Opinions on the new 250 Series (1 Viewer)

[Cyber Field Marshall]

Hi guys. I was wondering what your thoughts were regarding K&C's new 250 series?

Positives:
1) Produces obscure vehicles for the true diehard of a series.
2) You can get the same vehicle in many different camo schemes which gives the collector more choice.
3) Super limited release could add significant value to your collection.
4) Allows K&C not to overproduce vehicles and have excess stock in their own warehouse and their network of dealerships. Probably a good idea in an era of economic uncertainty.
5) Potential for a wider variety of releases for a variety of era's.

Negatives:
1) The idea of a super strictly limited forces a buyer to make a quick decision to buy whether they are ready or not. This is something I dislike and is a model that some other manufacturers pursue.
2) I want all the versions of the vehicle released!!!

Net net I like this new direction and am looking forward to the 250 Series development. The mind just boggles when you think of all the potential releases. My collection bias is towards the less popular pieces and so this series scratches me where I itch. I just hope the model doesn't bleed into all the releases K&C make and that they keep the releases to a reasonable schedule so as not to overwhelm collectors.

 

[Rob]

Well going on the first release I'm very happy. Very much like the new Austins and think this series could be really good.I'm wondering if the releases will only be vehicles or may include guns and tanks. Yes it does perhaps force you to make some choices, but thats what collecting is all about and a big plus is you will have an item there are only 250 of.

Rob

 

[10TH LA.]

I like the positives !!!!!!!I can not think of any negatives except if you miss out on your order......my dealers are very good about limited editions ...so not to worry...

 

[Louis Badolato]

The strongest positive is the opportunity to see many less popular vehicles produced. As the owner of one of the prototypes of the Austin Tilly (RAF version) from a few years ago, which Andy decided not to produce because he did not believe it would sell well enough to warrant production, as well as a prototype of the Bedford Troop Transport Lorry (desert version) which also did not go into production at the time for the same reason, I believe the new 250 series opens an entire realm of new possibilities. There are many less popular vehicles which would not warrant production in one particular range, but which can be sold in sufficient quantities if simultaneously produced for multiple ranges. It will also end the grousing we collectors are all guilty of when one of the vehicles we want for our pet range is produced for a different range.

 

[Mitch]

For me, the Kingsize was a release that I thought was a good idea and sadly, never met its potential. the 250 series is another good idea and I wonder what obscurity andy has in mind as he has been doing some obscure stuff now and, much of the releases are in different colour schemes now.

so, I lean towards CFM's comments about pressure on collectors who now have to manage quite tight bubgets and try to get things they want with low editions and SL's now. It seems the big negative is that many people may be more dissapointed than pleased with this added Strictly strictly limited.
Mitch

 

[6th Wisconsin]

For me, the Kingsize was a release that I thought was a good idea and sadly, never met its potential. the 250 series is another good idea and I wonder what obscurity andy has in mind as he has been doing some obscure stuff now and, much of the releases are in different colour schemes now.

so, I lean towards CFM's comments about pressure on collectors who now have to manage quite tight bubgets and try to get things they want with low editions and SL's now. It seems the big negative is that many people may be more dissapointed than pleased with this added Strictly strictly limited.
Mitch

It has definitely made me spend more money than I would like. I would prefer to spread my money out than feel compelled to buy so many items before they sell out. That is not such a negative for the manufacturer though!

 

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your thoughts and comments on this K&C project… As I read them I thought… “Well you’re never going to please everyone”.

To put it in some kind of perspective… The “250 series” allows us to produce a limited (though not strictly limited) number of rarer vehicles in a variety of different paint schemes that might not appeal to the vast majority of K&C collectors if only produced in only one “definite” paint scheme.

There’s several projects from K&C’s past that I wish, in retrospect, I could have done in a “250 series”. I hope, in the future, to do more “250’s”… So watch this space and remember the early bird caches the worm!

Best wishes and happy collecting!
Andy C.

 

[Mitch]

Andy...
I don't think (well I can only speak for myself) that the 250 series comment was meant as a negative per se just throwing in some comments. I said I liked the idea though for me, you are nearly doing this now with your releases. The desert ambulance et al shows this.

I am sure that collectors will see this range as a quasi strictly limited if for nothing else the numbers are so low and much lower than the true SL range. It was mentioned on here the other day that someone was going to buy the desert bedford as it was 150 run and that was the only reason so, the comparison has been set.

The good thing is that every collector will be able to get a colour scheme or all three should they wish that suits their theatre of operations.
Mitch

Hi Guys,

Thanks for your thoughts and comments on this K&C project… As I read them I thought… “Well you’re never going to please everyone”.

To put it in some kind of perspective… The “250 series” allows us to produce a limited (though not strictly limited) number of rarer vehicles in a variety of different paint schemes that might not appeal to the vast majority of K&C collectors if only produced in only one “definite” paint scheme.

There’s several projects from K&C’s past that I wish, in retrospect, I could have done in a “250 series”. I hope, in the future, to do more “250’s”… So watch this space and remember the early bird caches the worm!

Best wishes and happy collecting!
Andy C.

 

[jazzeum]

Some of the points remind me of the comments made earlier this year when Figarti brought out several highly desirable items. Many collectors were concerned about having to make quick decisions and upsetting or throwing out of kilter budgets. After the hub bub died down, I found out that, generally, you could still get what you wanted a couple of months down the road.

I think the same will be true here although on some items you may need to better safe than sorry; as soon as the Bedford was announced I sent an email to George to reserve one: you snooze, you lose.

 

[Mitch]

Thats a fair point about the fact they may not all sell out in days etc as with several of the true SL's at the moment. but, as we have found out on here many collectors are not in the position to do other than snooze for a variety of reasons and, my points about collectors on budgets was aimed on that point. I think as with most releases immediate interest will subside and some will be left but, some may prioritise one set say, from 250 series and miss out on another. Figarti does not make a comparison as most of their stock is always limited numbers and one knows that from the off. Its just going to be a headache (though a desirable one) for many collectors.
Mitch

 

[6th Wisconsin]

If kept to items that will have more limited demand this makes sense for all, I think.

 

[uksubs]

I see the RAF015 Austin K2 Airfield Ambulance by King & Country is sold out at K&C Uk

 

[Mitch]

The question that cannot be really answered is what items? Every item released save say Tigers as they are a cert to sell, runs a risk even the 250 series as you are still going to have to produce say 750 for three colour ways. Which, with many releases of late has happened apart from the many posts we have seen about 'grey' vehicles on wish lists.

If you look at the Tilly many people wanted that vehicle and, it was not a real risk (though that is easy to say when its not my cash up front) as such for it to be released especially in the RAF colours. Its a hard thing to do and finding obscure vehicles is almost a contradiction in terms as the Tilly certainly was not with the amount made and where it was used (everywhere) so, although a good idea I wonder what 'obscure' really means
Mitch

If kept to items that will have more limited demand this makes sense for all, I think.

 

[Rob]

Just been watching a new dvd that arrived today ' Unexploded bombs on the British Home front' and there (although in b&w) is the Austin Tilly if I'm not mistaken and in the Mickey mouse camo, you don't think Andy is about to release bomb disposal squad do you?

Rob

 

[uksubs]

Just been watching a new dvd that arrived today ' Unexploded bombs on the British Home front' and there (although in b&w) is the Austin Tilly if I'm not mistaken and in the Mickey mouse camo, you don't think Andy is about to release bomb disposal squad do you?

Rob

Is the dvd worth buy Rob ?
do you have Blitz Now & Then books

 

[Rob]

Is the dvd worth buy Rob ?
do you have Blitz Now & Then books

Well I really like it.I've always been interested in how the Wartime government spoke to the nation on everything from Aircraft recognition to Unexploded Bombs, from Careless talk costs lives to Dig for Victory. This is a dvd featuring four instructional films for the bomb disposal squad on how to spot,prepare and diffuse Unexploded bombs.If you like old black and white wartime info films you'll like this.

Yes I also have several Now and then Books, including Blitz,Battle of Britain etc.Very good info and some good photos, they are excellent for trying to discover the places where events happened during the war and seeing what they are like today.

Rob

 

[uksubs]

Well I really like it.I've always been interested in how the Wartime government spoke to the nation on everything from Aircraft recognition to Unexploded Bombs, from Careless talk costs lives to Dig for Victory. This is a dvd featuring four instructional films for the bomb disposal squad on how to spot,prepare and diffuse Unexploded bombs.If you like old black and white wartime info films you'll like this.

Yes I also have several Now and then Books, including Blitz,Battle of Britain etc.Very good info and some good photos, they are excellent for trying to discover the places where events happened during the war and seeing what they are like today.

Rob

Thanks for that Rob
I have a lot Now & then books & will get the blitz one now
Found out the other week talking to my dad that we lost family members when the Luftwaffe bombed Reading during the war & my nan got shot up by a Me 109

 

[Rob]

Thanks for that Rob
I have a lot Now & then books & will get the blitz one now
Found out the other week talking to my dad that we lost family members when the Luftwaffe bombed Reading during the war & my nan got shot up by a Me 109

Sorry to hear that. Britain lost many civilians during the Battle of Britain/ Blitz on the way to Victory,but Victory it had and thank god for it in this 70th Anniversary year. We have a great deal to be proud of and a great deal to be thankful for

Rob

 

[Mitch]

Well said Rob
Mitch