Small Scale Military Headquarters

Do you guys think the new 21st Century B-25 will come in a windox box like 21st Century's current planes come in? Or will they make a nice packing system like Admiral has with their planes? This will be one big box.

I also think the F-4 box is also going to big big.

Well for retail the window box is best. People usually don’t like to buy stuff they can’t see. Play sets usually don’t fall into this category but planes seem to. We will have to see but I bet a window of some sort.

This is of course assuming that Walmart or another large chain plans to carry it in-store. This could end up being more of a walmart.com only item, since Walmart is pushing to restore/grow credibility in their on-line store. I guess they are even offering free shipping as a trial program where you can have items shipped to a local store for pick-up. Considering some of the trends and clearance pricing I have seen, I don't know how receptive Walmart will be to a large box with a pretty hefty price tag--then again, they make some weird business decisions anyway. And personally, I don't know if I would want something as large as a B-25 with as much clear plastic and delicate parts in a window box on the shelf. Every window and gun barrel would be broken or scratched within a week unless it was in lock-up somewhere.

How about a window box but with a flap? They have had a couple like this haven't they on the smaller 1/32 scale box play sets? Would seem like the best of both worlds.

I think that they should do the window box with a flip cover with velcrow to ensure it. It would reduce the window from being pushed in by a larger margin IMHO.

Is this Monster gona have the complete crew with it? and if not will they come out with crew figures and ground crew as well? And what about some Axis twin engine planes?

The Avenger has 3 figures, would anyone expect any more figures than that for the same price of the F-4?

(Assuming it's close to that price. I have not heard of any price yet.)

I'd be O.K. with 3 figures. I'd hope other figs would be available to add to it.

What do you think?

Kevin.

I think that 21c had better go the route that they did with the box for the P-38, regarding how the F-4 and especially B-25 are to be packaged. These planes are going to huge and have got to be better secured to prevent paint scratches and broken parts. If they go with a window box, then I would highly recommend more twist ties and perhaps a stronger plastic support tray that actually secures the large pieces of the plane and prevents too much shaking and rubbing.

I think that some of the QC issues with the Avenger, for example, stemmed from it being packaged like an ME-109 - with only four twist ties for the fuselage and two for the wings in a flimsy plastic tray used to support that heavy plane. The long journey from China, to the distribution warehouse and finally to Wal Mart or a small retailer meant those planes got shaken around quite abit and I think many suffered. Further, the large window on the box was quite easy to damage and punch in. Window or not, few people want to buy a box that is broken open.

I think an attractive picture on a solid box would work just as well as the window box.

Kimtheredxd's idea for a box like the 21c playsets is also a great compromise

Those pesky kids with the handfuls of dust will still find the box, use it as a step to get to the Ugio or how the heck one spells it Yugio? Yugo? bep beep hi!

throw their dust on the box and then open it just to open it.

maybe pull out a wing and place it on the shelf near the thomas the train items - saw this happen to one poor Avenger...
pull off the canopy and stomp it to little pieces - saw this happen to a F-104 - that thing sat on the shelf broken for months.

I like the idea of a window box covered with a cardboard flap. At least you will be able to see some of the packaged plane.

That huge 1/9th scale tank had a window box. Retail you have to show the item, otherwise boxes will get ripped open to see then there will be missing parts etc...

Did anybody buy their p-38 at walmart? I never saw one.

The flap sound good, how much bigger will the box be than the Avenger?

Anyway thats a LONG way off for any new planes to ready.

DH

I think it will packaged as the P-38 as well. With a big flap that will open like a book.

21C has experience in 1/6 items on the HUGE size. I'm talking about the 1/6 Stuart, Scout Car and the Command Car.

These were boxes without windows and the items were packaged well. On the other hand, I've had windows on two 21C Kubels broken or pushed in.

I think 21C would do better with the B-25 to do a closed box and settle for some super pictures of the B-25 on the outside of the box.

I guess it depends on the market for the B-25. If they sell it through our favorite e-tailers, using a closed box, no matter what size, like the Admiral planes would do. If Wally sells it, a window may be required but I feel that is a mistake.

Worried about a closed box not attracting sales? Have the Wally toy department hang one from the cieling like TRU did in my AO with the P-38. If they see it, they will buy.

TTT

There will be no boxes. 21st is going to install some rubber bands and turn the props tight. Then point them in the directon of your house and away they go. It's too bad that they will be identified as terrorist drones and shot down by ANG F-16's!

Threetoughtrucks wrote:Worried about a closed box not attracting sales? Have the Wally toy department hang one from the cieling like TRU did in my AO with the P-38. If they see it, they will buy.

TTT

Personally, I think that is one thing that has hurt 21st on sales at WM for several of their planes, like the Avenger and F-104. Seeing the picture of the assembled plane on the box and a bunch of pieces visible through the window don't really give a clear impression of size. Especially for non-collectors who don't know these planes as well as we do, and have no real benchmark for comparison.

You will never see an airplane at WalMart that is not in a window box. People just do not have imaginations!!

Plane Nuts wrote:You will never see an airplane at WalMart that is not in a window box. People just do not have imaginations!!

Again, that is why you have the attractive picture on the outside of the box! The P-38 box is the case-in-point for how the B-25 and F-4 should be packaged and properly protected. Still, I do agree with you about some people's lack of imagination

I think it will be in a big box...you guys should remember that 21st has sold a lot of bigger 1/6 scale items in boxes also and these boxes also had a window......the only problem that i forsee, is due to their size the Walmart "Goonies" are going to throw those boxes all over the place and many planes will suffer. also if the boxes are stacked a mile high like the "Wally Apes" usually do....the planes are going to be hard to access and their quality may suffer.

I really do not think a kid (most of them) can even hold a B-25 in their hands unless they are older.....but now a days, older kids want I-pods.

well, my two cents....

I really don't care how they box 'em just let me have 'em ! This week would be nice. Here Britt heres a quarter. Would this speed things up