Catching Up

Economics of the Hobby Shifting

A lot has happened since my last blog entry. But I am going to try and get back into the swing of things. The hobby has really been impacted by soaring oil prices and generally a shift to higher end figures. Dragon Models (DML), once the cat's meow in the hobby, is dropping dramatically in terms of value. DML not only lags in quality, but its insistence on focusing largely on World War II German figures has really caused a lot of the serious hobbyists to shift loyalty to other companies, even if that means paying higher prices.

TS 7th Anniversary Figure Delights

Vietnam fans' loyalty was rewarded as Toy Soldier dedicated its 7th Anniversary Figure to a Vietnam subject matter. Toy Soldier (TS), quickly becoming the standard of quality and value in the hobby, released a Vietnam Marine Force Recon figure. The figure was kitted with enough gear so that the hobbyist could choose whether the figure was a Corpsman or a rifleman. Toy Soldier still has some issues with its base nude figures, but the quality of their gear means most hobbyists will likely not care. And nude figures with quality headsculpts are not difficult to come by. Apparently Hot Toys newest body style is the one in vogue, but for nearly $30 I will have to pass. With over 300 figures in my collection and my desire for consistency, replacing bodies even on a small scale would be daunting, especially financially.

This figure was not only outfitted with quality gear, but gear never before released. The web gear is based on the M1967 load bearing equipment with the Davis "quick release" buckle system on the backpack harness and pistol belt. The figure also came with a highly desired Unit One Medical Bag (aka Medical Bag #3). This piece was not only highly desired and unique, but it is particularly well executed.

The figure was not short on gear, complete with four M67 small arms pouches for 20-round M16 magazines as well as four M67 pouches for M14 magazines or 30-round M16 magazines. Another new piece of gear is the USMC's Nylon Combat Field Pack, complete with M67 "H" harness and its Davis quick-release buckles. The figure comes complete with two different small arms weapons, the venerable M14 and the CAR15/XM177E2 carbine.

The weapons also came with enough M14 and M16 20-round magazines to fill all of the pouches that come with the boxed set.

The sage green Nomex gloves are well done, but understandibly difficult to put on the hands of the figure. Word from TS's foremost US retailer, Echo Base Toys, the limited edition figure will be sold out very soon. Only a couple dozen left at EBT and nearly 400 sold in the first week of release.

DML Kirby disappoints

While Toy Soldier hit a home run with its Force Recon release, DML's recent release of the Mike Kirby figure was clumsily swing and missing. Labeled as insulting to almost anyone who has been in the hobby for at least a short while. Hobbyists have been crying out for Vietnam-era figures for several years. And finally DML was going to answer, but the figure virtually offered nothing new, other than a pot-bellied John Wayne look-alike figure. The uniform, gear and weapons are literally exact copies of that released with the Mike Brown Vietnam figure five years ago. No update in the molded pouches, molded boots and elastic webbing. This might have passed, except the MSRP of around $50. Given that the only value in the Kirby box is its M16A1 rifle and perhaps the pot-bellied nude figure, the Mike Brown figure from five years ago is not difficult to snap up on eBay for under $35.

Even the hobby's retailers suggest the figure will only be good for a few loose parts, but admit it will be hard to post a profit with few of the pieces marketable. Posters at the hobby's foremost forums expressed everything from bewilderment to insult when the figure was first previewed.

This rekindles the old discussion similar to the chicken or egg debate. Does DML justify not producing Vietnam or other underserved eras because they don't sell well? Or do they not sell well because DML puts insufficient effort into them just to be able to demonstrate an effort to hobbyists? Well, its a bit of both, I fear. Most of the first round of 'Nam figures DML produced nearly six years ago are still widely available. The Mike Green Beret figure, Navy SEAL Oscar, Force Recon Nate, MACV SOG Ron, Viet Cong Scout Linh and Force Recon RTO Jake can be easily hunted down on eBay or at online retailers. The obvious glut in that market surely impacts DML's decision to tred lightly on the 'Nam releases. But I will venture to say if DML chooses to put any thought and effort into upgrading their outdated molded gear with cloth gear or puts out a totally new subject matter from 'Nam, I think hobbyists would surely buy the release. Certainly they would purchase more than they will the Kirby figure. At last check, only three of 28 Kirby figures posted on eBay have sold.

DiD's 3R Japanese Figure Long Time Coming

DiD has made some strides recently in placating those hobbyists who love WWII, but are not thirlled with the endless march of gray and black clad denizens of the Third Reich. Recent releases of British and American figures, along with a highly regarded Japanese figure (released under DiD's 3R brand) have created a tremendous buzz amongst WWII hobbyists. Even those hobbyists who don't focus on WWII clamored for the Japanese figure recently hitting the shelves. The Japanese figure is a rare one. DML has never produced a Japanese figure and probably never will. Hobbyists speculate their refusal is rooted in the bias and cultural bitterness still harbored between China and Japan.

Whatever the reason, obviously capitalism is not as important as maintaining the generations-old anger and resentment even though its doubtful any DML decision-maker was directly involved in the events that produced the divide. BBi and In The Past Toys both produced Japanese figures. The BBi versions were quite popular and for the longest time the only real choice in Japanese WWII figures, if you could even find them. The ITPT Japanese paratrooper was a nice idea, but short on execution.

Soldier Story Produces Quality

One of the newer entrants into the 1/6 arena is Soldier Story. This company has produced some interesting figures, including various Chinese military figures from different eras. SS has produced several modern US military and CIA figures. Its first tribute figure is one of then-Israeli-general Ariel Sharon. Soldier Story is well known for the meticulous detail and functionality of its weapons, uniforms and equipment.

Hot Toys still produces high quality -- and still expensive -- figures. The best news is that Hot Toys has started producing individually packaged weapons sets.

Is $80 the New $40?

A short time ago, a $40-$50 figure was considered the standard price for a quality figure. That price has swelled to around $80. Many hobbyists will pay the higher price tag, but will be able to buy fewer boxed figures at that price. As companies with higher end products whet the appetites of hobbyists, DML products (once the gold standard) barely pique the interests of those hobbyists not drooling over every SS Officer released or the 23rd iteration of a Wehrmacht infantryman.

As Hot Toys, Soldier Story, Toy Soldier and DiD move to topple DML's long reign over the 1/6 modeling hobby, we're going to have to get used to longer intervals between fewer releases... and more buck for your bang.

The hobby is still alive and well... if you can still afford it.