TCS: Where's the Soviet armor? (3 Viewers)

[panzerCarl]

I love the Collector's Showcase Tanks. I'm a total King Tiger addict with about 15 now, plus 5-7 Tigers Is.

In most of my displays I have an over representation of German armor (probably like most people) and so my scenes are lopsided.

I have all these Germans but very few of their opponents, like they have no one to fight with. I have some American, an M26 (TCS), a couple Shermans (TCS). I do have one T34-85 (K & C).
Figarti makes some nice Soviet stuff but their 1/30 scale doesn't match TCS/K & C.

Since 9 out of 10 Germans soldiers (in WWII) were killed by Russians I feel the need to represent them in strength.

Does TCS have any Soviet armor? I'm guessing no since I haven't seen any on sale. Any plans to make some?

I would absolutely love to see a Collector's Showcase T34-85 or IS-II of the same quality as their CS00456Z King Tiger.

Waiting patiently with my money ....

 

[wayne556517]

Welcome mate and I'm with you some Russkies from TCS would be brilliant.
I to have a very lopsided collection.

 

[TomNT]

Welcome mate and I'm with you some Russkies from TCS would be brilliant.
I to have a very lopsided collection.

Mate, at least the other stuff will stand out like d**s b***s with all that "grey" armour! ^&grin

Welcome to the forum PC.

Tom

 

[katana]

TCS has not yet done any Russian vehicles. Given the excellent Figarti Russian vehicles I can understand Brians reluctance to enter the field. Since Figarti under new ownership is moving to 1/30 scale , an opportunity exists for Brian in 1/28 scale Russian vehicles for TCS, K&C and Thomas Gunn 68mm figures! A good start would be an IS-2 with opening hatches which would improve upon the Figarti IS-2; which had fixed hatches. The IS-1 which used the T34-85 turret on a KV-1 hull would be interesting. I do not think one of these has been done in polystone. The SU-122 would also be interesting and unique to polystone. A lot of opportunites for unique vehicles!

 

[panzerCarl]

katana -

Thanks for the reply.

So on the whole subject of scale seems like you know the deal.

I have two older TCS Tiger Is (CS00287 & CS00288) they are smaller than my newer TCS Tiger I's (CS00648, CS00524, CS00525).

The older Tigers are about the same size as the recent Figarti 1/30 scale stuff (I have a couple of those Tiger Is).

The new Tigers seem to be the same scale as most all of the King & Country stuff. I don't have a K & C tiger to compare directly. But I do have pairs of TCS & K&C Panzer III and IVs and the TCS and K & C stuff seems to be the same scale.

So like which is which. Is the K&C and newer TCS stuff 1/28. What's 1/30 (60mm) and what isn't.

Thanks in advance !

 

[katana]

The scale of toy soldiers started out at 1/32 as typified by Britains. Many manufacturers continue this traditional scale. K&C and Figarti used to be 1/32 scale and moved to the than new 1/30 scale. Strangely the size of toy soldiers continued to grow from 1/32=54mm to 1/30=60mm to 1/28 scale=68mm. Britains, First Legion and Figarti are currently producing true 1/30 scale figures and vehicles. TCS, K&C and Thomas Gunn currently are producing figures and vehicles of 1/28 as actually measured; however they market them as 1/30 scale even though they are incompatable with the true 1/30 scale figures and vehicles. The reason for these changes in figure size have not been disclosed or even admitted to exist by some manufacturers!

I have an early (2006) TCS Arnhem Tiger I which measures at a true 1/30 scale. Later TCS vehicles are 1/28 scale. TCS vehicles and figures are the same scale. K&C figures are 1/28, but the vehicles are 1/30. Figarti vehicles are 1/30 and their figures can vary from 1/30 to 1/28. I have a superb Figarti Panther G that measures at a precise 1/30 scale; but the kommander figure with the vehicle is 68 mm tall. Far too tall to be realistic standing next to the vehicle. The scale variations in toy soldiers are accepted by many collectors. Collectors with a modeling background demand that the figures and vehicles be compatable. First Legion figures and vehicles have maitained scale accuracy and have thus been very sucessful with the collectors demanding realism! Figarti seems to be moving in this direction under their new ownership. TCS is currently consistant in scale with both figures and vehicles at 1/28 scale. I hope this explains where the scale issue is currently, but it remains in flux and often a manufacturers older vehicles and figures are incompatable with their current production.

 

[panzerCarl]

Katana -

Awesome explanation with great detail. I suspected this was the case and I've read this thing and that online.

This clears it up.

Thanks !

 

[Andanna]

Katana did a great job. Sharp as a samurai sword. Thank you.

Producing a new AFV model is expensive. The West front German vehicles in camouflage with SS markings sell best I understand. Grey vehicles for the East front sell poorly.

As I understand it, this was the rule until FL came along. CS, relatively speaking, is a small company. Brian is playing it safe. And FL enjoys a strong healthy Russian influence. That is my opinion. Brian will have to think really hard whether it is worth entering the Eastern front.

 

[katana]

Thank you for the compliment Andanna! The scale question is complex and thus confusing to new collectors of Toy Soldiers. I always try to explain the situation; but it is difficult as it continues to change. What I believe is most confusing is where manufacturers like K&C, Figarti and Thomas Gunn produce 1/30 scale vehicles and 1/28 scale figures! TCS and First Legion at least produce their figures and vehicles in the same scale. I do not believe W.Britains produces vehicles currently; but their early efforts were 1/32.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

I would venture to say that German armored vehicles outsell Russian Armor 3 to 1 if not more. That being said CS decided to put their resources into the more popular seller !

Wayne

 

[katana]

I agree that German AFV's are popular; however they need to have opponents and the Russian AFV's were far superior to the British and American AFV's in firepower! Brian has not yet done any British AFV to date either! A Sherman Firefly in 1/28 scale would be nice to pit against the Wittman
Tiger I in a super size dio! A Comet would be great too! No manufacturer has done one in polystone yet. I have a nice diecast Corgi 1/50 scale Comet. The best British tank of WWII; precursor to the Centurion. A lot of opportunities in Allied Armor not yet done in polystone/resin.

 

[PanzerAce1944]

I agree that German AFV's are popular; however they need to have opponents and the Russian AFV's were far superior to the British and American AFV's in firepower! Brian has not yet done any British AFV to date either! A Sherman Firefly in 1/28 scale would be nice to pit against the Wittman
Tiger I in a super size dio! A Comet would be great too! No manufacturer has done one in polystone yet. I have a nice diecast Corgi 1/50 scale Comet. The best British tank of WWII; precursor to the Centurion. A lot of opportunities in Allied Armor not yet done in polystone/resin.

Allied armor like a Comet or a CS version of a Soviet JS-2 Tank ! So true, all of that German armor needs someone to play with !

Wayne

 

[HAWKEYE]

Wow! Just the thought of a js tank or is-2 assult gunn done in the proper scale would be awesome. I can't wait

 

[AIDMAN]

I personally would just love to see a JSU-152. a real beast..!!. not actually classed as a tank but as a Multi functional armoured assault gun. Call it what you will but i would jump at the chance to put this item in my display cabinet..!!...Just one thing i would prefer the 1/30 scaling......Hope you"re listening CS.


Steve

 

[katana]

Figarti did an ISU-152 in 1/30 scale and it is still available on Ebay. TCS needs to do something that has not yet been done. A JS-1 would be unique; a KV-1 hull with a T-34-85 turret. The ISU-122 would also be unique, a more versatile vehicle than the ISU-152 IMHO.

 

[AIDMAN]

Figarti did an ISU-152 in 1/30 scale and it is still available on Ebay. TCS needs to do something that has not yet been done. A JS-1 would be unique; a KV-1 hull with a T-34-85 turret. The ISU-122 would also be unique, a more versatile vehicle than the ISU-152 IMHO.

Yeah I saw that one...but too late!!. searched on Ebay for ages, asked on the forum but nothing turned up!!. I agree with your opinion on the ISU-122 but i just love the sheer size and brute lines of the 152.

Steve

 

[katana]

Steve; check Ebay item number 172010677595, Figarti EFR-012 ISU-152 Winter $249.00 Free Shipping from Rodney's Dimestore. A reputable seller, I have purchased many TCS figures from them. Auction 1 day 11 hours to run.

 

[HAWKEYE]

figarti did an isu-152 in 1/30 scale and it is still available on ebay. Tcs needs to do something that has not yet been done. A js-1 would be unique; a kv-1 hull with a t-34-85 turret. The isu-122 would also be unique, a more versatile vehicle than the isu-152 imho.

one of the top tanks i own, but cs version would be a bigger piece than the figarti version

 

[AIDMAN]

Steve; check Ebay item number 172010677595, Figarti EFR-012 ISU-152 Winter $249.00 Free Shipping from Rodney's Dimestore. A reputable seller, I have purchased many TCS figures from them. Auction 1 day 11 hours to run.

Hi katana...Thanks for the Ebay tip!!. I read your mail too late so it had already dissapeared from Ebay, but to be truthfull i was really looking for the Berlin...(green) version. If it had been this one i would really be kicking myself...!!!. Thanks again.


Steve

 

[katana]

TCS AFVs are about 1/27 scale. Figarti AFVs are about 1/29 scale. Recently K&C have increased the size of their AFVs; specificly the recent M4A3E8s. Fury, Kellys Heros etc. The size is reported to be close to the size of the TCS M4. A split has developed between Toy Soldier manufacturers. The 1/30 scale group is Figarti, First Legion and Thomas Gunn as far as AFVs. The 1/27 scale group is TCS and K&C; if K&C continues the trend they have established with their recent M4A3E8s. I see a move towards greater realism in Toy Soldiers where the figures and vehicles are the same scale; even if the actual scale varies between manufacturers. First Legion and TCS established this trend in scale compatable figures and vehicles and I believe the greater realism has been well received. K&Cs latest D Day figures feature improved proportions and painting reflecting this trend to more realism, emulating the superb First Legion figures. The figure prices are emulating First Legion also!