[dboulais]

After the announcement of the sale of Corgi to Hornby, it looks like HM is the winner in the 1/72 scale diecast aircraft race. I just can't envision Corgi paying as much attention to us in the future as HM is doing now or Corgi itself did in the past. I love HM products, but I hate to see a reduction in releases from another manufacturers. It just limits our choices. Especially since the rest of the WW II propeller aircraft manufacturers Dragon, IXO, Witty, Gemini seem to be in remission for new releases.

[PappyB]

Did I miss something -- how does the acquisition mean HM is the "winner". I had thought this now means Corgi has the funding to get on the ball....

[Cruver Collecter]

Hopefully this will mean there are two heavy hitters in the diecast market.

[Raven]

Reviewing my purchases of the last year, I have pretty much been buying HM models, Corgi (HM) Predators on sale, and Gemini Aces. Any Corgi's I have bought have been on deep discount or something that is a must have (Swordfish). Other than the heavies, Corgi just doesn't do it for me. Prices are high and detail is lacking - I think the market has voted and HM is the clear winner for now.

Maybe this puchase will trigger a resurgence for Corgi.

[theodore]

Originally Posted by PappyB

Did I miss something -- how does the acquisition mean HM is the "winner". I had thought this now means Corgi has the funding to get on the ball....

Pappy, I really feel that Corgi, with Hornby at the helm, will spread out into a younger market with Thomas the Train, Harry Potter, etc. and the focus of diecast military aircraft and armor will enter a period of 'stasis'.

Besides Hobby Master releasing all different scales of both aircraft and armor, Franklin Mint releasing some new aircraft in 1:48, King & Country releasing a huge amount of armor and figs in 1:30, and 21st Century releasing some very good armor and aircraft in 1:32, I think all of the other players have simply scaled down and become virtually non-existent, primarily due to manufacturing costs, increases in shipping, and labor. This is our new 'reality' and we need to adjust to a new military diecast/plastic/resin & crushed stone world.

[PappyB]

Originally Posted by theodore

Pappy, I really feel that Corgi, with Hornby at the helm, will spread out into a younger market with Thomas the Train, Harry Potter, etc. and the focus of diecast military aircraft and armor will enter a period of 'stasis'.

Besides Hobby Master releasing all different scales of both aircraft and armor, Franklin Mint releasing some new aircraft in 1:48, King & Country releasing a huge amount of armor and figs in 1:30, and 21st Century releasing some very good armor and aircraft in 1:32, I think all of the other players have simply scaled down and become virtually non-existent, primarily due to manufacturing costs, increases in shipping, and labor. This is our new 'reality' and we need to adjust to a new military diecast/plastic/resin & crushed stone world.

Possible -- also possible that this expansion can provide the funds to keep the products that made Corgi what it is going, too --- I would be surprised if we don't see the full 2008 catalog at least as you have to think the mold investments have already been made... and who knows, but the silence from the rest is a bit ominous. Good thing I've been blowing through my budget lately then I suppose!

[Folgore]

IF Corgi pulls back from the diecast market, perhaps the harrowing of the field will create some space for some of the newer, up-and-coming companies (e.g., Gemini Aces, Century Wings, Carousel 1 et al) to ramp up their production and releases. As I ventured on the Crash and Burn--Or Survive and Thrive? thread, the market may re-orient toward a more niche collectors audience (which I think includes most of us here). There may be fewer companies in the game, fewer releases and higher prices but more quality. Or, of course, the pooch may commit to the Aviation Archive more than ever...

[Cardinal]

Originally Posted by PappyB

Did I miss something -- how does the acquisition mean HM is the "winner". I had thought this now means Corgi has the funding to get on the ball....

Agreed PappyB .

I was beginning to think that I was one of the only/few individuals who believe that the Hornby buyout of Corgi is actually a positive development for the brand and diecast collecting ...

[sniperUK]

Originally Posted by theodore

Pappy, I really feel that Corgi, with Hornby at the helm, will spread out into a younger market with Thomas the Train, Harry Potter, etc. and the focus of diecast military aircraft and armor will enter a period of 'stasis'.

Have you actually looked at Hornbys products? Only a very small part is Thomas and Harry Potter the rest are for serious collectors ,$200 for a 1/76th loco is not exactly kids stuff.The AA range will fit perfectly with their products and with them owning Humbrol paints it should mean the correct colours on the models.Both of my local model shop owners think this is the best thing to happen for years as the Hornby distribution network is first class and they will be able to get model railways,plastic kits,paints and diecast from the one source.

[Epapazian]

Originally Posted by Folgore

IF Corgi pulls back from the diecast market, perhaps the harrowing of the field will create some space for some of the newer, up-and-coming companies (e.g., Gemini Aces, Century Wings, Carousel 1 et al) to ramp up their production and releases. As I ventured on the Crash and Burn--Or Survive and Thrive? thread, the market may re-orient toward a more niche collectors audience (which I think includes most of us here). There may be fewer companies in the game, fewer releases and higher prices but more quality. Or, of course, the pooch may commit to the Aviation Archive more than ever...

I tend to agree with you and have posted similar thoughts on other threads. As the situation is evolving, it look as if HM and Century Wings, by virtue of a better strategy aided greatly by having a reliable production partner, will take over the market segment once dominated by Corgi and Dragon. This calls for a pseudo-mass production approach which incorporates a good measure of quality, coupled with caution on excessive risk-taking. We may get a Val, Il-2 and even a MC-202 from HM and , perhaps, a F-105 or F-106, from Century Wings, but don't hold your breath waiting for a Walrus, Arado Ar.-196 or a Fokker D XXI from these companies. As a result, there will be plenty of room for one or more---but not dozens----of niche marketers offering short-run, high quality product at a more leisurely pace, but, of course, charging much higher prices. Finally, a third tier will probably consist of mass produced, so-so quality items, covering an ever expanding array of airplanes and armor, at relatively low prices---more or less in the current Altaya/IXO vein. These lines will no doubt focus on smaller scales---1:72nd on down----but this is where our cravings for diversity will be satisfied. Eventually, they will turn out replicas of every aircraft and tank or AFV made.

Where does this leave Corgi, under its new management? I don't really know. However, if the new owners decide to remain in the quality military collectibles arena---even as niche players----I still feel that their best bet is heavies, since HM and Century Wings don't seem inclined to go in this direction.