Winter Edition German Plastic Show Plastic Figures Galore, I have reports on the German Plastic just held in Herne. This is a great show for plastic figures. While the show is heavy in Timpo there are other figures for other collectors.
Winter Edition German Plastic Show Introduction
My very good friend Peter Bergner has posted more photos on his site. You can see them here There you can see more of Peter’s tables.
You have to wonder with no new 1/32 products coming from Germany, France and UK how much longer these European shows will last.
Europeans import easy all produced from around world from any maker ,included all made by “US maker” ,in reality made in China . EXF exports more than half to european dealers and collectors .Ukrainian and Russian newlines brand makers sale their good in Europe more easy than to US because of shipping cost ,prices else that Europeans are willing to pay more easy than US collectors.
Most European shows are far richer in diversity brands/set amounts and contrary to the ones here in US .While UK shows are more general dedicated to their own made plus some others from abroad .Central Europe toy soldiers shows are full of plenty never seen or rarely seen here in US brands/ sets from all plenty European mix many brands that combined are far more than all made in US by big numbers .Generally European collectors by overall have more spend/deep pocket availability than most here because they have a larger middle age population range in working budget than here in US were most are older generation retired and minority other ages .The value of European figures is often far more than average US vintage yet European collectors are willing pay for those prices there far more than here .US shows are dying long ago ,european are kept stronger and often better ,they had actually increased in last 10 years with several new in Italy ,Spain and a far larger open trade/sale market off FB blogs between europeans .Street market what we call here flea market in Europe are full of figures base in daly finding announced in blogs from europeans.That in US is a rarity now and every time harder .
1/32 had never been a plus for central european collectors traditionally with some exceptions or new collectors .Europeans always with exception of UK used as kids most or generally larger scales 60-80 mm figures as maker were always following the Elastolin 1/26-1/28 traditional scale lines since 1930s.US main scale in 1940/50s was not 1/32 either but much larger from the first brands such Beton,bergen ,ajax,ideal ,auburn,tm and so on ..
Those collecting in Europe the 1/32 can get most all as i mentioned before any ways easy .
my thoughts ..
Good points but these plentiful European figures are old and very few are being recast. Airfix recasts the same figures every few years, the great 1/32 plastic vehicles and tanks done in the early 70’s are either lost or not worth the effort to recast. It’s good to see Waterloo 1815 putting out product but besides them nothing. There are gaps in European history that I am sure collectors would want in modern detailed sculpting. Russian and Ukrainian makers fill some of these needs but they also produce a lot of Russian-centric figures.
3D is the future ,already taking over ,Airfix is on hand of not toy soldier enthusiastic makers just wanting produce kits models since mid 2000 unfortunately.
Airfix vintage set with exception of italian set and two more are extremely cheap easy to find and super abundant ,same with matchbox and few others ..Long run production using traditional mold is too costly unfortunately for the profit recovery today ,that’s what made European makers such Accurate ,Revell,Italeri Waterloo 1815 and many other stop long ago .Here is US that is what make most stop such AIP,TSSD,Barszo ,IMEX,Parago,austin,Pegasus and so on .CTS making one set every 2-3 years least and only Conte and Lod making new now .I huge difference from 90s-2000s early to last 10 years with a huge decline in production ,amount of makers from US and abroad using traditional tooling .Hobby is transitioning to short run limited expensive figures demand and 3D that will get better as years pass .European wanting 1/32 are the same as the ones here wanting more 1/32 .A lot asking but few in reality really buy a lot to support such production cost .Most will buy 1 or two sets most .That do not support the huge cost per mold in traditional way at all of any maker and some makers honestly clearly had expressed so in public blogs .Is a sad reality but is the maker pocket and huge time consuming .Waterloo 1815 owner express recently after releasing his two US cavalry after dormant for years that is to costly to continue and more likely not producing the previews sets announced more or else .The same problem affecting those in the pass .my thoughts
GREAT POSTING! The usual awesome photos of way cool European boxed items (and loose figures too)! Thanks for all involved in taking these photos and getting them posted! Very enjoyable!!!
Happy Birthday Paul …
Glad have you for so long and going .
Wish u best and many more …