The upside of retirements! (1 Viewer)

[Rob]

Is that there is room for lots of new stuff later in the year.I know there were lots of retirements this month but i'm guessing every set has its lifespan.Also by retiring an item K&C can do another version of it at a later date.The older D Day British and US sets are and have been retiring lately so i'm thinking we maybe in for a bumper summer this year.I actually find the that retirements help me focus on what i really want for my collection.There have been two items that i've wanted ever since they were first released but somehow never got round to buying them,the Bulge Howitzer and AK Artillery piece.Having seen the Bulge range be retired and renewed it forced my hand and i recently got the Howitzer.Its a great set and i'm glad i got it at last.Just the AK gun to get now.

Rob

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

From a pure collectors point of view I sometimes see the older K&C pieces thru magazines, pictures, websites, ebay etc and I must say more times than not the newer releases are big improvements over the originals in detail, colour, size etc. Perhaps they arent' "worth" as much but they sure look great! Retirements allow for this kind of product improvement. The new items also allow collectors to collect pieces they've always wanted but could not get due to rarity or the extraordinary prices of some retired items.

 

[Rob]

From a pure collectors point of view I sometimes see the older K&C pieces thru magazines, pictures, websites, ebay etc and I must say more times than not the newer releases are big improvements over the originals in detail, colour, size etc. Perhaps they arent' "worth" as much but they sure look great! Retirements allow for this kind of product improvement. The new items also allow collectors to collect pieces they've always wanted but could not get due to rarity or the extraordinary prices of some retired items.

I very much agree here.Being a big fan of the Normandy/D Day range i often look at the older sets that were retired before i started collecting.And as good as they are and as valuable as they are the quality of realism does not match today's standards.As you say retirements allow for improvements in figures and vehicles.Also can you imagine the size of the price list if nothing was ever retired,it would be like war and peace!!

Rob

 

[Louis Badolato]

If you study K&C from day 1 (in June, 1984) to the present, one thing you will clearly see is a constant improvement. Andy has done the same themes over and over again, and each time you see marked improvements over the last. Sculpting, painting, and posing have been repeatedly improved, even when and where there was no real competition driving the improvements forward. Andy, Gordon and the rest of the K&C team run the tightest ship in the industry, in my opinion.

That being said, for me having a representative sample of K&C's products throughout the entire 25 years of production is the best way to appreciate these improvements. I even like keeping samples of K&C's competitors' products, as they also show how K&C inspired, and was in turn inspired by, its competition. The history of the hobby is sometimes as interesting as the real military history the hobby commemorates.

 

[sceic2]

Aren't retirements a necessary part of collecting? If nothing gets retired, what makes them so special. Just think of Beanie Babies, pet rocks, or mood rings.

And, I will be self-serving here, I have everything that I want from K&C, so for me bring on more retirements and faster. But for those who can not afford to get the new releases when they first come out, I am positive that is not what you want to have happen.

 

[Rob]

The retirements also add another element of excitement in collecting.It makes people decide what they really want and what can wait.I collect North Africa,D Day,Bulge,Arnhem,FOB,WSS,FJ's and from the very start its all about choice.I do not have unlimited funds and so each month i have to decide from what range to buy next.This means sooner or later items i want but have not got round to buying head for retirement,it helps me prioritise my purchases and makes me appreciate every single purchase.

Anyone thinking of buying the latest WW2 retirements i urge you do do so.Both are excellent models.The Jeep Ambulance is a fine example of this iconic vehicle in an unusual version,and the Stuart with its hedgecutters is also a fine little Tank.

Rob