Admiral Toys Information Q&A (Jason)

Killerf6 · Post by **Killerf6** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 8:59 pm

The Admiral Toys website says due for release late summer '07, or summer '07.(I can't remeber which). The military toy shop says 2nd quarter '07. So I'm hoping for sometime around July. (with fingers crossed)

MIGMADMAVIS · Post by **MIGMADMAVIS** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:04 pm

me too

EnemyAce · Post by **EnemyAce** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 11:15 am

Hi Jason,

I just saw that Diecast Direct has preorders up for your upcoming 72 armor. The Pz III M is listed at $17, but all the new ones - 88, Crusader, SU, M10, 97, are all listed at a whopping $44. Is this what we should really be expecting? I was expecting a little higher - like $25 per, but I think when you start pushing $50....well, isn't that about what your getting for the 1:18 F-86?

Thanks for any further info on the matter.

Tshintl · Post by **Tshintl** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:20 pm

EnemyAce wrote:Hi Jason,

I just saw that Diecast Direct has preorders up for your upcoming 72 armor. The Pz III M is listed at $17, but all the new ones - 88, Crusader, SU, M10, 97, are all listed at a whopping $44. Is this what we should really be expecting? I was expecting a little higher - like $25 per, but I think when you start pushing $50....well, isn't that about what your getting for the 1:18 F-86?

Thanks for any further info on the matter.

I was wondering the same thing.

chunks · Post by **chunks** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 3:35 pm

Tshintl wrote:
EnemyAce wrote:Hi Jason,

I just saw that Diecast Direct has preorders up for your upcoming 72 armor. The Pz III M is listed at $17, but all the new ones - 88, Crusader, SU, M10, 97, are all listed at a whopping $44. Is this what we should really be expecting? I was expecting a little higher - like $25 per, but I think when you start pushing $50....well, isn't that about what your getting for the 1:18 F-86?

Thanks for any further info on the matter.
I was wondering the same thing.

IIRC the new stuff is very limited, as in a few hundred, rather then several thousand. The price would reflect it's limited availability.

Tshintl · Post by **Tshintl** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:06 pm

True, limited to 600 (according to the Diecast Direct website), but they're ALL plastic from what Jason announced last month.

The upcoming Panzer III is also listed as limited to just 600 on the same website and those are only $17 and they're actually made of diecast. So if this website is correct, you pay more than double for something all plastic than you do for something mostly diecast and they're both limited to 600 releases.

Jason said they were switching to plastic to keep prices down, but instead the prices have more than doubled even if they are limited to just 600.

EnemyAce · Post by **EnemyAce** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 4:45 pm

Also, if you would have read Jason's posts on the issue, the limit of 500 is "per paint scheme NOT per vehicle." So Admiral could, theoretically, issue the 88 in 10 different schemes with a cap of 500 vehicles per scheme. Now if they priced these at under $30 nicely painted (dragon quality), they probably would sell a few thousand. I would buy at least 3 88s at $25 per, but zip at nearly $50.

Also, FOV has a 105 coming out packaged with a M3 halftrack and 8 painted figs for $20. I'm sure it is just a matter of time before they do an 88 w/prime mover for the same price (they do a FANTASTIC 1:32 88 w/crew for $40, and prime mover for the same price). It's hard to imagine coughing up more for a 1:72 piece than for a 1:32 of the same quality w/painted crew. The quality on Admiral's plastic 88 and armor had better be very, very high if they expect to sell even 500.

KAGNEW · Post by **KAGNEW** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 4:17 pm

hi Jason
just got back from a meeting of Jet Jocks,
lots of F-4 drivers and REOs there
i had pix of your's and 21st F-4 prototype there.
everybody there said yours looks better. they all think 21st's tail is wrong.
looks to much like a step from star back. i hope this helps.

also as a note to everyone, talked to Chris, Gen Robin Olds daughter.
he is out of ICU but still needs our prayers

Jason of Admiral Toys · Post by **Jason of Admiral Toys** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 8:42 am

1:72

Here is a post that I posted on another forum. This will answer many of your questions. I will be back in a week to answer the other questions on this thread. I am sorry, but I do not have time at this moment. Believe it or not Admiral Toys does not only make models. We are very busy with another completely separate product.

Well here is what I posted:

I want to answer some of the questions regarding our 1:72 scale lines of vehicles and artillery to be released later this spring.

Our next few releases of tanks and artillery will not be injected with metal due to costs. Before you pass judgment, let me explain. Our fan base in not diverse enough to justify producing enough models to warrant metal injection. The production numbers required to get the production costs down to a point where we can offer the metal tanks at a competitive price is high. Even Dragon (in my opinion an incredible tank manufacturer) switched to using plastic injection, and they produce tens of thousands more models per subject than Admiral Toys. As you know, our numbers produced per paint scheme is low. For example, the Panzer IIIL, which has already been and must continue to be produced using metal injection created a situation where we were forced to produce several different paint schemes. We are concerned that it will get to a point where there are too many different paint schemes of the Panzer IIIL, but the costs of metal injection do not allow us to do it any other way. Therefore, for the next few releases of new subjects not including the Panzer line, we will use LMPABS so that we can better satisfy a demand for a more diverse line of 1:72 scale tanks.

We produce so few numbers using this form of production because the numbers are dictated by the form of production. We are using what is called Low Melting Point ABS (LMPABS). This uses silicone molds for hand poured casting, and each tank is individually hand made. The quality of detail using this form of production is far superior to injection; however, the cost of LMPABS in raw form is much higher than zinc. Therefore our production cost per unit is actually higher. Why do we do it this way? First, we want the higher quality models that LMPABS produces. Second, there is no tooling cost for this form of production. When you tool something for ABS or zinc injection you have a minimum quantity that must be produced to get a low production cost per unit. Since we are making quality collectible items, we do not want to have this minimum quantity hanging over our heads. This is the only way you will see obscure tanks like the Type 97s. It would be ridiculous to accrue tens of thousands in tooling costs for a tank that we will only sell a thousand units or so to true collectors. Photos of a production model of the Pak 40 will be posted on our website next week. You will be able to see the quality and the details offered by this form of production.

Until Admiral Toys has made a bigger name for itself in the market we will not place ourselves in jeopardy with very expensive tooling costs. I am not saying that the metal tanks you are accustomed to from Admiral will not be produced in the future. But until we know we are able to move the numbers close to Dragon’s production, we cannot afford to produce more metal tanks.

If you have any questions please post them here and I will answer them as soon as possible.

I know the first question will be price point on limited productions. It will be more than our metal tanks. But the limited supply, increased demand and superior detail will justify this price point. Fewer war-gamers will purchase our new line because of availability and price, but Admiral for the interim is definitely moving towards the limited quantity collectors market. Those of you who do not want these types of high-quality collectible items may not prefer our new line. However, we hope that you would support our decision to pursue the high-quality lines so that we can stay in the 1:72 scale market, and hopefully ultimately return to the more general release metal tanks that you have become accustomed to.

I hope you appreciate our candor on this subject. We do care about the hobby and want to stay in the hobby. For the time being, this appears to be the only viable method of production in this scale.

Regards,
Jason

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Tue Mar 27, 2007 9:20 am

Thank you Jason for your time and the information you give to us.

Quixote511 · Post by **Quixote511** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 8:46 am

As always, your response is greatly appreciated. I was just knocking about looking at models and photos I have and I was thinking of my AT-6 Texan. I was just wondering if your firm was considering this model for your 1-18 line. Seems to me that a bunch of plane lovin' guys from Texas would have a hard time passing up this model.

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Thu Mar 29, 2007 7:06 pm

Hello Jason, Is the Dauntles still looking good for the second quarter or has there been a delay? Time is slooooooowly passing but every day is a day closer.

Spudkopf · Post by **Spudkopf** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 6:50 am

pickelhaube wrote:Hello Jason, Is the Dauntles still looking good for the second quarter or has there been a delay? Time is slooooooowly passing but every day is a day closer.

Hey Spikeman

By delay are you suggesting that Jason may have had some more big footed insurance assessors around ?

pickelhaube · Post by **pickelhaube** » Fri Mar 30, 2007 2:41 pm

Hey Spudkopf. It was the Skyraider that took the hit (foot) If that Sasquatch steped on the Dauntless heads are going to roll.

I will find him and string him up by his note pad.

KAMIKAZE · Post by **KAMIKAZE** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:30 pm

Jason,

If you guys have to leave out the metal in the future 1/72nd scale armor releases to get better detail and keep costs down it's fine with me. Whatever you guys have to do to stay in the market is a wise move. We appreciate the guts it takes to produce some of the more unusual sujects you make. What is the other product your company makes?

Mark

MIGMADMAVIS · Post by **MIGMADMAVIS** » Sat Mar 31, 2007 6:39 pm

hey Jason,

any update on when the Dauntless ships???? I cannot wait, its the second quarter of 2007 as of tommorow I believe, and I dont think I can wait any longer!!

-Tobin

sluff · Post by **sluff** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 6:48 am

Jason, do you have any timetable for your upcoming aircraft, also I would like to say excellent job on your aircraft and finally just a little hint A-4, or A-6 would look nice next to the Phantom and Skyraider

KAGNEW · Post by **KAGNEW** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 7:20 am

I agree A-4, A-6 or a F-8 would be nice also

Sabrefan · Post by **Sabrefan** » Wed Apr 18, 2007 9:35 pm

Hi Jason, Is there any news on when the Hartmann CL-13 will be out? Thanks

Plane Nuts · Post by **Plane Nuts** » Thu Apr 19, 2007 10:59 pm

OK Jason, time's up!! It's been like three weeks since you chimed in, so you must provide something...now!!!

Seriously, when do you expect your site redesign to go live?

Also, what's up with the 1:43 cars? When they were first shown, they were labeled as 1:24, but then changed shortly after. Are these going to be much the same process as the 1:72 armor? Don't fear, you can hock all your wares to this bunch...at least I hope so!! Would love to hear more about what all is up your sleeves.

Killerf6 · Post by **Killerf6** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 9:14 am

Plane Nuts wrote:Seriously, when do you expect your site redesign to go live?

Hopefully they are getting ready to go live soon with their redesign. Admirals site is down right now and has been since last night. I keep getting a 500 internal server error when I try to go there.

VMF115 · Post by **VMF115** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 11:01 am

Killerf6 wrote:
Plane Nuts wrote:Seriously, when do you expect your site redesign to go live?
Hopefully they are getting ready to go live soon with their redesign. Admirals site is down right now and has been since last night. I keep getting a 500 internal server error when I try to go there.

OI get the same thing too.

warhawker · Post by **warhawker** » Fri Apr 20, 2007 12:52 pm

Sorry did not read this post earlier about their website. what gives?

Jason of Admiral Toys · Post by **Jason of Admiral Toys** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 1:53 am

Through our endeavors, we have met and become good friends with all members of both the Air Force and Navy demonstration teams. However, unfortunately it is necessary that all members of Admiral Toys Incorporated send our prayers out to the family and friends of the aviator that gave his or her life for this great country, the United States of America.

Respectfully,
Jason R. Foringer
Admiral Toys Incorporated

chunks · Post by **chunks** » Sun Apr 22, 2007 2:40 pm

My sincerest condolences and prayers to not only you and yours, but also the the other friends and family of Lt. Cmdr. Kevin Davis. As time goes on, I strongly believe we'll discover he rode his mount down to save others.