King & country promotional lcm3 landing craft mechanized p78-b ex (2 Viewers)

[zulucollector]

Does anyone know the story behind this promo item?

 

[The Military Workshop]

View attachment 126055

Does anyone know the story behind this promo item?

Yes. Was going to be a production item but K&C rejected the run based on quality control issues.

They did however accept 90. These were then available to dealers on a first come basis based on a certain amount of orders. It was emphasised that they were not up to standard but if dealers wished to sell them then a RRP was suggested ($195 ?, but not sure as mine were given away).
Personally I don't think there was much of a problem with the ones I received but bear in mind only 90 were kept from the production run.

Cant remember the release date but over two years ago.

Howard might have a bit more info on this as it has been subject of a thread before.

Hope that helps.
Brett

 

[Northgate Woods]

Zulucollector mate,
As Brett has said this was a Dealer Only release in October, 2010 and there was two different numbered LCM-3 released. Official K&C Code was PM024 (P-77A) and PM024-1 (P-78B) however if they had been official released, then the code would have probably been a DD code.
I am lucky to have one each of these in my K&C collection. Cannot understand why they were not released to the collecting world. Andy's standards are very high so that is my guess.
I hope this helps.
Cheers Howard

 

[ChrisTay]

I believe it was meant to be DD141, if it had not been for production issues preventing the official release.

Howard mate, you are one lucky chap!

 

[Mr Scott]

Dear Zulucollector

Your question poses one of the ironies of life, Andy did not release the landing craft because or poor quality / historical inaccuracy / just wasn't up to standard; the exact thing people continually complain about ie if I have to pay top dollar I want everything correct.

So Andy has a concept and puts that concept into production; after 90 units K&C decide the quality (scale/ historical accuracy/ colour/ the forward ramp doesn't go up / the forward ramp doesn't go down etc etc) is un-acceptable for sale. Now what to do? Either throw them in the bin or give them to dealers as a promotion that sits in the window and hopefully (?) grabs attention leading to future potential sales.

What next? 90 persons either by love of the item, long term customers or by hook or by crook get given or purchase the decidedly incorrect Landing Craft.

Suddenly the landing craft actually becomes a valuable collection item; scale/ historical accuracy/ colour/ the forward ramp doesn't go up / the forward ramp doesn't go down etc etc no longer matters; it is suddenly rare!

It is a wonderful true reflection of life (in a roundabout fashion).

Cheers

Scott

 

[wayne556517]

Because Andy is working on perfecting one of these................................:wink2:

 

[arnhem44mad]

I was lucky enought to find one of these and must say it's a beauty, the ramp is on a spring so when you pull it down you can hear the soring tightening, it is possible to get it all the way down but not recommended!

Beautiful piece, only bad thing was I couldn't find the figure to go with but I used another USN figure who works great!^&grin

 

[jazzeum]

Dear Zulucollector

Your question poses one of the ironies of life, Andy did not release the landing craft because or poor quality / historical inaccuracy / just wasn't up to standard; the exact thing people continually complain about ie if I have to pay top dollar I want everything correct.

So Andy has a concept and puts that concept into production; after 90 units K&C decide the quality (scale/ historical accuracy/ colour/ the forward ramp doesn't go up / the forward ramp doesn't go down etc etc) is un-acceptable for sale. Now what to do? Either throw them in the bin or give them to dealers as a promotion that sits in the window and hopefully (?) grabs attention leading to future potential sales.

What next? 90 persons either by love of the item, long term customers or by hook or by crook get given or purchase the decidedly incorrect Landing Craft.

Suddenly the landing craft actually becomes a valuable collection item; scale/ historical accuracy/ colour/ the forward ramp doesn't go up / the forward ramp doesn't go down etc etc no longer matters; it is suddenly rare!

It is a wonderful true reflection of life (in a roundabout fashion).

Cheers

Scott

Scott,

Not exactly sure what you're trying to say. I wasn't lucky enough to get one off these but if you're a K & C collector, this would be a must have, regardless of its defects, because it's rather unique and scarcity.

Great looking piece.

Regards,

Brad

 

[The Military Workshop]

Scott,

Not exactly sure what you're trying to say. I wasn't lucky enough to get one off these but if you're a K & C collector, this would be a must have, regardless of its defects, because it's rather unique and scarcity.

Great looking piece.

Regards,

Brad

I think he was saying Andy rejected an item but the irony is it turned out to be a sought after collectors piece.

 

[jazzeum]

Yes, probably so (still brushing out the cobwebs). That's what makes collecting interesting, getting the oddities and rarities.

Brad

 

[The Military Workshop]

Yes, probably so (still brushing out the cobwebs). That's what makes collecting interesting, getting the oddities and rarities.

Brad

Brad,
I think it is like when the Post Office lets out some misprinted stamp sheets that then become highly sought after.

Anybody seen one of those LCM's go on Ebay and if so what do they fetch ?

Brett

 

[blue max]

Brad,
I think it is like when the Post Office lets out some misprinted stamp sheets that then become highly sought after.

Anybody seen one of those LCM's go on Ebay and if so what do they fetch ?

Brett

Yes there is one for sale by a seller that has very high prices for his items. the price is $650.00...Ron {sm2}

 

[ChrisTay]

Brad,
I think it is like when the Post Office lets out some misprinted stamp sheets that then become highly sought after.

Anybody seen one of those LCM's go on Ebay and if so what do they fetch ?

Brett

Brett,

Exactly a month ago, this was closed on eBay at $409 from France and it is likely that this was destined for the US. Expecting item to show up from this winning bidder at least 50 percent more in a listing some time later when this pents up from all this discussion....

Beyond a certain price point, it is probably cheaper from another mfr to produce one if its sole purpose is for a DD landing diorama.

Other than that, like you said, it is like a misprinted stamp or dollar note that slipped into circulation, or a first print banned LP album cover. More for the completist collector who will store it boxed up for good. Once it gets too high, it is purely collectivity and not investment since the higher the price, the hotter the potato.

Rgds,Chris

 

[arnhem44mad]

The one I have passed betwene three colectors including myself and we all sold it to each other for the same price as paid!

Best thing to do among friends!

Scott

 

[Mitch]

I think even Andy stated on here and elsewhere this was not put in general release because of damage issues that would have occurred in transit, not to do with detail or accuracy. Not wanting them all coming back or arrive in several pieces for the cost it would have been seems the reason it was pulled. Accuracy and detail have never been a reason before why an item has been pulled.
Mitch

Dear Zulucollector

Your question poses one of the ironies of life, Andy did not release the landing craft because or poor quality / historical inaccuracy / just wasn't up to standard; the exact thing people continually complain about ie if I have to pay top dollar I want everything correct.

So Andy has a concept and puts that concept into production; after 90 units K&C decide the quality (scale/ historical accuracy/ colour/ the forward ramp doesn't go up / the forward ramp doesn't go down etc etc) is un-acceptable for sale. Now what to do? Either throw them in the bin or give them to dealers as a promotion that sits in the window and hopefully (?) grabs attention leading to future potential sales.

What next? 90 persons either by love of the item, long term customers or by hook or by crook get given or purchase the decidedly incorrect Landing Craft.

Suddenly the landing craft actually becomes a valuable collection item; scale/ historical accuracy/ colour/ the forward ramp doesn't go up / the forward ramp doesn't go down etc etc no longer matters; it is suddenly rare!

It is a wonderful true reflection of life (in a roundabout fashion).

Cheers

Scott

 

[zulucollector]

I finally found one that I could live with the price (a little bit more than a mass produced version) from a fellow Canadian treefrogger. For its size it is actually quite light. I guess the next question is what to get to fill up the landing craft with.... the quality seems fine in my opinion....

 

[arnhem44mad]

Stick a plastic Sherman in it. Most.of it will be hidden bit the stacls on the sherman will still be accurate!

 

[Phantom Warrior]

The LCM-3 could carry a 30 ton tank as in a Sherman. Or it could carry a truck and a jeep fit for length. If no AFVs were carried, the LCM-3 could carry 60 troops or 30 tons of cargo.

The K&C LCM-3 is fairly old so I don't know if it is 1:32 0r 1:30 so be careful putting 1:30 AFVs in it.

Terry

 

[joesgis]

The LCM-3 could carry a 30 ton tank as in a Sherman. Or it could carry a truck and a jeep fit for length. If no AFVs were carried, the LCM-3 could carry 60 troops or 30 tons of cargo.

The K&C LCM-3 is fairly old so I don't know if it is 1:32 0r 1:30 so be careful putting 1:30 AFVs in it.

Terry

Terry,
Thanks for the info.
I love the Conte version you've shown. It's a beauty and has survived in my collection for many years while all kinds of other things have been sold off or traded.
Joe

 

[Mr Scott]

Dear Zulucollector

I am very pleased to see you have finally obtained the fantastic landing craft.
I wish I had one myself.
Reading back through the threads, I can only wonder whether yours and any of the other 89 examples were actually 'damaged in transit'.

Cheers
Scott