Plane-Sailing? (1 Viewer)

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Producing toy soldiers (military miniatures) and fighting vehicles is not easy… K&C and yours truly have been doing it for 27 years and we’re still learning!

Making and manufacturing scale model aircraft is equally as difficult… sometimes more so because of the sheer size of the aircraft in 1:30 scale and certain important details.

When K&C decided to get back into the 1:30 scale aircraft we looked at it very, very, carefully. We considered what aircraft we could and should do… What lessons we had to learn in regards to manufacturing, packaging, shipping and, of course, fragility… We also considered our dealers and the problems and costs they might have to face and finally, most importantly, we thought long and hard about the collector…what you wanted and what might appeal to you.

This whole process took many, many long months (almost 18) before we launched our first Hawker Hurricane. I’m happy to say that our faith in the idea… the product…and our K&C collectors was well-placed.

Up to this point K&C Warbirds has produced the following:
(In no particular order)
(I) Hawker Hurricane (2 versions)
(II) P51 Mustang
(III) Messerschmitt Bf 108
(IV) Messerschmitt Bf 109 “F” Trop
(V) Supermarine Spitfire (1 version already another on the way)
(VI) Messerschmitt 163 “Komet”
(VII) Focke Wulf 190

On the immediate upcoming production schedule we have
(VIII) Messerschmitt 262
(IX) P47 Thunderbolt
(X) Hawker Typhoon

And let’s not forget…
Junkers 87 “Stuka”
P38 Lightning
F4U Corsair
F6F Hellcat
Messerschmitt 109 “E”
Mitsubishi Zero

Plus the odd Russians or Italian too!

What I’m trying to say is that K&C tries our level best to deliver what we
Promise… when we promise it… and at a fair and sensible price for the collector… and our dealers all over the world.

I personally love all fighting aircraft… WW1, WW2, Korea and beyond. I sincerely hope that K&C will continue to expand and develop that area of collecting for many years to come but as I’ve said and written… “It sure ain’t easy” and as one of our newer competitors has discovered to their cost “it sure ain’t plane sailing!”

Best wishes and happy flying!

Andy C.

 

[GJB22]

Thanks for the update Andy. I can't wait for the Stuka, hopefully it will be for Afrika Korps.

 

[jazzeum]

Andy,

I think you're doing a splendid job on the Warbirds and they only seem to be getting better. I don't know if you saw the thread about the Me 109 but that is an excellent looking plane and when I was at Harvey's house and compared it to the wooden version he had, the differences weren't extreme. It seems to be the best one yet.

I think we, the collectors, have become used to your doing things so well that sometimes we forget to realize that it's not so easy to take airplanes and that, as you indicated, there was a big learning curve. Obviously, not everyone can do it

Keep up the good work.

Regards,

 

[wwiibuff]

Sounds great Andy. Lots of variety here. Good to see some US Pacific fighters in the mix as well.

 

[Mitch]

Although packed with information about upcoming releases I kinda get the feeling that this would not have been submitted had TG's recent comment not been released. But, Hey ho! I suppose, thats the way you deal with the competitors.

Is a ME110 to large for Polystone?
Mitch

 

[lancer]

Oh, for absolute joy! Hellcats, Lightnings, and Corsairs, oh my. And even a Zero for them to shoot at. It's going to be an interesting year coming up. -- Al

 

[MarkeytMaker]

Andy,

I personally love how this is all progressing!

I wished I was around years ago with some of the long timers to get a feel for comparing then and now. Seems to me that the times now are more of a "on your toes" moment? I see great talent from the other sides. Figarti for example has some truely impressive pieces...then there is First Legion. What I don't think the others are offering is a consistent wide range of choices with exceptional quality and detail on each and every piece...First Legion gets a grade "A" for detail and consistency, though lacking the massive variety K&C produces. Figarti also gets a grade "A" for producing powerful punches though lacking in consistent detail over the whole range offered.

I recently fell in love with the older glossy figures. For me, I find a rather more personal touch to each of the older pieces...as with the newer more modern figures I find tremendous detail but more of a modern mass produced look. I would love to see K&C produce a new line of classic look glossy's that have that somewhat less perfected look...maybe something in between the old and new but in glossy. Of course limited and pricey based on them being significantly in a class all by themselves. I would also like to repeat that a K&C logo'd metal display cabinet say 3' X 2' and about the right depth for the wall would be terrific. Some requirements for each cabinet would be custom K&C screenprinting pertaining to each line (K&C Logo as well). Also one that can be assembled at home (easily shipped)...possibly a name plate kit which consists of a variety of name plates. One that references each product line which can be attached to each cabinet. If the cabinets were marketed correctly then I would think the end result would be the customer wanting to buy more to fill the specific cabinet to make them all look somewhat equally involved??? I mean you should really consider how many collectors are not even displaying their collections because of displaying issues? Consider that properly displayed, these items (toy soldiers) become more visable to family and friends, thus creating additional interest from others who were not already involved! Anyhow, I think your doing very well and I give you an "A+" for consistancy, detail, variety and fair pricing.

Markey

 

[Rob]

Thanks for posting Andy, always good to read info on upcoming releases and that is a most impressive list of Aircraft. Am really looking forward to the Typhoon most of all which will sit very nicely next to the Spit and Hurricane.Month by month K&C go from strength to strength and continue to produce excellent releases, and these aircraft will be a continuation of this.

Thanks again

Rob

 

[uksubs]

Will the next Spitfire be a late mark version or a photo rec version Andy ? & what the change of seeing a Me 262 night fighter & the British first jet fighter Gloster Meteor ?

 

[Mitch]

With the expected ME 109E will this be Gallands version with the Mickey Mouse emblem? would fit well with the BOB releases
Mitch

 

[lancer]

Forgot the P-47. Great choice, this. Would love to see it as a camo razorback but will be happy, regardless. It is a beast. -- Al

 

[uksubs]

Although packed with information about upcoming releases I kinda get the feeling that this would not have been submitted had TG's recent comment not been released. But, Hey ho! I suppose, thats the way you deal with the competitors.

Is a ME110 to large for Polystone?
Mitch

Don't forget a P61 Black widow

 

[Combat]

An Italian plane! Let's hope it's the Macchi Folgore. They have one at the air and space museum in DC. Very cool. I haven't seen much info though on the upcoming WWI planes.

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

Excellent post. Glad to see many of my favourite airplanes on K&C's list. Eagerly awaiting many, especially the Me-109E, Zero and Corsair. Wish I saw a P-40 War/Kitty/Tomahawk with the shark mouth on the list too. Where are those WWI warbirds? I've got Camels and Red Triplanes, on the brain lately.

 

[craig1985taylor]

Thanks for the update Andy sounds like we are going to get some great planes coming our way soon no P-40 Kittyhawk on the horizon but hopefully we will see one eventually

Craig

 

[marksable]

Wow, Andy. Between the planes listed in this post and the ones already out, consider me both "shocked" and "awed".

I've only been in the hobby about 2 years, but I don't think any series of K&C releases has grabbed my imagination as the polystone Warbirds. I remember when I first saw the wood ones wishing I could afford them, thinking "someday".

When the first Hurricane came out I was awed by the quality and affordability. I've never seen a wooden warbird in real life, so I can't compare them, but I can say these stand on their own as beautiful works of art.

Each subsequent release has only gotten better. I'm a particular fan of the FW-190 (a diorama onto itself) and the AK BF109, a sleek and evocative piece.

The pacing of the releases and the accompanying ground crews, pilots etc. also deserve praise. The RAF quonset hut and U.S Army Air Corps crew are real winners, and I have an emotional connection to the latter since my great uncle served as a crew chief during the war.

I'm hoping the "odd Russian" plane is a Stormavik, and that the Zero and some of the American planes is your way of dipping back into the Pacific, and that we'll see some more anti-air pieces. But even putting those aside the size and scope of the range you've announced is stunning. And yes, I agree with whoever said the Stuka should be an AK release, but I'll be happy with that in any markings.

Now all I have to do is find more space

 

[Mitch]

CFM...

With two dispatches left this year perhaps the WWI aircraft will be released this year hence, no mention of them
Mitch

Excellent post. Glad to see many of my favourite airplanes on K&C's list. Eagerly awaiting many, especially the Me-109E, Zero and Corsair. Wish I saw a P-40 War/Kitty/Tomahawk with the shark mouth on the list too. Where are those WWI warbirds? I've got Camels and Red Triplanes, on the brain lately.

 

[lancer]

I think KC should make a big splash with it's first WW1 aircraft release. How about Andrew McKeever's Bristol F2A "Brisfit"? McKeever (a Canadian) was the leading 2-seater ace of the war. An iconic aircraft with an iconic ace. It would be a superb choice. -- Al

 

[Mitch]

Lancer..

I think your right something special and dramatic for the WWI air range your choice is certainly that
Mitch

 

[lancer]

Lancer..

I think your right something special and dramatic for the WWI air range your choice is certainly that
Mitch

It would be a big son-of-a-gun, too. -- Al