Ideas for Figarti (1 Viewer)

[Steven Chong]

A lot of people have mentioned Figarti's new Stuart Tank, but their new Iraq stuff and WWII Marine figures were doing very well at the Chicago Show. Rick asked me what I would like to see added to their lines, saying someone had already suggested female U.S. soldiers frisking female Arab civilians for the new Iraq checkpoint sets. I suggested a Humvee for the Iraq line and LVT(5) for the WWII Pacific, all done to the same standard as their Stuart and Type 1 tanks. Members on the forum always have great ideas. Rick of Figarti is now a forum member, so he will see your replies. What would you want to see in Figarti's WWII Pacific Theatre and modern Iraq lines?

 

[binder001]

for the Pacific series, I'd suggest some of the following;

1) for Guadalcanal, how about the 75mm pack howitzer, the 37mm AT gun, a .50 cal AA MG, or another round of M3 Stuarts. For figures, we could use early Marines in utilities, plain helmets, a water-cooled .30 MG, and Springfield rifles. For the Japanese, some basic army troops with a light howitzer.

2) For Tarawa - an M4A2 medium tank, LVT2, Marines in camouflage utilities, with Garands and carbines. For the Japanese, Special Naval Landing Force troops with mortars and MGs.

3) For Iwo Jima - an M4A3 medium tank in three color camouflage, LVT(A)4, DUKW, and Marines in utilities with camo helmet covers, carrying BARs, Garands, and a light MG. The Japanese need bunker troops with heavy mortars and MGs.

 

[Leadmen]

Your Japanese guys are great this year- I have most guys from first year also. I too would like to see some early Pacific War Marines with water cooled MG's and small anti-tank guns. Always like crew served weapons. Nice Work. Leadmen

 

[gk5717]

I mentioned something to Rick at the show about doing winter Korean War figures. What I like about Figarti is that they are doing something different than the standard WW2 European theatre stuff.
I would hope that they would continue on that course. I,ve got all the GI,s and Germans I can handle from K&C.
Gary

 

[RWFigarti]

Hey Guys,

I am back in Shanghai, thanks for the comments. Unlike the past couple of years where we have been launching new items at the Chicago show, we intend to launch new lines through out the year starting in January '06. I like all your suggestions but please give us a little time, we are still a very small company and new at this. As you saw, our quality has improved since our "China Battlefield" series (Which has been retired for good, those of you who bought it, you now own a piece of Figarti's history). Anyway, thanks for all your ideas, we will keep them in mind and again, thanks for your support!

Rick

 

[noli-poli]

Are Figarti figures compatible with King & Country?

 

[Leadmen]

The Figarti guys from two years ago were larger and compatible with K&C. The ones this year- Marines and Japanese are smaller and more 54mm size like old northwest figures. I like the smaller guys but I would say they don't seem compatible with K&C now. Leadmen

 

[Steven Chong]

No, the current Figarti figures (modern Iraq and WWII Pacific Theater) are 54mm or 1/32 scale and look very small when placed next to K&C IWJ figures. Figarti figures are closer in size to Conte, Britains, Old Northwest Trading Co., Frontline, Forces of Valor ("FOV") and 21st Century. The FOV Abrams and Humvee are perfect for the new modern Iraq figures.

 

[noli-poli]

No, the current Figarti figures (modern Iraq and WWII Pacific Theater) are 54mm or 1/32 scale and look very small when placed next to K&C IWJ figures. Figarti figures are closer in size to Conte, Britains, Old Northwest Trading Co., Frontline, Forces of Valor ("FOV") and 21st Century. The FOV Abrams and Humvee are perfect for the new modern Iraq figures.

Thanks for the info...and to you too, Leadman

 

[Alexdakar]

What about a media crew with some soldiers with cameras and video filming the action.

 

[Steven Chong]

What about a media crew with some soldiers with cameras and video filming the action.

A mustached reporter inspired by Geraldo Rivera or female reporter inspired by Christiane Amanpour.

 

[jazzeum]

I, frankly, would like to see their figures K & C size. I think they need that to compete with K & C. Just because Andy covers WW 2 extensively doesn't mean that the field is saturated and that there isn't room for more.

 

[Steven Chong]

I, frankly, would like to see their figures K & C size. I think they need that to compete with K & C. Just because Andy covers WW 2 extensively doesn't mean that the field is saturated and that there isn't room for more.

In the Britains' room during the Chicago Show, Ken Osen told me one of the first topics discussed with Richard Walker was whether to make Britains' figures larger. When asked for my opinion, I told Ken I thought Britains should remain the same size.

I do not think it is the size of the figure. K&C's Napoleonic figures are much smaller than their BOB figures, though still larger than 1/32 scale. What makes K&C the most popular is the superb sculpting, painting, and the individuality and emotion displayed by the figures -- quoting Andy, "Each figure tells a story." I sometimes wonder if K&C would be as popular without Andy's creative input and energy -- I doubt it. I like K&C's style and how K&C uses black to outline the belts, straps and details, so I collect K&C. However, Rick's father, the founder of Figarti, thinks using black outline looks artifical and does not want to paint his figures in that style. Figarti's figures have a different style and size, but I like their themes and ideas and also collect them. I do not think they need to make their figures larger to compete. As I have posted before, the 1/32 scale of the Figarti figures allow me to use all the 1/32 FOV equipment. I have one Humvee, and am planning on getting two more and a Bradley (all for less than $90) to make a convoy of vehicles to go with the Figarti Iraq figures.

 

[jazzeum]

Well, I guess I would disagree in part. I do understand that even K & C figures tend to vary a little in size even in the same range. Witness the tank fighters that go with the SU 85 from WS 36 and the same soldiers from WS 49. The latter are a little smaller. Yes, the sculpting is key, if not critical because who is going to pay a 60 mm figure if the sculpting stinks. However, most, if not all, of my collection is K & C. So, if I'm going to buy figures from other companies, they had better be compatible with K & C. 54 mm just isn't going to work since it will look out of place. Figarti has a different style and they could be viable competitor someday to K & C but if they remain a small size I'm just going to have to pass. At any rate, since they're not focusing on Europe it's academic anyway as they will probably focus on the Pacific theater whereas Andy is more oriented towards Europe.

I didn't talk to the Britain's people but I would have encouraged them to make them bigger. You have to meet the competition and the competition is K & C. To compete with K & C, you're going to have to make your soldiers a little bigger, maybe not a full 60 but more than 54. Again, it's the sculpting. The Britain's soldiers appear toylike compared to K & C.