that are all accurate and based on readily available documentation. I have even scratch built reasonbly correct 1/32 scale armored cars, from pictures and photos, found in books and on web sites. Based on my expertise, the KC model has parts of British armor cars mixed with a not too sure about front end. It has to be questioned ,from an historical viewpoint. Will I get it..probably, but I will have to fix parts of it to make it a correct " English "armor car..Most will buy it, because Andy has beaten ONWTC to the punch..( I did warn them months ago ) and it is unique enough to attract most collectors..Should not be a problem for anyone, unless the collector knows a bit about WW1..Michael

 

[nmrocks]

Wow! glad I don't do WWI.
Ray

 

[aujj65]

I would think Napoleonic collectors are very happy as they look like some excellent releases.

Brad,

Have to agree with you that the Russians look excellent, apparently much nicer than boring Prussians.

Jeff

 

[Rob]

This can tend to get a bit heavy i think.I feel its the same as any other purchase,if you like it buy it if you don't like it don't buy it.No one is forced to buy anything.Some of the comments seem to suggest that K&C have almost commited some sort of criminal act in releasing this vehicle.Its just an armoured car guys,i don't think K&C set out with the intention of deceiving anyone and i think sometimes our passion for our Hobby can cause us to lose a little perspective now and again.No offence meant to anyone Just my tuppence worth

Rob

 

[DMNamiot]

Hi Guys,

As I have been digging through my references I finally found a vehicle called a Larsky-Eberhardt Armoured Car from 1915 that looks very close to the one in question. I found it in a reference book on Russian Tanks. Russian Tanks 1900 - 1970 by John Milsom. page 143

This model also looks a lot like the British built Sheffield-Simplex Armoured Car from 1914 it weighed in at 6 tons was based on the Sheffield -Simplex passenger car the only difference was it had two turrets and a crew of 5. So The quest continues.

All the best

Dave

 

[maddadicus]

Hi Guys,

As I have been digging through my references I finally found a vehicle called a Larsky-Eberhardt Armoured Car from 1915 that looks very close to the one in question. I found it in a reference book on Russian Tanks. Russian Tanks 1900 - 1970 by John Milsom. page 143

This model also looks a lot like the British built Sheffield-Simplex Armoured Car from 1914 it weighed in at 6 tons was based on the Sheffield -Simplex passenger car the only difference was it had two turrets and a crew of 5. So The quest continues.

All the best

Dave

If you add the 3 attached Armored Cars together, including the Simplex Dave mentions, you get somthing close to the K/C's model..Looks like an Austin front and body with a Rolls rear wheel setup and a single turret ,even though the Austins had double turrets...but all are British origin...Michael

 

[Vezzolf]

Historically accurate or not the WW I armoured car does nothing for me........However I can think of many earlier K/C products that were merely representations IMO of WW II armour and one needed to use much immagination....That's why it's called "toy" soldiers......I would say that if historical accuracy is most desired,then 1:35 scale model building is the best way to go.....Although we would all like to keep a standard in regards to historical accuracy, I beleive K/C should be permitted "some" lattitude since they clearly do not market a 1:35 scale type product that can be kit-bashed as required to produce exactness.........That being said I think that K/C has improved the quality and accuracy of their products significantly of late......Thanks K/C ......Keep up the good work......

 

[lenswerks]

The "German" armoured car is clearly based on a British design and I can't see any point in it. But based on some posts here I reckon some members would buy anything made by King & Country,even K & C Ronald McDonald Napoleonic figures. I can just see Andy describing them as the rare large footed Scottish troop.

You crack me up!

I like the vehicle, but if it is deemed inaccurate by the masses I just reject it and move on.

 

[Pierre]

...I would say that if historical accuracy is most desired,then 1:35 scale model building is the best way to go....

I can't understand why historical accuracy should be reserved to the 1:35 scale. Am I a collector from a second zone because I collect 1:30?

And it seems that even the Russian figures are not accurate.

Yes, K&C is doing a great job but will I be in the obligation to double-check every release to be sure that I am not fooled?

Pierre.

 

[sammy719]

This can tend to get a bit heavy i think.I feel its the same as any other purchase,if you like it buy it if you don't like it don't buy it.No one is forced to buy anything.Some of the comments seem to suggest that K&C have almost commited some sort of criminal act in releasing this vehicle.Its just an armoured car guys,i don't think K&C set out with the intention of deceiving anyone and i think sometimes our passion for our Hobby can cause us to lose a little perspective now and again.No offence meant to anyone Just my tuppence worth

Rob

i agree 100%, this is great and wonderful hobby that we all enjoy doing, let's not turn it into political debate,gotta have some love!!

 

[lenswerks]

I can't understand why historical accuracy should be reserved to the 1:35 scale. Am I a collector from a second zone because I collect 1:30?

And it seems that even the Russian figures are not accurate.

Yes, K&C is doing a great job but will I be in the obligation to double-check every release to be sure that I am not fooled?

Pierre.

Well said Pierre.
The accuracy aspect is what got me interested in military miniatures.
If I perceived them as toys I would not be spending this kind of money.

I like to think of them as accurate representations of military history.

 

[mk26gmls]

I am just excited to get some more Naps! All other lines are inferior.

Keep the Naps coming Andy!

 

[Capitolron]

I am just excited to get some more Naps! All other lines are inferior.

Keep the Naps coming Andy!

Amen - Brother - Amen !

Got to love those Napoleonics

 

[Harrytheheid]

H-
I guess our difference here is that I don't see this as an issue of personal preference for collectors like the decision to buy LAH figures or dead soldiers. My assumption is that collectors prefer real to non-real vehicles. At the very least, that's how KC appears to market them. Some collectors may still buy the non-real version, but not because it is a matter of personal preference (ie it looks cool so I don't care). Rather they would actually prefer a real version which would look just as good, but they don't have that option. I see this as a manufacturing issue - KC not doing the proper research and/or not caring so long as it sells. Promise that's my last word on the issue.

Yeah,
I'm fed up of this issue as well. Other members of this forum can argue all they like about it - I'm bailing out.
Regards
H