Sands of Iwo Jima (IWJ19-24), How do you guys like these? (1 Viewer)

desk11desk12

desk11desk12

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Sands of Iwo Jima (IWJ19-24) how do you guys like these?

I’ve started to collect WWII Pacific figures recently. I have many of the Figarti WWII Pacific and I planned to purchase their new sets in the future; especially since they have a new master painter.

This thread isn’t meant to be a debate between the quality or the sculpting between both companies because they both do fine work and they are different scales (1/32 & 1/30).

I’m building new but small pacific WWII dioramas and truly enjoy the quality of the KC Figures (IWJ19-24) despite the inauthentic war damage to the Flag Raising Set (IWJ19). These pieces have all of the detailing sculpting and painting the newly release AK have with the quality and attraction that KC SS camouflage figures have.

I was very leery about purchasing the Amtrack Set (IWJ23) set because at first glance it wasn’t very attractive to me. However, I’m very happy I have it. In a good beach diorama with palm trees (albeit date palms) it’s simply PERFECT! The camouflage painting works.

I understand the Pacific WWII isn’t very popular right? If not, perhaps WWII collectors should take another look at them. I’ll be posting some small diorama pictures soon in the Diorama Forum.

Good collecting and have some fun,

Carlos
 
Carlos,

The Pacific Theater of WW II has long been an interest of mine. I have known several WW II vets who fought in the Pacific and I have wondered why there was not more interest in the Pacific Theater among collectors on this forum. I'm very glad you have expressed an interest and are now collecting some of the very interesting toy soldiers that are available. I certainly look forward to the pictures you plan to post.

Warmest personal regards,

Pat
 
Carlos , back in 2002, my first K&C purchase was 3 of the USMC sets.
That is what got me hooked on K&C. No you are not alone in finding these sets attractive.
I think one of the most underrated series are the Japanese, understand Andy is coming out with some new ones around August.
Gary
 
If I had the funds (not likely in the forseeable future!) I would expand my ETO collection by adding the Marines. Some of the older ones were a little reminiscent of the Marx Marines, but they are still VERY nice toy soldiers. The newest additions to the series are very nicely posed and appear to have great scuplting. The Amtrac looks right for Iwo Jima also. I like the addition of the beach ID stripe over the camouflage.

Gary
 
I am a huge fan of the entire Pacific Theater, from the island campaigns of Tarawa, Iwo Jima, Saipan, Okinawa, etc, to the campaigns in Burma and India.

The newer Marines from K & C are extremely well animated, painted and sculpted. The Amtrac is one of my personal favorite vehicles and that along with the DUKW can be used for Pacific landings. I loved the now retired Japanese; the dark green pants was a nice touch. Can't wait for more Japanese whenever they are rolled out.

With all the scenic pieces available from CTS, Formtech, Hobby Bunker, Airfix and Farina Enterprises, the possibilities for displays are endless. The fighting in the Pacific was more of a close quarters affair, like the scenes from "Windtalkers" and "The Thin Red Line" for example. With K & C and Figarti producing high quality figures and vehicles, the Pacific is very well represented...........
 
I like the Marine sets and Amtrak. I got most sets of the Marines but did not care for the early Japanese. I did get the early Figarti Japanese. That is one series I like the best. I hope the new Japanese are better painted. Leadmen
 
desk11desk12 said:
Sands of Iwo Jima (IWJ19-24) how do you guys like these? ... I understand the Pacific WWII isn’t very popular right?
Click to expand...
Dear Carlos,
I have always liked the WWII Pacific Theater, so I have all of K&C's IWJ sets and almost all of the Figarti sets (remainder on order). While K&C's IWJ sets are not as popular as DD or WS, I believe Clint Eastwood's new movie, Flags of Our Fathers, will create a lot of interest in the Pacific Theater.:)
 
They never really did it for me. I think there is so much to collect that the Pacific War is beyond most of us. I did like the Wake Island possibility that someone, maybe Andy, indicated could be a future line. The B&W movie was vintage WWII stuff.
 
The figures look fine but the vehicles have the usually problems. However my main concern is that the range is to restrictive and it's no wonder sales are poor comparred to other K&C ranges.

The solution is clear (to me anyway), which would be an Asian-Pacific Theatre range that would encompass a variety of beligerents such as the usual Marines and Japanese. But also include British, Australians, Chinese and Indians as well as the extras. Such as the PNG and Pacific Island natives that also fought as well as provided assistance as guides and stretcher bearers etc. Louis could even get his General Slim :)

Imo the success of the Afrika Korps range is assisted by the other parties involved such as the Italians and Australians. Although those later mentioned sets may not sell as well as actual AK infantry etc I feel they add some extra color and variety. And why not include some Americans in there as well.

Of course the ideal (to me) would be to combine all the different AK, 8th Army and related sets under an African Campaign banner rather the current structure.
 
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I believe the reason the PTO has not been as poplar with collectors is it was the back water war of WWII. It got less news coverage, less supplies, less man power & less of everything. The PTO was a nasty, dirty, sickness & bug infected battleground. More men were out service due to illness than combat on both sides.
None this looked well in print. I think this has been pasted on to how some of us want to see that part of history.

I for one like the IWJ sets and I'm on the look out for the IWJ02 set. I also like the early Figarti Japanese sets and the new ones.

With the new IWJ movie coming out this fall I think interest go up.
 
I think another contributing factor is the lack of armour involved in the pacific,
and i think this is probably a main focus for a fair few collectors.
I agree that the realise of Clint Eastwoods movie will up interest a little,
even in my part of the world the focus seems to be on Europe amongst
collectors even though the japanese where the main threat in this part of the world.
 
I reckon you've made some important observations there guys.

The Pacific War was certainly a dirty business and lacked the chivalry that was displayed in some other theatres. For example Rommel may have been the enemy in the African Campaign but most people from all sides still respected the way he conducted his war. This cannot be said for the Pacific Theatre where the increasing tit for tat atrocities only worsened the natural unpleasantness.

Armor certainly is now an important part of collecting and I guess we forget that sometimes. Not so many years ago most toy soldier collectors just collected soldiers and that was it.

I remember back in the 1980's and early 90's when I was into collecting Britains Deetail figures, vehicles and artillery. Everyone else was collecting Britains lead soldiers and couldn't understand why I was after vehicles etc. I explained that I was past the plastic kit building stage (I lacked the skill actually) and liked to set up dioramas of figures and vehicles.

The Afrika Korps was my favourite theme as all you needed was sand and some plastic date palms. These days the Britains Afrika Korps Kubelwagen can fetch over 150 pounds on eBay, back then they were very affordable.

Of course these days we are spoiled for choice with the ever increasing number of terrific figures and vehicles available to the collector. King and Country is still the bench mark for figures, and I'm sure their vehicles will continue to improve. I know there were other interesting vehicles used in the Pacific Theatre such as Shermans and M3's together with some interesting artillery such as the jungle 25 pounder that the Australians used. I would certainly like to see models of some of those one day in the future.
 
If you read the history of armoured warfare, especially in places like the island hopping campaign and Burma in ww2 and then later in Korea and Vietnam - armour still reduces casualties and makes an attacking or defending force more potent. Also good use of old kit like the grants with 14th army. Then there is the soft transport. I think there is ample scope for figures and vehicles but I don't want to be boring - I've stated my views about more pacifc theatre commonwealth troops.
 
Question to Andy or anyway else that knows:

First, are rumors correct that KC will be coming out with new IWJ sets this year? If so, will they be exclusively Japanese figures or will their be more Marines sets included? Will there be any artillery, armor or vehicles included?

Thanks,

Carlos
 
Check out Andy's thread "Bits and Bobs" for a full description of his Iwo Jima release plans (okay not a FULL description, he's still not saying who the personality figure will be:p )
 
Thanks Shannon,

I saw Andy's post. Great he's expanding the IWJ set. C'mon Andy can you sneak in a couple of Marines? If you can't, oh well maybe next year.

Carlos
 
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