Tracks (1 Viewer)

[Blowtorch]

I for one, actually LIKED the old style tracks (you know, Toy Soldiers vs. Fine Scale Modeling), so everyone feel free to send me all your old K&C vehicles. PM me for address

 

[Simpson & his donkey.]

I have the M3 with the old tracks and have to be honest I really like it.Simmo.

 

[maddadicus]

I always bought K/C for being unique reasonable representations of WW2 armor and vehicles. I never had a problem with crud in the tracks and for the most part, felt it added character to a vehicle. Also the more stowage, the better. I am not sure that I like the new sterile direction that K/C is using on their tanks. My Cromwell looked naked till I added extra stowage ( JG and homemade )to all the open spaces..Michael

 

[Phantom Warrior]

I for one, actually LIKED the old style tracks (you know, Toy Soldiers vs. Fine Scale Modeling), so everyone feel free to send me all your old K&C vehicles. PM me for address

I prefer the new style, more detailed tracks. But the old vehicles have a certain character that I like. But if I ever decide to give them away....

Terry

 

[binder001]

Sorry but I like the new style better. The Sherman has that distinctive track with outside guide horns - the new ones look SO MUCH better! Some vehicles can do fine with "solid" tracks, others just don't look right, each has to be judged on its own.

Gary B.

 

[Louis Badolato]

I hated the old tracks. I prefer the new cast polystone tracks, but would much prefer K&C to adopt the separate bogie wheels and tracks as done by Figarti.

Andy has always been an innovator, and until recently K&C drove the quality of the industry forward. Since 2005, however Figarti and Honour Bound surpassed K&C in quality of armored vehicle production through the addition of photo etched metal parts and the above described tracks system. Over the last year or so, First Legion has surpassed K&C in quality of figures, mostly through superior connoisseur quality painting (albeit at a 40% higher price).

However, if you look at K&C matt figures from 1996-2001, you will see a much more connoisseur type painting style, with additional shading and hand painted details. It seems that as K&C substantially improved the quality of its sculpting, it simplified the painting process.

Having known and been friends with Andy for more than 10 years, I know him to be extremely proud and competitive. While the tough economy, and Andy's desire to keep the product affordable will temper his response, I look forward to watching the K&C team react to the challenges of companies like Figarti, First Legion, and Thomas Gunn over the next year or two. As I have repeatedly noted, a collector like me is apt to end up happy, broke, but happy.

 

[nasirkasmani]

While the tough economy, and Andy's desire to keep the product affordable will temper his response, I look forward to watching the K&C team react to the challenges of companies like Figarti, First Legion, and Thomas Gunn over the next year or two. As I have repeatedly noted, a collector like me is apt to end up happy, broke, but happy.

i agree louis buddy, i look forward to this competition among the manufacturers.
each one has its own strengthes and weaknesses, and it'll be interesting to see if they can out do one another.

 

[Louis Badolato]

i agree louis buddy, i look forward to this competition among the manufacturers.
each one has its own strengthes and weaknesses, and it'll be interesting to see if they can out do one another.

Nasir,

Glad to see you have been posting more lately, I hadn't seen you active on the forum for a while, until the last week or two.

 

[lancer]

Never had a problem with the tracks, one way or the other. I was after the vehicle because I either didn't have it or it hadn't been made before. In most cases KC beat every one to the punch and that's where my money went. As to Andy's response to the various "challengers", I am willing to forego high end detail for affordibility. Andy has a good balance going. HB Gold was too high, as is FL. Keep it affordable is my concern. JMO. -- lancer

 

[nasirkasmani]

Nasir,

Glad to see you have been posting more lately, I hadn't seen you active on the forum for a while, until the last week or two.

have been off the boil for a while, it seems i had clown fever.
i'm fine now.

 

[forlornhoper]

The old style tracks dont do anything for me,always tended to avoid them too toyish for my tastes,i prefer fine scale model standard that makes up the bulk of my collection,great to see K&C steadily moving in that direction as there is more to AFV modelling than meets the eye,their new models will attract the 1.35th scale AFV collector to their range.

 

[nmrocks]

Andy has always been an innovator, and until recently K&C drove the quality of the industry forward. Since 2005, however Figarti and Honour Bound surpassed K&C in quality of armored vehicle production through the addition of photo etched metal parts and the above described tracks system. Over the last year or so, First Legion has surpassed K&C in quality of figures, mostly through superior connoisseur quality painting (albeit at a 40% higher price).

Having known and been friends with Andy for more than 10 years, I know him to be extremely proud and competitive. While the tough economy, and Andy's desire to keep the product affordable will temper his response, I look forward to watching the K&C team react to the challenges of companies like Figarti, First Legion, and Thomas Gunn over the next year or two. As I have repeatedly noted, a collector like me is apt to end up happy, broke, but happy.

I think there is already evidence of what the buying public can bear, First legion without a doubt makes beautiful figures but evidence would seem to indicate there pricing is somewhat north of what the buying public will embrace. While there sales are good and there's definately a market, correct me if I'm wrong but I've yet to see a sellout of any of there products and they range in the 200- 500 piece runs? If I'm mistaken about the sellouts I'll apologize in advance. This is in no way a cut to First Legion, I suppose the economy must be teken into consideration as well.
Ray

 

[Cyber Field Marshall]

Never had a problem with the tracks, one way or the other. I was after the vehicle because I either didn't have it or it hadn't been made before. In most cases KC beat every one to the punch and that's where my money went. As to Andy's response to the various "challengers", I am willing to forego high end detail for affordibility. Andy has a good balance going. HB Gold was too high, as is FL. Keep it affordable is my concern. JMO. -- lancer

Well said, I agree Andy does have a great balance going. I'd like to see Figarti quality at K&C prices. I really think going forward we collectors can expect this as competition increases in the industry. K&C has continually improved their product so I really don't think my statement is unreasonable, it'll just take some time. The winners will be all of us TREEFROGGERS.

 

[maddadicus]

Why do all the mfg. necessarily have to outdo each other? If you offer a Cadillac quality product, few will be able to afford the upscale price. Andy can still offer a reasonable vehicle and own the average collector market alongside CS. Regardless of the improved quality of Figarti, at 100 pieces, no one is making any money in that scenario and I certainly would not want K/C to use that example for production runs. No, with K/C we have the mfg. for the masses. Let the handful of buyers that can get one ,tell us how much better Figarti is over K/C, but at least most all of us will be able to buy K/C, without having to kill each other for it..Michael

 

[lancer]

Why do all the mfg. necessarily have to outdo each other? If you offer a Cadillac quality product, few will be able to afford the upscale price. Andy can still offer a reasonable vehicle and own the average collector market alongside CS. Regardless of the improved quality of Figarti, at 100 pieces, no one is making any money in that scenario and I certainly would not want K/C to use that example for production runs. No, with K/C we have the mfg. for the masses. Let the handful of buyers that can get one ,tell us how much better Figarti is over K/C, but at least most all of us will be able to buy K/C, without having to kill each other for it..Michael

Excellent point, Michael. I, for one, have to save money up for any large purchase such as a vehicle and to have a release limited to 100 or 200 leaves me no time to put the money together before it sells out. I have already run into this with limited releases and I don't like missing out. I need the time a larger release allows me. KC and CS are doing fine and I just hope they don't go down the really limited and expensive release route. -- Al

 

[Vezzolf]

K/C "New Tracks" are better "by far" then then the old tracks.....K/C tanks have been much improved.....I hope they continue in this trend.....Although I was a bit dissappointed with the Cromwell (lacks realistic detail IMO).....I think the new Panzer III looks excellent.....I'm hoping that K/C will do the Panzer III in Grey......also still hoping for a "German Grey Tiger"

 

[nasirkasmani]

K/C "New Tracks" are better "by far" then then the old tracks.....K/C tanks have been much improved.....I hope they continue in this trend.....Although I was a bit dissappointed with the Cromwell (lacks realistic detail IMO).....I think the new Panzer III looks excellent.....I'm hoping that K/C will do the Panzer III in Grey......also still hoping for a "German Grey Tiger"

i agree, any classic panzer grey will be welcome.

 

[Capitolron]

I hated the old tracks. I prefer the new cast polystone tracks, but would much prefer K&C to adopt the separate bogie wheels and tracks as done by Figarti.

Andy has always been an innovator, and until recently K&C drove the quality of the industry forward. Since 2005, however Figarti and Honour Bound surpassed K&C in quality of armored vehicle production through the addition of photo etched metal parts and the above described tracks system. Over the last year or so, First Legion has surpassed K&C in quality of figures, mostly through superior connoisseur quality painting (albeit at a 40% higher price).

However, if you look at K&C matt figures from 1996-2001, you will see a much more connoisseur type painting style, with additional shading and hand painted details. It seems that as K&C substantially improved the quality of its sculpting, it simplified the painting process.

Having known and been friends with Andy for more than 10 years, I know him to be extremely proud and competitive. While the tough economy, and Andy's desire to keep the product affordable will temper his response, I look forward to watching the K&C team react to the challenges of companies like Figarti, First Legion, and Thomas Gunn over the next year or two. As I have repeatedly noted, a collector like me is apt to end up happy, broke, but happy.

Louis

I found this post very interesting - because I was thinking same way. With the brand new entry of Thomas Gunn (I have order his first two sets and waiting for delivery - so I havent seen them up close) to the arena and of course the great products coming out of Figarti, First Legion, Britains, John Jenkins and hopefully soon Conte - this market is really getting competitive !

Of course what makes the situation very very interesting is the economy and the effects on the collectors budget ! At this time I am sure there must be some fall off across the board. Yes, there will be the occasional "sell outs" - but those are with the smaller runs of 100 - 200 range that I have seen. JJD still has sets at were produced at 350 out there and many older set from K&C still exist.

What we have not heard from Andy - is what is his production level now for new releases ? Does he have different production numbers for different sets and vehicles ?? These would be interesting to know.

I am sure all dealers will say "MY numbers are UP !" - to keep the positive spin on their business - but, as you watch Ebay - you can see the resell value go down on most common items - things that would have sold for $200 + are now going for $125 - $140 range. Figures overall value are even much lower than that - individually.

We should all be happy that there is enough of a market worldwide to keep the industry going and give folks like King & Country the sales to produce more & more items.

But, cost re-factoring is going to have to take place - the large increases in the past - no matter how valid the reasons - will have to come back down a little for companies like K&C and other to stay competitive in the business. I can see a small price war taking place (at least I hope so for all of us ) for Toy Soldier Companies to try to push out competition and establish larger market share. We shall see.

Many economic experts are pointing towards a long recession which might get worse - if this happens then the Toy Soldier Market will change.

Hey - I am happy that we are seeing great K&C products at a little lower price now ! One thing is for sure the quality of these figures and vehicles has dramatically increased over the last few years as Louis has said ! And I for one am trilled by all the releases !