Shortage of Toy Soldiers!

Discussion in 'Modelling' started by Trux, Sep 21, 2021.

  1. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    I picked up a toy soldier magazine at the newsagents. Apparently all the big toy soldier manufacturers are in trouble. Based in the US or Hong Kong the big manufacturers have models cast and painted in China. Production has been affected over the last eighteen months and now everyone down the supply chain is anxious to recuperate losses by increasing prices. Also while air freight was normal for these high value items this has tripled in price. Turning to sea transport has meant delays and even then prices are going up. Add those models held up when the big container ship blocked the Suez Canal and we have shortages, higher prices and over extended firms in trouble.

    Plenty of small British makers still around though.

    Do all these problems apply o plastic and resin vehicle and aircraft kits?

    Mike
     
  2. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Mike shortage of lots of stuff like diecast (Hot Wheels) and the like which is imported.
    Many of the containers during the pandemic were in the wrong place for a long time meaning a knock on effect once it opened up
    if any bespoke British toy makers are around assume they are suffering from shortage of raw materials

    last year a container for shipment cost them circa £1300 per unit now it is circa £13000

    regards
    Clive
     
  3. stolpi

    stolpi Well-Known Member

    High time we start making 'things' ourselves again .. will make us less dependent on others 'n'est ce pas'.
     
  4. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    More literal than perhaps you meant, but the big fantasy and sci-fi modelling companies (Games Workshop etc) are increasing having problems with 3D-printing--both on a personal and on a minor-industrial scale.
     
  5. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Yes. A return to a simpler life style. I read that only one person in five would want to have a job based full time in an office. People are moving away from city centres and looking for a rural home. Londons economy is collapsing with empty offices, cafes, coffee bars, sandwich shops etc.

    Mike
     
  6. KevinT

    KevinT Senior Member

    True Mike,

    But London is not unique there is economy north, south, east and west of London.

    Cheers

    Kevin
     
  7. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    Shortage of Airfix kits plus paints and the like during the lazy down mostly WW2 according to internet.
    Making models when they should have been working from home
    At least it might give them an interest in WW2 or history in general as opposed to swipe right culture

    Maketh the Westland Whirlwind ( getting the wings to glue) maketh the man

    [​IMG]
     
  8. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

    With all the interest in military: especially such elegant designs as Whirlwind and (sorry being so German) Dornier 335 I always like to imagine at the Reno Air Races in bright effect paintwork. :cool:
     
    CL1 likes this.
  9. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    oh crikey yes very nice looking aircraftdiecast models available for now

    [​IMG]
     
    ltdan likes this.
  10. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

    :D:D:D do335profile16.jpg
     
    CL1 likes this.
  11. CL1

    CL1 116th LAA and 92nd (Loyals) LAA,Royal Artillery

    a weighted nose would be required (the front end )
    I can now see why I torched all the modes once completed because they werent really completed but slung together.


    Blimey the prices of the kits do go a bit high

    this would be my level still available for about 5 quid

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
    [​IMG]
     
  12. ltdan

    ltdan Nietenzähler

    CL1 likes this.
  13. Wg Cdr Luddite

    Wg Cdr Luddite Well-Known Member

    From personal experience I can tell you that British wargames companies have had a boom time during lockdown. Everything is cast in the UK so no supply chain worries. It is a field where the UK is still a world leader.
     
    stolpi likes this.
  14. idler

    idler GeneralList

    The few modellers I know have lofts, garages and rooms full of 'future projects' so they ought to be able to weather the storm. Even I've got a dozen or so up in the loft and I haven't had a sniff of the glue for decades.
     
  15. JimHerriot

    JimHerriot Ready for Anything

    Aaaaah Clive, Westland Whirlwind.
    Construction process not to be sniffed at!
    Get yer kits out.
    Kind regards, always,
    Jim.
     
    CL1 likes this.
  16. Charley Fortnum

    Charley Fortnum Dreaming of Red Eagles

    4jonboy and davidbfpo like this.
  17. idler

    idler GeneralList

    89 euros for the kit and double that on the paints by the look of it! I suspect pocket money has gone up a bit since my day.

    I think my niece will be getting Clive's recommendation and a bag of stone chippings from Wickes...
     
    CL1 likes this.
  18. Gary Kennedy

    Gary Kennedy Member

    I recognise the old Esci British Infantry in that Montecassino set, not the German Paras though. I vaguely recall Italeri boxing up a lot of the old Esci sets under their own brand, Revell did something similar I think.

    Gary
     
  19. idler

    idler GeneralList

    The missus acquired these at a car boot sale for someone other than me. When I realised that a couple of them are armed with EM1 or EM2 (the moulding's not that great but I lean towards the EM1) I decided to hold on to them.

    IMG_20211113_174950172~2.jpg

    Haven't yet worked out what the bloke next to the radio op is armed with, though. It's not a bullpup.
    Edit: The .280-in FAL looks a reasonable match: Historical Firearms - BSA 28P The BSA 28P is an interesting side note to...
     
    Last edited: Nov 13, 2021
    CL1 likes this.
  20. Trux

    Trux 21 AG

    Idler,

    I remember those. I think I still have some somewhere. These were very early Britains Herald toy soldiers and were a great step forward in poses and design. Produced in the UK from the mid 1950's. The later American Civil War figures were very good.

    Mike
     

Share This Page