How popular are the Iwo Jima sets?. (1 Viewer)

[Rob]

I have never bought any of the Japenese or Marine sets but am sorely tempted by the new ones.To me the new Japenese sets look more life like and realistic than the old ones.There always seems to be lots of talk about B.o.b/ EA and Normandy sets,but little about Iwo jima.Is there anyone out there whose primary or fave KC line is Iwo Jima,and what do you think of the new stuff?.

Rob

 

[Leadmen]

I bought most recent Iwo sets but did not buy earlier figures.The later sets are better. I did buy the first Figarti Japanese sets but some are very large, not like their newer sets. I like the series and will probably get more. Leadmen

 

[gk5717]

I personally think for being early K&C sets, the Japanese are outstanding.
Looking forward to the new stuff.
Gary

 

[jazzeum]

I'm not sure this really answers your question but this series has never been that popular. At the 2005 Symposium Andy said it didn't do as well as well his other World War II series and, based upon ebay prices for retired items, the IWJ material generally lags well behind. I don't collect it myself.

The interest in the series could change with the movie.

 

[Steven Chong]

... I did buy the first Figarti Japanese sets but some are very large, not like their newer sets ...

The first Figarti Japanese sets were closer to 1/30 scale. They were part of Figarti's WWII Chinese Theatre series -- the opposition of the Chinese 8th Route Army. The founder of Figarti, James Wang (Rick's father), thought 1/30 scale was the standard in toy soldiers, but found out at the 2003 Chicago show that 1/32 was more of the standard. Everything made by Figarti since the Chinese series are in 1/32 scale.

 

[Steven Chong]

I have never bought any of the Japenese or Marine sets but am sorely tempted by the new ones.To me the new Japenese sets look more life like and realistic than the old ones.There always seems to be lots of talk about B.o.b/ EA and Normandy sets,but little about Iwo jima.Is there anyone out there whose primary or fave KC line is Iwo Jima,and what do you think of the new stuff?
Rob

The difference between the old and new IWJ Japanese sets aptly display the improvement in K&C's sculpting and painting over the last few years -- any of the recent production will look more life-like and realistic when compared to sets from only a few years ago. I have most of the IWJ sets except for one and have ordered all the new stuff. I also have all of Figarti's WWII Pacific Theater sets. I have always been more interested in the Pacific Theatre, but realize most people are interested in the European theatre. Like Brad mentioned, Clint Eastwood's IWJ movie, Flag of Our Fathers, may increase interest in this line.

 

[desk11desk12]

Oh, I don't know but I like them. Heck, I have many of the KC recent sets plus I have more preorders on the way. Plus, that still not enough, I have the Figarti US Marines too and more too. That wasn't enough so I had to get more. It's not totally accurate but I like it.

Sorry for the picture quality but I was in a hurry since I was still working.

Carlos

 

[desk11desk12]

BTW, the howitzer on the left is FOV and on the right side is the Britains.

Here is some more...

 

[OzDigger]

The FOV has the better detail imo and I'll be getting one myself.

 

[Panzer]

Outstanding Dio, Carlos!
Semper Fi!
Rick

 

[Alexdakar]

You did it again Carlos. You could almost feel the action.

 

[Leadmen]

Carlos: You pics of the Marines are great. Nice job. Are the artillery figures converted figures to make them Marines? Leadmen

 

[binder001]

Carlos,

VERY nice work on repainting those figures to Marines. Your colors are very good, and the work is extremely good. You choices of poses work well for USMC troops also. Keep up the good work!

Gary Binder

 

[Gideon]

I love the new Fov guns. They have really been raising the level of detail and overall quality.

I always did well with the IWJ series with exception to the Chi-Ha tank. The stock I had on that one hung around for quite some time. Due to Andys' thematic releases, I got the feeling (as did many of my customers) that it was kind of an orphaned series. I am really happy to see fresh attention paid to it.

When I first signed up with K&C - about 1998 - one of the first things we got in was that entire IWJ diorama with the terrain base and vehicles. I remember opening all these packages with soldiers mumified in toilet paper, each one really peculiar, but, when all assembled and set up, made the most remarkable diorama. We immdiately put that display in our front window. Wow did that attract people.

Over time, less attention was paid to the IWJ series. That first release was brilliant and a huge statement in our little world of military miniatures. Add on sets were few and far between after 2000. People used to come in and ask when new stuff would be added to the series.

I think Andy creates expectation, sets the bar and has to answer for each series he produces. That must be really challenging.

 

[sceic2]

I collect the Iwo series. I have all the Japanese and most of the US. I missed the Sherman on Ebay recently and I am still on the look out for it.

I would like to get the first five in the series, IWJ01 to IWJ05 (all USMC), if they were priced reasonably. However, they are just repaints of some of the first sets of the D-Day series (GI's repainted as Grunts). Same thing applies to the first sets of WS, they were repainted into the Winter WS and the first AK's. As with other K&C AFV in the Iwo series, the first Amtrack was very crude when compared to the new Amtrack. I really enjoy the new one.

I am looking forward to the new Japanese and hope that what Andy said in his posting concerning the series about their contuation. I believe that the new machine gun bunker set is ideal for the Iwo series, just lay a broken palm tree across the top for place setting.