Steven Chong
First Sergeant
- Joined
- Aug 25, 2005
- Messages
- 1,365
Before I summarize Andy's talk, I want to again thank Mike and Myszka Hall of Sierra Toy Soldier Company for organizing the K&C seminar at the West Coaster.
Andy spoke and answered questions for 1.5 hours and touched on many topics.
After a brief recap of K&C's history and how a figure is produced, Andy talked about K&C San Antonio (not K&C U.S.). He was approached by the owner of Kings X who wanted to sell. Andy saw an opportunity to introduce toy soldier collecting to tourists who visit the Alamo (200 yards away) and who do not know toy soldiers or military miniatures exist. He mentioned that the History Channel typically has about 3 million viewers per night and if a conservative 1% of these viewers were interested in military history and miniatures, there are 30,000 potential collectors out there. If someone becomes interested in collecting toy soldiers because of K&C's store, they could be informed of the nearest K&C dealer to their home. In the future, Andy thinks K&C San Antonio will become the central distribution point for the U.S. market, reducing the present shipping cost to dealers.
Andy talked about planned production (subject to change) for the next several months:
1) AK now available.
2) Eighth Army, Barbarians and Colonial Marines coming next month.
3) In June, 2006, new DD: ambulance jeep, Stuart, figures that would now be sold in single and double sets, and American personalities -- nothing specific but I would guess one would be Gen. Roosevelt.
4) In July, 2006, new Panther (Andy had pictures of finished master -- no apparent changes to tracks and suspension system), motorcycle with sidecar (static pose so wheels will not move), and Atlantic Wall pillbox with 4 German figures. Andy mentioned WS61 was originally supposed to be these 4 figures. Andy did not mention any other details.
5) New IWJ hopefully about a month before the release of Clint Eastwood's Flag of Our Fathers in August. New Japanese and Marines sculpted and painted to K&C's current standards.
6) In July, 2006 and Aug, 2006, 8 Scots Greys and other Napoleonic calvary like Chasseurs. Because Andy liked the original 5 Scots Greys so much, he added 3 more figures, which means Napoleonic artillery will have to come later.
7) More FOB (Dunkirk) in July, 2006.
Andy did not want to discuss anything past August, 2006.
I AGAIN EMPHASIZE that Andy stated things can happen so the above release times are NOT etched in stone.
Andy mentioned he was still working on Warbirds. I asked Andy if he would be doing the Russian Front but he stated the Germans would sell well but not the Russians, so no current plans.
Finally, Andy mentioned he had some surprises in store for us this year. TWO major new series -- "completely different."
P.S. Mike and Carlos, please correct me if I misstated anything.
Andy spoke and answered questions for 1.5 hours and touched on many topics.After a brief recap of K&C's history and how a figure is produced, Andy talked about K&C San Antonio (not K&C U.S.). He was approached by the owner of Kings X who wanted to sell. Andy saw an opportunity to introduce toy soldier collecting to tourists who visit the Alamo (200 yards away) and who do not know toy soldiers or military miniatures exist. He mentioned that the History Channel typically has about 3 million viewers per night and if a conservative 1% of these viewers were interested in military history and miniatures, there are 30,000 potential collectors out there. If someone becomes interested in collecting toy soldiers because of K&C's store, they could be informed of the nearest K&C dealer to their home. In the future, Andy thinks K&C San Antonio will become the central distribution point for the U.S. market, reducing the present shipping cost to dealers.
Andy talked about planned production (subject to change) for the next several months:
1) AK now available.
2) Eighth Army, Barbarians and Colonial Marines coming next month.
3) In June, 2006, new DD: ambulance jeep, Stuart, figures that would now be sold in single and double sets, and American personalities -- nothing specific but I would guess one would be Gen. Roosevelt.
4) In July, 2006, new Panther (Andy had pictures of finished master -- no apparent changes to tracks and suspension system), motorcycle with sidecar (static pose so wheels will not move), and Atlantic Wall pillbox with 4 German figures. Andy mentioned WS61 was originally supposed to be these 4 figures. Andy did not mention any other details.
5) New IWJ hopefully about a month before the release of Clint Eastwood's Flag of Our Fathers in August. New Japanese and Marines sculpted and painted to K&C's current standards.
6) In July, 2006 and Aug, 2006, 8 Scots Greys and other Napoleonic calvary like Chasseurs. Because Andy liked the original 5 Scots Greys so much, he added 3 more figures, which means Napoleonic artillery will have to come later.
7) More FOB (Dunkirk) in July, 2006.
Andy did not want to discuss anything past August, 2006.
I AGAIN EMPHASIZE that Andy stated things can happen so the above release times are NOT etched in stone.
Andy mentioned he was still working on Warbirds. I asked Andy if he would be doing the Russian Front but he stated the Germans would sell well but not the Russians, so no current plans.
Finally, Andy mentioned he had some surprises in store for us this year. TWO major new series -- "completely different."
P.S. Mike and Carlos, please correct me if I misstated anything.
Last edited:
