Tim Kubicek of RC2/W.Britain (1 Viewer)

[theBaron]

Was the Britains book ever produced. I don't recall seeing it any where for sale or even mentioned except for on this thread

Hi, britfarmer, do you mean the book on Britains, post-1980? If I remember correctly, Norman Joplin is taking orders now in advance of the book's release. There was an ad in Old Toy Soldier, and I think one also in Toy Soldier & Model Figure.

Hope that helps, prosit!
Brad

 

[thebritfarmer]

Hi Brad,

I know about that one (and I await it's release anxiously ). I am talking about the one mentioned in this thread featuring matte figures from 1999 - 2005.

Thanks

Scott

 

[Dickbuttons]

Could you tell me what Britains is planing for future releases in the Crimean war range? Thanks.

Dick

 

[Shannon Reuss]

Well you can't ask Tim because he doesn't work for First Gear who now owns Britains. I was told the manuscript was still floating around out there. Your best bet would be to ask Richard Walker if the manuscript sold with the company or if RC2 retained the rights.
Hope this points you in the right direction.
Regards,

 

[thebritfarmer]

Thanks Shannon,

I wasn't sure if this book was pre or post First Gear. Hopefully Richard will be able to shed some light on this.

Thanks again.

Scott

 

[King's Man]

Hi Tim,

I have a question for you. When do you think Britains will be releasing the additional Redoubt #10 peice to support the placement of your new British cannon?

Keep up the great work.

King's Man

 

[Cardigan600]

Yo Shannon, can you explain who this guy Tim is and who are RC2/Britains, it has lost me.
Bernard.

 

[Peter Reuss]

This thread goes wayyyy back.

It's been a number of years since Britains operated as an independant company.

I'd have to look up the exact history, but I believe in the late 1990's the Britains name was purchased by Ertl (a US firm), which over time morphed into Racing Champions/Ertl which turned into RC2. Early on Richard Walker and Ken Osen worked for this company and did some fine work for the Britains name. I think that under their leadership Britains began making matte finish figures. They left for various reasons, and Tim Kubicek became one of the leaders in the Britains brand.

Over time it became obvious that RC2 did not quite understand the toy soldier market. A few years back they sold the Britains name to First Gear (another American firm and the current owners). Richard Walker and Ken Osen came back into the fold at that time and are now the current leaders of Britains.

So...Tim is no longer the person to talk to about Britains...Richard is.

Hope this helps.

 

[Cardigan600]

This thread goes wayyyy back.

It's been a number of years since Britains operated as an independant company.

I'd have to look up the exact history, but I believe in the late 1990's the Britains name was purchased by Ertl (a US firm), which over time morphed into Racing Champions/Ertl which turned into RC2. Early on Richard Walker and Ken Osen worked for this company and did some fine work for the Britains name. I think that under their leadership Britains began making matte finish figures. They left for various reasons, and Tim Kubicek became one of the leaders in the Britains brand.

Over time it became obvious that RC2 did not quite understand the toy soldier market. A few years back they sold the Britains name to First Gear (another American firm and the current owners). Richard Walker and Ken Osen came back into the fold at that time and are now the current leaders of Britains.

So...Tim is no longer the person to talk to about Britains...Richard is.

Hope this helps.

Yo Trooper thanks for the explanation, quite interesting they only bought the Britains name.
Bernard.

 

[hhenry]

RC2/W.Britain Farm?

What still confuses me is that RC2 still seems to be selling the farm items under the Britains name, including producing catalogues.... Richard/Ken can you enlighten us?

 

[WBritain]

Was enjoying a cold, crisp but sunny vacation in Northern Michigan last week so missed this latest addition to the thread.

Lets see if this helps:

RC2 retained the right to use the Britains multi colored logo in relation to farm items only. They do not produce any military figures any more and do not have the right to use the black W. Britain logo. We also retained the right to use the Britains mulit colored logo in relation to the Deetail plastic MILITARY figures. So, I can easily see how this can be confusing - hope this helps though.

We did receive the matte finish book from RC2 when we purchased the company. As the new owner of W. Britain we decided it would be sort of odd to publish a book right away that did not feature any of the new figures produced by W. Britain under First Gear. So am giving it a bit more time to build up larger collections of the newer figures so when the book does come up it will have a good mix. No firm release date yet - at least 18-36 months off.

If you are hungry for more W. Britain historical info a good place to look for recent GLOSS releases would be the new book by Norman Joplin due out shortly.

Any other questions please fire away.

 

[hhenry]

Thanks Richard, good to know what's up. Why couldn't First Gear produce the farm series?

I look forward to the matt book, once you decide to publish. Maybe you can do a special set with it also. I'm already on Norman's list for a signed copy.

Keep up the good work.

 

[Shannon Reuss]

A friend of Tim Kubicek contacted me this week to let me know that sadly Tim passed away about a year ago.
Tim was one of the very first from the manufacturers (representing W. Britain/RC2) to join the forum, joining in the first month that the forum was launched.

I didn't know him well but I appreciated his willingness to join the forum and to listen and take feedback from dealers and collectors alike at a time when the powers that be at RC2 did not. Everyone I know who knew Tim had nothing but good things to say about him whenever his name came up in conversation.

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Timothy Kubicek[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]April 27, 1950 - September 13, 2007[/FONT][FONT=Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif]Dyersville, Iowa [/FONT]

Tim was born on April 27, 1950 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, the son of William and Bernice (Walters) Kubicek. He married Karen Leonard on May 8, 1971 in Lamont, Iowa and served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War. Tim touched many lives through coaching soccer, softball, track and basketball throughout the years. He enjoyed traveling and camping with his family, RAGBRAI, and was an avid Atlanta Braves and Hawkeye fan. For the past 30 years he immensely enjoyed the work and camaraderie experienced at RC2. Tim was member of the Dyersville Lions Club and was Citizen of the Year in 2000. Above all, Tim was a loving husband and a devoted father.

Survivors include his wife, Karen, 3 daughters: Holly (Shane) Coohey of North Liberty, IA, Hannah and Haley both of Dyersville, one son Joseph (Maureen) of Philadelphia, PA, one grandson, Iben Coohey, father and mother-in-law, Miles and Madonna Leonard of Manchester, 2 sisters: Evelin (Keith) Baumgartner and Marla Rameriz, 3 sisters-in-law: Sandra (Ken) Magsamen, Donna (Rande) Moeller and Rose (Randy) Schuhmacher and one brother-in-law, Frank (Mary) Leonard. He was preceded in death by his parents, William and Bernice Kubicek.