Report: K&C Dinner, Brisbane, OZ (1 Viewer)

[Northgate Woods]

Hi guys,
Just returned home from beautiful sunny Brisbane to 6 degrees temp. Have had two great days catching up with Andy and Helen. Finished with a fantastic Aussie style Dinner sponsored by Brett and Gerelou Williams of The Military Workshop. Many thanks folks. After the dinner we heard a top speech by Andy which had all the new collectors present in awe. Then onto Q&A which will interest K&C collectors worldwide.

Q. Are you worried about the collector demographics?
A. No. If I thought collecting was only for the old guys I would be worried.
I see many late 20s and early 30s folk visiting our shops. Encouraging.
Many people see Toy Soldier collecting as a good investment. Modern conflicts like Irag and Afghanstan are too soon to do and collectors seem to want WW11 and before. Vietnam series was a minor success.

Q. How do you build Tanks? (Q. From Young Sean)
A. Andy explained in depth the computer aided design systems used to produce tanks and vehicles before the human touch of the final features.

Q. Any plans for the Dambusters?
A. Love to be able to produce a 1/30 scale aircraft for less than $2500. Limited to size in poly. Can only produce single engine fighters. No real answer at this stage but working on it.

Q. Can we get more info about individual pilots on the back of the box?
A. The little cards inside the boxes will continue and we will put more info into our brochures and promo material.

Q. Is K&C happy with the Lighthorse sales and did you consider other Aussie series?
A. Very happy. We thought that Aussie sales would give us a break even point but worldwide sales have been fantastic. Yes we considered Gallipoli, Ned Kelly and the First Fleet and convicts. All very tragic settings. People like success stories. Beersheeba is a big winner. Much more to follow over the next 3 plus years. Brits, Kiwis and Lawrence.

Q. Has K&C considered the Falklands?
A. As an ex-Royal Marine would love to do. The marines won the Falklands, but will have to take off my green beret and put on my business hat. Still thinking.

Q. How about the Cockshell Heroes?
A. Only one raid by 12 marines. Very limited in scope.

Q. What about the Modern SAS?
A. Has possibilites. I am very interested in the war in Afghanstan. Maybe too early. Could do something nice. Thinking about it.

MORE TO FOLLOW.

 

[Northgate Woods]

REPORT CONTINUES.

Q. Can you do a Lysander?
A. Once again a nice plane but difficult in design to ship. China to HK to Dealer to Customer. Has damage potential. Still nice thought.

Q. How many staff do you have?
A. Andy went into depth about his operations and advised he had 6 main sculptors in HK and sub-contractors in China with four factories. Painters number 1500 but during the Del Prado days had up to six factories and 2500 painters.

Q. How many of each figure do you make?
A. It depends on the pose. Marching and Firing line types eg. LAH, Naps, ARW, etc may do 10,000 but casualties and dead figures only say 500.

Q. Last time you were here you gave a hint on what to expect for the rest of the year?
A. More Lighthorse, more planes eg Spitfire for the Battle of Britain Anniv., more RAF figures, more German in August, a new ARW British Regt, new Naps French cavalry, more Real West and Life of Jesus.

Q. Any plans for new series?
A. No. Over the last two years we have released many new series and to introduce another one now would put greater gaps between existing releases.
I prefer to add more to existing series for the collector who only collects one or two series.

Q. Is there anywhere I can see a complete K&C collection.
A. Not even I have a complete collection of everything we have produced.
Try Melbourne I think there is a guy who may be able to assist.

Q. Do many Wargamers collect as well?
A. Completely separate. Wargamers tend to use smaller scale and prefer to paint their own figures. Some in the US do wargame in 60mm but on a platoon size layout. Many older wargamers however do change over and become good collectors.

Q. Any plans to do Falkirk?
A. A couple of years ago we considered the 100 years war (already done),
Scot/English War of Indep. (too limiting) and Zulus (nothing new to add) so we decided on our Crusader series.

Q. Have you considered a Mosguito?
A. Once again the size in Poly being a twin engined plane. Would love to do and also a ME110 and a Stuka. Size and price limiting factors.

Q. How do you feel about discounting?
A. I am a great believer in a reasonable return on your investment. For me, the dealer and you as the buyer. Once retired it is not done again and gives the buyer an investment. Check Ebay prices on retired K&C sets.

Q. Have you thought about a specialized book using K&C figures?
A. Yes. I would love to do a Childrens book explaining history using K&C figures and vehicles. Just cannot find the time. Also would love to do a book on the history of K&C.

Questions finished there and the draw was made for the ten K&C sets (see Brett's report) and finally the big draw for Gordon's K&C Dio. The winner was my good mate The Donkey not Simpson. Well done, could not have gone to a nicer bloke.
Many thanks to all who attended. Collecting in Australia is definitely on the increase. Keep up the great work King & Country.
Cheers from the Land Downunder, Howard

 

[Iron Brigade]

REPORT CONTINUES.

Q. Can you do a Lysander?
A. Once again a nice plane but difficult in design to ship. China to HK to Dealer to Customer. Has damage potential. Still nice thought.

Q. How many staff do you have?
A. Andy went into depth about his operations and advised he had 6 main sculptors in HK and sub-contractors in China with four factories. Painters number 1500 but during the Del Prado days had up to six factories and 2500 painters.

Q. How many of each figure do you make?
A. It depends on the pose. Marching and Firing line types eg. LAH, Naps, ARW, etc may do 10,000 but casualties and dead figures only say 500.

Q. Last time you were here you gave a hint on what to expect for the rest of the year?
A. More Lighthorse, more planes eg Spitfire for the Battle of Britain Anniv., more RAF figures, more German in August, a new ARW British Regt, new Naps French cavalry, more Real West and Life of Jesus.

Q. Any plans for new series?
A. No. Over the last two years we have released many new series and to introduce another one now would put greater gaps between existing releases.
I prefer to add more to existing series for the collector who only collects one or two series.

Q. Is there anywhere I can see a complete K&C collection.
A. Not even I have a complete collection of everything we have produced.
Try Melbourne I think there is a guy who may be able to assist.

Q. Do many Wargamers collect as well?
A. Completely separate. Wargamers tend to use smaller scale and prefer to paint their own figures. Some in the US do wargame in 60mm but on a platoon size layout. Many older wargamers however do change over and become good collectors.

Q. Any plans to do Falkirk?
A. A couple of years ago we considered the 100 years war (already done),
Scot/English War of Indep. (too limiting) and Zulus (nothing new to add) so we decided on our Crusader series.

Q. Have you considered a Mosguito?
A. Once again the size in Poly being a twin engined plane. Would love to do and also a ME110 and a Stuka. Size and price limiting factors.

Q. How do you feel about discounting?
A. I am a great believer in a reasonable return on your investment. For me, the dealer and you as the buyer. Once retired it is not done again and gives the buyer an investment. Check Ebay prices on retired K&C sets.

Q. Have you thought about a specialized book using K&C figures?
A. Yes. I would love to do a Childrens book explaining history using K&C figures and vehicles. Just cannot find the time. Also would love to do a book on the history of K&C.

Questions finished there and the draw was made for the ten K&C sets (see Brett's report) and finally the big draw for Gordon's K&C Dio. The winner was my good mate The Donkey not Simpson. Well done, could not have gone to a nicer bloke.
Many thanks to all who attended. Collecting in Australia is definitely on the increase. Keep up the great work King & Country.
Cheers from the Land Downunder, Howard

Dear Howard:

Thanks for the posting the splendid Q&A period you "Down Under" K&C collectors had with Andy Neilson. It was very interesting!

Cheers! "Iron Brigade" / Gary

 

[The Military Workshop]

Hi Guys,
Howard's report is almost word for word on the Q and A part. The introductory part was the background of K&C.
There were individual conversations during the visit that made certain collectors very happy about future releases but you will have to wait for formal announcements.
Andy did mention he already has in his mind some of the next next Light Horse releases and some interesting ideas were discussed. If you have not seen the movie The Lighthorsemen I highly recommend it (Andy certainly knows it very well).
Regards
Brett

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

P.S Howard you forgot to mention about the Red baron.Or was that a secret.If so we will forget I even mentioned it.Simmo.

 

[wayne556517]

Thanks Howard now i feel better for not being able to go..............

 

[Stickleback]

I feel worse about not being able to go. Sounds like I missed out on a good night.

Adrian

 

[jazzeum]

I don't want to be a flagwaver and such but from Andy's answers you can see the breadth of his knowledge in many areas of history. I'm not saying others don't but here is a man who is widely read and knows more about different areas of history than most of us (read that to be me) ever will.

 

[desk11desk12]

REPORT CONTINUES.

Q. Can you do a Lysander?
A. Once again a nice plane but difficult in design to ship. China to HK to Dealer to Customer. Has damage potential. Still nice thought.

Q. How many staff do you have?
A. Andy went into depth about his operations and advised he had 6 main sculptors in HK and sub-contractors in China with four factories. Painters number 1500 but during the Del Prado days had up to six factories and 2500 painters.

Q. How many of each figure do you make?
A. It depends on the pose. Marching and Firing line types eg. LAH, Naps, ARW, etc may do 10,000 but casualties and dead figures only say 500.

Q. Last time you were here you gave a hint on what to expect for the rest of the year?
A. More Lighthorse, more planes eg Spitfire for the Battle of Britain Anniv., more RAF figures, more German in August, a new ARW British Regt, new Naps French cavalry, more Real West and Life of Jesus.

Q. Any plans for new series?
A. No. Over the last two years we have released many new series and to introduce another one now would put greater gaps between existing releases.
I prefer to add more to existing series for the collector who only collects one or two series.

Q. Is there anywhere I can see a complete K&C collection.
A. Not even I have a complete collection of everything we have produced.
Try Melbourne I think there is a guy who may be able to assist.

Q. Do many Wargamers collect as well?
A. Completely separate. Wargamers tend to use smaller scale and prefer to paint their own figures. Some in the US do wargame in 60mm but on a platoon size layout. Many older wargamers however do change over and become good collectors.

Q. Any plans to do Falkirk?
A. A couple of years ago we considered the 100 years war (already done),
Scot/English War of Indep. (too limiting) and Zulus (nothing new to add) so we decided on our Crusader series.

Q. Have you considered a Mosguito?
A. Once again the size in Poly being a twin engined plane. Would love to do and also a ME110 and a Stuka. Size and price limiting factors.

Q. How do you feel about discounting?
A. I am a great believer in a reasonable return on your investment. For me, the dealer and you as the buyer. Once retired it is not done again and gives the buyer an investment. Check Ebay prices on retired K&C sets.

Q. Have you thought about a specialized book using K&C figures?
A. Yes. I would love to do a Childrens book explaining history using K&C figures and vehicles. Just cannot find the time. Also would love to do a book on the history of K&C.

Questions finished there and the draw was made for the ten K&C sets (see Brett's report) and finally the big draw for Gordon's K&C Dio. The winner was my good mate The Donkey not Simpson. Well done, could not have gone to a nicer bloke.
Many thanks to all who attended. Collecting in Australia is definitely on the increase. Keep up the great work King & Country.
Cheers from the Land Downunder, Howard

Howard,

Outstanding job repporting and fast off the presses too. Its not easy is it, so we all say thank you,

Carlos

 

[Rob]

Thanks Howard,much appreciated.Reports from shows abroad are always welcome and very gratefully received.Now if we get Lawrence of Arabia that would make a very interesting addition.

Rob

 

[arnhem44mad]

Hi guys,
Just returned home from beautiful sunny Brisbane to 6 degrees temp. Have had two great days catching up with Andy and Helen. Finished with a fantastic Aussie style Dinner sponsored by Brett and Gerelou Williams of The Military Workshop. Many thanks folks. After the dinner we heard a top speech by Andy which had all the new collectors present in awe. Then onto Q&A which will interest K&C collectors worldwide.

Q. Are you worried about the collector demographics?
A. No. If I thought collecting was only for the old guys I would be worried.
I see many late 20s and early 30s folk visiting our shops. Encouraging.
Many people see Toy Soldier collecting as a good investment. Modern conflicts like Irag and Afghanstan are too soon to do and collectors seem to want WW11 and before. Vietnam series was a minor success.

Q. How do you build Tanks? (Q. From Young Sean)
A. Andy explained in depth the computer aided design systems used to produce tanks and vehicles before the human touch of the final features.

Q. Any plans for the Dambusters?
A. Love to be able to produce a 1/30 scale aircraft for less than $2500. Limited to size in poly. Can only produce single engine fighters. No real answer at this stage but working on it.

Q. Can we get more info about individual pilots on the back of the box?
A. The little cards inside the boxes will continue and we will put more info into our brochures and promo material.

Q. Is K&C happy with the Lighthorse sales and did you consider other Aussie series?
A. Very happy. We thought that Aussie sales would give us a break even point but worldwide sales have been fantastic. Yes we considered Gallipoli, Ned Kelly and the First Fleet and convicts. All very tragic settings. People like success stories. Beersheeba is a big winner. Much more to follow over the next 3 plus years. Brits, Kiwis and Lawrence.

Q. Has K&C considered the Falklands?
A. As an ex-Royal Marine would love to do. The marines won the Falklands, but will have to take off my green beret and put on my business hat. Still thinking.

Q. How about the Cockshell Heroes?
A. Only one raid by 12 marines. Very limited in scope.

Q. What about the Modern SAS?
A. Has possibilites. I am very interested in the war in Afghanstan. Maybe too early. Could do something nice. Thinking about it.

MORE TO FOLLOW.

People don't tend to go with disasters, but Arnhem is popular!Not a disagreement with Andy's words just a point!

 

[Louis Badolato]

P.S Howard you forgot to mention about the Red baron.Or was that a secret.If so we will forget I even mentioned it.Simmo.

K&C is making the Red Baron? Are they making has Fokker DR1? Ground crew?

Can we look forward to more WWI air war?

By the way, K&C used to make WWI airwar items back in the classic Glossy/Wood Warbirds days of the early 1990's. They made a set of 4 WWI Aces, Von Richtoven (the Red Baron), Immelman, Mannock, and McCudden. They made a bunch of great WWI planes, including a Fokker DR1, Albatross, Sopwith Camel, Sopwith Pup, Eddie Rickenbacker's Spad, an SE5a, and a 1:24 scale Vickers Gunbus. I have the set of aces, the Fokker DR1, Sopwith Pup, and Eddie Rickenbacker's Spad in my collection. I would love to see WWI aces in K&C's present level of quality.

 

[Louis Badolato]

Howard,

Thanks for the great report . . . you are becoming the Rick Wa . . . er, I mean Steven Chong D) of Australia!

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

K&C is making the Red Baron? Are they making has Fokker DR1? Ground crew?

Can we look forward to more WWI air war?

By the way, K&C used to make WWI airwar items back in the classic Glossy/Wood Warbirds days of the early 1990's. They made a set of 4 WWI Aces, Von Richtoven (the Red Baron), Immelman, Mannock, and McCudden. They made a bunch of great WWI planes, including a Fokker DR1, Albatross, Sopwith Camel, Sopwith Pup, Eddie Rickenbacker's Spad, an SE5a, and a 1:24 scale Vickers Gunbus. I have the set of aces, the Fokker DR1, Sopwith Pup, and Eddie Rickenbacker's Spad in my collection. I would love to see WWI aces in K&C's present level of quality.

I completely agree, WWI airplanes and ground support would be incredible and add depth to the WWI line. I would definitely buy the Red Baron. WWI airplanes are just so colourful, I wonder if the tri and bi planes would be possible in polystone given the weight limitations we hear about?

 

[nmrocks]

Ya, I'd say WWI airpower is kind of a no brainer, gotta be done.

 

[Wraith]

Howard, great and detailed report, many thanks for taking the time out to capture the Q&A, then type it all out for us. Much appreciate it. Especially due to some of the points below:

Q. Are you worried about the collector demographics?
A. No. If I thought collecting was only for the old guys I would be worried.
I see many late 20s and early 30s folk visiting our shops. Encouraging.
Many people see Toy Soldier collecting as a good investment. Modern conflicts like Irag and Afghanstan are too soon to do and collectors seem to want WW11 and before. Vietnam series was a minor success.

Nah, not too soon, lets see SF08 onwards.

Q. Has K&C considered the Falklands?
A. As an ex-Royal Marine would love to do. The marines won the Falklands, but will have to take off my green beret and put on my business hat. Still thinking.

If Andy doesn't do the Falklands, then I think it has to be read that he himself acknowledges that the Cherry Berets won the Falklands, not the Marines. No pressure

Q. What about the Modern SAS?
A. Has possibilites. I am very interested in the war in Afghanstan. Maybe too early. Could do something nice. Thinking about it.

Could do something very nice. Again, glad that it's on the radar, hope it gets a hit soon.

Thanks again Howard,

Cheers
Simon

 

[glossman]

Howard,

I enjoyed reading your very well written report on the Q&A session.

It was concise and to the point.....great job.

I am with Simon (Wraith) for SF08.

Best Wishes, Raymond.

 

[The Military Workshop]

Simon,
In relation to the Falklands Andy did also mention that he thought the subject would be of little interest to USA collectors (personally I doubt the other European collectors will be that interested).
Certainly picking a post WWII subject that will be reasonably commercially successful is not an easy matter.
Regards
Brett Williams
The Military Workshop

 

[Wraith]

Simon,
In relation to the Falklands Andy did also mention that he thought the subject would be of little interest to USA collectors (personally I doubt the other European collectors will be that interested).
Certainly picking a post WWII subject that will be reasonably commercially successful is not an easy matter.
Regards
Brett Williams
The Military Workshop

Brett,
I'm pretty sure you're right. I'll still have to needle Andy at every oportunity until he breaks though.
Cheers
Simon

 

[Caporal Pierre]

Brett,
I'm pretty sure you're right. I'll still have to needle Andy at every oportunity until he breaks though.
Cheers
Simon

yes sure, but a small about Falklands would be nice....10 figures and one or two vehicules.....

why not small series like the serie spécial force ??? the same for conflict post second world war....indochina algerie, falkland, northern ireland, isreal, south africa border, korean war, the war with my wife..oops sorry