Richard Walker Acquires Del Prado (1 Viewer)

[AlexOswald]

Glad to hear Del Prado is on the move again under the control of Mr Walker.I have many of the Samuria,Napoleonic and WW2 ranges and feel the Samuria range was particularly good and great value for money.There was a limited number of ordinary Samuria infantry ie an archer firing,a gunner firing,an "advancing"with spear and a "marching " with spear on shoulder.I`ve seen these selling for £20 t0 £30 on the 2nd hand market.All 4 are great figures and more ordinary infantry would be very welcome eg. archer loading,gunner loading or marching etc.

The true Samuria figures are good but tend to have rather static poses and some more of these in action poses would also be very welcome.I think it is due to the static poses of these figures that the 2nd hand market for them is a lot poorer eg £3 to £4.It is also true that buyers will probably want only one or two of a true Samuria figure whereas they will buy multiples of the ordinary infantry.

Certainly hope the Samuria range will be one of those that is expanded with Mr Walker at the helm.Having said this the Napoleoic range would benefit from similar treatment and just might have more world wide appeal.

All the best to him,whatever happens!

 

[Poppo]

A great asset return to our hobby, about time Richard. All the best. Robin.
Ps good sculpts, but for me, Del Prado is slightly smaller than I like and the square bases make them look like statutes, just my personal taste.

Also many KC soldiers have squared bases:ex. LAH, all the marching ones, Dickens...And the Del Prado I have I find them big! like 1:28

 

[Richard Walker]

As Professor Farnsworth used to say on "Futurama", "Good news, everyone!"

Well, let me be the first to suggest a subject that he'd like to see--a Prussian cuirassier trooper or two to go along with the officer from the History of Cavalry line. Or a Seven Years War hussar.

Best of luck, and I look forward to see the oldies and new releases alike!

Prost!
Brad

Thank you Brad! The great plus and minus to del Prado so many possibilities limited only by time and money...but we'll get there.

 

[Richard Walker]

Also many KC soldiers have squared bases:ex. LAH, all the marching ones, Dickens...And the Del Prado I have I find them big! like 1:28

Excellent point - I like the more organic looking bases, but also do not want to alienate existing collectors. Look for new bases as new ranges/collections come on line. Can you make everyone happy...hmmm!! Ha! Thank you!

 

[Richard Walker]

Glad to hear Del Prado is on the move again under the control of Mr Walker.I have many of the Samuria,Napoleonic and WW2 ranges and feel the Samuria range was particularly good and great value for money.There was a limited number of ordinary Samuria infantry ie an archer firing,a gunner firing,an "advancing"with spear and a "marching " with spear on shoulder.I`ve seen these selling for £20 t0 £30 on the 2nd hand market.All 4 are great figures and more ordinary infantry would be very welcome eg. archer loading,gunner loading or marching etc.

The true Samuria figures are good but tend to have rather static poses and some more of these in action poses would also be very welcome.I think it is due to the static poses of these figures that the 2nd hand market for them is a lot poorer eg £3 to £4.It is also true that buyers will probably want only one or two of a true Samuria figure whereas they will buy multiples of the ordinary infantry.

Certainly hope the Samuria range will be one of those that is expanded with Mr Walker at the helm.Having said this the Napoleoic range would benefit from similar treatment and just might have more world wide appeal.

All the best to him,whatever happens!

Agreed! Need those good old fashioned evergreen figures and poses. The Samurai has become one of my favorite.

 

[Richard Walker]

Good news indeed. And such a refreshing change in the direction to that of many suppliers these days. What with some painted figures costing upwards of $50-$60 apiece - and "Limited Editions", meaning "get 'em quickly - or risk not completing a set'". Good to hear that you intend to keep prices on the lower end of the scale (and I assume not retiring pieces quickly) - which MUST encourage both kids ( and maybe parents with kids) or people on limited budgets, to come and join in with this hobby.

I rarely buy painted figures myself, as my hobby is painting. BUT, I might get tempted with the odd figure(s) - to strip and re-paint ( as I sometimes do) - as the prices mentioned by you, are similar to the more expensive unpainted castings on offer from other suppliers.

Just one question from me, Richard. Would you be tempted enough to be able to offer some figures as unpainted castings??? There's a number of us "out here", who enjoy this branch of the hobby too, and would love to be able to buy them unpainted.

But well done - for bringing them back in to the hobby - and hopefully breathing a healthy dose of fresh air back in - by helping to make the hobby more affordable for everybody.

Best of luck - I'm sure you'll do well. johnnybach

This is a tough one. Never offered unpainted castings in the past with any of my other ventures. But, it is how I got into the hobby, painting Tamiya then graduating to metal Squadron Signal, Valiant, I/R etc. etc. So, never say never. Thank you!

 

[Richard Walker]

Richard ,

Congratulations on your acquistion of Del Prado !! Just a question...Would we possible see you do a WW2 range featuring Hungarian , Romanian , Bulgarian or Polish soldiers...The Romanian soldier i bought from Del Prado is first class , as well as the Polish cavalry...I would enjoy seeing this area explored further , i believe it is sorely glossed over in the TS industry...

Thank you ,

Joe

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You are correct Joe, there is so much scope here for del Prado. Other than the attractive pricing, another reason I like the line. Such variety...with a little more depth would not hurt! Thank you.

 

[Richard Walker]

A great asset return to our hobby, about time Richard. All the best. Robin.
Ps good sculpts, but for me, Del Prado is slightly smaller than I like and the square bases make them look like statutes, just my personal taste.

I agree Robin. The scale issue is a tough one. Never going to make everyone happy, but I will try...and possibly make everyone mad! Ha! Good thoughts though and worth serious consideration as I go forward. Thanks!

 

[villagehorse]

I agree Robin. The scale issue is a tough one. Never going to make everyone happy, but I will try...and possibly make everyone mad! Ha! Good thoughts though and worth serious consideration as I go forward. Thanks!

Great to have you back Richard. Not all have square bases, thinking of the newsagent release of soldiers of WW11 which had that type of base. Have bought some fireman figures recently to use in WW11 which are good. Now that you are at the helm, expecting exciting times ahead. This is certainly your calling. Best of luck. Robin.

 

[Poppo]

I recently bought a couple of the new Del prado " cavalry of the ages". They are smaller than the KC del prado sculpts( maybe 1:30, 1.32 instead of 1:28); different style, but I like them. And they represent other ages than the previous ' cavalry of the ages".

 

[katana]

I just aquired two Del Prado figures from Treefrog Treasures and I am very impressed with the quality. The Panzer Officer 1943 is as well sculpted and painted as my equivalent K&C and TCS figures. The figure is 70mm tall and goes very well with my 1/25 scale Tamiya Panzers. I have read that Andrea is doing sculpts for Del Parado and this figure would certainly confirm that by its quality. The figure is very well proportioned; tall and slim, rather than short and plump. I want to buy more like this. The bare metal figure would be worth the $18.00 price! Toy Soldier manufacturers are pricing thmselves out of business. I can buy three Del Prado figures for one First Legion figure or two Del Prado for one K&C figure. The prices have gone crazy in the last five years.