Prototype of Figarti G Prototype (1 Viewer)

[jazzeum]

In response to a comment I made on the Hobby Bunker Forum about Figarti not bringing more to the West Coaster and how this might be a cause for concern, Matt Murphey of Hobby Bunker said that

Brad cash is king and they don't have it. To get it they need to trickle out inventory and save/wait. Or they need a pile of cash wired over to get about 8 things in production for September delivery.​

Frankly, unless they get an infusion of capital, I'm not sure what we will see from them.

 

[katana]

The Toy Soldier business is very competitive. Figarti had great armor and artillery; but the figures left a lot to be desired. Other companies have crashed and burned, that had good products; but could not manage the ecconomics. I would advise the new owners of Figarti to approach First Legion to undertake a subcontract or joint venture to expand First Legions armor and artillery offerings. First Legions armor and artillery is very good; but overpriced and limited in range. The Figarti expertise in armor and the ability to build quality products at reasonable prices, would be of great benifit to First Legion IMHO.

 

[uksubs]

The Toy Soldier business is very competitive. Figarti had great armor and artillery; but the figures left a lot to be desired. Other companies have crashed and burned, that had good products; but could not manage the ecconomics. I would advise the new owners of Figarti to approach First Legion to undertake a subcontract or joint venture to expand First Legions armor and artillery offerings. First Legions armor and artillery is very good; but overpriced and limited in range. The Figarti expertise in armor and the ability to build quality products at reasonable prices, would be of great benifit to First Legion IMHO.

If you look at it a different way if there no figarti First legion will have the monopoly in 1/30 high detail armour :wink2:

 

[katana]

I think that it would be good for Figarti and First Legion to combine expertise and dominate the true 1/30 scale 60mm market; as K&C dominates the 1/28 scale 68mm market. Product compatibilty and realism would be maintaind to every collectors benefit; plus a large array of WWII figures, armor and artillery of excellent quality would be available. What's not to like!

 

[jazzeum]

I have to agree with Neil. What is the incentive for FL to team up with Figarti. It would be at a sacrifice to their own vehicles; it doesn't make financial sense. Moreover, the team at Figarti is uncertain. Injecting capital into Figarti would not be without some risk.

You may consider the FL vehicles expensive but there is a market out there for them; the Sherman sold out rather quickly.

 

[uksubs]

I think that it would be good for Figarti and First Legion to combine expertise and dominate the true 1/30 scale 60mm market; as K&C dominates the 1/28 scale 68mm market. Product compatibilty and realism would be maintaind to every collectors benefit; plus a large array of WWII figures, armor and artillery of excellent quality would be available. What's not to like!

That is the case at the moment anyway it nothing new that figarti and First Legion work well together and KC , TG and THC work well in 1/28 it been that way for years

 

[uksubs]

I have to agree with Neil. What is the incentive for FL to team up with Figarti. It would be at a sacrifice to their own vehicles; it doesn't make financial sense. Moreover, the team at Figarti is uncertain. Injecting capital into Figarti would not be without some risk.

You may consider the FL vehicles expensive but there is a market out there for them; the Sherman sold out rather quickly.

I agree FL are making the most accurate AFV out there in 1/30 at the moment

 

[katana]

W. Britains is another oportunity for a merger with Figarti. Figarti armor and artillery with W. Britains figures would be very competitive. The earlier photos I posted with the W. Britains Fallschirmjager with Figarti armor demonstrate the scale and quality compatability of these two companies products. The incentive for Figarti to engage in a joint venture is investment in their product line. Figarti's expertise in polystone manufacturing brings either W. Britains or First legion
expanded WWII products and marketing opportunities. I really wish Honor Bound had found a merger/partner to continue production of their superb armor.

 

[jazzeum]

Again, that doesn't make financial sense. Why would WBritains give up that lucrative market, particularly as they have just been taken private by the Osens and others. As mentioned previously, Figarti needs a cash infusion; Britains probably needs to be careful with their money for now, at least until this new group is comfortable operating it.

As far as HB, we've discussed that; it was too expensive to operate.

 

[katana]

A company aquires another company to expand its capabilities and/or aquire expertise. Aquisition is often less expensive than developing the capability in house or farming it out to a subcontractor; where you are paying both overhead and the profit margin of the subcontractor. What capabilities and experience in production of polystone armor and artillery exist in house at W. Britains or First Legion? First Legion armor is built up from resin subassemblies; very similar to building a 1/35 scale model and equally labor intensive. Polystone is produced in molds and is less labor intensive. First Legion could lower the cost of its armor by adopting the techniques developed by Figarti and than expand its market and/or increase its profit margin. W. Britains would aquire an entire range of armor and artillery; plus the expertise to expand it. Figarti represents an opprtunity to established Toy Soldier companies and I feel sure someone is looking at the possibilities.

 

[jazzeum]

First Legion has no interest in polystone. Otherwise, they would have entered that field by now. So, there is no merit to that point. We don't know what WBritain is up to in this field so anything else is speculation.

 

[katana]

The whole conversation is speculation; but its interesting!Figarti did a nice job with polystone and add on pewter castings. The prices were reasonable as long as they stayed at or below $200 US for a decent Panzer.The price rise over the last 5 years has shrunk the market to the point where a shake out was inevitable. Figarti is the first major player to go down. I expect more to follow. Consolidation of companies to survive is logical. I appreciate First Legions quality; but as a modeler I can build better examples for far less or move up to larger scales with greater detail out of the box.

 

[uksubs]

The whole conversation is speculation; but its interesting!Figarti did a nice job with polystone and add on pewter castings. The prices were reasonable as long as they stayed at or below $200 US for a decent Panzer.The price rise over the last 5 years has shrunk the market to the point where a shake out was inevitable. Figarti is the first major player to go down. I expect more to follow. Consolidation of companies to survive is logical. I appreciate First Legions quality; but as a modeler I can build better examples for far less or move up to larger scales with greater detail out of the box.

you keep going on about first legion AFV is expensive but the hobby in general is , with FL you pay a bit extra but least the item is the correct scale , with clean tracks and good detail , that why there stuff of late is selling out , So there must be a market for it , most people who buy toy soldiers do not have the time or skill to make model kits like yourself

 

[katana]

A number of threads on the forum discuss the use of FOV armor with First Legion figures. I consider this a reaction to the high price of FL armor. Figarti demonstrated; perhaps to their detriment , that limited production models would sell out at high prices. Some models did; some did not and are still available many years later. The market is however very limited and thus vulnerable to ecconomic changes. FOV as an example makes a realistic product at a realistic price and has been in business far longer than Figarti or First Legion. The 1/30-1/28 scale is an artificial construct by a marketing department to avoid competition with 1/32 scale products; which are far more common and lower priced. Reaction to high prices is driving customers back to 1/32 scale.

 

[uksubs]

A number of threads on the forum discuss the use of FOV armor with First Legion figures. I consider this a reaction to the high price of FL armor. Figarti demonstrated; perhaps to their detriment , that limited production models would sell out at high prices. Some models did; some did not and are still available many years later. The market is however very limited and thus vulnerable to ecconomic changes. FOV as an example makes a realistic product at a realistic price and has been in business far longer than Figarti or First Legion. The 1/30-1/28 scale is an artificial construct by a marketing department to avoid competition with 1/32 scale products; which are far more common and lower priced. Reaction to high prices is driving customers back to 1/32 scale.

That just your opinion and with FL latest AFV all selling out tell a different story and how does FOV. 1/32 scale AFV work with FL 1/30 figures ^&confuse

 

[bradleyl30]

I think that it would be good for Figarti and First Legion to combine expertise and dominate the true 1/30 scale 60mm market; as K&C dominates the 1/28 scale 68mm market. Product compatibilty and realism would be maintaind to every collectors benefit; plus a large array of WWII figures, armor and artillery of excellent quality would be available. What's not to like!

Like others, I disagree that mergers are the way to go. If I were Figarti I would adopt a "fast follower" strategy. Producing compatible vehicles, equipment and figures that complement existing WB and FL lines.

Once they build up cash, then branch out into their own. But I think I would still keep them "related" to the WB and FL lines, except in a small number of innovative lines. The innovative lines most likely would be conflicts or units not covered by existing true 1/30 scale manufacturers. I think this would be beneficial for both KronPrinz and Figarti. A balance between complementing FL and WB and branching out on their own.

 

[katana]

I think the Fast Follower concept is a good one given Figarti's circumstances. Is Kronprinz true 60mm? I have not yet purchased any and measured them. I find the split in Toy Soldiers between 1/30 and 1/28 facinating. I wonder in the long run which scale will prevail. The Toy Soldier market is certainly in flux as W. Britains moves up in scale and Thomas Gunn is reducing the size of its Napoleonics!

 

[katana]

That just your opinion and with FL latest AFV all selling out tell a different story and how does FOV. 1/32 scale AFV work with FL 1/30 figures ^&confuse

Everything written on this forum is an opinion; mine is one of many and of equal value!
I have seen the photos of FOV armor with First Legion figures and they look good; not perfect, but good. The FOV vehicles tend to be a little oversize; more 1/31 than 1/32. Given the high prices commanded by First Legion armor, I could see FOV coming out with 1/30 scale products.

 

[uksubs]

Everything written on this forum is an opinion; mine is one of many and of equal value!
I could see FOV coming out with 1/30 scale products.

I can't see that happing with FOV being taken this year :wink2:

 

[uksubs]

Everything written on this forum is an opinion; mine is one of many and of equal value!
I have seen the photos of FOV armor with First Legion figures and they look good; not perfect, but good. The FOV vehicles tend to be a little oversize; more 1/31 than 1/32. Given the high prices commanded by First Legion armor, I could see FOV coming out with 1/30 scale products.

To me FOV AFV look to small next to FL. Soldiers ,It would be great if you could post some photos with FL soldiers with FOV armour and it news to me that FOV not 1/32 scale or is that just your opinion ?