Pushing 1/18 into 1/1

[Threetoughtrucks]

We all have found 1/18 stuff in odd places, flea markets, yard sales, etc.,etc. I have been pushing the idea of our 1/18 vehicles (and planes also) in flea markets for 1/1 military shows and flea markets. I have been seeing a few 1/18 off and on in the bigger MV shows. Always, very few.

Well, gents, I guess other guys have thought of that also, mixing our stuff with 1/1 MV stuff. This past Saturday, I attended a 1/1 MV flea market in PA and counted three vendors out of a total of about 30 guys having two or more 1/18 toys for sale. Command Cars, Tigers, Panthers and even one 1/6 Stuart.

The vendors were asking double for what we would consider a fair price but hey, it's a start. Once we get these guys to get one (even at double the price) & I would bet we get a new guy on this board.

I think it's great news for us and the hobby

And, yes I know some of us (as vendors) attend these shows, like Luftpanzer, but it only takes a few..

TTT

[steelbonnet]

That`s a GREAT thing to hear & it DOES make sense too

Great to see even as more expensive pieces there doing them,though as you say,once they start prices should hopefully start to drop in the future,though you do have a Targeted audience so who know`s they can charge what they like,as long as it`s cheaper than the other stall holders.....LOL

As for this bringing more new members,well that`s a Great thing for both 1/18th scale & also for 1/1 experiance Always nice to have more with 1/1 views if not actual tech knowledge of the real deals

ja
Steel Bonnet

[DocTodd]

I originally met Jason and saw the F-86 at Wings Over Houston last year. So far he has been the only distributor I have seen with 1:18 at an airshow. But they sure seemed to move product as several items were sold out by the second day. Their prices are about online small retailer equivalent. Maybe we should start this. Isn't that how Badcat started?
Todd

[MG-42]

Yeah,.....While attending a military antique show here accross the river in Fort Mitchell Ky., last year,...I stumbled upon this one dealer that had 2-21st;1/6 items. The M-5 R/C "Stuart" this guy had customized himself, weathered himself too...and a Pak-40,..which I "just had to have",..and only paid $45.00 bucks for it too. "I love these kind of events". ......Oh,...and I got some funny looks and interesting comments carrying this "huge" cannon on my way out the door too,..like,...one guy commented,.."That thing shoot live rounds too" ! ..

[mkxiv]

Watch out for MilitaryToyShop.com's Full setup at your local airshow this year. We will be attending around 15-20 airshows or military vehicle reenactments in 2006. We will have a full-blown retail setup with everything on our website. We have a schedule page on our website that we update as events are confirmed. Hope to meet you guys at some of these shows!!

Isaiah
MilitaryToyShop.com

[Quixote511]

I was at SHow of Shows in Louisville, Ky yestrerday. It is one of the biggest militaria shows (1:1) in the nation. Out of the 500 tables they had advertised, probably 8 vendors were carrying 21st stuff there. And, Michigan Toy Soldier had a set up there. Of course, most of the guys selling the 21st stuff were over charging and feeding lines of bull about how this piece is one of 500 blah blah blah. But, on the bright side I did see many guys walking out with a XD plane under their arms.
Aaron

[STUKA]

They were talking about 1 in 500 they pulled off the walmart rack down the street!!

[Threetoughtrucks]

From experience, I can say a lot of 1/1 Military Vehicle guys also enjoy planes. I have always thought it would be a natural to interest 1/1 guys in our 1/18 toys. I mean, how many of my fellow 1/1 collectors are going to be able to afford having a 1/1 P-47, P-51, P-38 etc., not to mention a Sherman. Ok, so maybe they can affort a Jeep ($100-15K), Command Car ($6K-30K), half-track ($4K-35K).....but the other stuff, only in our dreams.

So what if the vendors double the price and spread the line..."No longer in production", "limited production run". Don't sellers pull the same BS on eBay?

My only point, is I want them to sit at home with our toys to see the quality up close. They will be here with us.

TTT

[luftpanzer]

Hey 3T Ive been doing that now for almost 3 years at local military shows and MV events, And I always post show events on this forum hoping to meet some of you one day. Well my next show will be on March 25 at the PAL Bldg in Union NJ. Plenty of time to plan a trip to NJ. Thats how I started it in my business was selling WW2 military items. Then one day at a MV show in Dover NJ aI noticed a guy had a table selling used toys he picked up at Garrage sell. So that night I stoped at toys R us cleared the shelvs out and sold a lot of FOV. So then I contacted 21stC and Unimax to see about being a dealor. They sent me vender apps with easy terms and WAhla. Ive been a Toy dealor evey since. Most shows Im the only guy selling toys And I do pretty good, I only charge the average retail price. I dont price gouge. I know some guys will triple the retail price at these shows and then wonder why they didnt sell anything. Me on the other hand, If i make a few dollars above retail Im happy.Also I like doing it I have alot of fun. Its more a hobby then a buisness. Maybe one day I can quit my daytime Job LOL

[Threetoughtrucks]

LuftP:

Will you be at Aberdeen this year? I haven't seen anything on Dover, NJ this year. Is it going to hapen?

I'll certinally try to make your Union show this year. Watch out for me, I'm 7' tall, and I always dress in OD and never wear shoes. I'm hard to find, I blend in with the other military stuff collectors.

TTT

[luftpanzer]

I dont think there will be one at Dover this year, I would have heard by now. Plus the national guard armory been deactivated and taken over by other state agencys. As far as Aberdeen gos thats a little out of my travel range for right now. No drivers liscense till sept, have to depend on a friend for rides to local shows in the area.

[p51]

Well, as I stated on the 21st finds topic... the Planes of Fame Museum now carries XD Aircraft in the gift shop. Up to date ones too, more up to date, in fact, than most Wal-Marts in the area (They already have the Pudgy P-38J and the Bunker Hill Corsair)

[tmanthegreat]

Wish I could say the same about my local Hobbytown store. While they get new items in - and have often had a very good selection - recently, the selection hasn't been entirely current. There are too many ME-109s (no new ones, though) and various FW-190s with a smattering of Corsairs and a few F-104s. They severely need more 32x tanks and planes and could use a big restock on FOV products! They do have alot of Dragon and Franklin Mint products, though.

[luftpanzer]

Hey 3T, Just got of the internet. The dover military vehicle show has moved to Riverdale NJ for april 8 and 9th. Im trying to get a table there.
check out this link www.mtaswapmeet.us