Figarti 2015 Overview (1 Viewer)

[katana]

SORRY BUT....Over all I must disagree completely with your assessment of Figarti quality.... I happen to own many WWII Figarti AFV models and WWII Planes....They are of VERY GOOD QUALITY INDEED and with BETTER DETAIL then most other alternative choices......Also they were FAIRLY PRICED for the level of quality....Are they perfect? NO ......No TS manufacturer's products are perfect.....That includes K/C , CS and FL.......AND FURTHERMORE......In many ways Figarti has exceeded the quality of other brands of TS products....Those are the FACTS.....LASTLY....E-bay sales mean nothing.... Most TS products on E-bay are NOT SELLING especially when offered at ridiculous inflated prices:rolleyes2:....The REALITY of these facts are supported especially concerning a particular evil-bay seller who has marked up K/C prices over 200% of original retail.{eek3}^&grin.....Of Course NOT SELLING WELL:wink2:....Therefore one must correctly conclude that e-bay sales are a POOR INDICATOR of product quality or desireability

Interesting! I ranked Figarti products as excellent and you rank them as very good. Obviously you do not think as highly of them as I do. I am dissapointed in Figarti's decrease in quality because I ranked them as excellent and they have fallen below that rank IMO. The Figarti photos of the Panther G and the reality are entirely different. The colors are muddy and uneven; do you agree or disagree? I am not the only collector to voice this opinion. The Figarti Panther G could have been much better than it is; but I still rank it as excellent, however flawed the paint is it is better than the K&C, TCS and Honor Bound Panthers! The T34-85 is another example of declining quality; missing parts and drooping barrels are not indicative of high quality; do you agree or disagree? Figarti had very good quality several years ago, recently not so much IMO.

How do you rank the Figarti Panzer IV with the First legion Panzer IV?

 

[jazzeum]

I'm sure Frank can speak for himself but he's using Very Good in the general sense while you are doing it on a sliding scale.

 

[sammy719]

In this Normandy diorama I use First legion ground forces but all the vehicles/tanks are Figarti...simply put Figarti (even some of the older sets here) I find are some of the best made, I did miss the First legion Sherman so I picked up a few Figarti Shermans, the quality of the First legion troops work hand in hand with Figarti, I have both winter/Normandy Tigers and think they are some of the best made, I do not have the HB Tiger so can't compare it with that one, in the end I truly hope that Figarti finds a way to remain open for business and return to producing great vehicles such as these, I guess time will tell...Sammy

 

[Vezzolf]

Interesting! I ranked Figarti products as excellent and you rank them as very good. Obviously you do not think as highly of them as I do. I am dissapointed in Figarti's decrease in quality because I ranked them as excellent and they have fallen below that rank IMO. The Figarti photos of the Panther G and the reality are entirely different. The colors are muddy and uneven; do you agree or disagree? I am not the only collector to voice this opinion. The Figarti Panther G could have been much better than it is; but I still rank it as excellent, however flawed the paint is it is better than the K&C, TCS and Honor Bound Panthers! The T34-85 is another example of declining quality; missing parts and drooping barrels are not indicative of high quality; do you agree or disagree? Figarti had very good quality several years ago, recently not so much IMO.

How do you rank the Figarti Panzer IV with the First legion Panzer IV?

Hello katana....This is how I see it....Actually the FL Winter Panzer IV (short barrel) was a bit of a disappointment to me regarding the dark panel lines....The Panzer IV model depicted in the FL website was better painted then the actual model in the flesh....I will have to touch up the dark lines with extra white wash (NOT GOOD at $300 with no tank commander included)....same with the FL grey Panzer IV short barrel (only OK IMO)....The Figarti Grey Panzer IV was well done BUT too large (not 1:30th) ....so I returned it..... Otherwise I thought it was pretty good over-all except for the scale which was definitely off the mark....If the scale was accurate I would have kept it....I believe that the recent Figarti Tigers at $169 were very good 1:30th models especially in regards to price/quality ratio....The Figarti Winter Tiger with the kill rings and the Figarti Desert Tiger at $269 were the best Tigers ever made IMHO and a good price for the quality....The Figarti Shermans are very good as well...The Figarti Winter Panther was well detailed but poorly painted.....The Figarti Stukas and the British Mosquitos were excellent planes.....So over-all I would have to rate Figarti as VERY GOOD....Not Perfect....But mostly very good.... still I am careful with any manufacturer....If I don't like it or it's defective or inaccurate it gets RETURNED.

 

[katana]

Hello katana....This is how I see it....Actually the FL Winter Panzer IV (short barrel) was a bit of a disappointment to me regarding the dark panel lines....The Panzer IV model depicted in the FL website was better painted then the actual model in the flesh....I will have to touch up the dark lines with extra white wash (NOT GOOD at $300 with no tank commander included)....same with the FL grey Panzer IV short barrel (only OK IMO)....The Figarti Grey Panzer IV was well done BUT too large (not 1:30th) ....so I returned it..... Otherwise I thought it was pretty good over-all except for the scale which was definitely off the mark....If the scale was accurate I would have kept it....I believe that the recent Figarti Tigers at $169 were very good 1:30th models especially in regards to price/quality ratio....The Figarti Winter Tiger with the kill rings and the Figarti Desert Tiger at $269 were the best Tigers ever made IMHO and a good price for the quality....The Figarti Shermans are very good as well...The Figarti Winter Panther was well detailed but poorly painted.....The Figarti Stukas and the British Mosquitos were excellent planes.....So over-all I would have to rate Figarti as VERY GOOD....Not Perfect....But mostly very good.... still I am careful with any manufacturer....If I don't like it or it's defective or inaccurate it gets RETURNED.

I agree about the first Desert and Winter Tigers. The best Tigers done to date. I wish Figarti had made all of their Tiger Is at that level of quality and detail.I felt the late steel wheel versions were a huge step down.

I have had a similar experience to yours with oversize Figart armor. The T34-85 is a correct 1/30 scale; but the Panther G measures 1/29 scale in three dimensions. The M26 is also oversize. The Jagdpanzer IV is an accurate 1/30 in length and width; but the height is way off. A Jagdpanzer IV was 6 feet high. The Figarti version is 7 feet high to scale. I do not know how that could happen!

As you say no company is perfect and the great Figart pieces far outweigh the errors many times over. I hope they recover. I too would like to have an accurate 1/30 scale Figarti King Tiger. Until that happens I will enjoy my Minichamps and 21st Century King Tigers.

 

[The Military Workshop]

In this Normandy diorama I use First legion ground forces but all the vehicles/tanks are Figarti...simply put Figarti (even some of the older sets here) I find are some of the best made, I did miss the First legion Sherman so I picked up a few Figarti Shermans, the quality of the First legion troops work hand in hand with Figarti, I have both winter/Normandy Tigers and think they are some of the best made, I do not have the HB Tiger so can't compare it with that one, in the end I truly hope that Figarti finds a way to remain open for business and return to producing great vehicles such as these, I guess time will tell...Sammy

Best post in this thread due to the diorama image:salute::

 

[Baymax]

I agree about the first Desert and Winter Tigers. The best Tigers done to date. I wish Figarti had made all of their Tiger Is at that level of quality and detail.I felt the late steel wheel versions were a huge step down.

I have had a similar experience to yours with oversize Figart armor. The T34-85 is a correct 1/30 scale; but the Panther G measures 1/29 scale in three dimensions. The M26 is also oversize. The Jagdpanzer IV is an accurate 1/30 in length and width; but the height is way off. A Jagdpanzer IV was 6 feet high. The Figarti version is 7 feet high to scale. I do not know how that could happen!

As you say no company is perfect and the great Figart pieces far outweigh the errors many times over. I hope they recover. I too would like to have an accurate 1/30 scale Figarti King Tiger. Until that happens I will enjoy my Minichamps and 21st Century King Tigers.View attachment 189815

For me I don't think that works. The King Tiger just looks too small with the figures

 

[katana]

For me I don't think that works. The King Tiger just looks too small with the figures

Here is what reality looks like; are these guys to large for their King Tiger!

 

[Go for Broke]

Imagine a Panther entering your battlefield and you're armed with a M1 Garand. You're hoping your bazooka guy can get a side or rear shot. All the while, you're trying to pick off the infantry in front and behind the Panther and not be seen by this tank. That the real issue at stake.

 

[sammy719]

View attachment 189824

Here is what reality looks like; are these guys to large for their King Tiger!

Yes, those guys are much to big, they are way off scale ...Sammy

 

[Vezzolf]

According to Matt at HB....We may very well see a couple of New Panthers and later this year a Camo King Tiger from Figarti by Early Fall 2016.....I do not think that we will see as many AFV's as in the past but we will see something good soon:smile2:.....If working capital is an issue I would hope that the new owners are able to secure a business loan to get the ball rolling.....it's just a matter of getting at least some good products to market. There are many collectors who will still purchase Figarti's excellent 1:30th scale AFV's....JUST GET IT DONE, BOYS.... and don't fret about the profits for the moment....The profits will most assuredly come with the release of excellent WWII AFV's.....We await ready to make purchases.

 

[tdubel]

Ok, stayed out of this long enough, but having spent some time with both current distributors who are the only ones who have any updated information, I would recommend listening to what they have said or posted here and elsewhere:

SUMMARY:

1. Figarti is still in business

2. Figarti does have a list of items they would like to produce including the protos shown in both Chicago as well as the Westcoaster

3. They are selling older stock in China as well as a few repaints at shows through Hobby Bunker and Grey Goose

4. They have asked for input from Hobby Bunker and Grey Goose for items/repaints, etc.

5. Any speculation as to their financial situation is just that speculation. Having capital, risking capital, deploying capital are all separate issues and anything here is just speculation.

6. Could Figarti close shop tomorrow? YES, nothing is guaranteed

For now, I would say they continue to exist in a holding pattern, if/when they produce new items, I think conversations then would be more productive. Until then, this thread is what they call the "Psycho Circus" or the "Insanity Merry Go Round", in other words - it ain't going nowhere and all it will result in is more speculation which turns to argument which turns to hard feelings.

No reason to get upset, they have not produced much if anything in 2015 and the hobby carried on, it will continue to carry on and if they produce in 2016, great, if they don't, well, that's that.

TD

 

[jazzeum]

There was no speculation about their financial situation. Matt from HB said on HB forum that they have no or little cash, which means they have no capital. That is fact, not speculation. They need to raise capital. Selling old inventory or doing re-paints is not a business model for success. At some point they will run out of existing inventory to sell. Until they start making and selling new product, questions will be raised about their longevity. This is a business that thrives on new product, not old product.

This is not a picture that leaves you with any confidence in their future.

 

[Vezzolf]

There was no speculation about their financial situation. Matt from HB said on HB forum that they have no or little cash, which means they have no capital. That is fact, not speculation. They need to raise capital. Selling old inventory or doing re-paints is not a business model for success. At some point they will run out of existing inventory to sell. Until they start making and selling new product, questions will be raised about their longevity. This is a business that thrives on new product, not old product.

This is not a picture that leaves you with any confidence in their future.

Brad, What is so hard about getting some working capital for a business venture?? It's called a business LOAN.....You apply for it, get approved and then GET TO WORK making and selling some products^&confuse

 

[jazzeum]

Frank, don't ask me, ask them.

 

[gk5717]

Ok, stayed out of this long enough, but having spent some time with both current distributors who are the only ones who have any updated information, I would recommend listening to what they have said or posted here and elsewhere:

SUMMARY:

1. Figarti is still in business

2. Figarti does have a list of items they would like to produce including the protos shown in both Chicago as well as the Westcoaster

3. They are selling older stock in China as well as a few repaints at shows through Hobby Bunker and Grey Goose

4. They have asked for input from Hobby Bunker and Grey Goose for items/repaints, etc.

5. Any speculation as to their financial situation is just that speculation. Having capital, risking capital, deploying capital are all separate issues and anything here is just speculation.

6. Could Figarti close shop tomorrow? YES, nothing is guaranteed

For now, I would say they continue to exist in a holding pattern, if/when they produce new items, I think conversations then would be more productive. Until then, this thread is what they call the "Psycho Circus" or the "Insanity Merry Go Round", in other words - it ain't going nowhere and all it will result in is more speculation which turns to argument which turns to hard feelings.

No reason to get upset, they have not produced much if anything in 2015 and the hobby carried on, it will continue to carry on and if they produce in 2016, great, if they don't, well, that's that.

TD

Tom has more inside knowledge on this than any other person posting here. Read his post that should be the end of this discussion.
Gary

 

[jazzeum]

Tom has more inside knowledge on this than any other person posting here. Read his post that should be the end of this discussion.
Gary

Why? He hasn't said anything that hasn't been said already.

 

[uksubs]

Why? He hasn't said anything that hasn't been said already.

Think post "1" by Matt from the hobbybunker said it all {sm3}being he the Main figarti dealer in the USA think he would know What going on at figarti !?

 

[Baymax]

Tom has more inside knowledge on this than any other person posting here. Read his post that should be the end of this discussion.
Gary

Maybe he had longer to read the thread and post his reply as stated its a compilation of what a number of people have said including Matt from Hobby bunker.

Why do people always want to end discussions on a discussion forum?

 

[tdubel]

Let me put to bed any "speculation" about where this information came from - the ONLY 2 Figarti Distributors as I was in person with one at the Westcoaster toy soldier show in March with the folks from Figarti. The other in the UK is a personal friend who I talk to regularly.

Point about same information already posted.....................Guess what, YES - in other words not much has officially changed. Figarti is in the same position they have been in for the last year. Hence my comment that the hobby marched on in 2015 and will continue to do so in 2016 with or without them.

As to capital - I can't speak personally if they have the cash or not and it is speculation on that. The real question is whether they want to invest or finance the venture on their own - that is different than what actual cash you have or not which was the point of my one comment.

My general point is that there really isn't any update and by all means, continue to post, but I am amazed at how such a non subject (since they really are not doing anything) can bring out such reactions!

TD