KCS sold out! (1 Viewer)

[bsager]

I just received an email letting me know that the new KCS series is now sold out from K&C.

I suspect that this is an extremely small run so they will be worth acquiring.

Bill Sager

 

[jazzeum]

I probably should know this but what is KCS?

 

[bsager]

That is the new Napoleonics series that was just released. 10 sets in total. Dealers were allocated a samll amount up front and the rest to follow in february. It is a very small special edition series that Andy released. The sets are really nice. I sold all of mine the first day. I tried to order more and they informed me they are sold out. This was an unannounced series and a test bed for Andy and I think it has been very successful. With the limited amount and the suprise release makes for a nice collectible.

As far as the KCS distinction I am not sure. Andy will have to answer that one. It probably stands for King and Country Special or something like that. Kind of like NA is for Napoleonics.

Bill Sager

 

[jazzeum]

Oh, I understand now since I don't collect Napoleonics.

 

[King's Man]

I would have to question weather this new very limited release was really a big success for Andy. Being so limited in numbers Andy's production costs, the sculpturing and training the painters to paint that different figures, is going to be higher. The more times you can cast a figure using the same original design improves your recovery rate of the production costs. I would also think the painting would become more effecient and quicker when doing a larger run.

If the design and sculpturing time is considered it makes more sense to do larger production runs. The ratio of profit to production cost would be higher.

These short runs only made sense because they were using already paid for rejected designs. With which Andy is trying to recover some of the already spend production cost. These same figures if allowed to have a normal run I summit would have made a larger profit after recovering production costs.

 

[wellington]

KINGS MAN...I think you are dead on about these being the extras, no disrespect to the sets they are works of art!!!...... While we are on the subject MR. BILL SAGER has assisted me with some business regarding these Napoleonic variation sets....MR. SAGER'S CUSTOMER SERVICE AND HIS BUSINESS ARE ONE CLASS ACT AND I HOPE TO BE DOING BUSINESS IN THE FUTURE WITH HIM!!!!!!

WELLINGTON......

 

[Old Guard]

Wellington,

It sounds like you have all of the new sets. Can you tell me how they comapre to the standard K&C Napoleonic soldier as far as sculpting and painting. I do have 4 of the Empress Dragoons to compare them too along with some infantry. Also what are your favorite ones. I have a birthday coming up so I might be able to get a couple of them before they are gone.

Thanks,
Old Guard

 

[wellington]

Old Guard, I'm sorry I don't have the new sets but a friend of mine is working on that for me....I have to say I like them all....

WELLINGTON

 

[fishead19690]

I would have to question weather this new very limited release was really a big success for Andy. Being so limited in numbers Andy's production costs, the sculpturing and training the painters to paint that different figures, is going to be higher. The more times you can cast a figure using the same original design improves your recovery rate of the production costs. I would also think the painting would become more effecient and quicker when doing a larger run.

If the design and sculpturing time is considered it makes more sense to do larger production runs. The ratio of profit to production cost would be higher.

These short runs only made sense because they were using already paid for rejected designs. With which Andy is trying to recover some of the already spend production cost. These same figures if allowed to have a normal run I summit would have made a larger profit after recovering production costs.

With these napoleonics Andy got his money out of the molds!!! These are the same molds as the del prados cavalry line that are made in very large runs. All he had to do is just swap the head on one or two and repaint the others. Alot of napoleonic uniforms are very similar and can be converted in some cases by just a simple paint job and others by a head change. I do this all the time with my napoleonic plastics. The number of napoleonic uniforms from various europeon nations is like an endless well just when you think you,ve seen them all you find a few thousand more and they changed from year to year. I,m sure that there are many that have been lost to time that we,ll never know about. Not only did they change from year to year but by climate and dress uniform, campaign uniform, and out of necessity useing what was available and also drumers and buglers had different uniforms to help them stand out, usually opisite as the rest of the troops(facing color as jacket color). This was to help them stand out on the field so they could rally back to the color if they could not hear the drum or bugler with the noise of battle.

 

[Steven Chong]

Dear King's Man,

While Andy may wish to correct me, I do not think his costs are as high as you think. I believe most, if not all, of the KCS figures are slight variations of the castings used for the Del Prado Cavalry of the Napoleonic Wars series. If you go to the Del Prado USA site (www.delpradousa.com), compare the following from that series:
DEL-NC48 to KCS076 (arm w/ gun moved)
DEL-NC50 to KCS074 (head rotated slightly)
DEL-NC54 to KCS068 (head rotated slightly, straps more distinct)
DEL-NC59 to KCS067 (head rotated slightly)
DEL-NC82 to KCS073 (sword arm moved so sword resting on shoulder)

You will also see that NA25 is DEL-NC03 with the gun arm lowered but painted to a far higher standard.

If I am correct, then Del Prado paid for the sculpting and production of molds when they ordered millions of figures from K&C. K&C simply cast more figures where the cost is just the labor and alloy, moved an arm or head, added more detail like distinct straps, and painted them in a different uniform to a much higher standard. Andy stated KCS was painted at K&C's own "master painting studio" in China, not a factory. Andy is paying these employees a salary irregardless of whether they painting or just sitting around, so it makes perfect business sense for K&C to have them paint figures for sale when there are no masters or samples that need to be painted. Andy is continuing the long tradition of many "toy soldier" manufacturers in slightly altering existing castings and painting them in a different uniform to create new products. With this type of business model, K&C can make money on very small production runs.

P.S. While writing my post, Fishead19690 posted his response.

 

[Combat]

I like the notion of limited editions particularly if they are of a higher quality and/or allow for production of niche sets that may not have mass appeal. I would also recommend that any limited edition produced be numbered on the figure itself so that it possible for the collector to determine the specific number you have and how many have been produced for the entire set. Something like "47/500". The certificates are great but not the same and they could easily be reproduced, changed etc. to enhance the value.

 

[Steven Chong]

I like the notion of limited editions particularly if they are of a higher quality and/or allow for production of niche sets that may not have mass appeal.

Now that K&C has its own "master painting studio" in China, I think we will see more limited production sets that are variants of existing figures i.e. an arm or head moved, different uniform or unit. Hopefully, these production runs will not be as small as the 30 Treefrog Figarti tanks -- I had enough problems finding the Napoleon and hussar figures given to dealers as promotions. Of course, with Bob saying he has already sold out his allocation of the KCS sets, those collectors who absolutely have to have everything in a certain theme or themes might be in for a wild ride.