New K&C Images (3 Viewers)

[Harrytheheid]

Harry, you bring up a great pont, that has been troubling me ,for some time now..What is the maximum dollar limit that any collector can justify for their toys and is it possible for a mfg. to mis-read past success ,by overproducing above and beyond what the masses can now afford..You can read post after post from members claiming to have to now make choices over the never ending releases. Is it possible that K/C can kill the golden goose, that has always been their loyal collectors..by overwhelming them with too much product, too many lines, just too much..? I am lucky that I never bit on the hype and collected the odd piece here and there...No worry about me going broke, like most everyone else....Michael

I'm not saying it hasn't been worth it Michael, just I've realised I'm going to have to narrow down my choices in future.
That means no more;
Napoleon's or Ancient Egypt/Rome.
No ACW, WW1 or French Resistance (Had been promising myself FR's whenever they get released, but something has to give).
No more Bulge apart from maybe a couple of the new American sets. In fact no more ETO including MG for the time being.
Unfortunately, no more Crusaders - which I particularly like (well, maybe a few).
And no more vehicles - apart from the new DAK Panzer IV and any new North Africa stuff that comes out this year. Unfortunately the new connoisseur HB stuff is out of reach.
In addition, no other manufacturers apart from K&C, with the exception of some minor scenic and diorama items.
During 2006/2007, I reckon I spent on average upwards of £1,500.00 (around US$3,000.00) every 8 weeks or so on the hobby, and simply can't keep up anymore cos that works out at around £18,000.00 over 2 years (around US$36,000.00). And that sum doesn't include Postage and Customs duty.
Sure, no-one forced me to spend that amount and I love every single item in our collection - but that represents the down-payment for a pretty nice condo in China.
So I'm going to pull in my horns during 2008 and simply concentrate on those figures with particular personal appeal such as CRW, DAK, EA, SOHK and IC.
Have been promising myself and The Missus the Manchu Wedding Party Set for some considerable time though and its still on January's shopping list....

Best Regards
H

 

[jazzeum]

Nobody seems to have commented on this but that PZ IV appears to be a full scale tank so no more concerns about scale and looks to be a tremendous model. I will be definitely ordering this and probably one of the truck riders, probably the two men set.

 

[desk11desk12]

I'm not saying it hasn't been worth it Michael, just I've realised I'm going to have to narrow down my choices in future.
That means no more;
Napoleon's or Ancient Egypt/Rome.
No ACW, WW1 or French Resistance (Had been promising myself FR's whenever they get released, but something has to give).
No more Bulge apart from maybe a couple of the new American sets. In fact no more ETO including MG for the time being.
Unfortunately, no more Crusaders - which I particularly like (well, maybe a few).
And no more vehicles - apart from the new DAK Panzer IV and any new North Africa stuff that comes out this year. Unfortunately the new connoisseur HB stuff is out of reach.
In addition, no other manufacturers apart from K&C, with the exception of some minor scenic and diorama items.
During 2006/2007, I reckon I spent on average upwards of £1,500.00 (around US$3,000.00) every 8 weeks or so on the hobby, and simply can't keep up anymore cos that works out at around £18,000.00 over 2 years (around US$36,000.00). And that sum doesn't include Postage and Customs duty.
Sure, no-one forced me to spend that amount and I love every single item in our collection - but that represents the down-payment for a pretty nice condo in China.
So I'm going to pull in my horns during 2008 and simply concentrate on those figures with particular personal appeal such as CRW, DAK, EA, SOHK and IC.
Have been promising myself and The Missus the Manchu Wedding Party Set for some considerable time though and its still on January's shopping list....

Best Regards
H

That's a good one H, LOL

Carlos

 

[Steven Chong]

Nobody seems to have commented on this but that PZ IV appears to be a full scale tank so no more concerns about scale and looks to be a tremendous model ...

I think collectors have learned to withhold judgment or comment until they have seen the actual piece and can compare it to other items. Lots of the past comments were based on photos or the ill-advised comment of someone who has not seen the product.

 

[The Lt.]

I gotta say, we should give K&C a break. It seems Andy is d*mned if he does and d*mned if he doesn't. If we review the last year - we b*tched and yelled for Brit Paras. We got them and then there were cries of 'too many'. We asked for FJs, they came, but not in the right uniforms to cater for all theatres.

We yelled for Afrika Korps - It's been arriving. We yelled for more Afrika Korps - more came. We asked for more 'obscure' stuff - Italian Blackshirts, captured T34 etc - so it was produced.
We wanted Chaffees, Elefants, Panzer IVs, Resistance fighters, Tunisian Tigers, DAK tank riders, DAK infantry etc, etc, etc.

We got 'em.

There aren't many hobbies that I'm aware of where the manufacturer / collector relationship is so close.

I'm not a K&C die-hard, nor do I worship Andy as some toy soldier god (sorry Andy ), but looking back at what has been requested most this past year, I'd say K&C have covered the majority of requests.

I dare say Napoleonics will appear in the not too distant future, along with Brit Armour, Alamo etc. K&C have a pretty shrewd record of responding to customer wants. If we don't have the funds to buy all we want, well, that's hardly K&C's fault, we just have to make more discerning choices.

My thoughts, for what they are worth.

Simon

Very well done Simon and by the way your thoughts are worth alot.....The Lt.

 

[Vezzolf]

To Andy and K/C......the dessert Panzer IV looks excellent.....I will definitely order one.......Hoping to see a K/C Winterized Tiger in the battle of the bulge series in the near future........Thank you for a good product and numerous choices.......PS....the recent battle of the bulge allied figures is superb.....Thanks again

 

[nmrocks]

Just to let you know Issue #19 of the Collector K&C mag is also posted on the web site "Arnhem"!!!
Ray

 

[Harrytheheid]

That's a good one H, LOL

Carlos

Yeah well, hmmm.....Guess I'll see how long the New Year Resolution lasts. Don't be surprised if in six months time I'm reporting that we're living in a tent in Northern China (not too many Trailer Parks in China) - and we're surrounded by the best and most diverse collection of miniature figurines ever seen in Northern China.
Seriously though, I think it was Damian who stated that you have to remain focused and he's correct. So like I've said, I'm going to home in on Crimea, DAK, EA, SOHK and IC during the next six months or so. Mind you, there doesn't seem to be much additions to the IC range recently. How about some River Pirates circa 1860? And I simply HAVE to get a few Saracens. And.... See what I mean? I'm at it again - already and its only 6th January..!!

Cheers
H

 

[maddadicus]

I think collectors have learned to withhold judgment or comment until they have seen the actual piece and can compare it to other items. Lots of the past comments were based on photos or the ill-advised comment of someone who has not seen the product.

It is possible that we have a photo of a 1/32 tank ,with better proportioned figures to the manufactured scale scale........Michael

 

[jazzeum]

I think collectors have learned to withhold judgment or comment until they have seen the actual piece and can compare it to other items. Lots of the past comments were based on photos or the ill-advised comment of someone who has not seen the product.

Not really sure what you're trying to say or what the point is Are you saying that this doesn't look like a tremendous model?

 

[Harrytheheid]

Well here goes! For myself who has Collected WW2 Since 8-Years ago, and still have Plenty of those Sets around! But, my Opinion is that I like Germans, but I have enough WAFFEN SS, and want MORE oF DAK, Gerbirschlager ( MOUNTAIN TROOPS), WEHRMACHT,! Also, on the Other Hand the ALLIES, N. Africa such as 8TH Army, French, Aussies, Italians, is what I'm looking forward to Collect! U.S. Bulge if Fine; but there is too many Sets, except a Few Extra's Artillery, WC54-Ambulance,Weasel, WC57, Heavy Mortar Team? RUSSIANS-Winter-Stalingrad, OK, and MORE Russian Armor, and Artillery? Japanese(IWO-JIMA),MORE Marine MG Team,--- Radio-Jeep---Pak Howitzer Gun, ---105MM Field Gun,--- NEW LCVT-4A with 75MM Gun Turret,---- NEW Sherman Tank in (Camouflage Colors),---- Jap Tankette, ----Small Field Artillery Gun, Mule Supply, and possible NEW Fighting Figure's? U.S. Airborne (PARAS) have enough Except for a NEW Mortar Team, Heavy MG Team, Bangalore Torpedo Team, Wounded /Dead, M-57 Anti-Tank Gun Team----WACO-Glider Plane/HORSA Glider Plane ------JEEP- Radio Communications----Pak 75 LIGHT Howitzer,?

John,
Are you some mega-rich, retired philanthropist, living in The Valley, or maybe NY, who just wants to fulfil his boyhood dreams? Or do you just dream more than most - with the assistance of certain substances?
Can't make up my mind which it is....man....!!??

H

 

[desk11desk12]

John,
Are you some mega-rich, retired philanthropist, living in The Valley, or maybe NY, who just wants to fulfil his boyhood dreams? Or do you just dream more than most - with the assistance of certain substances?
Can't make up my mind which it is....man....!!??

H

H,

LOL, that's the second time you made me laugh today.

Carlos

 

[damian]

John is a man of mystery. Some say he is a retired sixties rock star who has over indulged on groupies and drugs and a debauched life in general living in the Laurel Canyon. Some say he is a retired hitman for the Corleone family. Some say he is a retired secret agent with a liscnece to kill who would have been awarded the Victoria Cross several times over if only they could tell the public some of his adventures. Other say it was he whoe taught George Best to play football. I say keep it up John. Look what your asking has resulted in. we now have enough Desert armor to invade Egypt. Yopu keep on putting up your lists. I will keep on reading them. It looks like ANdy reads them too.
Regards
Damian
All the best for 2008

 

[Harrytheheid]

John is a man of mystery. Some say he is a retired sixties rock star who has over indulged on groupies and drugs and a debauched life in general living in the Laurel Canyon. Some say he is a retired hitman for the Corleone family. Some say he is a retired secret agent with a liscnece to kill who would have been awarded the Victoria Cross several times over if only they could tell the public some of his adventures. Other say it was he whoe taught George Best to play football. I say keep it up John. Look what your asking has resulted in. we now have enough Desert armor to invade Egypt. Yopu keep on putting up your lists. I will keep on reading them. It looks like ANdy reads them too.
Regards
Damian
All the best for 2008

Taught George Best how to drink himself into the grave more like.

 

[Steven Chong]

Not really sure what you're trying to say or what the point is Are you saying that this doesn't look like a tremendous model?

My point is that I hope the lack of comments on the scale is the result of collectors learning to wait to look at an actual product and maybe put it next to other pieces before commenting on the scale. I do think it is a tremendous model and appears to be more weathered than past K&C vehicles.

 

[OzDigger]

During 2006/2007, I reckon I spent on average upwards of £1,500.00 (around US$3,000.00) every 8 weeks or so on the hobby, and simply can't keep up anymore cos that works out at around £18,000.00 over 2 years (around US$36,000.00). And that sum doesn't include Postage and Customs duty.

Sure, no-one forced me to spend that amount and I love every single item in our collection - but that represents the down-payment for a pretty nice condo in China.

So I'm going to pull in my horns during 2008 and simply concentrate on those figures with particular personal appeal such as CRW, DAK, EA, SOHK and IC.
Have been promising myself and The Missus the Manchu Wedding Party Set for some considerable time though and its still on January's shopping list....

Best Regards
H

I think most new collectors go thru the kid in the candy shop stage, I know I did I try and limit myself to an annual hobby budget of around $5,000 per year which is enough for me to maintain my interest and keep peace with my missus. Ofcourse the hobby budget will be a different amount for each person depending upon their means but it is a good idea imo.

 

[OzDigger]

I think collectors have learned to withhold judgment or comment until they have seen the actual piece and can compare it to other items. Lots of the past comments were based on photos or the ill-advised comment of someone who has not seen the product.

Very true Steven, forum comments from other members mixed with a subtle element of peer preasure can be very tempting. I have learnt the hard way that it's best to see models in the flesh before commiting to buy. I understand this may be difficult for those in more remote areas but a request to other members to post comparison pics usually has the desired result.

 

[Harrytheheid]

I think most new collectors go thru the kid in the candy shop stage, I know I did I try and limit myself to an annual hobby budget of around $5,000 per year which is enough for me to maintain my interest and keep peace with my missus. Ofcourse the hobby budget will be a different amount for each person depending upon their means but it is a good idea imo.

Well, like the complete kid in the candy shop that I am, now that I have a shipping address in China at long last, I've just waved goodbye to around US$1500.00 tonight in new orders. Then end of January it'll be another approx US$1000.00 - but that's the last of the big purchases. (He says hopefully) . Probably US$5000.00/Annum is a reasonable sum to spend on a hobby such as this, otherwise it could actually be termed another form of addiction.

Cheers
H

 

[damian]

Taught George Best how to drink himself into the grave more like.

George Best said Most of my money I spent on booze and girls, the rest I squandered.
Regards
Damian

 

[panda1gen]

Well, like the complete kid in the candy shop that I am, now that I have a shipping address in China at long last, I've just waved goodbye to around US$1500.00 tonight in new orders. Then end of January it'll be another approx US$1000.00 - but that's the last of the big purchases. (He says hopefully) . Probably US$5000.00/Annum is a reasonable sum to spend on a hobby such as this, otherwise it could actually be termed another form of addiction.

Cheers
H

I have also had to become 'discerning' due to TAX and the fact that despite the TAX I have to pay huge sums for my kids education.....

I could always work harder but with the TAX the way it is there is no point - at least I now have time to enjoy the collection.....