Question for ONTC? (1 Viewer)

[gk5717]

You produce the painted metal, Valiant makes the same figures in an unpainted kit form, and Conte advertizes that he will be doing them in plastic.
Do you sell the rights? How does this work?
Wish you would do the figures unpainted and for a cheaper price as they could be painted a solid color and go with Contes plastic. They are a perfect fit.
Speaking of Conte I don,t look for these figures from him to be made in my lifetime. It,s been 2 years and still no Mexicans. Plastic collectors will know what that last statement is about.
Gary

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

You produce the painted metal, Valiant makes the same figures in an unpainted kit form, and Conte advertizes that he will be doing them in plastic.
Do you sell the rights? How does this work?
Wish you would do the figures unpainted and for a cheaper price as they could be painted a solid color and go with Contes plastic. They are a perfect fit.
Speaking of Conte I don,t look for these figures from him to be made in my lifetime. It,s been 2 years and still no Mexicans. Plastic collectors will know what that last statement is about.
Gary

Hi There Gary, Ken here. I know for a fact that the plastic Mexicans are finished, but have not left China. They will be here soon. I had nothing to do with these although I did create a number of new Alamo buildings to go with these and I also know the owner of the company handling the tooling.
As far as our ONWTC product, I did the sculpts and becuase we would never do them in plastic, we sold licensing to Conte to do as an injection molded plastic product. We like his product and thought that our figures would make a great addition to his range.The tooling has been started for these and they should be some of the best plastic GIs available in the end.
I have had a very long relationship with the owner of Valiant, so in the immediate future we have given then licensing to produce those as white metal kits. They have over 44 sculpts available and have released about 16. I hope this helps, Ken

 

[gk5717]

Thanks Ken, it,s a great help having an insider here on the board.
Gary

 

[Ken & Ericka Osen/H&A Studio]

Thanks Ken, it,s a great help having an insider here on the board.
Gary

We are always open to suggestions and constructive criticisms and will do our best to act on them!

 

[desk11desk12]

Hello Rick or Ken:

I have all of your ONTC series and some two and three sets. I like the action and the giddiness of the paint. I also have the “Village Street #1” and loved the idea of making two more sets that can be stacked up in tandem with this piece.

Are still planning to releases these, if so when?

Thanks,

Carlos

 

[desk11desk12]

Hello Rick and Ken again,

Another question:
Are you guys planning to come out to the "Weekend for Heros" in Ontario, Ca in June this year like you did last year?

Carlos

 

[mtsc1021]

Hi Carlos,
Scenic Number 2 is nearing completion and should be available in August.

We have decided on skipping "Weekend" this year to concentrate on production.

WWII Sets ETO-11 & 12 should be here in July.

Advanced sets of our ACW Union Artillery just arrived in time for the Valley Forge show this weekend so we will have those sets available.

WWI sets & Tank will be available in September at Chicago as well as a couple of surprises.
Rick

 

[desk11desk12]

Hello Rick:

It’s been a while since we last heard from you. I hope things are going well with you, your family and your business ventures, especially with MTSC new store location opening.

I know you’ve already answered this previously but I finally opened the ONWTC Village Street #1 set that I got at the 2005 Chicago show. It’s exquisite, my sincere compliments to the sculptor (Ken Osen?) and to the paint and weathering job, it’s excellent.

I know you’ve said the next street scene is scheduled in July. Which set will be released, the “House to House" or "Café Normandie."? Are you on schedule, and when will the third segment be released?

To make this work, all three scene really need to be issued to maximize their sales potential and collector appeal don’t they? Of course you know more than I do about these things.

I’m just anxious and I like your WWII products very much and with the intentional or unintentional collaboration (just a guess) between Britains and ONTWC it would seem that releasing all of the street scenes could be very profitable to you and very exciting to the WWII 54mm collector market.

I collect a ton of KC and their great but I also have collected all of your sets (and many in multiples) of all of your ONWTC WWII sets and will continue in the future since each release seems better than the last.

Carlos

 

[mtsc1021]

Hi Carlos,
I'm sorry to say that our two scenics are behind schedule due to Ken's work with Britains which has put a damper/delay on some ONTC releases. The Scenics will be available mid to late fall. I do apologize for the delay but it is beyond the control of the other three partners of ONTC. We have two WW2 sets due in August, ETO-11 & 12. For Chicago we hope to have our first WW1 sets and tank and our second ACW set. We appreciate your support and the support of all the collectors who have purchased ONTC products.
Rick Berry

 

[desk11desk12]

Hey Rick,

Thanks for the update. Sincerely, it’s too bad about the delays because your stuff is cool and I know others think so too. It matches quite well with Britains (new), FOV and even Conte in the 1/32 class as you obviously know.

Ken justifiably is in real demand which puts you in a real dilemma keeping up with the “Jones” (the rest of the field). I hate asking you this but have you thought about diversifying risk and recruiting other sculptors that can and are willing to produce more prototypes in the ONWTC style and quality? Or, is that even challenge you’re looking at solving.

I would hate to see that happen in the mitts of such a competitive field. I’m not clear about your relationship with Ken and frankly I don’t need to, but is it even feasible to move in that direction?

I’ll understand if your response is limited given the competitive nature of revealing such information but these were just some thoughts I had.



Carlos

 

[mtsc1021]

Carlos,
Thank you for the kind words. It is a dilemma because Britains has taken all of Ken's focus away from Old Northwest with the massive amounts of product they are planning on putting out. As ONTC was started by Ken and he is an equal partner it makes things all the harder for Dave, Doug and I. Fortunately all of us at ONTC have "real jobs" and ONTC is something we are and have been building slowly for the future. We are indeed exploring other options right now as far as product development and have some great opportunities that have recently opened up. We also have a renewed commitment to our original mission statement of offering unique and exciting products that enhance the market place rather then overload it with more of the same. At some point Ken's work load from Britains is sure to lightened and I'm sure he will use the oppurtunity to contribute again to ONTC. To that end I welcome any suggestions that you or any other collectors would like to see developed.

I might add that this Fall will see some exciting products from ONTC that will reinforce my comments above. Our WWI series which is now in the manufacturing stage will hopefully meet the expectations set forth by us.
Take Care,
Rick Berry