[Gambit]

I wonder what will happen now with the Flying Mules limited edition 109 release with skis.

[Epapazian]

Regarding the idea that Corgi might sell its product directly to consumers there are several problems with this approach. First, Corgi would have to assume the promotional expenses of all of the retailers it would bypass using such a strategy. Moreover, one questions whether the current distribution system is really the problem. While lots of people are bashing Corgi for not being able to get its products to market in line with announced delivery schedules, we must remember that you can't sell replicas if the factories wont make them.

As I observe the evolving diecast scene--in the military field, particularly----it is obvious that the Chinese are not interested in small fry business areas with little signs of growth potential. OK! Perhaps Corgi and other military diecast marketers should have tried a lot harder to enlarge their potential customer base. But they didn't. So that's water over the dam. Evidently there's still a good market for diecast toys, airliners, cars, etc. so this is obviously when the Chinese will concentrate their production efforts.

Meanwhile, as a collector of both warbirds and tanks or AFVs, I plan to reorient myself, focusing more on armor than aircraft and scaling down my purchases. Sure, I will buy HM's product and an occasional Century Wings bird, and I will add a goodly number of Altaya's 1:144th scale offerings to my collection---but not B-24s, B-25s, Lancasters" Wellingtons, HE-111s, etc. If new niche marketers turn up with higher priced but qualitatively worthwhile products, I'll sample them too and keep a wary eye on developments, especially if companies like Corgi regroup and return to the field with new lines and more realistic business plans. I think that this is a better way to approach this evolving situation than complaining bitterly and posting one wishlist after another. To borrow a famous line from the first "Batman" movie, the diecast marketers " have bigger fish to fry" than listening to a few hard core and undoubtedly dedicated diecast fans like ourselves, pleading for more and more models, plus redos of planes that have been done--however well---to death. Their first priority at this point, is survival.

[Shamrock]

Century Wings, HobbyMaster, and Witty are going to get my spare cash for the foreseeable future. If Dragon and Gemini get around to releasing aircraft in the interim they will also get a share. I have at least 14 out standing pre-orders with Corgi from the 2007/2008 catalogue as I'm sure most of you have.

[kabelace]

Originally Posted by Gambit

Here is an update from Corgi

"All Corgi releases should be taken as stalled until further firm notice is issued. We are waiting on firm confirmation (rather than wild rumour) as to exactly what is going on.

All 2008 releases are now going to be AT LEAST 4 months late, if we see them this six months at all. Remaining 2007 releases, there is a batch that's been made but confirmation of actual release is sketchy. Anything beyond that is looking rather vague to put it mildly."

Now it could be 6 months!

I was thinking that may be the company who bought Corgi last year has taken over their production facilities for their own purposes.

So its hurry up and wait. I'm still waiting on AA36901 JU-52 Float version from 2007 now marked as a May release. Its almost 8 months over from its original release date.

[Gambit]

Originally Posted by kabelace

So its hurry up and wait. I'm still waiting on AA36901 JU-52 Float version from 2007 now marked as a May release. Its almost 8 months over from its original release date.

Yes, that's the one I was waiting for as well.

The other ones were the Skyblazers Sabre and Friday 13th.

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Gambit

I wonder what will happen now with the Flying Mules limited edition 109 release with skis.

They were going to put out a Bf 109 with skis? I would want something like that. Hope they still follow through with the ski equipped Ju 87.

[Folgore]

Originally Posted by Epapazian

I've said it before but it bears repeating. Until Corgi regains control over the production process for its products, this kind of thing will happen again and again. It's a sure fire business wrecker. Obviously, with China turning into an unreliable manufacturing base with hidden agendas, Corgi must consider whether it can get its replicas, toys and other items made elsewhere---even if costs increase as it moves away from slave labor factories to those with more conventional and responsible operations. One wonders, how long it will take for Corgi and others to develope a new business model which rationalizes higher production costs with more realitic product selections. The sensible approach calls for a blending of lower cost mass produced models coupled with more selective lines of higher quality and higher priced "collector's pieces". If the bottom feeders and bargain hunters wont buy the quality product, so be it. But the practise of dumping old product into a glutted market in periodic "panic" sales, coupled with chaotic production schedules for new models just doesn't make sense.

Dang, Epapazian, I was about to post my thoughts, but you've pretty much summed 'em up (emphasis added). Well, all my thoughts that are worth posting, anyway...

[JustPlaneNuttz]

Originally Posted by Gambit

Here is an update from Corgi

"All Corgi releases should be taken as stalled until further firm notice is issued. We are waiting on firm confirmation (rather than wild rumour) as to exactly what is going on.

All 2008 releases are now going to be AT LEAST 4 months late, if we see them this six months at all. Remaining 2007 releases, there is a batch that's been made but confirmation of actual release is sketchy. Anything beyond that is looking rather vague to put it mildly."

Now it could be 6 months!

I was thinking that may be the company who bought Corgi last year has taken over their production facilities for their own purposes.

Do you have a source URL for this info?

JPN

[Gambit]

Originally Posted by JustPlaneNuttz

Do you have a source URL for this info?

JPN

Yes go to this:

http://www.goldstarstockist.co.uk/

Then enter the catalogue which is the second set of blinking arrows

Then just above the blue bar that states "Departments and Key Brands" on the right there is a link to the Corgi updates

The first message has been replaced with the one I posted today

This page is always changing and occasionally lists the Corgi releases for the UK

[Cruver Collecter]

Originally Posted by Gambit

Yes go to this:

http://www.goldstarstockist.co.uk/

Then enter the catalogue which is the second set of blinking arrows

Then just above the blue bar that states "Departments and Key Brands" on the right there is a link to the Corgi updates

The first message has been replaced with the one I posted today

This page is always changing and occasionally lists the Corgi releases for the UK

Well that does not sound to promising.