New items are on the way from CS (1 Viewer)

[sceic2]

I just have to post my initial response to opening the Arnhem SdKfz 222, the Marder III, and the 37mm Gun. They are fricken great, absolutely great. What a marked change in their figures. They match K&C on the size issue and man oh man are the vehicles and the gun set superior pieces of work. I was at first hesitant after seeing their first figures (to me they looked just plain ugly). I did get the 88mm gun set without the crew (I am using the two K&C 88mm gun crew sets and they look extremely well matched) and the Panzer I. I'm not to turned on by the figure in the tank, but the tank is so well done. Now these sets. What a great purchase and I recommend them to others. Now if you don't like'm, ya got somebody to blame.

 

[Halo]

That's good to hear. I may have to give them another chance. The first group of figures looked like zombies.

 

[sceic2]

We've had quite a discussion concerning packaging about a year ago and this is not an attempt to review nor to revive it, but, CS sure does know how to package a product. I doubt very much if they get more than one or two items returned for shipping damage. Foam wrapped like you would not believe, bubble packaging with plastic wire ties and form fited containers in very tight boxes. It takes a while to get the darn things out but they are well worth it.

 

[OzDigger]

We've had quite a discussion concerning packaging about a year ago and this is not an attempt to review nor to revive it, but, CS sure does know how to package a product. I doubt very much if they get more than one or two items returned for shipping damage. Foam wrapped like you would not believe, bubble packaging with plastic wire ties and form fited containers in very tight boxes. It takes a while to get the darn things out but they are well worth it.

It sure looks like a revival and a review to me

I bought some of the earlier 1/24 scale Afrika Korps models and there were small bits of black foam pushed around the plastic bubble packing to reinforce it. These looked rather untidy and the pieces are easily lost, but they did the job I guess as the models were ok.

However that is only half the packaging work. When these model boxes are put in a larger box to send to customers there MUST BE cushioning material, such as polystyrene peanuts, put around the model boxes so they don't dent and scuff each other.

Can Do Better IMO, and maybe they have.

 

[The Collectors Showcase]

I just wanted to thank everyone for all of the kind comments and words about our new ranges. We are almost sold out and thats a first.

It certainly feels like a home run. And its an honor to come out with products that fit so nicely with our competitors. To be even compared and uttered in the same sentence as K&C is an honor. " We stand on the shoulder of giants "

Again thanks for all of the great sales, ( our warehouse is almost empty) but I guess thats a good thing.

New releases to be announced in two weeks, stay tuned!

Happy Collecting to One and All!

Brian

 

[maddadicus]

Just saw the Marder today at a hobby shop..Great looking piece, incredibly safe packaging and the figures looked to be sized right to K/C..I wish they were painted in brighter shades. Still too dark for my tastes ,but the pose quality is well done..I bought the Armored car at a great price, but am waiting for it to be shipped...Saw the Arnham British Commandos and though I liked the poses, they are a little oversized and painted much too dark to CURRENT K/C poduction..Sorry,Michael

 

[The Collectors Showcase]

Re: K&C SCALE VARIATIONS

Don't be sorry, Im not: we're almost sold out!



I noticed that our pieces are a little robust for the new K&C Marketgarden too, but the right size for earlier K&C Arnhem! Our pieces suffered from this problem of course at the outset.



Andy keeps changing the scale on us! I have a large collection of K&C Pieces for comparison purposes ( see attached photo ) and to tell you the truth K&C runs the gamit from 57mm all the way up to 65mm! And the vehicles shift all over the place too. But this is to be expected from hand sculpts.



Well I can tell you we will keep just where we're at, the K&C scale changes may be for planned obselecence in the pieces, if so that would be a brilliant business move, I just can't figure it out why they are so wide in their scale changes though. Alot of collectors will notice that the new K&C marketgarden is a tough fit with the old sets. Our pieces were certainly built for the existing collections. We won't move smaller, I promise



In regards to color, we are going to stay with the gritty battlefield look, war is hell afterall ( minus the desaturated ghoulies of the past of course ) so if its its bright yellows and rosy reds your looking for, you won't find it here.



Cheers!

 

[maddadicus]

Re: K&C SCALE VARIATIONS

Don't be sorry, Im not: we're almost sold out!



I noticed that our pieces are a little robust for the new K&C Marketgarden too, but the right size for earlier K&C Arnhem! Our pieces suffered from this problem of course at the outset.



Andy keeps changing the scale on us! I have a large collection of K&C Pieces for comparison purposes ( see attached photo ) and to tell you the truth K&C runs the gamit from 57mm all the way up to 65mm! And the vehicles shift all over the place too. But this is to be expected from hand sculpts.



Well I can tell you we will keep just where we're at, the K&C scale changes may be for planned obselecence in the pieces, if so that would be a brilliant business move, I just can't figure it out why they are so wide in their scale changes though. Alot of collectors will notice that the new K&C marketgarden is a tough fit with the old sets. Our pieces were certainly built for the existing collections. We won't move smaller, I promise



In regards to color, we are going to stay with the gritty battlefield look, war is hell afterall ( minus the desaturated ghoulies of the past of course ) so if its its bright yellows and rosy reds your looking for, you won't find it here.



Cheers!

I do not have a problem with the size as much, for as you righfully point out, K/C has been all over the scale...Your new vehicles are great and I have one on order and am looking at another..I can only hope that you might rethink a brighter color scheme..for future figure releases.Thanks,Michael

 

[sceic2]

From one Michael to another.

Michael, I respectfully disagree with your observation of the CS figures. It is my opinion that the tone, shading and colors on the figures that come with the CS37mm, SdKfz 222, and Marder III are correct.

I am not a uniform expert. I don't have volumes of reference books. All I have is my personal experience and seeing how the uniforms I have observed have been worn. I don't think that brighter colors are the norm. Expect when you first get a uniform, especially a combat uniform, and you have worn it for a period of time, such issues as sun fading, fading from the washing methods (caustic soap, mechanical washing, etc.) and normal wear will make the colors dull. Additionally, I don't believe that the uniform designers would have designed their material to be bright. Natural colors are not bright, they are muted and dull. By the time this SS division was involved, it had been fighting for at least 4 years. I think they would not have had more brightly colored uniforms.

Now if these guys had been issued new uniforms (they were in Holland to refit), perhaps they would have been a bit more squared-away than a combat unit having been on the line for a while. You know, razor sharp creases, starched and ironed into a solid board, no "Irish Penents", boots shined to a mirror, and look'en good with a "high and tight."

Although I am a loyal K&C collector, I have always believed that the colors are a bit to bright. Just my thoughts. What do you, and others, think about my observations?

I got'ta go "Battle 360" is on the History Channel and will not forgive myself if I miss it.

 

[maddadicus]

Michael...being a bigtime glossy collector, I guess my eye appeal gravitates to the brights..NMA figures were painted to K/C tones and I kept their stuff..Honour Bound tends to the pale tone and I sold off those...The vehicles are never an issue for me ,but figures differences tend to make me cranky and choosy.. FYI..were CS figures more vibrant, I would buy them in a heartbeat..I am curious what others think,though..Michael

 

[uksubs]

We've had quite a discussion concerning packaging about a year ago and this is not an attempt to review nor to revive it, but, CS sure does know how to package a product. I doubt very much if they get more than one or two items returned for shipping damage. Foam wrapped like you would not believe, bubble packaging with plastic wire ties and form fited containers in very tight boxes. It takes a while to get the darn things out but they are well worth it.

Proof in the pudding & my Collector Showcase 222 armoured car was broken where the complete gun & mounting had broken of from the turret & the tripod was broken on the Bren gun
Lucky for me the seller been great about it all
On the plus point the Arnhem range does look great

 

[The Collectors Showcase]

Proof in the pudding & my Collector Showcase 222 armoured car was broken where the complete gun & mounting had broken of from the turret & the tripod was broken on the Bren gun
Lucky for me the seller been great about it all
On the plus point the Arnhem range does look great

You let me know, whatever you need replaced I'll personally send you. But it sounds like the seller was excellent ( I heard about your story from him personally so Im familiar).

Let me know if there is anything I can do for you!

Best regards,

Brian

 

[Rob]

I just wanted to thank everyone for all of the kind comments and words about our new ranges. We are almost sold out and thats a first.

It certainly feels like a home run. And its an honor to come out with products that fit so nicely with our competitors. To be even compared and uttered in the same sentence as K&C is an honor. " We stand on the shoulder of giants "

Again thanks for all of the great sales, ( our warehouse is almost empty) but I guess thats a good thing.

New releases to be announced in two weeks, stay tuned!

Happy Collecting to One and All!

Brian

Sounds interesting!.Am looking forward to getting my first glimpse of CS vehicles at the show in London on Saturday.

Rob

 

[uksubs]

You let me know, whatever you need replaced I'll personally send you. But it sounds like the seller was excellent ( I heard about your story from him personally so Im familiar).

Let me know if there is anything I can do for you!

Best regards,

Brian

Hi Brain
Thanks for your kind offer ,but like you said your self the seller was exellent , a bit like your figures
Can't wait for the next lot of Arnhem sets to come out, if this lot anything to go on

 

[redhugh]

Just got the Marder and the 2 soldiers reloading, great pieces,
The 2 figures that go with the Marder are well done.

The two german soldiers reloading are my favourite , lot more gritty than K&C , the uniform is a lot more battle worn looking and look a bit more dramatic in the diorama setting imo,
They are the same size as some K&C figures but larger than others, depends on the set you are comparing to,
Like them a lot

 

[redhugh]

Sunny afternoon in Berlin-Last clip and a couple of sticks

 

[maddadicus]

Got the Armor Car today...Excellent packing job, no breakage..Wonderful model and I am very happy with it...Figure was nice, but I am working on brightening up his flesh tones...The interior gun assembly seemed very loose and I know it was designed to be held in place, while the turret turned..I inserted foam in the crack of the one side of the gun to firm it up and also bent the hull screen door hinge wires to keep them from not setting right on the vehicle..Michael

 

[Halo]

I decided to give CS another chance and am very pleased with the new Arnhem figures. Very well done. I would recommend them to anyone. They are so much better than the zombie 101st guys.

I am looking forward to the upcoming second release Arnhem figures.

Once again, great job on the great figures.

 

[Halo]

The packaging of the figures was great also.

 

[maddadicus]

I could not resist tinkering with my armored car color scheme. I used a lighter tan/yellow color and dry brushed between the green and brown camo patterns. I was able to brighten up the look of my car, without sacrificing the feel of the original paint scheme...That is the problem looking at everyone's vehicles with a K/C collectors eyes..Michael