JUNE 10th.....

75th Ranger · Post by **75th Ranger** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 2:56 pm

1/6 or 1/9 does anyone knows?????????????

I want to know, if I have to get my wallet ready to charge Wally world!

please keep me posted.

HOOAH!

tmanthegreat · Post by **tmanthegreat** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 2:59 pm

Interesting choice, and a good use of existing moulds, but I see it as being something like the soft and hardtop hummers. Its different from the origional, but not that much so. I hope they unveil something more exciting, but this may just be a ploy to keep the armor guys busy until they have the time to work out something new. Anyways, I like the gun on the front

Website · Post by **Teamski** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:06 pm

JasonNC wrote:Hi guys, I'm new to the forum. I have been visiting the forum for about a month, but decided to go ahead and join. I look foward to interacting with everyone here. I must say that I too was dissapointed when I saw the update to Area 21 last night. Because of all the hype, I guess I thought it would be something a little more exciting. Besides, I must confess that I am not a real big fan of the German stuff, as there is so much neat American stuff that still needs to be done. I guess I was kinda hoping for something like an M7 Priest in 1:18 or maybe a really cool plane like the P-61 black widow. Oh well, more anouncements are forthcoming, I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Welcome to the board Jason!!

-Ski

digger · Post by **digger** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 3:33 pm

gustav wrote:Still hoping for some Red armor.

You better get yourself one of those 1/16 T-34s. Seriously.

And I don't agree with you Tman that this is not much different then the previous halftrack. It has a new weapon system. It has a new field purpose and relevant pieces. If they made a tank-busting Stuka with cannons I think a lot of AC guys would be psyched...similarly I think if you are a fan of WWII German armor this will be a nice addition to the collection.

Jericoeagle1 · Post by **Jericoeagle1** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 4:32 pm

aferguson wrote:yes but after i said that TKO said this:

tko211 wrote:
Announcing the .... (sorry you all have to wait a few more hours) The first article will not be a dud! Not after all the hype! Roy Sutherland said this to me last night.

"Lets come out swingin for the first one"

Which kinda changed my expectations, and dare i say, the expectations of many others..

It was a bit anti-climactic wasn't it? I thought the first new item might be armor but "new" armor like a tank. I don't collect much of that stuff but a new tank will always turn my head. Oh well.

CW4USARMY · Post by **CW4USARMY** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 4:50 pm

When Admiral announced it was coming out with an Me-262, that was coming out swinging!

lsc1002 · Post by **lsc1002** » Sat Jun 10, 2006 8:05 pm

It seems that a lot of people are disappointed, but I like the new Sdkfz. It looks really nice. I'm going to put some new paint on that bad boy when I get my hands on it. Any word on when the Pioneerpanzerwagen is going to be hitting the shelves. Don’t know if released date info has been covered, but it seems that there are a couple of threads covering this topic so I have not had time to catch up, I am a slow reader

RED · Post by **RED** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 12:54 am

As for ground pieces----could the anti-tank gun on the new halftrack be a stepping stone for some 88's or 105's??????If 21st can build it and put it on a halftrack---why not build it as a field piece????It would also be a smart move for 21st---because nobody puts out field guns!!!!! Only time will tell...

---RED---

normandy · Post by **normandy** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 9:29 am

I too expected somthing with a little more WOW factor but it just might be 21st is doing what many of us have wanted all along.

Variants on existing chassis... Panther - Jagdpanther, King Tiger - Jagdtiger and so on.
I look at it this way,the 251/7 is one less custom I have to make.

Nice going 21st!!!! Bring on the 1/18th armor.

Threetoughtrucks · Post by **Threetoughtrucks** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:08 am

The use of the 2.8cm "squeze" gun on a half-track was a great use of that gun. As an anti-tank gun it was a failure after the start of WW2 but it was great against soft-skins and personnel.

As a ground piece, it came with a regular two wheeled carriage and as a paratrooper weapon it came with little tiny wheels, which make it interesting. This is the two versions of this gun being released now in 1/6 by Dragon and DID. Interesting but from 21C, I'd rather see a German 37mm, 88mm or 105mm. I'd REALLY like to see a US 57mm, 3in anti-tanks or a 105mm Howitzer. We already have the two Dodges to pull either.

Bit the release of a 2.8cm gun on a ground mount goes along with the multi-use of existing items being re-worked, we've been preaching about for years.

TTT

DocTodd · Post by **DocTodd** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 12:32 pm

Nice looking vehicle. I thought you armor guys would be elated at having any armor produced-since they have been scarce in the 1:18 scale.
Todd

digger · Post by **digger** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 1:21 pm

DocTodd wrote:Nice looking vehicle. I thought you armor guys would be elated at having any armor produced-since they have been scarce in the 1:18 scale.
Todd

Well put Doc, I thought so too..

Quixote511 · Post by **Quixote511** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 1:45 pm

Well, I am certainly looking forward to it. I think it makes sense because there is a ton of play-ability with the footbridge and other accessories, yeilding mass-market appeal. Plus, I think it is obscure enough to make us happy. Now, if they can do an M16 on the M3A3 frame we will be sitting pretty.
Aaron

Threetoughtrucks · Post by **Threetoughtrucks** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 1:58 pm

So whoose not happen?

I love it. I want more WAAAAAAAAA.

TTT

CW4USARMY · Post by **CW4USARMY** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:05 pm

I dont think there is anybody not happy with this new hanomag. I think it is was all the hype about something new that will come out with a bang, and turned out to be a reworked hanomag. But, most of us old timers that have been on these pages for years know that this is normal for 21st, but was hoping this time it would be the real deal

Still love their products, but their customer relations could use some work

tko211 · Post by **tko211** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:05 pm

21st could have announced ANYTHING and someone somewhere would have found fault, problem, disappointment, or whatever. While others would find excitement, and renewed interest. It's the same old story of you can't please them all. Frankly it is to be expected and it's all ok in my book.

The request had come from this forum that we lead the 2 month compaign with an armor announcement. Which I believe 21st did in response to the request. I also think 21st was responding to years of requests for obscure variants of exisiting molds. I guess another saying is also prooving to be true. Be careful of what you wish for... You just might get it!

Seriously though, In one of my eariler posts I also wanted to remind everyone that perhaps you might not see what might be your personal wish list, that more news is coming. I have not mixed my words on AREA-21. There is 2 months of fresh news on the way some of it will be updates to products you already know of, others will be all new. (I am 100% certain that this is not the only new piece of armor/ground pieces that are planned) My best advise is just to sit back and enjoy the news and look forward to the MANY new products that will released in this year.

I personally was very shocked and pleased to learn of the Hanomag variant. I think this opens the doors to several other options for other pieces. Don't fret guys more is coming. Even if it isn't at the top of your wish list. It is nice to see something new, and it's nice to have something to talk about again on the boards. Not that there is anything wrong with polls...

KWR190 · Post by **KWR190** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:24 pm

I like it good job 21st keep it coming Ill be get 5 or 6 of them
Kurt

KAMIKAZE · Post by **KAMIKAZE** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 2:25 pm

Who knows? The next Hanomag might have a pak 40 on it. I am happy to get any new armor.

Mark

exether_mega · Post by **exether_mega** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 3:23 pm

tko211 wrote:21st could have announced ANYTHING and someone somewhere would have found fault, problem, disappointment, or whatever. While others would find excitement, and renewed interest. It's the same old story of you can't please them all. Frankly it is to be expected and it's all ok in my book.

The request had come from this forum that we lead the 2 month compaign with an armor announcement. Which I believe 21st did in response to the request. I also think 21st was responding to years of requests for obscure variants of exisiting molds. I guess another saying is also prooving to be true. Be careful of what you wish for... You just might get it!

Seriously though, In one of my eariler posts I also wanted to remind everyone that perhaps you might not see what might be your personal wish list, that more news is coming. I have not mixed my words on AREA-21. There is 2 months of fresh news on the way some of it will be updates to products you already know of, others will be all new. (I am 100% certain that this is not the only new piece of armor/ground pieces that are planned) My best advise is just to sit back and enjoy the news and look forward to the MANY new products that will released in this year.

I personally was very shocked and pleased to learn of the Hanomag variant. I think this opens the doors to several other options for other pieces. Don't fret guys more is coming. Even if it isn't at the top of your wish list. It is nice to see something new, and it's nice to have something to talk about again on the boards. Not that there is anything wrong with polls...

100% agree.

Jesse James · Post by **Jesse James** » Sun Jun 11, 2006 10:03 pm

I can't say that I personally agree that this is a matter of "you can't please all the people all the time..." because, well, frankly the hype surrounding it was a bit funny for what it ultimately was... And this is coming from someone who likes it. I'm not amazed, I'm not going ga-ga, but I like it and I'll gladly buy it...

"Come out swinging" was really the wrong type of phrase to use... "Come out girlslapping" maybe.

This isn't exactly a "Wow!" kind of piece is all... Just like the convertible top Humvee wasn't exciting (to me) really, but that's not to say it's bad either. It's cool but more along the lines of filler to me... Cool, something to look forward to (god I hope for a winter paintjob for BotB set-ups), but not coming out swinging for sure... A new tank design (whatever) would've been though I believe.

I'm happy with the Hanomag, it's a great looking item and I will pick one up pleased as punch. Then again the trucks were cool to me too, and they're hardly "exciting" like a piece of armor is, so maybe I'm just easy to impress?

Hope the figure (hope for actually getting a figure) is something unique too. Maybe they'll do something special and put two in or some such, with something unique. The original hanomag came with the crate and case so it'd be cool if this one came maybe with something "extra" too.

Either way the halftracks have always been some of my favorites from XD. I still hold the US Halftrack as one of their best pieces, any scale, any format (land/air). It's amazing.

CW4USARMY · Post by **CW4USARMY** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 4:02 am

Jesse James wrote:I can't say that I personally agree that this is a matter of "you can't please all the people all the time..." because, well, frankly the hype surrounding it was a bit funny for what it ultimately was... And this is coming from someone who likes it. I'm not amazed, I'm not going ga-ga, but I like it and I'll gladly buy it...

"Come out swinging" was really the wrong type of phrase to use... "Come out girlslapping" maybe. This isn't exactly a "Wow!" kind of piece is all... Just like the convertible top Humvee wasn't exciting (to me) really, but that's not to say it's bad either. It's cool but more along the lines of filler to me... Cool, something to look forward to (god I hope for a winter paintjob for BotB set-ups), but not coming out swinging for sure... A new tank design (whatever) would've been though I believe.

I'm happy with the Hanomag, it's a great looking item and I will pick one up pleased as punch. Then again the trucks were cool to me too, and they're hardly "exciting" like a piece of armor is, so maybe I'm just easy to impress?

Hope the figure (hope for actually getting a figure) is something unique too. Maybe they'll do something special and put two in or some such, with something unique. The original hanomag came with the crate and case so it'd be cool if this one came maybe with something "extra" too.

Either way the halftracks have always been some of my favorites from XD. I still hold the US Halftrack as one of their best pieces, any scale, any format (land/air). It's amazing.

100% Agree!

Post by **aferguson** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 4:33 am

the only gripe i have with the bridge layer is this: it's not like 21c is going to be able to flood WM with new hanomag variants, or even new armour for that matter. They are going to be able to produce a small number of new armour pieces at best. So with all the incredibly interesting and important possibilities, why did they choose this?

We've waited over a year and a half for a new piece of armour to hit (trucks don't count) and in that time we haven't even seen the Panzer IV with sideskirts that was promised well over a year ago.

Obscure is fine, obscure is great but interesting obscure. Both the Drilling anti aircraft variant and the Pak 40 armed hanomag were obscure but they are also very interesting. I could see them flying off the shelves. But this? Most WM buyers probably won't even notice that it's different from the standard release hanomag. If they'd included some engineer figures with it, with a flame thrower, some mines and a minesweeper that would have helped somewhat. But i'm sorry this thing is just bland....and i'm a big german armour fan.

I know the folks are 21c have been working hard (even though we've seen relatively very little new product from them in the last year and a half, as compared to all the big promises) and i don't want to dump on them but i really have to question the decision to make this piece.

If 1/18 armour is a weak seller than you have to produce stuff that is super sexy. The hanomag bridge layer isn't even available in 1/32 and only recently came out as a 1/35 kit, after a zillion other models had been produced. And why? Because other vehicles are more important and more interesting.

I've seen loyal xd fan after loyal xd fan leaving this scale due to lack of variety/selection and i'm on the cusp of doing so myself. After close to six years of waiting, waiting, waiting with promises that never seem to materialize i'm getting to the point of giving up on 1/18. And i'm a real die hard. If i'm feeling this way then i would bet a lot of other folks are feeling this way too.

It's just that it's been an endless stream of hype and big promises (which creates big expectations) but little action. (where is the Avenger??....it's now mid June and still not a whisper about its due date...which was supposed to have been last month...there seems to me to be a lack of upfrontness going on and i think the loyal fan base, after all this time, deserves better).

Now, hopefully, the promise of all the upcoming news will not just turn out to be further sizzle, with the steak being small and dry...

i feel better now...

flpickupman · Post by **flpickupman** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 4:45 am

Well, I think the new Hanomag is pretty damn neat. Unfortunately I can only fudge so much with German Sand Yellow. One historically inaccurate halftrack is enough I think.

Due to limited funds and space, it's not quite 'sexy' enough to join the miscellaneous category in my collection. Although, since I do now have 2 extra Panthers and an extra Tiger, I will probably end up buying it anyway. It is, after all, a pretty damn neat piece. Perhaps Walmart's distribution system will save me. lol

digger · Post by **digger** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 5:06 am

aferguson wrote:...it's not like 21c is going to be able to flood WM with new hanomag variants, or even new armour for that matter. They are going to be able to produce a small number of new armour pieces at best. So with all the incredibly interesting and important possibilities, why did they choose this?

How do you know they can't produce a number of different variants? I see this as a sign that they surely plan to if they did such an "obscure" one. You may just be wrong on this first assumption.

aferguson wrote:...Most WM buyers probably won't even notice that it's different from the standard release hanomag.

Why are you worried about "most WM buyers"? We will know the difference - and all the other people who collect these for more than just toys. Are you worried about the State of the Comany? We already agree this was not the most expensive endeavor - like a new tank would be. Would "most WM buyers" in your mind know the difference between a Panzer IV and a Panzer III? Let's not worry about the infamous "WM buyer" when discussing German WWII armor...

aferguson wrote:...If 1/18 armour is a weak seller than you have to produce stuff that is super sexy.

An artillery gun (which we all want) is super sexy?

What about if armor is a weak seller you don't dump tons of cash into a new tanks which won't sell anyway. Ask Mike about why there has been no bbi armor since the Sherman 2 years ago (Super Humvee, but trucks don't count.

)

Seems today's news is a whole new product line in one of the smaller scales. Happy now? What is BIG news to some, is "so what?" to me. I know CW4USARMY would have rather they announced a 1:18 262 - I couldn't care less.

To not have armor for as long as we have and then greet the first news of any with a whine just baffles me. They don't owe us armor, especially not big expensive new tanks, etc...they just don't. Again, ask Mike why bbi hasn't released some "super-sexy" new 1:18 armor. AT? Dragon? If you want a T-34, a Panzer III or various other tanks, then you do need to leave XD b/c I don't see it happening anytime soon. Let's try to stay realistic. Expectation is disappointment's birth child.

75th Ranger · Post by **75th Ranger** » Mon Jun 12, 2006 5:12 am

Well, I guess it is time for:

RANGER'S WAR CRY!

My dear companion at arms, as you may have noticed, since a while back, I decided to change to the 1/6 scale because I got tired of the 1/18 long waits, hard to find availability and most of all, some personal dilemas, like the fact the after being promised to me for a long time, I never was able to get the Ranger WWII set that I even wrote an article for!!!!!...can you guys believe that! I was promised a set and never got it! I'm still ^$^$$^ about that! Anyways, My hundreds of 1/18 were replaced by the hundreds of 1/6 figures. Now mostof the 1/18 is on drawers. I used to love the 1/18 vehicles, and the diorama accessories and that was the main reason that I got in 1/18 back in 1996 when 21st first seires came up, when Groundpounders was the main forum and when the days of availability were the ruling thing in the stores. As time has gone on, the hobby has become an economic battlefield, in which items are not produce because they do not mass sell to kids! or to other fans. But what can you expect, the real fans of this hobby can only buy so much, granted there are always new comers to the hobby, but most kids DO NOT play with WWII toys anymore, they rather stick to SIGMA 6, even HASBRO was able to realize that and BBI has taken some steps towards that with the less expensive Elite Command line. Most of the 21st items on the stores sit on the shelves until collectors buy them or as I have seen tourists (mainly from Europe) buy them. I understand that the items sell, but the mass production at Wally, the lack of interest by Toys-R-Us to buy mass quantities of the items, and the almost none participation by KB toys with regards to the military figures leave a sour taste in the mouths of the avid collectors.

This are a few things I want to mention to 21st:

1- Wally = relative mass sales, but most of the products sell only when put on closeouts!

2- 1/6 scale is still available to you guys if you stick with the wepaons sets, uniforms sets, and most of all large 1/6 scale vehicles with R/C. but the key is to make a small onlie 21st store that will sell these items only directly to collectors at the same relative prices. For example: jeep at $65.00, or M5 Stuart at $150, more or less. People, mainly collectors will buy from you directly those items. In the meantime you can still mass sell the other itmes to Wally. Again the less appealing items can be sold via direct online retaling.
You know, I think, 21st needs the RANGER to go there and help them out sell this itmes!!!!.....hahahahaha!

3- in adition like many others have mentioned here, repeats get boring!
I understand that it maximaxes production and it lowers costs but how many can we buy of the same type of vehicle!....i don't even buy the 1/18 scale vehicle anymore because the repeats got boring. And most of us, due to the lack of rapid production bought many of the previous vehicles to make up for the gap of the different variants. For example, I own 11 hummers, therefore, why would i want another variant. That would have been nice if there would have been a good marketing campaing that would have let us know about the future of these variants so that we would wait for them. The same goes for most of the vehicles, most of the people in this forum usually buy several vehicles of the same kind because we do not know what is coming out next, and then we custumize them to fit our needs, so when a new variant comes out, it has already lost its appeal. that is the case of this new Hanomag. The new hanomag would have been better if there was a bridge dioram to go laong with or some figures like the guys mentioned before. As I think about it, 21st launched the Marines figure series and did not even attempt to sell a landing craft vehicle!!!!! my gooodness, that would have been an excellent 1/18 item for the direct sales online store!

4- As the world may move towards a more globalized concept, the availability of such unique items as the 1/18, 1/6 and other scale items will become harder and harder because in a globalized world, choices are limitted to those choices that equal mass production and collective sales. therefore, unless 21st realizes that and takes steps towards a new, secondary approch to their sales, there may not be that many more items in the future, no matter how many the think they may sell now bacuase of Walmart. remember Walmart is known for dumping there suppliers if they cannot keep up with the lower costs of production each year. Remember HASBRO used to be a walmart line and no it is mainly gone (GI JOE), the same fate could happen to 21st and tother brands. that is why the other brands do a lot of online retailing.

Finally my intentions are to vent some opinions which maight be useful to 21st and probably others in order to keep the hobby alive!

take care,

RANGER

Small Scale Military Headquarters

JUNE 10th.....

red armor

June 10th

yup

huh?

RANGER'S WAR CRY!