Just got back from OTSN (1 Viewer)

[gk5717]

I would like to thank again Treefrog and Sierra Toys for hosting Saturday nights get together with Andy. What an interesting and informative 2 hours that was.
How long did you guys stay in Andys room afterword, I ducked out at 9PM.
I,ll be the first to report on the new BOB GI,s sets.
German stug painted in U.S. colors with 2 standing GI,s, a half track with morter & crew in the bed, 3 man U.S. patrol w/ German POW, a 2 man MP firing squad with a German tied to a pole and priest praying for him, a pack howitzer & crew. And the Santa Clause figure this year is a GI dressed as Santa in a jeep.
As always a great time, I personally did not see many retired K&C, and the ones I did see had hefty price tags.
As I had spent all my money by Saturday night, I left Sunday morning and did not attend the show.
But as from past experiance the show is anti climatic.
Gary

 

[wellington]

I'm jealous...I couldn't make it this year, sounds like a load of fun though...You didn't her anything in Andy's room about upcoming K&C Napoleonics did you?

Cheers
Wellington

 

[Louis Badolato]

Hello all! I also just got back from Chicago. I stayed up with Andy until 2:00 a.m. Friday night and again closed his room Saturday night at about 11:30 p.m. In answer to Wellington's query, the new Napoleonics (prototypes of which were on display in his room) included 95th Rifles and Old Guard. More exciting, from my standpoint, was Andy's declaration that he is returning to China to complete negotiations with a factory that does wood aircraft to complete negotiations for A WACO GLIDER!!!! He also showed us the resin masters of incredible new Celts to fight the Romans and metal masters of the new (equally incredible) Imperial Chinese Army figures, including a set of three archers with a target full of arrows.

 

[jazzeum]

I just got back from Chicago as well and I have to say that I had one of the better times I've had in a very long time. It was simply fabulous. I got to spend a lot of time with Andy and chew the fat and it's just great to listen to him and drink into the wee hours although I didn't stay up to 3. I also got to talk to Gary (my twin!), Brian W. (warbuff 26), fullyautomatic, leadman, Chuck Harris, Steve Chong and spend a lot of money with Shannon. Heck, if it hadn't been for Shannon and Pete, I doubt I would have spent much at all but thanks to them I got the Quad, two Cavalry Officers and FJ 01, which I never thought I'd get in a million years. Louis also spotted the four german aces that I scored today from Hobby Bunker for $100 (a fair price I think) and I got a couple of Normandy facades from Old Toy Soldier Home. I also met a lot of people that I hadn't know before like tristar (Thierry) and his pal Fred, who is the K & C dealer in France.

The camaraderie was tops and that's what made this special, spending a lot of time with Louis, Hans and Brian W (and Andy! -- where else can you get too spend so much time with an owner?).

Gary, you didn't miss that much today. There wasn't that much today.

My one goal had been to get the Rommel Staff car. Someone had it all right but it was $450. That's way over ebay so maybe next time.

I've already made my reservation for next year.

BTW, the new American Battle of the Bulge Americans are fantastic. There was also a halftrack that looks superb. And that set of the American firing squad is neat. This will be an amazing series in November.

Andy also had the new Dunkirk English and French soldiers. The Tommies are superb. In the Tommies you can see the haggard look, the body stooped and the defeated feeling. Don't know how he keeps getting better but he's doing it.

 

[jazzeum]

I'm jealous...I couldn't make it this year, sounds like a load of fun though...You didn't her anything in Andy's room about upcoming K&C Napoleonics did you?

Cheers
Wellington

Wellington,

You would have loved the show. Tons of Napoleonics all around. Some not cheap like the Russian stuff but nice stuff all around.

 

[Alexdakar]

I just got back also after going through hell from Houston traffic and six hours of chaos at the airport. It was a great and exciting first year experience. I recommend it to everyone. I met so many collectors, dealers and manufactures. Everyone was so nice and enjoyable. Andy's new and future figures are awesome. Figarti tanks are incredible. ONTC new figures are amazing and so realistic with the colors and equipment. There are just so many great things to report that I would properly get carpal tunnel typing it.

 

[Rob]

Hi all,did anyone take any pics of the new B.O.B stuff?.Thanks for the report, it all sounds excellant.

Rob

 

[Steven Chong]

Wellington:
Just got back to San Francisco after being delayed at the gate for three hours (got bumped going to Chicago and spent 7 hours at SF airport, so flying for the Show was very unpleasant). Regarding Louis' post, I thought I heard Andy say the figures were King's German Legion riflemen. Andy also displayed the farm house with gated wall that is shown on the K&C Napoleonic section. It will come in three separate sets: farm house with raised base, gated wall sections, and miscellaneous farm implements like wheeled cart, barrels, etc.

 

[Louis Badolato]

My appologies for the mis-information. I didn't ask Andy what the new riflemen were, I just assumed 95th because that's what everybody does in Napoleonic green uniformed riflemen. Leave it to Andy to do Kings German Legion: outstanding! As to the bulge stuff, I thought the Stug IV disguised in U.S. camo was terrific. Its looks way better as an American track. I was remiss in not mentioning all the great people from the forum I got to see again or meet for the first time. Having many meals and drinks in Andy's room with Brian, Brad, as well as meeting in person Chuck Harris, Gary, Fullyautomatic, Shannon & Pete was the best part of the show for me. The effort Chuck made to join us, despite the health problems he is having, was nothing short of heroic. I also got to meet Tim Tyler, who will shortly be joining us on the forum (welcome Tim!), a true gentleman who is the King & Country dealer in Jacksonville Florida. It was great to see Mike Neville (K&C, U.K.) and his son Tony. It was especially neat to meet the youngest blood in our hobby, a young man named Ian, who had taken his K&C stuff to school, got his whole class interested, and then written Andy a detailed letter asking for information about K&C, which Andy mentioned during his talk Friday night. My very generous friend Hans Hedrich, after hearing the story, donated the K&C proof figure he won in the raffle at the Friday get together to young Ian, to further cement his interest in the hobby. Thanks to Shannon, Pete, and Mike & Myska at Sierra for a really special evening! And special thanks to Andy for all the fun and comraderie. Can't wait until next year!

 

[Leadmen]

I would like to thank Pete, Shannon and Mindy for having a "oasis" in their room at Show and enjoyed visiting and taking pictures in their room. The show was special to me in getting to meet Lou- Brad and others. Sorry I missed seeing some Treefrog people at the time.This was one of the nicest shows I been to and met many new and old friends. I did miss meeting with Andy and the get together. My wife invited friends to dinner at the same time. I got K&C Amtrac and some figure sets along with many Britain and misc. figures. My wallet is empty but will have good memories. Thanks all> Leadmen

 

[jazzeum]

I was fortunate at not having too many bad traveling stories. I took United and while the lines were huge they moved quickly. United seemed organized.
I also was remiss in mentioning Tim Tyler, whom I got to meet over the weekend. Tim is a great guy, a real gentlemen and he walked around with us for a bit, while trying to keep track of the Florida score; he's a huge Gator fan. I think it's great that he's going to join the forum. I don't know if we made more converts to the forum but I hope so. I will be starting to examine my booty tonight, trying to figure out where to put everything.

Alas, reality is hitting us so back to work.

 

[Warbuff26]

Good Monday morning all...I can't believe I'm back at work after such a great weekend. Since I live 15 min from the Hyatt I did not have any travel problems!

I too would like to sing the praises of Pete and Shannon and the folks at Sierra for a great time Saturday night. I wont mention all the people because my list would be the same as everyone else’s. All I will say that it was soooo much fun getting to hang out and talk to you all about this hobby.

Special thanks as always to Andy who truly knows how to treat his customers! This company not only gives you great products but treats you as "part of the team". Picture if you will a small hotel room packed with grown men sitting on the floor talking to the wee hours of the morn with the owner of the company....good times! As far as the new product...WOW! Just wait til you see Easy Co. Private Neilson fresh from the REPO Depot to fight in the Bulge!

That’s why I go to the show anymore I think...it’s the people....because as my new show friends can tell you the day of finding "deals" on KC Product at the Chicago show look to be over! Almost everyone wants e-bayish prices and that’s if you can find the stuff in the first place! I did pick up a Caesar for $50 and a set of three Civil War for $54, but World War II....forget about it!

To everyone I saw over the past three days I thank you for a great time and hope to see you and more people next year!

P.S. Treefrog did pick up about 10 or 11 of my 12x24 dioramas which I would like to thank them for their support of my “side hobby”. I hope if you have liked my work that you have seen from time to time on here that you contact them if you’d be interesting in purchasing one…or two! I hope that the dioramas added to their display at the show and helped sell KC product!

All my best to everyone!
Brian

 

[Steven Chong]

Brian: Did you make the approximately 30" by 14" beach diorama that Shannon had? It had water, beach, then gradual slope up to dunes.

 

[cement shoes]

Did anyone take pictures of the new Bulge stuff?

 

[Combat]

The firing squad set sounds interesting but is that based on a real incident? From the reports it sounds like the German is in an American uniform and therefore it would be permissible (as I understand it from the movies). Nevertheless curious if these executions were actually carried out by Americans. I know there was one mass execution of American POWs by the Germans.

 

[binder001]

Re: Just got back from OTSN - POWs

re: POWs and executions. Yes, the US Army DID execute three Operation Greif team members. The legal justification was that they were involved in combat operations while in US uniforms. The Germans had multiple murders of Belgian civillians and surrendered US soldiers.

I didn't get to OTSN to see the figures, but the US Army executions were shown in the book "Nuts! The Battle of the Bulge". The firing squad was Military Police, and they appeared to use M1903 rifles. The Germans were dressed in US Army fatigues that had POW stripes.

I'm really looking forward to Andy's new Bulge figures and vehicles. The halftrack mortar carrier sounds very good (they were used by tank battalions and Armored Infantry battallions). The Santa in the Jeep sounds like a hoot, too.

 

[Warbuff26]

Brian: Did you make the approximately 30" by 14" beach diorama that Shannon had? It had water, beach, then gradual slope up to dunes.

Yes Steven I did. It is 12 inches deep by 24 inches long. It looks fantastic with the new D-day rangers on it! If interested I recommend talking to Shannon or Pete about also getting the Build-a-Rama tank traps and wire to spruce it up....it really displays your troops well!

 

[Leadmen]

This years show has changed my thinking on getting more scenery and diorama accessories to add to my displays. I stoped doing them awhile back but the new stuff from Warbuff, George Guerriero, Frontline, K&C and Hobby Bunker sure changed my thinking this year.Although my wife said if I came home with Ron Barzo's fabulous Fort Ticondroga set (huge). I would be living in yard with it. Now a winter setting up Form tech bunkers, and other scenes will keep me busy. Where to set it up?? Maybe add heat to other garage and convert it to a "play room". Finally got my boat out of there after walking around it for years. This was said before how much I enjoyed meeting new and old friends this year.I wish at times I could have been triplets so I could be everywhere and not miss nothing.My list is already starting again- also with warnings not to make any orders for awhile. I probably better go back to working to keep up. The show keeps my inspiration and ideas flowing all winter. This is just my reflections and any similarties to others is purely consequential. Leadmen (John)

 

[wellington]

Thanks for the updated info guys, sounds like the show was great, wish I could have met Andy, Peter, Shannon and the rest of the TreeFrog crew!!
The entire farm house set how big was it about and did the Kings German Legion have mutiple poses? Any word on doing dead or wounded guys and I thought the Old Imperial Guard was just put out?

Cheers
Wellington

This is for you Steven..

 

[Fullyautomatic]

I arrived back late yesterday and boy what a weekend. Unfortunately I did not get much time to check out the rooms or the show for any retired K&C or other goodies and from talking to others it looks like there was not much to be found in the form of retired sets. I did manage to get WS08 and WS10 from TreeFrogs recently acquired collection so I was happy. I did see a couple of pieces offered from Gettysburg Toy Soldiers that were still available after the show. Pricey yes but someone will eventually buy them so I can't blame them for asking those prices especially if they are in no rush to sell them. I have some expensive asking prices also but when I really need to unload them,then the price might come down. As always there were some incredible diorama displays from many companies and dealers. Sorry guys I didn't get a chance to get pic's but I think Dick took plenty so hopefully he will forward them to TreeFrog for posting. Brian's work(Warbuff) could be seen in George's(Warrior),Bill Moore's and Treefrog's displays. Great work Brian!! OTSN just provides some incredible displays that you don't see at smaller shows.
I must say that overall I think attendance was down from prior years. The hallways for roomtrading traffic seemed light compared to the past years I attended and talking to some of the other dealers the general consensus was that sales were down to. For me the highlight was once again meeting Andy and seeing the upcoming K&C releases. Also meeting old and new friends, especially all that have been previosly listed from the board here by other members.Sorry that I didn't get a chance to meet you Alex. Its nice to put a face to the names. Special thanks again to TreeFrog(Pete,Shannon and Mindy), Sierra(Mike and his wife) and Andy for organizing saturday nights get together. The talk after, back at Andy's room was great. Louis and Hanns gave us a run down of the symposium in March(hope thats right) which just sounds like a great time. I also had the opportunity to meet and chat with the Neville's Mike and Tony. They brought the box for the new Sherman release but SOMEONE forgot the tank that goes in it.Oops!! Since Bob wasn't there he was to blame. Lastly to Tim Tyler, it was a pleasure buddy!!
My comments on the new upcoming Allied BOB sets are all good. I don't think that anyone will be disappointed once they see them. I might think the repainted Stug might not sell as well just for the fact that it would be hard pressed to put in any other diorama scene then what was displayed. It still looks good, just my 2 cents. The Fall of France series looked great displayed and the two smaller proto-type trucks that Andy had will hopefully make it to the final drawing/production board. The Tiger Limited is awesome and with the collector release of a Michael Wittman figure due next year it will compliment even more. Speaking on the Limited edition releases Andy informed us that next year will see three separate new releases in this department.One will be for the Napoleonic's and the other's will be a WWII German piece and the other a WWII Allied piece. You African Korps collectors are going to get yours to with a new artillary piece and hauler along with other sets. NO DEMANDS please John!!!No more dead WWII guys Wellington,I asked.Not sure on the Napoleonic's.
Well I think I've spouted long enough. I hope we might have picked up a few more new board members. Give us some new blood like Ian for the madness that we are all involved with. Lastly I have to thank Brian Greenwood(Greewood Toy Soldier's) who brought me along to this years show. I must say a prettier girl standing at table might have helped sell more though. Future planning for next years show!!!!
Later all!!!!