KING & COUNTRY Dispatches -- November 2019 (3 Viewers)

[wwiibuff]

Some great looking items coming out. I will be getting more of the WWII US Marines and also the Emperor's Tent.

The winter Jackson looks great as well, but I already have the OD version so may not get this one.

 

[WesternOutlaw]

'Nuther Hell's Angel headed for a hangar near me

I own the desert Curtiss P40 Tomahawk (RAF039) and it's a sharp airplane. Been looking at the Pacific/Pearl Harbor (AF041) P40 which is equally nice. We now have one more P40 with a beautiful color scheme. Excellent pilot figures (Flying Tiger Trio AF044) and I really like Anna Chan Chennault which adds a fine element of diversity to the new set.

Great to see the War in the Pacific expanded to include sets like these!

EDIT: I forgot to mention AF018, another of the P40s. ^&grin

 

[TomNT]

Some great looking items coming out. I will be getting more of the WWII US Marines and also the Emperor's Tent.

The winter Jackson looks great as well, but I already have the OD version so may not get this one.

Duke mate, I agree, the winter Jackson looks great but due to it's high price ($299 USD and around $430 Aussie dollars {eek3}) I won't be getting it either.

Tom

 

[ivanmoe]

Duke mate, I agree, the winter Jackson looks great but due to it's high price ($299 USD and around $430 Aussie dollars {eek3}) I won't be getting it either.

Tom

Tom, to be honest, I recoiled when I saw the price on the P-40...$339 (USD). I’d offer some analysis of the factors which I understand impact prices, exchange rates, comparables, and such, but I don’t want to antagonize our readers. Simply perplexed beyond description.:redface2:

-Moe

 

[wayne556517]

Prices are getting out of hand and I'm afraid it will be a rich man's hobby as I'm slowly getting priced out unfortunately.

 

[Phantom Warrior]

Prices are getting out of hand and I'm afraid it will be a rich man's hobby as I'm slowly getting priced out unfortunately.

Same currency problem in Canada as in Oz. The winter Jackson would cost me C$400. I'm still collecting but am buying only the occasional exceptional model

Terry

 

[jazzeum]

Frankly, I can think of better places where to spend my money these days. Spending $200-300 on a a model is madness.

 

[lancer]

Tom, to be honest, I recoiled when I saw the price on the P-40...$339 (USD). I’d offer some analysis of the factors which I understand impact prices, exchange rates, comparables, and such, but I don’t want to antagonize our readers. Simply perplexed beyond description.:redface2:

-Moe

I was happy to see a new AVG P-40B to possibly add to the one I have, until I saw the price. It is far beyond my means at this point so I won't be able to get it, but I can still admire it from afar. The price increase of $110 over the first issue (AF018 @ $229) is stunning, to say the least. I have realized that this hobby, in general, has simply priced me out. So it goes. -- Al

 

[lancer]

I was happy to see a new AVG P-40B to possibly add to the one I have, until I saw the price. It is far beyond my means at this point so I won't be able to get it, but I can still admire it from afar. The price increase of $110 over the first issue (AF018 @ $229) is stunning, to say the least. I have realized that this hobby, in general, has simply priced me out. So it goes. -- Al

Just want to emphasize that this pricing problem for me is not KC specific, it is the hobby as a whole. I have not been able to afford ANY manufacturer's aircraft in quite a while. Even my figure purchases mainly come from Evil-Bay bargain hunting. Prices have just zoomed by my ability to stay active beyond a lucky bargain find. But I still love the TS I do have.:wink2: -- Al

 

[Peiper007]

Frankly, I can think of better places where to spend my money these days. Spending $200-300 on a a model is madness.

First i agree with you and other Treefroggers on the hobby is getting just too expensive, the question of price has been around as long as the forum. Not just about K & C but others, look at the price of First Legion. it can 1 FL figure [£99] for near 3 TG figures [£36 each].

In the last few years the cheapest manufacturer for collectors is W Britains, don't release anything, simple, I have not bought anything off them for months, even years. But will say when they have the price has been way too high, used to collect the History of British Army and they were around £10 -£12 sterling, now they are double than that or more.

Try the UK as prices for K &C, John Jenkins and First Legion seem to use a £1 to $1 exchange rate.


We do have a lot to choose from when it comes to manufacturers and i have switched to cheaper such as T Gunn and Warpark. The other choice we have is simply do not buy. I have a set amount i will pay for figures and vehicles, sticking to it and as i collect a wide range when i am the London show there is a lot to spend my pennies on, I do pick up the odd K & C piece there which meets my price bracket, but will say i have been to shows and spent less than £100 as prices were too high or simply nothing for sale.

 

[King & Country]

Frankly, I can think of better places where to spend my money these days. Spending $200-300 on a a model is madness.

Very true Brad...for several years at different Chicago shows I can remember one particular attendee who would join a whole bunch of us at the bar and take drinks from all of us but would suddenly make himself scarce when it came to his ‘shout’!

I reckon he had better places to spend his money too!!!
Andy.

 

[desk11desk12]

Hmm, interesting comments about hobby being priced out for many us. Especially, since KC quality has continued to increase with almost every release.

I don’t buy as many units per month as in the past for 2 reasons; “Space” and “Price” with the latter becoming more of an obstacle.

Therefore, I buy specific topics like USMC, Vietnam War (US exclusively), Battle of the Bulge US, etc.

I used to buy a lot of WWII German themes but don’t anymore because of price increases & limited space.
If I buy German, it will be from War Park and may be TG because of price.

Price: As mentioned earlier, it’s interesting that the $ to € / £ prices are about the same (1:1) and the Chinese exchange rate has depreciated significantly over recent months. Maybe a little arbitrage going on or is it KC’s costs have increased (Chinese labor, raw material scarcity/ tariff issues, etc.).

If KC is making their Revenue/ Profit targets and it is sustainable, then why should they change? BTW, Name any other TS Company that produces as many themes, meets release commitments (especially quantity of items) consistently monthly. That has to be worth something doesn't it?

PS, First Legion prices now reminds me of AeroArt’s (St. Petersburg) prices not too many years ago…The increase quality isn’t worth the price anymore…If it is for others, I’m sincerely happy for you guys.


Carlos

 

[Peiper007]

Hmm, interesting comments about hobby being priced out for many us. Especially, since KC quality has continued to increase with almost every release.

I don’t buy as many units per month as in the past for 2 reasons; “Space” and “Price” with the latter becoming more of an obstacle.

Therefore, I buy specific topics like USMC, Vietnam War (US exclusively), Battle of the Bulge US, etc.

I used to buy a lot of WWII German themes but don’t anymore because of price increases & limited space.
If I buy German, it will be from War Park and may be TG because of price.

Price: As mentioned earlier, it’s interesting that the $ to € / £ prices are about the same (1:1) and the Chinese exchange rate has depreciated significantly over recent months. Maybe a little arbitrage going on or is it KC’s costs have increased (Chinese labor, raw material scarcity/ tariff issues, etc.).

If KC is making their Revenue/ Profit targets and it is sustainable, then why should they change? BTW, Name any other TS Company that produces as many themes, meets release commitments (especially quantity of items) consistently monthly. That has to be worth something doesn't it?

PS, First Legion prices now reminds me of AeroArt’s (St. Petersburg) prices not too many years ago…The increase quality isn’t worth the price anymore…If it is for others, I’m sincerely happy for you guys.


Carlos

Totally agree on First legion, picked up a FL Tiger 1 winter for £207 on Evilbay but would have paid the £350 FL ask, only way to collect sometimes. Would agree on K & C, they do have many themes, but many are being 'rested', Pike & Musket, Medival Warriors. Andy does have a great feeling for the hobby and produces a great mix, we are going through a period of Pacific and Vietnam at the minute, not my interest but can see the appeal. Along with this he does produce a lot to keep the rest of us Nap, European thearte WW2, etc to keep us going.

Space for me is also an isuue, me wife told me once it was her or the toy soldier, i do miss her sometimes [i have posted that before]. Space is a limiting factor, but i am looking to move and retire in a few years and one of the factors for the new property is a place for my Toy Soldiers and books, i reckon 50ft by 20ft would do it.

Another issue on space is height, buildings over 2 stories are a nono for me as they are too high. Plus i like the K & C flat buildings, but should have had the same pavements [sidewalks] and we need an 'inverted' building for a corner of the cabinet

 

[desk11desk12]

Totally agree on First legion, picked up a FL Tiger 1 winter for £207 on Evilbay but would have paid the £350 FL ask, only way to collect sometimes. Would agree on K & C, they do have many themes, but many are being 'rested', Pike & Musket, Medival Warriors. Andy does have a great feeling for the hobby and produces a great mix, we are going through a period of Pacific and Vietnam at the minute, not my interest but can see the appeal. Along with this he does produce a lot to keep the rest of us Nap, European thearte WW2, etc to keep us going.

Space for me is also an isuue, me wife told me once it was her or the toy soldier, i do miss her sometimes [i have posted that before]. Space is a limiting factor, but i am looking to move and retire in a few years and one of the factors for the new property is a place for my Toy Soldiers and books, i reckon 50ft by 20ft would do it.

Another issue on space is height, buildings over 2 stories are a nono for me as they are too high. Plus i like the K & C flat buildings, but should have had the same pavements [sidewalks] and we need an 'inverted' building for a corner of the cabinet

Peiper007:

Yeah, I agree with you. Except the wife thing, but that was really funny!

My wife was a lot more generous but drew the line outside my home office and said; "No D-Day landings outside that DMZ"; marital armistice is a great thing isn't it?.

Carlos

 

[Peiper007]

Peiper007:

Yeah, I agree with you. Except the wife thing, but that was really funny!

My wife was a lot more generous but drew the line outside my home office and said; "No D-Day landings outside that DMZ"; marital armistice is a great thing isn't it?.

Carlos

Yeah but lots of special forces opperate behind enemy lines, plus an awful lot of British and American paratroopers landed far from the original planned landing ground. Therefore you could put some at the top of the stairs...........

 

[wayne556517]

Very true Brad...for several years at different Chicago shows I can remember one particular attendee who would join a whole bunch of us at the bar and take drinks from all of us but would suddenly make himself scarce when it came to his ‘shout’!

I reckon he had better places to spend his money too!!!
Andy.

Nothing worst than people that do that met a few in my day probably the Jackest thing you can do in a pub......

By the way Andy this isn't a go at you or your company personally about pricing it is universal thing just came up on your thread
just got to juggle the books at home better ^&grin.

 

[desk11desk12]

Yeah but lots of special forces opperate behind enemy lines, plus an awful lot of British and American paratroopers landed far from the original planned landing ground. Therefore you could put some at the top of the stairs...........

Yeah, I tried that but they over shot their landing target zone and ended up in the trash.

I guess they met a horrible fate: My Wife, definitely a super weapon.

No fear, they have since been rescued and safely back in the rear.

Carlos

 

[Normandy1944]

I like the new RELEASES especially the South Pacific sets. The leathernecks are a must have for me. and with Christmas in less than two months, I think they will be a nice gift on Christmas Eve. So Santa watch out for my wish list.


greetings Harry

 

[Jagdpanther]

Jackson looks nice. The Upcoming Winter GI's really are not anything new they look like the same figures released in the D-Day Series. Just the added frost and snow.

 

[King & Country]

Jackson looks nice. The Upcoming Winter GI's really are not anything new they look like the same figures released in the D-Day Series. Just the added frost and snow.

Funnily enough I cannot claim all the glory for myself...One of our Aussie Dealers came up with the original idea and I made up some samples...I then shared the idea and the samples with several different collectors and dealers around the globe and they responded enthusiastically....

So, off they went to the factory and next month they will be available to those who like them...
best wishes,
Andy.