[Rooffie]

I can only say WOW!!!!! This is really really really good news!!!!!! Next to diecast planes I also collect model trains. If Hornby has the same intentions with Corgi as it had with the model train brands Lima, Jouef and Rivarossi, we can expect higher quality!!! Those brands produce models to much higher standards now than before. Can´t wait to see what Hornby does with Corgi!!!

[Celtic]

Originally Posted by Rooffie

I can only say WOW!!!!! This is really really really good news!!!!!! Next to diecast planes I also collect model trains. If Hornby has the same intentions with Corgi as it had with the model train brands Lima, Jouef and Rivarossi, we can expect higher quality!!! Those brands produce models to much higher standards now than before. Can´t wait to see what Hornby does with Corgi!!!

Old Crow's press release got me so excited that I wondered why they hadn't done this before!

I wonder if prices will go ballistic?

The Flying Tiger UK page had a positive mention of the buyout.

[Folgore]

Oh yeah: Bassett-Lowke. I wonder how much that drove the deal?

From what I'm hearing from those familiar with Hornby, they do produce high-quality lines oriented toward adult collectors, as well as "toy" lines. I hope they integrate Corgi's Aviation Archive into the former!

[dboulais]

For Hornby to continue Corgi's Aviation Archive a number of pieces would have to be in place.

1.) The aviation research department at Corgi would have to be kept or reconstructed. This is important. Hornby could try to piggyback the Airfix aviation research department on top of the Aviation Archive work. Could they do it with just the existing Airfix staff or would they have to add people. If you have to add people where do you get those kinds of experts? Does the Airfix product line have a good reputation amoung airplane plastic kit builders for accuracy? The answer might give some indication as to what historical quality to expect from Hornby going forward.

2.) Does Hornby and Corgi existing product lines overlap their retail sales outlets? If not, then Hornby will have to develop new or re-establish the Corgi sales outlets if production is interrupted during the aquisition. Over here in the US I haven't a clue where to buy anything made by Hornby. I admit I haven't Googled Hornby yet. But I don't know of any of my usual haunts where I buy diecast planes of armor, stocking anything by Hornby. Maybe the sales outlets don't overlap. Might be only the Airfax brand would be a common thread between the two.

Question. How big are the existing Hornby product lines into diecast vs plastic injection molded products? Are Hornby's trains diecast or molded plastic? Is Hornby a big diecast house in their transportation product lines?

3.) There will have to be projected sales numbers to justify any new aircraft / armor molds. Which brings us back to the financial question of why Corgi couldn't make it in this business any longer. What is goingto make Hornby think they can make a profit in aircraft and armor if Corgi couldn't? Did Corgi have some kind of outstanding exopenses that Hornby would not have also?

[Captain Eddie]

Originally Posted by dboulais

What is goingto make Hornby think they can make a profit in aircraft and armor if Corgi couldn't? Did Corgi have some kind of outstanding exopenses that Hornby would not have also?

Well, all I know is that a good number of businesses apparently feel they can make a profit in diecast aircraft and armor, seeing as how a number manufacturers have joined the fray over the last several years.

[sniperUK]

Originally Posted by dboulais

For Hornby to continue Corgi's Aviation Archive a number of pieces would have to be in place.

1.) The aviation research department at Corgi would have to be kept or reconstructed. This is important. Hornby could try to piggyback the Airfix aviation research department on top of the Aviation Archive work. Could they do it with just the existing Airfix staff or would they have to add people. If you have to add people where do you get those kinds of experts? Does the Airfix product line have a good reputation amoung airplane plastic kit builders for accuracy? The answer might give some indication as to what historical quality to expect from Hornby going forward.

2.) Does Hornby and Corgi existing product lines overlap their retail sales outlets? If not, then Hornby will have to develop new or re-establish the Corgi sales outlets if production is interrupted during the aquisition. Over here in the US I haven't a clue where to buy anything made by Hornby. I admit I haven't Googled Hornby yet. But I don't know of any of my usual haunts where I buy diecast planes of armor, stocking anything by Hornby. Maybe the sales outlets don't overlap. Might be only the Airfax brand would be a common thread between the two.

Question. How big are the existing Hornby product lines into diecast vs plastic injection molded products? Are Hornby's trains diecast or molded plastic? Is Hornby a big diecast house in their transportation product lines?

3.) There will have to be projected sales numbers to justify any new aircraft / armor molds. Which brings us back to the financial question of why Corgi couldn't make it in this business any longer. What is goingto make Hornby think they can make a profit in aircraft and armor if Corgi couldn't? Did Corgi have some kind of outstanding exopenses that Hornby would not have also?

1) The Airfix research department under Trevor Snowden is probably the best in the world if only Corgi had followed the Airfix kit painting instructions there would not have been as many screw-ups such as the apple green Chinook,wrong greys on modern RAF aircraft etc.

2) I was in three modelshops today all had Hornby railways,Airfix kits ,Humbrol paints and Corgi diecast, the owners of two of them said with Hornbys distribution it meant they could at least get up to date Corgi releases as they recieve Airfix on the day the kits are released.

Hornby Railways have probably the biggest range in the world including accesories ,buildings ,vehicles etc ,the Airfix range again is extensive and since Hornbys takeover last year the investment put into new tooling has been fantastic.Corgi is their first venture into diecast.

3) As far as I could see the previous owners of Corgi were more interested in the movie licences and so calle "pop culture" collectables and the diecast ranges were a legacy they had little or no interest in.

[jim]

Originally Posted by sniperUK

1)
3) As far as I could see the previous owners of Corgi were more interested in the movie licences and so calle "pop culture" collectables and the diecast ranges were a legacy they had little or no interest in.

That was a big mistake imho,

One of Corgis major problems was shortage of cashflow thus causing in my view some of the dumping we have seen.
They were always chasing money but then throwing it away due to several bad judgements.

We can be certain that when Hornby starts to run things we will never see dumping of models or the decert farce ever again, Hornby are way too smart for that.
The more I think about this the more confident I am that we shall see in not too long a time Corgi aviation products back in the market place.

With good management and cash flow there is money to be made.

[timbo]

Originally Posted by dboulais

For Hornby to continue Corgi's Aviation Archive a number of pieces would have to be in place.


2.) Does Hornby and Corgi existing product lines overlap their retail sales outlets? If not, then Hornby will have to develop new or re-establish the Corgi sales outlets if production is interrupted during the aquisition. Over here in the US I haven't a clue where to buy anything made by Hornby. I admit I haven't Googled Hornby yet. But I don't know of any of my usual haunts where I buy diecast planes of armor, stocking anything by Hornby. Maybe the sales outlets don't overlap. Might be only the Airfax brand would be a common thread between the two.

3.) There will have to be projected sales numbers to justify any new aircraft / armor molds. Which brings us back to the financial question of why Corgi couldn't make it in this business any longer. What is goingto make Hornby think they can make a profit in aircraft and armor if Corgi couldn't? Did Corgi have some kind of outstanding exopenses that Hornby would not have also?

probably the most common overlap between the dealer community in the US would be the Scalectrix slot cars.

They are also well versed in limited run batch production for individual releases. A lot of their Loco's although not offical limited editions are in fact in very short supply, and sell out very fast.

[parsig9]

Originally Posted by Old Crow

Corgi's own website is all about model cars and trucks; the Batmobile has sold 5 million units, a few more than the Corgi P-51.

.

I just don't get who buys all these Batman items. Maybe I'm out of the loop, but I've never seen one and I don't really think it's that popluar here.

Am I nuts?

[leeG]

Originally Posted by parsig9

I just don't get who buys all these Batman items. Maybe I'm out of the loop, but I've never seen one and I don't really think it's that popluar here.

Am I nuts?

I wonder what the Batman buyers think of our diecast military airplanes?