News AK: Review (1 Viewer)

[Francis]

I was a little surprised by the absence of remarks which seem obvious to me on the different AK sets since the new (remarkable) painting developed on this theme.
I dare to hope that we can have a somewhat nuanced criticism which sets up a debate which is not one-sided...
I felt a little frustration or even a little disappointment at the sight of certain AK sets among the latest releases.
Indeed, it is clear, for experienced and long-time collectors, that we are dealing with several sets from previous creations...and this observation is still a little disappointing, isn't it?
As much as the Camel Korps and the Tiger are an indisputable success, most of the infantry sets are 'deja vu'...
The Tank riders are the example but also the AK 135- 136- 141- 158- 153- 156...
This is almost 40% of the new AK series...
So, we can understand it.. Why not?
Many collectors have not known the original references and what's more, they are improved but, for my part, there are sets that I could not buy so as not to have dioramas that are too similar in terms of poses...
This is the main problem I face...
I found a compromise for the Tank riders where I will do a mix of the best poses in both sets, 3 for the new one and 2 for the old one...
I simply wanted to raise the fact that we, collectors, have noticed this state of affairs and that we rightly hope that this does not happen too often so that we can take full advantage of the new products presented...
I took this opportunity to suggest to K&C the proposal to give us a Caucasian version of the camel Korps on long-haired camels of which I am attaching some suitable photos... with of course, poses a little different from those of the AK...

 

[bridport]

Yes, you do have a point about those tank riders.

They do look very familiar.

The painting has improved, but the detail has diminished.

 

[Desertkiwi]

I was a little surprised by the absence of remarks which seem obvious to me on the different AK sets since the new (remarkable) painting developed on this theme.
I dare to hope that we can have a somewhat nuanced criticism which sets up a debate which is not one-sided...
I felt a little frustration or even a little disappointment at the sight of certain AK sets among the latest releases.
Indeed, it is clear, for experienced and long-time collectors, that we are dealing with several sets from previous creations...and this observation is still a little disappointing, isn't it?
As much as the Camel Korps and the Tiger are an indisputable success, most of the infantry sets are 'deja vu'...
The Tank riders are the example but also the AK 135- 136- 141- 158- 153- 156...
This is almost 40% of the new AK series...
So, we can understand it.. Why not?
Many collectors have not known the original references and what's more, they are improved but, for my part, there are sets that I could not buy so as not to have dioramas that are too similar in terms of poses...
This is the main problem I face...
I found a compromise for the Tank riders where I will do a mix of the best poses in both sets, 3 for the new one and 2 for the old one...
I simply wanted to raise the fact that we, collectors, have noticed this state of affairs and that we rightly hope that this does not happen too often so that we can take full advantage of the new products presented...
I took this opportunity to suggest to K&C the proposal to give us a Caucasian version of the camel Korps on long-haired camels of which I am attaching some suitable photos... with of course, poses a little different from those of the AK...View attachment 346317View attachment 346318

I'm all for an intelligent conversation/debate and to get things started will happily state I'm not disappointed in the slightest with the new AK releases, in-fact I'd go so far as to admit I was excited to see further releases in this range, especially given few manufacturers dip their toe into the WW2 desert conflict.

Despite collecting for many years now and being a 'fan' of both the WW1 &WW2 desert conflicts and the Mediterranean theatre in general, I still don't own most of K&Cs desert series, largely as a result of cost and an extremely tight budget and piss poor exchange rate.

The 4x AK tank riders you refer to I don't have in my collection, namely because they are listed in the second market for ridiculous sums of money. Some call it capitalism, I call it greed. So having the opportunity to purchase a re-issued set of them is certainly attractive to me and no doubt also to other collectors who missed out last time they were released.

Personally I don't have an issue with K&C re-issuing figures and also mixing them up in different sets.

In saying that I'm all for making suggestions for new sets and ideas too.

Cheers

 

[WesternOutlaw]

Well said, 'Desertkiwi'.

I've been collecting K&C's AK series for several years and have built up a pretty good collection. As I mentioned in the Feb Dispatch Topic, I am glad to see K&C continuing the theme. In looking at the new 2025 figures, I find them different enough to compliment those previously released, the closest being the new set of Tank Riders (AK157) compared to the original set (AK049). Collectors who missed out on the original set can now have some AK Tank Riders but definitely a different set.

I find the new Sitting AK Tankers (AK156) and Tank Mechanics Set (AK160) also different than previous AK sets and welcome these new sitting figures and those without bases. They are certainly not repaints of previously released figures.

Andy certainly has a style and I think that's what we see with all of these figures. That style is what ties the figures together and lets us continue to add on to existing sets. Personally, I'd love to see some new variations of the typical tan and green uniforms.

I am more concerned with size as some of the newer figures have been a bit smaller than older releases. All things considered; however, I am pleased with the new releases and have already ordered a few of my favorites which I plan to add to my latest diorama, Afrikakorps Airfield.

 

[paxtoysoldier]

I lean toward Francis's opinion. He makes a legitimate point. I like my figures to be more unique. I like new releases to be more creative.
But I must concede that people want these beautiful models, it's good business, and K&C would have a hard time making something better than what they have made (a hazard of success). And yet they make many new ranges and figures. Wild West and Rome are my favorites at the moment. And they continue to improve their quality (which, I'm sure, is not easy).
Anyway, I think Andy knows what he's doing and will continue to provide us with fun for as long as he or we live.
Happy Collecting and thank you K&C...
Paddy

 

[OzDigger]

I wasn't interested in the early Vichy French Camel rider sets, and despite being a collector of 8th Army and the Afrika Korps I won't bother with the new A/Korps camel riders. That said, IMO we are lucky to have the opportunity to buy these sets even if they're not 'exactly what we want' as they're not likely to be one of the 'big sellers' in that range.

As for the re-released Afrika Korps tank crew set, I have the original set but I'm happy to see a re-release for those that don't have the original, sometimes expensive set. BTW as they are K & C tank crew figures, they are a bit smaller than 'regular' K & C Afrika Korps figures.

 

[Francis]

After reading your different opinions on the question I raised, I obviously agree with your answers... But...
Because there is a but, still...
Reproducing previous pieces by changing a small detail, for example a helmet or a head turned in another direction, harms the unique character of the figurine and in the process diminishes its value...
K&C has other ways to reduce its costs because it is indeed a question of manufacturing at a lower cost and I completely understand that...
But why then not use, for example, certain excellent poses of the tank riders of Vietnam or those of the Anglo-Americans from the landings, precisely among the latest outings which demonstrate great innovation...
Maintenant, si K&C utilise les memes moules d'un meme theme comme l'AK, par exemple, alors que ce soit pour faire des Tanks riders SS hiver avec leurs tenues matelassées (jamais fait) dont ils ont réalisé quelques pieces pour la bataille des Ardennes ou bien été, avec leurs tenues camouflées..
Il y a des moyens de réutiliser des moules tout en favorisant la variété et la différence dans les poses...
Quelqu'un qui collectionne l'AK serait heureux d'avoir de nouveaux Tanks riders issues des poses de celles du Vietnam car il ne les verrait jamais s'affronter dans sa vitrine !
Voila ce que je reproche un peu à K&C... de céder parfois à la facilité plutot que de recourir à une astuce plus élaborée... Mais c'est un reproche qui reste mineur face à la qualité de leur production et l'ensemble de leur réalisation...
J'espere qu'il ne s'en trouveront pas offusqué mais plutot y voir quelques bonnes idées à prendre !

 

[WesternOutlaw]

BTW as they are K & C tank crew figures, they are a bit smaller than 'regular' K & C Afrika Korps figures.

This would be an example of what I am referring to re. size compared to some of the older figures. Although I really like them, even the older tank riders were larger than this "short wave" of figures released in 2017.