mini "Wow" items (1 Viewer)

[Kurt]

Previous “Wow” items like the E-boat ($1,399), K-5 ($1,799) and even the B-17 ($899) are a bit out of my price range. This is probably true of most of us. In additional to the annual Wow item, I wish Figarti would do a more affordable mini-Wow item. I was thinking something in the neighborhood of $600. Perhaps an airplane (without figures if necessary) or an LCVP (again without figures if necessary). By selling figures separately, the collector could buy the main component at a more affordable price and then buy figures later. Plus this way they can get just the figures they want rather than a huge lot of figures some of which they may not like. Any thoughts on this strategy or what releases might fall into that lower price point?

 

[jazzeum]

They're doing the Storch for a very attractive price, $289.

 

[Steven Chong]

Except for the 1/32 Tiger tank with full interior at $299, I think Figarti's "WOW" products have become large and expensive pieces that are supposed to shock and awe collectors -- just listen to the reaction of collectors on Toy Soldier TV when Rick unveiled the K5 at the Chicago Show. While Figarti does not call it a "WOW" product, I think the Monty Grant vehicle and vehicles like it are very special given the level of detail including photo etched hinges that allow the side hatches to open and close. Just because they are not launched as a "WOW" product does not make them any less "WOW."

 

[Steven Chong]

Dear Kurt,

At the Chicago Show, Rick asked a group of collectors what products they wanted to see and also suggestions for a "WOW." Conde already did a nice LVCP a few years, so Figarti probably will not do none. You never know ... if you post some suggestions, Rick might like one of them and do it.

 

[JPB]

A mini WoW could be the tower of a U-boat...

Waterline ofcourse.

Released together with build-o-rama, and they provide the tiles for the water.

There should be a captain with binoculars etc...

Could be fun

JPB

 

[kx1a]

My vote would be for a landing craft with a M-8 HMC aboard
Billl W

 

[IXEC]

I'd like to see Civil War Naval Cannons.

Like a Confederate, 7" Brooke's Pivot Gun with crew. Or a Union, 11" Dahlgren Cannon on Naval Carriage. Or naval 8" Parrott Rifles.

There are many sizes to these Naval Guns.

You wouldn't have to start a whole Civil War line, just some navy crews and officers to man the guns. There were as many as 25 member that served a 11" Dahlgren naval gun, with powder boys.

The gun crew members could be add-on sets.

And you could have the cannon on a ship or Ironclad deck and add them side by side to get a full gun deck scene.

I know Britains did a 32lb.er from the HMS Victory ( which I have ). But the U.S.Civil War Naval Cannons are much larger guns and mounted as Pivot Guns on Naval Carriages are much more interesting.

Here are some of the best books on the subject.

The Big Guns ( Civil War Siege, Seacoast, and Naval Cannons ) by;
[ Edwin Olmstead, Wayne E.Stark, Spencer C.Tucker ] the book is expensive but its a registry of surviving gun and has many pictures and drawing of cannon measurements. The book is hard to locate but I have a source.

Artillery and Ammunition of The Civil War : by Warren Ripley
A master work by this renowned expert on all CW, Artillery. Out of Print, but is reprinted now and then.

Arming the Fleet ( U.S. Navy Ordnance in the Muzzle-Loading Era ) by:
Spencer Tucker
Great drawing of pivot gun positions on a ship deck, this book covers it all if you'd like just one book on the subject. Out of Print

These books show up at Abebooks.com a used book source.

Well that's what I'd like to see, please.

 

[joesgis]

Hi Kurt, It was great meeting you at the show! I'm still buzzing over how much fun I had! I'm already thinking about next year and trying to find a way to get to Chicago in Sept. Anyways, thinking about your ideas for mini wow items, I came up with an idea based on the new Diorama Andy talked about that Gordon is making currently on special assignment. Figarti could produce the village from The closing battle in Private Ryan, but they would only introduce 1 to 2 pieces of the village annually. Each set would be made to either stand alone or to have the option to interconnect to the adjacent sets to be releasd in the future. I think these would be great mini-wow items and would be fanstastic sellers if done the Figarti way. I mean whi wouldn't want a replica of that village?? The only drawbacks would be the same old ones....space and money. Well, the money issue would be at least somewhat solved by releasing the sets individually once or twice a year, depending upon how elaborate a given individual set was. Another mini-wow idea I had was of a hasty field funeral for ambushed comrades. It would include a small team of GI's deep behind enemy lines, some standing, some kneeling, but all with their the heads down in reflection, except for the one who is speaking of the fallen in tribute, who is looking skyward. This group of GI's would be deep behind enemy lines, and the graves would be shallow and somewhat hastily made because of it. The graves would be marked by the rifles of the deceased sunk into the ground at the top of their grave mounds w/ their helmets hung from their rifile butts. A fitting statement that even in instances of ultimate peril, there is alway time to stop and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice given by those fighting the good fight.

 

[Kurt]

Hi Joe,

I just now saw your response to my "mini Wow items" post last month. I think your idea of releasing a Normandy village building each year is great. I had been thinking about this, too. Although it was JG miniatures Arnhem building and Build-a-rama's buildings that got me wishing for this. I like that the Arnhem building is not just a facade and changable, however I'd prefer a Normandy village like you. Build-a-rama makes nice stuff but I'd prefer something larger and not just facades. Your idea of releasing 1 or 2 sections a year is also good one. Your other idea about a burial set is a good one too. Although, to me it seems more like a K&C idea as Andy likes these creative ideas.

Hi Kurt, It was great meeting you at the show! I'm still buzzing over how much fun I had! I'm already thinking about next year and trying to find a way to get to Chicago in Sept. Anyways, thinking about your ideas for mini wow items, I came up with an idea based on the new Diorama Andy talked about that Gordon is making currently on special assignment. Figarti could produce the village from The closing battle in Private Ryan, but they would only introduce 1 to 2 pieces of the village annually. Each set would be made to either stand alone or to have the option to interconnect to the adjacent sets to be releasd in the future. I think these would be great mini-wow items and would be fanstastic sellers if done the Figarti way. I mean whi wouldn't want a replica of that village?? The only drawbacks would be the same old ones....space and money. Well, the money issue would be at least somewhat solved by releasing the sets individually once or twice a year, depending upon how elaborate a given individual set was. Another mini-wow idea I had was of a hasty field funeral for ambushed comrades. It would include a small team of GI's deep behind enemy lines, some standing, some kneeling, but all with their the heads down in reflection, except for the one who is speaking of the fallen in tribute, who is looking skyward. This group of GI's would be deep behind enemy lines, and the graves would be shallow and somewhat hastily made because of it. The graves would be marked by the rifles of the deceased sunk into the ground at the top of their grave mounds w/ their helmets hung from their rifile butts. A fitting statement that even in instances of ultimate peril, there is alway time to stop and reflect on the ultimate sacrifice given by those fighting the good fight.