Arnhemjim
Corporal
- Joined
- Aug 28, 2009
- Messages
- 403
Ladies and Gentlemen of the Forum,
Given the tenor and substance of the recent series of threads regarding rising production costs, retroactive price increases, and discounting, I would like to reiterate a perspective which I first broached in October 2009, with no little trepidation at that time. I recently tried to tag it onto an existing forum thread and got lost in a weed bed (wasn’t the first time nor probably the last).
As background I have conducted a “back of the envelope” statistical analysis of the forum membership. Sample size 299 forum members. Based upon available data 220 would appear gainfully employed (inferring stable or growing income), 63 retired (probable fixed income, except for COLA adjustment if any, recognizing there are exceptions), 11 students (undetermined discretionary income), currently unemployed 5. This would strongly indicate approximately 26% of forum membership (based on this limited sample) are inclined to have little or no discretionary income.
Pending the validity of this assessment, and the current state of the toy soldier “Market-Place”, I hope that King & Country will be able to exercise due diligence in their technical research (i.e. accuracy of uniforms, insignia, vehicles, weapons, tactical markings and equipment) of any forthcoming additions to the “Market-Garden” series, or for that matter any of their other series. It might prove to be well worth the investment in time and resources vis-a-vis a positive effect on **ture sales volume.
As you can hopefully tell from the tenor of the following discussion I tried to approach the subject with diplomacy, objectivity, and I believe, facts.
“Gentlemen,
As discerning collectors/customers I would hope that all would have increased respect for an impresario who has to manage the skills, temperament and ego, of a world class tenor or baritone. Where is this leading? There have been several extended discussions recently on this forum regarding historical accuracy versus artistic license, which within the context of the current world economy, impacts both producers and collectors.
Having studied and collected militaria related to the British Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces (including The Glider Pilot Regiment), more specifically the Battle of Arnhem (Operation Market-Garden), for over four decades, I have a reasonable knowledge of the uniforms, armament and equipment involved.
Suffices it was a delicate task, with some trepidation, to e-mail Andy Nielson regarding some rather **ndamental details in the K & C Market-Garden Series, particularly in light of the following quote contained in the introductory brochure for the Market-Garden series; “Each of them has been designed, sculpted, cast and hand-painted with incredible attention to historical detail and military accuracy.”
MG001 The Reecce Jeep, does not have the weapons configuration used by the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron at Arnhem. The actual configuration (single .303 cal Vickers K-gun) of the jeeps is shown in several photographs contained in the book Remember Arnhem, The 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron, J. Fairley, Pegasus Journal, Aldershot, Hants.,1978 (see between pages; 112 -113, 128 -129 ). Also see: British Airborne-jeep mods & trailer details: http://www.m201.com/abmods.htm. The K & C jeep is an accurate representation of the configuration used by the SAS in Sicily and Italy.
MG019 Airborne 6 Pounder Anti Tank Gun Set was produced with the original Mk I carriage not the correct Mk III (Airborne) carriage of the Airborne QF 6 pdr AT Gun. See Osprey New Vanguard Series No. 98, British Anti-tank Artillery 1939-45 (Published in 2004); Plate D, Showing in specific detail the differences between the standard and airborne configurations of the gun.
MG023-027 Polish Paratroops. Officers and paratroopers of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade did not wear the British paratroop brevet (wings) on their Denison smocks. See the books, Poles Apart, the Polish Airborne at the Battle of Arnhem, G. Cholewczynski, Sharpedon, New York, 1993 and Osprey Men-at-Arms Series No. 117, The Polish Army 1939-45, 1982.
MG031 The Mortar Team was produced erroneously showing Pte. Ron ‘Ginger’ Tierney’s airborne helmet web chin strap/cup as a pair of googles. See OPERATION MARKET-GARDEN THEN AND NOW, Edited by K. Margry, After the Battle, London, 2002 (Vol. II) and When Dragons Flew, S. Eastwood, C. Gray and A. Green, Silverlink Publishing Ltd., Peterborough, 1994 (Photo’s on the dust cover).
Up to this point I have acquired a significant number of sets from the original Arnhem ’44 Series, and all of the Market-Garden Series to date. That being said, I’m retired on a more or less fixed income. With the price of each new King & Country series incrementally increasing, combined with James Opie’s admonishment of not modifying a manufacturer’s issued configuration, what are the recommendations of members of this forum.”
Addendum: In addition to these “minor technicalities” I would add two more; the first is the consistently incorrect shade of maroon in the red berets of each and every jeep driver or passenger in the entire Market Garden Series when compared with the correct shade in all the other figures. Check for yourself. The second is in the new Napoleonic Series release of the 92nd Gordon Highlanders. The regimental brass oval bayonet belt plate has somehow been omitted from all of the figures (cost cutting or oversight?). I guess if you’re a ‘rivet counter’ this can easily be added. See Osprey’s MAA Series No. 253, Wellington’s Highlanders, 1992, Soldiers’ Accoutrements of the British Army 1750-1900, P. Turner, Crowood Press Ltd.,, Wilshire, 2006, and for you real purists, The Life of a Regiment, the History of the Gordon Highlanders, From its Formation in 1794 to 1816 (Vol.1), LCol C.G. Gardyne, David Douglas, Edinburgh, 1901. Also see Collector’s Showcase and W. Britains (both vintage and new figures) Gordon Highlanders at Waterloo.
Will look forward to critique and comment (solid shot, grape and shrapnel) both good, bad or indifferent.
Regards,
Arnhemjim
Newly Liberated Arizona Territory
Given the tenor and substance of the recent series of threads regarding rising production costs, retroactive price increases, and discounting, I would like to reiterate a perspective which I first broached in October 2009, with no little trepidation at that time. I recently tried to tag it onto an existing forum thread and got lost in a weed bed (wasn’t the first time nor probably the last).
As background I have conducted a “back of the envelope” statistical analysis of the forum membership. Sample size 299 forum members. Based upon available data 220 would appear gainfully employed (inferring stable or growing income), 63 retired (probable fixed income, except for COLA adjustment if any, recognizing there are exceptions), 11 students (undetermined discretionary income), currently unemployed 5. This would strongly indicate approximately 26% of forum membership (based on this limited sample) are inclined to have little or no discretionary income.
Pending the validity of this assessment, and the current state of the toy soldier “Market-Place”, I hope that King & Country will be able to exercise due diligence in their technical research (i.e. accuracy of uniforms, insignia, vehicles, weapons, tactical markings and equipment) of any forthcoming additions to the “Market-Garden” series, or for that matter any of their other series. It might prove to be well worth the investment in time and resources vis-a-vis a positive effect on **ture sales volume.
As you can hopefully tell from the tenor of the following discussion I tried to approach the subject with diplomacy, objectivity, and I believe, facts.
“Gentlemen,
As discerning collectors/customers I would hope that all would have increased respect for an impresario who has to manage the skills, temperament and ego, of a world class tenor or baritone. Where is this leading? There have been several extended discussions recently on this forum regarding historical accuracy versus artistic license, which within the context of the current world economy, impacts both producers and collectors.
Having studied and collected militaria related to the British Parachute Regiment and Airborne Forces (including The Glider Pilot Regiment), more specifically the Battle of Arnhem (Operation Market-Garden), for over four decades, I have a reasonable knowledge of the uniforms, armament and equipment involved.
Suffices it was a delicate task, with some trepidation, to e-mail Andy Nielson regarding some rather **ndamental details in the K & C Market-Garden Series, particularly in light of the following quote contained in the introductory brochure for the Market-Garden series; “Each of them has been designed, sculpted, cast and hand-painted with incredible attention to historical detail and military accuracy.”
MG001 The Reecce Jeep, does not have the weapons configuration used by the 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron at Arnhem. The actual configuration (single .303 cal Vickers K-gun) of the jeeps is shown in several photographs contained in the book Remember Arnhem, The 1st Airborne Reconnaissance Squadron, J. Fairley, Pegasus Journal, Aldershot, Hants.,1978 (see between pages; 112 -113, 128 -129 ). Also see: British Airborne-jeep mods & trailer details: http://www.m201.com/abmods.htm. The K & C jeep is an accurate representation of the configuration used by the SAS in Sicily and Italy.
MG019 Airborne 6 Pounder Anti Tank Gun Set was produced with the original Mk I carriage not the correct Mk III (Airborne) carriage of the Airborne QF 6 pdr AT Gun. See Osprey New Vanguard Series No. 98, British Anti-tank Artillery 1939-45 (Published in 2004); Plate D, Showing in specific detail the differences between the standard and airborne configurations of the gun.
MG023-027 Polish Paratroops. Officers and paratroopers of the 1st Polish Independent Parachute Brigade did not wear the British paratroop brevet (wings) on their Denison smocks. See the books, Poles Apart, the Polish Airborne at the Battle of Arnhem, G. Cholewczynski, Sharpedon, New York, 1993 and Osprey Men-at-Arms Series No. 117, The Polish Army 1939-45, 1982.
MG031 The Mortar Team was produced erroneously showing Pte. Ron ‘Ginger’ Tierney’s airborne helmet web chin strap/cup as a pair of googles. See OPERATION MARKET-GARDEN THEN AND NOW, Edited by K. Margry, After the Battle, London, 2002 (Vol. II) and When Dragons Flew, S. Eastwood, C. Gray and A. Green, Silverlink Publishing Ltd., Peterborough, 1994 (Photo’s on the dust cover).
Up to this point I have acquired a significant number of sets from the original Arnhem ’44 Series, and all of the Market-Garden Series to date. That being said, I’m retired on a more or less fixed income. With the price of each new King & Country series incrementally increasing, combined with James Opie’s admonishment of not modifying a manufacturer’s issued configuration, what are the recommendations of members of this forum.”
Addendum: In addition to these “minor technicalities” I would add two more; the first is the consistently incorrect shade of maroon in the red berets of each and every jeep driver or passenger in the entire Market Garden Series when compared with the correct shade in all the other figures. Check for yourself. The second is in the new Napoleonic Series release of the 92nd Gordon Highlanders. The regimental brass oval bayonet belt plate has somehow been omitted from all of the figures (cost cutting or oversight?). I guess if you’re a ‘rivet counter’ this can easily be added. See Osprey’s MAA Series No. 253, Wellington’s Highlanders, 1992, Soldiers’ Accoutrements of the British Army 1750-1900, P. Turner, Crowood Press Ltd.,, Wilshire, 2006, and for you real purists, The Life of a Regiment, the History of the Gordon Highlanders, From its Formation in 1794 to 1816 (Vol.1), LCol C.G. Gardyne, David Douglas, Edinburgh, 1901. Also see Collector’s Showcase and W. Britains (both vintage and new figures) Gordon Highlanders at Waterloo.
Will look forward to critique and comment (solid shot, grape and shrapnel) both good, bad or indifferent.
Regards,
Arnhemjim
Newly Liberated Arizona Territory
