I need some new 1:32 ww2 news!!!!!!! (1 Viewer)

[gk5717]

How about falschmjagers in the newer, bigger scale?
I totally agree with Plastic General on this. He started this thread asking about plastic WW2 and only plastic WW2. Mr. Weston who I heard from his own lips, "I don't like WW2 figures" branched off nameing other periods that were done in plastic. Personally I got rid of most everything except WW2 so I could care less if Parragon does Civil War or any other periods. Have no interest whatsover.
I also completely understand a company will not make some obscure line of figures to please about 2 collectors. The hard facts are plastic figures have seen their better days and it is what it is, live with it.
Gary

 

[Jay]

Seems to me Conte was under the impression that there were thousands on potential buyers out there for his plastic figures. People who know better could have told him otherwise, and may have. Either way, he charged ahead, and now where is he? How about Imex and their 1/32 figures. Or even Hat. They found out the hard way.
Sadly, there are not thousands of potential buyers for plastic figures, and makers have to weigh there options carefully. Everyone here with a good idea would love to produce toy soldiers. Luckily there are, and were, people like the late Bill McMasters who were able to talk sense into us.
As it is, it's a fickle market. Pegasus did Russian WWII for Stalingrad and could barely give them away. I suspect that CTS's Romanian didn't fly off the shelf either. Go look at the very large hobby stores, and you won't find 1/32.
Lastly, how many of us are actually on the TF or even HB site looking and commenting plastic?
There's your answer.

 

[Go for Broke]

I don't collect plastics, but the plastics section is one of my favorite areas. Maybe it reminds me of my childhood. I envy the guys that actually play with their soldiers. Pow. Kablang. Vip, vip, vip.

 

[binder001]

Let's be honest, WWII has been done to death by just about everyone! Exactly what mainstream figures are missing and will sell in quantities enough for the bigger companies to at least re-coup there money? We have G.I.s and Germans coming out of our ears, there are British, Japs, Russians and Italians. There must be more plastic Shermans and Tigers than were actually built for the war! Of course, if you want the more obscure, why not invest in your own sculpts and tooling. It would be very interesting to follow a forum member's progress and you could keep us appraised of the pitfalls, highs and lows and how your sales are going?
I personally think it's great that we are seeing smaller manufacturers make lesser popular periods for those of us with tastes other than WWII, ACW and Napoleonic. Whilst I now only collect a very limited range of figures for myself, I am keen to see a wide choice of periods available for all.

Steve, yes, it's wonderful to have options for multiple conflicts. I fully disagree with you on the "WW2 done to death idea". Yes, we have "Normandy era" GIs from many makers, but what about later in the war? The whole winter campaign time is weak for most of the participants. TSSD has done just a couple of guys in GI overcoats, and TSSD and CTS have a couple guys in M1943 jackets (generally not terribly well done). The units arriving in later 1944 and into 1945 came entirely equipped with the M1943 uniform! All the parachute infantry re-equipped after NOrmandy to the M1943 uniform (OK, one unit in the 82nd retained the M1942 uniform) - we have NEVER had an a proper representation of the US paratroopers from Operation Market-Garden, the Ardennes campaign or Operation Varsity. Where are the GIs in "tanker jackets"? Very common, but I have yet to see a plastic one (except for tank crews). Every plastic GI seems to be equipped with complete field gear and often a full pack, fine for infantry in the attack, but what about the guys manning vehicles, working artillery, firing mortars, etc. Few of them wore their full gear during those tasks. Another area that is lacking is vehicle crews - the only plastic tankers are the ones that come with the tanks, usually one figure and usually they are undersized to allow them to fit in hatches. I really haven't seen a good effort at the US M1942 tank crewmen helmet on a "toy" plastic figure. Where are the US Army troops from the Pacific? They outnumbered the USMC and actually conducted more amphibious assaults, but toy soldier world thinks that the Marines were aloe in the Pacific. Speaking of Marines, how about some Guadalcanal Marines? Springfield rifles, Tommy guns and some Reisings, but no carbine - another set that hasn't been attempted.

The British are even more poorly served that the Americans, and even the Germans are missing plastic Fallschirmjagers, and certain later war uniforms and some of their unique winter gear.

That doesn't even touch the Free French (and Vichy French), the Finns, the Chinese and a host of others.

I'd like to know where all the "plastic Shermans" are. With 21C gone, FoV having just faded out, that leaves the CTS Sherman in about 1/40th or 1/48th scale and the BMC tank that is a Sherman in name only.

Lots and lots of room available in WW2 subjects, one just has to look beyond Normandy and Stalingrad.

Gary B.
Waverly, NE

 

[combatmen]

Steve, yes, it's wonderful to have options for multiple conflicts. I fully disagree with you on the "WW2 done to death idea". Yes, we have "Normandy era" GIs from many makers, but what about later in the war? The whole winter campaign time is weak for most of the participants. TSSD has done just a couple of guys in GI overcoats, and TSSD and CTS have a couple guys in M1943 jackets (generally not terribly well done). The units arriving in later 1944 and into 1945 came entirely equipped with the M1943 uniform! All the parachute infantry re-equipped after NOrmandy to the M1943 uniform (OK, one unit in the 82nd retained the M1942 uniform) - we have NEVER had an a proper representation of the US paratroopers from Operation Market-Garden, the Ardennes campaign or Operation Varsity. Where are the GIs in "tanker jackets"? Very common, but I have yet to see a plastic one (except for tank crews). Every plastic GI seems to be equipped with complete field gear and often a full pack, fine for infantry in the attack, but what about the guys manning vehicles, working artillery, firing mortars, etc. Few of them wore their full gear during those tasks. Another area that is lacking is vehicle crews - the only plastic tankers are the ones that come with the tanks, usually one figure and usually they are undersized to allow them to fit in hatches. I really haven't seen a good effort at the US M1942 tank crewmen helmet on a "toy" plastic figure. Where are the US Army troops from the Pacific? They outnumbered the USMC and actually conducted more amphibious assaults, but toy soldier world thinks that the Marines were aloe in the Pacific. Speaking of Marines, how about some Guadalcanal Marines? Springfield rifles, Tommy guns and some Reisings, but no carbine - another set that hasn't been attempted.

The British are even more poorly served that the Americans, and even the Germans are missing plastic Fallschirmjagers, and certain later war uniforms and some of their unique winter gear.

That doesn't even touch the Free French (and Vichy French), the Finns, the Chinese and a host of others.

I'd like to know where all the "plastic Shermans" are. With 21C gone, FoV having just faded out, that leaves the CTS Sherman in about 1/40th or 1/48th scale and the BMC tank that is a Sherman in name only.

Lots and lots of room available in WW2 subjects, one just has to look beyond Normandy and Stalingrad.

Gary B.
Waverly, NE

I do agree with all you have said about what has not been done for WW2. Although, a lot of the G.I.'s, unless they were attacked on the march, would have left their packs behind and carried any extra rations, ammo, grenades and other odd and ends in their uniform pockets or the M1936 Musette bag or M1944General purpose Ammo bag so as to have more freedom of movement in combat. All of the figure sets you mentioned would be great to see done. I would love to see sets of Late War U.S. and German Paras, Weapons teams for British paras, Late war G.I.'s, Chindits, just about everything Pacific War and CBI theater, Assault troops using satchelcharges, bangalores, pole charges, flamethrowers, ect. for U.S., German, Japanese, Russian, ect. Very little to none of these have been done before in plastic.
I do not find anything wrong with anyone wanting and wishing for figures they would love to play with to be done. To me, that is what keeps the hobby interesting and alive. Think back to years ago, when all we had was the figures we grew up with to choose from when we started our second Childhood. Now, think back to when you saw all new figures, (made by Accerate, CTS, Barzo, TSSD, ect.) in the era or eras you collected. Remember how excited you were, and how you hoped and wished and even suggested to those companies, for more figures you would love to see made and have to play with. We all have those wishes and hopes and there is nothing wrong with that.
If, new figure sets get made that each of us want happens,it is nothing any of us can predict. It depends on a lot of factors. I hope everyone gets what they want. I am thankful for all the WW2 figures and other stuff I have and, I am thankful that CTS has chosen to do the Korean War, (Something I never thought I would see.) and I am thankful that they are commited to doing more Korean War figure sets and acessories. Happy to see the Vietnam War being done as well. Maybe, we sould all be happy for those who have figure sets made that they want, and hope that others will get figure sets made that they want.
Hopefully in the next few years, we will all have 3-D printers that are afordable and do the fine detail that we need and we can make the figures each of us want.
BOBBYGMOORE

 

[kilted vampire]

Steve, yes, it's wonderful to have options for multiple conflicts. I fully disagree with you on the "WW2 done to death idea". Yes, we have "Normandy era" GIs from many makers, but what about later in the war? The whole winter campaign time is weak for most of the participants. TSSD has done just a couple of guys in GI overcoats, and TSSD and CTS have a couple guys in M1943 jackets (generally not terribly well done). The units arriving in later 1944 and into 1945 came entirely equipped with the M1943 uniform! All the parachute infantry re-equipped after NOrmandy to the M1943 uniform (OK, one unit in the 82nd retained the M1942 uniform) - we have NEVER had an a proper representation of the US paratroopers from Operation Market-Garden, the Ardennes campaign or Operation Varsity. Where are the GIs in "tanker jackets"? Very common, but I have yet to see a plastic one (except for tank crews). Every plastic GI seems to be equipped with complete field gear and often a full pack, fine for infantry in the attack, but what about the guys manning vehicles, working artillery, firing mortars, etc. Few of them wore their full gear during those tasks. Another area that is lacking is vehicle crews - the only plastic tankers are the ones that come with the tanks, usually one figure and usually they are undersized to allow them to fit in hatches. I really haven't seen a good effort at the US M1942 tank crewmen helmet on a "toy" plastic figure. Where are the US Army troops from the Pacific? They outnumbered the USMC and actually conducted more amphibious assaults, but toy soldier world thinks that the Marines were aloe in the Pacific. Speaking of Marines, how about some Guadalcanal Marines? Springfield rifles, Tommy guns and some Reisings, but no carbine - another set that hasn't been attempted.

The British are even more poorly served that the Americans, and even the Germans are missing plastic Fallschirmjagers, and certain later war uniforms and some of their unique winter gear.

That doesn't even touch the Free French (and Vichy French), the Finns, the Chinese and a host of others.

I'd like to know where all the "plastic Shermans" are. With 21C gone, FoV having just faded out, that leaves the CTS Sherman in about 1/40th or 1/48th scale and the BMC tank that is a Sherman in name only.

Lots and lots of room available in WW2 subjects, one just has to look beyond Normandy and Stalingrad.

Gary B.
Waverly, NE

Plastic Shermans? That one is easy BMC!

 

[kilted vampire]

These are plastic too but, hellishly expensive. I just painted them for a member of this forum.

 

[gk5717]

I have tried to stay neutral in this debate but the statement "stalwarts like AIP, TSSD, CTS, etal keep pushing ahead" That is a stretch to say the least. TSSD has not made a new set in a year and to get the VietNam going they had to do a Fund Me drive. When was the last AIP set? Same for CTS maybe a year or so ago?
Again I'm not taking sides because I believe both of you are right in regards to should opposing armies being made together and the cost is just so prohibited that one must have super deep pockets to get involved.
From what I've learned throughout the years these bags of figures don't fly off the shelves it takes a long time just to break even. Then to reinvest, your back to square one in the cycle.
Gary

 

[tws1956]

I have tried to stay neutral in this debate but the statement "stalwarts like AIP, TSSD, CTS, etal keep pushing ahead" That is a stretch to say the least. TSSD has not made a new set in a year and to get the VietNam going they had to do a Fund Me drive. When was the last AIP set? Same for CTS maybe a year or so ago?
Again I'm not taking sides because I believe both of you are right in regards to should opposing armies being made together and the cost is just so prohibited that one must have super deep pockets to get involved.
From what I've learned throughout the years these bags of figures don't fly off the shelves it takes a long time just to break even. Then to reinvest, your back to square one in the cycle.
Gary

Well, yes the makers i mentioned have slowed down but that's due in large part to production costs going up and, it seems, demand is going down.I don't blame TSSD for trying to get a head start. They were, remember, committed to a new line, they just did a marketing promo to get a little up front commitment, nothing wrong with that. CTS did the Chinese but ran into production problems with the N. Koreans, again, I think the Chinese factories are tough to deal with sometimes. Still, I feel slow figure production is better than nothing. Other makers have made many promises and have done zero. And we do have X force, Mars and LOD doing new lines so maybe things are not as dire as it seems. Time will tell.

 

[Plastic General]

SEE BOYS!!
The passion is raging for MORE WWII!!!!!!!!

Did the moderator erase some of the responses due to too much emotional debate?
Seems like it, because I could have sworn we were at 4 pages??

Plastic General

 

[binder001]

Plastic Shermans? That one is easy BMC![/QUOTE

Surely you jest! That piece of claptrap isn't worth being called a Sherman". There are so many things wrong with it, that I can list one good point - it looks something like a tank. BMC copied a deeply flawed model (the early K&C one) and magnified its faults.

FoV was OK, 21C got close but they went with so many "operating" features that they screwed up the shape of the front.

Gary B.
Waverly, NE

 

[larso]

BMC's tank is about $10. It will also stand normal play. It looks like a Sherman to me! My son plays happily with it and an Airfix one. Sure someone could make make a better one but I'd rather see that sort of money go into a US halftrack or a Priest.

 

[binder001]

BMC's tank is about $10. It will also stand normal play. It looks like a Sherman to me! My son plays happily with it and an Airfix one. Sure someone could make make a better one but I'd rather see that sort of money go into a US halftrack or a Priest.

21C made a reasonably priced halftrack and an M7 Priest, they went out of business because people wouldn't buy their stuff.

PS - there's a world of difference between a tank that is for play and one to be displayed with figures. You want a $10.00 tank? You just showed the very reason that plastics get no respect on this or other forums.

Gary B.
Waverly, NE

 

[fritz]

Plastic Shermans? That one is easy BMC![/QUOTE

Surely you jest! That piece of claptrap isn't worth being called a Sherman". There are so many things wrong with it, that I can list one good point - it looks something like a tank. BMC copied a deeply flawed model (the early K&C one) and magnified its faults.

FoV was OK, 21C got close but they went with so many "operating" features that they screwed up the shape of the front.

Gary B.
Waverly, NE

If you want to play with close to real tank BMC, AIRFIX(done under CTS) only and CTS under scale Sherman are the best and not bad all x that purpose.
(Is true out all BMC screw in accuracy) still much better that all piece of trash never realistic toys before by marx,mpc,ideal,tim mee and else but that all children were happy to play as were ("TOY") all
More realistic are of course the replicas copies such 21 C,FV and last New Ray in 1.36 scale aprox.
If you want perfection as you are a 100% purist then you either get a KIT and build it yourself (but can not play with it all) or make your own with your great skills!!
Nothing is perfect ,no one is perfect.

 

[fritz]

Well, yes the makers i mentioned have slowed down but that's due in large part to production costs going up and, it seems, demand is going down.I don't blame TSSD for trying to get a head start. They were, remember, committed to a new line, they just did a marketing promo to get a little up front commitment, nothing wrong with that. CTS did the Chinese but ran into production problems with the N. Koreans, again, I think the Chinese factories are tough to deal with sometimes. Still, I feel slow figure production is better than nothing. Other makers have made many promises and have done zero. And we do have X force, Mars and LOD doing new lines so maybe things are not as dire as it seems. Time will tell.

IS NOT PRODUCTION COST GOIG UP.
In past 5 yeas production had NOT increase much at all. I do business and produce and know it.
is buyers taking longer and buying less at a BIG and fast level every year. The hobby is being hurt x long since last 10 years in decline since.
AIP stop short few ago, CTS take longer to do one set in every two years or so...
TSSD ask x money to produce, Paragon AND Austin take almost 2 years to do one set. Steve Weston stop long ago. LAD just start and one set so far in two years.
Barzso had done nothing
Only" Expeditionary Forces" is making 4 to 6 different set in multiple variation configuration w price from $3.00 to $4.00 per figure not counting shipping.
This company is only run by a millionaire Chinese/Singapore owner.

Russian makers are either to high cost (7-10 per figure) or longer making(MARS)company and other unknown coping metal figures to plastic just resent.
MARX Recast cloned Arabs made in Mexico are being sold at $2.50 to $3.00 per figure in set configuration not counting shipping
Next FFL Marx recast Mexican copies will be higher in price as US dealers are getting ambitious and trying recover fast their investment increasing the sale price.
The Hobby Gamers HO to 40 mm have been hurt but much less as small figures are produced much cheaper in more quantities.
Many old generation collectors are getting pass and old ,not able to buy much, others hurt in pocket, economy is bad and middle class is sinking.
The hobby got it new Gold era in early 90' till 2001 when economy plunger, then try recover a bit with enthusiastically advertising only and by 2009/2010 most making realize take 2 to 3 years to fully recover a single set /army made of plastic figures.
No counting shipping, costumes fees, packing ,cast/design figure else a single 8 poses set mold cost no less 8000 to about 12.000 if high quality .That is just to start and factories demand not less 3000 shots per set to start in advance.
In generally after adding all together to bring and start selling single set in US sample!!.you need no less 13000 to 15000 USD cost invest and that is being cheap from my experience.
Many investing rather use that else or in their family before spend in a(8 set figures plastic set) that will be gone years to get that money cost back and some recover...
Take my words or not as you wish.
Best regards.,

 

[THE SHOOTIST]

If you want perfection as you are a 100% purist then you either get a KIT and build it yourself
.

I run into this all the time. Kits are hard to find in 1/32 scale. Usually, they're from older molds and as inaccurate as can be. But at least they don't look really small with my TSSD, CTS, Italeri, Airfix, AIP and others.

Personally, I scrounge for the older kits. I built model kits before I collected soldiers, so I find that BOTH hobbies offer me a reprieve from the insanity of day to day living. They dovetail together nicely in my opinion. I try to support all plastic manufacturers as best as I can. When they have subject matter that I like, I buy it. I have dozens of figures still in their boxes waiting for me to hit them with a brush and paint. I have a couple kits as well underway. I most likely will never get the time to do them all before my death.

It's not about acquisition, it's about "unwinding time", time I spend with my kids, and building what pleases me. If it's unavailable or unaffordable, I'll make my own or make do with something else, or something similar. After all, it only had to please me.

 

[fritz]

Ex-Fo gave us the Persian Chariot at the start of the year, then 2 sets of Zulus; Mars gave us the Russians, Afghans and Viet-cong, next they are releasing US Marines and Infantry;Paragon did set# of the ACW then they look to be releasing Alamo Mexicans and Plains Indians in September. Back to Ex-Fo for 3 sets of British and all told we should have around 17 sets in total for the Zulu wars from them (apparently this year, before they get on with the Napoleonics); TSSD will be releasing 2 Vietnam sets; LOD will have their chariot (great timing to go with the new Ben Hur film - not neccessarily a period match, but let's not be over fussy!), there's plenty from Russia if your budget can stretch to it and if you like to take the risk on the type of plastic Pvblius uses), then there are the Battle of Hastings figures, highwayman, Monk and Nun and also set #2 of the smugglers from Replicants with another possible surprise in September, and lastly (?) something new from Engineer Basevich in the offing. I don't think that that is too shameful a list. Have I missed anything?

No,you did miss most of the question I guess!!?
THAT SAID...
I need some new 1:32 ww2 news!!!!!!!???=WW2=WORLD WAR II NEW SETS.

I guess not much other than the very ""super economic""" PUBLIUS only soviet sets(2 only) being done this year so far, rest you mention are complete off the specific title era war period in question.
EXPF had not release any WW 2 set as off now ,so after their news was already first reported at stads with update in all included scale early this year, still we are waiting.

 

[fritz]

I run into this all the time. Kits are hard to find in 1/32 scale. Usually, they're from older molds and as inaccurate as can be. But at least they don't look really small with my TSSD, CTS, Italeri, Airfix, AIP and others.

Personally, I scrounge for the older kits. I built model kits before I collected soldiers, so I find that BOTH hobbies offer me a reprieve from the insanity of day to day living. They dovetail together nicely in my opinion. I try to support all plastic manufacturers as best as I can. When they have subject matter that I like, I buy it. I have dozens of figures still in their boxes waiting for me to hit them with a brush and paint. I have a couple kits as well underway. I most likely will never get the time to do them all before my death.

It's not about acquisition, it's about "unwinding time", time I spend with my kids, and building what pleases me. If it's unavailable or unaffordable, I'll make my own or make do with something else, or something similar. After all, it only had to please me.

I agree on kits and time, my response was base on purism of few out there, I do not go too much in detail when using for games or playing, for historical I guess FOV and 21 century are 95% close and I had use them
About KITS I got plenty in 1.32 or 1.30 that had acquired from eBay with years and build as are more easy than most 1.35 to build
First easy to get but the more complex to build(AIRFIX) now being release as KITS new reissues.
Then the old Bandai 1.30 and 1.32 line with several German rare and not that rare models, I have plenty and a good deal bough.
Then I got Orkit brand from Russia with T34/76 AND 86,PLUS kv85 AND KV2,STALIN2 and ISU 122,BEING REISSUE NOW.
There few others made in Japan but more hard to get now.
I got more and if wish information about how to get them online respond to this and I will post link here.
best regards.

 

[larso]

"there's a world of difference between a tank that is for play and one to be displayed with figures. You want a $10.00 tank? You just showed the very reason that plastics get no respect on this or other forums."

Yep - I've got quite a bit of the 21stC & Forces of Valor ranges. They were a perfect middle-way between the toys meant for kids and the high-end metals of King & Country etc.

I've also happily paid $20 for some of the Airfix reissues and would be happy to pay the same for other vehicles - as I did for a couple of Irwin Sell's Jagdpanzers. The metals people (and I'm one as well) are looking for display pieces. I've often thought it odd that people will hand over $50 for a single figure but baulk at $20 for a set of 14 plastics. But I'd just say they're for different demographics, rather than being disrespected. I don't think there's many like me who are into both.

 

[binder001]

I've also happily paid $20 for some of the Airfix reissues and would be happy to pay the same for other vehicles - as I did for a couple of Irwin Sell's Jagdpanzers. The metals people (and I'm one as well) are looking for display pieces. I've often thought it odd that people will hand over $50 for a single figure but baulk at $20 for a set of 14 plastics. But I'd just say they're for different demographics, rather than being disrespected. I don't think there's many like me who are into both.

Yes, it's odd that a metals guy will fork over $50 for a figure that is part of a production run of 5000, but few people are willing to buy good custom conversions that represent a fairly unique figure.

Gary B.
Waverly, NE