Panzer III N and other thoughts. Hello, I was wondering if you plan to continue your woderful Pz III series with the N model, which would mean basically replaceing the 5cm gun on the M model with the short 7.5cm gun. I hope you do, because I can't wait for the schurzen version of the Pz III w/5cm and am really hoping for another one with the schurzen and a 7.5cm cannon.
I've also recently been looking at some of your competitors vehicles, expecially lower price/quality pieces by Corgi in their Showcase collection (1/72: M3 halftrack, M8 Greyhound, and M3 Stuart) and Johnny Lightning in its Lighting Brigade (1:78 GMC & Chevy trucks, and 1:64 Dodge Command Car) These all retailed for around the $5 mark, and they are fairly nicely done for the price. My idea would be for you to do some accurate 1:72 scale vehicles that otherwise may never be done in a simpler, cheaper construction at a lower price (under $10) that would appeal to both collectors and wargamers. A prospective initial lineup may be a US truck, German Opel blitz, Russian SU-76, Brit armored car, and Italian light tank or assault gun. You could possibly even do high end/low end versions of the same vehicle. Say for an Italian tank, do one with detailed suspension components, and another with a one-piece simplified suspension unit. I certainly wouldn't mind simplified suspension ala Corgi if that meant I got more vehicles at a lower price. I think there is a real opportunity for someone to come out with a wider line of non-Main Battle Tanks in nicely finished 1:72 to replace all the manufacturers of unfinished resin pieces currently available in the wargaming field, and still appeal to the basic military diecast collector. Likewise I hope you decide to jump into the painted figure market in a big way for the same reasons.
Good luck and looking forward to all the upcoming armor and guns (And here's hoping for the 6 pdr!) |