K/C Gunboat the Conte Way? (1 Viewer)

[maddadicus]

Since the Sand Pebbles figures are now out there, it is obvious that we would need an affordable gunboat to support them..Would the collectors stand for a plastic/ resin hybrid, if it meant a lower price boat..If we could get used to the fact that the ship is just a display platform, would we give K/C some slack, if they had to dummy down the quality of the ship, to give everyone a chance to buy one? Michael

 

[noli-poli]

Since the Sand Pebbles figures are now out there, it is obvious that we would need an affordable gunboat to support them..Would the collectors stand for a plastic/ resin hybrid, if it meant a lower price boat..If we could get used to the fact that the ship is just a display platform, would we give K/C some slack, if they had to dummy down the quality of the ship, to give everyone a chance to buy one? Michael

I second the motion

 

[PolarBear]

I would go for that.

Randy

 

[1879fanatic]

Michael,
Third the motion! Maybe one or several unpainted like the Hobby Bunker foam.
Mike

 

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,
Re the above suggestion… sorry to dash your hopes but I don’t think it’s feasible…
For these practical reasons…
1. Using plastic, especially for large objects is extremely costly. You need special metal molds which are prohibitively expensive.
2. Resin, although cheaper is very fragile and can shatter easily… Although Figarti have made their E boat using it (and that is not cheap) I can see they have not produced many of their B17’s using the same method. My own personal view is that it not all that practical.
3. Now Conte has indeed produced very nice Viking Ships… Roman Galleys and a medieval “Cog” but why has he discounted each of them by huge amounts. Sometimes mega items don’t sell…?
And how many of each did he make in the first place?
Any of you guys know the quantities?
4. Believe me K&C has looked and are continuing to look at lots of different ways and means of producing large scale projects (like our gunboat) and at a reasonable affordable retail price.
It ain’t easy… but we’ll keep trying… I appreciate the suggestions put forward and that’s why I wanted to answer them. Hope this gives you a wee bit of manufacturing insight.
Best wishes and… happy collecting!

Andy C.

 

[oberstoskar]

I have bought a US$20 nicely painted 21st century 1/32 Focker plane next to my excellent recently increased Luftwaffe K&C figures and my diorama looks awesome!

IMHO plastic plane fits my budget a lot better and I am satisfy with the detail level.

I was recently turned off my how expensive the Komet and the low level of details that's why I turned my pocket to 21st century especially during these financially harsh times.

 

[1879fanatic]

Hi Guys,
Re the above suggestion… sorry to dash your hopes but I don’t think it’s feasible…
For these practical reasons…
1. Using plastic, especially for large objects is extremely costly. You need special metal molds which are prohibitively expensive.
2. Resin, although cheaper is very fragile and can shatter easily… Although Figarti have made their E boat using it (and that is not cheap) I can see they have not produced many of their B17’s using the same method. My own personal view is that it not all that practical.
3. Now Conte has indeed produced very nice Viking Ships… Roman Galleys and a medieval “Cog” but why has he discounted each of them by huge amounts. Sometimes mega items don’t sell…?
And how many of each did he make in the first place?
Any of you guys know the quantities?
4. Believe me K&C has looked and are continuing to look at lots of different ways and means of producing large scale projects (like our gunboat) and at a reasonable affordable retail price.
It ain’t easy… but we’ll keep trying… I appreciate the suggestions put forward and that’s why I wanted to answer them. Hope this gives you a wee bit of manufacturing insight.
Best wishes and… happy collecting!

Andy C.

Andy,
You are right in your points. I'm in manufacturing now and your points are valid, especially for your premier company and it's place in the market. I would presume a cheaper product from a manufacturer in that niche. I am thinking of Hobby Bunker or another that could put out inexpensive forms not finished and , at $30-100, if it broke it could either fixed or tossed without worry.
Your product (San Pueblo) is right where it should be market-wise. By the way, YOU introduced the fine movie to me when your series came out, and I love it. Thanks
Mike

 

[Capitolron]

I have bought a US$20 nicely painted 21st century 1/32 Focker plane next to my excellent recently increased Luftwaffe K&C figures and my diorama looks awesome!

IMHO plastic plane fits my budget a lot better and I am satisfy with the detail level.

I was recently turned off my how expensive the Komet and the low level of details that's why I turned my pocket to 21st century especially during these financially harsh times.

Can you take a picture and show us - I would be interested in seeing 21st Century with these figures.

 

[AIXrUS]

21st century is a small 1:32. It does not scale well with K&C.

With that said, I have several of their planes as ceiling hangers because the quality for the cost is excellent. And when they are offset by hanging from the ceiling near or above a display, the scale is more deceptive and so tolearable, in my opinion.

 

[Capitolron]

21st century is a small 1:32. It does not scale well with K&C.

With that said, I have several of their planes as ceiling hangers because the quality for the cost is excellent. And when they are offset by hanging from the ceiling near or above a display, the scale is more deceptive and so tolearable, in my opinion.

I don't agree with that statement - I have 1/32 Corgi Metal planes and they go well with King & Country figures.

 

[jazzeum]

I believe that most K & C Warbirds, whether old or new, are 1/32, not 1/30.

 

[oberstoskar]

I believe that most K & C Warbirds, whether old or new, are 1/32, not 1/30.

True, I've walked into K&C's shop and verified it's size with my own naked eyes
The K&C Warbirds are on a smaller scale too!

 

[maddadicus]

Back to the original question..Without a ship, why produce this range? It would seem to be a deadend, as a line, without add ons..Michael

 

[Capitolron]

Michael

I am sure what Andy has in mind is to appeal to a cross-over range with Streets of Old Hong Kong. There are many diorama pieces with that range and this US Navy range is sort of tied to it right now with the figures that are being produced.

Perhaps this year we shall see some interesting diorama pieces with the US Navy Range ?

Ron

 

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Re Michael’s (Maddadicus) question, “Without a ship, why produce this range? It would seem to be a deadend, as a line, without add-ons”.

Well, my friends, there are a whole big bunch of add-ons already in the works… plus a nice surprise or two.

So, that my friend, is why we’re producing this range and I can further assure you and any other “doubting Thomases” it is most definitely NOT, I repeat, NOT a “deadend”…

Love ‘n’ kisses,
Andy C.

 

[damian]

Hi Guys,

Re omases” it is most definitely NOT, I repeat, NOT a “deadend”…

Love ‘n’ kisses,
Andy C.

Glaswegian kisses. I hope not.