Quote from Jay from the HaT forum:
"I would suspect that many 1/32 toy soldier collectors barely know that these are out. I've rarely seen them discussed on any of the boards, or showcased in the few magazines that are out."
I don't really know of any other boards that are out there other than the Hobby Bunker or the Tree Frog one or any magazines other than the two British ones, so what are these mysterious boards and magazines that Jay referenced to?
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21 comments:
I should try tree frog and hobby bunker.
I'd like to know others as well.
I couldn't find the thread, but would imagine he may be referring to Plastic Warrior Magazine (I think I have that title right), or Playset Magazine - which I know is still going.
I don't believe you have much trouble with folks who are seriously in the hobby knowing about you, it's reaching a wider audience that might be problematic - but I think that goes for everyone in toy soldiers right now - they just aren't as widely popular as they used to be.
Wayne W
@Wayne: it's here:
http://pub19.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=1619281253&frmid=6&msgid=897275&cmd=show
There is the Marx Yahoo board which discusses more than Marx, and Playset Magazine, which is a big US one. Again, that covers much more than playsets, or old sets, and almost every month has at least one article or feature on new plastic (mostly) 1/32 scale figures.
Granted, so far I haven't found a site similiar to Plastic Soldier Review for larger figures. That would be a find if some one knows about it.
As far as Treefrog or Hobby Bunker, I don't recall actually seeing any article on these (Hat) figures at all.
(Sorry, Playset Magazine is a bi-monthly, not monthly)
@Hatblogger, thanks.
@ Jay, if you'll go to the Hobby Bunker forum I think you'll find that many of my contributions to their site contain HaT figures. Now, admittedly, I have just started to delve into painting and displaying my 1/32 scale collection but I've managed to give several of HaT's recent Napoleonic offerings a showing to the best of my ability.
Also, Fish has done some excellent work both in painting and converting HaT 1/32 Napoleonic product that I believe has done much to advertise the quality of the figures.
I also think I remember seeing some discussion on TMP, though they tend to lean more to metals.
I know that HaT products are featured prominently on my favorite internet seller sites when they are released.
So it's not like there's a total absence of word getting out. I think Plastic Warrior is no longer in business (I could be wrong about that, not even sure I have the name right as I never bought one but only heard others speak of it, so...) and Playset Magazine deals largely with - playsets and the older ones we used to play with as kids.
I don't know of any of the current 1/32 scale manufacturers who spend too much money on advertising these days, word of mouth seems to do the trick. Face it, we are, as has been said elsewhere on this and other forums, a relatively small market.
I've heard from both Ron Barzso and Nick Versteeg that they estimate there are probably between 500 and 1000 serious 1/32 scale collectors in the US. Now, I'm talking SERIOUS collectors who actually follow the news of the hobby and can be counted on to buy sets or playsets. For that reason, Ron limits each of is playsets to 500 copies - it is the number he knows he can sell and there have been times even that has taken some time. I have to admit though, most of the time those things go like hotcakes.
It is proven the best form of advertising is word of mouth. That, I believe, is where we come in if we want to support HaT and assist them in producing the figures and sets we desire for our collections. If HaT figures aren't being mentioned on the Marx forum (and I'm an oft-silent member of that Group) then perhaps it's up to us to mention them and get the word of mouth started. If anyone here subscribes to Playset Magazine, why don't you write a letter to the editor asking for an article on HaT figures? Who knows?
Now, I've always been one to find humor in folks spending their hard earned money buying T-Shirts that have a brand name splashed all over them. After all, shouldn't Budweiser or John Deere be paying me for advertising their products? As a toy soldier collector who gets hours of enjoyment from the little guys HaT provides a service to me by producing figures I've always wanted. At the same time, I believe a true relationship has developed between this company and its most loyal customers. I don't see it so much as helping a company out as helping some friends. These are friends who, by the way make some great toy soldiers. Why not assist them in continuing that service?
Wayne W
I'd add the Little Wars group on Yahoo as well. This as well as the Marx groups gives mention as new product arrives (search HAT). In terms of Hobby Bunker I recall a while ago there was a call for suggestions on HAT products (what next etc). Fish does his own promotion by posting his work on Hobby Bunker quite regularly. I'd also note TSSD generally forecast new product as well. Like Wayne I'm not sure its correct to say that many collectors aren't aware of HAT products.
Neil A
Well.....if it's true that collectors may be aware of Hat's new 1/32, then the problem might be that there is not as much interest in mixed sets of Napolionic figures. Maybe more diversity in sets might be in order.
What about those WWI figures?
Seriously doubt that Jay. Napoleonics and ACW are easily the most popular choices in 1/32 for collectors (other than WW2). Keep up the good work HaT!!
So, after WWII there are Napoleonics and ACW. Yes ACW figures are big in the US, but are Napoleonics? And how about ACW outside the US? What are sales like? I'd love to see as many ACW sets in 1/32 as Napoleonics.
IF I collected Napoleonics, then Hat would be my guy, but I don't.
As far as I can recall without checking, aren't the Zouvaes the only ACW Hat has done.
there have been plety of threads started over the last few years about Hat Naps on the treefrog forum and with a few pics here and there!
every one in the hobby know who Hat industrie is.
Rob C,
Maybe everyone in the hobby does. But, any toy soldier has to reach outside the hobby to survive.
Don't get me wrong, I'm not knocking Hat at all. I love the HO sets (some of the eras, anyhow) I'm just saying that there is not a lot of buzz about the 1/32 figures here in the US. This maybe be because I don't think that most 1/32 guys I know are in to the Napolionic stuff. Most are far from it. I can't speak for Europe or Asia. My guess is that Custer's Last Stand or the Alamo aren't that big there. Possibly neither is the US Civil War.
It's just that other than this site I don't see or hear much about the size from Hat.
And that't trouble.
PS: I know it's summer and things are slow, but I posted a question about Hat on the Treefrom plastic forum. Let's see what sort of response it gets.
What is that last post?
@Jay...Spam i geuss.
Rob C
May I ask a really important question ?
Will be there cavalry in 1:32 ?
@Anon, yes, we already have cavalry sets in 1/32.
Will there be Napoleonic Prussian, Russian, or Austrian Cavalry? Or even new French cavalry like cuirassiers?
@Anon, that cannot be ruled out.
I am pleased to let you know that Plastic Warrior magazine is very much alive and kicking, it has now been in constant publication for over 25 years and is distributed to over 40 countries worldwide. This year it finally went into colour. The scope of the magazine coverage is collecting, converting and wargaming with plastic figures from 40mm to 90mm, that said the majority of articles are about collecting old 54mm toy soldiers but every new set of HaT figures is reviewed as soon as they are issued. Every year Plastic Warrior also organises a show for plastic toy soldier collectors which attracts dealers and manufacturers from all over the world, there are a total of six toy soldier shows a year in London alone with others in Birmingham, Paris and Frankfurt.
We know from subscriptions that there are well over 1,000 collectors in England alone, with large numbers also in France, Germany, Spain and Italy so there must be many more than 1,000 in the US. Across Europe there is virtually no interest at all in the Alamo and little more in 7th Cavalry but there has always been a big following for ACW, Napoleonic, WW2 and Medieval.
Hope this is helpful, regards, Brian Carrick (Co-founder Plastic Warrior magazine).
Use Youtube to spread the word via Internet. You'll get more hits that way.
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