Reflections on 2016 Looking Ahead on 2017, this year was a rough year in so many ways. I will be discussing only how it related to our hobby. We saw a number of new figure sets, but a decrease from American makers. The hunt for older material got harder and shows had new challenges. On the selling side both the shows and Ebay saw declines in sales. Finally I will give a look on the future ahead.
I will discuss much from a personal perspective. I will also give you an update on stadsstuff and other things.
Reflections on 2016 Looking Ahead on 2017 New Figures
Steve Weston of Weston Toys stated on his web site that there were 49 new figure sets released in 2016. I do not know if Steve included the two figure sets from Mexico. Also I do not know if he listed various DGN knight sets that were only available in Russia. No matter what we had a very high number of new figure sets made last year.
What is concerning only six of these sets were done by American makers. (I am not including Action Casting in this group as they were limited runs and limited availablity.) The companies were CTS, LOD Enterprises, Paragon and TSSD. CTs had two sets one remake of the Marx 60mm Arabs and Korean War Chinese Army. The Chinese had been delayed due to problems with maker in China. CTS had problems with their Marx 60mm Cavalry remakes from Mexico. They were finally release in 2017. Paragon did a set of four union figures. Lod Enterprises did a chariot set and TSSD did their Vietnam War.
This year we saw nothing from Austin Miniatures or Armies in Plastic. The new year we only know that LOD Enterprises will do a Trojan War Character set. Also Paragon has plans of releasing figures. The other companies have not made any aunouncements.
Reflections on 2016 Looking Ahead on 2017 Old Figures
The hunt for old figures was harder for me. While other people may have had a good time in their area, I found it harder in mine. Part of the problem was increased competition, but more it was lack of material at the flea markets. I did get lucky at one or two auctions on finding good buys. On the other hand I found myself being priced out at others. One auction had a person who was bidding items up to silly prices. They had a lot of 22 Marx Tinykins which I priced them out at a resell value of $110.00. (Others might value them at $220.00.) I push this person to $135.00 plus 10% premium before quitting. When I get a person like this I make him pay.
Reflections on 2016 Looking Ahead on 2017 Shows
Another area to find old figures was the shows. The problem here was that selection for me was down as well. Either the items were priced at market or simple not available. As I mention in December one change 180 degrees in its product. Reviewing my records I found that I spent a two thirds less than the previous year at that show because of the change.
The shows themselves are in a challenging period. Attendance is down at many of the shows. This is due to the aging of the population that attends them. Sadly we are getting little or no new blood. Add to that we have lost people to death and other reasons it is not a good sign. A show has do more promotion by having a web site and advertising. Just word of mouth does not work. One show we know had less than 100 people attend.
I have cut back on my shows I attended. It was either due to distance or it was not worthwhile.
Reflections on 2016 Looking Ahead on 2017 Passings
As mention in the last section, we have lost a number of our people. The major one was John Stengel of Marxman a major dealer. Locally John Reichl passed away. He had been a dealer at shows and flea markets in this area. This is a trend we have no control over.
Reflections on 2016 Looking Ahead on 2017 Stadsstuff
One bright spot in the last year has been the continual success of Stadsstuff. This is due to the sharing of information by various people and myself with you. Stadsstuff has been in the forefront of getting out the news of new production from around the world. I have so enjoyed the comment section where we have shared our thoughts. I like how people are willing to show other people how to do conversions.
We have have had many people helped me with information for this site. One person I want to give special recognition for help is Erwin Sell. He has been a great friend not only to me but to the readers as well. He has share with us much great information on figures especially from aboard. I am amazed on his knowledge. Last year I found this Chinese monk mounted on a horse at a local flea market. Erwin knew what it was right away. This year we will tell you more about that piece very soon. Here is a preview of the set.
Sadly Erwin has one major detractor who can not accept the new information that Erwin has uncovered. His attacks on Erwin have degenerate into the most vicous and unprofessional I have ever seen in this hobby. There is no need for cursing and bullying that has been imparted by this person.
Reflections on 2016 Looking Ahead on 2017 Personal
Last year everyone has been in good health. I have been trying to get to workout twice a week. In Spring I planned to add back my walking regemin. I got off and was doing at least half mile. I do get some walking in when I take the boys out on their five walks in a day.
We did do a cruise this year to the Bahamas. It was not as exciting as years past as the cruise line had cut back with their activities. One bright spot was the food in the main dining room. One other fun thing was we went through a hurricane. The ship titlted 45 degrees at night everything went flying. We were not hurt but many people were sick from the experience.
Other fun things that happen to us were the computer got malware that required it to go to the shop. The other problem was someone hit my car at 2:30 AM as it was parked outside of the house. They missed seven other cars. The car was totaled now I have a new car. So I have car payments. The police did not find the culprit.
Reflections on 2016 Looking Ahead on 2017 The Year Ahead
The year ahead we will see more new figure sets. Right now dealers are getting the Chintoy Napoleonic Sets. and Mars North Vietnames Army. Mars has promised the green beret for Feburary. Expeditionary Force has promised various sets. We will have to wait and see what else comes out.
Old items I have to wait until the spring to see what shows up. I know that on Ebay my sales have been down, I have to do more bundling of items. I also have expect lower prices on many items.
On personal level I have to get some projects moving. One will be a major commitment of time. I will let you when it starts. So let us see how 2017 and to all may it be good for you.
Paragon also did a set of Firing Mexicans for the Alamo, they were released at OTSN.
As an another side note we did have a change in location of the Indiana show from Indianapolis to Lafayette. It was a much needed move and we’ll see what happens in it’s second year.
The year 2016 also saw the closing of the Cantigny show, Nick Albanese could not longer pull it off, so it died out.
In 2017 I look forward to receiving my first Social Security check so this should help me out with my bills and give me a little more disposable income.
Great conclusion resume of last year report admin!!!!
I had count more too as the “No name” brand come first with missing poses and then redone with added poses.
DGN Chinese knights and modern set (10 least) sets and other should be added too.
Regardless the US production is definitely in the low and most are from east Europe and east Asia I think the hobby had been keep and saved thanks to those in past 3 yeas so far .
I true agree market and eBay are down in general,too many low prices and scam around I think plus economy and budget affected. The passing of many old generation had affected too to this hobby where I (as second younger generation) feel very along every time because not seen as much blood need as I wish coming to rescue.
Yet we are here all in the fight for now .
Personally-I want appreciate words from admin and says same plus his expertise of course.
Also I want thanks ALL who post and respond= chat here as well and appreciate they comments and value information given as well from where I learn too.
Also those posting the nice conversion works and finds hard to see .It is a wonderful pleasure learn from all you …
Hope continue seen new stuff and finds soon…
Best regards..
Don’t really know where to ask this, but it might fit in year end updates like
this: has anyone seen or purchased the TSSD Viet Nam playset?
Seemed like there was so much talk about Viet Nam last
year & I haven’t heard anything about it since it actually came out.
Any updates on Action Castings Viet Nam or ACW figures?
Steve Weston site has Gen. Armistad and CSA casualties on his site
but confederates jumping fence listed as “N/A”.
From what I heard Action Casting was dropping the Vietnam figures. They took care previous orders. Glad Steve finally got his Action Casting figures. TSSD was the other party to get them as well. The TSSD Vietnam playset is listed on their site. Have not heard anyone buying it.
My wife got me the playset for Christmas, The buildings are much bigger than I pictured in my mind. It comes with the Pegasus palms. I love the small ones that are made of PVC, and hate the tall ones made of brittle styrene-like plastic. I added helicopters, a Walker Bulldog, all of Mars and Stengal’s figures, bamboo huts, animals, etc. I think that this may be turning into my next OTSN diorama.
Last time I talked to Stengel Jr, he mentioned he was going to try something to do with Zombies and Zombie killers. He gave me a prototype of a zombie laying dead again, if that’s the right term. He told me he’s going to make a figure of me as a zombie killer called South Bend Eddie. Of course that’s somewhere down the line of the zombies sell well. Not really sure of his future plans, I assume he’s going to continue attending shows, but I don’t know for sure.
Replicant did a general Lee and Brown poses …nice done .
I got a Lee and Brown set from Steve a few years ago, they came out the same time as the Harpers Ferry set.
Lost me here didn’t they do those quite awhile back ??
Yeah a few years ago would would equate to a awhile ago in my humble opinion.
Got ya lol lol
Which reminds me, didn’t the owner of Austin Miniatures post on Stadsstuff that he was planning a Vietnam U.S. Marines set?
Still don’t know if he’s ever coming out with the set of Japanese.
http://www.austinminiatures.com/products.php?id=9
The above link to Austin Miniatures only shows the WW2 Marines. Was there any other information I missed?
Austin talked about doing a new set, but did not do anything at all. I do not know if he was unhappy with the response or what.
The san Antonio show was well attended and had a great number of plastics,,all age groups there,,,,a line of figures I haven’t seen before,,bagged ancients,,etc seem not bad when combined with hob lobs discount,,
Glad to hear it was well attended. There some shows had the opposite.
I Hope it is a good year for Toy Soldiers but if you think things are bad in the U.S. I can tell you that things are much worse here in Britain concerning Toy Soldiers, Up until the 1990s we were churning out many quality figures from different companys, But now as far as I know the only British company still making a few figures is Replicants, Please correct me if im wrong about that. Most figures now are coming from Eastern Europe and Asia which is fine but there has definately been a shift in the production of figures geographically. As far as Toy Soldier fairs and shows go, I used to attend a few shows a year going back 12 years or so, And unfortunately every time i went the shows got smaller and less interesting as the years went by, And in fact i haven’t been to one for 18 months now as they are just not so good anymore. Many dealers that i knew and talked to gradually stopped coming from abroad and Britain, And i also noticed that almost all the people there were aged 40 to 70 and there were hardly any kids. Still nevermind i live in hope and it will have to be up to other countrys to keep the hobby going, I look forward to seeing what comes out in 2017?
You are right Replicants only one producing figures in UK. Chintoys is having their figures done in the Ukraine. The problem for me to come to UK is air fare. You should go to PW show as they do get foreign dealers. A trip thorough Peter Bergner’s pound boxes is a treat.
I must admit ive never been to the PW show as it was a bit awkward to get to, And ive heard that it was or is the best toy soldier show in Britain, However talking to some of the dealers that were still coming to shows told me that it wasn’t what it used to be, But i would like to attend one day and see for myself. I hate to be the bearer of bad news, But i know from experience with my nephews and their friends that most modern English kids just want to play computer games. Im guessing its the same in most countrys. When i was a kid my favourite things were Toy Soldiers and Marvel Comics of which i still own, Computer games for me came a poor 3rd place.
By the way the show ive mainly attended over the years was Skirmish which is situated very close to me in Kent. As i said it used to be a brilliant show with many dealers from all over the place with many different figures to look at, But it gradually got smaller over the years and the last few shows i attended were few in dealers and figures, And so i reluctantly decided not to go anymore, But i dont mean any disrespect to the organisers of the show at all, Its just a sign of the times, But im glad that there are still a steady stream of figures coming out of the U.S. Eastern Europe and Asia and i hope it continues.
When I was a kid and the saber tooth tigers weren’t around, if it was nice outside I played sports, football, baseball and basketball. If there was a saber tooth tiger alert or it was raining or winter, I played with toy soldiers. Sure, I played with other things sometimes, but I was never into cars and trucks, trains or erector sets. Riding a bike was just transportation to the various sports fields. Board games we played were either sports or war games. Risk was a big game in my neighborhood and we’d have fist fights over that game. We used to fight a lot, one of our activities was to get five or six guys give each guy one boxing glove and have free for alls, you could only use the gloved hand the other hand had to be held behind you back. We were crazy kids. I can’t imagine kids doing that today.
I know what you mean. We used to have battles with BB guns and those little red firecrackers standing in for grenades. We had only one rule: Don’t shoot for the eyes. We used to end up looking like we had chickenpox on our torsos.
I’m not sure that was a wise idea for a game, but I hate the fact that my son and his friends would probably drop dead if they had to do something that didn’t involve their Xboxes. I got him to play a miniatures battle with 1/72 zombies and soldiers a while back, and he enjoyed that more or less, but it really can’t compete with the video games in his book.
Yeah your right Ed, When i wasn’t playing with my toy soldiers or reading a comic we to played Sports and allsorts outside, As long as there were no Sabre Toothed cats around of course. We were pretty crazy as well. Most kids today only play sports and fight on there computer games.
I will say that the kids in my neighborhood now, do play ball outside, Granted half the time it’s soccer. A game I never played in my life.
Yeah Football or as you in America say Soccer is Huge in England and i do like the sport, And many people here are obsessed about it, But personally i love many sports and for me it was just another game to play. The strange thing is we as a nation are very strong in almost every sport now, Hence coming 2nd to you guys in the medal table in the Olympics and yet despite our obsession with soccer its one of our weakest sports, How do you work that one out?
Soccer is a great game for teaching kids how to work together. It’s about thinking strategically and learning the skills needed to move the ball forward. Video games may involve some strategy but the teamwork is missing.
Yes, let’s hope that 2017 is a better year all around for our hobby. Bill
Saber-toothed tigers? I was only afraid of the angry grizzly bears of Ohio! ( I had seen the film Night of the Grizzly- it left quite an impression on a young mind.). It would be one reason to stay inside and set up the soldiers.
I look back at how my mom would ring the backyard bell to have all of us scattered children return home for dinner. TV and radio were the only electronic diversions for us. With nearby farms, ravines, a river, and plenty of woods there was always somewhere to explore if the local kids were not up for sports.
My fear of local grizzlies mercifully ended when a kind 4th grade science teacher assured me there were no wild bears in Ohio in 1974. I would just have to be satisfied with the bears at the zoo.
Fortunately the only wildlife you had to be careful of in England was hungry and aggresive seabirds, And the occasional mad dog, Although i did have a big imagination as a kid and thought there was a monster hiding in every dark corner, Luckily i grew out of it eventually.
Most of the wild animals in Chicago walked around on two legs, they were even more dangerous than the saber toothed tigers.
Good one lol lol
I’m looking forward to the next Paragon releases that are scheduled for this year.
They look excellent.
Foor this new year, I wish Austin would get back to the Wild West period.
Maybe some mounted cowboys or townsfolk to fill out the towns.
I hope that TSSD continues with their Alamo theme and their Tombstone line.
Lots of possibles. Let’s see what transpires.
I think the only Alamo TSSD will do is buidlings. I would think he’s going to continue with his Viet Nam figures. I wish he would do some more defenders, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.
I think at this point Austin is a complete mystery
Guys I don’t know if you are aware of another new producer of WWI soldiers in Russia named Urfin Jus. Here is reference to first three figures they released in December 2016:
I would be happy to provide more details about them.
Admin Note I had to remove the photos due to problems. Roman our new person from Russia sent me photos and I will be posting them in a new article on this company.
Hello,
HELMET Soldiers, plastic kits are still available and still made in the UK, I know I own the company!
There seems to have been a gradual decline in interest in plastics over the last few years, probably as has been said, due to an ageing customer base and little or no interest from younger collectors.
If you collect plastics in the UK the PW show is the one to attend, so should be worth the effort, with old and new figures and some foreign dealers to expand the range of what is on offer.
The new figures from Russia and beyond are amazing, I wonder how many collectors exist in the old Soviet states?
Thanks
These are some NICE FIGURES!! No Wild West cowboys and Indians or any American military, but for you guys who like European soldiers, well worth checking out Helmet site:
http://www.helmetsoldiers.co.uk/
Yes I know then x years but I do not do kits.
Personally not my range at all.Rest is well known
I bet some will like it…
Best….
They look somewhat like Historex kits. I don’t know if Historex is still around ?
I think there plenty Historex cheap around but not reissued any more.I remember this oher company annuncing at the PW early 90s magazines issued when Replicant start too.
Best…
The russian plastic collectors and all former ex soviet colonies are inceasing as far I see and heard.There several blogs and I’m w two of tg en plus in faxebook.
They also mix w gamers and others hobby and a lot are in my age range .Not baby boomer.
Plastic soldiers in east europe start been sold much for children in very late 60 to 80s most .So the collectors are more from those years.
Sorry ….phone issues again:-):-):-)
What’s the material of figures? Are they of hard or soft plastic? And what kind of glue shall be used for assembly?
By description it looks like Airfix and almark Kits plastic.The site desrcibe it better.
Hi Eric just checked out Helmet soldiers, Very nice figures but i only collect plastic Ancient and Medieval and Fantasy figures, Any chance of producing any of these in the future?
Didn’t CTS also have the remake of Marx 60mm French Foreign Legion?
Yes they did. It was one of two sets done.
Helmet figures are not hard plastic like Airfix or Historex. They are made out of a hard rubber or vinyl type material.
I have a few dozen mounted AWI conversions that I did, using Helmet parts. I also got some pre- made figures from Eddie Oates, who seems to have dropped off the map.
The AWI figures are made to match Britains foot AWI swops. Nice stuff.
I have pix if the admin wants them, I’ll send them in.
Thanks Bill x clarification.
Never see one…was reading from description in site is a beat confusing when reffering to type plastic ….
But u have them u know better.
Unfurtunatelly not my line at all…
I had only do ALMARK as intersting true easy than Airfix kits in 1/32.
Best…
If Helmet did other eras like Medieval, Wild West and WW2 I would be buying them like crazy and I bet a lot of you guys would too. I love the kit idea. Imagine the poses you could make by mixing and matching? Wow… We should all get together and petition Helmet to expand to other ranges.
What ranges do they do I was unable to open the link?
Mainly Napoleonics, but they have one or two Crimean War figures as well.
Nappy’s huh, that could be interesting, thanks.
Just ordered one of each style of horse from Eric at Helmet Soldiers. $7 shipping from England to CT cheaper than our “friend” from NYC!!!! Horses were $3.20 each and come in 5 styles. Pictures resemble Timpo horses on bases. Wish he made Western Cowboys and/or ACW.
A bit more information on HELMET. The company was started in the 1970’s as competition to Historex, but at a lower price. The kits are simpler having fewer components. The plastic is a type of PVA and can be effectively fixed with what is known in the UK as “Superglue” made with cyanoacylate. The weapons etc. are in hard polysterene.
I didn’t intend to advertise the company products here, I bought the company eight years ago and have yet to take any money from sales, so it has turned out to be a labour of love or an extension to my hobby rather than a clever financial investment!
I would love to be able to extend the range with new models, but the prices that I have been quoted (28,000 UKP for a new mould – probably 2-3 foot figures) are prohibitive at present.
You might find my blog, which shows HELMET and figures and conversions from other makers of interest.
mywaterloologaddress.blogspot.co.uk/
Thanks
Eric
Intersting PVA is what most 3D uses…
Of course there many types.
28 000 in my opinion is overquoted x any mold even x 8 figures here made in US according to my experience anf and research..
Still invest in then is a big businesses and require patince recovering it…..
My thought s
Best…
I only have a work PC and no cell phone, so I cannot get through the firewall to blogs, is there any way to examine your line and place orders if I like them?
I often find that Napoleonics are helpful to my conversions, so I am most definetly interested.
Ed,
http://www.helmetsoldiers.co.uk
Should work fo you, hopefully!
Yay!!!! I got in.
Thank you, however every time I try it I get a message that the site cannot be reached as it took too long to respond. Baffling it is.
I can vouch for Helmet’s quality. I have dozens of kits that I got from the previous owner.
I would suggest the riding legs for anyone interested in making a foot figure into a mounted figure. Cut the figure at the waist and replace the legs with the Helmet legs.
I have a few examples that I’ll photograph.
Eric, How is Eddie Oates?
Years ago, I commissioned Don Ducote of HTF to make replacement bases for Britiains swopett ACW/AWI figures. I had found a collection of 500+ ACW swops without bases and could not find a source for the bases, so I made my own.
I also used them on my Men Of ’76, because they look better.
I ended up trading some to Eddie for Helmet kits and some AWI conversions.
I hope that he is well.
The foot figures are the best War of 1812 figures that you can find. Standing and Kneeling Firing are really well done.
I’ll take some pix later tonight of what I have.
I think Eddie is well, I swapped correspondence with him a little while back, I understand he still sells via Ebay.
Thanks for your kind comments.
Helmet are THE source for weapons BTW, not just complete figures kits. They cover just about everything Horse & Musket, and are far more durable (not to mention way cheaper) then Historex parts.