Why are we so German Crazy (1 Viewer)

[Phantom Warrior]

I normally do not participate in such threads. I can only say we dio makers, we need them both :the Germans and their friends and the Allies.There are always at least two parties envolved in every conflict. The Germans in WWII had the better weapons, were more inventive and inovative . The Allies had the numbers. Both are evenly important in the TS world . The commercial aspect and importance however is never out of sight . If you want to make a dio about say "the red ball express" you need US negro soldiers-drivers . Nobody is venturing into this field because they say such figures will not be popular ,will not sell well so we don't make them ( except now for the Askari).The same is true for the Italians, the japs,the PTO in general, etc...only a few of them about. Even when you look at the o so popular Germans what do you see : Panzers and Panzertruppen, panzergrenadiers, SS and a few regular army figures. Where is the Kriegsmarine and the Luftwaffe, the Engineers etc.... these series were started but had a quiet death.This is how the TS world works my friends ..........
guy

I think there are more Italians coming this year and some russians.

Terry

 

[h.hammer]

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY THAT MY FRIEND ?????????
guy

I guess the answer lies within , my friend
best wishes
Harvey

 

[Blowtorch]

Perspectives are always a fascinating subject. Funny, when I was at West Point in the 60's I never saw all those brilliant accounts written by brilliant German officers, nor did I see anything but a footnote in the tactics section by Rommel or Manstein. Illusions are indeed intoxicating. As I have said before, perhaps so many of our "European Allies" who post on the Forum, have other motivations for the German products than 'They sell best"
h. hammer

My opinions on WP training would not be printable here

 

[Panzer ace]

Perspectives are always a fascinating subject. Funny, when I was at West Point in the 60's I never saw all those brilliant accounts written by brilliant German officers, nor did I see anything but a footnote in the tactics section by Rommel or Manstein. Illusions are indeed intoxicating. As I have said before, perhaps so many of our "European Allies" who post on the Forum, have other motivations for the German products than 'They sell best"
h. hammer

Just curious, while at West Point did you come across any writings by officers from countries that would have been considered enemies of the United States? If so, which ones?

 

[waynepoo]

Apart from the fact that German stuff has that 'look' I think they been done to death by all makers and there is no need to do any more, please do more Allied and non-German things ...way to much grey..... it will sell if you give it a go.
Wayne.

 

[Jack]

Always on dangerous ground if the choice of range is assumed to to coincide with a political viewpoint. I collect Britains' Zulu range which I have been able to do without any mention from friends, family or other collectors of what that might mean in terms of my personal politics or attitudes toward race. I suspect some (many? most?) Zulus might see the subjugation by the British as an invasion little different from that experienced by various peoples throughout history. That said, I do understand why the Nazis are particularly reviled and why their actions are a byword for brutality and terror in a way that ensures that the deeds perpetrated in their name stand apart from many, if not most, other historical events. Nevertheless, an interesting question but one that may heat up rather quickly if assumptions are made too lightly.

 

[jazzeum]

Just curious, while at West Point did you come across any writings by officers from countries that would have been considered enemies of the United States? If so, which ones?

And this is supposed to mean what?

 

[h.hammer]

Just curious, while at West Point did you come across any writings by officers from countries that would have been considered enemies of the United States? If so, which ones?

I guess we could start and end with Von Clausewitz's three volumes "ON WAR''There indeed was a brilliant German . Of course his work was translated by Colonel J.J. Graham(not German)."Durch Nacht und Blut Zur Licht"!
Blowtorch, try reading The Long Grey Line. I personally knew most of the men killed in that book when they were cadets.
Harvey

 

[wayne556517]

Apart from the fact that German stuff has that 'look' I think they been done to death by all makers and there is no need to do any more, please do more Allied and non-German things ...way to much grey..... it will sell if you give it a go.
Wayne.

What,s wrong with you man,that is impossible.....................^&grin^&grin

 

[Firebat]

OK ... I started this so let me sum up where I think this has gone so far.

I think that some of the stuff I originally mentioned would fly.

I realize the manufacturers have to make money by producing saleable products, but sometimes I think they have their own mind about things and don't really listen to us.

I admit the German stuff is cool, but I can think of some great scenes that can be done with the vehicles I mentioned.

Alex

 

[waynepoo]

What,s wrong with you man,that is impossible.....................^&grin^&grin

Mate you are our grey ghost, there will never enough Jerries for you.....:wink2:{sm4}{sm4}

 

[Panzer ace]

And this is supposed to mean what?

I was wondering what enemies or perceived enemies works were viewed and or used at West Point.

What did you think I meant?

 

[ivanmoe]

I buy German pilots as part of a collection devoted to celebrating aviation. The figures are really props for my model airplanes. I buy "planes and pilots" that fit the bill, quality/detail wise. I'm not too interested in the Übermensch school of TS collecting, as I'm concerned that it would frighten my grand-daughters:

View attachment 143873

 

[TomNT]

Apart from the fact that German stuff has that 'look' I think they been done to death by all makers and there is no need to do any more, please do more Allied and non-German things ...way to much grey..... it will sell if you give it a go.
Wayne.

What,s wrong with you man,that is impossible.....................^&grin^&grin

I agree, Waynepoo mate have a lie down as I reckon you have been over doing it a bit to much on that massive dio!!{sm4}

Tom

 

[Panzer ace]

One thing I will say for the allied stuff is that their jeeps and trucks (ie the deuce and a half) are way better looking than the German trucks and kubelwagens.

.

 

[TomNT]

One thing I will say for the allied stuff is that their jeeps and trucks (ie the deuce and a half) are way better looking than the German trucks and kubelwagens.

.

In my opinion Jason, I don't think they look better but I do agree the Jeeps and trucks including the Brit trucks look really cool. I also love the Brit Armoured cars, Humber, AEC, Daimler (including the Daimler Dingo Scout Car) etc.

Tom

 

[Hunter Rose]

Always on dangerous ground if the choice of range is assumed to to coincide with a political viewpoint. I collect Britains' Zulu range which I have been able to do without any mention from friends, family or other collectors of what that might mean in terms of my personal politics or attitudes toward race. I suspect some (many? most?) Zulus might see the subjugation by the British as an invasion little different from that experienced by various peoples throughout history. That said, I do understand why the Nazis are particularly reviled and why their actions are a byword for brutality and terror in a way that ensures that the deeds perpetrated in their name stand apart from many, if not most, other historical events. Nevertheless, an interesting question but one that may heat up rather quickly if assumptions are made too lightly.

This is an excellent insight and one I think of often. As a student of history, I truly embrace the axiom that history is written by the victors, and I think that influences how we perceive historic events. We would all agree that the horrors perpetrated by the Nazi regime were inhuman and barbaric, and Hitler is used as the poster boy of evil incarnate. Why then, are the US Presidents in office during the Indian Wars in the west not viewed in the same light? There are shocking parallels. Like the Nazis, the US waged a war of aggression against an indigenous population widely viewed at the time as sub-human/Untermensch to gain living space/Lebensraum and natural resources. The US systematically brutalized, rounded up, and placed Indians on reservations/concentration camps. The casualty figures are probably pretty similar as well. However, since the US won, the stigma for these acts is not horrible and those in power at the time are not generally characterized as evil.

Anyway, food for thought and maybe too much of a thread drift.

 

[waynepoo]

In my opinion Jason, I don't think they look better but I do agree the Jeeps and trucks including the Brit trucks look really cool. I also love the Brit Armoured cars, Humber, AEC, Daimler (including the Daimler Dingo Scout Car) etc.

Tom

I think this jeep looks ok....:wink2:

Just when I said there are no Germans not done yet....

 

[Desertkiwi]

I think this jeep looks ok....:wink2:

Just when I said there are no Germans not done yet....

Cricky mate, I like your thinking, but can they drive:wink2::tongue:

 

[King & Country]

Hi Guys,

Thanks to Firebat (Alex) for raising this interesting topic. If I may let me give you another perspective…

As both a collector and manufacturer I am interested in all fighting vehicles of World War Two – both Axis and Allied. I do my best to listen and read all kinds of suggestions and ideas from collectors, dealers and, occasionally, other manufacturers on what should, or indeed, could be produced at some later time. Then, when and where possible, I consult actual previous and current sales details and other data plus future release info on particular figures before deciding what our collectors and the market will most readily buy. Sometimes we get it wrong…most times, I humbly believe, we get it just about right.

Like all of you I also have my own preferences and prejudices however I try and contain these in the light of real facts and figures not just personal opinion.

To suggest, as Alex does, that some of us have our own mind about things is actually very true…Who on this forum and others does not? However to go on to say that “we don’t really listen” is perhaps an exaggeration based on the supposition that we may not always produce exactly what is in accordance with his or someone else’s particular wish.

Finally, as this great thread is in the King & Country section I am proud of the fact that our little company has, over the years, produced more Allied and Axis vehicles than the rest of our competitors combined!

Once again, Happy New Year guys and thankyou Alex for bringing the subject to the fore again.

With best wishes for 2014 and beyond!

Andy C.