Future Russian Plastic Figures Prikav Warhansa
Mike Pedergast has been busy checking with the various figure makers. He has found out two companies Prikav and Warhansa will have new sets. Prikav is doing two new sets. they are Indo- China French. The set has five figures. Russian Vikings this set has four figures one mounted and three foot.
Warhansa is doing a WWII Russian set of eight figures. These will be out in February. You can see the figures here
All the sets depicted on the above link are quite well done.
For sheer creativity, however, the prize must be awarded to the Russian firm Prikav for its new Dien Ben Phu (not sure about my spelling) set of French Foreign Legion parachute battalion figures in the French Indo-China colonial war. A set covering that period needed to be done, and now it has been, with a level of artistry similar to Plastic Platoon.
Drum roll,,,and the cost ISSSS??
The cost issue didn’t come up in the interview.
Undoubtedly, with well-sculpted, limited run figures from Russia, we’ve learned the price per figure will be high.
With the demise of the toy soldier market, and the consequential decline of anything which even resembles mass-production of our figures, weve learned we can say goodbye to most inexpensive toy soldiers, even the traditional ones molded in soft plastic.
Additionally, the collector demand for figures of new, different historical eras which haven’t previously been done, and typically don’t have such mass appeal, will limit the market for these new, unique sets even more.
And as we all know, the smaller the market, the higher the price!
When Expeditionary Force first came out with its new production, everyone commented on “such well-done figures, but so expensive”. But now the $4.00 per figure cost is starting to appear not quite so unreasonable, in view of what other overseas manufacturers are asking.
For the collectors of single figures, this isn’t so bad. But for collectors like me, who like to set up mass formations in big battles, the situation isn’t good. It’s why I definitely appreciate producers like HAT and AIP.
I agree about the general shape of the market and wholeheartedly share your appreciation for producers like AIP and HAT. Lately I have been slowly accumulating an ancient army of HAT Punic War figures – they are affordable and I like them a lot. For market bottom-feeders like me (and for the kids out there) the situation isn’t completely dire. Leaving aside Dollar Tree stuff, Walmart still has the Corps Elite Buckets. In the Midwest, Meijer carries buckets of the Blue Box figures. Yesterday I was in a Target and saw a bucket of the Blue Box armymen next to the Terra dinosaurs. I assumed that it had been stuck there by a shopper and went looking for the main display; I couldn’t find more, but the bucket was there and priced 9.99. Here’s hoping more show up for the kids!
While I am thinking about it, let me also sing the praises of Jeff Imel and VictoryBuy, re-releasing for reasonable prices all those Timmee/PP and BMC sets, as well as classic figures from Marx and other companies.
Yes, I forgot to mention BMC/Victory Buy, where Jeff Imel is doing such good work with BMC, Marx, and Timmee reissues — all in a good quality soft plastic, and at such reasonable prices.
No quite impressive x any.the indochina para looks like they been drop diret after a parade march full of medals and non combat uniform decorations.
the finish looks crude as still been carved and considered the prices most Russian ask not worth my money.
my thoughts
It has been a busy year so far. I think we are going to see a bunch of new sets from overseas this year. It might be one of the best years ever. I am going to have to save a lot of money and start selling off some extra things that I have in order to afford any of these new sets.
Thanks Paul. Take Care of now, Mike.
Once again some lovely figures coming out of Russia again. I might consider buying the Russian Vikings figures but only if they are a true 54mm scale and not 65mm? And of course if they are a reasonable price.
Its Great to see new and stunning figures being made but some of the prices are to much for many of us but good luck to those that can afford it.
Any update on the Mars pirates?
I have been waiting for figures for Dien Bien Phu. I was hoping Plastic Platoon would do these as part of their Vietnam series. The Prickav need work on the weapon sculpting and it looks like they are based on a movie I have yet to see. That’s probably why we see the armed Nurse and parade dressed officer. The French “Boonie” type hat was different from the American but it looks like they overdid the sculpting of it and it looks more like an Indiana Jones fedora. I will still buy this and I hope the do Aa second set with the MAT-48 Machinegun and light machine gun.