Panzer
Corporal
- Joined
- Jul 30, 2005
- Messages
- 561
King & Country Event West Coaster 2015
Since Carlos and Steven were not at the show this year, I’ll provide you a few notes from Andy’s talk at the West Coaster this year.
This was the 10th year that Sierra Toy Soldiers and King & Country have teamed up to put on the event. Andy thanked and Mike and Myszka Hall for their support and efforts in sponsoring the event and for the opportunity to connect with King & Country supporters.
King & Country had a great year in 2014. Andy mentioned that there was a conscious effort to keep the prices of K&C toy soldiers down and quality up. In fact, prices on new figures were actually reduced. Andy commented that this was a win/win for both K&C and K&C customers. Customers got better deals on toy soldier pricing and K&C was able to offset the profit reduction with an increased volume in sales.
What’s new and upcoming? Expect to see a new Opel Blitz in Gray/ This one will be all metal like the new GMC CCKW 353 Truck. Personal side note: I had a chance to look at the GMC Truck up close and was impressed with the detail and structural support that the metal provided. Well done to K&C.
Andy also mentioned that there was a Sherman Tank coming to support the new “Gang of Heros” figures. When you look at the upcoming Karl Otto’s Tiger 1, the Sherman will be a great addition to this subset.
Andy commented that there has been a lot of prodding (especially from Myszka Hall) to produce another line of figures that appeal to the female demographic. This was the motivation for the reintroduction of the World of Dickens. Expect more figures and dio accessories in this range.
Andy is also considering doing a figure or series of figures on the younger Queen Victoria. Andy commented that Queen Victoria became somewhat of a recluse after the death of Prince Albert in 1861 and made few public appearances during that period, hence the reasoning on concentrating on the earlier years of her long 63 ½ year reign. Andy also mentioned the possibility of John Brown. Through the 1860s, Victoria relied increasingly on a manservant from Scotland, John Brown. Slanderous rumors of a romantic connection and even a secret marriage appeared in print, and the Queen was referred to as "Mrs. Brown". The story of their relationship was the subject of the 1997 movie Mrs. Brown with Judi Dench playing the role of the queen.
During the questions and answers portion someone asked for more Knights for the Crusades series. Andy responded that there were several Knights recently released so the emphasis will be on more rank and file figures to support these knights. Expect more archers and other supporting figures this year.
The show figure this year was a mixture of King & Country Club figures.
I apologize if this report is a bit brief. I wasn’t expecting to do it so this is what I remember from Andy’s talk. Next year, I’ll take pen and pad to the event and try to record a more detailed account. For those who were in attendance, if I left something out, please chime in.
Thanks to Andy for doing these highly informative talks. If you get a chance to go to a show where Andy talks, don’t pass up the opportunity to sit in. In addition to being informative, Andy is highly entertaining witty and a pleasure to listen to.
All the best and Semper Fi!
Rick
Since Carlos and Steven were not at the show this year, I’ll provide you a few notes from Andy’s talk at the West Coaster this year.
This was the 10th year that Sierra Toy Soldiers and King & Country have teamed up to put on the event. Andy thanked and Mike and Myszka Hall for their support and efforts in sponsoring the event and for the opportunity to connect with King & Country supporters.
King & Country had a great year in 2014. Andy mentioned that there was a conscious effort to keep the prices of K&C toy soldiers down and quality up. In fact, prices on new figures were actually reduced. Andy commented that this was a win/win for both K&C and K&C customers. Customers got better deals on toy soldier pricing and K&C was able to offset the profit reduction with an increased volume in sales.
What’s new and upcoming? Expect to see a new Opel Blitz in Gray/ This one will be all metal like the new GMC CCKW 353 Truck. Personal side note: I had a chance to look at the GMC Truck up close and was impressed with the detail and structural support that the metal provided. Well done to K&C.
Andy also mentioned that there was a Sherman Tank coming to support the new “Gang of Heros” figures. When you look at the upcoming Karl Otto’s Tiger 1, the Sherman will be a great addition to this subset.
Andy commented that there has been a lot of prodding (especially from Myszka Hall) to produce another line of figures that appeal to the female demographic. This was the motivation for the reintroduction of the World of Dickens. Expect more figures and dio accessories in this range.
Andy is also considering doing a figure or series of figures on the younger Queen Victoria. Andy commented that Queen Victoria became somewhat of a recluse after the death of Prince Albert in 1861 and made few public appearances during that period, hence the reasoning on concentrating on the earlier years of her long 63 ½ year reign. Andy also mentioned the possibility of John Brown. Through the 1860s, Victoria relied increasingly on a manservant from Scotland, John Brown. Slanderous rumors of a romantic connection and even a secret marriage appeared in print, and the Queen was referred to as "Mrs. Brown". The story of their relationship was the subject of the 1997 movie Mrs. Brown with Judi Dench playing the role of the queen.
During the questions and answers portion someone asked for more Knights for the Crusades series. Andy responded that there were several Knights recently released so the emphasis will be on more rank and file figures to support these knights. Expect more archers and other supporting figures this year.
The show figure this year was a mixture of King & Country Club figures.
I apologize if this report is a bit brief. I wasn’t expecting to do it so this is what I remember from Andy’s talk. Next year, I’ll take pen and pad to the event and try to record a more detailed account. For those who were in attendance, if I left something out, please chime in.
Thanks to Andy for doing these highly informative talks. If you get a chance to go to a show where Andy talks, don’t pass up the opportunity to sit in. In addition to being informative, Andy is highly entertaining witty and a pleasure to listen to.
All the best and Semper Fi!
Rick