Hello every body,having just read through all the mail I feel disapointed at some of the quite vitreolic comments made by some members toward their fellow modellers who basically are only asking for a wish to be granted.The staff guys do a magnificent job please guys dont take umbridge. Your in the complaints department because of the knowledge,respect,and authority everyone has for you.The allied v German debate will carry on but who knows whats in the pipeline?German uniforms and cammo patterns are quite diverse compared to Allied stuff mainly khaki and od but you can only paint so many variations of a theme.As someone has previously mentioned there are other manufacturers besides Dragon. Masterboxes Europe 1945 set shows what can be achieved by lesser known manufacturers(not up to Dragons excellent standard but improving all of the time)but please be tolerent not everybody has the nessesary skills to sculpt or convert .Anyways thats my two penorth.

Kind Regards to all Phil H

YES and NO!. I live with the fact that German sells. Fine. I don't have to like it but there it is. I don't think Allied builders are expecting the moon. Sure there are some esoteric subjects being requested but how about something more utilitarian? Personally all I'm asking is that they do some common and useful Allied sets. I would specifically like tank riders. They did a great job on the Russian Tank Riders. Something like that for 1944-45 US and Brit would be fantastic. I know we probably aren't going to see little know subjects like Gurkas but I think tanks riders would also follow that rule of thumb of complimenting their vehicle releases. With all the quality Shermans done by Dragon they sure look naked without anyone on the back advancing through Europe.

:-) Pssst...pssst...don't look...just listen....zey are watching...DUMKOPF! I TOLD YOU NOT TO LOOK! Now you have attracted zeir attention. You muzt hide your true feelings...just smile and nod....If you want more allied stuff just tap your foot one time...one time only...that's good. I have to leave you now...don't be afraid...the occupation won't last forever...a new day of freedom will be here as soon as the allies arrive...a day where a man or woman is free to express their opinion...oh wait....it's already here..OR SO I THOUGHT!

Jeff

PS: A smiley face "emoticon" included in certain posts doesn't make them any less insulting or degrading! A little respect, and treating those you talk to as equals , not inferiors, goes a very long way towards promoting Harmony and Zen!

PSS: In the words of the "Immortal" Rodney King..."Can't we all just get along."

Hi all

I know this whole issue will run and run and its not a bad thing really a little bit of venting does one the power of good and those who are bored of the A verse A argument you dont have to post just paint another German.
I myself feel that the allies are poorly represented and perhaps iam wrong but i dont think they would fail as a figure company if they put out a well thought out set of figures,when i mean well thought out i mean not leaning against a tree drinking tea smoking a fag or figs in a walking pose looking like they just came off the parade ground without a care in the world .
A little immagination i think is the key some animation perhaps one climbing through a window jumping across a ditch getting shot but looking like they are shot not as if they have just been told a joke
Thats all i ask for if we are going to be limited to what we get dont give us crap make them good and they will sell.
I for one would love to have the time with this hobby to be able to sit down with the limited figure sets and spend hours cutting and filling numerous allied figures to get perhapes 2 or 3 which might look half decent in a dio.
But sadley i dont so i shy away from interesting dios which could show Germans and allies up close and personal because the Germans look Sexy and hot...and the allies look sad and forgot ...bad grammer i know but it sort of ryhms.
I for one thought the thread started was a good one and i dont think anyone was bashing dragon just a point of view,and yes the market forces drive the type of figures we have on offer i find that old chest nut boring,.. posters dont want a lesson on company economics they just want to vent if its done in a fair and proper way ..whats the problem
It would appear that every time this issue comes up .certain members say the same thing why do you bother just let this group myself included have our theraputic bit of venting / bonding ..lol lol
And we all go our work benchs and then up the wooden stairs happy little campers, however if people start getting silly and threating to stick a Hitlar youth bayonet up model a model companys CEOs Ar-- then thats out of hand ...
Just my 2 cents
Cheers Chris................ now where is that Bayo------t

Hello again,
Does it really matter what comes out at what time? German, American, British or Russian are all great subjects and worthy to be built. I build one, someone else builds another and so forth. I guess it is too bad that the West is not the center of Military modelling, there might be more of a balance between German and Allied kits. Why aren't Western kit makers more like their Asain counterparts? Guess we'll never know.

These were a few thoughts that I wanted to share.

Chris

Chris,

I think surprise is coming from the East Europe. Some great companies have started to flow the market with excellent releases, better than Dragon when it strated (Mostly MB and MIniart and Tank also). Even older Eastern companies have improved their kit, like Zvezda (for example the 2 machinegun crews they recently release). They have pretty good sculptors out there.
Those companies release mostly Russian, but also american and british stuff.

Strange thing: Eastern European companies do russian subjects, Italian comp. do italian, French does french subjects, but it seems Asiatic companies do mostly german (I'm speaking of small companies, it is understood large companies do german to sell well worldwide). Look for example Takashi modelling or Artisan Mori (Figurinist sculptor). I think there is no non german figure in their line !

What do you think you guys ?

Best,

Julien

I think ,
Alan L. & Karl are only asking for a slightly bigger & better output of allied figure/vehicle subjects from the Injection molding manufacturers.
To my mind this hobby has always been customer led, if the product isn't out there then the hobby will fill the gap in the market, ergo scratch builders & kit bashers! Also the vast "Cottage Industry " that is the resign manufacturers.

I too certainly don't buy the " It doesn' t sell " arguement , for the following reasons.......

1:- Allied figure sets from Dragon fly off the shelves in my neck of the woods, in fact I bought 5 boxes each of the Dragon Brit/ Commonwealth troops in Normandy & Tamiyas Brit Infantry on patroll, knowing that little variety would be forthcoming in the future. (Kit Bashing in mind here).

2 :- The hobby ( and hence the market ) has changed over the past 40 years, it is now much more sophisticated & mature with sujects being tackled that would be unheard of say even five years ago!

3:- Diorama builders are more adventureous and want to build subjects previously untold, particularly Allied themes.So the MARKET is changing and as ever the hobby will lead. Hopefully the big injection manufacturers will follow?!!

Perhaps the Big A staff could inform them of developments?

Regards to you all, Richard

I'm not Alan L but Alan T. I won't pretend to speak for the others but I'm not even asking for a greater quantity of kits. I want more useful poses. Since everyone seems to think Axis sells, the few Allied kits we get better be something we Allied builder want.

I agree Alan L.. :-) :-) . A2 kit like the MB german pow for Allied would be excellent.
Richard, ma initial question (in order to renew the discussion) was : what could explain asiatic market, and mostly japonese one, is so attracted by german subjects ?

Best,

Julien

We should probably ask Beachbum & Silantra.

Just a thought...how about a British motorbike with despatch rider seated talking to MP's. There's resin despatch riders but no motorbike...Now that doesn't make sense. Nice huge hole in the market there if anyone decided to make one........

Hi all,
"Once more into the breech dear friends."
This thread was a lot of fun, I got to share what I thought and other did too.
I will still like German stuff the best and will stay with it. I do like the fact that there is a lot of good German stuff coming out.
Well, toodles for now.

Chris

Cor, and you guys think you got it tough, you should try doing a Dio of Romans v Gauls

Vic