The outlook for 1/32 scale plastics (and I’m talking about across the board – not necessarily HaT products) is dimming. Gone are the days of large toy companies like Marx, Airfix, or even MPC, most 1/32 scale plastic producers are what we call “Mom and Pop” organizations owned by individuals who are making the toy soldiers they wanted when they were kids. This means that their operations are limited by their capital to small scale output. The norm for guys in the field has been a set of figures every six months or so and often they have a hard time keeping up with that due to the various problems involved with production.
Think about it, aside from getting a single figure from the planning stage (a gleam in the eye of the producer) to a finished figure one has to deal with a number of problems – not the least of which is the fact that most high pressure injection molding in plastic is done in China. A complaint I hear from many figure producers is the fact that even though it usually requires a minimum order of 200,000 or so pieces to justify setting a mold to be cast, this number is “small potatoes” to the companies who do the molding; therefore our toys soldiers usually take a back seat in line to other, larger orders.
Now there is the increase in the price of plastic due partially to the increase in the price of oil – a prime ingredient in plastic. There is also the added cost of inspection of ALL plastic toy products from China in the USA (including each toy soldier) due to some problems in the past.
Of course, we also have the problem of a worsening world economy.
As a result of this several producers are looking for alternatives to injection molded plastic, moving into various resins and one is even experimenting with metal figures.
Up to now, the average for the typical toy soldier producer has been one or two sets of figures a year – averaging one every six months. Or one set a year.
Those who do playsets usually produce around the time of OTSN at the end of September, early October so they can unleash their new product at the big show and in time for Christmas. At the same time the San Antonio Show at the end of May has become a place to showcase new figure sets, though several companies were unable to get their stuff in time for the show this year due to problems inherent with international production and shipping.
Here is hoping HaT can continue with its impressive output in light of these facts.
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16 comments:
hey stop it - you are making me feel anxious ....hey Hat keep breathing!!!!!
Alex
Yep here is an other one hopeing HaT does continue
Keep buying 1/32nd if you want more 1/32nd in the future. If you want Napoleonic/ Waterloo charging Cuirassiers then you need to support the 1/32nd producers like hat now.
1/32nd is easier to paint for those who dont want the eye strain of painting smaller figures.
We were screaming out in the 1980's/1990's for the types of 1/32nd Napoleonics now made available by hat
I am 19, and have played with 1/32 scale all my life. unlike my dad burning his soldiers, I stock up for my future kids. 1/72 scale is just to small, and in my opinion is not very detailed. However, 1/32 scale can be very detailed, and if there not, then there perfect for playing with. I agree with helmet, to keep up 1/32 scale products, show the producers that there is still an interest in 1/32 scale figures. I personaly would like the Hat El Cid series in 1/32 scale, and any First World War figures, Pretty Please on the latter.
As a kid I never saw 1/72 scale figs. All my toy soldiers were 1/32. I'm 45 now. First time I saw 1/72 scale figs I thought they were birthday cake decorations. My opinion of them hasn't changed. With my money situation the way it is, I will only buy what I want from who I want. I do a lot of creative painting and some converting to broaden my armies. I would actually preffer a less detailed figure and to paint on the minor details.
Envision this: make a figure with no cuff no badges on helmets or ammo pouch no buttons no mustache. Make all details vague. Give the figure a general Napoleonic look and I will paint the details. Instead of making figures that represent only one unit in batches of 100,000 you could make the allpurpose figure in batches of 1,000,000 and sell them in a plain box for us to decide who they are. I'm not saying I don't like the Hat figs I have but a more versital figure for todays economy my be a cheaper and therefore more marketable.
It would appeal to the converter and if made in a variety of national colors those that don't paint at all would still find them usefull.
Again, not complaining about the marvelous figs they have made, just responding to the article with an alternative suggestion to going out of business.
I will keep buying 54mm plastics as long as they are made from plastic (not keen on resin)
the sculpting is decent and time periods im into.
Rob C,
Brian023,
whilst the above response, generic figures, may seem a strange one I think it could be a great idea.
Made in different colours it could be a vehicle to interesting the younger collector/wargamer to the scale. Us more advanced collectors could use them for any number of armies and battles.
Due to the generic nature perhaps you could produce large numbers and sell them cheaper than the more detailed figures that we the collectors buy.
The caveat would be dont stop making the excelent and detailed figures you continue to produce.
Keep up the great work.
brian023
The problem with generic figures (figs that lack detail)
Is they would be very time consuming if you had to paint the detail on.
I painted some BMC Mexicans as French line infantry but had to paint alot of detail to get them to a decent level.
they came up rather good but its a heck of a lot easier just to paint HAT's figs.
Ps we need to get more pics out there with large battle set ups this might perk some interest from the smaller scale guys.
ie the Germans who do those MASSIVE 1/72 dioramas we need to get them on our side :)
Rob C.
Re. generic figures, I don't think that would work. The thing with 1/32 is that all the details are magnified and you can see them all clearly. If a figure has no detail, you can see that clearly too.
Take a look at the 1/32 ETS pictures, there are lot of single figure pics. These single figure pictures are all large sized, each showcasing the details on the figures - that's what makes these figures look good and I think that's what draws collectors to 1/32, just my opinion of course.
If painting on details works for you, may I suggest just painting over whatever details are on.
Good point about the details - there are many who collect plastic 1/32nd because 1/32nd metal is just too expensive.
The details attract these types and many metal collectors are surprised at the detail on hat's plastic 1/32nd soldiers -in fact several colectors have asked me if they are metal after I have painted them.
Dave
High detailed figures are good for painting and then making a diorama, but that's it, once you paint the figures, there's no playing with them, unless you want the paint chipping off. I want to have massive 1/32 scale armies that I can play with in the dirt, and to do that you need semi-cheap figures. A couple in the firing position, some charging, an officer, no dead, one can just pretend. And better yet, if one goes the cheaper way, you can add detail easily, you just need a good imagination. For instance, I took one of Italeri's 1/32 scale crusaders, took the extra plastic from the trees of models where the edges were rounded, and super glued them on the helmet, now he's a Teutonic Knight, and also a stud!!! Another thing, when I have children, I'm not going to take my highly detailed figures outside and play with them. I'm going to take out my generic soldiers and I'm going to teach my children to be boys, just like my dad did with me!!! Most kids play with video games and other junk, making them geeks, get them out there with toy soldiers!!! That is the only way we can improve 1/32 scale, and trickling down, our children, and
more dramatically, THE WORLD!!! Again I beg of any toy soldier company, make 1/32 scale WWI figures That one can play with!!!
I reread this post and I am happy that it did'nt read.
1/32 are just not worth it.
please continue maybe MAC is not (sadly) the way to go. 1 box 2firing, advancing,marchingand one command.
I like and want HaT's detail.
I think Hats sets are cheap enough if you want realy dirt cheap then may i suggest the $2 dollar shops thats sell Hong Kong copys of copys of copys.
Rob C,
To expand their sales makers need to offer a bigger range of historical periods like up-scaling some 1/72 scale sets so that the 1/32 scale guys can get as excited as the smaller scale collectors.
I understand the problems faced by manufacturers but do not see why they make some of their decisions.
Taking our host as an example, I still have not given them any of my money as to date they haven't offered me anything I would want. Instead of offering set upon set of Napoleonics would it not be practical to issue 2 sets (one each of the enemy) for another period once in a while to gain new customers.
The size of a figure is also a problem area that has to be looked at for consitency between sets, at least, and between manufacturers would be better.
The way things are going 1/32 will never be as big as the 1/72 market and will be easily overtaken by the new plastic 28mm ranges within the next couple of years.
Manufacturers making figures from Resin or Metal as an alternative are no longer in the plastic market, both these markets have been established a long time and going this route is easy and not helping the plastic hobby.
Dave M
I don't think plastic 1/32 is quite dead yet, just going through a few bumps in the road. I played with 1/32 scale figures a long time before I discovered 1/72 scale figures. For me, each scale has it's charms and advantages.
One can do truly large scale battles in a much smaller area in the smaller scale (obviously) and it lends itself to eras such as the Napoleonic or even ACW where large massed formations clashed. Also, one can amass a larger army much faster and for relatively less money.
However, the larger scale lends itself to much greater detail that is much more readily visible (w/o magnifying glasses). Of course recent 1/72 scale offerings are fast closing that gap. As it stands some of the best 1/32 scale plastic figures offer a variety of poses yet unseen in the smaller scale. Look at the facial expressions on some of the recent figures from various companies.
1/32 scale definitely lends itself to smaller scale actions, though I've been able to set up huge battles with literally thousands of my guys (it takes more space to be sure, but is still doable).
Maybe it's just my memories from childhood, but for me there is room for both in my collection.
As a child in the 60's-70's I collected Airfix and Britains 1/32-sized figures. I was forced mainly to concentrate on the American Civil War and WW2. I dreamed of having enough variety of Napoleonic figures, in this scale, to create massed armies of troops and artillery of this period. Thanks to HaT, I have now been able to provide a wealth of infantry types en masse to add to my Italeri cavalry and Armies in Plastic Artillery. There are still many kinds of troops to be represented, but I applaud HaT for taking on the challenge (and producing the kind of high-quality detailed figures I want). I will continue to by your figures in bulk to give me decades of happy painting, now and in the future decades. By the way, the generous use of a yellowing-free varnishes, such as Humbrol Satin-Cote, will protect your figures (if painted in enamels) from moderate wear and tear during wargaming, making dioramas, etc. Finally, I'm giving HaT a big thankyou from a happy customer!
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