I don't own either of these product lines yet, but I do like the K&C figures much better than the Britians figures.
However, King and Country list their vehicles as "PolyResin", which really means "integrated hard plastics". Yet the Willam Britian vehicles seem to be heavy diecast metal (eventhough the tracks & suspension on the tanks/APCs are molded together). Therefore, the Britians vehicles are more appealling to me.
Why should I spend x2 - x3 $$ on these product lines when I can buy diecast FOV vehicles with "working" suspensions for much less? Is the appreciation/resale of Britians or K&C really worth the investment?
Whats the point of owning a large collection of 1:32 "toy soldiers" if you are hesitant to "play" with an investment?
Now, if FOV would only offer decent figures to go with all their vehicles!
W Britians tanks vs. K&C tanks vs. FOV tanks
-
Sgt. Stryker
- Corporal
- Posts: 91
- Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2004 6:27 pm
Your absolutly right! K&C are a bit larger then many other 1:32 variants? I also have to say I recognize a few dragoon figures in their battel for berlin line up? Taking short cuts and still asking for the big bucks ah Andy?
In a few other posts I raise the same, this is why I believe 21st century has the opportunity to rule the market. They simply need to develope a plan ( at this point any plan) then produce the goods. The same issues of FOV vs. Britians and K&C could be asked of 21st century. There will always be a collectors market for the high end goods, but that could easily shrink if say 21st or FOV decides to make it so. Neither in my mind has the business plan to dominate the market but could easily accomplish this by developing the right toys, at the right price. In addition they must make the lines complete so that the consumer does not need to look to its competitors for missing pieces.
In a few other posts I raise the same, this is why I believe 21st century has the opportunity to rule the market. They simply need to develope a plan ( at this point any plan) then produce the goods. The same issues of FOV vs. Britians and K&C could be asked of 21st century. There will always be a collectors market for the high end goods, but that could easily shrink if say 21st or FOV decides to make it so. Neither in my mind has the business plan to dominate the market but could easily accomplish this by developing the right toys, at the right price. In addition they must make the lines complete so that the consumer does not need to look to its competitors for missing pieces.
King & Country VS. Others
First off, I,m a huge fan and collecter of K&C. They have beyond a doubt, the best figures on the market, bar none. Now in my opinion their vehicles are made to compliment their figures.
If someone is just a vehicle collecter K&C is not for them.
I,m also a huge Conte plastics collecter, and FOV & 21st vehicles are a perfect fit with them.
K&C are meant to be displayed, while 21st & FOV are perfect for big diorama set ups.
I do not collect K&C for investment purposes, but I do have most of their retired sets and you can count on those to go for 3 times what they origionaly cost if one was to list them on ebay. So it is nice that you do have that option.
If someone is just a vehicle collecter K&C is not for them.
I,m also a huge Conte plastics collecter, and FOV & 21st vehicles are a perfect fit with them.
K&C are meant to be displayed, while 21st & FOV are perfect for big diorama set ups.
I do not collect K&C for investment purposes, but I do have most of their retired sets and you can count on those to go for 3 times what they origionaly cost if one was to list them on ebay. So it is nice that you do have that option.
-
fullyautomatic
- Corporal
- Posts: 76
- Joined: Tue Oct 05, 2004 1:36 pm
- Location: the mountains of NC
It all depends on what you want out of your collection.Everyone collects for different reasons be it pleasure,investment, or just to have a hobby that you can relate to others about.As can be seen by the members of this board there are many who are well educated in military armour,aircraft and soldiers, be it toys or the real thing.That makes it interesting also.
Toy soldiers have been around for ever and I think many of us can remember unpainted lead soldiers,Britian glossy's and plastics from Marx and others.In my opinion if you want the best in this class,meaning toy soldiers, you are going to pay a premium and that would be purchasing K&C.Hands down and believe me you won't agree with this until you see them in person.My optimism for buying this line was the same as many;I couldn't justify the price.Well 100 sets later the addiction is still there.Unfortunately purchasing a home for all of these toys is more of a priority now and I have had to put my collecting on hold.Sorry George!!!Also one must remember that if your collecting K&C its for display only and not play.This is an important decision in the collecting world.
With the recent popularity of WWII in the past 5 years companies that started out strong(21st Century,Corgi)are now having competition knocking at there door(FOV,Matchbox,Elite Forces,Dragon etc).Now I know that these companies all have different scales and product lines,be it diecast or plastic,armour or aircraft but what has been offered so far has been affordable and darn right unbelievable compared to what was offered when I was making my mom's livingroom into a battlefield back in the day.
So you just have to ask yourself how much your willing to spend and how much room you have in your living space.Man's got to know his limitations!I'm pretty sure all here on the board would have to agree that its almost impossible to just collect one line or product.
Remember we are all still kids and don't wish to grow up.NEVER!!!!So enjoy it while you can.
Toy soldiers have been around for ever and I think many of us can remember unpainted lead soldiers,Britian glossy's and plastics from Marx and others.In my opinion if you want the best in this class,meaning toy soldiers, you are going to pay a premium and that would be purchasing K&C.Hands down and believe me you won't agree with this until you see them in person.My optimism for buying this line was the same as many;I couldn't justify the price.Well 100 sets later the addiction is still there.Unfortunately purchasing a home for all of these toys is more of a priority now and I have had to put my collecting on hold.Sorry George!!!Also one must remember that if your collecting K&C its for display only and not play.This is an important decision in the collecting world.
With the recent popularity of WWII in the past 5 years companies that started out strong(21st Century,Corgi)are now having competition knocking at there door(FOV,Matchbox,Elite Forces,Dragon etc).Now I know that these companies all have different scales and product lines,be it diecast or plastic,armour or aircraft but what has been offered so far has been affordable and darn right unbelievable compared to what was offered when I was making my mom's livingroom into a battlefield back in the day.
So you just have to ask yourself how much your willing to spend and how much room you have in your living space.Man's got to know his limitations!I'm pretty sure all here on the board would have to agree that its almost impossible to just collect one line or product.
Remember we are all still kids and don't wish to grow up.NEVER!!!!So enjoy it while you can.
I have a question about the K&C line of tanks. They are cast resin right? These models are very striking in appearance, but they are not "working" models in as much as having working tracks. This may matter to someone who likes the mechanics and play value of a model. The K&C line, being far above "play level" type models, is very tempting to me but the fact that they are static keeps me from branching off my collection. It is great looking stuff though. I am often tempted to pick up a few of their figures but then I wouldnt be able to stop. Kind of like potato chips...Yes, addiction is the word for it.
TJ
TJ
K&C Go Ahead Krieglock!!
Why don,t you buy a set or two of the just released Battle of the Bulge sets.
I guarantee you will be hooked.
Two and a half years ago I was just a plastic collecter, however I had seen the K&C line at OTSN. Thought for a year should I buy a set or two. Well I finally did and was completely addicted.
You won,t find a toy soldier collecter out there who says there is a better line than K&C, it would be unanimous.
I will say again if vehicles are your thing, although K&C,s are excellent, figures are their main strong point. And these are for display not play.
I guarantee you will be hooked.
Two and a half years ago I was just a plastic collecter, however I had seen the K&C line at OTSN. Thought for a year should I buy a set or two. Well I finally did and was completely addicted.
You won,t find a toy soldier collecter out there who says there is a better line than K&C, it would be unanimous.
I will say again if vehicles are your thing, although K&C,s are excellent, figures are their main strong point. And these are for display not play.
some differences...
As stated in the above posts, you need to decide what you are getting the vehicles/soldiers for. If you are collecting versus wargaming, etc your approach will be different. So far King and Country is the only line that can be counted on to appreciate in value for a "collecting investment".
Personally, I enjoy US WW2 stuff, so I have bought from all lines that have decent quality American stuff, FoV and 21C are closer to "proper" 1/32 scale (54mm in metal soldier terms), K&C are quite a bit larger, say 60-65mm scale. Britains are slightly larger than 54mm and Conte is also. The old Airfix, Matchbox and Marx figures are also about 1/32nd.
K&C and Britains are primarily into figures with tanks, artillery and vehicles being something to support the soldiers in the scene. 21C and FoV are heavy into the vehicles, with the soldiers only there to put in/alongside the vehicles.
Earlier K&C vehicles were in "pollystone" which made a solid vehicle that didn't take real fine detail very well. The newer resin-based vehicles are much better for detail, but can't compete with FoV and 21C. Britains also uses a resin material and their historical research is way off. I have two of their Shermans and had to change some details on both with a Dremel tool (which shows that I didn't buy them as an investment!). I bought them because they offered variants that the other guys haven't produced. K&C is the only guy who has given us some American trucks. Each outfit has their strengths and weaknesses. You have to decide what you want in your collection.
Personally, I enjoy US WW2 stuff, so I have bought from all lines that have decent quality American stuff, FoV and 21C are closer to "proper" 1/32 scale (54mm in metal soldier terms), K&C are quite a bit larger, say 60-65mm scale. Britains are slightly larger than 54mm and Conte is also. The old Airfix, Matchbox and Marx figures are also about 1/32nd.
K&C and Britains are primarily into figures with tanks, artillery and vehicles being something to support the soldiers in the scene. 21C and FoV are heavy into the vehicles, with the soldiers only there to put in/alongside the vehicles.
Earlier K&C vehicles were in "pollystone" which made a solid vehicle that didn't take real fine detail very well. The newer resin-based vehicles are much better for detail, but can't compete with FoV and 21C. Britains also uses a resin material and their historical research is way off. I have two of their Shermans and had to change some details on both with a Dremel tool (which shows that I didn't buy them as an investment!). I bought them because they offered variants that the other guys haven't produced. K&C is the only guy who has given us some American trucks. Each outfit has their strengths and weaknesses. You have to decide what you want in your collection.